Marinette was falling.

That's it; She was falling.

Things were going great so far; Adrien inviting her to the Fashion Expo, her designs and creations being complimented by The Gabriel Agreste, having her picture taken with Adrien, an Akuma Attack, part of the building destroyed, she was falling...?...!

Wait. The last three were bad!

Unfortunately for her, she happens to be standing on the area the Akuma destroyed. When the ground broke apart, she began to fall.

She wanted to transform in order to save herself, but that would mean she would reveal her identity to everyone in Paris! But if she doesn't transform, then she'll end up being...!

She felt a strong pair of arms grab her. When she turned to mentally thank Chat Noir... It wasn't Chat Noir.

A swarm of white butterflies surrounded the two fallen figures. When they dispersed, Marinette was in the arms of her rescuer who now sported a pair of large black butterfly wings with purple markings. Like the wings of an akuma.

Marinette couldn't believe her eyes.

She was saved, by HAWK MOTH?!

Once Hawk Moth landed on the ground, he, gently lowered a still-speechless Marinette down on her feet. For a moment, the two locked eyes, before Hawk Moth turned away.

"You should leave before things get any more risky." That was the only thing he said before he vanished in a swarm of white butterflies, leaving behind a baffled Marinette.

Hawk Moth... in public... for the first time.

And this was the first time she saw him in-person.

And she was saved... by him.

She has to tell Chat Noir... Oh shoot! Chat Noir!

Time to transform!

Another day saved.

Chat lifted his fist up for their usual fist bump, but instead finds his partner deep in thought.

"You okay my lady?" He asked in concern.

Ladybug hesitated to reply, but he was her partner. She had to tell him.

She turned to face him with a grim look, "I just saw Hawk Moth, here."

Chat's eyes and ears respectively widened and perked up in surprise, "Hawk Moth? Here? In public? In person? In the flesh? For the first time?"

"Yes. And..." Ladybug hesitated once more before dragging Chat Noir behind a bush, "I saw him, save a civilian."

Chat blink twice, wondering if his cat ears heard that right. "Hawk Moth in public", he gets. But "Hawk Moth SAVING an innocent civilian"? That's unbelievable! The guy only cares about akumatizing people, (and robots, and animals) and stealing Miraculouses.

"No. That can't be right." Chat Noir shook his head in denial.

"I know. It's crazy." Ladybug turned around as she pondered on the fact that Hawk Moth just saved her life, "Then again, I...er, Marinette would have been a flat pancake if it wasn't for him."

Chat Noir shook his head again, "Marinette?"

Hawk Moth actually saved one of his friends from falling.

Question is; Why?

"Why would he save her?" Chat asked. That's when a thought occurred, "You don't think, he personally knows her, do you?"

She wished he didn't have to say that. Ever since he rescued her, Marinette couldn't help but sense that there was something familiar about Hawk Moth. And his eyes... Even through his cold gaze, she sensed a feeling of, loneliness inside the corrupted Miraculous Holder.

"Maybe... We shouldn't press the matter even further." Ladybug proposed, "For all we know, this might be a message from Hawk Moth himself. A warning, maybe. Whatever it is, we can't let an innocent civilian get involved in this."

"And what happens if, it happens again?" Chat asked, making Ladybug stop to think.

Maybe Hawk Moth is just trying to confuse them by saving an innocent civilian. Still; when she looked at his eyes when he caught her, she also sensed a hint of, worry? And relief?

Why would he be worried for a teenage girl? Did she have some kind of connection to the villain? Maybe the villain had a moment of deja vu and jumped in order to prevent the traumatic moment from happening again. What are the odds she'll be saved by the villain for the second time?

"Let's, just try to keep an eye out for him in case he appears again." Ladybug finally replied. Her partner nodded in agreement as the two parted ways.

Why? Why did he do it?

He was on his way to look for his son when he heard a scream; One of Adrien's friends, Marinette, was falling to the ground.

When he saw her, something inside him clicked. The next thing he knew, he jumped off the broken edge of the building and commanded Nooroo to transform him into Hawk Moth. He managed to grab her in time and safely settled her back on the ground.

When he realized what he done, he fled with his butterflies. But not before telling the aspiring designer to head to safety.

Why? Why did he save her?

He had to admit though; Among his son's friends that he personally met, she was the most, decent. And most respectful. And most clever.

In fact, on his way to check on his presentation, he came across Chloe ripping the skirt of one of his creations, deliberately, just to frame Marinette.

The blonde left, leaving the brunette to fix the mess, literally. She actually managed to repair the dress and managed to hide the tear from plain sight. Gabriel was so impressed by her initiative that he personally complemented her and assured her that he will properly admonish Chloe for her behaviour, claiming his son should get himself acquainted with such a ill-mannered person.

Then, to his complete shock, Marinette defended Chloe. And after what she did to her. She even took responsibility for the mayor's daughter's actions. All because she doesn't want Adrien to lose his childhood friend.

Her actions... reminded him of someone close to him. And lost.

His thoughts were interrupted by another akuma opportunity.

But maybe he should have thought his powers through.

After the damage was repaired, he went to check on his son, and found him talking to Marinette. She didn't say anything about Hawk Moth saving her. Good. He doesn't want any suspicions.

When Chloe pushed Marinette to the ground just so she can hug Adrien, something else inside him clicked.

Right there, right in front of everyone, Gabriel berated Chloe for being a terrible influence to his son, and told her to stay away from him.

And guess who told him that he was too harsh (actually he did it just right) on the mayor's daughter; Marinette.

She really was one interesting individual. Which is why when Chloe asked him for a second chance during her Birthday Masquerade Gala, he agreed.

On the condition that she also invites Marinette.

Naturally, the bluenette was surprised by the invitation. Eventually, she figured out his plan and didn't hesitate to voice out the way that he's being too hard on Chloe. He managed to make her stop by leaving her to dance with Adrien.

As expected, the spoiled brat couldn't stand to see his son dancing with his other friend.

When he saw the way they were smiling at each other... he became nostalgic.

He never saw Adrien that, happy before. That Marinette really has a positive influence on his son. Just like someone he knew.

Then, duty calls.

Since the party was outside, there was no one inside Hotel de Ville, the perfect place to transform.

What he didn't expect was that he would bump into Marinette. Hopefully, she didn't see him transform.

The two stared at each other in complete shock. Hawk Moth reacted first by turning to leave, only to stop when he heard someone approaching from the corner.

By the time Roger appeared, Hawk Moth had already retreated to the roof of Hotel de Ville. Along with Marinette.

The bluenette had her mouth covered by the villain's hand, thinking that she was going to scream. Annoyed, she tapped his arm, telling him to let go. Hawk Moth agreed.

"I wasn't going to tell anyone. I," Marinette looked away for a moment before turning back to Hawk Moth, "wanted to say, thanks. For saving me back then."

Hawk Moth's eyes shot up in surprise, "You're, welcome."

He's surprised she still remembers that day.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw his son dancing with someone. He scowled at that someone; Chloe Bourgeois.

He commanded one of his butterflies to fly over to his son. Once the butterfly reached its target, Hawk Moth and Marinette managed to hear their conversation.

"Chloe..." Adrien spoke uncomfortably, "I should go look for my dad."

He breaks away, only to be pulled back by Chloe, "Adrien you have to tell him that it was a honest mistake."

"Honest mistake." Hawk Moth scoffed internally.

"Chloe, you ruined one of my dad's dresses just because you were mad that I invited Marinette over." Adrien pointed out.

"She started it!" Chloe retorted.

Hawk Moth glanced at Marinette. It was clear to him that she did not approve of the blonde's claims. As usual.

"Look; Marinette is a friend." Adrien reasoned.

"Am I not your friend too?" Chloe interrupted, offended, "You should have invited me first. I was the first friend you ever had before you met those...!"

"Okay. I'll stop you right there." Adrien held up his hand, "What's wrong with inviting my other friends to the Expo?"

"The Fashion Expo." Chloe emphasized, "It's like one of the most exclusive events in the whole entire world! You can't just drag some low-class bumpkin in such an event!"

Hawk Moth glanced back at the bluenette; Marinette gaped widely in complete insulted shock that the butterfly-themed villain had to personally shut her mouth close with a finger.

"Wow." Adrien remarked, "My dad was right; You are a terrible influence on me."

He turned to leave, causing Chloe to retort, "Well... Your dad's worst. No wonder your mom left him with you."

...!

She, did not, just say THAT!

Chloe placed her hands over her mouth when she realized what she just said. Just as she was about to apologize...

"Huh. Who'd knew I'd encounter the day I finally couldn't recognize my childhood friend?" That was the last thing Adrien said before storming away from a guilty Chloe.

Hawk Moth nodded his head in approval. Finally. His son did something right. Atleast now they don't have to argue over that spoiled brat.

He turned to his companion, "Must be nice to see that spoiled brat fall."

"As much I wanted Chloe to get her just desserts, this, isn't all that sweet." Marinette replied, surprising Hawk Moth.

"Come on now. That girl has been a thorn to everyone's side." Hawk Moth pointed out, "The rejection from a friend must be the greatest misfortune she ever received."

"Still..." Marinette turn to Hawk Moth, "You can't akumatize her again. Or Adrien."

"Don't worry. I'm not." Hawk Moth assured. After the spoiled brat's behaviour during the Fashion Expo, he wasn't in the mood to even connect with her telepathically. Nor was he planning to akumatize his own son. Hopefully the bluenette won't have any further questions concerning the latter.

"I know you."

Hawk Moth's eyes widened in shock. Did she see him transform?

"I, think."

Hawk Moth cocked an eyebrow in confusion.

"Back then at the expo...You saved me for a reason." Marinette explained, "And for some reason, it felt like I know you."

"You don't." Hawk Moth spoke back, trying to hide the truth from her, "You just...

Memories flashed before Hawk Moth. Memories, he wished never to recall again.

"Remind me of someone." Hawk Moth finished hesitantly. Why is he even talking to her about that?

"I'm sorry." Marinette empathized. She never seen this side of her enemy before.

Hawk Moth looked at his son's friend in surprise. He, never expected for a civilian to empathized with him. He expected a civilian would run away at the first sight of him. Yet, she didn't.

"It's crazy." Marinette managed a small smile, "I... Everyone said you're a cold-hearted villain. But, after what happened... After what you did for me... You don't seam, that bad. But I doubt they would want you to do this."

Hawk Moth was still surprised at her previous statement, but managed to reply, "You have no idea."

She would want this. All of this. He was doing it all for her.

"But would you want this?" Marinette asked.

Hawk Moth was going to reply, but stopped to think; Many times have he done this, the same routine. Searching for negative emotions. Creating villains. Trying to retrieve the Miraculouses that will change the world.

For the first time in his time as a villain... he was starting to question his role.

Speaking of his role, he almost forgot...

"I hope you can still keep your word." Hawk Moth opened his palm, allowing one of his white butterflies to land on it.

Marinette watched with shock as Hawk Moth filled the seemingly harmless little butterfly with dark energy before releasing it into the night in order for it to search for its victim.

"Don't worry." Hawk Moth assured, "It's neither."

Marinette cocked an eyebrow in disapproval and crosses her arms, "Yeah. That's really 'assuring'."

She slightly yelped in surprise when Hawk Moth picked her up in his arms.

"We should get you somewhere safe." Hawk Moth summoned his Akuma wings and took to the skies with Marinette.

Marinette remained silent throughout the entire flight. She still can't believe she actually encountered Hawk Moth for the second time, in her civilian form.

She was fortunate that he didn't notice Tikki, but she still wished she knew the reason why he was corrupting people in order to retrieve her and Chat Noir's Miraculouses.

Maybe she does know him. Maybe she doesn't. But if he really was that heartless, he wouldn't just save a mere civilian.

After the villain set her down safely on the ground and flew away, Marinette began to formulate a plan in order to convince the villain to relinquish his evil goals.

Of course there'd be an Akuma Attack during Chloe's Birthday.

Adrien managed to find a safe place where he can transform without any witnesses. But just as he raised his fist into the air, he spotted a familiar bluenette talking to Hawk Moth?

Actually, he just saw Hawk Moth, who was wearing large Akuma wings on his back, landing on the ground with Marinette in his arms. He didn't say anything else, and so did she. He just took off to the skies while she ran to the opposite direction.

Ladybug did say that Hawk Moth saved Marinette's life. But was it because she was working alongside the butterfly villain?

Adrien mentally shook his head. No. Marinette is too sweet and kind-hearted to get involved with someone like Hawk Moth.

Once the Akuma was purified, Chat detransformed back into Adrien and rushed to find Marinette. He passed by Chloe, only glancing at her for a second before he resumed his search, still upset at his former childhood friend for what she said.

Finally, he found Marinette, safe and sound, talking with his father.

He wanted to talk to her about Hawk Moth, but not with these guests all around. Someone could hear them and spread rumors. And the last thing he wants was to see Marinette publicly scorned for her involvement with Paris' Most Wanted.

Or maybe he should just talk to her in his Chat Noir persona when she's alone in her balcony at night.

Whatever happened, he has to make sure that his friend is safe from Hawk Moth's evil influence.