Author's Notes: Welcome to the sequel to the Papa Pain trilogy!

Doing a little experimental world-building here, most of which will be invalidated when season two comes along. ^_-

Please keep in mind that being a sequel to "Papa Pain", this story (mostly) ignores the episodes "Princesse Fragrance" and "Volpina" and diverges after "Jackady".

Updates will probably not be as frequent due to my imminent return to writing My Little Pony fanfiction at the start of April.

Enjoy!

MIRACULOUS LADYBUG: "DISASTROUS"

by Mythril Moth

Prelude

In ancient times, seven jewels called Miraculous were created. Bonded to fairy spirits known as Kwami and passed down to men and women of great virtue, the tremendous powers of the Miraculous have been used for thousands of years to safeguard mankind against disaster, danger, and evil.

But just as all things in nature have their opposite number—yin and yang—so too is true of the Miraculous. Even the two most powerful Miraculous are opposites of one another, always used in harmony by destined partners. The Ladybug Earrings, containing the power of creation. The Black Cat Ring, containing the power of destruction. Yin and yang, eternally in balance, eternally whole.

All things have their opposite number. Yin and yang. And the opposite number of the Miraculous is...

...the Disastrous.

Ten months ago, Marinette Dupain-Cheng's life had changed completely. An insanely handsome and kind new boy had begun attending her school, and she'd become a magical superhero tasked with protecting the city of Paris from a supervillain with the power to corrupt ordinary people into powerful, crazed villains. She'd spent an entire school year juggling her schoolwork, her home life, her social life, her obsessive crush on Adrien Agreste, and her secret double life as the heroine Ladybug.

One month ago, her life had changed again. In rapid succession, she'd put the most persistent thorn in her side—the mayor's daughter and spoiled rich girl Chloé Bourgeois—in her place once and for all, discovered that her crush Adrien was also her secret superhero partner Chat Noir, and they had finally defeated their nemesis, Hawk Moth...who turned out to be Adrien's father, famous fashion designer Gabriel Agreste. The revelation had come as a horrible shock to both Adrien and Marinette, and much of the first week after the fact had been occupied with establishing a "new normal" in the Agreste mansion and within Gabriel's company, to keep things running smoothly while covering for his disappearance.

And then there was her newfound relationship with Adrien.

After learning each other's identities, Marinette and Adrien had rapidly leapt straight into the fires of teenage romance, their love burning hot and bright for a solid week before they got comfortable with the idea of their new closeness. Since then, their relationship had become familiar, calm, and sweet. There was less of the lingering holding of hands, fewer of the smoldering gazes, and far less of the awkward duck-and-blush act that had dominated their early days together.

Their current relationship was actually not unlike Marinette's relationship with her best friend Alya. It just involved more kissing.

Alya was another aspect of the recent changes in Marinette's life. When Marinette had defeated Hawk Moth, she had taken his Miraculous, freeing the Kwami Nooroo from Gabriel's domineering control. Out of necessity, she had taken on the powers of the Butterfly Miraculous herself, adopting a secondary superhero identity as Papillon in order to release Gabriel's assistant Nathalie Sancoeur from the Akuma bonded to her pacemaker. After that, she had once again used the Butterfly Miraculous to turn Alya into her Champion, endowing her with shapeshifting powers. For the most part, Alya resisted the temptation to get into mischief with her new powers.

For the most part.

Oh, and every single one of her classmates knew she was Ladybug now, because she'd transformed right in front of them. Luckily, most of them were trustworthy—and owed her their lives—so once Alya, as "Cover Story", had conspired with her to convince the French media her "secret identity" was a hoax, her classmates had all sworn to keep her secret.

Now, it was the first week of summer break. With a distinct lack of supervillain activity in the city, Adrien and Marinette had mutually agreed to only involve themselves in everyday street crime if they happened to be in the neighborhood; Paris had police for a reason, and they had their own lives to live.

Which totally explained why Ladybug was presently swinging from building to building, chasing a pair of robbers who had just cleared out a jewelry store in the middle of the day and were escaping on motorcycles.

Using speed and momentum built up from several wide swings, she flung herself ahead of the two bikes, backflipped into the mouth of an alley, then launched her yo-yo across the street, anchoring it around a lamppost. She pulled the wire taut and waited.

The bikes slammed into the wire and flipped over it, their front tires rupturing explosively. The two robbers were launched into the air; satchels of stolen jewels flew after them, bursting open and scattering gems all over the street.

Two patrol cars closed in from either end of the street, forming a roadblock as the two thieves skidded painfully across the asphalt. Ladybug reeled in her yo-yo and launched it at a rooftop, pulling herself up and over. She crouched on the edge, watching as the police took the two suspects into custody, then swung away in the opposite direction, landing on the fire escape of an apartment building. Checking to make sure the coast was clear, she transformed back into Marinette, climbed down the fire escape, and walked casually down the sidewalk, unnoticed by passersby. She pulled out her phone to text Adrien:

I'll be a little late. Had to stop some robbers.

It was almost a full minute later when she got his reply.

Same here. Caught a rapist with his pants down. Literally.

Marinette cringed.

In broad daylight?

I know, right? Some people.

Shaking her head, Marinette headed for the nearest bus stop, checking the routes on her phone.

At least this time, she wouldn't be the only one late for their date...

Adrien sighed and looked out the window as the scenery passed. His driver gave him a concerned glance in the rear-view mirror. "Ça va?" he grunted.

That was one of many recent changes in Adrien's life, and one he still had trouble getting used to: the gorilla apparently could speak.

"Sorry, I just...sometimes I wish I was fighting supervillains again instead of dealing with regular criminals. It's easier to deal with evil when it's coming from a possessed person who isn't in control of their actions instead of just normal people being sick creeps."

"Hmm."

Not that the gorilla said much. Of course, his menacing presence as Adrien's bodyguard was more a front these days than a mandate; ever since the events of that one horrible day a month ago, Adrien had—once his dual idenity had been exposed to Nathalie Sancoeur—insisted on reducing the level of oppressive looming the driver did. The driver had taken Adrien's secret identity as Chat Noir in stride, and simply acquiesced to letting Adrien protect himself with his own skills. He still loomed and glowered at people who seemed like they might cause a problem, but for the most part, he was now only a driver.

"Are we picking up Mademoiselle Dupain?"

And he actually spoke.

"No," Adrien said. "We're taking the Métro to the cinema. We're meeting at..." He studied his phone, then showed the driver the station he'd agreed to meet Marinette at.

The gorilla frowned. "You'll get there faster by rooftop in this traffic."

And wasn't as dumb as he looked, either. Adrien grinned. "Okay, pull over. I see a good spot to transform."

The driver grunted and did as instructed. Sixty seconds later, Chat Noir was leaping across the city, a black shadow on the skyline.

He was known by many names.

The Great Guardian. The Turtle Warrior. The Ancient. The Wise One. Master Fu.

Whatever one chose to call him, he was an old man with a specific destiny to fulfill.

He had lived for twice the amount of time an ordinary man should be allowed, a feat he attributed to clean living, mastery of ancient and mystical Chinese arts, and the power of the Turtle Miraculous. And while he was still as spry and able-bodied as a reasonably healthy man a third his age, there were limits to what mystic healing and the power of the Miraculous could accomplish.

Master Fu was dying.

Like many unusually old people, he wasn't dying of any specific thing. If he visited a conventional doctor, they would be unable to find a thing wrong with him except a slightly brittle back and mild rheumatism.

But Master Fu knew the human body and its limitations better than any living person, and his body had simply used up its time. Within two years—three at the outside—he would close his eyes for the last time and not wake up.

And that was as it should be. He did not fear death. He did not regret that his time was at an end.

He did, however, have urgent business to attend to before that day arrived.

At one time, Master Fu had possessed six of the seven Miraculous. The seventh—the Butterfly Miraculous—had vanished into the mists of time when he was still a young apprentice, before he had been entrusted with the Turtle Miraculous. When a need for a young hero had arisen, he had given a pure, kind, innocent young woman the Peacock Miraculous.

What had become of her after that had been an absolute disaster, one which her husband and son had suffered dearly for. It was Master Fu's one great regret in his very long life.

When the Butterfly Miraculous had resurfaced and been corrupted into a weapon of destruction, unleashing a plague of supervillains upon Paris, Master Fu had taken the only course of action available to him: he had bestowed the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous, the two most powerful of the seven, to two young teenagers—one of whom was the son of the woman who had owned the Peacock.

For nine months, Ladybug and Chat Noir battled the villains unleashed by the corrupt owner of the Butterfly Miraculous. Now, a relative peace had descended upon Paris, and Ladybug owned two of the seven Miraculous, with Chat Noir retaining the Black Cat ring. Master Fu held possession of three Miraculous.

The location of the Peacock remained unknown, though he suspected Gabriel Agreste had hidden it.

Grimacing as a jolt of pain shot through his aching back, Master Fu turned to the ancient phonograph where his Kwami slept. "Wayzz," he said. "It is time."

Wayzz floated out of his matchbox bed, a sad expression on his face. "I don't want to leave you, Master."

Master Fu smiled sadly. "Nor do I wish to part with you, my very old friend. But we no longer have the luxury of selfishness. I must select a new guardian, and use what little time I have left to teach them everything they need to know."

"I didn't know you were into this kind of thing," Marinette whispered as she shifted around to settle into her seat.

"There's still a lot of things we don't know about each other, My Lady," Adrien said, draping an arm around her.

On the screen, the intro narration to an anime movie played. Marinette listened intently as the main character explained the basic story over a series of clips that looked to have been lifted directly from a show she had vaguely heard of. As the narration finished, Marinette whispered, "So...this kid leads a bizarre double life where he solves mysteries and makes sure criminals are arrested for their crimes, while trying to bring down this big criminal organization and keeping his girlfriend from finding out his real identity?"

"Pretty much," Adrien said.

Marinette giggled. "That's pretty ridiculous." Adrien gave her an incredulous look; she winked at him, and they both burst into laughter.

"SHH!" a man behind them hushed.

Once they settled down, Adrien whispered, "I have most of the manga at home. You can borrow it if you want."

Two hours, a convoluted mystery, and a huge dramatic explosion later, the two teens left the cinema arm in arm. "That was pretty cool," Marinette said, smiling up at Adrien.

"So, what do you want to do next?" Adrien asked. "I have—" His phone chimed. He pulled it out of his pocket, glanced at it, and winced. "—to go," he finished with a grimace. "I completely forgot tomorrow's shoot was rescheduled for today." He flashed Marinette an apologetic glance.

Marinette smiled. "It's okay," she said. "I can share you with the rest of the world for one afternoon." She stretched. "Just as long as you remember what's waiting for you when you come back."

Adrien smirked. "The stench of cheese farts hanging over my room like a demonic cloud?"

Marinette laughed, pinching her nose and wrinkling her forehead. "Adrien!"

Adrien grinned, kissing her forehead. "I'll walk you to the Métro," he said.

Marinette sighed and leaned into him. *My life is perfect...I'm the luckiest girl in the world.*

When Adrien arrived at the photo shoot with his driver, one of Nathalie's recently-hired aides rushed breathlessly up to him, clutching a tablet. "M-Monsieur Agreste!" the mousy girl squeaked.

Adrien gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes? And please don't be nervous."

The girl tried to calm herself, fumbling with her tablet. "Umm...th-the agency says they want to t-take this campaign in a new direction," she said. "They...th-they're using a new model."

Adrien blinked. "Huh, really? Why wasn't I told about this earlier?" *I cut my date short for nothing? Son of a—*

"We didn't get the news until just a minute ago," the aide said nervously. "I haven't even had a chance to call Mademoiselle Sancoeur yet..."

Adrien ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Well, she'll be pissed at not being informed, but it can't be helped." He patted the aide on the shoulder. "Not your fault, so don't stress out. So, who's this new model?"

"That would be me," a voice oozing with sex and honey said. Adrien looked to his right and saw an absolutely gorgeous woman approaching.

She was older than Adrien; he estimated she was either a high school senior or possibly just starting university. Her complexion was dark and rich; not a suntan, but something more exotic. Teal eyes twinkled at him from a breathtakingly beautiful face, while perfect lips gave him a sultry smile. Her long, wavy hair was a rich red, with golden blond highlights throughout. Her figure was, to put it mildly, generous, filling out her magenta spaghetti-strap tank top, sheer black mesh vest, and indecently tight black leather skirt rather fetchingly. The way she walked in her black stiletto heels spoke volumes; the lady knew she was sexy, and wanted you to know she knew.

If Adrien wasn't hopelessly in love with the most wonderful girl in the world, he was certain he would be a puddle of pudding in the model's presence. Instead, he smiled at her and held out his hand. "Hello," he said. "I don't think I've seen you before."

The model smirked. "You'd know it if you had," she said, allowing him to shake her hand. The bright golden bangle she wore jangled on her wrist, catching the sun. "I know who you are all too well of course, Monsieur Agreste. My name is Soleil Shoichet."

Adrien released her hand and gave her a nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said.

"Likewise," Soleil replied. "I hope we'll have a chance to work together soon," she added in a soft, silky purr before wandering away, swinging her hips.

"Wow," Adrien said as he watched her go. "Well, she's got me beat. So I guess I have the day off?"

"Umm...I think the photographer wanted you to stick around just in case," the aide said, checking her tablet.

"Hmm..." Adrien frowned. "Well, alright. Let me check in with Nathalie. I have to admit it'd be nice to sit and watch one of these things for once." *No it won't. I'll probably spend half the day texting Marinette.* An evil thought entered his head. *Maybe I'll send her a few pics of this new model just to tease her...*

A terrible image flashed through his mind of the damage Ladybug could do to sensitive parts of his anatomy with her yo-yo.

*Or maybe not. Still, this is shareworthy...*

Marinette was almost home when her phone sounded a text alert. She pulled it out and saw a text from Adrien.

Guess what? I've already been replaced with next year's model. I guess I'm a car now.

Marinette blinked, then typed a reply. Huh?

Got here, found out they were using a different model and didn't bother telling me. Cut off our date for nothing. :(

Check her out!

The next text was a photo of a jaw-droppingly beautiful redhead with a face and body that instantly made Marinette seethe with jealousy.

Get her in a few ads and the whole world will forget I ever existed lol

Marinette's eye twitched. Oh, I'm sure you'll find an excuse to be on a few magazine covers with her.

Hey. This kitty only has eyes for one lady. I just thought you'd be interested in seeing who they're replacing me with. I'll drop by your place later. Don't lock the cat flap. ;)

Marinette smiled. I'll have to remember to change the litterbox. With that, she put her phone away and shook her head, laughing quietly to herself, as the bakery loomed large before her.

She stopped short when she saw a stoop-shouldered old Chinese man in a red Hawaiian shirt standing outside the bakery, leaning on a cane.

"Good afternoon," the old man said with a smile and a polite nod.

Marinette blinked. "Umm...hello," she said. "Do I...know you? I feel like I've seen you before."

The old man chuckled. "You have indeed," he said. "You pulled me out of the way of a car ten months ago."

"Oh!" Marinette smiled. "Yes, I remember that! It was the first day of school..."

The old man nodded. "Come inside," he said, turning to the bakery. "We have much to discuss..." He turned back to look at her, then in a quieter voice, added, "Ladybug."

Marinette's eyes widened. "Wh-what?!"

Tikki's head popped up out of Marinette's purse. She gasped. "The Great Guardian," she said reverently.

"The who what?" Marinette asked.

"Inside," the old man repeated, opening the door and walking into the bakery. Marinette stuffed Tikki back into her purse and followed him.

Inside, the old man was speaking to Sabine in hushed Chinese. She blinked, replying in kind. After a brief exchange, Sabine cast Marinette a worried glance, her mouth parted in surprise. She cleared her throat. "Tom? I'm going upstairs for a bit with...my great-great-uncle! Yes."

"Alright," Tom said. "Things are pretty quiet right now, I can handle the counter and the kitchen. Unless Marinette wants to help—"

"No, I think Marinette needs to come upstairs with us," Sabine said.

"Yes, I need to...meet this relative I didn't know about!" Marinette said hurriedly. "That's right. And practice my Chinese, hahaha!"

Tom smiled. "Have fun, then."

The old man walked into the back and stumped up the steps to the family's apartment rather quickly, Sabine and Marinette following him. Once the old man had settled in the living room, Sabine wrung her hands. "Tea?"

"No thank you," the old man said. He gave Marinette a shrewd glance. "I couldn't help but notice you are wearing the Butterfly Miraculous, Ladybug."

Marinette let out a yelp. "Wh-what? M-me, Ladybug? I—" She shook her head and laughed. "I'm sorry, you...must be mistaken! I—"

Tikki flew out of Marinette's purse, followed by Nooroo. "The Great Guardian would not be here, and speaking of your secret in front of your mother, if it were not important," Nooroo said.

Sabine's eyes flew open wide. She pointed a finger at the two Kwamis. "What...are those?"

Tikki flew forward and bowed. "My name is Tikki. I'm Marinette's partner. I give her the power to transform into Ladybug."

"I'm Nooroo," Nooroo said. "I'm...a longer story."

Sabine looked past them to a shellshocked Marinette. "Is...is it true?" she whispered.

Marinette swallowed. "Y-yes, Mama," she said. "I...am Ladybug."

"Your daughter is a great hero," the old man said fondly. "One of the greatest Ladybugs to ever possess the Miraculous. You should be proud of her." He turned to Marinette. "We have never formally met, Ladybug," he said. "Most call me Master Fu. I have been the Guardian of the Miraculous for over one hundred and thirty years."

"So...you're not our great-great-uncle," Marinette said, brow furrowing.

Master Fu laughed. "No, I'm afraid not," he said. "Though I would be very proud to have nieces like you and your mother. Especially you." He shifted his weight and grunted. "Allow me to introduce my oldest friend. Wayzz, say hello to Ladybug."

A green, turtle-like Kwami floated out of Master Fu's shirt. "Good afternoon," he said. "My name is Wayzz."

Master Fu turned to look squarely at Marinette. "You have fulfilled my expectations and more," he said. "Entrusting you and your friend with the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous was indeed the wisest choice I could make. Not only have you protected Paris, you have recovered the Butterfly Miraculous from the one who perverted its power for evil."

Marinette sighed. "Hawk Moth. Yeah. Too bad he got away, huh?"

Master Fu's mouth twitched. "Without his powers, he is nothing. A scared man on the run, his identity exposed. One day, he will face the justice of the world. But he is irrelevant at the moment."

"But—"

"Ladybug," Master Fu said firmly, "at your young age, you have done things many adults can only dream of. You are a great hero. Heroes do not always achieve total victory against villains. Take heart in the good you have done, and continue to do."

Marinette smiled. "Thank you," she said.

"Great Guardian?" Tikki asked. "Forgive my interruption, but why are you here?"

"Ah," Master Fu said with a nod and a wan smile. He looked at Marinette, then at her mother. "I am dying," he said simply.

Everyone except Wayzz gasped.

"Dying?" Sabine asked. "What...what from? Can't the doctors—"

"Young madame, I am one hundred and eighty seven years old," Master Fu said in a kind tone. "I do not fear death. There is nothing to be done. I have simply reached my limit. Within the next few years, I will die, and that is as it should be." He stroked his beard. "However," he continued, "it does leave me with a problem."

He withdrew an ornate chest from his pocket and opened it, revealing an ornate golden flower blossom motif with seven colored velvet inlays; two of them were occupied by a foxtail pendant and a honeybee haircomb. Marinette could see the places where her own earrings, Adrien's ring, and the butterfly brooch were meant to rest, as well as a green space with a turtle shell symbol and a blue space with a peacock symbol.

Marinette's eyes widened. "Are those...more Miraculous?"

"Yes," Master Fu said. He brushed his fingertip over the blue wedge's peacock symbol, a flash of regret on his face. "This is the ancient chest in which the Miraculous are meant to rest when the world does not need their power." He shook the bracelet on his wrist. "As the guardian of the Miraculous, I have worn the Turtle Bracelet for most of my life."

Marinette studied the chest, frowning. "I have the Ladybug earrings and the Butterfly brooch, Ad—Chat Noir has the Black Cat ring..." She looked up at Master Fu. "Who has the Peacock...whatever it is?"

Master Fu sighed. "That is a story I would rather not tell," he said. "All you need to know for now is that the Peacock Miraculous is lost."

Marinette frowned. "Are...are you here to take back my Miraculous?" she asked quietly.

Master Fu smiled wryly. "Now, why would I do that?" he asked. "This city would miss its young hero if she were to disappear." He shook his head. "No. You and Chat Noir are fine heroes, and I will only accept the return of your Miraculous if it is your choice." He frowned slightly. "And while it is never a good idea for a single person to use two Miraculous at the same time, I believe you have the wisdom and the purity of heart to safeguard the Butterfly Miraculous. For the time being, it should remain with you." He set the chest on the table and grimaced, rubbing his back. "As I said earlier, I am dying. In the time I have left, I must find and train a new guardian to take my place. There must always be a guardian to protect the secrets of the Miraculous, one who knows their history and their whereabouts, one who can determine—with great wisdom—whether they are needed, and who to entrust them to." He fixed Marinette with a piercing gaze. "I need your help, Ladybug, in finding my replacement."

Nathalie Sancoeur frowned as she scrolled through her schedule for the week.

She had been in charge of most of the day-to-day affairs of Gabriel Agreste's company for quite some time; the transition from "assistant" to "de facto CEO" had not been particularly stressful, so long as she remembered to take her medication.

Her blood pressure had not been entirely stable for several days after her former employer used the small piece of machinery keeping her alive to turn her into a horrific monster. Unlike most of his victims, she remembered every terrible minute of what she had done while under Hawk Moth's control, and the events of that day still plagued her with nightmares. With Adrien's help, however, she had adjusted, and was now back to operating at peak efficiency, keeping the brand running while occasionally accepting a new design from Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

In her opinion, that girl was the best thing that ever happened to Adrien.

During her less busy hours, Nathalie had a secondary assignment, something more personal to Adrien. After discovering the terrible truth about Gabriel Agreste, both she and Adrien were convinced that the man had been hiding more secrets. Nathalie had spent the better part of the past month searching the mansion and all of Gabriel's private offices for more hidden surprises.

One such surprise lay on the desk before her. She had found it in a secret safe hidden behind the elevator that led to Hawk Moth's cloister. Along with several items related to Gabriel's abrupt trip to Tibet after his wife's disappearance, she had found a picture of her, a peacock-shaped piece of jewelry, and an ancient book full of pictures of various superheroes, including what appeared to be a Ladybug who had existed in ancient China.

The pages all contained some sort of code she couldn't even begin to decipher. Whatever the book was, it was clearly important—and also clearly how Gabriel Agreste had learned of the existence of the Miraculous, and had come to possess the jewel that turned him into that horrific monster.

No, she corrected herself. The Miraculous did not turn Gabriel Agreste into a monster. He turned himself into a monster. Marinette currently owned the jewel, and had used its power the way it was intended, saving her life in the process.

"Maybe I should tell Marinette about the book," Nathalie murmured to herself as she moved several appointments around and cancelled a press event. "She might know what to do with it..."

"My help?" Marinette asked, eyes wide. "But...what...how...no! I'm barely managing to juggle school, my fashion design projects, my social life, and occasionally being Ladybug! How am I supposed to—"

Master Fu raised a hand. "I simply meant that I need you—and Chat Noir—to keep your eyes and ears open for someone who has the qualities of honesty, wisdom, and trustworthiness I'm looking for in a replacement." He sighed. "In the old days, I would have already chosen and groomed my replacement, but the last few decades have been...well, let's just say that there are not as many people left in this world that truly believe in ancient magic."

"Yes, but still!" Marinette exclaimed. "I'm not...I mean..." She shook her head. "I don't think either of us are qualified to find a replacement for some wise old master who's been around for over a hundred and eighty years!"

Master Fu chuckled. "Perhaps not. But you are qualified to find someone whose judgment you trust, and who trusts in your judgment. Someone who will accept the role of protecting the Miraculous, someone who will accept the responsibility of appointing new heroes as the need arises, and most importantly, someone who will not impose their will on you and your partner." He examined the remaining Miraculous thoughtfully. "The guardian must trust the chosen heroes, just as the chosen heroes must trust the wisdom of the guardian."

"In other words, you need a mature, responsible adult who won't tell these two children it's too dangerous for them to do what they've been doing secretly for months now," Sabine said.

"Precisely," Master Fu said with a smile.

Sabine shook her head. "Good luck with that," she said. "Right now I can't even decide whether to burst with pride or freak out and ground my daughter for the rest of her life. I can't even begin to imagine an adult who would condone what they do."

Master Fu's smile widened as a heavy silence settled over the room.

Sabine coughed and looked away sheepishly. "Well, present company excepted," she said. "Although I...well..."

Master Fu laughed. "Question my sanity? You wouldn't be the first. I am not offended, young Madame."

"Master Fu? Why, umm...why did you choose me?" Marinette asked quietly.

Master Fu favored her with a kind smile, his eyes twinkling. "Because I felt your kindness and your pure spirit," he said. "As well as the bond of destiny you share with Chat Noir. The two of you had not yet met, and I could sense a strong connection. I knew you would be drawn to one another."

Marinette blushed furiously.

"You almost make it sound like Chat Noir is her soulmate," Sabine said. "But I happen to know she is very deeply in love with Adrien Agreste..."

Marinette gave her a bashful smile. Master Fu's eyes twinkled mischievously. Sabine studied their reactions, and her eyes widened. "Oh," she said. "Well." She coughed awkwardly.

Master Fu stood. "I must be on my way," he said. "These days, I must meditate for four hours a day to keep my body from turning against itself. We will speak again soon, Ladybug. And perhaps next time, Chat Noir will be present as well."

As the ladies stood, Marinette said, "Master Fu? Maybe it would be better if we met at the Agreste mansion next time. It's...it's a completely safe place to discuss...this stuff."

Master Fu stroked his beard and nodded. "Yes, I suppose it is," he said. "Very well. I suppose I should invest in a cellular phone..." Muttering to himself, he headed for the stairs, Sabine and Marinette right behind him.

Once he was on his way, Marinette turned and faced her parents, sighing heavily. "So, umm..."

Sabine folded her arms. "We have a lot to talk about," she said.

Marinette bowed her head. "Yes, Mama..."

Once the session ended, Soleil walked over to where Adrien sat playing with his phone. "Enjoy the show?" she asked with a teasing smirk.

Adrien looked up. "Huh? Oh, sorry. I zoned out. I was texting my girlfriend, then she got distracted by something at home, then I had to go over some schedule stuff with Nathalie." He smiled. "I'm sure the photographer got some amazing shots."

"Mmm," Soleil purred, leaning close. "A girlfriend, huh? That's a shame. I was just thinking you're pretty cute." She tilted his chin up with a slim finger, giving him a smoldering stare.

Adrien ducked away. "Yeah, and I'm way younger than you," he said. "I'm super-flattered, but hitting on me isn't going to get you anywhere with my father's company."

Soleil frowned. "I wasn't trying to advance my career," she said. "I can move up in the world without resorting to whoring myself out. I just happen to think you're attractive."

"Oh." Adrien ducked his head. "Well...I'm sorry I accused you of trying to..." He shook his head and smiled. "I think we just got off on the wrong foot. Let's start over as friends, alright? I mean, we'll probably be working together for a while."

"Oh, I'm sure we will," Soleil said. She tossed her hair. "I'll see you later, Adrien." She trailed a finger up the underside of his chin, then walked away, her hips swinging.

Adrien shook his head as he watched her go. "That one's tailor-made for drama," he muttered.

"I got a shiver up my spine from that whole conversation," Plagg said. "She's on the hunt, and I think you're the prey."

"Yeah, well, I've got better things to do than worry about some oversexed vamp on the prowl." Adrien put away his phone and stood up. "Something's up with Marinette, and I think it's hero business. We'd better bail."

Tom scratched his chin, eyeing his daughter. Sabine had asked him to close the shop for a few hours, and they sat in the living room. "So you're Ladybug," he said, eyeing his daughter.

"Yes, Papa."

"And Adrien is Chat Noir?"

"That's right."

Tom thought about that for a long moment before breaking out into a grin. "We raised a superhero! I'm so proud!" He swept Sabine and Marinette both up in a huge, bone-crushing hug.

"Gack! Papa! I'm only invincible when I'm transformed!" Marinette squeaked out.

The doorbell rang. Marinette squirted out of the hug and rushed to answer it. As soon as she saw Adrien on the other side, she grabbed his arm and yanked him into the room. Tom and Sabine both eyed him up and down.

Adrien looked from them to Marinette. "Uhh...you texted me and said something was up?"

Marinette laughed sheepishly. "Well...yes...a lot sort of happened over the last couple of hours..."

The silhouette of a lithe, graceful woman crouched atop a roof, watching the building Adrien Agreste had just entered. She licked her lips. "So...the hunt begins."

"Wow," Adrien said, eyes wide as he looked back and forth between Marinette and her parents.

"Yeah," Marinette agreed.

"The guardian's dying?" Plagg asked casually, floating around the living room and inspecting everything. "Makes sense. He's been around forever."

"Plagg, this is serious!" Tikki snapped. "Don't you even care?"

Plagg glanced at Tikki indifferently. "An incredibly old human is still a human," he said. "I've taken longer naps than he's lived." He looked around the room at the humans and Kwamis watching him with shocked expressions. "Alright, fine, it bothers me too," he said. "So I don't react to bad news the way everybody else does. What can I say, I'm a cat."

"How come you never told me about this guardian?" Adrien asked Plagg.

Plagg shrugged. "You never asked. I mean, a mysterious magical ring just shows up in your living room and you don't even think to ask where it came from?"

Adrien blinked. He glanced at Marinette, who looked sheepish.

"I, umm...I don't think I ever actually asked Tikki where the earrings came from, now that you mention it."

Adrien's phone rang. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. "It's Nathalie," he said. "Hello?" He listened for a minute. "I'm kind of in the middle of something right now, but..." A pause. "Alright. Hmm." He looked over at Marinette, studying her intently. "You know, that's very interesting. I'm actually at her house right now. How about I bring her over when we're done here? No, I think we can walk. It'll give us a chance to finish our date from earlier." He hung up, then pocketed his phone. He cleared his throat. "Nathalie found something she wants to show you," he told Marinette. "If it's alright with you?" he asked Tom and Sabine.

"Of course it is," Sabine said. "We're still not through talking about this whole secret double life thing, though."

"Yes, we still have a lot of questions for both of you," Tom said. His eyes twinkled; it was clear his questions and Sabine's questions were of a completely different nature.

Once she and Adrien left the bakery, Marinette asked, "What is it Nathalie wants to show me?"

"She found some things in a hidden safe," he said. "Hawk Moth had a book about the Miraculous."

Adrien had long since stopped calling Gabriel "Father." Marinette didn't blame him.

"That's probably going to answer a lot of questions we still have," Marinette said. "Maybe we should show it to Master—"

A heavy, studded golden weight attached to a gold chain slammed into the sidewalk in front of them with a crash, peppering them with chipped concrete.

À SUIVRE...

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