Services No Longer Required
Part 2: Reflections
Somewhere in Paris, Chat Noir dives into an alleyway, releasing his transformation and changing back into Adrien.
A concerned Plagg flies around him.
Plagg: Kid, what are you doing?
Adrien is unfazed.
Adrien: You heard me Plagg. I'm giving up being Chat Noir. Let someone else do it.
Plagg is hurt.
Plagg: Please, Adrien. Think about it for a moment, you're clearly upset and-
Adrien raises an eyebrow.
Adrien: Should I not be? I just learned that the girl I love thinks of me as a burden. Could you begin to imagine how it feels to have your heart broken like that?
The kwami gives a small smile.
Plagg: Did I ever tell you about that time I dropped a piece of Camembert on the floor?
Adrien sighs.
Plagg: Okay, that was an inappropriate time for a joke. I'll admit that. Just don't make a hasty decision that you'll regret?
Adrien shakes his head.
Adrien: I'm sorry Plagg. But there's nothing you can say that will make me change my mind this time. If I knew where the Guardian was I'd take you there myself. But that's just another thing that was kept from me, wasn't it? Goodbye Plagg.
He begins to remove the ring. Plagg reaches out to him.
Plagg: What will you do once I'm gone?
Adrien is hesitant for a second. He lets go of the ring.
Adrien: What do you mean?
Plagg: I mean, you'll have a lot of free-time now you won't have to protect Paris. What do you plan on doing with it?
Adrien's mouth opens yet he remains silent.
Plagg: When I first met you, you were this sheltered boy whose father wanted to keep him locked up and isolated. Do you really want to go back to that? You can admit it but being Chat Noir allows you to be free. I've felt it. As much as I need you, I think you need me too.
Adrien puts his fingers back on the ring.
Adrien: I- I-
He is interrupted by the screams of a woman.
Woman: Someone, help!
He gives Plagg a look of determination.
Adrien: Someone's in trouble!
Plagg: You don't have to help them you know. You can still walk away.
Adrien holds out his fist.
Adrien: Not when I can do something about it. I might as well end being Chat Noir on a high note. Plagg! Claws out!
A woman is cornered in an alleyway. A mugger is wrestling with her over her purse.
Mugger: Give me the purse!
Woman N-no!
He pushes the woman onto the ground.
Woman: Someone, help!
The mugger runs off.
Mugger: Ha! Good luck! Who's gonna stop me!
A few moments later he trips over a silver baton and falls onto the ground.
The woman, having picked herself off the ground, begins to exit the alleyway when a black figure jumps down in front of us.
It's revealed to be Chat Noir, who is now holding the woman's purse.
Adrien: Excuse me, mademoiselle? Is this yours?
The woman is relieved as he hands it over to her.
Woman: My purse! Thank you so much Chat Noir!
He returns the smile.
Adrien: It's no problem. I'm glad I was able to help.
Woman: It's a good thing you just happened to be around. What happened to the man who took it?
Adrien turns around.
Adrien: Oh he's fine he's just
The mugger is gone, leaving Adrien dejected.
Adrien: He got away!? Great!
The woman gives him a reassuring look.
Woman: It's okay. This area's well known for being a petty crime hotspot. There's not much that can be done.
Adrien raises an eyebrow.
Adrien: Surely the police could do something?
Woman: You'd be surprised. City Hall has the police force treating Akuma attacks as the top priority. The crooks wait until afterwards when the police are pre-occupied with paperwork and damage control rather not to mention there's no chance that they'll run into you or Ladybug.
He frowns.
Adrien: I didn't know that.
Woman: It's not your fault we're just so small compared to the daily super-villain attacks.
Adrien gives a bright smile.
Adrien: That said, I'm glad I could've been of assistance. You can always count on me to keep you and the rest of Paris safe!
Woman: Thanks again Chat Noir! You're a true hero!
Now back on a rooftop, Adrien detransforms again. He gives Plagg a piece of camembert.
Plagg looks at him curiously as he munches on the baked cheese.
Plagg: Something on your mind!
Adrien looks at him with a stoic expression.
Adrien: Eat up Plagg. We need to pay someone a visit.
Plagg: The guardian?
Adrien: No, someone else.
Meanwhile Marinette Dupain-Cheng sits at the computer in her bedroom, looking at an old newspaper article of Ladybug and Chat Noir. There is a picture of the two heroes standing side by side.
Tikki, her kwami hovers beside her.
Tikki: What's wrong Marinette?
She answers with a depressed sigh.
Ladybug: Was Chat right Tikki? Am I a bad partner?
Tikki tries to reassure her holder.
Tikki: Of course not! Being Ladybug and Chat Noir are great responsibilities. It's just that sometimes, sacrifices need to be made.
Marinette looks at her with concern.
Marinette: But you heard what he said. I haven't been as open with him as I could have been.
Tikki: Something else was bothering Chat today. It's not your fault if he wouldn't talk about it. I'm sure he'll want to talk about it with you later. He might just need some time to call off.
She looks again at the picture, focusing on his smiling face. She throws her head back in frustration.
Marinette: I just don't know what to do sometimes Tikki! I've been as accommodating as I possibly can yet he still wants more from me! It's not fair! I've had to live with all these secrets and I hate having to lie to him, he should understand how hard it is for me too!
She looks back at Tikki.
Marinette: What if he goes through with it and actually does quit? Will someone else have the Cat Miraculous? I don't think I could deal with that.
Tikki: It will be difficult for someone else to take over. But it's Chat Noir's decision and you'll have to respect that. In the meantime, you still have allies in Alya, Nino and Chloe. They're more than capable enough to take up the responsibility.
Marinette nods her head as sorrow overtakes her.
Marinette: I know. Let him do whatever he wants.
To be continued.
Wow. This was way more popular than I expected. I'm grateful to everyone who followed, favoured or left a review to this story. I hope you enjoy this next part and stay tuned for the next part.
