When Tikki talked about her pride, Marinette had begun to think the rest of the dragons in the valley were not so bad. Meeting them as the sun set on the valley with Plagg though, she stood corrected.

Not all the dragons of the Valley were present, the grand cave occupied by the Elder Dragons, and several pride leaders, Tikki being the only dragon of non-importance present since she had Adrien with her.

Marinette clung to Plagg's leg, for once the dragon allowing her to touch him beyond what was necessary for flight. She glanced over to see Adrien staring at the pride of dragons, standing at attention. It had been two days since their dance, and Marinette missed the knight. Tikki had advised some time away from each other would be good, and Plagg recommended at least a week to make sure it wasn't being stuck together that was causing these feelings. It seemed to be working fine for Adrien, as he was as stiff as her father's guards. For Marinette, it was nothing but agony as she wished for the happier times when they would go to their pond to catch fish or she would attempt his exercises. But not like she could tell him that.

Adrien glanced over at her, Marinette quickly hiding behind Plagg.

Plagg looked down between the two humans, Marinette hiding behind him while Adrien frowned and resumed his attention towards the elder dragons. Plagg rolled his eyes at their humanness, catching a glance of Tikki looking at him before she looked away. What was with that Bug?

"I say we hand them over to the human. Plagg has been nothing but trouble since he was hatched," exclaimed a shrill voice, Marinette huddling closer to her tall dragon. Plagg hardly looked intimidated by his peers who threatened to cast them both out to Prince Theo.

"It's his fault humans are even here in the first place."

"He's a menace!"

"Breaking traditions that have been upheld for hundreds of years."

"Interfering with humans."

A burst of fire silenced the rabble, every turning their heads to a bright green dragon, with similar physique as Plagg, but with long tendrils hanging from below his snout and chin. Marinette wondered if that was a trait Plagg would eventually have.

"I know Plagg has been the rambunctious sort, not always abiding by our rules. But he is still a dragon, one protecting a princess at that. We can't turn them over to the man without better understanding their problems."

"You had no problem kicking me out of the Valley before without knowing the full scale of my problems," chided Plagg as he glared at his elders.

"You were being destructive Plagg. Causing avalanches for your own amusement. Fighting other dragons in the lake. We are a peaceful race."

"You are shameful race that holed yourself up the moment a human turned on you."

Several of the younger dragons gasped, including Tikki, while the elder dragons scowled. The green dragon approached Plagg, his yellow-green eyes meeting Plagg's.

"I thought you leaving the valley would help you mature, see the danger we left behind in the world. It seems it has only made your more arrogant in the end."

"Not the first mistake you've made then?"

The dragons bared their fangs at each other, smoke clouding around their heads as small sparks ignited at their nostrils.

"Why don't we fight him?"

All eyes in the room turned to Adrien, who approached the two bickering dragons.

"While I don't understand what happened between you both, Plagg has still upheld his honor as a dragon by protecting Marinette. From both Theo, and anyone else."

Adrien turned to the crowd of dragons, "I know you don't know me well, but Theo is someone who does not respect others. He has already a wyvern under his control. What's to stop him from coming back and taking others for himself? Creating an army of dragons. Please, let's fight Theo, for your freedom as well as Princess Marinette's."

Adrien turned to Marinette with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. In that moment, Marinette felt compelled to join the cause. It was her stupid idea to get involved with a dragon, and she wouldn't put it past Theo to raise a dragon army. All he ever talked to her about was his war victories.

"You speak a strong case young knight," the green dragon lowered his head near Adrien's level, "But I will not allow the dragons to get hurt in this mess."

"Then Plagg and I will fight."

"What?!" Came from everyone in the room, including Plagg.

"Plagg is a fast flyer and can easily out maneuver a wyvern."

"Finally, someone else who has confidence in my flying abilities," boasted Plagg, his toothy grin all smug.

"He and I can lead the wyvern and Theo out of the valley while Tikki takes Marinette home," continued Adrien, "Then we'll send Theo home packing and return the wyvern back to the valley to heal. No doubt Theo tortured him for this information."
"How can you be so sure young one," asked another dragon, a dark blue with red eyes. "You and the princess were brought to the valley with minimal resistance from your dragons. What's to say this man isn't the same."

"Theo is nothing like Adrien," yelled Marinette as she stepped out from behind Plagg. "Theo is a man of war and will take what he wants with no regards to others. Imagine Plagg but worst, in temper and blood lust.

"Hey," came Plagg, but Marinette continued.

"Theo is a strategist and a prince, so when things don't go his way, he will do anything to correct it. While that might seem admirable to some, he will use underhanded methods. He's told me himself his victories, not all of them honest. Theo needs to get out of this valley and away from anything that would allow him to reach it again."

Marinette panted when she finished. She had never felt so invigorated about making a speech before. She looked over to Adrien, who was smiling at her in the warmest way, Marinette feeling her cheeks heat up.

"Considering how the young man's plan will get rid of all three humans at once, it would be our best shot at ensuring safety of the valley," spoke the green dragon.

"Sir Adrien, of the House of Agreste, knight of the kingdom of Madrin. We are counting on you."

Other dragons murmured in agreement as they left the cave, joining their prides for the night.

"What did I get myself into," moaned Plagg as he watched the dragons pass, many giving him dirty looks.

"We'll do fine Plagg, it'll be like any other flight through the mountains," assured Adrien as the green dragon brought forth his sword, Adrien, equipping back on his belt.

"I want to help too," insisted Marinette as she stepped out behind Plagg.

"We both know that Theo is here for you, you need to stay safe," explained Adrien.

"I can be safe. I can fly with Tikki and we can be your back up."

"That's a great idea Marinette, two dragons are better than one," chirped Tikki, joining the group.

"No Tikki, we need to get Marinette out of the Valley and back home," insisted Adrien.
"Besides the mountains are too narrow for two dragons to fly side by side through. You could get lost," added Plagg.

"What makes both of you think we can't do it? I'm a perfectly good rider on Plagg, and Tikki should be no different."

"The difference is Theo is after you, Marinette."

"So if it was the reverse you would let me fight?"

"I'm asking you to let me be your knight." Adrien pulled Marinette to him, his hands gripping her upper arms.

"Please just this once, let me protect you. When we go home, I don't know what's going to happen. So at least let me have this one chance."

Adrien's head hung low, Marinette making the extra movements for her forehead to rest against his.

"Fine. You can be my knight."

"Thank you," Adrien whispered as he pulled away, walking towards Plagg. "We better go prepare then."
"I guess you should," Marinette held her arms to herself as she watched Plagg and Adrien leave the cave.

"Are we really going to your home," asked Tikki?

Marinette looked up at the dragon with a knowing smirk, "I told Adrien he could be my knight. I didn't say I would be his damsel in distress."

Tikki giggled, "Then let's go find some back up."