Master Fu's shop was the same as always. Same white walls, same floor mat and the same smell of tea wafting in the air as Marinette walked in. The shop usually makes her feel calm, but in this moment, she couldn't help but feel anxious at what her and Chat's future may be. What if he takes her miraculous from her as punishment for being rude to Chat? What if the new Ladybug he picks is much better than her? What if –
"Marinette are you okay? You seem a bit out of it." His voice was calm and soothing. His face full of worry for the girl.
"Please… Please don't take Tikki away!" Marinette choked. The blue of her eyes stood out more with the redness of her face. "I didn't mean to be rude to Chat, but I couldn't think of what else to say. I know my actions are worthy of punishment, but please Master, I wouldn't be able to cope without her."
"Who said anything about punishing you?" A teacup was pushed into her hands, earning a quizzical look from the sniffling girl. "It's camomile. It'll help you calm down. Now, I'm guessing this is about that argument that was posted on the Ladyblog just now. If so, you have done nothing wrong."
"How could I have done nothing wrong? I slapped him! The balance between the miraculous could be broken and it's all my fault!"
"Tell me Marinette, have you noticed the akumas getting tougher for you to defeat since Syren? I'm afraid the balance has been broken for a while now." He sighed. "I knew that boy wasn't right for the black cat miraculous. Which is why I want you to look at this."
Fu's hand opened slowly, revealing a silver ring and a certain black kwami curled up next to it. As soon as he saw Marinette, he perked up and flew over to her.
"I'm so sorry about what my kitten did to you Marinette. I should've said something to him a while ago, but he kept threatening to renounce me. So, I did it for him."
"Plagg? Wait so is that?" Her hands flew to her mouth, tears formed in her eyes and she began to shake. "B-but Chat Noir…"
"No longer wields the black cat miraculous." Plagg's voice was unwavering with a tinge of anger. "I came here to find a new holder."
"Now, now Plagg. You know it isn't your choice. I will pick a new holder for you." Fu scolded the tiny god.
"No!" Tikki flew right in front of Fu's face. Anger plastered on her face. "You will not pick this one. This isn't the first time one of your chosens hasn't been right for the black cat. I will not let one of your bad decisions endanger my bug again. Besides, Marinette and I know someone perfect for the role."
"We do?"
"Yes. And she's standing just behind that door now."
Marinette rushed over to the door and opened it, revealing a very embarrassed looking Kagami. Tikki flew over to the Japanese girl with a smile on her face. "Please come in Miss Tsurugi. We have a lot to talk about."
"Tikki what are you doing! She knows what a kwami looks like! If we're not careful she'll piece together that I'm- "
"Ladybug." Kagami interjected. "I saw you detransform in the alleyway and I wanted to believe that it was just a dream, but you're actually her." Her eyes were wide as she looked Marinette up and down, before returning to their normal size with a smirk. "I mean, you do look exactly like her. How more people haven't figured it out is beyond me."
"You saw me? Oh God! My identity! Master I am so sorry!" She pleaded.
"No need to apologise Marinette. I feel the same way as Tikki about this girl. She seems very precise and confident. Which are two very good qualities to have for a Chat Noir. What do you think Plagg?"
"I like her. She'll be a good kitten." Plagg extended one of his paws "Kagami Tsurugi, will you become the new permanent holder of the black cat miraculous?"
"Hold on for a second. You are Chat Noir's kwami? And that's his miraculous? And he lost it because he didn't stop flirting?" She looked around at everyone in the room confusedly, her eyes finally landing on Marinette.
"That's all correct. We need a new Chat Noir after the old one proved he couldn't be trusted. And seeing as you already know my identity, you won't be constantly asking me for it. You're the best person I can think of for this role." Marinette's eye's widened, reminding Kagami of a puppy. She blushed for a second before regaining her composure.
"I'll do it. If it means keeping Paris safe with you then I'll be the new Chat Noir. Though, I'd like to be called Kuro Neko instead."
