Chapter 2: The Cat is Out

The next day, Chat arrived at the scene of an akuma battle he had seen on the news.

Ladybug, Ryuko, King Monkey, Polymouse, and Purple Tigress were all gathered together on the roof of the train station.

Chat heard them all say, "Pound it!"

Ryuko waved to him.

"Hey Chat," said King Monkey.

"Did I miss anything?" Chat asked.

"We're all done," said King Monkey. "Sorry."

Ladybug said, "Umm, let's hurry before we transform back. Go to your predetermined locations."

The others all left.

"I'm not needed anymore, am I?" asked Chat. "I'm totally replaceable."

"I don't have time for your complaints," said Ladybug. "I'm about to time out."

It was the last straw for Adrien. Ladybug didn't trust him. He was sure she had been about to replace him last night, anyway. Why shouldn't he be the one to make the break?

"Fine," said Chat coldly. "You won't have to deal with my complaints anymore. Go recharge and come back in a few minutes. I'll leave my ring up here for you. There are stairs I can get down."

"What? No, don't quit!" said Ladybug.

Her earrings beeped, notifying her that there was just a minute left.

"I've made up my mind," said Chat. "You're not going to persuade me in the little time you have before you time out."

Ladybug looked frustrated. "Goodbye, then."

"Goodbye." said Chat.

When she was gone, Chat pulled off the ring.

"Plagg, I renounce you."

Marinette was in her room, surrounded by all her other kwamis.

She held up the ring. "Plagg, as the Guardian, I reclaim you."

Plagg appeared, feeling sulky. The other kwamis swarmed around him, wanting to talk. He pushed them aside.

Plagg said, "I'm hungry. Where's my camembert?"

"What? Chat Noir didn't leave me any camembert," said Marinette.

"Then go buy me some," demanded Plagg.

"The guardian is very busy," said Wayzz, "Why not eat some of my tofu?"

"Or even my apples," said Kaalki.

"Yecch!" said Plagg, making a disgusted face. "My holder was always very busy, but he made time to get cheese for me."

"And now he has more time," said Marinette. "Another kwami would have rejoiced to be back with the others."

"I don't feel that way. I can't rejoice when he's hurting," said Plagg.

"I'm sorry he's hurting, but I'm responsible for keeping the city safe," said Marinette. "I'm the Guardian, after all,"

"You should work on patching things up with him," said Plagg. "He's a good holder."

"That's not gonna work," said Marinette. "His problem is love. There's nothing I can do."

Marinette seemed convinced it was all about his unrequited love for Ladybug. Plagg knew better.

"There was more to it than that. You really need to talk. I can get messages to him, so you can meet somewhere without seeing his face."

"Plagg needs a new holder," said Tikki. "Creation and destruction work best together in balance."

"It won't be nearly as good with anyone else," said Plagg.

"I have to try. And I know just the person to ask," said Marinette.

"Who?" asked Tikki and Plagg in unison.

"Adrien Agreste!" said Marinette.

Behind her back, Plagg stifled a snicker.

"I know, he didn't work out as Aspic," said Marinette to the kwamis. "But Second Chance is a complicated power. Cataclysm is much more straightforward. I know he can handle it."

"What about you, Marinette?" asked Tikki. "Can you handle being close to your crush and still keep your mind on the battle?"

"I'm over the crush!" said Marinette, not quite convincingly. "I decided to give up on dating until Shadow Moth is defeated. But if I can be close to Adrien this different way... I think it will be really wonderful."

"It's another chance to sort out the communication problems," Plagg thought. "I think my kitten can pull it off without giving anything away."

"I'm willing to give him a shot," said Plagg.