I would like to say a big thank you to my partner for helping me through these last couple of chapters. He's been my sounding board on more than one occasion and without him I'd have never been able to properly villainize Lila or get half my words out the way I wanted them to be. (Sometimes I feel more tongue-tied than Marinette at an Adrien swimsuit photoshoot!)
Anyway, I may be delayed in updating for a little bit, I'm experiencing some computer troubles and lamentably may not be able to write for the next couple days. Fear not! When the cat's away, the plot bunnies play!
Marinette still couldn't believe that she and Adrien Agreste were dating. After endless embarrassments on her part, and likely his, and so many years, they were finally dating. Marinette felt like she could scream she was so happy.
But right now, she had to contain herself. Because Master Fu had asked her to come back without Adrien so that he could explain to her just what had happened to her. She didn't understand why Adrien couldn't be a part of this conversation too, but Marinette had obligingly returned to the old Guardian's loft the next day. She now sat across from him at the traditionally low table, fighting the urge to fidget beneath his scrutinizing gaze.
"Marinette," Master Fu began, his voice not unkind but still serious, "do you remember what happened, now that you've had some time to think about it?" Marinette bowed her head, feeling like she was back in le primaire getting reprimanded by a schoolteacher.
"I… I remember seeing the Akuma appear behind Chato- Chat Noir," Marinette corrected herself, her cheeks tinting as she nearly slipped on the pet name. "I saw it send him across the length of the battlefield into a building, and saw it collapse onto him as he fell… I... I knew who he was by then, Master Fu, and I will not pretend that I was not scared for the life of my partner… My friend." She looked up at him with a flare of defiance in her eyes, daring him to say anything to the contrary. When Master Fu remained silent, Marinette took a breath and continued.
"I… I hadn't transformed back. Tikki wasn't… She wasn't fully restored but… But I pushed her to transform me," Marinette looked over to her Kwami then, reaching over for the tiny luck god to perch on her hand. "I'm so sorry, Tikki," She murmured to her friend, bringing her hand over to hold Tikki in front of her. "I shouldn't have pushed you like that, I should have listened to you."
"It's okay, Marinette," Tikki replied, floating up and pressing a tiny, feather-light kiss to the tip of Marinette's nose. "Chat Noir was in trouble, and we both know how you get when either Chat or Adrien is hurt. When it's both of them, it's only to be expected that all reason goes out the window!"
"Forgiving as you may be Tikki," Master Fu intoned, drawing both their attention back to him, "it is imperative that you understand what occurred so that this never happens again." He reached around and pulled his tablet from where it had been sitting beside him, setting it down on the table and turning it on.
"Marinette, you know that each Kwami is attached to their respective Miraculous; it is their sacrifice in exchange for the ability to communicate with mortals, for good or ill." Master Fu scrolled through the semi-translated pages of the ancient texts as he spoke, his eyes on the digitized tome rather than her. Marinette leaned forward, Tikki sitting atop her head now for a better vantage point. "As a Miraculous holder, you draw your powers from your Kwami through your Miraculous and in turn, your Miraculous tells you when your Kwami needs you to rest."
Marinette nodded, knowing this already, but decidedly stayed quiet. If she were to interrupt now, she would undoubtedly break the spell that Master Fu's was weaving through the room. "However, there is another thing that you do not know. If you misuse your Miraculous, if you overuse them, then the ill effects could transfer through your Miraculous to your Kwami." At Marinette's gasp, Master Fu nodded.
"It is my belief that if you transform before your Kwami is ready, you could risk damaging your Miraculous and in turn cause harm to your Kwami." Marinette reached up and covered Tikki protectively, drawing her down off of her head and tucking the little red Kwami under her chin instead.
"I'm okay, Marinette," she heard Tikki's soft, tinkling voice soothe, her tiny hand patting where she could reach on Marinette's neck.
"Do… Do you think that…" Marinette stammered while her free hand clenched and unclenched on her lap. Master Fu looked up from the tablet, his ancient, troubled gaze locking on her curiously. "Do you think that's what happened to Duusu, Master?" Master Fu's sudden sharp gasp told Marinette that he had not, in fact, made that connection, but Marinette pressed on. "Would that explain how the Peacock Miraculous broke?"
"It… Would certainly confirm my theory if so," Master Fu said slowly, leaning back away from the tablet and stroking his beard. He closed his eyes in thought for a moment, then opened them when Marinette shifted slightly. "Is something else on your mind, Marinette?"
"Well, I…" Marinette huffed softly, her nose scrunching as she fought the blush that threatened to betray her again. "Why did you ask for me to be here and not Adrien?" She asked finally, looking up at the older man. "He knows who you are now, and…"
"And I cannot pretend that you will not tell him everything that was said between us the next time you see him," Master Fu chuckled, and there it went, Marinette lamented, feeling the blush overcome her face once more. "I asked you here because I wish for you to be prepared to become a Guardian, Marinette, in the event that I need to relinquish the title to you."
Marinette startled, staring up at Master Fu with wide eyes. He'd never told her this before, and frankly, the idea of being a Guardian for all the Miraculous scared her. To have that much responsibility on top of being Ladybug seemed overwhelming. She was only a teenager!
"But Master-!" Master Fu held up a hand, silencing her protest.
"It is a failsafe, Marinette, nothing more. I have no intention of going anywhere," he reassured her, and she caught the glimmer of a smile in his eyes. Relaxing only slightly, Marinette managed a smile back, but couldn't help the sense of foreboding that had come with his announcement.
She couldn't help the feeling that he was saying goodbye.