I Don't Own Avatar or Miraculous
Eleven. The Feline Fugitive.
Adrien was beyond happy when the doctor said he was well enough to leave. Not that he didn't like Mingal, Jayin, and Kantai, he just hated being cooped up for obvious reasons. Of course, he had to stay on crutches for another five weeks due to the broken ankle he had, but of course, he was just happy to be able to get out and explore around the new world he had found himself in. Plagg explained that he could walk in his Cat Noir form without much pain at that point, but didn't recommend he try until it was absolutely necessary. Mingal and Jayin volunteered to take him out into the market that day. He agreed immediately. Mingal supplied him with a hat to hide his hair and he grabbed his crutches as the two woman got a basket for the food they were planning to buy.
When they got to the neighborhood market square, Adrien was in awe at all of the colors, smells, and sounds of music he could hear. There was nothing quite like it in Paris. Vendors all around the neighborhood would try to shout for your attention, offering so many deals for so many things. Jayin and Mingal teased him for the way he cocked his head from side to side every time he saw, heard, or smelled anything remotely interesting. It was so cat-like, and since the woman knew about Plagg and a little bit about what Cat Noir was, they found it hilarious.
"You'd think you'd never been to market before. What? Did you not go in Pairs?" Mingal asked.
"No. I never went to the sto… er… market. My father wouldn't allow me to. Besides, markets work a little differently there… so this is a new experience." Adrien admitted.
"Well, Chaton, I'm glad you like going to the market." Jayin said with a laugh, "Speaking of which, have you considered trying to get a job after your ankle heals? Not many people are quite as generous as me… and honestly, you can't stay at my inn forever, no matter how much I like having you around. I need all of my rooms for customers." Adrien pondered this. Should he get a job? He had to admit, here he was absolutely broke. He knew the city was huge, and Ladybug could be anywhere in it. He could easily get a job during the day to get money so he and Ladybug weren't completely broke and homeless once they found each other. At night, he could secretly search the city for any signs of his Lady.
"I haven't much, no. Things have been crazy lately, but you are right. I probably should find work… It's just… I'm not really that good at… anything useful. I can use a sword. I can read and write. I know math and science and all that. I just haven't ever needed to do any real labor before… I know that sounds pretty bad… but it's true… My father was kinda weird about that stuff. It took me literally years to let me go to a public school and actually leave the house. I mean, I'm open to learning new things, but I think that would be frustrating on my employer." Adrien admitted.
"Most boy's your age go searching for work. Not all of them have prior work experience. Don't think too much about it, people are used to it." Jayin assured, "But I would highly recommend searching around for anyone who would be willing to employ you." Adrien silently agreed.
They continued along the market road when the area went silent. Jayin, Mingal, and Adrien realised that a group of Dai Li agents had emerged, led by the man from the other day… Long Feng. Everyone watched them in awe.
"Chaton?" Long Feng asked. Adrien froze. This man was smart. He had waited until Adrien was in a public place before approaching him again, that way there were more witnesses. If he refused any of Long Feng's offers, there was a chance people wouldn't hire him in that area because they wanted him to take the job in the upper ring. Jayin and Mingal immediately scowled.
"We told you to leave the boy alone sir. He is still in recovery." Mingal warned.
"Of course, and I am pleased to see he is well and out of the inn. I see you found yourself a hat, and you look much healthier in the face. Have you considered the job I offered?"
"I already said no." Adrien replied quickly in a hushed tone. Long Feng leaned in close to him.
"Chaton, I am well aware of your spiritual connection. The way you appeared to Mingal and Kantai was a sight for the entire neighborhood to see, and I have eyes and ears everywhere. Even if you refuse today, I will find a way to bring you to the upper ring. Someone like you threatens society, but if I have you under my wing, we can do great things. I warn you now, if you continue to refuse my offer, I will take certain actions against the innkeeper, doctor, and maiden woman that have watched over you." Long Feng threatened.
"Threatening people is a coward's move, Long Feng." Adrien warned in a hushed tone, not wanting to frighten the woman who protected him.
"Maybe, but it works. Come with me quietly, and I will not be forced to undergo any unnecessary actions. My agents are the best in Ba Sing Se. No one will even notice those three are gone." Adrien paled, glancing over at Jayin and Mingal. He wasn't sure if he could fight against the agents Long Feng had brought with him and protect Jayin and Mingal. Without Ladybug, he would definitely struggle since he'd gotten so used to fighting with a partner.
"Fine. I'll go with you to the upper ring. Not because I want to though, but because there's really no reason for people to get hurt because you had to have your way." Adrien hissed. Long Feng pat him on the back.
"Good choice, Chaton." He said loudly. Mingal and Jayin exchanged glances.
"Chaton. What are you doing?" Mingal asked.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll see you guys later, but something came up. I need to get to the upper ring. They think they found news on my girlfriend from Paris. I just need to get a ride there." Adrien lied. Jayin and Mingal once more gave each other concerned looks.
"When do you have to go?" Jayin inquired.
"Right now." Long Feng said quickly. They studied Adrien for any signs of panic or discomfort, he simple put on his Agreste smile and gave them a slight nod.
"Go on ahead. Don't worry Mingal and Jayin, I'll be back eventually. Tell Kantai I went off, okay?"
"...Aright…" Jayin decided. Mingal awkwardly hugged him, careful not to knock over his crutches.
"What did he tell you?" She whispered in his ear.
"Mingal, don't worry about it. If milady comes looking, tell her to look for a boy named Adin, not Chaton. I don't trust the man still, but I need to go to keep you three safe. Once I am in the upper ring, I'll sneak off and flee to the lower ring and take refuge there. Tell Kantai and Jayin in secret.
Mingal pulled away and nodded.
"Be safe, Adin." She whispered.
"You too Mingal." Adrien turned to Long Feng and nodded.
"Let's go." Long Feng smiled, clearly pleased with the victory.
"Follow us." Adrien followed the agents and Long Feng as best as he could on crutches. Eventually, Long Feng got tired of waiting for the teenager and had a few agents stay behind and helped him get to the monorail. They made him board and sit next to Long Feng, preventing him from an easy escape. Finally, they exited and made their way through the upper ring. The upper ring was far nicer than the middle ring. Adrien hated to imagine what the lower ring was going to look like. Long Feng began to tell Adrien all about Ba Sing Se's history and culture, but he quickly began to tune it out, looking for any route of escape away from people so he could transform and take off running. He somewhat counted on the fact that Long Feng didn't expect him to run off anywhere due to his current disability. After a few blocks of Long Feng's tour, Adrien noticed that the Dai Li slowly began to vanish from their side. Many of the civilians were now inside and off the streets.
He paused for a second, reaching into his satchel and carefully woke Plagg. The Kwami let out a surprised meow at the sudden awakening. Long Feng looked back at him in confusion. Adrien coughed, covering up the sound Plagg had made.
"Sorry. Continue." Adrien said quickly. Long Feng raised an eyebrow and kept talking.
Adrien slowed down a little, giving him room to transform, grab his crutches and run. He was going to have to run the entirety of the city. This was definitely not what a doctor recommended for a person with a broken ankle. When Long Feng had gotten a good enough distance away without noticing Adrien's absence, he whispered to Plagg, 'Claws out.' and transformed. Immediately the pain in his leg subsided and he grabbed his crutches, darting behind a building and pulling out his staff. He pushed the button on it, extending it so he went up, higher than the upper ring wall. He leaned forwards on it, falling towards the wall before pulling his staff back in, extending it, and using it to bring him to the top of the wall. He glanced around, noticing the guards perched on it. None of them paid much attention to him. Most had dozed off since they were guarding a wall inside a wall inside a wall. He crept past them before jumping to the other side. He took off leaping from rooftop to rooftop in the middle ring, careful not to be spotted.
He passed the inn that he'd been staying in and half considered stopping by to get what few things he did have. The risk was too great though, so he kept going, coming up on the lower ring. The ring of the poor. Once more he used the staff to vault over the wall. He landed on the other side, placing the two crutches under his arms.
"Claws in" He said quickly. He transformed. A very annoyed Plagg appeared.
"What the heck kid! I was sleeping! And I recommended you did not use your Cat Noir form to walk for a little while. Just because you can-"
"It was an emergency. Long Feng came back. He was going to hurt Mingal, Kantai, and Jayin. I couldn't let that happen. I had to go with him, and I needed the Cat Noir form to get away." Adrien explained.
"...fine, but when we get back to Paris, you owe me a ton of camembert."
"Of course I do." Adrien said, rolling his eyes.
"So… now that you ran off from the only people who were helping you, what exactly are we going to do? I'm getting hungry. Letting you run while injured can do that. We don't have money. What was your big plan?" Adrien mentally face plamed. He was completely broke here. This wasn't Paris where any meal he needed was provided. He was going to starve both him and Plagg if he didn't get food or a job very soon.
"I'll figure something out." He grumbled.
So just a heads up, this week will be weird on uploading. The school play I've mentioned earlier is at the end of the week, so I'll be pretty busy working that. Also, I am calling Adrien, Adin in this because, like Marinette, he has an ID to protect. Adin is basically Adrien without an E or R. Don't worry, they'll eventually start being called by their real names outside of their points of view. I just wanted to warn you so it doesn't get confusing. Also, in the show, Zuko and Iroh take fake names, but I'll talk about that when we get there. Anyways, thats for commuting so far. Please keep reviewing and giving positive feedback.