1 - The author does not owns Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir; tale for entertainment purposes only

2 - I am overwhelmed by your response to this little tale. Thanks a lot, you guys are the best.

oOo

Chapter II - In Which Adrien Discovers More About the Miraculous Legacy, its Secrets and History, and Marinette Buys Cheese

Alya couldn't wait to tell her friend the news. Marinette, on the other hand, had tons of questions to ask Plagg, but, at same time, must act normal until returning home. Or at least, she must try to. She was extra jumpy when an excited Alya came to her.

"Everything is set, Marinette."

"S-set?"

"Yes, I had to menace to hurt Nino with extreme cruelty – that is, scratching his records plus forbidding him from get close to my comic books for six months – but he is in. If Adrien calls him to get the biology lesson, he will make an excuse up and mention you're available for the study session."

"Ah."

"What's the problem, girl? Cat got your tongue?"

"Cat?! What cat?! Who said anything about cats? Not me, for sure. Why mention cats? I don't know a thing about cats, black or otherwise!"

"Marinette, are you sure you are all right?"

"Great, I am great." She laughed nervously "Let's eat."

"Aaaaall right…" Alya showed her place and plate. "Did you get anything else? It looked like you made a stop at the cheese table…"

She waved her hands quickly "What, me? You must be mistaken. I am not even that fan of cheese."

Inside her purse, Plagg almost chocked laughing on the cheese Marinette dropped in.

Adrien was also confused, but tried to empty his mind during make-up. Tons of questions, yes, but, mainly, his lady was on that wagon with him. His lady… he shook his head, trying to focus, earning a reprimand from the make-up lady.

For the next hours, Adrien, in front of a green screen, pretended to play and laugh with the elderly couple, who now and then looked at the mock-up yogurt packing like it was a gift from the gods.

Finally, after looking at the photos on the computer for what seemed the 50th time to Adrien, the director smiled, calling the photographer, the hair dresser, the make-up lady and the three models, thanking them for the good work:

"Let's celebrate with an expresso across the street. First cup on me."

Adrien gave an excuse and went backstage, quickly working the cleanser on his face and neck, allowing himself to think about the fact some hours ago he was so close to his lady. Sadly, he was sure not even the teachers would know who was on with wagon. But he could start with the ones he knew. First, who was over him? All that dark hair on his face… Juleka? Marinette? No, certainly Marinette. And Alya was there, too. No, it could not be Alya, he saw her several times with Ladybug. And she was Lady Wifi. Coming to think about it…

He finished removing the make-up in a flash and grabbed his backpack, mumbling a "hold on, Tikki" and rushing home. In one second, she was peeking through a small hole on the pack, marveled on how much better Adrien was with make-up than Marinette; the next, she was bumping here and there, trying to escape the cell phone, notepad, book – and, tragically, cheese crumbs – that bounced around her space. Adrien was in a hurry. If the Gorilla is not waiting, he would get a cab, the subway, whatever is faster.

His lady was upon reach.

It was hard to put on a façade and carry all the apples and vegetables home.

"Thanks a lot, Alya, Kim, see you tomorrow at school."

Finally, she could rush upstairs and think about the situation on her hands, before Hawkmoth…

"Marinette, where are your manners? Invite your friends for some tea and pastries."

She groaned – twice when a muffled "don't forget the cheese" came from her purse.

"Yes, dad. Alya, Kim, please come in."

Entering his room, Adrien invited Tikki out.

"… and sorry about the bumpy ride. I am in a hurry."

"It's all right, Adrien. And sorry about my reaction earlier. I had a Viking holder, Elric the Spotted, who wore even less and…" but the teen was already with his eyes glued in his computer.

"I know now my lady is in one of three schools. Including mine. All I have to do is eliminate the students who were once akumatized, and will have a short list. I remember most, but Ladyblog has every attack recorded with details."

"Adrien…" Tikki was worried. She had no business mentoring Plagg's kitten, but still was worried. But she noticed his hand was not over the mouse. He was hesitating.

"However… it would not be fair to Ladybug, would it? She is very adamant on preserving her identity. Would this be a… betrayal, Tikki?"

The kwami sighed in relief.

"What does your conscience say, Adrien?"

"Aaaaaagh!" he took both palms to his forehead, throwing his head back in frustration. After a few moments thinking, he turned the computer off "For you, Bug-a-boo."

And turned to the red kwami in front of him.

"So, proper introductions, pleased to meet you, Ladybug kwami. What do you want to eat?"

"I like cookies, but no need to bother. I am not hungry. And allow me to say you just showed you're one of the best Chats I ever saw. If I am proud, I can't imagine Plagg."

Adrien blinked twice.

"Not hungry and saying nice things? …are you sure you're the same species as Plagg?"

Finally alone in her room, Marinette closed her nose as her tiny guest finished eating the slice of Camembert she bought.

"Ok, Plagg, let's think in a way of returning you to Chat and find Tikki before some tragedy happens." And before your cheese consumption puts a serious dent on my allowance, she adds mentally.

The little creature was jumping on the Tikki's bed.

"You made this for her? Wow, Tikki sure is spoiled. My bed is the kid's socks and handkerchiefs for sheet."

"Plagg, stop. I don't want to hear anything about Chat. We must preserve our identities."

"As you wish."

"So, any ideas on how to get my kwami back?"

"Piece of cake, lady. Next time you transform, just turn your back to each other and transform back. We'll return to our holders, and your identity will be safe."

"And, pray tell, how can I transform without Tikki?"

The black kwami opened and closed his mouth.

"I can't think on an empty stomach."

Marinette frowned and gave him another slice of the expensive cheese.

"A guardian?"

"Not a guardian, Adrien, The Great Guardian. The one responsible for the Miraculous and for choosing new Holders. You take me there, he will be able to contact Ladybug and together they will find Plagg. Come, I can show your way."

"We can't. Not right now."

"Why?"

He opened a program on his computer. Tikki saw a green dot flashing.

"Alarm's on. We try to exit now, the whole Police of Paris, plus the Sureté and Gendarmerie will be surrounding us before we reach the front gate. And I am lacking my cat reflexes to use the window. We'll go after class, tomorrow." He looked at the half-eaten bran cookie he gave her. "Huh, sorry, not much of chocolate allowed in this house" He struck a pose "Fashion and modeling, you know."

"No, no, it's fine." Tikki said, trying to force another bite down.

"Now, tell me more about the Guardian. All of you kept this cat in the dark for too long. I know there were other Chats in the past…"

"Alya?"

"Sure. There's nothing Ladybug-related that escapes her grasp. If a single spot of Tikki appears, she will know."

"Yes, you are right about her and information, but just to wait instead of doing something…"

"And I know for sure Chat reads the Ladyblog. A lot."

Marinette covered her ears.

"Plagg, I don't want to hear about him without mask."

"Mari, what did you learn from me? He wears socks and reads the Ladyblog. Puuuuh-leeze, this is half Paris."

Marinette blushed a bit.

"I guess you're right."

"And you can send her a message as Ladybug. Asking for him to appear in a public place."

"Plagg, he can't transform, either."

"Yes, but he will appear as his civilian self. Since is a public place, full of people, it would be impossible for you or anyone else to find his identity. You leave me there, I rush to him, Chat Noir can transform and find Tikki."

"It's a good plan. I am not sure she knows about the connection between kwamis and us, but the rest can work. But can't I just take you to Master Fu?"

The black kwami looked surprised for a moment.

"Tikki already introduced you to the Great Guardian? I know you're a fantastic Ladybug, but those revels usually take years."

"It was kind of an accident. But I am glad I met him. So many things to learn…"

Plagg smiled.

"My kitten is great, but Tikki really struck gold with you."

"Awww, Plagg."

"But he does not know about Master Fu yet."

"He doesn't?"

Plagg just shook his head. Chat Noir was still basking in the happiness of being himself. Of being able to strip the mask that is Adrien Agreste and be free. He does not want to spoil that moment for him. He wants to give the kitten a few more months of growth and discoveries before throwing more responsibilities at him.

"There's… issues."

"It's ok. I don't want to know. Alya it will be." She reaches for her pajamas under her pillow. "Would you mind going to the balcony for a minute, Plagg? I want to change. Afterwards, we'll make the note for Alya."

He chuckled "Wow, I am not expelled from a Holder chamber since Lexie and Phiphy."

"Do I dare to ask?"

"Alexander and Hephaestion. I will tell more later, over some cheese." Said Plagg, leaving the room.