21: Three-Fifty

"Want me to send Nooroo back instead?" asked Plagg to Wayzz.

"Nah, it's three in the morning. I'll do it. Besides, protection is my specialty." Wayzz smiled, "Are you sure you're not coming with us?"

"Yeah Plagg, Adrien will be looking for you." added Nooroo.

"I'll go home when the sun's up. Besides..." he looks up to the open shaft going to Marinette's balcony.

"Alright," Wayzz nodded, "Let's go Nooroo, before Hawkmoth realizes you were gone."

"Be careful you guys."

"You too Plagg." replied Nooroo and the two went out passing through Mari's window.

By the time the two disappeared, Plagg sighed. He glanced back up and decided to fly to the balcony to check on the girl who had just broken down. Plagg's eyes glued on to Mari's back when he got there. The wind was really cold, and Mari wasn't wearing anything to warm her up which worried Plagg.

"You know, a tank top and pajama won't cut it at this hour." he said levitating beside her. Mari was staring at the Eiffel tower, her swollen eyes glistening as the street lights reflected on it.

"You okay?" Plagg added.

"Mm." she replied, eyes staring from a distance.

"That was quite a shock huh?" Plagg scoffed.

"Mm."

"I mean, who would have thought Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth." he said scratching his head.

Marinette looked down, "Mm."

Plagg fails to lighten up her mood. He then tries to peek at her face figuring out how she was holding up, "I know this is really hard to process, even I'm still in shock but...aren't you glad you finally know who Chat Noir is? You've been crushing on him without the mask."

"And I've been deliberately hurting him with it on." Mari smiled bitterly, "I don't know Plagg. I knew at some point I'll end up knowing who he really is and I thought maybe I'd be happy about it."

"But you're not?"

Mari shook her head, "If I were to describe how I'm feeling right now, I'd say I'm scared."

"Scared? But now you know Chat Noir and Adrien are one and the same person, you'll finally be able to save him. And once Adrien knows who Ladybug is―"

"Which I will make sure that it will not happen." she cuts him making Plagg stutter.

"Marinette?"

She pursed her lips, "I know I'm not supposed to tell you this but...I saw a world where Chat knows who Ladybug is and..."

"And?"

She frowned painfully, "He was akumatized into Chat Blanc and he used cataclysm destroying Paris. He also almost used cataclysm on the entire galaxy."

"THE ENTIRE GALAXY? My boy must have been devastated for the akuma to affect him that strongly."

Mari nods, "Luckily I was able to find where the akuma was. I don't know what exactly happened since Bunnix won't tell me to not alter the space-time continuum, but seeing what happened back there, I don't think I want Adrien to know who Ladybug is even if it means keeping him in the dark again."

"I'm sure Chat Noir will really be mad."

Marinette chuckles, "I bet he will," she sighs staring at the crescent moon, "It's funny how two different personalities exist in one human being."

Plagg giggles, "Adrien is too conservative. He tries to compose himself too much since he doesn't know what will upset his friends. He likes to play it safe and be the perfect prince most people see him as."

"Then are you telling me Chat Noir is his real self?"

Plagg smiles, "When you holders fuse with your kwami, some of our personalities get incorporated with yours, but it doesn't mean the real Adrien is a different persona from Chat Noir. Adrien just doesn't realize it, but his real personality comes out when he doesn't feel the shackles of his father on him. And that's why he's able to become himself and let free of all worries when he's Chat. But even when he's not Chat, as long as he doesn't feel restricted, Adrien will come out from his shell and be himself."

Mari suddenly felt sad understanding what Plagg had said. Being able to see different sides of Adrien, Plagg sure took the time observing his holder even when it seems that all cared about was camembert. She felt crushed knowing how sooner or later, Adrien will have to know that his father is Hawkmoth. But for now, that's not important. Based on Nooroo's narration on what Tikki had told him, the most important task now is to monitor both Gabriel and Lila. The only problem was, how.

０３:５０

"I'm back!" Wayzz said flying to Mari's shoulders taking a rest, "Well that was most certainly cold." he said catching his breath.

Mari giggled, "Did Nooroo arrive safely?"

"Yeah, I casted a protective barrier on him when he got in the mansion so not even Hawkmoth can notice him coming in."

"That sounds great." she grinned.

Wayzz then glances at Plagg who looked listless. "Aren't you going home?" he said.

Plag shook his head, "I'm thinking of not going home for now."

Wayzz and Mari responded with a simultaneous, "Huh?"

"It'll be less dangerous for Adrien if I wasn't there."

Wayzz and Mari exchanged worried glances.

"Listen you two," Plagg said, "Now that we know that Hawkmoth is in the same house as Chat Noir, it'll be ten times the risk if I was there. It'll be better if I stay here."

"But Plagg, even with you here, Adrien still has the ring. Hawkmoth can still use it." said Wayzz.

Plagg chokes, "Oh right...." he said slumping down.

"He's right, Plagg. We're still lucky that the miraculous is with me, but then Hawkmoth knows that I will most probably go and save Tikki so he's confident of trapping me too. Your case is different, if he figures out that what Adrien is wearing is the miraculous of the cat, it'll endanger him more without your protection."

Plagg grunts, "But if I also get caught being with him, it'll be game over."

Wayzz, however, had a light bulb moment. "Wait, I think we can make this work."

"How?" Mari responded.

Wayzz floats in front of Marinette and bows in courtesy, "With your permission Master, allow me to watch over Adrien in close proximity."

"A-Are you sure?" she stammers.

"Yes." he looks up, "It is only fitting for a kwami of protection to be in charge of protecting someone. Besides, I am well trained in the art of hiding as I've been with Master Fu for more than a hundred years in hiding. I assure you that I will not be caught. As long as you keep the bracelet on, I will be able to be by Adrien's side."

"But I can't wear this to school. Nino will recognize it."

"I believe an arm band will fix that. Just cover it up with a scrunchie or something and you'll be fine." said Plagg suggestively.

Mari sighs, "I can't believe how crazy witty you guys are."

"Well, if you've been around since the beginning of time such wisdom is natural." replied Plagg proudly.

The three of them laughed.

"Alright Wayzz, I grant you permission to watch over Adrien."

"As you wish Master." he bowed once more.

"And Plagg," she turned to the black floating creature, "Thank you for keeping me company. You're really going to be a big help."

Plagg blushes, "Aw shucks Marinette, just don't forget to feed me some cheese from the bakery."

"I'm not really sure if you're being grateful right now." said Wayzz in a passive tone while Marinette giggles.

"Alright! Now that that is settled, it's time for some action." she said running to her opened sunroof window.

"Where are you going? Aren't you going to sleep? You have class you know." Plagg stops her.

"The sun's gonna be up in a few, so I'll sew myself an arm band to cover the bracelet." and she disappears into her room.

Plagg and Wayzz were left stunned at the balcony, floating, amazed by Marinette's energy.

"It's amazing how much energy she has at four in the morning." Wayzz mumbles.

Plagg scoffs smiling and turned facing the Eiffel Tower, "But because of her positivity, even with such a crisis, Marinette drives us to be stronger."

Wayzz smiles, "No wonder Master Fu picked her as both Ladybug and the new Guardian."

"But even so, this is still too much for a fourteen year old to bear on her own," Plagg said looking up to the moon, "We, as the kwamis under her protection, must also do our part to save her."