A Snap in Time

Chapter 9 (Adrien)

Adrien thanked Tom and Sabine for their hospitality before making his way out of the bakery with Master Fu. The smaller man had yet to say anything since his entrance, and the calm feeling Adrien had felt was beginning to disparate.

"Master Fu?" He questioned. He needed the old guardian to speak to him. He was already full of emptiness; he just needed something to cling on to, some sort of hope. Adrien needed someone to understand. He had so many questions, so many uncertainties, he just needed clarification.

The guardian didn't answer, just continued to walk and wind his way through the streets of Paris. Adrien wasn't used to walking around so anonymously. No one was stopping him for pictures or autographs. No one was looking at him in more than a passing glance. He was a normal person going about their day to day life, just a normal boy with a normal life, unfortunately he was carrying a heavy weighted secret.

They reached an old parlour and Adrien watched as Master Fu opened the door and allowed him to go through first. Adrien looked around taking in the decor of his old guardian's home. Sofas against the walls, cushions on the floor, a small table with a pot of tea letting off steam and a gramophone.

"Sit." Fu ordered, taking his place on the opposite side to Adrien.

Nervously, the teen sat down and looked at Master Fu. It felt like only yesterday when Fu had given up his guardianship to Ladybug, and that they were fighting for survival against their own allies.

"Give me the ring." The old man held out his hand to Adrien, indicating for Adrien to give up his one piece of important jewellery.

Well, that did not go the way he expected.

"No," it wasn't the best defense but he was so taken aback he didn't know what else to say.

"That ring has to go to the person made for it. I don't know who you are and I didn't give it to you, so I am asking again. Give me the ring back."

Adrien grasped his right hand with his left, hiding the ring from Fu and keeping it close to his chest. This ring was his lifeline.

"He can't," Plagg flew in front of Master Fu's face, pleading in defense of his holder.

"Plagg this doesn't concern you."

"Actually it does, Fu, I belong with this kid. He's the best holder I've ever had. He is made to be with Ladybug. They're an unstoppable team."

"You might consider so Plagg, but I have never met this boy before and I cannot be certain that he is the correct holder for such a powerful Miraculous." Fu explained.

"What?" Adrien butted into the conversation, a question burning on his tongue. "How did you know my name and where to find me if you don't even know who I am?"

"Wayzz felt the change in the Miraculous power, one that comes from the cat and ladybug being in close proximity to each other. It enhances all kwami's power. I simply sent him to find out who you were and where you were."

"So you were stalking me?"

A sudden flash of red appeared in the room and Adrien couldn't help but stare in shock. How did she know about him? How did she know he was here? Did she feel it too?

"I felt Plagg's presence," Tikki said, "where is he?" She settled on the table between Adrien and Fu as Plagg tackled her into a hug.

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you, Sugarcube!" The cat kwami said, giving his counterpart a little space.

"You too, Plagg. What has it been one hundred years? Maybe more?"

Plagg looked at Tikki curiously.

"I saw you less than a day ago." He said, looking between his counterpart and Fu.

"I don't think so, Plagg. You've been missing from the Miraculous box for over fifteen years, and we were dormant before that."

"Is that why Ladybug is with Viperion?" Adrien asked.

"The Ladybug is stronger in a pair. She thrives from support and working in a team." Fu answered.
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"Exactly, that's why you should be letting me keep the ring and taking back the bracelet." Adrien stated.

"How do you know about the bracelet of the snake?" Fu asked.

Adrien let out a sigh. He knew way too much about the bracelet and the snake Miraculous.

"Because I know about the Miraculous. I know that Longg represents the dragon, Wayzz the turtle. I know Trixx has the power of illusion, and Fluff can travel through time and space. I know pretty much the power of every kwami in the Miracle Box and I have seen them in action, I've worked alongside them."

Fu studied Adrien's face, and the young teen was quite sure he was being assessed, but the look of Fu's face was giving nothing away. Did the older man not believe him?

"You seem to know a lot about the Miraculous, but still I need the ring back. You have not been chosen." Fu continued.

"You chose him a year ago. He's been risking his life for the bug ever since! The poor kid here has been vaporised, blown up, eaten, dropped from a tower untransformed and constantly been the epitome of a black cat. He deserves the ring more than anyone. He's made to be with Marinette."

Adrien took in a breath at Marinette's name. As much as it was all real, it still didn't feel it. Each time he saw her or heard her name the impact was a little greater, and his Ladybug seemed a little closer.

Fu looked at Plagg, and Adrien could tell he was trying to figure out if the kwami was telling the truth. After what felt like forever, he spoke.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

Fu's question took Adrien by surprise. Not because of what he was asking, more for he couldn't remember. What was the last thing he could?

He thought back through his mind and all he could picture was himself as Chat Noir. His memories of being 'him' were few and far between.

"I was in battle, and I think Marinette found out who I was. But that could have been a dream. I remember every akuma I've fought though, that's how I knew what Ladybug needed to do today."

"So you're the reason she finally trusted in her lucky charm?"

Trusted in her lucky charm? Adrien wondered what had been going on over the past months that meant she didn't.

"I've got to get back to Marinette," Tikki said, "she's going through some things but I wanted to find you and speak to you first."

"Don't let on you know where he is." Fu said looking at the small red kwami, "I'm still undecided if he will be keeping the ring." Adrien perked up a little, undecided was good, that meant there was a chance he would keep it.

Tikki looked between Adrien, Plagg and Master Fu before nodding.

"Fine, but she needs to meet him at some point. She needs her black cat."

"Of course," Fu replied, smiling sweetly at the red blob of creativity.

"Before I go, out of curiosity, Chat Noir, have you ever transformed with me?"

"Once, and it was rather entertaining."

Tikki smiled back at the blonde.

"I thought so."

Zooming out the room, Adrien watched Tikki fly back to Marinette. An idea suddenly struck him and he turned to look back at Mr Fu.

"Do you have a computer? I want to check something out."

Fu nodded and guided Adrien to a block of a machine sitting in the corner. Adrien could tell the old man was cautious and curious of Adrien's actions, but Plagg was right on hand, protecting him and making sure the Miraculous stayed with him.

Loading the computer, Adrien searched for the one place that would give him (hopefully) some sort of answer.

The Ladyblog.