Cat-Call 2 (Mari-Chat sequel to Cat-call)

Ch.11 Corrupted (Third PV)

"Master!" Ladybug shouted frantically as she knocked on the door. After a few seconds the door creaked open a sliver.

"Ladybug? What's going on?" He asked before laying eyes on the unconscious Cat.

"Please, you've got to help him!" She begged desperately, her eyes fighting back tears.

"Lay him on the mat..." he instructed before disappearing into the back room. Wayzz hovered over to the unconscious cat and attempted to remove the ring.

"Ahh!" The little turtle hissed in pain.

"Don't touch him Wayzz, it's dangerous!" The old man scolded as he placed a pot of liquid beside the unconscious Cat.

"What's happening!?" Ladybug asked before dropping her transformation.

"I was afraid this would happen..." Fu muttered before putting on a pair of rubber gloves. Marinette looked on anxiously as the guardian carefully slid the ring off Cat's finger. Electricity crackled around him for a few seconds. Eventually, his transformation fell, leaving an unconscious Adrien behind.

"Thank you master! Thank you!" A frantic Plagg exclaimed before zooming over to the guardian.

"Plagg, what happened!?" Master Fu asked before dropping the crackling ring in the liquid.

"I don't know! Suddenly, I started getting shocked and I couldn't leave the ring. It's like I was stuck inside!" Master Fu furrowed his brows.

"What is it Master?" Marinette asked before glancing anxiously at her crush who still laid unconscious on the mat.

"Cat Noir's miraculous is corrupted."

"What!? That's impossible!?" Plagg hissed. Master Fu shook his head.

"No Plagg, it isn't. I understand you don't remember and that you were under Hawkmoth's control, but this must've happened when you got akumatized. Remember, you are the Kwami of destruction. Your entire existence is based on sheer destructive energy. When you were akumatized, your being was thrown out of balance. Your destructive energy is out of control."

Plagg shook his tiny head. "No, it isn't! I'm in control, I'm in control! He shouted causing a crack to tear through the wall behind Marinette.

"Plagg!" Tikki scolded with her hands on her hips. Plagg's eyes widened.

"Fine! I can tell I'm not wanted here!" Plagg hissed before phasing through the wall and disappearing.

"Plagg wait!" Master Fu called, but it was too late. "Marinette, it's not safe for Plagg to be running around in his condition. I might have a spell somewhere in my books that can stabilize him, but I need time!" Marinette nodded.

"Just tell me what I need to do!" She asked as Adrien began to stir. "Find Plagg, bring him to me, but don't reveal yourself, we don't know how his mind may handle it." He whispered just before Adrien opened his eyes.

"W-where am I? Marinette?" He asked wearily when he laid eyes on the bluenette. "Where's my ring!?" He asked when he noticed his finger was bare.

"I took it off and put it in a sterile solution. It was causing you some sort of allergic reaction..." Master Fu lied smoothly. Adrien glanced down at his finger. His skin was bright red around the base.

"What is this place?" He asked bewildered.

"I'm a Chinese masseuse and healer. Marinette found you unconscious on the floor outside the bakery, she didn't know what to do so she brought you to me." Marinette nodded, agreeing with everything Master Fu said.

"But wasn't I wearing my Ca-" he stopped when he realized he was about to reveal his identity. "N-never mind, I must be confused..." he trailed off as Master Fu picked up the ring and handed it to him. He slipped it back on his finger without any issues.

"Marinette, why don't you take your friend home? He seems to be doing better." Master Fu suggested as he picked up the pot of water. Marinette nodded and waited for Adrien as he stood up.

"Thank you Master, I mean Mister!" she stammered before making herself out of the small shop. Adrien followed behind. Marinette notice him looking through in his shirt for Plagg. "Everything okay?" She asked cautiously.

"Y-yea, I can't find something I was carrying..." he trailed off.

"Want me to help you look?" She asked. He shook his head.

"No, I'm sure it'll turn up" he said before rubbing the nape of his neck.

"I hope so..." Marinette thought to herself as they turned the corner.

"Hey Marinette, I know this may feel like it's coming out of nowhere, but my father is out on a business trip and before he left, he told me to shadow you. He's interested in you; he says you have designer potential." Marinette's eyes widened.

"Really!?" She asked excitedly, forgetting for a second the situation they were in.

"Yeah! He showed me some of your designs and I think he's right, you have a lot of potential!" The blond enthused. A light blush dusted the bluenette's cheeks when he said that. Without her noticing, he studied her. Her skin was fair, and her blue-bell eyes were large and sad. This was the first time he noticed how pretty she was.

"So, do you want me to walk you home?" She asked him, snapping him out of his trance. His cheeks heated up when he realized he'd been staring.

"Y-yeah, I guess he muttered as they approached the Ponts des Arts. "Marinette? Do you ever feel stuck?" Adrien asked as he leaned over the railing. Marinette watched him curiously.

"You have no idea..." she trailed off as she leaned on the railing next to him. Adrien turned to her with a sad smile.

"I really wish I could remember. I hate the way people act around me, like they feel sorry for me. They treat me like I'm sick and I'm so over it!" He snapped. Marinette looked at him sympathetically.

"I understand more than you think..." she trailed off. "I know it may not seem like it, but you and I were really close before your accident. Now whenever people see me with you, all they do is ask if I'm okay. It's really frustrating at times..." she admitted softly.

"I'm sorry, this is really all my fault," he muttered sadly. Marinette shook her head.

"No, it's not. You didn't choose for this to happen." She reassured and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I don't know how we'll solve this, but we will, I promise!" The bluenette enthused. A warm smile spread across Adrien's face.

"Thanks Marinette," he said before gesturing for them to keep going. The rest of their walk was silent, but comfortable. When they arrived at the gates of the mansion, Marinette tried to stammer out a quick goodbye.

"S-see you tomorrow!" Adrien smiled.

"Thanks for everything, Marinette..." Adrien whispered before leaning in and placing a soft kiss on the bluenette's cheek. Her face flared crimson as he pulled away. "See you tomorrow," he said before turning around and making his way inside the mansion.