I'm Sorry Chaton

Chapter 17

Tikki was frantic. After leaving Master Fu, she raced up to the Agreste mansion to save her owner. Her little kwami body could only fly so fast and she feared Marinette wouldn't last much longer. Even though her owner had been troublesome these last few months, Tikki was the type of person to easily forgive and forget. Not a thought was wasted on the bad deeds Marinette had done. She focused entirely on saving her friend.

When she got to the mansion, she quickly flew through the walls and towards her owner. She saw her owner lying motionless and prayed that she was alive. Slowly, she approached Marinette and breathed a sigh of relief when she felt her faint pulse.

Tikki did exactly as Master Fu had commanded and focused all her energy on healing. She felt the power coursing through her, but didn't allow herself to get distracted by it. After a minute of pure focus, she opened her eyes and saw color returning to Marinette's cheeks.

Tikki squealed with joy as Marinette's eyes fluttered open. "Marinette! You're alive!"

"Where.." Marinette cleared her dry throat. "Where am I?"

"In Hawkmoth's lair," Tikki replied. "You, well, you nearly died. I had to go to Master Fu for help to learn how to heal you."

Marinette's eyes watered. "You healed me?"

Tikki smiled at her friend. "Of course I did! You're my friend."

"I'm your friend," Marinette repeated. "I'm your friend, and I treated you so terribly. I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking straight and I hurt you and that's not fair to you."

Tikki was one to forgive and forget so she quickly replied, "It's okay. I get it. We're still friends and we'll always be friends!"

Marinette held out her hands, palms up, and Tikki flew into them, their version of a sweet hug.

Tikki sat up and her tone changed from sentimental to serious. "We need to get going Marinette!"

"Why?"

"Hawkmoth akumatized Chat Noir and Plagg!" Tikki thought that Chat Noir bore a striking resemblance to Adrien when he was akumatized, but she knew that Adrien was dead. She had seen it with her own two eyes!

"Chat Noir?" Marinette looked slightly concerned.

"Yes," Tikki confirmed. "And Plagg."

Marinette groaned, "I have to save him, don't I?"

Tikki gave her owner a glare. "Yes, you do! He's your partner!"

"I know, I know!" Marinette slumped her shoulders. "I was just kidding. Of course, I'll save him..."

"Tikki, you ready?" Marinette knew what she had to do.

"Yep!"

Marinette yelled the familiar words, "Spots on!"

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Meanwhile, Gabriel Agreste was sitting in his office. About an hour ago, Nathalie had given him the precious earrings and then she had run off for some errand. He thought something was off about his assistant, but his perception skills had always been a bit off so he paid her no mind.

He was getting anxious as he waited for the Miracle Box, so he picked up the earrings to examine them. They would be the key to getting his wife back and fixing his broken life. As he ran his fingers across the backings, he felt a ridge. Looking closer, he found an inscription: Made In China.

"Made in China?!" Gabriel yelled in frustration. "Nathalie!"

He realized she was long gone on her supposed "errand" and became even more frustrated.