26: Mirage
"Will Plagg's mission take long?" asked Adrien, sitting on the piano.
Wayzz let out a few uhhs and uhhms figuring out what to say. "It won't take a year for sure." he smiled awkwardly.
"That's exaggerating it." replied Adrien, pressing a chord.
Wayzz flies over to Adrien glancing over the set of whites and blacks.
"Do you do this everyday?"
Adrien snickers, "Not everyday. There's fencing and Chinese. For today, it's this." running his fingers through an array of keys.
Wayzz claps, "Interesting!" he cheers, "If I remember correctly, you aren't the only miraculous user who plays an instrument."
Adrien's eyes widened, "Really? You mean there were others? What instruments did they play?"
"There was one who played the harp, but tha user didn't stay much long. Oh! there was also one who played the bongos, but that goes way back. However, there was one who pioneered one of the miraculouses and was able to incorporate music playing with the power of the spirit."
"Really? Which one?" Adrien's hands stopped.
"You've already seen it. It's―"
Their discussion was cut when Wayzz saw a black shadow flying from the window.
"Plagg?" Wayzz mumbles making Adrien snap his neck to turn to where he was looking at. Adrien's eyes glued to the creature flying towards them.
"Plagg...buddy...where have you been?!" said Adrien, shaking in worry and excitement.
Wayzz notices something on Plagg's back so he flies over to the cat's shoulders, "What's this jewelry box?"
"Oh right!" Plagg jolts carefully unfastening the ribbon tied over his shoulders, handing Wayzz the package, "Take that upstairs and open it. I have to talk to Adrien."
Wayzz takes the box nodding, not asking more of what was in it. He instinctively assumed Marinette instructed him to do this and immediately flew up to Adrien's loft, leaving the owner and kwami alone.
"Plagg, where have you been?" repeated Adrien as soon as Wayzz disappeared.
The levitating black cat sighs, "I've only been gone for a day, relax."
"How can you say that to me with a straight face? I was worried of you." the sound of Adrien's heart shattering could be heard with that last line.
"I know." Plagg groaned, "Ugh this isn't going quite well as how I pictured this conversation would go in my head."
Adrien wanted to understand what Plagg was saying. He always wanted to be on the same page as his, but basing on how his kwami is acting, he feels as if he's going to lose him again soon. "Wayzz told me you were out on a mission with Ladybug." his eyes staring at Plagg unwavering, "Is it true?"
Plagg nodded, "And that's why I'm here right now."
"Is it done then?"
"No. But..."
"But..?"
"Will you be alright coming out?"
"I'll be fine for the next three hours before Natalie checks on me again."
"Good." Plagg glances up, "We're going to the Eiffel Tower in a few."
Adrien pops an eyebrow, "What for?"
"Ladybug wants to talk to you."
*******
Wayzz lands on Adrien's bed carrying the pink jewelry box Plagg was carrying a while ago. Curious, he pulls off the lid and surprised himself of what was inside.
"Marinette?" he exclaimed but was immediately shushed by the tiny figure inside the box.
"Yes and No, I am Multimouse!" she said pointing at the pendant, "But then of course looking at your reaction you already get the point."
"Master, what are you doing here? And yet another risky transformation."
"I really felt bad for Adrien and I thought it would be better to give him a bit of spectrum of what's going on. And Plagg looked sad earlier today, but I couldn't just leave him to come here alone."
"How exactly are we going to tell Adrien 'a bit of spectrum'?"
Multimouse giggles, "That's where Ladybug comes in." she winks.
Wayzz's eyes brightened catching up with the plan, "You're going to use Mirage, aren't you?"
Marinette nods smiling, "I've already stationed Trixx combined with another me at the Eiffel tower earlier before we went here."
"Isn't it dangerous to leave them there?"
"Don't worry, I already thought of that way ahead. In case anything happens, I've already made Kaalki combine with another me who is also keeping watch alongside Trixx. If anything does happen, they'll directly transport back to my room."
Wayzz claps, "Impressive forethought. I wish Master Fu was here to witness such magnificence."
"And the reason another me is also here is not only to escort Plagg," she lifts something from her feet resting inside the box, showing the turtle bracelet, "If anything happens here, I'll be able to combine with you."
"But...where's the rest of you?"
"I've stationed some at my balcony and some at the foot of the Eiffel." she shrugs.
"Are you the main body?"
Multimouse giggles, "Sure am! Now, we don't have much time. Let's regroup with them downstairs."
Wayzz nods and opens his mouth for Multimouse to ride in. She crawls in with the bracelet, "Tell Adrien to transform before we leave. I told Plagg you'll be giving the signal."
Wayzz gave her a thumbs up and closed his mouth, flying back downstairs to the bickering pair.
Plagg notices Wayzz floating down towards them giving him a thumbs up. Plagg immediately recognizes the gesture and zooms to Adrien, "We need to go now. Ladybug is waiting."
Although Adrien felt unsatisfied with how their conversation went, the boy had hope that whatever was bothering him, Ladybug could have it answered. Besides, that was the point of them meeting up, right?
* * * * * * *
Chat Noir arrives at the foot of the Eiffel tower with Wayzz flying behind him. One of Multimouse's duplicates saw them and immediately reported to Multifox and Multihorse who were at the viewing deck.
Hearing of Multimouse's update, Multifox pulled out her flute and summoned her Mirage.
"She should be up there." said Chat Noir looking up to the viewing deck before setting out his stick and leaped to the top of the tower.
"Don't worry, I felt Multifox had already summoned Mirage." she whispered from inside Wayzz's mouth and the kwami flew up following Chat Noir.
By the time Chat arrived at the viewing deck, Ladybug was already there, leaning on one of the beams observing the city in it's glamour at night.
"Did you wait long?" he said, walking towards her. Ladybug glances at him and gives him a smirk.
"No don't worry, I just arrived." she said fixing her stance, "We need to talk." her face turned serious.
Seeing that the two had already met, Wayzz hides himself behind a pillar, opening his mouth for Multimouse to see what's happening.
Chat frowns, "I heard from both Plagg and Wayzz about your mission. Why didn't you tell me? I thought no more secrets?"
Ladybug pats his shoulder, her sad eyes looking directly at him, "That's why I'm telling you now."
Chat gently takes her hand from his shoulder, "What has been going on?" he whispers sweetly.
"I- I was cornered kitty." she smiled painfully.
"Cornered? What do you mean?" his grip on her hand tightens but still gentle.
Ladybug looks straight into him, pursing her lips. Although this was only an illusion, Marinette could feel every inch of emotion the illusion has, and his touch was burning into her skin.
"Chat, I now know who Hawkmoth is."
He gasps, terror in his eyes, "Who-"
"But sweetness, I can't tell you just yet." she smiles sheepishly, placing the hand he's holding on his cheek.
Chat felt a sting in his heart, he feels helpless again. By the look on her face, he can tell she's been suffering. "Why are you trying to face this alone? Aren't I your partner?"
"You are...You are. God you are!" she cups his face with both her hands in the heat of her frustration, "The gods know how thankful I am that I have you by my side. But Chat....my Chat Noir," her voice softens, "I can't tell you just yet unless I have concrete proof. I'd rather have this break me first, before you."
Chat wanted to pry. He wanted to ask more about it, but he knew that this will only make it harder for her. He knew she's worked so hard for this to work and facing it alone with Plagg means she is serious in finding proof before setting things in stone. But what hurts him was seeing her in pain. She's suffering with all the truths she's been carrying. Her problems are too huge for such a petite frame, but she continues to fight. She continues, despite knowing that everything will break her.
Without thinking twice, Chat pulls her in to an embrace. He burries his face to her neck, nuzzling himself to her warmth.
"You're purring." She whispers.
"That's because I'm hugging you." He replied.
"Are you cold?" she wraps her arms around his waist.
He shakes his head.
"Alright." she said, resting her head on to his.
.
.
.
.
"Ladybug?"
"Mhhm?"
Chat pulls away looking into her eyes, "I respect that you can't tell me who Hawkmoth is but...can you at least tell me what had happened so far?"
Ladybug was staring blankly at him.
Multifox expected Chat to ask about that. The curiosity of a cat is never to be underestimated. And so she blew a little on her flute to give the illusion a little nudge on what to say.
"Alright," Ladybug smiles, "But we'll have to sit down for this in case you'll fall after hearing the story."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Mai_Luna
Mai_Luna "Sweetness."
"My chat noir."
OOOH! don't you just love hearing endearments!?
Hello. I was bedridden all week. It sucks when you have anemia. I'm sorry for the late update but thank you for your patience. I love you my readers. Keep shining!
Don't forget to rate for an extra EXP on your account~ Ciao~
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