Chapter Text
A round moon lit up the dark sky, illuminating the Earth below. Stars speckled across the chasms of space as a light breeze rustled the leaves of the trees. They whispered quietly as the wind passed. Everything was mysterious but calm as the clocktower chimed for midnight.
A soft humming drifted through the air louder than it actually was, to a hearer in the silent night. A young woman sat on the wall, bright eyes mapping the stars as she sang softly. Her butterfly-like pink wings fluttered occasionally. The colors she wore stood out like a sore thumb. The bright red and pink of her dress and hair contrasted greatly with her surroundings which glowed silver in the soft moonlight.
“Amour chasse-croise. J’ai peur d’aimer pour rien.”
The fairy looked content as she waited patiently. Catching the slightest of rustling she perked up suddenly. Her blue eyes immedietly latched on to a small black cat who was staring back at her from the shadows, barely noticeable except for his green eyes.
“Oh Hello Kitty !” greeted the fairy brightly. “And here I thought you were too busy causing mischief to come.”
Its two whiskers twitched and he crawled out from his hiding place among the shade of the trees. The feline gave what could be compared to a grin before a green flash surrounded him. This didn’t seem to phase the red clad woman in the slightest. It only caused to make her smile brighter.
In the cat’s place stood a young man. His eyes the only thing common with his feline persona. His suit was a dusky purple that blended nicely with the night, the neon green of his tie standing out more than his companion’s red hair. His coal black locks were covered by a top hat which was well made, the embroidery matching that on his coat’s collar. In one hand he held a cane topped by a bright green orb resembling a cat’s eye. His slight beard paired with the mischief in his eyes and pointed ears gave him a playful aura. His lavender wings were pointier than the red fairy’s but suited him well. His slightly pointed teeth completed the look giving him an overall cat like appearance.
“Come now Tikki !” Holding a hand to his chest as if in pain, the man continued. “Surely you know me better than that. After all this time you still doubt my integrity ? I’m hurt.”
Tikki shook her head at his theatrics.
“Don’t play coy Plagg !” she exclaimed. “I know your handiwork when I hear it. London had to build a new bridge and deal with a runaway gingerbread man.”
Her tone held no anger as she lightheartedly teased her friend.
“Nothing but a little harmless fun my dear.” replied Plagg with a wink. Taking a seat next to her he added. “But you weren’t exactly subtle yourself my little bug. You managed to marry off two maidens and a Prince in the time we were apart.”
“Nothing more than the usual Plagg.” Tikki giggled. “At least I tried to make myself inconspicuous. Tell me, how is the has the cook in the Palace dealing with the dwindling supplies of Camembert ?”
“He believes it is the mice.” Plagg sniffed indignantly. “Mice ! I am a cat !” At his growling Tikki burst into laughter.
“To be fair, you do have a very mice like diet. It isn't the cook’s fault. Not many cats have such a big addiction to cheese, especially one as smelly as Camembert.”
“They should. It’s a perfectly delectable cheese.”
“I prefer sweets. A lot less smelly if you ask me.”
“How could I ever forget that my lovebug ? Sweet as sugar as you are. No cookie could ever compare.” His words were followed by a bow, as best as he could manage while sitting. Tikki just shook her head again, her smile sweet and cheeks pink.
“Don’t try to butter me up Kitty.”
“Me ?” asked Plagg playfully affronted. “Never. I only speak the truth.” Reaching over the fairy put an arm around his friend and they shared a long overdue hug.
“I’ve missed you bug.”
“As have I Kitty. We have a lot to catch up on.”
“Of course we do. I must tell you the story of how I convinced a greedy pompous man in Cornwall that he was cursed by ghosts of pirates who left their treasure buried in the house.”
“Only you would do such a thing Plagg.”
“He deserved it. It was very entertaining to watch as well. Especially when I meowed at his window every night pretending to be the Captain’s cat. It didn’t help that I often took the cheese and spilled a few drops of milk on the counter every now and then. He jumped about a foot into the air every time.”
Tikki couldn’t help but giggle at the image. Her kitty just couldn’t stop causing chaos and mischief somewhere.
“I missed your stories.”
“Well my bug you’ll be glad to know I plan on going nowhere for the next century. You’ll be stuck with me until then.”
“Of course Kitty. You know as well as I do. Our chosen’s fates will intertwine and trigger a change in this generation. Which brings us to why we’re both here now.”
“Indeed. So tell me,” Plagg grinned. “Who has caught your eye. I am quite curious.” Tikki sighed softly. She smiled remembering her chosen. Tikki had known Marinette since she was a child.
“At first glance she looks like a simple girl but anyone can feel her joy and warmth. She’s one of those people that just radiate comfort and kindness. Everyday she faces the world with a bright smile. She works hard and always lends a helping hand to those around her. She cares and loves so deeply.”
Tikki frowned suddenly. Her eyes took on a sad quality. Her voice was melancholy as she continued, remembering the girl curled up in her room stifling her sobs, just that morning. Chloe had been particularly harsh about her the mending of her favorite dress. Marinette had done all she could but Chloe, ever the melodramatic, had not settled for anything less than washing the floors and windows as punishment.
“But that is also her greatest weakness. She does not hate nor burden others even when the tears are too heavy. She has resigned herself with what little solace she can find, holding on to her happy memories and dreams.”
Plagg was passive as he let Tikki speak. He knew Tikki loved all her chosens greatly but he knew there was a special connection Tikki felt with this one. The redhead sighed, lost in memories of better times.
“I remember her when she was a child.” Tikki’s eyes filled with tears. Her smile still bright. “She was always filled with so much joy, running around town with her best friend. She made everyone so happy to be around her, bringing her mother flowers, playing with the animals, wishing on Ladybugs. Her mother told her about magic and she always believed in me with all her heart, even if I never showed myself.”
The fairy sniffed as she set her head on her companion’s shoulder, seeking comfort he readily provided. Tikki brought out a softness in Plagg he didn’t normally exhibit.
“When her father died she was so upset but she never cried in front of her mother unless they both cried together. She tried to stay strong. Then her mother remarried, and they both coped so much with the awful family they had to live with for convenience. They treat her as a servant now. And she bears it. She could easily run to town and find a job, she could stay with any of her friends who are all welcoming her with open arms. She doesn’t wish to cause trouble for them. Despite the pain she feels she refuses them.”
Tikki sighed as she wiped her eyes. She had seen Marinette grow up and seeing her chosen in pain broke her heart. Ever since Marinette was little, Tikki knew that black haired girl would be who she chose.
“Fairy Godmother !” A young Marinette called out loudly. Her pigtails were coming undone and her frock was smeared with white. Looking closely one could see a smear of flower covering the freckles on her nose. Her eyes searched the area curiously, as if searching for something. She set a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the stone table in the lawn. Voice much calmer but still excited the nine year old called out : “These cookies are for you Fairy Godmother. I made them myself. I hope you like them ! You can eat them now, I won’t look until you want me too.”
The bright child gave an exited grin and ran inside, no doubt to inform her mother that she had set out the cookies. Tikki who had been watching from behind a tree felt herself tear up at the girl’s kindness and faith. She had even chosen Tikki’s favorite sweet to make. It was pure luck she had made those even though the good luck fairy loved all sorts of sweets. Tikki could tell the raven-haired girl had worked hard on them. They were a bit too thick and chewy and they had the amount of chocolate chip only a child could add but the fairy loved them all the same.
The next day the plate was empty. All that was left were some crumbs and a small bunch of lavenders tied together with a red ribbon. A small ladybug was resting in the petals. Tikki’s message was clear as day. “Thank You.”
“Tikki !” Plagg asked gently, snapping her out of his reverie.
“I’m sorry Plagg. I just miss her happiness that’s all. She tries to be happy as she is and make the best of her situation, but she misses her old life so very much. I can see it in her eyes.”
“It will be alright Tikki. She’ll be fine. She sounds like a brave young girl. I expected no less of you my bug. Your chosens are always so full of heart it amazes me every time. Just like you. She shouldn’t despair just yet.”
“And what about yours, Plagg ? You always had a knack for troubled youths. Who have you chosen this time ?”
“A young man of noble birth. He is the ideal prince; kind, loyal, brave and ready to help. He cares about his kingdom and never shirks his duties. There is no doubt he would make a great king.
“The boy only wants his father’s love so he obeys with the hope of gaining it one day. He, just like your chosen, has resigned himself to a life with no free will. Believing it his duty to do as is told to him. Even at the cost of his own happiness.
“Beneath all that is simply a lonely boy. The King is too concerned with the Kingdom’s future and image to care about his son as a father. They have both been greatly impacted by the death of the Queen. They just choose to deal with it differently.”
“I see. He seems like a remarkable boy.”
“He is. Very much so. I do believe he would get along well with your girl. He doesn’t say it much but I know all he wants is to make friends. His only one is a lad his age who works at the Palace. He is a minstrel and the Prince’s right hand man. The boy does his best to entertain his friend even within the confines of the Palace by entertaining him with stories of his own friends. Both are like brothers to each other.”
“You care for him a lot.” It was a statement on Tikki’s behalf although Plagg denied it. He didn’t like getting attached to his chosens, finding it painful to deal with once they died, especially since fairies tended to outlive their chosen by quite a few centuries but this time it was inevitable.
Plagg had-on multiple occasions-created a ruckus in the palace, unseen and unheard, to allow Adrien a few extra minutes with Nino. The boy was only seventeen and had too much responsibility. A responsibility he had been taking since he was far younger. He recalled Adrien as a child when his mother was still alive. The boy was excitable and had and had a fondness for pirates and ships. The light in his eyes had dimmed the slightest after her death.
"Mr. Redbeard...why did Mama have to die ?” Adrien was lying on his bed, legs dangling off the end. In his hands he clutched a hand stitched doll to his chest, like a lifeline. The room felt too empty and cold, devoid of the laughter and soft singing his mother filled it with.
“Why did my fairy godfather not do something ? Mama said the fairies help in times of need. Didn’t mama have a fairy godmother ?” The boy sniffled, his green eyes filled with tears that spilled on to his chubby cheeks.
Unknown to him, right outside the window, a black cat with bright eyes was peering in. He didn’t like seeing the boy so upset. Plagg wished he could have helped, but it didn’t work like that. Fairies couldn’t mess with matters like life and death. They couldn’t just solve their chosens problems either. They could only push their chosens and help them when they really needed it.
Seeing Adrien cry broke his heart. He was just a child. He shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. King Gabriel had taken to locking himself in his office, drowning himself in work to forget his pain. He had tried to look out for his son but had no idea how to comfort the child when he couldn’t comfort himself. Hearing another choked sob had the cat miserable.
"Screw the rules", thought Plagg angrily.
Inside Adrien was startled by a soft thump. Looking up he saw a rubik’s cube had tumbled out of his toy chest. On top of the chest, a few other toys had been rearranged so that his pirate dolls were all sitting in his toy ships. Looking down after sensing a tug on his sleeve, Adrien saw his Redbeard doll, the one his mama made him.
The doll looked almost sad as it stared at Adrien and in a split second reached up to wipe the nine year old’s tears. In another minute it went limp again, the wetness of tears on its hands the only indication it had moved at all. Seeing the curtains rustle slightly, Adrien saw a glimpse of a black cat staring back at him. It leaped away before Adrien could say anything, his eyes filled with wonder and hope.
“You are real.”
Plagg’s face was set in a frown. He had felt much better when Adrien had at least hoped for himself. Adrien’s wonder filled eyes in that moment were forever ingrained in his mind. The fairy still checked up on Adrien every day and looked out for him, even if using magic directly was out of the question. Tikki gently squeezed his hand, aware he was recalling a distant memory.
“There’s nothing wrong with caring for the boy Plagg, even if you deny it.” Tikki’s voice was gentle. She knew Plagg remained reserved and distant when he was afraid of getting hurt. Underneath the mischief and pranks was a soft kitten.
“Do you think they will be happy together ?” Plagg asked softly. All he wanted was his boy to be happy. “I do believe they know each other already. Have, for almost a year now.” Plagg had seen Adrien interact with Tikki’s chosen on the rare events he was allowed to go out. They got along well enough and Plagg had a suspicion that Adrien was a bit sweet on the girl.
Tikki gave him a smile, squeezing his hand once again.
“I’m sure of it. They have more in common than they realize. They both deserve to be happy. I hope they find that happiness together.”
“So do I Tikki. So do I.”