A.V.P.

    I groggily awoke what seemed like only a couple of minutes later, but must have been a few hours as the shadows in my room had once again stretched and the light was beginning to dim. Plagg was still curled up in cat form, though he’d moved closer so that he was wrapped around the top of my head. I tried not to move, as I didn’t want to wake him, and was surprised when he let out a loud purr. 

    I blinked, and fought back the urge to pick him up and hug him like a normal cat, as I would most definitely get a claw to the face if I did. Instead I slid away and out of under the blankets I must have pulled up over myself while I was sleeping. I stretched, before I pushed myself carefully off the bed and headed out of my room and into the hall, where Natalie had left my dinner. I picked it up, sighing at yet another meal on my own, but pausing when a note fell off and slid under the dresser. I placed the tray back down, before bending down and reaching under for it. I was disappointed to find it was not from my father, but still I began reading it as I stood and carried my tray into my bedroom. 

    Dear Adrien, 

When I came to deliver you your dinner, I found you asleep and decided it was best not to disturb you, as you need your rest. Your father wished for me to tell you that a doctor will be stopping by tomorrow morning to examine you, and if everything goes well you will be back to your regular schedule by the end of the week. 

Signed, Natalie

P.S. If you wish to keep your new cat, I would recommend hiding him whenever your teachers are over, lest your father ask you to get rid of him. Also I will hold you responsible for cleaning up after him, and if I find any hairs ball in the halls I will be letting your father know about your little guest

    I quickly glanced at where Plagg was lying on my bed, having turned so his belly was facing the ceiling. Natalie must have been the one to put the blanket on me, I thought to myself before I smiled at the thought. She may seem distant most of the time, but I know deep down she cares for me and my father, possibly in more ways than one when it came to my father if my hunch was correct. I couldn’t be too sure though, so I would leave my speculations as just that. 

    I sat down at my desk, pinning the note under my glass of ink, before I dug into my dinner. It wasn’t as much as I hoped it would be, but it was more than I could have asked for. I left some cheese out for Plagg, as I was sure he would be hungry when he finally woke, before I carried the tray back into the hallway. 

    I normally would have gone straight back to my bedroom, but the silence of the house drew me in, lighting the lamp in my head as an idea drew me towards the foyer. As I made my way out into the open space that was overlooked by a rather absurdly large painting of my father and I, soft voices reached my ear. Father was still awake, and the light and shadows cast by a flickering lamp danced under the door. I could hear him talking quietly, someone else's voice mixed in amongst his, though it was too low for me to discern his words. It probably wasn’t anything important, I thought. He most likely was debriefing Natalie about tomorrow, and I did not want to risk getting caught for that.

I checked my watch as I snuck further down the stairs, and realised it was almost time for me to meet up with Nino. Hopefully he wouldn’t be mad about me missing yesterday. I don’t think he would be, as he was a rather laid back guy. Still, I didn’t want to be late again, so I needed to be quick with my exploits

 I headed straight to the kitchen, where I knew there would be some leftovers stored after tonight's dinner. They would be cold, but I’m sure Nino would appreciate it none of the less. Maybe he would give it to his brother, who was growing and eating much more than he used to. Nino talked about him sometimes, though it was mostly about the newest annoyance he had caused, which was often. I could tell Nino loved him, especially if he was able to keep living with him even after all the trouble he caused.

After grabbing enough food to be called a snack, but not enough to notice it missing, I snuck back into my room and began packing my bag for my nightly escapade. I didn’t add much to my bag tonight, other than the food, my newly dubbed ‘drone’-- which I would have to run past Nino, since he technically helped invent it too--, and the notebook I found. I know it was a bit risky to show him it, considering everything plagg said about everyone having wanted to use the miraculouses for evil, but I trusted my friend and I could definitely use a new set of eyes. No offense to Plagg, but his vague half truths and partial memories really weren’t going to get us far.

It didn’t take long for me to finish packing, all the while excitement built up inside of me when I thought about being able to let Nino in on everything I had discovered. I wondered if I should wake Plagg, just to let him know where I was going, but decided against it as he looked so peaceful sleeping. Also, I was pretty sure he was making up for about 100 years worth of missed cat naps, and there was no way I was going to risk his temper just to tell him I was going out.

    So I left him sleeping in the fading dark as I climbed out of my window and jumped into the world. 

M.P.V.

    No matter how I asked Tikki to elaborate, she kept just shaking her head and saying that she’d explain later. I was a bit disappointed, but I tried to be respectful after asking a couple times and let the topic rest for the time being. Besides, I had to put my attention elsewhere as Luka and Juleka needed my help to fix the amphitheater. I had made a promise to them, or at least Luka, and there was no way I was letting them down. 

    I was at the park for pretty much the rest of the afternoon, helping sweep away debris and point out where the stones would be stacked. It felt great to be able to help, especially since there was so much I couldn’t do at the moment, and it gave me back just a little bit more control in my life. 

    When I wasn’t helping, I was talking with Alya, who had been coming and going throughout the day. She had the important job of spreading awareness, and we gained quite a lot of helpers because of her. She was somehow able to convince Kim to help lift rocks and stones, though thinking back it probably wasn’t that hard as he would take any opportunity he could to show off.

    Before I knew it, the theater was looking almost back to normal, with a slight change in architecture that is, but normal nonetheless. I smiled to myself as I stepped back and admired the work everyone had done when Luka came up beside me.

    “Wow, I can’t believe we got all this work done.” He said, smiling as he wiped the dirt off his hands. 

    “Agreed. I’m really glad we got so much help from Kim and everyone.” I replied, looking away as he pulled on his coat.

    “You helped a lot too.” Luka commented, as I glanced back at him. “If it wasn’t for your new blueprints and your natural ability to keep everyone in high spirits, I don’t think everyone would have agreed to keep going for as long as we did.”

Heat creeped quickly into my cheeks at the complement and I fiddled with the sleeve of my shirt. 

“Th- Thanks Luka.” I said, as I stared at the ground in embarrassment. Luka let out a light chuckle.

“No problem, M-M-Marinette.” He answered. My cheeks burned even more at that, as I turned to look at him.

“You still remember that after all these years?” I inquired, turning to glance at him in embarrassment.

“Of course. It was the first thing you ever said to me.” He smiled, and I glanced away after accidentally making eye contact.

I was thinking about saying something, when someone called Luka’s name and he turned away.

“Looks like I’m still needed.” He sighed, shaking his head before he turned back to me. “I’ll catch you later marinette.”

I waved goodbye, watching him jog off before I headed to where I had left my bag of supplies and slung it over my shoulder. I looked around for Alya, hoping to say good night before I left, but I didn't see her anywhere. She's probably off interviewing someone, I thought as I headed toward the back of the amphitheater.

Tikki was still right where she had been a couple hours ago, hovering over the locked trunk. She was pacing, or more accurately swishing back and forth in the air as she rubbed her head and muttered to herself.

"Everything okay Tikki?" I asked, after glancing around to make sure no one was in ear shot. She glanced up at me, and smiled softly.

"No, but I'm sure things will be once we solve this mystery." She chimed, glowing with optimism.

"I'm glad you think so." I said, sitting down beside her. "Are you… Ready to talk?"

Tikki shook her head, as she settled against the wooden lid next to me.

"No," She answered, sighing. "There are just too many thoughts going through my head right now, and I'm afraid that if I start saying them out loud I'll jump to conclusions. And jumping to conclusions won't help us get to the truth."

"I can understand that." I remarked after a moment. "Are you at least ready to head home?"

Tikki nodded and floated up to rest on my shoulder as I stood and began my walk home.

We walked in silence, or well the silence of unspoken words. The world around us was quite noisy, with all the sounds of hover cars going past, and rubble being cleared from the streets. After a moment, I worked up the courage to ask one more time.

"Tikki? What was under the amphitheater that was gone? I know you're not ready to discuss theories and all that, but it's just that I can't stop thinking about it." I spoke, glancing at my shoulder.

"Well, telling you won't do any harm," Tikki said after a moment, before taking a deep breath. 

"There used to be a sort of training studio there, a place where my past users could study miraculouses safely away from the eyes of the public." She began. "Or at least that's what I remember. Everything about it is still kind of foggy, which is why I didn't want to tell you earlier."

"Oh."

"It also used to be a secret connection between the two cities, that would allow a guardian to go between the two."

"A guardian?" I frowned at this term. "The diary mentioned something like that, but I didn't really understand what the title meant."

"I think-" Tikki paused and squeezed her eyes shut for a second, trying to remember something. "I think they are supposed to protect the miraculous, and choose worthy holders for them."

"If they are supposed to protect the miraculous, why did I find the earrings hidden away and covered in dust?" I inquired, pausing before I crossed the street.

"I don't know yet, but I'm sure we'll figure it out!"

I smiled at Tikki's optimism and hope, as I wished that things would turn out well for the kind kwamis. I wasn't one for mystery solving, but if it could help bring back Tikki's memories and allow me even a glimpse at a new world, then I was willing to do whatever it takes.