Disclaimer

1 - the author does not owns Miraculous - Adventures of Ladybug and Chat Noir, its characters and likeness. Tale for entertainment purposes only.

2 – story for entertaining purposes only

3 - criticisms and opinions more than welcome

4 - be aware English is not the author's first language

Ch 01 - FELIX IDENTITY

"I don't understand you, Adrien. First, you tried everything to go to school. Now, is more than happy to leave it for some weeks"

The little black creature teased as Adrien spun himself on his bedroom chair.

"I never had vacations, Plagg. I mean, not like this, with friends to hang out with. I am not even sure about what to do. Movies? Video-games?"

"I think the first item of the agenda is usually 'buy more cheese'. The rest you will figure out."

"Plagg!"

The talk between teenager and his kwami was interrupted by a call on the house communication system.

"Adrien? Are you ready for the last day of school?"

"Yes, Nathalie, meet you at the front porch." Gesturing for Plagg to hide in his shirt, he went down in a flash.

Inside the car, Adrien was barely listening to his assistant, until:

"… so lucky to have all these put together for your time in the United States."

"Wait, what?"

"I sent you the outlines on an email yesterday, Adrien. Your vacation time will be very well spent. First, that two-weeks program on Harvard about Social Media. It will be fantastic for both your personal brand and your future as the head of the Agreste company."

Adrien head spun. Was he going to the United States? His assistant keep talking, he only understood some words here and there, his mind racing.

"…screen test for a new movie version of Peter Pan. The director was thrilled to learn about your fencing skills. Also, we were just contacted by Warner…"

How could his father do that to him? To take him away from the friends he barely met?

"… something called 'Teen Titans'. Superhero movies are in vogue now, and I believe dying your hair black is a small price to pay if you manage to get the role of, let me see…, 'Aqualad'. And, of course…"

And Ladybug? How could he abandon Ladybug? What if an akuma appears? What if…

"… specialized press already sending notes about you and Jaden Smith doing the photo-essay together. You do understand…"

No, this could not be happening. Nothing could be worse.

"…two of the most influential young models in activity. How does it sounds?"

Adrien opened his mouth, but no sound came out of it.

"No need to compliment me, Adrien, just doing my job. Well, I did quite a work putting all these opportunities together, but no need to compliment me." And, smiling, in a small voice "A bonus from your father would suffice."

Adrien hardly registered the last day of school. He only opened himself with Nino.

Back in his room, he was not surprised to see Nathalie already bagged part of what he needed for the trip. He collaped in his bed.

"I have 24 hours to find a way to escape this."

Plagg flew to the teenager computer, stroke some keys.

"Eeehhh, 32 hours actually. Your flight is already booked."

"Fantastic." Adrien was not able to move. "I can't leave my lady. It's too dangerous, I-i…"

Plagg shook his head and sighed. There was no other way to solve this.

"Look, Adrien, if you're worried about Ladybug and Paris, well… there's a solution, but… I will not like it, Ladybug will most likely not like it, and you are not going to like it, but, at least, both she and the city will be safe."

"I will do anything for my lady."

"I got that the first 50 times you told me."

"So, what's the solution?"

"Do you know how many times you put yourself in the line of fire to save Ladybug?"

The teenager shrugged.

"What does this has to do with…"

The kwami extracted a piece of cheese from a drawer, so he could avoid direct eye contact with the teenager.

"Most of you do the same."

"Most of… who?"

"Chat Noirs. Black Cats, and so many other languages. And don't let me start with the ones that tried to be creative: Night Feline, Patch-Crosser, … That does not make you the most durable heroes of the field, you know? Now…"

After the kwami has done talking, Adrien had his head between his hands, a turmoil of feelings inside him.

"You expected me to die."

"No! I didn't expect you to die, I don't want you to die, or get hurt, I enjoy too much your company to… Look, this has nothing to do with me, or even my wishes, right? It was not my idea. It's just an… insurance. Think of it like…" The kwami quickly looked around, trying to explain, until an autographed poster gave him the right idea "Like that, a Paris St Germain player. No matter how good he is, once in a while he got replaced, right? Another gets in the field to finish the game."

Adrien frowned.

"Look, Adrien, is just for some weeks."

"No, I already accepted the idea there's a trained replacement for me with another cat miraculous on his or her finger."

"His. And not as powerful or enduring as yours. Still, enough to keep things going around here, and yourself at easy."

"But I am still mad."

"Adrien, I would never want something bad happ…"

"I understand that, Plagg, but what you just said hurts."

"Sorry, I had to…"

He pointed to the poster. "Racing. I am a Racing Paris fan. My mother was, so am I. My father is the PSG supporter."

Both the teenager and the kwami laughed. After a while, Adrien asked.

"So, what's the plan? Where's this second-rate cat?"

"Well, tonight you will explain the situation to Ladybug. But first, you will ask Nathalie for changing your schedule a bit…"

Early next morning, Adrien was sharing his attention between some movies playing on his mobile and Nathalie, while the train speed in direction of London.

"I am really proud of you, Adrien. You sure are taking a great interest in your family business."

"Thanks." He felt something moving on his pocket. "I'll be back soon." And went to the wagon bathroom. Closing the door, he let Plagg out.

"Just another hour to London, and to my torture section."

"Don't be dramatic, Adrien. It's just a visit to your father's brand store and some autographs. It was the only excuse we found for you to get to London, remember?"

"But I hate signing autographs. All those people, looking at me as I am some kind of… more than human thing. I wish I could just blend in."

"Sure. Blend in as the over wealthy gorgeous teen model, potentially fencing Olympic medalist in a couple of years, or blend in as the black-clad vigilante with super-human agility?" The kwami nudge his partner "The last one, courtesy of yours truly."

"Thanks for the support."

"You are welcome. Now, tell me why you were watching those old cartoons?"

"Research. I can't stay in America, I need to fail those movie tests. So, I am thinking about sounding like Pepé le Pew."

"You will make a fool of yourself on purpose."

"Yes, I will." He showed his internal pocket. "So, back in, 'silver plate'."

"Make sure to stop by the train bar for some cheese."

It was easier than both Adrien and Plagg thought. After the autographs, just let Nathalie discussing some petty detail with the store manager, say something about resting in the hotel for the night flight, and they were free to find the carrier of the other Cat Miraculous. After asking here and there, they entered a narrow road.

"You really don't need to meet him. In fact, the whole secret identity…"

"I don't want to talk to him, Plagg. Just to see him."

"Fine. You may even help. If I don't cataclysm his face in three minutes, it means we'll work together for a while."

"He's that a charmer, huh?"

They entered a small library. There, he was. It was hard to judge from distance, but Adrien though he was taller and leaner than himself. Turning to get another book, he saw the pointy chin, and something in the posture, how this chin was held high, made Adrien dislike the other teen at first sight. The kwami made sure nobody was in sight, and flew to the british boy.

"Felix Devonshire."

The teen raised his eyes and slowly build a meaningful smile. "Well, well, well. If it's not my favorite mythological creature."