Adrien wasn't surprised to know that Plagg actually rat them out – a term that he, a feline Miraculous user, would actually use to describe his kwami's betrayal.

"Just because you're one of the strongest Miraculous users doesn't mean you'll be spared from punishment," Master Fu chided as he darted an impassive glare at the sheepish blond "We don't tolerate such ill actions regardless if you're the rarest magus in the century or not."

"I'm sorry," he muttered sincerely but his words were immediately brushed off by their superior.

"Furthermore," the old man went on, maintaining the same firm tone "You even dragged Ladybug, of all people, in this mess knowing that Papillion is out there hunting for her neck."

"He didn't force me," the heroine defended, and her interjection earned some beady glares inside the room "I went with him at my own free will."

"So, you're saying that it was a consensual kidnapping?" Tikki asked as she stared at the cowering teen with disbelief "I taught you to be better than this, Marinette!"

Her Chosen visibly winced.

"And you," the blond gulped audibly when the red Kwami eyed him with pure spite "Did Plagg ever tell you that an incident like this can lead you to termination?"

"I g - guess so…?" he replied with feigned ignorance as he looked around for some help "S – Speaking of which, where's my Kwami?"

"Let's just say he's on a cheese rehab for a week."

"Oh."

No wonder Plagg rat them out.

"Termination means stripping off your status as a Miraculous user and wiping all of your memories related to the Order. However," she added with chagrin "It will only work on those people with non-ancient magus blood. Which means that this punishment cannot be applied to both of you."

The teens were about to give a deep sigh of relief when Fu stood up, towering their figures.

"But that doesn't mean you're both pardoned," he uttered coolly, and with his loud voice he commanded "Ladybug and Chat Noir, I want you to surrender your Miraculous and remain within the Order's premise under supervision for an indefinite period of time."

"What?!" Adrien bolted up immediately as he tried not to look at his partner's shocked face "Tha – that can't be! Tikki – "

"I'm sorry, Adrien, but you have to face the consequences," was her apologetic reply "Same applies to you, Marinette."

It wasn't a problem for Adrien to pass his Miraculous back to Master Fu since his destructive powers remained intact. Unstable, but still available whenever.

His main concern was more on Ladybug, or rather, Marinette.

"It's fine, Adrien," the raven-haired muttered stoically as she removed her earrings and handed them to her Kwami "At least they didn't remove our powers."

"B – But Buginette, you've been - " the blond protested but stopped when her index finger pressed his lips.

"It's okay," she cracked an unconvincing smile "I can manage this."

He didn't believe her.

He knew she was lying, even before they stepped out of the room and witnessed how she cowered at their colleagues' inquisitive stares. His heart was crushed into tiny pieces at the sight of her hunching figure as they walked through the busy hallway, and felt a painful jab at her wavering confidence.

This wasn't the Marinette that he used to know.

"I'm sorry," he barely heard her faint words if not for his enhanced hearing "For putting up with me. I know…I…I should've declined your offer but - "

"Marinette."

The girl flinched at his voice then shivered a bit when she tilted his head to meet his vibrant green orbs.

"You did nothing wrong," the blond replied, placing his hands squarely on her shoulders with somber "You're still a human behind that spotted mask. You're just a daughter who yearns for her parents."

"But Adrien, I'm - "

He shook his head as he squeezed his grip to make an emphasis "No, Marinette. You can't use that binding contract crap that you signed with the Order as a reason why you can't see your parents. They paid you for your service as a Miraculous user, not as a teenage girl who must seclude herself from the world. You deserve to see the fruits of your labor, my Lady."

Fat tears began to roll on her cheeks, in which he swiped it gently with his thumbs "Even if they will give me a chance to go back to the past, I will still going to do it again…and again…and again…no matter what the consequences are. Stripping off my powers? Fine, I've been burdened by it anyway."

"They can't give me a preferential treatment," she sniffled, failing to keep her emotions at bay "It's unfair for everyone who spent their lives away from their loved ones."

"But you're on the verge of a breakdown," he reasoned calmly. He was glad that they were on a secluded spot away from eavesdroppers "You've been doing your best, way better than any Miraculous wielders in the past. You deserve a treat."

"Why are you so nice to me, Adrien? I've been bringing you nothing but troubles."

"That's because we're partners, remember?" he grinned, pulling her closer so he could wrap his arms around her body "You're stuck with me forever."

"That's a long term commitment, Chaton," she chuckled, snuggling herself further so she could feel his steady heartbeat "Adrien?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm scared." she confessed "I don't know what I will do without my Miraculous. What if Papillion find us?"

"Your knight in shining armor will be there to save you." was his instant answer.

"Adrien?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

He could feel her growing smile when she pressed her lips on his hammering chest, which urged him to kiss her crown as a reply.

"De rien, my Lady."