They had only been in the gardens for fifteen minutes when they lost sight of Marinette. Selina had no idea how it was possible that a group of trained vigilantes, heroes, and a bodyguard had lost track of her at all let alone so quickly. They had worked out a rotation so that Mari would never be left alone and this still happened. The really sad part was that it’s not like she was even trying to get away from them, she likely just caught sight of something interesting and took off. But still, none of them had seen it and that didn’t sit right with Selina. Something was wrong, she could feel it.
They had all split up to try and find her and Selina was going to the area that had some of Ivy’s more… aggressive plants. They knew her so she wasn’t likely to have issues but Mari hadn’t been around them yet so it was entirely possible one of them had grabbed her. What she didn’t not expect to see when she came around the corner was those same plants seemingly trying to comfort the girl while restraining a tiny asian man in a hawaiian shirt.
“The Kwami don’t spend enough time active in this world to have a good grasp of what is necessary. You need to turn the box back over to me.” Oh hell no. This was the asshole who’d basically ruined both Marinette and Adrien’s lives? She had expected someone more… imposing. This man looked like a stiff breeze would decimate him.
“The Kwami are only inactive because the Guardian’s were afraid of their influence, but they are not meant to be restrained that way. The world is out of balance because the Guardians and most recently you, have refused to listen to them and activate them when necessary. Leaving the Kwami that aren’t bound to Miraculous unchecked because you don’t want to risk Tikki and Plagg doing something you don’t approve of has already had devastating consequences that you won’t acknowledge.” Marinette was close to tears but Selina thought it was frustration more than anything else. The plants holding the man tightened their grip while the others just cuddled up to the girl.
“You don’t have any context for the things they’ve been telling you. You need to release me and give me the box back before you make things worse.” That actually got the girl to narrow her eyes at him.
“I’ve never had context for the things you tell me either but at least they’ve never abandoned me. They didn’t purposely leave me to deal with the consequences of their actions so they could run away. You knew how bad it was for me and you never once tried or offered to help. You didn’t even help Adrien when the world turned against him. You could have transformed and made a statement but instead you took our only means of protecting ourselves or clearing his name and disappeared.” By the time she ran out of words she was breathing hard. Selina honestly wasn’t sure if it was the anger or the beginning of a panic attack. The plants just hugged her tighter and she gave them a small smile. “And I can’t release you because I’m not the one holding you. I don’t know what is going on with these plants.”
“They like you sweetheart, and they know fertilizer when they see it.” Selina jumped at the voice behind her and then cursed at her own idiocy. Of course the plants would have alerted Ivy. She and Harley were both glaring at the man and Marinette just blinked at them in shock for a moment before smiling down at the plants and petting them the way you would a dog.
“Well I like you guys too.” Selina couldn’t help herself; she had to take out her phone and get a picture. Both of Marinette and the way Ivy had softened at the interaction. While the normally caustic woman had already had a soft spot for Marinette this probably just put her in Ivy’s list of favorite people. The moment was ruined when the man cleared his throat.
“Mari, why don’t you go find the others and we’ll handle this?” The girl looked relieved for a moment before letting out a sigh.
“As much as I’d like to, I can’t. This is something the Guardian needs to take care of.” The man’s eyes looked like they were trying to come out of his head at that comment.
“You’re already being reckless with your responsibilities. You already have one death on your conscience, return the box to me before things get worse.” Mari just cocked her head with a quizzical expression. Harley look ready to murder the man.
“If you’re referring to my new fox, she’s not dead. No thanks to you and your secrets.” Her tone was bitter and the man let out an exasperated sigh.
“I told you what you needed to know. The rest would have only distracted you from what needed to be done.” His tone said he was explaining something to a petulant two year old and it took everything in her not to go after him. As it was Ivy had apparently decided she’d had enough because one of the vines moved to cover his mouth. Mari had tears in her eyes.
“You let me, at best, rewrite the timeline over and over again, causing who knows how much damage. At worst I was doing exactly what we were trying to prevent Hawkmoth from doing and you think that wasn’t something I should know?” She was getting angrier and louder as she went. She walked up to the man and took a deep breath before her face went blank. “Wang Fu, you have been deemed unworthy of being a Guardian by the Kwami of Creation and Destruction. As their Chosen Guardian of the Miraculous I also deem you unworthy. I revoke your ability to wield any Miraculous. I revoke your knowledge of everything relating to the Miraculous, Kwami, or the Guardians.”
As she spoke Selina could feel power radiating from her. The man looked panicked and struggled against the plants holding him but as soon as she finished he went limp and just looked confused. Marinette signaled to Ivy and she let the man go.
“Where am I?” Mari looked pained for a moment but her voice was considerably softer when she spoke to him.
“You’re in the Wayne Botanical Gardens in Gotham Mr. Fu. You wandered into a restricted area and some of the plants are less than friendly towards visitors. But you’re safe now.” Adrien, Chloe, and Bruce chose that moment to come around the corner and at the panicked look on the teens faces Selina moved to block them from getting closer. She had no clue what had just happened but figured it was best to let Mari sort it out.
“Do I know you child?” Mari winced but nodded before offering a smile.
“When you had your shop in Paris I came in a few times. I always felt better when I left. Were you thinking of opening a new store in Gotham? While it could certainly use your services I worry about how dangerous the city will be for you.” The man frowned in thought, obviously having no idea what he was doing here. “Or are you just passing through and decided to stop here? I remember you talking fondly about being able to retire.”
“Yes, that’s what it is. I left Paris to travel and this seemed like a lovely attraction. I’m headed to New York for a few days next and then probably back to Europe.” He sounded uncertain and Selina had a feeling his brain was working to fill in the gaps of his lost memory given what Mari had said to him.
“That’s wonderful. You deserve a break after all these years. Do you need help to get back to your hotel?” She sounded completely genuine and if it had been anyone else Selina would have thought they were a great actress, but it was Mari and it was obvious she was being sincere. This man had ruined her life and now she was worried about him. She honestly wasn’t certain if it was more endearing or concerning that the girl couldn’t seem to hold a grudge even when she should.
“You are a very considerate child, but I’ll be fine on my own thank you… what was your name?” Her expression didn’t change at all but Selina was certain she’d felt something in the girl crack.
“Marinette.” Her tone was a little flatter than it had been but the man didn’t seem to notice.
“Thank you Marinette, and I’ll try to stay away from unfriendly plants in the future.” as he walked around the corner Mari’s smile dropped and Tikki flew out to hug her cheek.
“It had to be done Mari.” The girl nodded but her expression didn’t change at all. Selina rushed to pull her into a hug. Whatever was going through her mind couldn’t be good.
“Are you ready to go home kitten?” All she got was a small nod as the girl burrowed into her. “Is it alright if Harley and Ivy tag along?” Another small nod. While she wasn’t expecting Mari to open up to Harley yet, she wanted to get her used to being around them so that it would be possible later. Ivy went over to the plants that had been comforting Mari and picked up a seedling. Selina raised an eyebrow at her.
“It wants to stay with her.” Having one of Ivy’s plants in Mari’s possession could certainly come in handy but Bruce frowned at them.
“It’s not poisonous is it?” Ivy rolled her eyes at him.
“If any of these were poisonous that man wouldn’t have walked away, not with how protective my babies were over Marinette.” Bruce still seemed wary of the idea but Mari peeked up at him with a hopeful expression and he caved.
“As long as you take proper care of it. We don’t need a plant wandering the house strangling the boys.” That actually got a giggle and Selina felt like she could breathe again. Today was supposed to be a no stress, fun with the family day. Granted those are normally interrupted by a Rogue attack, but for Mari this was probably worse.
“Let’s get going then. It’s still early so what do you say to teaching those of us that want to, and Alfred will allow into the kitchen, how to make something sweet and then maybe family movie night? You get to pick the movie, or pick another person to choose one though or they’ll all just spend the entire night fighting.” That got an amused huff.
I have waited Chat Blanc and Felix to see the Season Finale.
I know the ships sank and everything but what broke me the most is Master Fu forgetting Wayzz, Forgetting Marinette and Adrien, Forgetting the Choice He Made about the New Ladybug and Chat Noir, Forgetting the “They are Made for Each Other” and walking away for living his Life and never come back.
THE LETTER HE LEFT MARINETTE MY GOD. I didn’t cry because there was my Mother in the Room.
The “I’ll Never Forget You” in front of the train and Marinette little sad smile because HE ALREADY DID.
And Wayzz was so Heartbroken too when He said “Farewell Master”
And At the End: Marinette will one day forget She was a LadyBug.
I’M SO HEARTBROKEN RIGHT NOW AND THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SHIPS.
everyone in party crasher: omg emilie has an actual life support system, omg hawkmoth is scary, omg everyone has a miraculous now, omg ladybug is captured, omg this episode is awesome
why did Master Fu give Marinette his miraculous? Why not give her one of the other numerous miraculouses in the side compartments of the miraculous case? why did he have to give up wayzz?
what they don’t show is that wyazz is emotionally and physically manipulative. master fu has wanted to get rid of wyazz for years
Wayzz has been stealing Master Fu’s retirement money for years and he is glad to be rid of that Horrible Horrible turtle
Marinette: wow master fu!!! You sure you wanna give me YOUR Miraculous??
Master Fu, already in his vacation Hawaiian shirt w matching speedo & hot pink crocs: yes it will be hard to part but I really must be going now bye
Oh my god, that explains why Master Fu had entrusted the Ladybug and Cat Miraculouses to Marinette and Adrien.
He knew he would meet them eventually?
So, Master Fu played an extremely long waiting game and it paid off.
You know, this retroactively makes Master Fu’s process for choosing new heroes a lot better. He had at least a vague idea of who he was looking for.
but I don’t get it, what about quantum masking?
Quantum masking would still work, but he can probably tell, at the very least, that the two of them are a boy and a girl and that they’re young teenagers. He also can have more faith in his choices about entrusting the Miraculous to them, since he knows that he DID make a good choice of wielders some time in the future.
This doesn’t make him very knowledgeable about what’s going to happen though, so he can have a lot of unfounded confidence that things will be ok.
