The road led them into a forest and they walked deeper and deeper into it. As it got darker they began to get a little nervous especially when they kept hearing strange fearsome noises. Most of them were screeches from birds and monkeys but it didn't stop them from fearing something dangerous coming for them.
"I don't like this forest." Marinette said. "It's dark and creepy."
"Knowing my luck it'll probably get darker before it gets lighter." Cat Noir said.
"Do you think we'll meet any wild animals?" Marinette asked Etain.
"We might." He answered.
"Animals that eat...str..straw?" Cat Noir asked nervously.
"Some but mostly lions and tigers and bears."
"Lions?" Marinette said.
'Tigers?" Cat Noir said.
"And bears." Etain finished.
"Oh my." Marinette said.
"There are also lizards, snakes, and there's this spooky turtle." Etain said.
"I'm sorry did I hear that right?" Cat Noir asked. "A spooky...turtle? What's so scary about a slow little turtle?"
"You don't get out much do you? The turtles around here aren't exactly as slow and little as they used to be."
"What do you mean?" Marinette asked.
"Vanisher and Antibug were making potions that could change things into monsters so they began experimenting on some of the animals around here. They're most common test subjects were turtles and their spells turned them into big, strong, fearsome creatures."
"Are they still slow?' Cat Noir asked.
"No they go at about the same speed as a winkie or munchkin. But they're just as dangerous as a lion."
ROAR!
The three of them looked up to see a turtle the size of a grown man jump from behind the trees. Cat Noir and Etain dropped to the ground shivering while Marinette hid behind a tree. She looked at the overgrown turtle fearfully, he had green scaly skin, a large rock hard shell, and long claws. But like Cat Noir and Etain he looked human in fact he reminded her of Nino he even had the same amber eyes as him but now was not the time to compare faces.
"Who dares to intrude here?" He demanded. "I'll fight all of you for this! Put em up!"
"Here, here, go away and let us alone." Etain said trying to raise his axe.
"Scared huh?" He said. "Get up and fight ya shivering junkyard."
"Shivering junkyard? How dare you sir!"
"What was that tin can?!"
"Nothing!" He squeaked.
"Put your hands up you lop sided bag of hay!" He said turning to Cat Noir.
"Hey! Now that's getting personal!" He said.
"Yes, get up and teach him a lesson." Etain said.
"What's wrong with you teaching him?" Cat Noir asked.
"Well I hardly know him."
Plagg hissed at the large reptile bravely.
"I'll get you! You little flea bag!"
He darted after the black cat, Marinette quickly grabbed Plagg and slapped the turtle right on the nose.
"Ouch!"
"Shame on you!" She said.
"What you'd do that for? I didn't hurt him." He said.
"But you were trying to! Picking on a two nice boys and a helpless kitten! That's low!"
"Well you didn't have to hit me." He quivered.
"Not so tough when somebody fights back huh?" Etain said.
The turtle only went inside his shell whimpering.
"I'm sorry but that's what you get for picking on those weaker than you are." Marinette said. "You're nothing but a big coward."
"You're right I am a coward." He said from his shelf. "I never wanted to be this big scary thing. Turtles aren't meant to scare people! It's in our nature!"
"Then why do it?" Cat Noir asked.
"Because when I was smaller everyone tried to eat me so became I scared of everything once I got bigger I thought my fear would go away but it didn't."
"Are you scared everything?" Cat Noir asked.
"Everything! The dark, loud noises, hunters, carnivores, anything with fangs, sheep."
"Well those are understandable fears and- wait sheep?"
"From the point of view of a small turtle they can be scary."
"But they don't eat anything but grass." Etain said.
"I know. It's pathetic! I'm so ashamed." He moaned. "I deserve to be a turtle! I'm a coward like one."
"Now don't cry." Marinette said. "Come out no one's going to hurt you." He came out of his shelf and stood on his two feet. "There we go, feel better?"
"A little."
"See? We're your friends?"
"Well you all seem very nice and trustworthy except for the guy with the axe. He scares me."
"Etain put it away." Marinette said.
"Oh sorry." He said holding the axe behind his back.
"I know it's really stupid but you try being brave after spending half of your life hiding from predators bigger than you are then all of sudden two scary women pick you up and make you big with all their voodoo and stuff."
"Looks like you've had rough life." Cat Noir said.
"Honestly I spend most of my life inside my shell it's embarrassing but it's better than dying."
"Well you'll never have to hide from us. I'm Marinette, this Cat Noir, and that's Etain Bleu but call him Etain."
"Hello, I'm Jade Turtle nice to meet you."
"We're going to see a wizard who's going to help us." Etain said. "Would you like to come?"
"What could he do for me?" Jade Turtle asked.
"He might give you some courage." Marinette said.
"Whoever heard of a turtle with courage, that's ridiculous."
"It is not. I have a scarecrow who wants a brain and a tin man who wants a heart so don't be too embarrassed."
"Really? Well it would be nice to not have the urge to hide in my shell every five seconds."
Meow!
"Ahh! What was that?!" He hid back inside his shell. Little Plagg couldn't help but laugh a little under his breath.
"Wow this guy really needs help." Cat Noir said.
"Don't scared it's just Plagg, he won't hurt you." Marinette said reassuringly.
"Promise?" He asked with just his eyes peeking out.
"Promise."
"Okay."
He came out.
"So are you coming with us?" She asked.
"Count me in."
"Alright then." The four of them hooked arms. "Off we go gentlemen to see the wizard."
