Paris' New Hope

Chapter 35: Future Plans

The very next day, after he had his breakfast, he was considering on visiting Master Wu, when he made a change of thought and decided to go to the Arc de Triomphe with Tekla. Tekla, however, is concerned about what Shadow Titan said and wishes to consult with Master Wu; Marcus then noted "Tech… I want to discuss something with you, but I do want to share what happened with Master Wu. But… if this 'Master' is the one who sent those monsters after us, then we have little chances to talk about the future." Tekla knows that Marcus isn't being prioritive at the moment, but she cannot argue at how many chances they can with talking either, so she pecked him in the cheek and merged into the Digital Watch.

Marcus apologises to Tekla for the lack of priority, but it's somewhat serious for them both. He then went outside and puts on his helmet before driving away in his scooter; it was 5 minutes before he parked his scooter close to the Arc de Triomphe and walked across the road before he looked around in case someone is looking and Tekla merged out of the watch and turned into a human before they sat down on a bench. Tekla then held Marcus' hand in concern and inquired "So Marky… What do you want to talk about?"

Marcus brushed his thumb along Tekla's hand and replied "Well… The School Dance is coming within the week, but I've got a better idea on where to dance." Tekla then raised her brow and Marcus whispered her what he's planning, making her blush deep maroon and glisten her eyes with a sincere smile, before she looked dreamily at Marcus and replied "Oh Marky… That's so… I mean… Oh god, I can't imagine a better romantic scene than that!" Marcus smiled happily and they embraced with a passionate kiss, their hands on their partner's cheek with a deep rosy blush before they retracted and Tekla asked "Anything else, my heavenly knight?"

Marcus nodded and said "Alya approached me at school the other day, as you well remember…" Tekla nodded, recalling quite clearly before Marcus continued "She asked me that her mother, who's Head Chef in the Mayor's Kitchen, is willing to take me as an Apprentice Chef." Tekla is in awe and replied "That is such an honour, Marcus… Working in the Mayor's Kitchen, under the instruction by Alya's mother, who's a Head Chef… I don't think that offer comes by often." Marcus then noted "I know! No way in heaven or on earth I can pass an offer like that!" Like a snap of a finger, Tekla threw herself onto Marcus in high praise and nuzzled her head on Marcus' chest, before the latter patted Tekla's head gently with a warm smile.

Marcus then expressed concern and said "The drawback, however, is the inevitable encounter with 'The Master'… I tell you, I don't think I can beat him… not without some help…" Tekla then nodded glumly and stared sympathetically at each other for a few moments before Tekla asked "Can we visit Master Wu?" Marcus nodded quickly and looked around to make sure the coast is clear before Tekla transforms back into a Kwami and went back to the Digital Watch before Marcus went to his scooter and rode to Master Wu's residence.

Meanwhile, Marinette and Adrien is having breakfast in the bakery, before Marinette asked "Adrien… are you okay after last night?" Adrien widened his eyes as he sipped on his tea, before he shook his head and replied "I don't think I can forget that experience for the full year. Especially since that… that THING grasped you and would've killed you, if Guardian hadn't interfered." Marinette sighed and noted "Thank god that he did… Especially when he used Guardian's Shield, now THAT was a sight to see."

Adrien pursed his lips and nodded in agreement; he was about to have a bite from his croissant, when he asked Marinette something he was wondering about "Marinette… I couldn't help but wonder how long your hair is when it isn't tied up in pigtails… Is it silky and soft, I honestly don't know…" Marinette is astounded that Adrien hasn't seen her hair fully down, then remembered she kept her hair tied nearly 24/7; the exception is when she showers. When her thoughts went on to the School Dance, she has suddenly a brilliant idea and replied to Adrien teasefully "I guess you'll see at the Dance soon enough…"

Adrien blushed furiously at that thought, making Marinette chuckle in amusement before she said in concern "Still, he mentioned 'The Master' and when I think about it… That River Monster, Serperior, the Asphalt Golem, it makes me think there's dark magic involved…" Adrien tapped his fingers on the table in thought, before he suggests "Maybe we should consult Master Wu? The Book might have a footnote about it…" Marinette perked her head up and replied "That's a brilliant idea, Adrien. Let's hope The Master hasn't got to him yet." Adrien nodded in determination at Marinette, before they grabbed their bags and headed off to Master Wu's residence.

At the Agreste Mansion, Beatrice and Gabriel are in deep consulting, when Duusu flew towards them and said "Sorry to bother you two, but the damage has been repaired. It could've been worse and a bit longer, but it's repaired nethertheless." Beatrice gently scratched Duusu affectionately, making her hum contently before she inquired "Point of inquiry, what are you two discussing about?" Beatrice and Gabriel looked at each other before Gabriel said "I guess we should tell her, Beatrice." Beatrice smiled and nodded at Gabriel before she replied to Duusu "Me and Gabriel are discussing about Marcus… he's saved and helped us so many times, without ever asking for something back, that we decided something he can't refuse: We want him to be part of the family, with me and Gabriel as his legal guardians."

Duusu clasped her hands over her mouth in surprise and noted "This… This… This is rather amazing. I don't know what his father thinks… but I'm sure he'd be grateful to accept the offer." Beatrice and Gabriel nodded in unease, before Gabriel replied awkwardly "Yeah… about that… the Chief of Police has no evidence on where his father has been for the past week; not even on camera. I don't have any proof, but he might be taken by something or someONE with dark power…" Duusu and Beatrice raised their brows at Gabriel, before he admits "Look, when I was Hawk Moth, it was never my intention to take the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous' in a malicious matter. The effect on WHAT would happen if I made the wish didn't cinch for me either, though I didn't think deeply enough, clearly."

Both Duusu and Beatrice rolled their eyes, but admits they agree with Gabriel on the latter bit, before Duusu noted "Actually, now that you brought evil related, I do feel a sinister presence somewhere below Paris." Gabriel then heaved a sigh and inquired "If only there's an expert of magic we can discuss with…" Beatrice and Duusu nodded, before they thought of something and looked at each other before Duusu said "Actually, there's this ONE person I DO know… We should visit him." Gabriel raised his brow and Beatrice gestured her head towards the door, making Gabriel nod in understanding. They then got up from the Dining Room and headed to Master Wu's residence.