Marinette stretched as she slowly came up the steps to her room, showered and fresh for the day, and a ready slice of cheese for Plagg so Vixx didn't swipe it from him.

Today she and Adrien were going to spend gaming, playing Mario Kart where both had an even chance at that game. Vixx had already rounded up the kwamis, getting them into a betting pool for whoever won. Marinette was a little concerned that Vixx may try to sabotage one of them to win her bet, but Juuno and Beea would be watching her like hawks, so at least it'd be difficult for the little fox. There was hope.

Coming into her room, she spotted a dark kwami sitting on her vanity. "Here you go," she offered the cheese slice, then reached for her hairbrush.

"Ah thank you deary," the dark kwami bid, bright eyes shining with amusement.

Marinette nodded, starting to brush her hair. Then paused, frowning. That didn't sound like Plagg.

The voice was far too velvety to be Plagg.

She turned down, meet bright red eyes against purple sclera, and a small black body, with a single, feathery crest and a tail of pointed feathers. The little kwami up at her, eyes laughing at her stupor. "You're not Plagg," she uttered, lowering the brush, wary.

"No," the little being confirmed, taking a bite of the cheese. "But I thank you for the cheese. This is a fine brand of it."

She narrowed her eyes, asking, "Who-"

"Cree!"

They jerked to her loft, seeing Vixx zip up, ears flat on her head, an annoyed pout on her lips. The remaining kwamis echoed her, floating up and locking all their eyes on the little black kwami sitting on Marinette's loft. Juuno made a face, his tail fanning out behind him.

The little kwami smiled, greeting, "Juuno my dear brother, it's been a while. And Vixx! Getting a bit rusty are we?"

"Of course not," Vixx huffed, diving down and seating herself on Marinette's shoulder, peering down at him with a tight smile, tail twitching. "Though I must confess, you caught me by surprise sneaking in like this."

"You're getting soft then," Cree declared, nodding to himself, waving his little feathery crest about. Vixx's tail gave a displeased wag.

Juuno dove down, demanding, "What are you doing here?! Why are you here?!"

In a softer tone, Wayzz asked, "Where is your Guardian?"

Cree floated up, grinning at the fuming Juuno. "A brother can't visit another brother?"

"Not when said brother constantly comes with trouble!"

"Juuno calm down," Beea called out to him.

Juuno crossed his arms, tail spread out, biting his lip as he glared at Cree, silently fuming.

Cree laughed, turning to Wayzz, he answered, "My Guardian is visiting Paris for now. I felt Juuno and Vixx, thought it'd be nice to visit."

"How nice," Plagg voiced, "now get out."

"Plagg," Nooroo gently scolded.

Cree zipped up, smiling as he stared down at the scowling cat. "After all these years, you still haven't sweetened this sourpuss?"

"And Ursaa still hasn't reined you in," Beea grumbled.

Cree scoffed, turning to frown at the bee. "Like Juuno reins in Vixx?"

"He's got a point!" Vixx called out.

"Shut up!" Juuno snapped.

"You should return to your Guardian," Tikki voiced.

"Excuse me?" Marinette called, turning all the gods eyes to her. She grimaced back at them. She waved to the black kwami, demanding, "Whose this?"

"Ah yes, the curious girl," Cree murmured, drifting down to peer at her, looking her over. "You're not a Guardian, and yet, you have the fortune gods in your room."

She frowned at him, wary.

He flashed her a bright smile. Setting a paw on his chest, he bowed to her, declaring, "I am Cree the Crow, god of misfortune and rumors."

"A troublemaker," Juuno added.

Cree's lips curled up even higher. "And brother of Juuno."

"And my rival," Vixx piped in.

"I'm of the War Circle," Cree adds.

"Ah, well, I'm Marinette, I'm a, kinda Guardian, I guess? Maybe?"

"She's watching out for us," Tikki explained, zipping close to them. She flashed Marinette a warm smile.

"How interesting," Cree murmured, turning to the ladybug. "What of your old Guardian? Did he finally go?"

"He's long overdue for a retirement," Wayzz confirmed. Nodding to Marinette, he confirmed, "She found us, and we all agreed her to be worthy to watch out for us."

Fluttering up, Nooroo sheepishly added, "We might've overstayed the welcome..."

"I don't mind," Marinette quickly reassured. "So then, where's your Guardian?"

Cree hummed, considering her, then shrugged. "Somewhere in Paris."

"Go to him," Juuno ordered.

Cree gasped dramatically, setting a paw on his chest as he gaped to his brother. "You would send me out into the world alone?!"

"Oh please," Plagg huffed.

"Let him stay," Vixx piped, pouncing on the crow kwami. "It's mean to let him out into the world on his own. Besides, Naagaa can locate him, she'll guide the Guardian to him."

Nooroo fluttered close, asking Wayzz, "You'd like to see Naagaa again, wouldn't you?"

Wayzz smiled. "I would like to see her again," he commented.

Cree confirmred, "He'll be here soon. Probably."

Beea makes a face. "He comes near me, I'm stinging him."

"I missed you too Beea!" Cree called back.

Well, looks like she had another guest today.

And more on the way.

Deciding to roll with it, she turned to Cree and asked, "What do you like to eat?"

I should have an image of all the war kwamis out soonish. Hopefully.