"Many centuries ago, magic jewels bestowing extraordinary powers were created. These were... the Miraculous. Throughout history, heroes have used these jewels for the good of the human race. Two of these Miraculous are more powerful than the others; the earrings of the Ladybug, which provide the power of creation; and the ring of the Black Cat, which grants the power of destruction. According to legend, whoever controls both these jewels at the same time, will achieve absolute power."
"And?"
"And what, Master?" Came Nooroo's stuttering reply, his head downcast and his eyes whipping around nervously. "And how do I achieve that power, dear Nooroo? How will I know when the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous will be within my reach? How do I know that you aren't lying to me right now?" Came the menacing reply, a snarl close to escaping the perpetrators mouth.
"Wha...? M...Master, I would never-" but Nooroo was cut off by an excruciating pain in his body as a large hand enclosed around his lower half, squeezing him to what seemed death, or at least unconsciousness. Eyes popping out, Nooroo looked out in shock at the stoic expression on the persons face. Grinning, the figure swung Nooroo across the floor, smashing him into a wall and collapsing to the floor, Nooroo greedily gulped in the air that surrounded him.
Walking back towards him, the figure bent down and picked a fearful Nooroo by his wings, closing in on his face and whispering menacingly, "Now, though you haven't betrayed me yet, you will. And I want you to know the punishment that awaits you if you decide to double cross me."
On the brink of tears, Nooroo nodded meekly, Bowing his head as he was dropped and his wings dropped by his side into submission. Looking up, Nooroo was startled by the silhouette of the person. He stood so proud, so powerful, so unlike the qualities of the Moth yet so compatible at the same time. One thing Nooroo knew, in his young existence of being a Kwami, was that one way or another Paris would go down in flames because this fire was dangerous, and if he dare say, likely to be unbeatable.
Done with harming Nooroo, the figure turned to the side of him. On his side was a woman, immersed in the shadows and dressed in a long gown with a parasol, she turned back towards him. Caressing his arm and leaning close towards him, she whispered in his ear and drew back, giggles spilling out of her blood red lips.
Taking an offered object, she hung it around her neck, and sighed. Nuzzling into him, they both stared out over the view of Paris, ever calm and tactical in their advances. Nooroo could only sit and fear for the future that waited.
The day was quiet for Master Fu as he sat back and started his Chinese Massage. Getting into position, he leaned over and let his hands hover flat over the taller mans back, getting ready to call out the incantations needed to help with the procedure. What he did not expect was the quick cry of,"Master!Master!"
Wanting to quickly cover up Wayzz's cry, Fu rolled with it, "Master, master... chanting, it's all part of the treatment. Master, master..." taking his chance Fu started pushing the confused man outside, guiding him towards the door as he was ushered out with a quick, "Thank you for coming, see you again next week!"
Closing the door, and breathing a sigh of relief, Fu turned to Wayzz, who was anxiously hovering in the middle of the room, his normally calm composure lost. Rushing forward, the Master took his turn to speak, "Wayzz, what is the matter? Rarely, I see you so panicked." Fu said, his eyebrows creasing together to form a worry line. "Master, the Moth Miraculous has been awakened. I felt a great negative aura surrounding it."
Fu shook his head, turning towards the gramophone opposite him. He was tempted to fight himself, but even he knew that with his age it would be difficult, not to mention it would put the only Guardian of the Miracle Box in danger. It was vital that the box remain safe. Moving forward, his hands reached down and pressed the barely distinguishable buttons. Pressing in the code, he let it open and reached out for the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous, while Wayzz hovered over left shoulder.
Picking them up, a dim light settled, in casing both of them in an ornate hexagonal box with red Chinese symbols on top. About to close the lid, Wayzz called out, "Wait! I fell another presence, Master, the Moth was not the only one awakened. Trixx and her Miraculous have awakened as well." Fu, startled by this bit of news, held the lid with his head bowed, "Does the Fox have a negative aura as well, then?" Memories of bright flames and screams of anguish captured Fu's attention, causing him to shudder. Wayzz zipped forward and landed lightly on the Masters shoulder, subtly nuzzling into his side, "No. The Fox seems to be active, but this aura is hard to describe. It's vengeful, not for itself, though. Apart from that, I can't discern anything. It's like she's present, but not fully here."
Taking a calming breath, Fu opened the lid once more. "Wayzz, who do you believe would be the best fit to work with the Ladybug and Black Cat? I was thinking the Bee. Or maybe even the Turtle." Wayzz took off and hovered above the Peacock, "I believe the Peacock will be best." Fu looked questionably at his green kwami, "Why the Peacock, Wayzz? Surely the Bee would be of more help?" Wayzz refuted with, "The Fox is a cunning foe. As powerful the Ladybug and Cat are, the Peacock has passion and creativity in its smallest finger, a valuable asset against cunning foes." Fu, nodding in reluctant agreement, picked up the Peacock only to drop it when he felt a startling heat as it encased in the typical hexagonal box.
"I take it Duusu still hasn't forgiven me?" Fu said, disappointed with the expected revelation. Wayzz took his time to answer slowly,"Duusu is a very... difficult kwami to begin with. Not many potential holders have her energy or vigour. There haven't been many Peacocks to begin with in the first place. So when she meets someone new, she's always eager to get to know them and befriend them the first chance she gets. You cut off her introduction. That was the first bad move. You never ever cut her off." He said wisely, ignorant to the bemused smile spreading across Fu's face.
Chuckling, he drew back from the box and grabbed a brown leather bag, placing the boxes inside, Wayzz slipped into the bag as Fu turned off the lights and closed the door of his past and instead looked towards the future.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng had been awarded the best young and up-coming fashion artist of the year. Let's all have a large around of applause for her." The loud ringing of claps carried out as the one and only Gabriel Agreste came forward with her award, a hand out held. Marinette could feel the hands of her mother and father on her back, pushing her forwards to receive the award, but no. Her Papa disappeared in a wisp of smoke as Sabine let out loud cries of despair; Gabriel Agreste let the award fall and crushed it under his foot as everyone around started screaming and booing at her. And at the top of a seemingly endless case of stairs stood Chloe Bourgeois herself, chanting the words Marinette dreaded the most, "I win. I win. I win. I win. I win..." and the ringing continues, it always continues up until Marinette hears the words, "Marinette! Your alarm's been going off for 15 minutes! You're going to be late for your first day back at school!"
Waking with a start, Marinette breathed deeply as her face started to return to its pale colour. Feeling the thin sheen of sweat, Marinette rushed to her basin, turning on the tap she sprayed the water on her face, looking back at the mirror. Biting her inner cheek, Marinette put on some slippers and treaded down the stairs, trying to hide her red eyes. Walking up to kitchen counter, and slipping into the chair, she sat in subdued silence.
Taking the initiative to start some conversation, Sabine started talking, "Are you excited for the new school year Marinette? Who do you think will be in your class?" Marinette replied with a groan, banging her head on the table. Recoiling, Marinette rubbed it, "Definitely Chloe. I'm just that unlucky." She said as several things fell over. Groaning at her misfortune, Sabine came over with a plate of toast and rubbed Marinette's cheek lovingly, "I'm sure everything will be fine, Marinette." Reaching up, Sabine gave a soft kiss on Marinette's cheek. Hearing a loud crash from down below, Sabine clutched her hand to her face, "Oh dear, I hope Gina's alright." Looking at Marinette, and hurrying to wipe her hands, Sabine directed her attention to Marinette, "Finish up eating and get dressed, love. I'll find out whats happened down below." Rushing out the door, Marinette ate her breakfast quickly, sighing as she readied herself as what she could see would be an already tumultuous year for her.
Ready, and rearing to go, Marinette headed down, casually sidestepping all the employees rushing around to finish a last minute cake or get the batter ready. Heading to the front she spotted her Maman helping her Nona prepare some macaroons. Rushing up to them, Marinette let herself be known, "Morning Nona, Hi Maman!" Gina turned around and enveloped her granddaughter in a hug, "Ah! Mari-netta! Come give your Nona a hug! You ready for the school year?" Marinette nodded a hesitant smile on her face. Her Nona, oblivious to Marinette's inner turmoil, exclaimed a,"Well don't let us hold you back! Here, take a pack of macaroons. "Something sweet to start the year with." Sabine stood to the side with a gentle smile on her face. Moving forward, Marinette gave a cheek-kiss to both Sabine and Gina while Sabine wished her a good day.
Rushing out the door, Marinette was ready to leave only to trip out the door, shame- faced and embarrassed she picked herself, and her, hopefully, intact macaroons. Quick to apologise to the people around her, she came out in time to see a blue-haired girl in a white blazer save an old man in a red-patterned Hawaiian shirt. The girl seemed to be of Asian descent, and then bowed to the man, before waiting at the crossing. Marinette was impressed, even if she hadn't seen she was sure the girl did something quite impressive.
A red car pulled up at the girls side as she got in, talking to someone in the other seat. Shrugging, Marinette took a careful glance, and a final look at the crimson car, before rushing across and flying into her home room in case she was late. Seeing that only about half the class was there, Marinette breathed a sigh of relief, making her way up the stairs and plopping down in her usual seat. Surprised to see Nino in the front, Marinette was drawn away by a hand slamming down in the desk in front of her.
Startled, she looked up to see the resident Queen Bee, Chloe Bourgeois, gracing her with her presence. Rolling her eyes, Marinette looked up, to a sneering face with only lowered eyes glaring at her. "What do you want, Chloe?" Marinette said, her fists clenched under the table as the blondie looked down at her. "Oh, I thought you already knew. Deciding to play dum, Dupain-Cheng? You don't have to try hard, seeing as you already are. Well, to enlighten you, Adrien Agreste, my best friend, is going to attend François DuPont High school with moi. And this is going to be my seat, right behind him. So, move, worm." She stated, already pushing poor Marinette out of her seat. She was about to fall to the ground when a pair of tan arms caught her, standing up, Marinette was presented with a busty girl with ombré hair and bold glasses all but glaring at Chloe.
"Hey! Who elected you Queen of Seats?" She said, looking like she was about to hurt Chloe any moment now. Chloe, for her part, remained perfectly calm, only tilting her head and jutting her hip out, "Oh, Look Sabrina! We've got a little do-gooder in our class this year. What are you gonna do, super newbie? Shoot beams at me with your glasses?" She said, a snooty laugh already escaping her. The newbie stared, a defiant fist clenching as Marinette reached out to touch the girl, "Hey, uh, how about-" she said only to be cut off by the ombré haired girls refute, "Wouldn't you like to know." She said before dragging Marinette away by the hand, causing her to trip and spill the macaroons as Marinette continuously kept saying, "Sorry, sorry. Sorry!" She said as she reached up but bumped into another person.
The person she had bumped into was the same girl from earlier. Now she was able to see the girl clearer Marinette could make out blue hair with side swept bangs, brown eyes and wearing a white blazer with a red skirt. "Don't say sorry so often. It makes you look weak." Marinette simply turned red, quickly getting up and sitting next to the ombré-haired girl. Trying to ignore Chloe's cackles, Marinette sunk in her seat, trying to evade the curious glances of her other classmates who were coming in. She was broken out of her embarrassment by the new girl who simply said, "Well that was rude." She then extended her hand to Marinette who was, failingly, trying to sink into the ground. "The name's Alya. I'm new, as you could probably tell, so I could use a helping hand. Unless you don't want too! I'm totally fine if we're not friends or I've done something wrong! Sorry, I'm rambling, I-" but she was cut off by a giggle from the bluenette. Marinette only extended a mint macaroon and a coy smile, her cheeks dusted pink from her giggles, "Well, Alya. My names Marinette and if you continue to act like that and can handle me humiliating myself often, then I think we'll be fine friends."
Alya couldn't help but think in that moment that Marinette would be a great friend, not that she knew what one of those was. Grinning, Alya took the offered macaroon and broke it in half, giving the other half to Marinette as they chatted and Alya told her all about her superhero obsession.
Grinning along, Marinette couldn't help but feel that her year was looking brighter already as laughter escaped her mouth.