Su-Han's personality will be exaggerated for reasons relating to the final chapter in this fanfic.
Master Fu was waiting at the train station anxiously. Marianne's train would be arriving at any minute. He hoped that his daughter could have been here with him.
He had tried to contact Ning two nights ago, but she hadn't answered. It concerned him slightly, considering she usually would. Perhaps she was on a peace mission that required a hundred percent of her focus.
Ning will contact me soon. Right now, I should focus on having a good time with Maryanne. He heard the train whistle and watched the train come into the station.
The train stopped, and a few minutes later, he saw Marianne get off. She was just as lovely as he remembered her. She smiled when she saw him. That smile always reminded him of Shufen, his first love.
He believed that it was a sign Shufen was giving him her approval for courting Marianne. He walked over and embraced the elderly woman with all his love.
"Marianne, it is always a delight to see you. How was your trip?"
"Uneventful, which I'm glad about. I don't think my heart could handle a crazy train ride like the children who got caught up in Startrain's space obsession."
Master Fu chuckled in agreement. He escorted Marianne out of the station and they took a cab back to his home. He helped Marianne up the steps.
Neither one of them felt someone else watching their every move. Perched on a nearby roof, Su-Han gripped his staff tightly. He had only arrived in Paris early this morning. What he had seen so far was unacceptable in his mind.
During his journey, he knew that Fu had to be in Paris with the Miraculous Box that contained the two most powerful circles. What he didn't expect was for his staff to alert him that all the Miraculous Circles were in the same city.
How Fu had obtained all the Miraculous was a mystery, but it was against the rules. Guardians of the Miraculous Boxes were to attend to only one circle unless he deemed them worthy of guarding a second one.
He had also changed the rule of a Guardian using one of the Miraculous in a particular circle to guard it. He believed it was too much temptation for anyone to resist, should they not have his restraint.
He waved his hand over the crystal in his staff. He asked it to reveal what was going on in Fu Wang's home. The crystal hummed loudly before making a static sound.
A second try ended with the same results. Annoyed, Su-Han made hand signs which released enough magic to reveal any hidden defenses. He was startled by how many defenses there were.
The building was heavily warded with several layers to keep out threats. He noticed several hidden traps, both magical and technological, all over the building. He could see the outline of a psychic barrier around the windows of an apartment.
There were security cameras, motion sensor lights, and the door into the building had recently been replaced with a heavily reinforced one. It had a keypad that you needed to have a code to get in.
Su-Han was willing to bet his best shoes that there were internal security measures throughout the building. If there was, then the apartments also had security measures inside.
The defenses were set up so only those who had the trust of the castor would be allowed to bypass the measures. "It looks like Chicken Fu finally became competent in spell casting."
His mind reminded him that Fu had been one of the best recruits when it came to defense spells. Su-Han dismissed the thought instantly. Compared to him, Fu was a mere novice.
It appeared he would have to get closer to learn more about the situation. He took the fire escape down to the street. He brazenly approached the building certain, he could dispel the magical wards once in front of them.
He reached the entrance stairs and prepared to dispel the wards. He sent a pulse of his magic into the ward. Instead of getting rid of the wards, he only strengthened them.
Perturbed, the Celestial Guardian tried a different spell. When that didn't work, he moved around the building trying to find a weak spot in the defense wards.
"Let's see if Chicken Fu bothered to protect from air and underground threats."
Su-Han smirked when he discovered the fire escape had only a single layer ward around it. "I knew you were an incompetent fool! Zhu was wrong about your critical thinking skills."
It didn't occur to him that the fire escape wouldn't be heavily warded, so it could be used as intended. Master Fu owned the entire ground floor. The other floors had residents living in them.
If any Akumas, or worse, Shadowmoth and Mayura appeared, he wanted to make sure his neighbors had a safe way to get out. Master Zhu would turn over in his grave if he learned his pupil wasn't protecting innocent people.
Su-Han nimbly avoided the cameras on the roof. He landed in front of the roof door and pulled the door. It didn't budge. He used a few different martial art combinations. That only resulted in him yowling in pain as he cradled his foot.
The Celestial Guardian refused to admit defeat. He checked the sewer tunnels under the building. He was shocked to see the city had installed sensors to monitor seismic activity.
Ladybug's cure did restore everything to normal. The city couldn't count on the heroes winning every time. All the Akuma attacks, plus normal wear and tear, had weakened the foundations.
Using sensor data, the city was slowly upgrading different areas that needed to be reinforced. The hope was the city would become structurally stable, minimizing the damage caused by Akumas.
He stomped his feet like a small child. He couldn't attempt anything because the sensors would register the unusual activity. There was no stealthy way into the building.
"Chicken Fu can't stay in his apartment forever. He'll have to leave at one point. I'll be waiting for him. What are a few more days for me?" he told himself.
Leaving the sewers, he went to get a few supplies to make the stakeout more comfortable. Nothing, and no one was getting past him!
The Celestial Guardian had no idea that someone was stalking him. Peace Keeper had arrived in Paris yesterday. She had been tracking the man to make sure he didn't attack her father.
Peace Keeper was still new to emotions. She didn't comprehend why she was experiencing an intense feeling of rage mixed with protectiveness. It was similar to what she felt for the Kwamiis, only it felt more personal.
"What am I feeling? Why do I feel two very different emotions at the same time?" she whispered to herself.
Grasping Nooroo's kwami charm, she sent reached out to see if she could communicate with Nooroo. "Nooroo, can you hear me?"
"Yes. My master is currently indisposed. We can talk briefly."
"Are you and Duusu okay?"
"We're hanging in there. Duusu is struggling a bit because of the overuse of her powers. She's getting as much rest as she can between her two masters' plans."
"Masters? So Mayura hasn't renounced her?"
"No. Shadowmoth wants to keep her in reserve. Anything else I can help you with?"
"Can you explain what emotion I'm experiencing right now? I feel rage and protectiveness at the same time. I also realize I'm concerned for both father and his lady friend."
"You're feeling two emotions. Animosity towards someone who targeting people you love. The other emotion is that you feel devotion towards your father and that extends to the people he loves. That's why you want to protect them."
"Thanks for explaining that Nooroo. You and Duusu stay strong. Keep doing what you can to protect all of us from Shadowmoth."
"I will do my best."
The link was broken. Peace Keeper turned her attention back to her father's home. She spotted Marinette and Adrien leaving the building. She sensed they each had an extra kwami with them.
Thankfully, they were gone by the time the Celestial Guardian came back. She could only imagine what this stranger would do to the teenagers.
The next day, Master Fu and Marianne decided to go on a walk. He brought along his painting supplies. It was a hobby of his that he enjoyed since he was a young man.
"I can hardly wait to have a portrait of me. It will be a special reminder of this visit," Marianne said. She gently squeezed Master Fu's hand, showing her appreciation for his gift.
Master Fu flushed and then smiled. "I don't plan on just making one painting. I want to remember this visit as well. I know I was apprehensive of you coming here, but I'm glad you did."
They found the perfect spot next to one of the city's fountains. Marianne found a comfortable spot to sit in. The sun provided just the right amount of light to help with the painting.
Soon Marianne and Master Fu were unaware of anything going on around them. It was just the two of them in the entire world, enjoying this moment. Neither was aware their happiness was about to be shattered.
Master Fu was cleaning his brush, getting ready to dip it in a new color. Then from out of nowhere a blast of magical energy struck him in the side. He fell and let out a cry of pain as his back made contact with the hard ground.
"My love!" Marianne shouted in fear and worry. She sprinted towards him only to find herself stuck in place. She glanced down and saw her feet were covered in honey.
A tingling sensation was making its way up her legs. She attempted to get free only to realize she was becoming paralyzed.
Officer Roger, who was patrolling the area, saw the couple in distress. "Hold on folks, I'm coming!" The portly cop rushed towards them.
He was about three feet away when he was overcome with extreme dizziness. Trying to take a step forward caused him to wobble. He only made it a few more steps before he passed out from the dizziness.
A few people in the area saw what was happening. Believing it to be an Akuma attack they ran for it. As they left the area they ran into a fog bank that came out of nowhere.
Once through, the people became confused. They couldn't remember why they were running or how they got to this particular location. A few were even checking their wallets for their IDs, having forgotten their names.
Using his cane, Master Fu managed to push himself up. He saw Marianne and Officer Roger incapacitated.
He reached for his phone in his pants pocket when it ripped from his hand from behind. The device clattered a few feet away.
Master Fu has then been spun around and his cane was taken from him causing him to stumble backwards. When he saw who had attacked him, he broke out in a cold sweat.
"Celestial Guardian Su-Han! How are you here? I thought you died in the attack."
"Thought or hoped I died traitor?" Su-Han sneered at the old man. "It was your fault that we were attacked by our enemies!"
"No, it wasn't my fault." He was about to explain when he was hit on the head with his own cane, breaking it in the process.
Su-Han bent down and was shocked to see the turtle Miraculous on the man's wrist. His eyes bulged as he roughly removed the Miraculous from Fu's wrist.
Su-Han pointed his staff at it. The glowing crystal changed from pink to red then back. "Where is the turtle kwami? He's not dormant in his Miraculous as the rules state."
"Wayzz…cough…wanted to sunbathe at home…cough… today."
The Celestial Guardian sputtered in disbelief. "Kwamiis are never separated from their Miraculous. Nor do you indulge them with childish matters. They are gods that need to be guarded at all times."
Master Fu managed to push himself into a sitting position. "Wayzz is perfectly safe. He knows what to do if he chooses to stay home when I'm out."
"Kwamiis are not to use their powers without a wielder. How do you think Wayzz will protect himself? He'll use his power and destroy several city blocks in the process!"
"Please, Celestial Master, if you would let me explain the situation…" Fu cried out. Su-Han had twisted the wrist of his hand he held out to be helped.
"There is no explaining away your crimes. Your punishment will have to wait for now. You will take me to the Miraculouses boxes right now!"
"Leave him alone," a loud voice shouted at him. Before he could react he was grabbed from behind and tossed two hundred feet away. The man wasn't hurt only angry that someone had the gull to attack him.
He was appalled when he saw two teenagers wearing the most powerful Miraculous. A woman was with them. Around her neck was a charm necklace with the UMC's charms on it.
He ignored what they were saying. He knew he had to retrieve these items right now. It was against the rules for a child to wield a Miraculous. It was also against the rules for an individual to use or carry more than one kwami charm.
This whole ordeal had Master Fu very stressed and fearful. He was the perfect akuma bait. He never heard the akuma's wings flapping as it merged with his paintbrush.
As soon as the connection was made, both Nooroo and Duusu realized who the target was. They poured every spare ounce of magic into shielding the Guardian's memories and personal thoughts from their master.
"Furious Fu, I am Shadowmoth. Your fear is justified by this unprovoked attack. I can give you the power to fight back. All I need you to do is bring me Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculouses."
"No! Get out of my head! I won't serve you!" Fu cried out as he clutched his head. He repeated the mantra he taught Marinette over and over.
"It's amusing to see you resist me. You don't have to. Let me take away all your fear. No one will attack you again, Furious Fu," Shadowmoth insisted as he poured his power into the man.
Unable to resist any longer, Master Fu was transformed by the Akuma. The heroes finally saw what was happening and waited in horror for the purple smoke to disappear.
Furious Fu was taller and muscular than his normal body. His eyes were red with a pink sclera. He had long gray hair held up in a bun. He also had huge gray eyebrows and a mustache.
On his wrists were golden bands with black edges. He was wearing a huge black mask with gold trim. His outfit consisted of a black suit with a brilliant amaranth jacket with a flower pattern. There was a gold trim on both.
He was had on knee long socks and gold-red dress shoes. On the back of the jacket was a Chinese character. He held his paintbrush and a small notebook in his hands.
The Akuma narrowed his eyes on Su-Han. "You! How dare you attack my love and me! I'll teach you how to respect your elders!" Furious Fu quickly wrote the Chinese symbol for pain before flicking it at the Celestial Guardian.
Su-Han stubbornly refused to move. Instead, he grabbed the paper and endured the pain. The pain was similar to being too close to a bomb explosion. His body was starting to burn up.
Peace Keeper snatched the paper off and tore it up. The Celestial Guardian had minor burns across his arms and face. "Stay back!" she commanded.
"I don't take orders from women!" he replied. He rushed past the others and started using his martial arts against Furious Fu.
That was a bad idea. Furious Fu matched the Celestial Guardian move for move. Neither of them could land a blow on the other. That's when Furious Fu changed tactics.
He did several backflips to get some distance. "You will not defeat me! The wise man moves mountains without touching them!" he yelled as he performed a sequence of moves.
A large wave of vibration struck Su-Han sending him flying across the area. Peace Keeper caught the man and then used her jetpack to head to the sports stadium where they could fight without hurting anyone.
Ladybug used her yo-yo like a lasso to hold Furious Fu in place. "Not so fast! I can't let you hurt that man."
"Let me go! He's getting away!"
Chat Noir appeared in front of him. "Give us that paintbrush and we can talk about this calmly." Ladybug loosened the string a smidge for him.
That was all it took for Furious Fu to sock Chat Noir in the stomach. He then started spinning at high speed. The string came undone and Ladybug went spinning into the sky.
"Furious Fu, take Chat Noir's Miraculous now!" Shadowmoth ordered.
"Not until I have my revenge," Furious Fu informed him. Writing the word find on the paper, he threw it in the air and followed it.
Chat Noir tried to get up. He was struggling to get air into his lungs, but his diaphragm hurt too much to move.
"Here, let me help," a woman's voice said. Marianne threw Chat's arm over her shoulder and slowly lifted him.
"Thanks. Not that I'm ungrateful, but I thought you were paralyzed."
Marianne started walking with the teenager. "When the vibrations hit Su-Han, all his spells came undone."
"Who is Su-Han?" Chat asked.
"I'm not entirely certain. Fu didn't talk much about him. My love only mentioned him once or twice, when he was telling me about his instructors at the temple."
Ladybug reappeared just then. "We need to get to the stadium right now. I just saw red lightning bolts striking the ground."
Marianne told them to go on without her. Neither teenager would let her. She was the only one who could distract the Akuma so they could get his item. Hanging on to Chat's back, the trio hurried forth.
Inside the stadium, Peace Keeper was starting to wonder if bringing the man with her was a mistake. He simply didn't listen to reason.
Instead of hiding, like he was told, the man was using his magic staff and claiming no one could challenge the Celestial Guardian's power. She ran a hand down her face and tackled the man right before a lightning bolt hit him.
"What are you doing?" Su-Han growled at her.
"Trying to save your sorry behind. Did you have to announce to Shadowmoth your title?" she hissed. Looking over her shoulder she saw the double mask outline appear.
"Understood Shadowmoth," Furious Fu said as the mask vanished. "Shadowmoth wants to meet with you both. Come quietly."
"I don't think we will," Peace Keeper remarked. She tossed mini flash bombs and started dragging Su-Han behind her.
The Akuma laughed. "You can't hide from me! Vision!" Slapping the paper on his forehead, he instantly saw the two heading for the exit.
He made an impressive leap and landed in front of the two. He quickly wrote two separate attacks on pieces of paper. He flung them at two of them.
Peace Keeper used her grappling line to get them out of the way. Su-Han let go of her hand and dropped back to the ground. "I am the Celestial Guardian! The leader of the Order of the Guardians. I will not be intimidated by…"
He didn't get to complete his sentence. The papers came back towards their creator. Both of them, a lightning bolt and hail came crashing down from the sky striking Su-Han and knocking him unconscious.
"Grab the staff and complete your half of the bargain," Shadowmoth ordered.
Furious Fu reached down to grab it only for two spirit foxes to dash away with it. A swarm of bees appeared stinging him badly. He clapped his hands sending a vibrational wave outward.
The swarm died instantly. Furious Fu turned his attention to Peace Keeper only to discover that she was joined by Ladybug and Chat Noir. All three did a perceptual nod. They had to throw Shadowmoth off track before cleansing Master Fu.
"Please, Mr. Wang calm down. Let us help you," Peace Keeper pleaded.
A lightning bolt was sent their way and the trio scattered. Chat Noir called out to the Akuma. "You got your revenge on the man who attacked you. He'll be punished for assaulting you."
"Especially since it was a hate crime. As heroes, we must protect people like you from those who get a kick out of hurting the elderly."
Back in his lair, Shadowmoth gripped his weapons tightly. So the old man wasn't connected to the Guardian. Having witnessed the Celestial Guardians' brazen attacks, he had to agree with the heroes on this point.
"I don't want your help. I want your Miraculouses and charms!" Furious Fu shouted as he wrote ice on three pieces of paper and flung them at the heroes.
Hiding in the stands with Marianne were Furra and Howller. It broke Marianne's heart watching her love being used against his will. She turned to the Kwamiis. "Is there anything you can do to help?"
"Perhaps. Nothing too big or we'll cause some real harm," Furra remarked sternly. She eyed her "brother" knowing how dangerous his powers were when he got hyper.
"We don't have to do anything big "sister." What if we use our powers to reduce the strength of his elemental attacks? That's not a big thing," Howller pointed out.
So that's what they did, and it gave the heroes a chance to save the day. In the end, it was Marianne, who managed to snap the item in half, setting Master Fu free.
A few hours later, Su-Han groaned. He blinked his eyes a few times. He felt like he had been sat on by an elephant. He tried to sit up only to discover he was restrained to the bed.
"What is this? No one takes the Celestial Guardian prisoner! Release me at once!" he shouted.
"Be quiet!" a tiny voice told him. He looked up and was surprised to see Honorra hovering in front of him. "The apartment is fully soundproof. We don't want the neighbors calling the police with noise complaints."
Before he could get another word out, Wayzz entered the room. "It is good to see you awake Celestial Guardian. We apologize for the restraints. You kept trying to hit us while we moved you to safety."
"I'll tell the others you have regained consciousness. Honorra, can you tend to our guest for a few minutes?"
Honorra nodded and watched her "cousin" leave. She floated over to the nightstand and picked up a key. "I'm supposed to release you, but I won't until you vow not to attack anyone in this household. And listen to what we have to say."
Su-Han asked why he should do that. The kwami replied that if he was the Celestial Guardian, then he understood the purpose of the vow.
She also added they could give him powerful sedatives to keep him under control if he wanted to do this the hard way. Su-Han could tell she meant it.
"I, Su-Han, the Celestial Guardian of the Order of the Guardian, vow not to attack anyone in this household. I also vow to listen to what everyone in this household has to say before I ask my questions."
Satisfied, Honorra freed the man from his restraints and led him to the main room. When the man looked outside, he was surprised to see it was night. How long had he been unconscious?
Several cushions had been laid out. Marianne and Ning were on Master Fu's right. Marinette and Adrien were on the left. All the active Kwamiis were sitting on a small pillow in front of Master Fu.
Honorra joined them as Master Fu offered Su-Han some green tea. The man declined it.
"I was told you wanted me to listen to your story. I am waiting to hear an explanation for your actions."
Master Fu gave the tea to the Kwamiis and began his long tale. "The attack on the temple was not my fault. The Society of Exiles had planning ways to attack the temple for centuries if you recall.
It was only a coincidence that the attack happened one year after I asked if my friend could join our ranks. The only thing I'm guilty of is not looking hard enough to find you."
Master Fu went to explain his travels across the world to find any surviving Guardians. That he eventually had to admit there were no others. He recalled the years of hiding from evil people who had tried to steal the box.
That he met Marianne and fell in love with her. If had not been for the Nazis, he might have stayed with her, and created a family of his own. A dream he gave up when the Elders sent Shufen away.
His voice started to get raspy when he got to the part where he met Ning. That's when she took over the story and explaining how she had kept Wayzz's kwami charm safe for years.
"We eventually reunited, and I began training as Master Fu's apprentice. At one point, Nooroo gave me half of his power to force then Hawkmoth, to release his hold on Marinette," she gestured to the girl.
"I've made great progress during my apprenticeship so far. I've learned the Guardian code, retrieved all the missing Miraculous Circles, and made a potion to prevent someone from ever using a Miraculous."
Su-Han didn't seem impressed by that. He barely looked at Honorra who explained why she had to stay out of her Miraculous.
Then it was Adrien and Marinette's turn. They explained to the Celestial Guardian why they had been chosen. Marinette said, "I understand we're younger than usual wielders. We should be practicing with the charms, yet the situation with Hawk/Shadowmoth and Mayura required immediate attention."
"These days, a majority of adults are willing to learn how to use new technology, and they're pretty set in their ways. They're not going to believe in magical jewelry or want to fight monsters," Adrien added.
Marianne entered the conversation. "Teenagers are more open-minded. Their minds are still growing. They can adapt to different situations quickly. All the Miraculous wielders at this time are very committed to being heroes."
Ning jumped back into the conversation. "Marinette and Adrien have successfully defeated every Akuma. They help train their teammates, people who have earned their trust, a few times a week in a headquarters I found."
"We all agreed that the Kwamiis needed to understand the modern world. Even look for potential wielders should they be needed. Only one circle is awake at a time. Marinette and Adrien take care of them."
Master Fu gestured for all of them to calm down. "Master Su-Han. I understand that you are angry about the changes I have made. Though you may never acknowledge it, I am a Guardian."
"The world has greatly changed since we last saw one another. This may come as a surprise, but most of your rules don't apply today. They are in fact, harmful towards wielder and kwami alike."
Master Fu closed his eyes and counted to ten. "I urge you to observe my guardianship for the next weeks. Learn about this modern age before you make a choice that will have serious consequences."
Everyone was silent waiting for Su-Han to speak. "Your story was moderately entertaining. Sadly, all I see are excuses. You are not a Guardian. You have failed to follow the rules during my forced hibernation."
"It is time to rectify this mistake. You will surrender everything right now! If you refuse, I will have no choice but to use force to subdue you."
Before anyone could react, he snatched his staff before aiming it at Master Fu's chest. Everyone was too shocked to react as the crystal lit up. The old man prepared for the blast.
The crystal stopped glowing. The staff vibrated until it was yanked out of Su-Han's hand. The staff hummed once and then floated into a narrow chest. The lid came down hard, and the chest locked.
Then tiny tattoos of chains formed across the man's body. They briefly lit up before returning to normal. Su-Han tried to use his magic and discovered he couldn't.
He ran towards the door, intending to escape and come back later. The second he tried to cross the threshold, the tattoos lit up. He sank to his knees, unable to move.
"What have you done to me, Chicken Fu?!" Su-Han demanded. It was clear he wished he could turn around and spit in Master Fu's face.
"He didn't. I did!" Honorra chirped. She floated in front of him and gave him a stern look. She explained he didn't keep his vow at all. He had already made up his mind before coming into the room.
As the Celestial Guardian, any vow he made was a magical contract with a kwami even if he didn't have their Miraculous. The curse wouldn't end until he fulfilled his vow.
This left the group in a conundrum of what to do with Su-Han. It was obvious he couldn't leave. Nor should he with Shadowmoth looking for him. It was decided he would be kept in the guest room for now.
Marianne moved her belongings into Master Fu's room. He moved the massage table into the bedroom. It was a tight fit, but it would make a comfortable cot for the rest of her stay.
Ning agreed to sleep in the business area on the pillows. She had her own business with Su-Han relating to the panic he created with his multiple illegal border crossing.
Ladybug and Chat Noir were hurrying home. Their extra Kwamiis kept pace with them. "I don't understand it. Master Fu has done a fantastic job of keeping the Miraculous safe. Why is the Celestial Guardian so determine to hurt him?"
"Su-Han reminds me of my father. Everything has to be his way. He doesn't like it when someone makes changes. He'll fire someone if they act like they're better than him."
Ladybug winced. She knew her boyfriend's dad was harsh. But firing someone because they had a different opinion sounded cruel. They had reached the point where they went in different directions.
Saying goodbye, they hurried home. Dropping into her bedroom, Marinette let go of the transformation. She grabbed her history textbook from her desk before climbing back into bed.
"Tikki, Furra, can you help me do a quick review over for my history quiz tomorrow."
"We'd be delighted. It will help me calm down after that disastrous meeting," Furra huffed. She wasn't pleased that the Celestial Guardian broke his vow.
Tikki and her took turns asking Marinette questions until the teenager was confident she would remember it all. With a yawn, Marinette fell asleep.
Tikki held up her paw/hand to indicate they needed to be quiet. She jerked her head, and the two of them went to the balcony. Hiding almost the plants, Tikki asked her "cousin" what she thought of today's events.
"If I'm honest, I felt the Celestial Guardian showed poor judgment today. He attacked in a public space. He revealed himself to Shadowmoth and nearly did the same to Master Fu."
"I was shocked that he didn't keep his vow, considering one in his position has to set an example. I know I can be very stern. However, I understand the need for change in this modern time."
Furra admitted she was a little uneasy around the Celestial Guardian. He was very frigid and not the kind she liked.
Tikki admitted she felt like something had changed the man during his hibernation. He had always been strict, and a little mean to the recruits. His heart had always been in the right place.
Over at the Agreste Mansion, Plagg and Howller were hiding in the bathroom. They didn't want to wake up Adrien because he had an early morning photoshoot before school.
"I always hated Celestial Guardian Su-Han. He was always against me just because my abstract is destruction."
Howller didn't bother to point out he caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. Honestly, if Plagg hadn't caused their extinction, then humans wouldn't have evolved.
"Well, you did destroy the dragons, even if it was an accident," Howller pointed out.
Plagg rolled his eyes. "How was I supposed to know the King Dragon was related to every dragon in the world? He was attacking my wielder after biting his hand off."
"I was trying to save his life! I wasn't aware he had been stealing the dragon's treasure."
Howller shrugged his tiny shoulders. He didn't want to get into it. "I barely restrained myself from zapping him. I thought for sure you would curse him."
Plagg admitted the thought had crossed his mind, then he thought better. Ning didn't deserve to have ghosts trying to control her again. If he was honest, he didn't like a lot of the Celestial Guardians.
They were always trying to control him. Keeping him locked away from his "siblings." Restricting him from his favorite food. Also, choosing wielders that weren't a match with him.
Master Fu and Ning were the nicest Guardian and Apprentice pair he had encountered in the last three hundred fifty years. Sure, he may annoy them for fun, but he knew they would give their lives for him if that kept him safe.
"Let's hope that this situation resolves itself quickly. My kitten needs me, and I need him."
The next morning, at Master Fu's home things, were tense. Despite yesterday's events, Master Fu was still determined to show the Celestial Guardian Su-Han that he was worthy of being a Guardian.
The man had been invited to breakfast and had refused to leave the guest room. Honorra and Wayzz were enjoying their breakfast. Master Fu and Marianne were sharing croissants. Ning was enjoying some vanilla long johns. It was rare that she had a chance to eat donuts.
"Are you enjoying your breakfast, Ning, correct?" Marianne questioned.
Ning nodded and asked if Marianne if she could pass the milk. The lady smiled kindly at the young woman. The UN agent let her hair fall in her face so Marianne couldn't tell how anxious she was.
How was she supposed to act around this woman? She wasn't her supervisor or a friend to one of her aliases. She was the woman her father loved, but did that mean she had to love Marianne as well?
She had been reading Marianne's body language since they first met. She could tell the woman was sincere with how much she loved Fu. Ning saw that Marianne wanted to connect with her, but she couldn't figure out how to reciprocate those feelings.
She was distracted when her father said her name. "Yes, Father?"
"I have something for you." He beckoned for her necklace. She gave it to him. A minute later, it was given back to her. It now had twelve new kwami charms. The charms for the CZMC!
She sputtered in disbelief. "I've barely spent any time with the circle. Why would they…?"
"Place their trust in you?" Master Fu said with a kind smile. "All the circles are aware of the increase in Shadowmoth's powers. They also know that you would use their powers to defend anyone from harm."
Slipping the necklace back on, Ning smiled. She would not fail her Kwamiis friends.
At the Agreste mansion, Nooroo and Duusu were in the lair waiting for Gabriel to finish his breakfast with his son. He would be coming up to interrogate them about the Celestial Guardian.
Yesterday, he had demanded to know about the man. They had been able to use Duusu's exhaustion yesterday to put off telling him anything until today.
Knowing he might be filming them, the two "siblings" were chatting in a mix of English and kwami language. Hopefully, that would help keep part of their conversation private.
"I was shocked to see Celestial Guardian Su-Han yesterday. Why would he be foolish enough to do something like that?" Duusu remarked to her "brother."
"Perhaps these attacks have been wearing him down. Why else would he attack a fellow Guardian, Nooroo? I fear our protector is losing his mind. That leaves only one question."
Duusu nodded. "How to best answer our master's questions without revealing Master Fu's involvement to prevent us from getting hurt."
Nooroo was about to reply when Gabriel arrived. The two Kwamiis floated over, ready to answer questions.
Gabriel gave both of them a sharp look. "I gave you both a chance to recover from yesterday's attack. Now, I want answers, and if I think you're holding anything back, then things will get unpleasant."
The two Kwamiis nodded and were ready to answer his questions. He asked who was the Celestial Guardian and what did that title mean.
Nooroo told him what he knew of Su-Han's story and how he rose to the rank of leader of the Order of the Guardians. "When the temple fell, he was the only Guardian left."
That was technically true. Master Fu hadn't been made an official Guardian by Wayzz yet. So he wasn't lying.
"The Celestial Guardian is awarded special powers. Longevity, blessings from Kwamiis. They also have their magic enhanced tenfold," Duusu informed the man.
She continued to tell her master what she could. The Celestial Guardian was always in peak physical condition. They had access to information that wasn't in the Miraculous Book. The staff's rumored to have special powers.
"What kind of special powers?" Gabriel asked coldly.
Nooroo spoke up, "The Celestial Guardian staff can locate where the Miraculous Box w." Seeing Gabriel's eyes lit up, he added a half-truth. "It will only work for the person with that title. Kwamiis don't know the ritual to pass on the title."
It was the truth to an extent. Kwamiis knew of the ritual, but not exactly how the title shifted from one person to the next.
Duusu added something that was another half-truth. "The Celestial Guardian has to willingly give up their title to the person they name their successor."
Another technicality. The Celestial Guardian did give his title over willingly. However, it was he and the Council of Elders who selected the next one."
"Then, I must find the Celestial Guardian and make him give me the title," Gabriel stated in a cold tone.