Hi guys, MrMysteryAhoy is back for the second chapter. Not much happens in this chapter, but I feel like its necessary. I promise that I'll get to some good, juicy action later. But, for now, the show must go on!

Disclaimer: I bet my MLB rights in an illegal gambling ring and lost it.

Introduction: Part 2:

Chat Noir didn't know how he felt about any of this. On one hand, a new superhero is always a plus and this Mantis guy seemed pretty cool. Instant respect is demanded when one can calmly call out a national superhero on endangering their life. On the other, Chat didn't know this guy. Something about him was just… wrong. Chat put it down to his feline instincts being paranoid, but he was still sceptical.

The fact that Mantis just gave away his civilian name like that (accidentally or not) was a good sign of him not being an Akuma, as they normally denounce who they were before Hawkmoth preyed (get it? Okay, it's not funny to make the same pun twice. Even Chat had limits) on them. But that wasn't exactly hard evidence.

He had never heard of the Mantis Miraculous… to be fair, he didn't know any Miraculous outside of the Ladybug, Black Cat, and the Butterfly but it was certainly pawsible that more Miraculous exist, like the Fox that Volpina had masqueraded as. A quick glance to Ladybug - who seemed to know more about these things than him - showed that she hadn't heard of it either, but wasn't completely closed off to the idea that Mantis was legit. But just standing there wasn't going to make any progress, so Chat decided to strike up a conversation: "So… 'Matthew' - mind if I call you Matt? - okay, Matt. Tell us about yourself."

"Matt" nodded slightly and started to tell his story. A way too personal story for the heroes comfort. They were used to the blind trust that went between them, not knowing another superhero personally. This was alien to them.

Matt talked about growing up in Australia, which was surprising to the duo as his French was perfect. Surprisingly, he was only a couple of months older than Chat - he could not make a comparison with Ladybug, however. Before he got any further with his life story, Ladybug interrupted: "Mantis, that's all fine, but I'm more interested in how you obtained your Miraculous. Did you find it? What did your Kwami say? Those kinds of things."

Mantis nodded his confirmation but hesitated. If his big eye-orb… things could look confused, that's what he looked like. "Kwami?"

That simple question put both of the pair on guard. Miraculous have Kwami's. That's a fact. If he didn't have a Kwami, he didn't have a Miraculous. On the other hand, an Akuma wouldn't be so straightforward about not knowing something so crucial to owning a Miraculous - Hawkmoth would be more prepared than that. This was most likely just a deranged fan who made a REALLY good method actor and cosplayer.

Chat could see that Ladybug had made a similar judgement, and stepped forward. "Look, Mantis-"

"No"

Now that was unexpected. Mantis looked determined as he put his metaphorical foot down to stop Ladybug from continuing. He went on:

"I know you're having a hard time believing me and that's understandable, but I swear on everything that I am, I am not making any of this up. I want to believe that I was given this Miraculous for a purpose, either that or I will make a purpose of it. And here in Paris, alongside the two of you is where I can do that. I didn't leave behind my family, my home, my friends back in Australia to not be given a chance."

Ladybug and Chat were now so taken aback by the raw determination in Mantis' voice, that they took a step back. This was certainly no Akuma. There were no negative emotions in his voice, just determination to do some good. But the fact he didn't know what a Kwami was is still concerning.

Chat, feeling sympathetic to this mystery superhero, offered him the figurative olive branch. "So tell us about your powers."

Mantis, understanding the importance of the change in conversation, visibly brightened at this. Literally, it seemed like his whole suit momentarily brightened to a lighter shade of green, giving the pair a momentary bout of vertigo. And then he went into a speedy rant that the pair had to struggle to keep up with:

"So the Mantis Miraculous stands for language; structured communication, which is how I'm speaking French right now. I didn't learn it. It just comes naturally with the suit, ya know? Anyway, apart from instant fluency of all languages - even lip-reading and sign language. Something about the mantis being the messenger for spirits in some kinda mythology or something."

Catching the pairs' eyes, he quickly got back on track. "I can also have a full 360-degree view." Which was accompanied by his eyes spinning all around the orbs. It was cool but extremely off putting to outside viewers. "Yeah, it took me months to get used to it, too. I spent days on end with my eyes closed. I also have these short blades, my weapons." He said, gesturing to the blades attached to his arms. "They don't really do much except be sharp. Also, my wings are pretty much useless except for a quick boost or to slow my fall. Finally, I have this strange power that allows me to whisper and only people I want to hear it can do so... it's easier if I show ."

Mantis then hid his mouth behind a gloved hand and started slowly moving his lips. Even with his extraordinary hearing, Chat couldn't hear anything, but Ladybug jumped slightly, eyes wide. "It's like you're whispering directly in my ear!" She then turned to Chat, the question of whether he heard it as well evident on her face, to which he shook his head.

Knowing that Ladybug wouldn't lie about this, Chat couldn't help but be impressed. That would be an extremely helpful tactical ability. Wanting to know more, he asked: "What about your main power? The one that starts the transformation timer?"

Bashfully, Mantis ducked his head down, and quickly murmured something along the lines of "I don't know", which Chat was almost expecting at this point. He wouldn't know unless a Kwami told him, which he apparently hadn't met. How he transformed in the first place was beyond Chat.

Chat and Ladybug quickly huddled together and debated what to do about Mantis. They quickly came to a decision and shared it with the boy who looked like a child who was going to get scolded for only trying to help but ended up making everything worse.

"Welcome to the group, Mantis."

A/N: This is the end of the introduction of Mantis. From now on, we go back into the canon Akuma. Starting with Gorizilla.

I had written both these last (and first) 2 chapters together, so now I have to continue writing as I go along. Can't wait to further follow the story of Mantis! Don't forget to like and subscribe and - wait, that's not it... forget about it.