MIRACULOUS
In My Memory
"So, the Blue Mustang had made their move…" Master Fu said, stroking his beard. "You did good, Adrien," he concluded as he put the miraculous box back in its place.
"I don't understand, Master Fu. Who are the Blue Mustang?" Adrien asked.
"Master, I suggest to let him in on it," Wayzz suggested. The master put his cup down with a sigh.
"I suppose I was clinging onto the hope that we did not have to face them, but I believe I had underestimated them," Fu conceded.
"So, you know who they are?" Adrien asked.
"I fear that my knowledge of the Blue Mustang is rather limited…"
"If I had to guess, I'd say they're based in the United States, right?" Adrien speculated. Fu's eyes widened for a bit before continuing.
"Indeed, how did you come up with the conclusion if you don't mind me asking?" Master Fu asked.
"Before coming to Paris, I lived in the states long enough to know some of their traditional symbols and phrases they use over there. Simply put, a mustang is pretty much a North American animal," Adrien concluded.
"Impressive, so you could tell the implications as well as the reasons behind my limited knowledge…" Master Fu admitted. "My knowledge of the Blue mustang actually began way after I had finished my fight in recovering the miraculous," he concluded.
"Huh?"
"Adrien, only a few other people know what I'm about to tell you and that is Marinette's family…," Master Fu admitted.
"Wha…?" Adrien gasped, dropping his cup.
Meanwhile…, in the Paris Police Station…
Marinette had walked in the office and did not hesitate to report her name at the front desk. The front desk officer asked Marinette to wait in the lobby. Completely alone she sat down on one of the chairs and the only sound in the room was the ramblings of the late-night news.
After a few moments of deathly night silence, she looked back at her palm where she still held her Ladybug earrings. She was hesitant, at this moment she found it difficult to become Ladybug again after what she's just been through and what she had learned…
"Marinette!" someone yelled, nearly jumped out of her skin as she was just so focused on her thoughts and the earrings, she had forgotten everything else at that moment. She slowly looked back at them, it was her grandmother, or more precisely, her adoptive grandmother, Gina Dupain. Even more surprising, was her adoptive grandfather, Rolland.
"Grandma…?" Marinette muttered.
The elder woman dashed towards her granddaughter and hugged the wind out of her, while Rolland followed her from behind. Marinette then wordlessly hugged back and laid her head on her shoulder. She stroked the back of her head before breaking off and took a look at her.
"I'm sorry, grandma…"
"We saw you on the news and you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"I know, and I'm sorry again," Marinette apologized and stepped back. Gina then looked around her.
"Why don't you have your earrings on?"
"Huh?"
"Where's Tikki?"
"Y- You knew?!"
Back to Fu's apartment…
Adrien chocked on his tea and coughed as he put his cup back down.
"Her family knew she was Ladybug?"
"Well, it is complicated…" Master Fu hesitated. Adrien then shook his head while waving his arms.
"Let me get this straight! Her parents were acolytes in the monastery where she was taken and they accepted to take her in?" Adrien recapped.
"Basically yes, or whatever young people say… Pretty much," He replied.
"So the blue mustang came from the ashes of the separatists from the ancient temple…"
Meanwhile… Back at the Paris Police Station…
"Marinette…" Gina began delicately… "You better sit down, what we are about to tell you is what you should know. I only wish we could've told you without this tragedy," she explained as they did so while Rolland sat on her other side.
"We mustn't hold anything back, Gina," Rolland suggested.
"I know, and I wasn't planning on it," she replied.
"Please, I already know what I am, and that you are not…" Marinette hesitated. "Please, just… Lay it on me," she begged bluntly.
"Of course, my dear…"
Back to Master Fu's apartment…
"In my later years at the temple where we safe kept the miraculous, tensions have been rising over how we use the miraculous. If at all…"
For countless millennia, the miraculous have given its wielders powers and abilities beyond human ability to aid and protect the defenseless. Our ancient temple guarded the few that I have in this box. There are actually thousands of miraculous all around the world, and the miraculous in the box were the ones we had gathered in our travels, as well as any written documentation in relation to them as we knew any information might aid us by learning their history, the kwami's personalities as well as the achievements and other chronicles of previous users, anything.
In the temples, we had trained chosen individuals who would eventually become candidates to bear possession of a miraculous and become protectors of the people. However, our regulations and rules would lead to a danger that we did not predict. We have made the grave mistake in sheltering our hopefuls and completely forbid them from learning from outside philosophies, this created a gradual uprising of the idea of pride and supremacy. Over half of our hopefuls in our final years believed they have the power to govern and rule the people with the power of the miraculous, basically holding them hostage.
Though, of course, some stood true to our core believes of how the miraculous must be handled. This has led to rising tensions among our hopefuls and eventually lead to a civil war amongst us, eventually leading to the temple to be destroyed and I have taken it upon myself to take the miraculous box and protect them from the wrong hands. Other surviving guardians have separated and once again explored the world in desperate need to reestablish ourselves and rebuild. A location, history, people to help us, resources, anything.
I would discover decades later; the tragedy had caught the attention of an enigmatic group known as the "Blue Mustang." That was the first time I have heard of the taboo practice of ancient arcane alchemy with the intent to create artificial human beings. The, of course, would eventually lead to Marinette's creation as well as dozens of others like her.
The guardian who had discovered this enigmatic group took it upon themselves to save those artificially created infants from such an oppressive life of constant conflict. Regrettably, being only one person, she could only save one of those infants…
"Let me guess… Marinette?"
"Precisely," Master Fu confirmed.
"And the guardian who rescued saved was…?"
Paris Police Station…
"MY MOM?" Marinette shouted in shock as well as a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Yes," Rolland confirmed. "Our son had become a Tibetan acolyte after he ran away from home."
"Dad was a runaway? I really find it hard to believe!"
"We kept a lot from you…"
"Your father was not always the loveable giant you knew, Marinette. He was so different when he was young," Rolland revealed.
"The real reason they didn't get along was because of the burden your father carried…"
"But Grandpa, weren't you estranged because you didn't want traditions to change?"
"Oh, that… It was a façade, I assure you," Rolland insisted. "You see, I knew about the miraculous and what you were, your father told me everything. But I did not want my son to be taking such a dangerous burden. I… I did not want to deal with losing him as a result…" Rolland admitted.
"Your grandfather knew what you were and the danger you represented…" Gina cut herself off and covered her mouth after she realized what she just said. Marinette just stared back at her with a flabbergasted and hurtful look on her face. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that!" Gina responded quickly.
"But… Why? Why did they raise me? Why did they take the risk?
"Short answer… He fell in love with your mother…" Gina replied. With a light gasp, she looked down in guilt again.
"He ran away when he was your age and ended up in the monastery in the Himalayas. He would meet one of their top guardians who had previously dedicated her life in protection of that box. After some time he wrote to us, it was the first time we had heard of him in years, he went on and on about your mother and how the two were so happy together… Everything was fine until that fateful mission where she brought you…"
Back in Master Fu's apartment…
"Sabine was sent on another scouting mission on our cause to reestablish our temple and that is when she discovered the 'Blue Mustang' and their forbidden arts…"
"Including their 'super-soldier program,'" Adrien concluded. Motioning his finger in quotation marks.
"Well, you can guess the rest," Master Fu affirmed.
"So, Ms. Cheng was the guardian who rescued and adopted Marinette and fleed to Paris. The question is, why? Why? They could've just hidden her in some orphanage or a foster home. Why taking it upon themselves to raise her…?" Adrien stopped himself. "Oh," he muttered looking down with guilt.
"They were given an opportunity to start a life together and they took it," Master Fu finished for him.
"Yeah, even though no doubt they were looking for her… I think that's why they finally made their move and told Lila the truth," Adrien observed further. "They weren't after the miraculous, that much is clear, otherwise they wouldn't give them to Lila…"
"The question is, how did they finally find her?" Master Fu wondered.
"My Father only recently found out Marinette is Ladybug, yet whoever they are, found out at pretty much at the same time. Could it be…?" Adrien trailed off, then it hit him. He suddenly burst on his feet… "No…"
Gabriel's Manor…
Gabriel struggled to untie himself from the chair he had woken up on. His heart rate was staggering and his mind in-depth of its inner rabbit hole. Processing what had happened and the prospect of his son being Cat Noir all this time.
"How could I have been so blind!?" he chastised himself. "I should have foreseen this. The minute he stole the miraculous book from my vault…" He then froze as the rope fell to the ground… "THE BOOK!"
Gabriel dashed to the elevator and made his way to the office. He entered the code and the gate behind his wife's portrait opened to check for the book and the peacock miraculous…
…
…
…
"Gone…"
Both the book and the peacock miraculous were gone…
Meanwhile… Across the street of the Eiffel Tower…
Police cars and fire trucks still gathered around the scene. Still investigating the aftermath of the battle that took place that night. The kids and other previous akumatization victims were still at the scene. Cops investigating around the confusion. Alya explained to the police what had happened and officer Raincomprix took notes with a rather disillusioned look on his face.
"…And that the gist of it," Alya concluded.
"So, Hawk Moth is gone and Ms. Rossi stole the miraculous and had caused this chaos,"
"Pretty much," Nino added.
"It's just that, this is not how I thought it would end…" Officer Raincomprix added.
"Neither did I…" Alya admitted. Crossing her arms while looking away.
"Well thanks," Officer Raincomprix said awkwardly and walked away.
Nino placed an arm around Alya, who she pulled it closer to her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back to his chest.
"You ok?" he asked.
"I guess, this is just so… Surreal…"
"Yeah. Tell me about it…"
"I mean… What were the chances that we were going to be part of this…?" Alya wondered.
"Well, I don't know about you but I don't think it was chance," Nino added, looking up in the past midnight sky.
"What do you mean?" Alya looked up back at him. Nino then rubbed the back of his head.
"I don't know. I just get the feeling that we were chosen for a reason. That this is just the beginning…"
"Wow, you're cute when you're trying to be deep," Alya flirted. "What, do you think it was some ancient prewritten destiny that was bestowed upon us?" Alya asked, playfully lowering her voice at the last few words.
"Nah," Nino countered. "Not that deep."
Meanwhile, just across the dark street where none of the lights are hitting. Nathalie observed the commotion caused by the rescue workers and media around the tower. A feminine hand touched her shoulder. Nathalie looked back at the other woman, then looked down in shame.
Master Fu's apartment…
"I can't believe I forgot about the book!" Adrien shouted while he abruptly stood up.
"Calm down Adrien, fortunately, I have made a digital copy of the book," Master Fu assured.
"It's not just that master," Adrien countered. We don't know who they are, yet with the book, they will know about us. Our flaws, our weaknesses, anything that can be a disadvantage against them."
"Indeed, that would put us in a 'tight spot'" Master Fu affirmed.
"On top of that," Adrien added, stroking his hair in a second, "We know absolutely nothing of the Blue Mustang. They may have things and abilities and maybe even miraculous that we've never seen before…" he concluded. Master Fu then stroked his beard.
"As you may have foreseen, my knowledge of miraculous beyond the ones I've discovered is limited," Master Fu admitted.
"In other words, we're completely blind… Great," Adrien finished with his head falling back.
"I fear there is little more to say," Master Fu conceded.
"That brings us to the other elephant in the room… Marinette… What's gonna happen to her?" Adrien asked turning from the window the back to the elderly guardian.
"You are not going to like this," Master Fu warned. "But she must go to Tibet."
Back at the Paris police station…
"So, why Tibet?" Marinette finally asked.
"Your parents planned to take you there from the start. Now is as a good time as any…"
"I suppose it's about what I am and the miraculous, huh?"
"We knew you would become lost once you knew the truth and you're being targeted. Therefore, the best option is to send you to Tibet for a while," Gina confirmed.
"Is that really it?" Marinette asked, cocking an eyebrow. Gina paused for a moment. She then turned to Rolland.
"Hey, don't look at me!" he said, crossing his arms and looking away. "I have said it before, I did not want to get involved." Gina sighed and closed her eyes for a moment before looking back up at her granddaughter.
"The truth is… That's the monastery where your mother was born… and she took you there when she rescued you from the Blue Mustang…"
"Hold on a sec..." Marinette interjected. "It only takes some research to know that China and Tibet aren't in the best of terms," she observed.
"True," Gina confirmed. "But Tibet does not discriminate. We are all children of the earth. Even you, Marinette," she comforted, putting a hand on Marinette's shoulder. "The people there knew what you were and still received you with open arms."
"But..." Marinette doubted and began to look down.
"Shhh…" Gina hushed. "Let's not speak further. This whole thing must have been a lot to take in…"
"Yeah…" Marinette nearly whispered.
Master Fu's apartment…
"So, we gotta figure something out," Adrien observed.
"Yes, the faster we resolve this, the sooner she'll return," Master Fu suggested. Adrien stroked his chin.
"You know what, I actually agree with this. Maybe it would be best for her to chill for a while away from here and it may help her with… You know… What she is. And besides, I think I've got just the way to bring her home when the time comes…" Adrien grinned.
Later… at the police station…
After some time of taking it all in and finding comfort with her grandparents, Gina finally spoke up.
"Aren't you going to put them back on?" Gina asked, noticing the Ladybug earrings on Marinette's hand.
"I don't know…" Marinette replied. "Should I? I mean, If I'm leaving Paris then maybe I shouldn't put them on anymore," she said.
"Marinette…" Rolland began. "Look, I am not to tell you how to think about what you should become. But if you indeed had valued your time as a hero… would you not take advantage of the time you have left?"
Gina put an arm around her and smiled without saying a word. Marinette looks back at her hand. With a sigh, she closed her eyes as she put her earrings back on and the familiar kwami emerged.
"Marinette!" Tikki shouted with glee.
"Tikki!" She responded in kind. The two cuddled each other for quite a while as her grandparent looked on.
Later…
Marinette laid on her back at the police station bed. After explaining to Tikki what had happened the two were silent for a while. But Marinette refused to dose off until Tikki spoke up.
"Marinette, are you sure you want to pass me to Cat Noir while you're gone?" Tikki asked.
"Mayura's still out there, Tikki. They'll need Mister Bug," Marinette reasoned. "Me, on the other hand, I'll purchase this chance to find out more about the Blue Mustang and what I am… I suppose things will never be the same again, even when I get back, will they, Tikki?" she asked. Tikki paused for a moment and lowered her eyes in sadness then shook her head before looking back up at Marinette and spoke up.
"So, you're going through with this?" Tikki asked.
"That's the only way, right now, Tikki," Marinette said in a pleading voice. "So, please, I need you to have his back…" She begged. Tikki just smiled and cuddled her cheek.
"Ok, Marinette, I'll be at his side until you get back," she said as she cuddled then kissed her cheek."
"Thank you, Tikki," she said thankfully. She giggled and slowly dozed off. Tikki hovered over Marinette head and fell asleep herself.
Meanwhile… at a hole in the wall pizza joint…
Adrien was having his late-night meal as he was eating an ingredient filled slice while Plagg was having a plain cheese slice. Adrien put his slice down and looked at the window.
"Some night, huh?" Plagg began.
"Tell me about it," Adrien agreed, putting his slice back on the plate. "Did you know anything about this, Plagg?" he asked. Plagg did not put his slice down and began speaking quickly as eager for his next bite.
"Throughout the millennia, every Ladybug and Cat Noir have faced their own share of evil factions. Ghengis Khan, the Spanish inquisition, socialism," Plagg said in his usually casual demeanor then went on with his slice.
"Please, don't dodge the question," Adrien pleaded. Plagg sighed.
"No, but if their willing to go as far as to creating soldiers like Marinette and Lila through ancient arcane alchemy, it's clear to me that they mean business," Plagg observed.
"Not to mention, tricking my father into becoming Hawk Moth. I'm starting to suspect Nathalie is in on it…" Adrien looked out again and looked back at Plagg.
"Look, I never know what the future holds. But we'll see how it turns out, together…" Plagg said. The two then silently enjoyed their late-night meals together, as the events of the night and their uncertain future weighs on them.
Author's note: I had totally had forgotten to give a link of the "Summertime Lovin'" tune that was emitting from Mordecai on the previous chapter: watch?v=ohHHCzb7Hko
Anyway, I have yet to catch up on the latest Miraculous episodes so I have little info on Mister Bug.
I also tried to give Alya and Nino a moment after I saw a legitimate scene with them on "Puppeteer II" on the wax museum. They will have bigger roles in the following chapters as I do intend to explore other characters that I only left tidbits about. Remember Chloe's hug…? Not to mention the crossover characters who I also only left bits and pieces. Simply put, I will drive the focus off Marinette and Adrien for a while to give these characters time to breathe.
Not to mention that I got a new job and I still want to write my own original projects so I will go above and beyond to keep this thing going. I do NOT intend on abandoning this fic, even if it takes me years.
Anyway, let me know your thoughts on the comments.