MIRACULOUS
CHAPTER 17
Deeper Underground
Gordes, France
In a small derelict house on the edge of the small town, there is one office where Nathalie had been in hiding since the final battle against Hawk Moth when she stole the book and the peacock brooch and vanished. Nathalie paced back and forth as she bit her thumbnail. Emilie on the other hand, sat on attentively with her arms crossed. She then started walking towards her nervous friend and stopped her dead on her tracks. Nathalie gasped and took a step back. With a grin, Emilie intertwined her fingers with Nathalie and bumped her forehead with hers. Emilie could've sworn she heard a very faint whimper from her raven hair friend but doing her damndest to hide it.
"Why are you so scared, Nathalie?" Emilie asked as if she was so innocent. "I never thought of you to whimper…"
"You…" she hesitated. "How could you trick your family like that? Do you have any idea what they went through?" Nathalie asked, finally mustering the courage to ask. Emilie's expression soured a bit and let go of Nathalie's hands.
"You were never the questioning kind, Nathalie," she admitted. "What happened?" she asked. Nathalie gritted her teeth and Emilie scoffed. "You disappoint me, Nathalie. Never in a million years had I thought you would actually grow a heart for them…"
"How can you even say that?" Nathalie growled, making a fist. "Your son is gone and it doesn't affect you in any way?"
"No matter, I can bring him back too," Emilie told more to herself than to Nathalie.
"Emilie I read the entire book front and back," she said as she pointed to the open book in a nearby table. "There're no writings of what happens when you combine the miraculouses. We don't even know if it's even going to work."
"It will work!" Emilie insisted. "They will be brought back! We will all be complete again with Gabriel…" she rambled.
"Listen to yourself!" Nathalie sneered. "Haven't you realized what you have become? How much have you sacrificed or how much you put at risk? Don't you think you may lose Gabriel too if you continue down this path?" she begged, only to get backhanded by Emilie, knocking her off her feet. Nathalie simply looked back up at Emilie while stroking her cheek. Emilie finally noticed tears threatening to fall and began to sniff. Emilie had reasons to believe it was not the slap that's causing her breakdown right now.
"What happened to you…?" Nathalie asked while her voice broke.
"You never had a family… You never felt what I felt… when you're about to have something you longed for your entire life only to be taken away from you just like that!" Emilie sneered and walked away.
"You're wrong…" she lamented. Then the door behind her opened. It was a man around his early twenties. He had quite a few pounds on him. Nathalie sniffed and wiped the tears off her face and stared at the man, mustering her usual cold demeanor "What do want, Cartman?"
"What? Can't I report my mission to who should I report to? Or did I got in the way of you and your girlfriend?" Cartman mocked. He then put the snake bracelet on the table.
"Where is the other one?"
"Hey, I said that I didn't have the other one yet. But the big boss said to report it anyway before they took this one from me so there you go…"
"Let me guess… Cat Noir has the other miraculous…" Nathalie observed pushing her glasses.
"What about the vault?" Cartman asked.
"Don't worry. The boss had everything taken care of," Nathalie said with confidence.
"Meaning?" Cartman raised an eyebrow.
"The vault had been compromised, those secrets were no longer safe and the boss did not like loose ends…" Nathalie said.
"So what's the next move?" Cartman asked.
"It will be some time before the peacock miraculous is repaired, therefore, I must ask you to take down Cat Noir and track the guardian down," Nathalie said. "If what you're saying is true then it's only a matter of time before Cat Noir recruits new miraculous holders. Particularly, that watch…"
Next Morning…Back in Paris…
Alix was roller-skating her way to an apartment complex while listening "Bulls on a Parade" by Rage Against the Machine while holding a package. When she arrived at the intended apartment, she knocked where the guardian answered.
"Delivery for Wang Fu?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you, young lady," he greeted and accepted the package. After Alix left, the guardian's expression changed to a dire one as went back to where Adrien was waiting for him.
Master Fu was flabbergasted by what Adrien had informed him. He looked at the watch in his hand with recognition.
"I do not understand, this watch must be in the miracle box along with the snake bracelet," he stated as he searched the box.
"Yet I found them both on the vault. On top of that, the Coon got away with the bracelet," Adrien repeated.
"Yes, we must prepare new miraculous holders if there is hope for what is coming. However, this does not what I had envisioned," the master admitted after the miraculous was on full display. He grabbed the pocket watch and the snake bracelet, they both disintegrated.
"Great Scott…" Adrien muttered.
"Fluff! Sass!" the guardian called. The bunny and snake kwami came out and greeted.
"Yes, master?" Fluff asked.
"Sass, I fear you may be in danger," he said as he showed the half disintegrated bracelet to him. The usually collected snake kwami was completely caught off guard. They were silent for a whole solid minute before Sass spoke up…
"I do not understand…"
"Your miraculous is in enemy possession…"
"H-How can this be? I would have become aware of such deceit!" Sass was in utter shock.
"Maybe this was stolen way before you could have known…" Adrien added in. Both Sass and Master Fu stared at Adrien. "Tikki once told me how the kwami became more and more connected to the miraculous. What if it wasn't stolen when the box was taken but… Sass, when was the last time you were used?"
"Used is such an offensive word," Sass retorted, crossing his arms.
"You know what I mean," Adrien insisted.
"That would be, about 200 years ago…"
"Have you've been training since then?"
"I have indeed. I have had the honor to be mentored by my creators as well as my wielders."
"Yet master Fu never trained you himself?" Adrien asked, focusing his stare at the guardian, who shook his head.
"No, we did not. Our survival was our priority…"
"Then maybe, the bracelet was already stolen by then…" Adrien concluded, rubbing his chin. The guardian stroke his face in shame.
"After all these decades… how did I not realize…"
"Master, this box has been sealed for nearly a hundred years. We could have not anticipated this…" Sass tried to comfort him. Only then Fluff finally spoke up.
"Pardon my interruption but what does this affect me?" she asked. Adrien rolled his eyes.
"You were always the confused one, huh?" Adrien asked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Fluff asked.
"The watch has been compromised as well, though I have it right here now…" Adrien said while showing the kwami the watch. "You haven't felt anything either?" he asked. Fluff shook her head.
"No, like Sass, I have not been wielded for so long… Actually…" she lowered her head… Adrien leaned in towards the concerned kwami.
"Yes?" he prompted.
"I may be able to look into the past and try to find out…" she suggested.
"What do you mean?"
"My holder can have the ability to travel to a realm I call the 'pocket dimension' where they are able to observe the past and maybe we will be able to see…"
"That is absolutely out of the question!" the guardian stepped in.
"Master?"
"Whoever holds the bunny miraculous has the great burden of maintaining the events of past events intact…" the guardian revealed, Adrien then stroked his cheek while looking away.
"Maybe, could it be…?" Adrien suggested.
"What are you suggesting?"
"Maybe someone stole it while using the bunny miraculous… If I recall… the wielder can interact with wherever they choose, right?"
"Yes, but the danger of altering history is beyond even my comprehension… However, your theory may reveal why the miraculouses were stolen without the miraculous' noticing…" All four of them simply sat in silence for a few minutes…
…
…
…
…
Then, Adrien decided to break the ice.
"So, Fluff, how is Nooroo doing?"
"He is recovering," Sass said. "He is indeed troubled by his time with Hawk Moth. But he is stronger than he seems."
"You're actually pretty coolheaded," Adrien complemented. "Considering your situation…"
"In my millennia of existence, I have learned that despair leads nowhere," Sass stated.
"Can't say 'no' to that," Adrien agreed.
"I am content that it is not the watch," Sass said. Fluff then flew towards Sass aggressively.
"What's that suppose to mean," she asked. Adrien rolled his eyes and let them with their bickering.
"Uh, so master, you said that you wanted to show what you had intended for Marinette?"
"Oh, yes, I've nearly forgotten," the guardian said. Practically forgetting what had transpired earlier. He went back to his apartment's furniture where he whipped out a notebook with scribbles of notes throughout the pages. "After observing Marinette for some time, I have discovered the astonishing amount of natural stamina she possesses," he said as he found the page he was looking for. Adrien took a look at the notebook and saw that, theoretically, she would be able to withstand the effects of using multiple miraculouses…" he said. Adrien dropped the notebook and motioned his hand as if worry.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on…" He said. "You've told me that using different miraculouses would drain or even drive you nuts," he concluded. "Unless…"
"Yes, Adrien," the guardian admitted. "If a life of constant conflict was an inevitability for Marinette then it is best to have a normal life and be raised for a life of compassion by teaching her a life of selflessness and honor would motivate her to use her 'curse' to fight for good…" he revealed. "We believe she was created with the capacity for this desperate plan…" he concluded. Adrien sighed and leaned his head back.
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around that…" he said. "I mean, it's really not that different from the Ladybug sentimonster," he then remembered her final moments before Mayura disintegrated her back to her keychain form. Causing him to suddenly wrap his arms around himself and shudder with sadness and anger…
"The Ladybug sentimonster was indeed something completely unprecedented. I had never witnessed such a phenomenon…" he wondered, stroking his beard.
"Speaking of which…" Adrien said.
"I'm aware this created some unresolved tension between you and your father," the Guardian observed. Adrien's eyes widened.
"He came here earlier and while he did not tell me, his demeanor was clear,"
"Speaking of him, how is he?" he asked. Looking down as he stroked his arm.
"He's currently on his way to London. Apparently, your mother's family also has their connection with the miraculous arts…"
"London? But that would mean… I… I haven't seen them since I moved here to Paris…" Adrien revealed. "Why would he consult them now?"
"I believe he hopes to find a lead of your mother's location," the Guardian observed. "There is one more thing," he said as he handed Adrien the Bee Hair comb. Adrien stared back at him.
"Master?"
"Marinette's decision was never to entrust Chloe with it again. However, I believe it is your turn to make a decision to who entrust a miraculous," He said with a smile. "With Marinette gone, I believe it will be your turn to recruiting someone you trust with one of the other miraculous, choose wisely," he concluded. Adrien then looked at the comb at his palm and closed it making a fist.
"All right, best be on my way," Adrien said, standing up.
"Of course, Adrien," the guardian said with a smile. "For the time being I will look into what I can find about this 'Coon,'" he said. Adrien looked back at him and smile.
"Thanks, master, I appreciate it," he said. "Plagg?" he called into the box where the black kwami quickly emerge. "How are Nooroo and Trixx doing?" he asked Plagg as he walked out.
"Good luck." The guardian cheered silently as he watched him walk out. After ensuring that Adrien had left, he opened the package he had received earlier.
London…
Gabriel sat in the living room of the family he had once rivaled for his wife's love. The Graham de Vanily residence was considerably bigger and more aristocratic and flamboyant that the Agreste mansion could've never been. This would remind Gabriel of his childhood in poverty…
"Hellooo, Gabriel!" a woman shouted, she sat opposite of him. That quickly snapped out of his trance. She smiled at him and giggled.
"Amelie, for how long have you've been here?"
"A full minute, what still on a trance?" she asked. Gabriel looked out and crossed his arms.
"You could say that…"
"I know why you're here, Gabriel. You may remember that Emilie was the one who first mentioned the power of the miraculous in the first place," Amelie said in a slightly more serious tone.
"Yes she was, so I assume it all came from her family history," Gabriel assumed.
"I highly doubt Emilie told you but you're too perceptive to be fooled," Amile said with a grin.
"She never really told me where she first heard from the miraculous and I've always wondered why she tried to keep it hidden from me," He said as he pushed his glasses. Amelie grinned and stood up as she began pacing around him.
"You always had a knack of thinking ahead. I guess that's how actually climbed your way up from zero. Maybe that's why my sister took an interest in you."
"What's your point?"
"My point is that the reason she ditched was because she didn't want to know where she went or what's her next move," she revealed.
"Enough beating around the bush, Amelie! If you know something, you must tell me!" Gabriel said, making a fist.
"My, my, my, Aren't we hasty today?" Amelie teased. They stared at each other for a few seconds. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Fine, I'll tell you. Though our father was so adamant for us to do it, I have no interest carry on the Blue Mustang."
"So they're still around…"
"In fact, neither did my sister. But well… You know what happened. She began looking into our family history to track them down. I suppose you made your research of the Blue Mustang as well…"
"I might have done some digging about my then girlfriend's family history even before the incident… After all, I was still on my way into climbing to my current wealth…"
"That's why our parents hated you… Your past is a grade-A example of everything they despise…Did Adrien know? I'm sure now she became much more unhinged…"
"No… He never knew anything…"
"If she knows now… I reckon she'll stop at nothing to get the Ladybug and Cat miraculous…" Amelie suggested as she continued walking around him. Causing Gabriel to look down shut his eyes and gritted his teeth.
"Emilie…"
"Come on, Gabriel. My sister and I really love those closest to us and we really hold you, dear," Amelie assured, placing an arm around him. "Remember how you met. When she posed nude for your drawing class…?" she recalled. Gabriel then cleared his throat, cutting her off.
"So, how is Felix?"
"Oh don't worry, he himself has nothing to do with it…"
"Are you sure he doesn't know about the rings…"
"Why would I tell him that?"
"It's a family secret," Gabriel pointed out. "I am sure he's bound to be told sooner or later."
"As you may suspect… Emilie actually came here when she slipped away…" Amelie admitted.
"I figured as such," Gabriel said, pushing his glasses.
"She actually wanted me to join in on her search. Like I said, I declined and she wasn't too happy with that decision…"
"Sounds like you had a verbal brawl," Gabriel observed.
"We did," Amelie confirmed. "Though, it did make me wonder. I know her well, I know she wouldn't come all this way just to ask me that. And I know she already knows everything of our family's relics to search for more answers here so…' she trailed off. "No… It can't be…"
"What…"
"No… SHE WOULDN'T!" Amelie dashed off.
"Amelie!" Gabriel called and followed her.
She reached the family hall of portraits where the Graham de Vanily family's history with the Blue Mustang has been prevalent throughout. Amelie quickly reached her father's urn.
"Your father's ashes?" Gabriel asked but Amelie shook her head.
"My father's ashes were actually scattered in the sea…"
"Then what is this?"
"A hiding spot… a stash…" Amelie revealed.
"For what?"
Amelie wordlessly grabbed the urn and opened only for her expression of anguish to downright shock and disappointment.
"It's gone…"
"What is?" Gabriel asked. But Amelie didn't even turn to him.
"Emilie…why?"
One Month Later…Tiger's Lair, Himalayas
Marinette sat cross-legged in the center of the altar with her eyes closed, with Pinyin hovering right in front of her face with her eyes closed as well. She was reliving her first days as Ladybug and all those times she had succeeded and came up with crazy solutions at an almost inhumane level. Not to mention that speech she gave after the first time they went against Hawk Moth. That adrenaline rush she felt back then. That sudden boost of confidence she never thought she would have. Where did it come from? She opened her eyes back to the present…
"How do you feel?" Abbottess Akane asked.
"You say this is only a warm-up?" It's just so… Intense…"
"You must retread familiar territory before dwelling into the unknown," Akane clarified. "The way to discover your place in this world and to find your true purpose is to start taking a look within yourself before exploring the outside."
"I've been wondering, sometimes I feel if maybe I'm really free to choose my own life… But at the same time… I feel like… even if I was so good at what I did… I never felt like it was enough…"
"Your aspirations in fashion was based upon your experiences and your preferences in life. However, you were created to be a warrior, an endless desire for conflict… Tell me… Why did you decide to remain as Ladybug?" she asked. "You could have decided to discard the Ladybug mantel and you had no restriction to do so…" she concluded. Marinette closed her eyes and thought for a moment. Then it hit her…
"I… I never realized this but… I think I wanted to be Ladybug before being a fashion designer…"
"There's no shame in that. You were created to be that way… That is why we put you in a normal family. We knew you would inevitably choose a life of constant conflict. Therefore we needed you to know what is life like as a civilian before being a warrior."
"But then… Will I ever find happiness?" Marinette asked, hugging herself.
"You must be at peace with your inevitable destiny. However, you also have the ability to create your own reasons to use that drive and what to fight for. Yes, even in the life of a warrior, there is love, family, and happiness while you fight for the good of the people. That's why you're here Marinette, for your sake and others."
Later…
Marinette wondered the hall of the temple among her fellow acolytes. As she made her way to her room, she took a deep breath and collapsed on her bed. She took a look at her tablet and caught the news again. Things weren't exactly improving for Cat Noir as the news was showing Cat facing off against the Coon yet again. One time he went off against him alone and the next one others were joining him. One who was referred to as Pegasus, who could create portals anywhere and another was Ryuko, who Marinette quickly figured out to be Kagami, the design of her costume was something that matched her personality. She felt that it was something she herself would've designed. Some people being interviewed have blamed Cat for the collateral damage, but Marinette took notice of how well Pegasus and Ryuko fought. Cat Noir proved himself to be a decent leader but his lack of a certain power like the Ladybug cure is not making this easy. He's not able to reverse the damages. She had to admit she wouldn't fare much better if she didn't have the Ladybug cure.
She laid face down and closed her eyes.
Early hours in the morning… back in Paris… Adrien's storage bin
With Plagg sleeping on his pillow, Adrien was upon his desk all night with his laptop observing the Coon's movements up close from all the footage he could find. From what he could gather, he's a bit sensitive about his weight and he does have a particular accent, though it may be more of a dialect linked to his personality rather than his region. Master Fu already had Skips look into where he might be from. He felt guilty that he didn't have time to recruit Max or Kagami properly. To be fair, Max was willing to save his mother from a building where the Coon was taking hostage while Kagami was more than willing to help. He wondered if Ladybug would've handled the situation better. He also wondered if the two have thought of the situation since he's already dragged them both to an ongoing fight. They two were very understanding of the situation, if they had any resentment of the situation, they sure weren't showing it.
He sat back and looked up, thinking about his next move. He turned to the desk drawer on his right where there were only two things. There were an Eiffel tower keychain and a small box. He picked up the latter and opened the box where there was the bee hair comb…
Author's note: I'm gonna stop here and I know Max and Kagami's recruitments were rather abrupt but I realized that writing individual chapters with each of them while still fighting the Coon only slowed the story down. Once again this chapter may have come off as an exposition dump. But I did my best to plant some seeds and make this set up at least interesting.
What do you guys think? Please comment, constructive criticism is appreciated.