Chapter 11 – Monoplegia
Okay, I had no freaking clue on what to do next. Eventually, I concluded, that another filler-chapter would probably be the best, so that we can get that limb arm healed in semi-realistic time. Also, so I can include some of these scenes without needing to force them into an episode-chapter.
-s-s-s-
"…Dude, can you please keep out of my personal space?", I asked seriously uncomfortable, „At least give me about half a meter or two?"
"Kid, I'm not giving you half an inch. At least until your arm is good again, I'm gonna stick to your side like glue.", Mark Stieber, a nurse from the hospital, explained, pure rationality in his voice.
„I get that.", I assured him, though still annoyed, „But I'm literally just going to school!"
Quite frankly, that I now had someone to monitor me and keep me from being a reckless idiot was bad enough as is. But the feeling of him constantly breathing down my neck, was just unsettling. Plus, the weird looks everyone around was giving us were making me nervous.
„Believe it or not, akumas show up around schoolgrounds quite often.", he replied strictly, „That's even more reason to stick around."
„…So, anyway, can I go to school now?", I asked again, and added carefully, „On my own, per chance?"
But, very much to my dismay, he declined yet again, „Not happening, kid."
I let out an annoyed sigh, „Goddammit, Mark! I don't want everyone to stare at me! That's not good for me either!"
„Okay then, listen! We just may be able to compromise!", he suggested at long last, „You can go to school on your own, but I'm staying right out here, keeping watch. And the moment anything strange starts happening, I'm taking you out, okay?"
„…Like, knock me out, get me outta here or invite me to dinner?", I asked by the way, and completely unnecessarily as he pointed out, „You know exactly what I mean."
„Yeah I do.", I confirmed with a grin on my face, before walking off towards school-grounds.
This time, I heard Mark let out a sigh behind me, „Kid, seriously. Please take care. The human body can only take so much, before he breaks down for good."
I looked back at him. The concern in his voice was definitely genuine. But still, „Sorry, I don't make promises I can't keep." And thus, before he could even argue, I ran off.
-x-x-x-
Ever tried opening a door without any use of your dominant hand? It's no fun. I had to awkwardly twist my left hand to operate the door-handle, and then, since something was standing behind the door, had to shove it open with my shoulder.
Of course, whatever blocked it, was suddenly removed from the door, causing me to stumble into the classroom and, due to a lack of balance with my broken arm, fall straight to the ground in front of the teachers desk. And guess what I landed on! Right on top of my broken hand! Needless to say, a pained whine tore through the awkward silence as I laid there, trying to numb out the pain of a shattered hand.
„Oh dear, Manuel!", Ms. Bustier asked from behind the door, „Are you alright?"
„Feeling fan-freaking-tastic.", I replied deadpanned, whilst trying to get back up without putting any pressure on my bad arm. „No, nobody try to help me, that would be asking for a big too much!"
Upon finally getting back up to my feet, I noticed everyone staring at me, with expressions ranging from confused to concerned. "…What?", I eventually asked plainly, "You didn't really think my arm would get better within a day, did ya?"
"No, but… I thought… Weren't you… I mean…", Marinette fumbled over her words. Clearly trying to find a way to ask about me without saying she was AT the hospital yesterday.
Luckily for her, Ms. Bustier took over, "Manuel, you shouldn't be here yet! You should be in the hospital, getting some rest! We've all seen what happened to you!"
"Probably…", I agreed with her, whilst walking over to my desk, "Unfortunately, I'm not known for making smart decisions." And with that, I sat down and put down my dead arm on my desk.
"I- I'm sorry, but I don't think I can just let you stay here all unsupervised.", the teacher threw in, seeming slightly disturbed, probably by my completely unbothered attitude.
"I'm not unsupervised. There's a nurse just outside the schoolgrounds, just waiting to take me back to the hospital.", I pointed out as I sat down. "Plus, I don't think I can skip any more lessons.", I replied as I tried, and failed, to get my notebook out of my bag.
Unfortunately, Ms. Bustier wasn't accepting that excuse, "But, if you have a medical condition such as this, you're, of course, excused from school until you're feeling better! What kind of teacher would I be, if I had you attend my classes when you can barely move?!"
"Oh, I can move just fine.", I lied with a straight-as-an-arrow face. "Just hurts like hell to do so…", I added in my mind.
"Ah, splitting hairs.", Alix commented by the way, "The favourite tool of those who pretend to care but actually don't."
"You what?", I listened up, slightly insulted, "I'm the one who fights akumas! If anything, I care too much!"
"Well, not about your health you don't.", Alya pointed out, sounding slightly judgemental, "You keep throwing yourself into hopeless battles, barely make it out alive, and act all like 'That's just my life'!"
I gave her a straight look and replied, "Because it IS my life. At least now, it is."
"What I think Alya was trying to say is…", Ms. Bustier cut in again, "While it is admirable that you're putting in so much effort into helping others, don't you think the lengths you go to are a bit… let's say extreme?"
"Oh, they definitely are.", I confirmed confidently, "And you better believe me, I'm gonna go on even further!"
"Why would you?", Chloe, surprisingly, took word with a puzzled look, "You don't get paid, you hate attention, and it certainly isn't YOUR job to fight supervillains."
"Actually, it kinda is.", I thought to myself, but just managed to stop myself from saying that out loud. Couldn't blow my cover in front of ALL of these people here. So, instead I went with a half-truth, "Well, it isn't NOT my job."
„What is THAT supposed to mean?", Chloe asked annoyed, to which I replied, „I'm a Parisian citizen now. And those… things are wreaking havoc on our city, attacking innocent people and causing destruction left and right. I get, that my life is going to hell in the process, but if others can be saved by my actions, I'm happy. The life of many outweigh the life of one, and I gladly volunteer mine."
A moment of silence is what my overly dramatic, and entirely fake, speech earned. Right before Alya pointed out, „Uhh, that's called Martyrdom, I believe?"
"Self-Sacrifice is the word you're looking for.", Adrien provided, before turning back to me, "But, while it's admirable, it really shouldn't be YOU doing that."
"But-", I tried to get another statement in, but Ms. Bustier stepped in, "Alright, class, I think that's enough. I'm sure Manuel's understood your point by now."
"Sure, but-" "However-", she cut me off before I could restart the discussion again, "I'm also sure, that you'll all do your part in making sure he recovers well, and keep him from getting hurt even more, right?"
With a disapproving "Fine.", Chloe turned away again, whilst the rest of the class agreed hastily, "Yes, Ms. Bustier!"
-x-x-x-
I'm going to skip a good part of school and focus on the… let's call them semi-relevant points. My notes were quite illegible to anyone but me, with the exception of a few lines which were illegible EVEN to me. Because, obviously, a right-handed mind doesn't write well with the left hand.
Nathaniel happened to sneak a short glance at one of my pages, and offered to let me take pictures of his notes instead. And it was then, that I had to explain that I haven't got a phone… yet. Gonna need to start working on that. Invaluable devices in this era of technology.
And as fate would have it, Nathaniel, who sat just across, happened to sneak a glance at my writing. "…Can you… actually read that?", he asked, sounding genuinely confused.
I looked him deadpan in the face, and replied straight as an arrow, "Parts of it, yes."
Taking a few seconds to speak again, probably picking his words very carefully, he continued, "If you want to… you can take pictures of my notes."
Offering me his notes, which contained more drawings than actual words, he quickly added, "Not to say, that you need it or anything!"
"No, of course not.", I replied just as quickly, but then had to awkwardly explain, "The problem is just… I don't have a phone…"
It probably goes without saying, but Nathaniel had quite the perplexed look on his face. "You don't?"
"I don't.", I reconfirmed.
"Can you just not afford one, or do you not want one?", he asked curiously.
"Neither of those.", I improvised on the spot, "I wasn't allowed to have one, so I wouldn't get spoiled."
"You mean spoiled like Chloe?", he asked with a slight groan in his voice, which I confirmed, "Exactly. Not that I ever WAS spoiled in the first place… or even privileged for that matter."
"That's a seriously harsh life.", he spoke to himself.
"Nah, it's just my life.", I replied with a confident grin, and then moved on… whilst forgetting about his notes.
-o-o-o- (lunchtime)
"Whoa there, pal!", Kim called out as I tried to heave my half-full tray with my single healthy hand, "Let me get that for you!"
"…" I remained silent. This reminded me specifically about that time when everyone was rushing to Lila's aid when she pretended to have a sprained wrist. Or I suppose that is GOING to happen… "Not happening.", I declined strictly, "It's fine."
Just to prove my point, I put, like, twice the amount of food on my tray, and then proceeded to barely get it off the table. "Putting this much weight on a single arm is going to result in drastic failure with a probability of 90,284 %.", Max pointed out as he joined us.
"Then I'm game.", I just accepted these conditions out of pure spite, and heaved that goddamn tray with a single hand.
Afterwards, I didn't actually get to participate in Ms. Mendeleiev's class, because, apparently, my injuries were too much a liability to reliably partake in the experiments.
So instead, I was sent out of the classroom, where Mr. Damocles promptly proceeded to pick me up and lead me to his office for what had to be yet another scolding…
-x-x-x-
"At this point, I think you know why you're here, Mr. Gilson.", Damocles spoke upon sitting down at his desk, a subtle sigh in his tone.
"My complete and utter disregard for my own physical health?", I replied with a deadpan voice of my own. Sent to the principal's office twice in not even 10 days. If THAT doesn't mark me down as a Bad-BoyTM I don't know what will.
"Yes and No.", Damocles answered, and let out an audible sigh, "See, we've had this talk before, but… This time, we really need to address your impulsive behaviours."
"I ain't gonna quit is what I'm telling you right now.", I made clear right off the bat, making the principal groan in exhaustion, "Urgh, Manuel Gilson, I'm aware you have a serious drive to prove yourself! Many boys your age have that! But there needs to be a limit!"
Now THERE he mentioned something that jumped out at me, "Wait, is THAT what you're getting from that? That I'm just trying to make a name for myself?"
The fact, that he took quite a long time to find a fitting answer, is what sold the idea for me, so I continued, "Wow, that's SO far off the mark, I don't even know if you've paid attention to me so far!"
"Yes, I have! Quite a lot, I should say!", Damocles defended himself, "Ever since that day you straight up challenged a supervillain all by your lonesome!"
"Then you should know that I HATE attention!", I explained my situation for what had to be the hundredth time, "But the thing is, that there are certain things I can do, that other's can't! Things I HAVE to do, else I'd just drown in guilt and regret!"
"Like fighting hopeless battles and getting injured over and over?", the principal asked. He wasn't even being cynical or sarcastic, just legitimately confused.
But at the same time, I couldn't exactly tell him the whole truth. Apart from the Miraculous-holders, Soleil is the only one I trust to that extend thus far. Instead, I just gave him a half-lie as an excuse, "Not just fighting, but actively buy time! As a teacher, I'm sure you understand to some extent."
Given his puzzled look, he had no clue what I meant. So, I explained further, "I have the physical abilities to tank hits that would be fatal to others. I can put up a fight against villains who would kill anyone in their sight, given the chance. Therefore, I opt to not let them get a chance. Doesn't matter if I get injured or can't do any meaningful damage. I can buy time for others to run and survive until our heroes show up."
Honestly, I wanted to puke with how cringey and sappy this speech was. But given, that I couldn't let this guy know I was some sorta chosen one, I had to play the noble role instead.
For a moment, he couldn't think of anything to say. Therefore, I spoke again instead, „Listen, I get that you worry about me. There's lots of people who worry about my actions. But it's fine, really. I'll be more careful to not get injured… well, not too much at least. But I really gotta get going now. I still have another appointment in the hospital."
And thus, I simply left the office again. For the third time within 10 days!
-o-o-o- (about two hours later)
"Well, at the very least no NEW injuries.", nurse Anabelle noted after about an hour of VERY thorough check-ups, "Unfortunately, the pre-existing ones barely healed at all. Are you sure you have given your body proper rest?"
I thought back to how I forced an unnecessary amount of exhaustion on myself by filling a
tray to the maximum and carrying it with a single hand. "…Definitely."
"Well, he did skip the science-experiment in class.", my personal nurse Mark pointed out, „So that's something at least."
I wanted to point out, that I didn't skip on my own volition, but I figured I didn't NEED to push the reckless image of myself. It was bad enough as is anyway.
"Either way, you still aren't in any sort of good condition.", nurse Anabelle reiterated, before pointing out yet again, "It would be much better if you just stayed for a few more days and took a break."
A sigh escaped me. Four times we've had this conversation before, and apparently, we were gonna have it a lot more times. "I don't have that kind of time!", I declined again, "I have schoolwork to keep up with and a grandfather to take care of!"
"That grandfather can very well take care of himself.", the voice of Master Fu suddenly spoke, making me jump a bit. "But I thank you for the concern.", he added, as he fully stepped into the room.
"Ah, Mister Fu.", Mark greeted him, before offering his hand, "Mark Stieber, I'm the one watching over your grandson at the moment."
"I greatly appreciate it, but I think I can relieve you of that burden now.", Master Fu replied calmly, before looking my way again, "If that's alright, I will be taking care of him from now on."
"Frankly, I'm glad.", Mark admitted deadpanned, to which I called out slightly offended, "Hey, I'm not THAT bad!"
"You literally refuse to let me open a door for you! Even though you're righthanded!", he replied annoyed, where I retaliated, "I can manage, thank you!"
"Yeah, I've seen that! First thing you did when I left your side, was flop right on your face when you entered the classroom!"
Admittedly, I didn't have a counter for this one. He did make a valid point there. And continuing to argue would just be 'wanting to be right', so I refrained from doing so.
Luckily, I didn't have to, since Master Fu took word again, "Then we'd best make sure your arm heals as fast as possible." Whilst almost pulling me out the door, he continued, "And a good start would be some well-earned rest."
-w-w-w- (Narration)
At the same time, Hawk Moth stood in his lair, surrounded by his white butterflies flying around unusually nervous. As the bearer of the butterfly-miraculous reached out, trying to sense some strong negative emotion emanating from his yet unknown victim, he grew increasingly frustrated.
Not because he couldn't pinpoint any, but because the reason for it was his own emotion whirling within. Riled up as he was, it was impossible for him to sense any feelings outside of his own, and by the minute he grew more upset.
"What's stopping me?!", he called out angrily whilst gripping his head, trying to shut up his erratic thoughts, and causing his butterflies to gain some distance, "Numbing my emotions has never been an issue before! Why can't I just supress them now?!"
"So you better take a chill-pill for a few days now!" That threat still echoed in his head, "Otherwise, believe me, I WILL find you! And when I do, I will SNAP! YOUR! NECK! GOT IT?!"
Subconsciously, he held his neck whilst his anger skyrocketed again, "How dare he? Directly threaten me?! Who does this boy think he is?!"
Feeling his heartrate and blood pressure rise even more, he cursed to himself, "You'll regret this… I'll make you regret this! I'll make you regret EVER raising your hand against me!"
After letting out a final frustrated scream, he sank to his knees, panting heavily as his rage subsided and his heartrate returned to normal. "I can't do anything. Not right now. Nooroo… Dark wings, fall."
-o-o-o- (barely 5 minutes later)
Not gonna lie, travelling via giant leaps with the power of a magical relic is incredibly efficient. Also, oddly stealthily. Like, no one ever seems to get noticed doing that, unless they're on the rooftops themselves.
Anyway, now, back in Fus shop, the first thing that awaited me there, was a white kwarmi that pushed itself into my face, "KIDDO! You're back!"
"Ow-ow-ow- Whissp! Your spines!", I called out in pain, causing him to back up quickly, "Oh! Sorry! Keep forgetting about 'em!"
Now, with Whissp minding his distance but still watching my broken arm very concerned, I couldn't help but ask Master Fu, "So, uhh… Hate to impose, but do you happen to have another one of those healing orbs?"
"Not a finished one, but one in the working.", he declined simply, "It should be done by tomorrow morning."
Letting out a relieved sigh, I carefully sat down on the floor, "Uff… Thanks. Can't wait for this here to get healed. Then I can get back to my job."
"About that.", Fu spoke up, "After what happened last time, I think you should leave that to me until we have sufficiently explored the new miraculous."
That reminded me about something that had been on my mind since the Horror-nurse in the hospital, "Ah yes! While on the topic! There is something important I've been meaning to ask you about!"
He looked kind of surprised at first, but then replied, "It can be expected, that you'll have a lot of questions over time. After all, it is a different world than the one you're from. So go ahead, I want to lighten your burden in any way I can."
Thinking for a moment on how to word my question, I eventually asked, "Are there any possible… side-effects to using a miraculous?"
His eyes widened for a moment. I must've touched a bit of a sore spot right there. However, he did answer me ever so hesitantly, "Well, that depends on the wearer and the miraculous in question."
"How so?", I pushed further, so he got a bit more explicit, „Every miraculous has a certain nature to it. If the nature of the miraculous and its wearer matches very well, its power can grow far beyond its usual limits. Unfortunately, the same principle works the other way as well."
„You mean, if the nature of the miraculous and the wearer conflict with one another…", I combined myself, which he confirmed, „They could cause great harm to one another. The miraculous may get damaged over time, or its bearer could suffer anytime they use its power. Though I do admit, that that would be the worst outcome, both scenarios have occurred multiple times throughout history. Precious miraculous were shattered, and celebrated heroes have died."
I stayed silent, processing the grim lore I was learning here. Master Fu was certainly knowledgeable, but a lot of that knowledge must be more of a curse than a blessing.
My silence must've spoken volumes, because he too acknowledged, „Yes, oftentimes our world is a dark one indeed. But worry not. Wayzz and I will make sure you never fall to it."
„Th-Thank you, Master Fu.", I forced out, whilst exchanging wary glances with Whissp. To think, that we could end up killing each other, sent a chill down my spine.
„You have a lot of valuable traits, Manuel Gilson.", Fu spoke up again, „But senseless curiosity is not one of them. You would not have asked if there weren't a reason for it."
„Am I THAT easy to read?", I questioned sceptically, which he declined, sort of, „You are to me. Did something happen?"
Thinking about how exactly to tell him what happened last night, I eventually explained myself to him, "You see… Last night, when that akuma was in the hospital… I was forced to make use of Whissps power, and… something like 2 minutes later, lightning shot out of it, shocking me, and I think Whissp too."
"It didn't.", the hedgehog kwarmi declined, "Didn't even feel it. Just noticed you were quite winded."
"So, the exposure to the power of the hedgehog caused you pain, you say?", Master Fu asked for clarification, which I did give him, "If you want to put it like that, yes."
"Wait wait wait!", Whissp interrupted perplexed, "That doesn't mean that we're incompatible, does it?! It was just an accident from too little training, right?!"
Fu and I exchanged uncertain glances for a second, then the master broke the news to him, "I'm afraid it wasn't. Shocks like that are a common side-effect from exposure to an incompatible miraculous."
"I get this is hard, Whissp, but you and me… We can't work together.", I supported Master Fu, though with a knot of guilt forming in my stomach, "It would only harm me over time, and may even damage your miraculous over time. There's no way I can knowingly let that happen."
The information took a few seconds to set in. Then a sniff escaped the little hedgehog as his eyes began to water. "F-Fine then…", he accepted, but his voice was trembling, "I'll just… wait for another wearer… I guess…" One last sniff, and then Whissp disappeared back into his bracelet.
I felt a hand carefully grip my arm, and then heard Master Fus voice speak to me, "It is for the best, Manuel. For you, and for Whissp."
"Y-Yes…", I agreed, my gaze still on the white bracelet, "But… he seems so heartbroken. I hope he'll be fine… Over time, at least…"
-e-e-e-
Heya guys, I'm back and HOLY SHIT IT'S BEEN LONG! Yeah, I had absolutely no idea on what to do with this chapter, and kept running into dead ends, so it was quite hard to write. I'll try to up the upload rate again, but I can't promise anything. At least I have a slight idea on where I'm going with the next one.
Also: The whole compatibility-concept I'm talking about here isn't canon to my knowledge. It's just my way of nerfing Manuel's miraculous.
Next time on A tale of superheroes and animations: With Whissp and Manuel being incompatible, the civilian-hero is back to square one: Experimenting and researching the new miraculous. A much easier task with a healed arm, but not a simple one at that. And it gets far more complicated, when the Greek gods decide to meddle in the mortal world.
