Orion's POV
It was dark and dusty.
That was all I could think of as I found myself in what looked like a library. An old and abandoned library that was in poor condition. The oddest thing that stuck out to me was the fact the books were new and unused.
"This is so weird..." I whispered as I looked around to see anything else that was odd. I then noticed that there was a person at the front of the library. He was a young man with short white hair and silver eyes. His armor reminded me of a Spartan but also had Gladiator bits in it. His ears were covered by a silver antenna on each side. He looked at me for a moment, then walked up to me and said, "For the Star to rise, the Guard must fall."
"I'm sorry, what?" I inquired, confused by what he said.
He continued to walk toward me, finally stopping a couple of inches away from my chest. He lifted a finger and pushed it against my forehead and said. "It's your turn, young one..."
I woke up with a gasp as the day began. I looked at my alarm clock and saw that it was 5:00 am. Time to get up. I thought as I looked at Ariel and Dion. Ariel was sleeping in an anime-esque fashion. Dion was in a sleeping bag, with one of his books, Samurai of Domination, opened. Curious, I decided to pick it up and flipped to a random page before slamming it shut, my face now a brilliant scarlet red.
Oh jeez... I thought as I put the book down and go to the kitchen, hoping to drink the image out of me. I did not need to see all of that... porn... at this time of day. I pulled out the coffee set that I had brought with me on the trip. I then pulled out four mugs, each a different color and design. I looked around and saw that Nathaniel had an automatic coffee maker in his kitchen.
"Perfect," I whispered as I pulled out my box of coffee pods. "Now to get to work," I murmured as I went to the fridge and began to grab ingredients to cook with.
1 hour later...
Ariel's POV
I woke up with a yawn and to the smell of eggs and... bacon? I sat up and followed the scent to see Orion cooking breakfast.
"Good morning," he greeted, not looking at me as he continued making breakfast. "I figured it might be a good idea to get a head start on our day and make a good first impression."
"That's very nice of you, Orion," I noted as I sat down at the table. "I didn't even know you could cook." Orion simply grinned as he pulled out some chopped potatoes and mixed them with the sausage.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, Ariel." He replied. He then began mixing the mashed sausages by pouring the eggs on them. "Like the fact I can make chorizo taste like absolute heaven." He then pulled out 4 plates and began serving us.
"We'll see about that." I teased, patting his back. With that, Nathaniel and Dion got up and sat at the table.
"What's cooking?" Nathaniel asked, a little groggy from his sleep.
"A little piece of heaven called chorizo," Orion replied, grabbing the mugs and began serving coffee in them. "And coffee for each of us." He pointed at Nathaniel's red-pink mug with a white and blue rabbit on its side. "I wasn't sure what to give you, so I whipped up a mixture of Black Magic and Mexican Altura ended up with something I like to call Magical Girl's Breath."
He pointed to Dion's purple tiger mug and said, "For Dion, I went with more basic brew, that being Donut Shop."
He then turned toward me, "Ariel was a bit difficult," he gestured to my red mug, " I couldn't decide at all what to give her, but ended up with Jamaican Blue Mountain."
"What about you?" Nathaniel asked, making a gesture towards Orion's pink mug.
"I went with Black Ivory." He replied, sitting down as he began to eat.
"This isn't bad," Nathaniel stated as he wolfed down the food. "It's certainly better than a certain cousin's cooking."
I balked, "What? If I remember correctly, it was you who thought it was a good idea to put glitter in the pancakes."
Nathaniel smiled as he shook his head, "Who was the one that poured the glitter, though?"
Orion and Dion started to laugh as Nathaniel and I bickered over the glitter pancakes.
"We better get going," Orion stated, "we're due at school in about an hour from now and I don't think it'd be a good idea if we made a bad first impression, right?"
"That reminds me," Nathaniel turned towards us. "What classes are you guys in any way?"
We all looked at our schedules. "I'm in Ms. Bustier's class, what about you guys?"
Orion looked up. "Same here. How about you Dion?" We turned towards Dion to hear his answer.
"I'm in Ms. Bustier's class as well..." he replied, unsure of the situation.
"Looks like we're all in the same situation then," I commented as we grabbed our stuff. "This way we can all keep an eye on each other's progress and help each other out when the need arises."
With that, we all went to school.
Dion's POV
The principal reminded me of Kobayawa from the Persona series. That wasn't to say that he was fat or anything like that. It just meant that he struck me as somewhat of a pushover and people pleaser.
I didn't trust him.
"-and that concludes our tour of the school," a girl named Marinette Dupain Cheng said, snapping me out of my thoughts. She was the class representative of Ms. Bustier's class. I guess that meant she was the class president.
Didn't know that was a thing here in France.
Marinette struck me as someone who'd let her heart rule her head and was easily starstruck. She also struck me as a bit of a Mary Sue. However, I could tell that it was all just an act.
Needless to say, I didn't trust her either.
"Do you have any questions?" The bluenette asked, getting my attention.
"No, not really," Orion replied. "Thanks for the tour though!" Marinette nodded as she led us back to the classroom.
"So what do you guys think of Paris so far?" Marinette inquired, no doubt trying to find something out about us.
"It's okay," Orion admitted. "We have noticed something though."
"Really?" Marinette noticed, "What would that be?"
"I noticed how some people keep referring to Ms. Bustier's class as the Akuma class," Ariel answered, a glint of caution in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed by me or Orion. "Why is that?"
Marinette sighed for a moment. "It's because, well... it's because our class has the most people that were Akumatized."
"Have you?" I asked in a polite tone, hoping not to press her.
She shook her head. "No, not yet." She then turned around and led us to the classroom. "And hopefully never..." I heard her whisper.
"So..." I remarked, "Anyone we need to worry about or avoid?" I figured that since we would be going to a school like Francoise Dupont, there was bound to be unpleasant people.
"There's Chloe..." Marinette replied, her eyes giving out a hint of annoyance at the mere mention of the name. "She's the Mayor's daughter and likes to abuse her position as such. She's usually followed by her 'friend' Sabrina."
"Is Sabrina a bad person? I asked.
"No," Marinette replied. "She's more of a mindless minion than her own person."
"I see..." I didn't.
"Well," Marinette said as she picked up her binder and began walking. "We'd better get to class. New student or not, Mr. Jackson doesn't discriminate when it comes to tardy students."
"Mr. Jackson?" I asked. "Who's that?"
"Our history teacher." Marinette replied, "He was a Vietnam veteran before he became a teacher here."
"What's he like?" Orion inquired.
"He's... dedicated to his work..." Marinette trailed off as we walked to the classroom.
"Hey," I heard Ariel whisper in Yiddish, getting both mine and Orion's attention. "Did you guys notice?"
"Notice what?" I asked in Irish Gaelic, confused by what she said.
"How she resembles Maraquita without her costume on?" Orion replied in Greek. "That's probably a coincidence, but we ought to keep an eye on her just in case."
Orion's POV
Mr. Jackson was a rather portly fellow and well composed for someone who participated in Vietnam. He was around Dion's height with a Professor Port look to him.
"History," he began, "is a very important and sacred part of the world." He began walking around the classroom. "It's much like how a pastor sees the bible, it's sacred. How the farmer holds the ground between his hands as he tills the soil to make crops, it's sacred. Or how people here see the Eiffel tower and beam with pride, it's sacred. History is what shapes us as a species and individual." He turned towards us students. "Now would anyone like to tell me why in 1975, the US pulled their troops out of Vietnam?" No one answered for a moment.
Finally, Marinette raised her hand, her face full of confidence.
"Yes?" Mr. Jackson said as he pointed at Marinette.
"The failure of Vietnamization to win popular support caused an ongoing erosion of confidence in the various American but illegal Saigon regimes." She finished, her face displaying the biggest shit-eating grin I had ever seen.
Oh jeez... I thought as I noticed the sudden change in the atmosphere in the room. That probably wasn't the right thing to say to someone like him.
Mr. Jackson lightly chuckled as he ever so slightly shook his head. "Is she right?" He asked the classroom, the smile never leaving his face. "Because I know that's the popular version of what went on over there. I wish I could believe it but I was there. I wasn't in a classroom, thinking about it, hoping I was right," Mr. Jackson then pointed at his legs and yelled, "I WAS UP TO MY KNEES IN RICE PATTIES, WITH GUNS THAT DIDN'T WORK, GOING UP AGAINST CHARLIE, SLUGGING IT OUT WITH HIM!" He then pointed at Marinette, who had a look of confusion and fear on her face. "WHILE PUSSIES LIKE YOU WERE BACK HERE PARTYING, PUTTING ON HEADBANDS, DOING DRUGS, LISTENING TO THE GODDAMN BEATLE ALBUMS!" Mr. Jackson then began screaming at Marinette, almost making her cry. Dion couldn't help but almost laugh at this scene. Ariel was watching with complete horror and I was just mildly amused by the spectacle taking place.
Suddenly, the door slammed open as Ms. Bustier and Ms. Mendeliev ran in, grabbed Mr. Jackson by the arms, and dragged him out while he was kicking and screaming.
Everyone was quiet for a moment, unsure as to what the hell had just happened.
"So..." I heard Dion say as we exited the classroom. "you want to talk about what just happened?" It was the end of the school day and we were meeting up with Nathaniel so we could walk home.
"I'm not sure what just happened..." I replied. "But I will say this: That was hilarious!" I started laughing quietly as other students began passing by us.
"That was.. something," Ariel murmured, not noticing the blonde in front of her.
"Yeah," the blonde said, "Mr. Jackson can get pretty intense when you bring up his time in the military." He turned around to face us. He was a short-haired blonde with green eyes. His shirt was black with different colored stripes with a white collared button-up shirt that hung open. "But he's a pretty nice guy once you get to know him."
"And you are?" Ariel asked, a little confused at the sudden interruption.
"I'm sorry," the boy said, "where are my manners? My name's Adrien Agreste." He said his own name like he was supposed to be someone important but instead, we just looked at him like he was some kind of moron.
"Okay, and?" I replied, not understanding him.
"I'm the model for the Agreste fashion line?" He replied.
"Nope," Dion commented, shaking his head. "Still doesn't ring a bell."
"Huh," Adrien remarked, his face now an expression of deep thought. "Weird." He then looked at us and asked, "Who're you guys?"
I pushed up my glasses. "My name is Orion Pax," I replied.
"Ariel Kurtzberg." Ariel introduced herself, "You might know Nathaniel Kurtzberg, we're cousins."
"I'm Dion Mcfinnigan," Dion simply said. Adrien looked at him closely. "What?" Dion inquired.
"You look like someone I know," Adrien commented. "Have we met?"
Dion chuckled, "I get that a lot." He shook his head. "Sorry though, you might have me confused for someone else."
"Hm," Adrien went before shrugging it off. "That being said, what's your opinion on Paris so far?"
"A little too lively for my liking," I replied, "but I really like the cultural differences between here and America."
"I personally love the food here!" Ariel commented as her eyes in a dreamy state. "It's amazing what you have here!"
"It's alright," Dion said, "speaking of eating though, do you know where we can get something to eat?"
"I've heard that there was a bakery around here that's pretty good." The model replied. He then received a text on his phone, his face now changing into a depressed expression. "I've gotta go," he said as he gathered his belongings, "It was nice meeting you guys!"
We all waved back at him as he left in a limo with the door being opened by a rather large man who had a gorilla-like face.
"Is it me," I whispered in Greek as we walked towards the art room. "Or does he remind you of Gato Negro as well?"
"It could be a coincidence for sure," Dion replied in Irish Gaelic as we turned a corner. "Still too early to know for sure." He sighed, "We should keep on an eye on him as well, though, just in case."
"Definitely," Ariel commented in Yiddish. "Can you imagine how stupid we'd look if we told everyone that Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste were really Ladybug and Chat Noir without having any proof? We'd look like idiots for sure!"
We stopped in front of the art room as Ariel opened the door. Nathaniel was sleeping at his desk, exhausted by his art project.
Ariel's POV
I smiled as I saw Nathaniel peacefully asleep at his desk. I remembered when we were kids he would always be drawing something. Judging from his current drawing, he appeared to have a fascination with Ladybug. "Nathaniel," I said, shaking him lightly, "It's time to go home."
Nathaniel groaned as he gently pushed my hand away. "Please mom..." he moaned as he turned in his chair, "5 more minutes..." I grew sad as he said this.
Nathaniel's mother, my aunt Ruth, had passed away when we were in Kindergarten. She was terminally ill due to her type 2 diabetes and constant back problems. It was about 5 days after Nathaniel's 8th birthday when they found her dead in her favorite chair. She had apparently fallen asleep reading her favorite book and never woke up.
"Nathaniel," I repeated, shaking him a little bit harder, "It's me, Ariel." Nathaniel woke up, his eyes still somewhat shut. "Let's get you back home, Da Vinci." I said, using my nickname for him. I helped pull him up from his chair as he sluggishly got up and hobbled towards the door. I motioned for Orion and Dion to grab his stuff as we exited the art club.
"What with him?" Orion inquired as he grabbed Nathaniel's art supplies.
"He fell asleep while working on a project." I replied, trying not to let go of him so he could accidentally walk into a wall. "He's done this before."
"I see..." Dion commented, grabbing his backpack.
"It's probably best if we dropped him off at the house first and then head to that bakery." I said as we walked
off the school grounds.
Dion's POV
We had just dropped Nathaniel off at the house when we decided to take advice from the Agreste kid and head on over to the bakery to get something to eat.
"I'm getting macaroons," I said, imagining all the different colored macaroons.
"I want croissants!" Ariel commented, her mouth already watering from just imagining them.
"Anything is fine for me, I guess..." Orion trailed off. An action that did not go unnoticed by me or Ariel.
"What is it?" I asked looking to where he been staring at.
"I don't know..." Orion replied. "I think something's calling to me..." At first I thought he was crazy but then I heard a voice speak.
"Come..." It said, whispering in my mind as the three of us stopped what we were doing and followed the voice.
It was a while before we eventually found the point of origin for the mysterious voice. That being a large empty field...
"Well," Orion remarked as he looked around the field. "This was a bust." He sighed as he turned around. "What did I expect though? Following a voice in my head now sounds extremely stu-GAH!" He never got to finish his sentence mainly because he fell into a rather large hole that was covered.
"Orion!" Ariel and I screamed, running towards where he had fell.
"Are you alright?" I asked, hoping that nothing happened to him. A thud was our answer.
Orion's POV
It wasn't that deep of a hole, it just could easily catch you off guard if you weren't paying attention. After I had recovered from my fall, I got up and dusted myself off.
That wasn't too bad of a fall. I thought as I rubbed my sore butt. Could've been worse. A whole lot worse. I looked around to see if there was anything I could use to lift myself out of the hole. I then turned around and let out a loud yelp as I saw something terrifying: a screaming mummy like robot with one of its mechanical fingers stretched out.
It was knight-like in appearance with the outer plating partially rusted away to where its internals were exposed but there was still enough to tell what it had once looked. It seemed old, like really old. Did I mention that it was big, too?
"Orion!" I heard Ariel and Dion say.
"Are you alright?!" I heard Ariel scream as I looked towards where I fell from.
"You guys need to see this!" I yelled. "I can't even begin to describe what I'm seeing!" A few minutes later I heard a thud and two voices grunting in pain.
"That fall's quite the doozy, huh?" Ariel asked as she dusted her skirt off.
"You have a skirt to slow the fall," Dion replied, rubbing his butt. "Orion and I just have pants." He then noticed the Robo-knight behind me.
"Whoa..." Ariel commented as she got a closer look. "That is one giant knight..."
"I think it might be something else..." I said looking at it. "Look at this," I pointed at some marks on its body. "It looked like it was attacked by something."
"Or someone..." Dion trailed off as he pointed at something else. It was a human skeleton that was dressed in knight armor. "They look ancient."
"Look at their faces and wounds," Ariel said, looking at both bodies. "It's almost like they died fighting each other..."
"Not just that," Dion commented. "There's more of these guys over there, look." He pointed to our right and sure enough, he was right. There more Robo-knights and human remains everywhere, scattered across the entire underground area.
"Looks like a battle took place here," I noted. "Or maybe a war?"
Ariel shook her head, "Maybe it was a tournament gone wrong?"
"I think the giants are alien robots," Dion said. "It's the only logical explanation as to why they look so advanced."
"Aliens?" Ariel deadpanned, "Really?"
"It makes sense..." Dion replied.
"Guys..." I remarked, getting their attention. "What's that?" We saw a light from behind a Robo-knight emanating. The Robo-knight in question had the look of Sauron, the main villain from the Lord of the Rings films. He just needed the one ring and it completed the image.
"It feels... familiar..." Dion whispered. "So weird..."
"I know..." Ariel replied her eyes fixated on the blue glow. "We should check it out."
I looked at them before nodding. "You're right," I remarked. "There's no way of knowing unless we check it out..." We were about to enter it when I suddenly added, "We better be careful. There's no telling what's over there..." Realizing I was right, Dion looked around and saw a dead human knight with a sledgehammer next to it.
"Forgive me sir," he said, putting his hands together in prayer and bowing in respect. "I must use this to defend myself. I hope it won't be a bother..." He then picked up the sledgehammer before rejoining us.
Ariel decided to grab a set of daggers from a deceased assassin. "These have gotta be some use," she argued, "otherwise they wouldn't be here in the first place."
I looked around to see a sword sticking out of a dead body. "I'll go with this," I told myself. I tried it pick it up but instead was surprised with a lot of resistance from the blade. I grunted as I kept pulling on the sword until I accidentally let go and landed near a giant sword that was in the wall. Groaning, I pulled myself up only to hear a loud click. Ariel, Dion, and I looked at the sword as it suddenly began to change size.
Whrr-tschzz-tschzz-tschzz-chk!
The sword did nothing before suddenly shifting between sizes as we watched. The blade began to crumble itself, almost like it was made of tiny cubes, somehow reducing its size. When it was done, it looked like it was about the size someone my own height and weight would wield.
"What the heck...?" I whispered, looking in awe as I studied it. It was European in origin, almost like something out of the legends of King Arthur.
(Sword from The Last Knight)
"Shall we?" Ariel said, getting our attention before pointing at the blue light.
"Yeah..." I replied, slowly moving. "Follow my lead..." I placed myself in front of them as we walked towards the light, ready for anything...
