Chapter 1: Master Fu's Shop
"Here take these petals. Drinking hibiscus tea when you are stressed will relax you and give you peace of mind to focus on your work." -Master Fu explained to his customer handing him the petals. "Just make sure to also take time for yourself and not work so hard."
"But my boss is working me to the bone and I want to make sure I can buy my wife and kids everything they want! How will this tea help me do that?" -the customer replied
"The tea will not fix all of your problems, but it will help you relax so maybe you can see them in a new way. It might help you fix what you do not know needs fixing." -Fu replied calmly
Just then the clock on the wall began to ding as it was time for the shop to close. The customer walked out after purchasing the tea, the bell on the door ringing when it shut. Master Fu walked back to the main room when Wayzz appeared from the phonograph housing the Miraculous Box.
"Master, you always know how to help everyone."
"I just wish I could have helped keep all of the Miraculouses safe." -Master Fu replied with a saddened response as he began to mix up tea in his pot.
"Do not worry master, we will find them soon. Plus because of your choice of Miraculous holders for Tikki and Plagg, Paris has been saved time and time again!"
"You are right Wayzz, that does make me feel better, thank you." -Fu replied with a smile.
Just then they heard the door open and the bell ring. Fu was surprised while Wayzz zoomed back into the phonograph to hide.
"I am sorry sir but the shop is closed, please come again tomorrow." -Fu continued to make his tea as he spoke to the unknown person.
"I did not realize I needed to come during shop hours to have tea with an old friend" -expressed a familiar voice to Master Fu.
Through the doorway walked in a young man, who seemed to be in his late twenties or early thirties but whose eyes looked as if they had lived the last 100 years. He did not wear what you would expect. He was wearing what looked like an old French officer's uniform from the Great War. Shining black boots, crimson red trousers, a dark blue coat, and a crimson red cap.
Suddenly Wayzz appeared in the room with an excited look, and began to fly around the man.
"Raymond!" -Wayzz expressed with excitement
The man smiled and turned to Master Fu "Hello Master"
"Hello Mr. Croix." -Fu replied "I would be honored to have you join me for some tea"
"There is no other tea in the world I would have." -Mr. Croix replied
Both men went into the main room where Master Fu sat out and prepared two tea cups. Mr. Croix sat cross legged on the mat as Master Fu handed him his cup and joined him. Both men sat quietly for a few minutes enjoying the tea that had been prepared.
"It is hard to believe we have been doing this for so long. It is amazing to think the first time we met here was when I was a young teacher who was sent to fight with the army like so many of my students." -Mr. Croix began to reminisce.
"If I remember right too you were so afraid but determined to protect your students. You had that exact same uniform on. I do not think you knew what was ahead of you, no one did." -Master Fu replied
"It was your tea that helped me gain the courage to go forward, and your tea which helped me move on after it was all over." -Mr. Croix responded, taking a sip "It was also a previous Ladybug which is why I am still here, and why I devoted my life to helping you, especially after the gift she gave me."
Master Fu began to laugh "I still wish she had not given you that gift and changed the natural order of life, but I can't say very much either."
Both men started to laugh as they finished their tea.
"Master, I was happy to see you have bestowed the Miraculous out again. Especially with the Butterfly Miraculous in use." -Mr. Croix expressed changing the conversation.
"In today's world I was afraid there would be no one worthy, but Marinette and Adrien proved me wrong." -Master Fu responded in his sage-like voice.
"But Master you can't reveal the identities of the Miraculous holders!" -Wayzz cried out in concern.
"Relax Wayzz, he knows. He actually saved them, though I wish he would not have done what he did to help them against Farrier." -Fu relaxing Wayzz. "Besides, you know he would do everything to protect all of the Kwami and the Miraculous."
"I know Master, but I am afraid to lose any more of my friends." -Wayzz replied with sadness.
"One day, Wayzz, all of you will be reunited again, I promise." -Mr. Croix joined in. "Also Master, I believed what I gave Ladybug & Cat Noir helped them defeat the villain. It all worked out."
Wayzz smiled then flew back into the phonograph, leaving the two friends alone.
"I do love it when you stop by for your yearly tea, but I also feel there is something else on your mind." -Master Fu began to sense something else from Mr. Croix. "Raymond, I have known you for too long, there is something else on your mind."
"You mean besides the everyday hassle of working for the government, trying to keep every political party happy, and trying to help create the best educational system in the country?" -Mr. Croix responded sarcastically.
"You have not changed, though I still never would have expected you to work for the government instead of in the classroom where you began." -Master Fu walked over to pour more tea.
"Haha I never did either, but I got tired of being on the sidelines and wanted to actually make a difference. It was not easy but I finally made it. Though with how the political climate is right now, I do not know how long it will last." -Croix stated as he got up and began to walk around.
"I read what you did with the day off of school for students. That was surprising but I remember seeing so many happy faces along the street that day. At least until that carriage driver was akumatized." -Fu thought back to how all the cars turned into carriages and how Ladybug and Cat Noir eventually saved the day.
"That is curious that you knew it was me since all the papers said the day off was from the Ministry of Education, nothing more. That is one part about being the deputy minister, you never get recognized for what you actually do, but I am fine with that." -Croix took out his pocket watch to wind it up.
Master Fu poured the new cup of tea and handed it to Mr. Croix, but as he took it, he had a worried look in his eyes.
"Master, I am concerned for your safety." -Croix expressed.
"I was wondering when the truth would finally come out." -Fu sighed.
Croix finally let his concerns be known. "With five active Miraculous, it is without a doubt Hawk Moth knows you are here now. While I think they have done so much to save Paris, he knows that there has to be a guardian here, and will step up his efforts to find you and take the Miraculous."
Master Fu took a drink of his tea and sighed. "You might be right, but I cannot stop what has already started. However, you know that, which is why you have been keeping an eye on all five of them haven't you? Marinette has told me how you let her and her friends come out and ride your horses. Even Adrien expressed how much fun he has and how you help give him an out from his insane schedule."
Croix took a drink of his tea and scratched his face, smiling from embarrassment, but also smiling because he loved what he could do for them, as he had done for so many other students for decades.
Fu continued on, "I also know that is why you have them come, because you can keep tabs on them and help them, because you know that Hawk Moth will find me one day. What I want to know is why did you keep their identities secret from each other after you rescued them from their first battle with Farrier?"
"I thought about it at first, but I knew it was not my place. I know it will eventually happen, but I am worried about what will happen. I just hope they are both ready." -Croix responded.
Both men finished their tea and continued to talk for another 30 minutes over various topics and their life experiences. Before they were finished though they were interrupted by Mr. Croix's chief aid, Violet.
"Sir, I need you to come with me immediately! You and the rest of the ministers have been recalled to the Elysee Palace at the request of the President." -she was huffing a little as she had run in from their government car outside.
"This is unexpected. Was there any mention of why?" -Croix replied with curiosity.
"No, and I have talked with some of the other ministers, and they are just as confused. But we need to go now. I have your suite ready. I doubt the President will want to see you in, whatever that is you are wearing."
After finishing, Violet went back outside and opened up the rear passenger door, waiting.
"I am sorry Master, but I must attend to this. Thank you for the tea. I will be seeing you around." -Mr. Croix thanked Master Fu with a bow, then walked out of the shop. Soon the vehicle had left, leaving Master Fu alone. After he walked up and locked the door Wayzz, came back out of the phonograph.
"Master, you have been meeting with Raymond for 100 years, yet he still looks so young. How did that happen?" -Wayzz inquired.
"Ah that is a story for another time, Wayzz, and one that he needs to tell. But I am afraid he is right. Hawk Moth will know that I am here now and will step up his efforts. But I know Ladybug and Cat Noir will defeat him in the end, and I can right the wrong I made so many years ago."
"Plus if he ever shows up, Nino and I will be able to protect you!" -Wayzz expressed with excitement.
"Wayzz, I will always appreciate your enthusiasm." -Fu celebrating his longtime Kwami friend.
Master Fu began to clean up the tea and think back to everything that had happened. All the times Ladybug and Cat Noir had saved Paris. How he had watched both Marinette and Adrien grow as the superheroes, unlocking new forms as the heroes. How three new heroes had joined the team, each of which have admirable qualities. But he still could not forget how he had failed the other guardians and lost the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous.
But no matter what, he had full faith in Marinette, Adrien, Alya, and Nino. He knew Raymond Croix would help however he could, and that he himself would still guard the Miraculous and continue his duty.
