Four. King Bumi

"Marinette. Marinette." Tikki deadpanned over and over as Marinette paced the room yanking on the ribbons in her hair with stress.

"Tikki, look, I know we've gotten out of crazy situations before, but I can't be stranded in another world. This… this could jeopardize my identity as Ladybug. If Ladybug and Marinette go missing at the same time… people are bound to notice." Tikki winced.

"You aren't wrong." Tikki agreed.

"And you seriously aren't helping right now Tikki."

"Yeah, well, you'll like this next part even less. Depending on how far away the solstice is, you might end up having to tell Cat Noir who you are."

"What!?" Marinette stopped all she was doing and stared at Tikki, searching for any signs the Kwami was kidding. When Marinette realized the Kwami was serious, she began shaking her head vigorously.

"Nope! Just nope! Why would it be necessary to tell Cat Noir who I am if the entire time we were in Paris we were told we should not do that?"

"Well, it really depends on how far off the winter solstice is and how quickly we find him. If we find him, and it still is a long time before we go home, then it will be difficult and draining on all four of us to try and keep it a secret. You can't be transformed the entire time you are here, Marinette. I can't handle that, neither can Cat and Plagg. In Paris it was different. You both had secret identities and a place to go home to. Here, he might be all you have. Here, you have no real identity. Here, you are a clean slate and can make up a new name if you needed. Here, Marinette Dupain-Cheng does not exist." Tikki explained.

"So… I will finally learn who he really is?"

"And he will know who you are. If it really does make you nervous, you don't have to go by Marinette here. You can make up a new identity just to be safe. We still don't know what happened to Hawkmoth when Cat jinxed us. He could still be in Paris, which would be pretty bad for us all, since you aren't there to purify the Akumas. He could be here, which might be good, since him being stuck here could help us narrow down his identity. But we have to play it safe. You will have to take a fake name for your civilian form, that way Hawkmoth will have trouble figuring out your real name." Tikki explained, "And chances are, you'll need to travel with another party, since you aren't used to our world. Keeping a secret isn't so easy on the road than it is living in a house. They will figure out the truth, glamor or not, pretty quickly. So the people you travel with will likely know both about Ladybug and your civilian self."

"So in all, everything I know about secret identities is going to be thrown out the window because of all of this?"

"...yes. But I think you and Cat are beyond ready for the truth. Plagg's been complaining about it for awhile now." Tikki replied, nodding her head.

"...but I can't do that! I'm not brave as Marinette! He'll know I'm just Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the clumsy, baker's daughter. I'm not actually Ladybug! Ladybug is just… just an act! I'll disappoint him. Him! Cat Noir! One of the bravest souls in all of Paris! Him! Cat Noir! The boy who is in love with Ladybug, who, as Marinette, is in love with Adrien Agreste and could never return his feelings to Cat Noir without betraying Adrien. Him! Cat Noir! One of the greatest and kindest people I know. The guy who takes all the hits and is the only reason I succeeded as Ladybug in the first place. I know what he expects of me. I know he imagines I'm perfect under the mask, and I will surely disappoint him. After all, I never deserved Paris' love as much as he deserved it. So why should he love me? Why… why is he so convinced I'm perfect? Why, even though I told him I'm in love with someone else, even though I've messed up so many times, does he not give up on me? If he sees Marinette Dupain-Cheng, then Ladybug will be nothing. I'll be nothing, because I'm not Ladybug." Marinette ranted. Tikki growled. The Kwami had one of her rare looks of annoyance and disappointment.

"Marinette! That is not true. Just because you act a little different as Ladybug doesn't mean you are not Ladybug. You and Ladybug are one and the same. You are the bravest, smartest, kindest, and most talented person in Paris. You just need confidence. Maybe merging your two lifestyles will be good for you. Treating Marinette and Ladybug as two separate people may help hide your identity, but you aren't separate people, and talking like this is just utterly ridiculous and I won't have any of it, understood?" Tikki snapped. Marinette froze, baffled by Tikki's outburst. Marinette nodded numbly.

"You are Ladybug, with or without the mask. Master Fu would have never given you the Miraculous if he didn't know you were already Ladybug. You can't separate what was always meant to be one. It just doesn't work. I know you are scared and confused, but you will overcome all of this. It is just who you are. Besides, like you, Cat Noir was chosen for a reason. He is a good person, just like you. I know he will accept you no matter what. If he will undoubtedly accept you for you, then why do you care so much? You both care about each other, and nothing will change that." Tikki said softly. Marinette hung her head in shame.

"Perhaps you're right. That doesn't mean I'm not scared though."

"That's okay. Everyone is afraid of something. Just don't let that slow you down. It's when you act despite fear that make a person brave." Marinette closed her eyes and smiled.

"You're right Tikki. Thanks, you always know what to say to cheer me up. You're the best."

"Well said little spirit." Bumi agreed. Wait. Bumi?

Marinette jump in fear, as if just realizing the old man had returned to the room a long time ago and had heard the entire conversation. In his arms was a bundle of red clothing with black and golden accents. Tikki and Marinette looked at each other nervously. The crazy king just cackled and set the new clothes next to Marinette.

"You and I obviously have much to discuss, young Lady Luck. You know nothing about my world. But! We must talk quickly, for the Fire Nation is almost upon us. They'll come a-knocking soon enough, and I intend to answer." He cackled.

"Fire Nation?" She squeaked nervously.

"Yes. In this world, we have four nations. The Fire Nation is home to the fire benders, who are people with control over fire. Then there's the Earth Kingdom, home of the Earth benders who bind earth. There are the Water Tribes home of the water benders and also the Air Temples. The Air Temples were the former home of the airbenders, but all of those were wiped out in the war by the Fire Nation, so there's only one left." King Bumi explained, "And there are non-benders like yourself, who live in all of the nations. The fire Nation has been at war this the two remaining nations for almost 100 years, and they are winning, but! There is still hope. The last airbender, a boy named Aang, is actually the Avatar. The Avatar is the only person born with the power to control all four elements and restore balance to the world. Only one Avatar can be born in a lifetime, and when he dies, he will be reborn as a new Avatar. He plans on defeating the Fire Lord Ozai, who rules over the Fire Nation, by summer's end in order to end the war."

"Wait. Back up. So in this world, people can naturally control the elements?" Marinette asked in awe.

"That is correct. Though not everyone is born with the power, those who are train to master their powers. I am an Earthbender, so I control the Earth. You aren't from this world, so you will not be able to do something like that. I'm sure you and your little spirit have other trick up your sleeves though."

"Yes… but that only works when we are transformed." Marinette admitted. Bumi raised an eyebrow and paced the room in thought.

"Okay, Lady Luck, here is the plan. If you want to make it in this world, you'll have seek help from the Avatar himself. Aang and his friends are likely on their way here from the North Pole. He will come here seeking an Earthbending master, which he will not find. As I stated earlier, the Fire Nation is upon my kingdom. It will so no longer be safe for Aang to come here. I need you to help Aang find a new teacher. One who listens and waits. If you do, he will most certainly be willing to help you search the Earth Kingdom for your missing partner. You can trust him and his friends with your life. Momo is probably the bravest person I know. The Avatar is a bald monk with an arrow on his head that is around twelve years of age. He travels with Momo, Appa, Sokka of the Water Tribe, and Katara of the Tribe. I brought you Fire Nation clothes to disguise yourself so that you may move freely throughout my city when the Fire Nation comes. I will inform my general of your presence in this city. I need you to watch out for Aang and protect him for me… he's an old friend. Can you do that?"

Marinette nodded timidly.

"Yes, I think so."

"And I can teach you how to change your Ladybug costume so it fits this culture!" Tikki volunteered. Bumi clapped his hands excitedly.

"Oh, then it is all settled! You will travel with the Avatar when he arrives!" The King said happily. That's when the door to that room opened yet again to reveal a soldier in a green uniform. He looked slightly terrified and didn't even notice that Tikki was floating beside Marinette.

"My king." The soldier said timidly, "The Fire Nation army is at the wall.

"Come, Lady Luck! I will introduce you to General Yung. He's my second-in-command! You'll love him, but get changed first! Hurry up! There's work to be done." Bumi cheered.