Chapter 6: It begins pt. 2

Thursday

The day after Lady Viox attacked, Madeline spent Thursday getting to know her new friend. Yin was a peacock kwami, with the power to transform anyone who wore the miraculous pin into a superhero. When asked about where she came from the little fairy simply replied, "You'll see soon." The day was an unusually cold and rainy day for the month of March, but that meant that the twins had the day off from training. Now that Madeline wasn't being pumped full of adrenaline, she took in every detail of her new kwami.

The fairy had a big head with comically yet beautiful crystal blue eyes. Her light blue body was tiny, with fin-like arms and legs. Her little tail was similar to peacock feathers, and had a small little puff of hair on top of her head. Yin's voice was like a tiny bell, and even when she laughed it sounded full of emotion that one just couldn't match easily. The peacock fairy also informed Madeline of the process of her transformation. Apparently it was called Duo-Transforming. It was a magical technic that was created at the beginning of the world's creation. According to Yin, the wielder of the miraculous, in this case the brooch, held power over the kwami and could make them do what ever the wielder wished, almost like a slave. Fortunately the ones who guarded the miraculouses make sure that the person they chose was pure of heart and mind before handing it out.

When the wielder called out, "transform me," the kwami was sucked into the miraculous, their power leeching into the miraculous, giving the wielder the strength they needed to fight whatever evil they encountered. This included the weapons or special power, the suit that was almost like a second skin and the power to hide the identity from those who sought to destroy them. The young Padawan learned that even though the mask covered three-fourths of the wielder's face, the power of the kwami shielded and blurred the features, as well as changing the voice to where it was unrecognizable to those who heard it. The kwami was able to keep the transformation up for about three hours per transformation, but if the wielder needed to use the weapons or the power, the kwami was drained even more, once for every weapon used, and even more so when their was a power involved like the Lucky Charm. Once all of the weapons were used, the wielder had only five minutes before the Duo-Transformation had to be let go for the sake of the kwami. After the kwami and the wielder were separated, the kwami had to regain its energy if the wielder ever wanted to transform again by eating.

"What do kwamis even eat?" Madeline asked, looking up from the notes she made.

Yin tapped her chin with her little fin. "Depends on the kwami but I like to eat candy, specifically caramels." Madeline smiled slightly. She kept plenty of candy on hand but didn't enjoy how sticky caramel got, so she could easily give some to the little kwami. Since Selma started the allowance system, Madeline could buy more and keep it in stock. Once the conversation was over, it was midday and lunchtime. The little kwami gratefully sat in her room while Madeline at downstairs with her family. Once lunch was eaten and leftovers were put up, Madeline returned to her room, with Michael in tow. She wanted her twin to understand that, all joking aside, Yin and her new abilities stayed between them. Her twin was kind of jealous that she got chosen for as he put it so eloquently, super cool, amazing powers. When the door to her room was locked, Madeline called Yin. The kwami was slightly hesitant but did so reluctantly, eyeing Michael with suspicion. The youngest twin assured the kwami that Michael would not tell anyone about her and made sure her twin knew the severity of the situation.

"I say we take an oath." She proposed.

"An oath?" her brother asked confused. "An oath of what?"

"An oath of silence. To make sure you don't run your mouth. No matter what happens to either of us, nothing that is done or said in this room leaves this place. No. Matter. What."

Yin agreed to this immediately, her head bobbing up and down like a bobble head. Michael thought it over for a couple of seconds, catching sight of a glare that was directed at him before agreeing. Madeline took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax while standing to retrieve something from her nightstand. From it she pulled out an old leather book, the binding nearly frayed by the passage of time. On the cover of the book was the symbol of the Old Jedi Order, which was used during the Formation of the Galactic Republic. Before the discovery of Kyber crystals and their use to hold information, the Jedi wrote things down in manuscripts, including a vow of silence that many believed were lost to the passage of time.

According to legend, the Oath of Silence was taken by a select few who were chosen to become Grey Jedi, those who walked a fine line between the Dark side and Light side of the force. Many believed that the Grey Jedi came out of nowhere, but they were false. During the beginning of the Order The Jedi Council collected a strong few to become the balance walkers, who would be able to infiltrate the Sith lines. Many of them were trained in secret, and none of them were to share what was being instructed of them outside of their training area. Which is where the Oath of Silence came in. Each future Grey Jedi would take an oath that stated that no one outside of the council or they would know of what was happening. The binding of both the light and dark energy of the force, which if one broke the oath would lead to a painful experience that could only be cured by death, sanctified the Oath. Fortunately the Jedi Masters of Old rectified this ceremony by a blood bond. A small cut on the palm of two force wielders would secure a bond that would last until one of them passed on.

Selma had studied the legends and ultimately went on many excursions and historical digs that were sanctioned by the council to uncover the truth. While on her last historical dig, she discovered a written manuscript that was now the last known remaining artifact before the use of Kyber Crystal storage. It had been held in the Jedi archives, but Selma had smuggled it out before the three Jedi left Coruscant along with several Holocrons, saving the past and ultimately saving the future of the Jedi.

And now, for the first time in a thousand years (give or take a few decades), the Oath of Silence was going to be performed once more. Madeline set the manuscript down and carefully turned the page to where the Oath of Silence was. The pages were yellow but in near perfect condition. When Selma found it, it was hidden deep within an underground cavern, protected from the weather and time. But Madeline was still worried every time she opened the ancient document; the pages would turn to dust at her touch, destroying the last bit of connection to her past.

Once the book was open to the oath, Madeline drew an ancient blade that Selma also found during the same excursion. It was said that the blade was used in the ritual. Taking a deep breath Madeline glanced at the words on the page.

"Oh spirits of the Force, I, Madeline Moraes, Initiate of the Jedi Order, call upon you to solidify this Oath of Silence we take on this day the…uh..."

"Fourteenth of March," Yin supplied. Smiling her thanks Madeline continued.

"The fourteenth March. I solemnly swear to you to uphold the sacred responsibility to withhold any information discussed here in this room, to the point of death should it come." Madeline gestured for Michael to do the same thing. With a dramatic sigh, the other twin held out his hand palm up, just like Madeline was doing although he did it without the finesse Madeline did.

"I, Michael Moraes, Initiate of the Jedi Order, do solemnly swear by this Oath of Silence to withhold any information discussed here in this room, to the point of death should it come." Madeline made a small cut on her palm, as did Michael. They waited for the blood to well up slightly before they shook hand. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed as the bond was sealed.

After the two Jedi wiped, cleaned and bound their wounds, Madeline immediately started to get down to business. She and Michael started to come up with excuses and cover stories Madeline would be able to use in case her heroic duties kept her busy. Since neither twin were in school, they decided to do late night Q&As until Madeline got to know her new partner a little better, then they would switch to training, which is where Madeline would be able to try and unlock the secrets of her powers. Yin said that usually those who are chosen mainly scratch the surface of what their miraculous could do, but by the time they figured it out, it was time for them to pass it on to someone else. That or they died. That caught Madeline a little off guard.

"But no one's ever really died, right?" Madeline asked worried.

"Not really." Yin said thoughtfully. Madeline sighed at this thought but tensed as the little fairy continued, "but they eventually fight a battle so horrible they almost do. That's when they decide it is time to pass on their miraculous."

"I think being apart of the most well-know, yet well-hated group of peacekeepers fighting in the bloodies civil war their government has ever seen is child's play compared to this." Michael chuckled.

Madeline rolled her eyes as she glanced at the clock. It was already two in the afternoon, which meant Selma was in the middle of her afternoon meditation. She wanted so badly to go out and really test her new powers but after the Lady Viox thing yesterday, Selma had forbidden either twin to go outside for the day. That and it was pouring cats and dogs.

With a sigh Madeline flopped on her bed, Yin doing the same thing except landing on her stomach. Looking up at the ceiling the young Padawan hoped with all her heart that she could do a good job at this. Not knowing what the future held always frightened Madeline a little, which was why she was always trying (and always failing) to peek into the future via the force. But no matter what she did she just couldn't sit still! Even going so far as to going to Yoda for help. Yoda was the most patient and wisest Jedi in the temple, but even he had his limits.

Madeline didn't know she was dozing until her phone vibrated, startling her. She sat up instantly, throwing Yin across the room. Fortunately the kwami had super fast reflexes and was able to catch her before she crashed into the bookshelf. Ignoring her little friend's glare, Madeline checked to see who texted it her. It was Marinette. The young Padawan quickly opened it.

Sorry for cancelling the study session last minute, the message read, do you want to come over to watch a movie with Alya and I at my place? Will have hot chocolate and snacks. The movie will start at five.

Madeline's finger hovered over the reply button. She didn't want to say yes without Selma's okay first…. but she never had hot chocolate before. Shaking her head, Madeline decided that it was time to go against the rules just this once and typed in her reply.

Yes. I will be over there at 1630. It was only after the reply was sent that she realized she sent military time. Boy, she was going to have a field day explaining that. Michael watched her tug on her boots and grabs both her rain jacket and an umbrella.

"You're not seriously going out without talking to Selma first are you?" Her brother asked incredulously. Normally it was him who broke the rules.

"What do you think?" Was Madeline's curt reply. Opening her jacket, Madeline asked Yin if she wanted to come with. Nodding the kwami flew into a little hidden pocket, where she nestled down and hung on. "Cover for me will ya?"

And with that Madeline stepped out into the pouring rain.

-line break-

Selma was in her room talking to ZeeZee about the new miraculous holder that suddenly appeared yesterday when she heard the door close. Thinking it was just her ears playing tricks on her, the Jedi Master returned to her conversation. When she lived on earth, she had been the guardian of the Peacock Miraculous, but she had to give that up when she had to return to Coruscant. Master Fu had given her the Bee Kwami when she returned to Earth about a month before the Massacre, saying that she would need it soon. She now knew what the aging master had been right. But now that the Peacock Miraculous has been once again been given out and back in play, it raised more questions for the Jedi Master.

Who was this new miraculous holder? Why did she have a familiar force signature? Did she know that she had a force signature or was she one of the few earthlings that had a force signature but just wasn't aware of it?

Selma knew from experience that one of the powers of the miraculous was that it shielded the face of the wielder to be unrecognizable. But something about the new Lady Peacock was so…. familiar she just couldn't put her finger on it. ZeeZee had felt her fellow kwami's return to the mortal realm during the fight but was in a position where she was unable to tell her master. The bee kwami knew of her from Master Fu, but not of her full past. Once the two had met and their past had been revealed, ZeeZee and Selma had gotten closer together than any other duo of kwami and human. Other than Marinette and Tikki but neither knew about them.

Looking out the window at resided in her room, Selma sighed as she looked out into the pouring rain. Selma was used to see things bleary and bleak on a stormy day. Her home world would see an occasional sunny day but those would last only a few hours before storms rolled back in and threw all they had at the facilities that stood like a lone guard. The elder master sighed as she shook her head, clearing the thoughts of Kamino. Her past was touchy at best, scandalous at worst. Even the council during her training period at the Temple refused to acknowledge that she came from a planet of cloners. Though no one knew why she was cloned, many on the council believed it was for a Sith, who paid the Kaminoans a hefty price to clone him/her. No one, not even the Kaminoans and all their experience cloning, had never expected the midichlorians to stay together for the duration of the entire cloning process. But they did.

Selma Turon was the first and last Jedi Master to be cloned. When she was found, Selma was alone, with no creator, no family and no home in sight. Her past wasn't found out about until after she reached the level of Jedi Initiate, right before she was assigned a master, when an anonymous tip was given to the High Council members.

The blonde master's train of thought was halted when she heard the phone ring. She near about jumped out of her skin, but managed to calm her heart as she picked up the receiver.

"This is Selma Turon speaking. How can I help you?" she answered.

"Selma my dear friend," a voice said. The Jedi Master smiled slightly when she recognized the voice. "Why so formal?"

"My apologizes Master Fu. I was having a slow day and didn't think about looking at the caller ID." Selma chuckled, though in her mind she chastised herself harshly. It could've been a Sith tracking her through an unknown number. But fortunately it was a friend, not foe.

She craned her neck to see out her door, which was cracked open slightly but couldn't see very well out, when she heard something resembling footsteps. In case either twin was eavesdropping, she lowered her voice to a whisper.

"Is something the matter?"

"Several things." The guardian informed. "I feel that the increased attacks of Hawkmoth is a sign that the final battle is closing in."

"I agree Master Fu. There is a strange feeling of darkness hanging the air, even on the brightest of days. If Hawkmoth is preparing his forces for the final battle, then we need to be prepared as well."

There was a moment of silence and Selma felt her heart skip a beat.

"We need to discuss this in a place that do not have prying eyes and ears," The Guardian said suddenly. Selma agreed wholeheartedly. The two masters then decided to meet at the Guardian's place since Selma had twins who were prone to eavesdrop on many council meetings that were supposed to be secret. Selma pulled on her rain boots, grabbed her raincoat and umbrella and headed out. But not before checking up on the twins.

Michael was in his room reading a comic book, which is the only thing he will read willingly. Madeline's door was closed which caused Selma's suspicions to be raised slightly, but they were lowered when she opened the youngest twin's door. Madeline was sleeping peacefully in her bed, the lights off. With a slight smile, Selma closed the door and left the house, leaving a note for the twins so as not to disturb Madeline from her sleep, and Michael from his reading.

Michael heard the door close, and relaxed gratefully. He had been listening in on Master Selma's phone conversation and had taken the liberty of covering for his sister. He set up a holographic video feed of him reading an old comic that he threw out years ago, and had taken Madeline's place in her bed. Why his sister had a brown wig when she was already a brunette was beyond him, but it helped fool their Master. With a sigh, Michael stood up and made his way back to his room, where he took down the holographic feed. Whoever this Master Fu was, then there was a possibility that he and Selma could be planning something…..

-Line break-

Marinette had just finished setting up the snack dishes for the movie night when the doorbell rang. Dusting her hands off, the young designer made her way over to the door. Alya greeted Marinette with a smile, holding up two large bags of assorted candy before being ushered inside. The avid reporter slipped off her rain boots and raincoat, placing both of them by the door. This was the worst weather the city of Paris had ever seen, which made it the perfect night for a movie night. Since Marinette had to cancel the study session yesterday due to her Ladybug responsibilities, the young designer had decided to make it up to both of her best friends with a movie night.

Alya had immediately agreed to the idea, as well as Madeline but it took her longer to reply than Alya. The reply itself was weird since she used military time/ the twenty-four hour clock but once Marinette realized she was coming over at four thirty then she was satisfied. By the time four o'clock rolled around, Marinette and Alya had set out all the movies the young designer had and the all the snacks, but still no Madeline. About four twenty and they received a text from Madeline telling them she wouldn't be able to make it. Both were disappointed that she wouldn't be coming since she seemed she needed a friend.

"Aw buzz kill," Alya exclaimed as she popped several pieces of candy into her mouth. She grabbed the remote and switched the channel, stopping on the news channel. There was another akuma attack down by the Seine! Alya immediately grabbed her jacket, boots and phone and headed out. Marinette just stared at the TV before it finally sunk in.

"Tikki transform me!" A thirty-second transformation later, Ladybug was out the window.

-Line break-

Adrien was enjoying the rainy day off until he turned on the news. It showed an akuma turned meteorologist pelting the City of Love with rain and thunder. The blonde model thought they dealt with a weather akuma, which was Stormy Weather. But nope, apparently this guy, who called himself Thunder Streak, was angry because he had come up with a brilliant idea to make a machine to notify a city right when a storm forms, where it is headed and its predicted path should it get off course. It was an ingenious idea, but apparently a rival stole the guy's plans and the rival took all the credit. That caused him more anguish and stress than his job offered, making him a liable target for the akuma. And just like Stormy Weather his power was through weather control. So that's why the weather was so bad!

Can't everybody take an anger management class? He thought as he stood on his couch. Maria was not going to be happy.

Sighing he thrust out his hand and shouted, "Plagg, claws out!"

The kwami, who had been lazily eating cheese all day, dropped his piece of Camembert on the floor before being sucked in to he ring. Once Adrien had been transformed into Chat Noir, he jumped out into the rain, heading towards the Seine. When he got there, it was chaos.

There were many similarities between Thunder Streak and Stormy Weather. They both used an umbrella to channel their power, they both had lighting bolt akuma face paint and they both had a connection to the weather. The only difference between Stormy Weather and Thunder Streak was that Thunder Streak was a lot more brutal than Stormy Weather ever was.

Ladybug, Queen Bee and the new miraculous hero were already there, fighting and protecting the civilians that were foolish enough to stay and watch the action. Mainly Alya. Sighing Chat Noir jumped into the fray, startling the new hero slightly but she recovered quickly enough for Chat to be impressed. All the female superheroes were soaked to the bone but that didn't bother them as they continued to fight.

"Nice of you to show up," Ladybug quipped as she dodged an actual lightning bolt directed at her. She near about slipped into the Seine but luckily the new miraculous caught her by her ankle and pulled her back up. Smiling her thanks Ladybug jumped back into the fight.

"Boy it sure is raining cats and dogs out here," Chat Noir said. All three heroes nodded in agreement as they pushed the akuma back. "At least the moose haven't come yet."

"Not now!" the unidentified miraculous holder muttered as her leg was frozen. She tugged and tugged at it but it wouldn't budge. "Gah! I can't get free!" She turned and gasped at the akuma figure who was floating right behind her, his umbrella pointing threateningly at her.

"NOW YOU WILL FACE THE UNMATCHABLE POWER OF THUNDER STREAK!" Before the other three miraculous holders could do anything, Thunder Streak thrust out his umbrella freezing the new hero in a block of ice. The others just stood there in shock before Ladybug decided it was time to end this.

"We've got to finish this!" Queen Bee exclaimed throwing more punches than Chat Noir could see. Ladybug nodded in agreement

"Is his akuma in his umbrella? Like the last time?" Chat asked.

"No it isn't," Queen Bee replied sadly. "It has to be somewhere else."

That's when Chat noticed that the akumatized man had a dark purple tie on with black clouds. That had to be where the akuma was! He conveyed where he thought the akuma was. The Peacock hero immediately nodded. She moved around, the akumatized man striking at her with lightening bolts, but barely missing every time. Queen Bee saw what she was doing and started to distract the akuma, dividing his attention so Chat Noir and Ladybug could snag the little butterfly. And the two heroes did exactly that. With Thunder Streak distracted, it gave Chat Noir the best opportunity to snag the tie and rip it in two. The akuma flew out. Smiling Ladybug opened her yoyo up and caught the cursed butterfly with it.

"Bye bye little butterfly," she bid the now pure white butterfly goodbye. The ladybug themed hero threw her yoyo up in the air with a shout, "Miraculous ladybug!"

Millions of little ladybugs swarmed and picked up the debris from Thunder Streak's rampage. They even went so far as to removing the dark brooding clouds that hung over the city of Paris, freeing the sun. The citizens of Paris came out from their hiding places and started to bask in the sun. Queen Bee visibly relaxed as the akuma was engulfed in a black cloud, leaving a bewildered man, looking around at the destruction around him with large eyes.

"D-did I do this?" he asked Ladybug fearfully. Before the blue haired hero could answer, the Peacock hero answered for her.

"Not you," she soothed. "An evil puppet master did this. Do not take this too harshly."

"Thank you," the man thanked. Ladybug placed a shock blanket over the man's shoulders and brought him towards the ambulance. When she returned, she, Chat, and Queen Bee all stared at the new hero, who looked very uncomfortable with all the media attention.

"One question at a time please," she begged. She then pretended to think. "Actually, no questions at all please. I have other things to do."

She walked over to the other three heroes, who were waiting patiently. Alya looked very annoyed that she didn't get to interview the new hero, but saw Ladybug's face and knew that her idol meant she business.

"Uh, I can explain-"

"Who are you?" Queen Bee interrupted. Her tone was that of an officer, someone who doesn't trust others completely. The new hero clearly heard the tone and she straightened, her posture telling the others she was also as a soldier. Queen Bee took more notes of her shoulders pulled back in an attempt to make herself seem taller, her eyes hardening, showing what was behind the mask of being a hero, something Queen Bee, or rather, Selma hadn't seen in a long time. A young person who has seen too much, too early in her life; a person who lost many friends but still has a courageous and pure heart. Someone who lived through their worst nightmares, and someone who will do anything to keep them from happening again.

With eyes widened in shock, Queen Bee asked, "You…. are a Jedi."

"Actually I was a Jedi," the hero corrected. "In case you haven't heard, there was a massacre. There aren't any left."

"What are you talking about?" Chat Noir asked, totally lost and confused. What was a Jee-die?

"Nothing that concerns you boy," Queen Bee said. The new hero, with tears in her eyes jumped up to the roof of a building, looking down on the city below.

"I am Peacock, a hero known for her beauty and true aim," the hero informed the crowd of reporters. "I seek not fame nor fortune, but an alliance with the heroes and defenders of Paris: Ladybug, Chat Noir and Queen Bee. Here me when I say this: evil will not prevail."

The heroes stood in shock as the crowd erupted in applause and the new hero turned to leave, a look of sadness on her face. Chat Noir was about to say something but his ring cut him off. Queen Bee and Ladybug nodded in understanding as they returned to their conversation. The cat themed hero saluted to his ladies before flying off, back towards his home. He landed just as the duo-transformation ended, catching Plagg in his cupped hands. The blonde model wasted no time in asking the questions that bubbled in his mind.

"Plagg what's a Jee-da?"

"It's Jedi, kid," Plagg corrected. He flew over to where the secret stash of Camembert was waiting for him and dutifully dug in. When his first few bites were swallowed he began explaining.

"To explain what a Jedi….was would take too long to explain."

"What do you mean 'was'?" Adrien noticed how his kwami hesitated, and how he looked sad.

"There aren't any more left kid," the black cat kwami sadly said. Glancing up, Adrien was shocked how ageless and sad his normally buoyant guardian looked.

"Why?"

Plagg sighed in response. "It's a long and sad story Adrien."

-Line break-

Master Fu was having his usual cup of afternoon tea when Selma barged in rather rudely and loudly. Wayzz was so startled he flew into the phonograph, nearly causing Fu to spill his tea.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT THERE WAS A JEDI HERE ON EARTH?" She demanded. ZeeZee floated behind her master, worried clear on her face.

"Oh I did not hear you come in," Fu stated calmly. Selma, in a fit of anger and betrayal, knocked the tea out of the guardian's hand, spilling the tea on the carpet. The Guardian of the miraculouses looked up to see a look of pure anger on the former Jedi master's face. Tears flowed freely out of her startling green eyes as she knelt down, and cried. Fu immediately engulfed her in a hug as she sobbed into his shirt.

"They are…all gone," Selma said between sobs. Wayzz came out of his hiding place to comfort ZeeZee who was also crying about the fact that her master was distressed. "There is no more hope for the Jedi!"

"You have the twins," Fu reminded gently as the Jedi pulled away. Her eyes were red as she sobs died down. "They are the legacy of the Jedi and you have seen that they can defend themselves."

Selma glanced up at the ancient guardian, sadness in her eyes. She seemed to age right in front of him, her eyes dulling, wrinkles being added, and her hair becoming more silver than gold.

"It is the darkness. It grows stronger by the day, weakening all those who stand in its path. Many of my people have died already, many of them too young to know what they did wasn't wrong." She looked up at the master guardian, her eyes hardening in a resolve. "We need to gather our forces. There is a war coming on both fronts…we need to gather our strength and prepare for the oncoming darkness. We are the only things that stand between it and the rest of the universe."

Fu nodded his head and gathered all the necessary supplies. The two warriors spent the rest of the day planning for the war that was destined to come…..