So this one is a little different, featuring the two new characters that everyone bent out of shape over in Season 2. I actually love Kagami and Luka because they're basically genderbent miraculous free versions of Adrien and Marinette, which is why they seem to compliment our two dorks so well. And then I started thinking what if they did have magic and well, here we are. Anyways enjoy!
Warning: some spoilers for Season 2, nothing major
Kagami was not one for failure. Her first day in Paris was the tryouts for the most prestigious school in Europe. It didn't matter that she was jet lagged and exhausted. She would tryout and she would win.
Needless to say, it did not go as planned.
It was a humiliating defeat, brought down by a novice when couldn't tell who touched who first. Her opponent was kind though. Adrien Agreste. She knew the name. She expected to meet him eventually since they ran in the same circles.
She did not expect him to be so kind.
It was the only thing keeping her afloat in this misery. That, and a second tryout. She would be ready for Adrien this time.
Kagami sighed as she stared at her dark ceiling. What time was it in Japan? Not time for sleep apparently. With a groan, she got up and went to the window. Perhaps some air would do her well.
She took a deep breath, "Claws out."
Light washed over her as a suit morphed around her body. While mostly brown, there was a lighter patch on her chest. Brown rounded ears were placed in her hair. Last, but not least, a lighter brown mask appeared over her eyes. Peace settled into her bones as she climbed out the window and leapt to the roof.
She didn't make it far before a black shape whizzed past her. Kagami melted into the shadows of a chimney, crouching down to obscure her body. Chat Noir seemed to miss her, whooping as he made for the Eiffel Tower. She stood cautiously, seeing Ladybug in the distance waiting for him.
Adrien Agreste.
She had no proof of course, but somewhere deep in her bones she knew the boy she faced at tryouts was the same one she faced as riposte. Her memories were scattered as an akuma, but his fighting style was too similar. And the girl, Ladybug, whoever she was, she was smitten with the wrong side.
Kagami has only been in Paris a few days and already she could see that. Such a tangled web they weave.
"What absolute idiots," she muttered.
"I know, right?"
Kagami swung out her staff at the voice, hitting a chimney with a satisfying whack as the intruder ducked and jumped backwards.
"Woah! Calm down! I'm not here to fight. I probably should have announced myself but you were watching them and I wasn't exactly quiet when I flew up here and I figured you already heard me. You just arrived in Paris right? Rough start with being akumatized, but that's kinda how things work here."
The boy rambled on, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. She took advantage of his chatterings to focus on him. He wore a mostly light grey suit like hers. His arms a royal blue, attached to a short, blue cape that seemed to flutter in an unfelt wind. A stripe of red wound around his neck and his mask matched the blue of his suit. Hanging from his right ear was an earring that held five vibrant feathers. She saw no weapon, so he must be somewhat docile.
Straightening into a relaxed, but alert posture, she rested her staff by her foot, "What are you supposed to be?"
"A swallow. You're a bear, right? That's so cool! I love your staff!" He stepped closer to get a better look, but she twirled it, nearly hitting his face. He backed up, hands in the air.
"Why have you not teamed with Ladybug and Chat Noir?"
His head cocked to the side, "Because I can't. You and I can't help them."
"Speak for yourself," she turned toward Paris' heroes. She already failed once in Paris, she would join the superhero duo and not fail again. Bird boy grabbed her wrist, "Unhand me vermin."
"That's hurtful," he said, but let her go, "Look, you're like me right? No kwami, just a pretty spiffy jewel that gives you an outfit change and some boosts? It's different for us. I had this old Chinese guy explain it to me, but basically we would just get in the way. We could keep up with them, but we're still too limited."
Her eyes narrowed, "What Chinese man?"
"Uh, Hawaiian shirt, short, speaks in riddles?"
It didn't ring a bell, she has not met him in the brief time she's been here. She frowned as she thought it over, "You will take me to this man."
"It's...one in the morning," he said nervously, her staff twirled again, "But then again, he probably wants to see you anyways. Let's go."
He turned and jumped off the roof, the cape billowing out behind him, lifting him higher in the air and helping him move as light as air. Kagami scowled, that was impressive, she had to admit. She flicked her wrist, using her cane much like Chat Noir did, bounding after the bird boy. He landed on the balcony of a massage parlor, perching on the railing.
Just as Kagami landed, the door slid open, revealing the man they came to see.
"Higuma, Hirondelle, please come in," he stepped aside to let them in, "Would you like some tea? Or perhaps a snack?"
"You are the one keeping this imbecile from helping Ladybug and Chat Noir?"
"My name is Master Fu, and I am," he stated calmly, sitting on a pad, "Please sit and I can explain."
Hirondelle sat quickly, taking a fruit tart from the offered plate. Kagami wasn't as certain, but she sat anyways, "They need help. If they had help, they could have defeated Hawkmoth already."
"It would not have been prudent to introduce more team members before they were ready. The bond between Ladybug and Chat Noir had to be solidified. It is only recently that they have shown signs that new members can join the fight."
"And yet, you still believe I cannot help? I am a good fighter."
"I have no doubt, but the stone on your finger is not strong enough. I can explain it better if you transform back." Kagami gave a sharp glance to the boy on her right. No way would she reveal her identity to them, "Hirondelle has already guessed at your identity. He is quite perceptive. And I'm sure he would be willing to transform as well."
"Yes of course! It's only fair after all." Before she could speak up, blue light flashed around him, leaving a young man with dark hair with blue tips and and blue eyes, "Hi, I'm Luka Couffaine."
He held out a hand with an easy smile. Pursing her lips, she released the magic and took his hand, "Kagami Tsurugi."
Master Fu smiled, "If I may see your miraculous'?
With great reluctance, Kagami pulled off her family ring as Luka pulled off his earrings. Master Fu studied hers closely, whispering ancient sayings. Finally he offered them back with a nod.
"The kwami in your miraculous has long since past, as I suspected."
"What does that mean?"
With a smile, he took off an ivory bracelet, "Eons ago, magical beings known as the kwami inhabited this world, free and strong. History suggests a great tragedy occurred, forcing the kwami to bind their magic and themselves to a jewel. These jewels were given to the guardians for safekeeping and for distribution when needed. Ladybug and Chat Noir have such jewels. Together, with their partner and kwami, they face an evil that threatens Paris."
"These jewels once belonged to the same category, but the kwami is lost. At some point, the kwami felt the need to remove the bond from their jewel. Not only does this cost them their life, but it also lessens the power within the jewel. No longer can this jewel call upon special magic to aid and rescue. You have a suit that protects you and heightened senses, but the magic stops there."
"What makes a kwami break the bond?" Luka asked thoughtfully as Kagami processed this new information. Instead of answering, a strange green turtle creature floated up, his eyes old and sad.
"There are many reasons to break the bond, but the most common is to save their holder. By breaking the bond, they have full access to their magic, but it comes at such a great cost. When their holder dies, so will the kwami."
Kagami leaned forward, studying the creature, "You are a kwami?"
"Of the turtle miraculous, yes."
She looked down at the ring that had been passed down through the generations. What story did it have to tell? She had never heard of a kwami or where the power of the ring came from. It simply was.
"We can still help," she said.
"Not directly. Ladybug and Chat Noir are facing a holder that is abusing a kwami. Only other kwami miraculous' can remove it. If you were to be there when the stone was removed from Hawkmoth, you would suffer greatly."
The room fell silent as the words slowly processed. Master Fu sighed, ushering Wayzz to his resting place, "It is late. And we have discussed much. Go home and rest. I will be here if you have more questions."
Two flashes of light and the almost heroes stood. Hirondelle opened the door for her with a flourish. Kagami took one more glance back and took to the roofs.
"Kagami, wait!" Luka chased after her, much lighter on his feet than she was. He caught up with her easily, "So...I know Master Fu said we couldn't help, but I still do patrols and take on some of the petty crimes. With Dark Owl, Parisians are pretty used to meeting masked heroes that aren't necessarily magical. We can't help them directly, but we still have these for a reason, right? We could be partners."
She looked back at the boy, his eager blue eyes and slicked back hair, feathers jutting out occasionally. He held out his hand with an easy smile. Kagami was not one for failure. She set out to help these heroes. Perhaps it would look differently than she anticipated. She took his hand, and Pairs gained a new superhero duo.