Ladybug and Chat Noir had been separately shown to different rooms so that they cold refresh themselves, and allow the kwamis to rest. While the teens were washing up for breakfast, Tiki, Plagg, and Ember met with Master Kunchen.
When they were collected, and had transformed again, Master Kunchen led Ladybug and Chat Noir down the corridor. They entered into a larger room, used for meals with long wooden tables and benches. The walls had tall narrow windows with a view of the surrounding mountains. It was just barely dawn, and the golden light crept in, and brought life to the patterns carved up towards the high ceiling. The beams above stretched across the length of the room.
The rest of the monks were just getting up, and those working on breakfast clattered in the kitchen. The three sat down at a far table, with Ember perched on the back of Kunchen's chair.
"There is much you don't know," the monk said, bringing his hand to his chin. "I'm sure Fu taught you as much as he himself had learned during his childhood here at this temple, and of course with his help you were able to translate much of the miracle book…but the kwamis and their powers go back far before the recordings of civilizations, before humans walked the earth. They were wild and uncontrollable forces on the Earth. Their power was raw and unfocused, and through moments in history, almost threatened to throw everything into chaos."
"Master Fu once accused Plagg of wiping out the dinosaurs when I needed his help to stop the acoma known as 'Style Queen,' Ladybug commented.
Chat's eyes grew wide, "He never told me that!" he said shocked.
"One rarely desires to relive moments of regret, but yes, this was merely one of the costs of the imbalance of energy I am referring to," the Master addressed, before continuing his lesson...
"At the early dawn of humanity the spirits of creation and destruction became sick, and with them all of nature. It was on this very mountain that a young boy and girl found the kawmis and nursed them back to health. The herbs and ingredients that they gave the kwamis became the early beginnings of what led to the 'power-up' recipes still found in the miracle book you've used. They also used sounds of ancient instruments to calm and bring ease to the kwamis. It was these children of humans that first gave names to the cat and ladybug kwamis; Plagg and TIki."
"There was an inseparable bond between them, and Plagg and Tiki trusted humans…and loved them for the first time. As they grew, the boy became a skilled jewel smith, beyond anything that ever was or maybe ever will be again. He was creative, and intricately designed stunning works of art using rare jewels and metals from around the world. Tiki adored him, and helped him craft his pieces. The girl discovered powerful magic, and grew to be expert at channeling energy. Plagg followed her everywhere as she learned more about the powers of the kwamis. He would have done anything for her."
"Impressed by their focused willpower, the kwamis explained the problems of directing and controlling their power. They worked together to infuse their power into the jewels. The chosen human wearing the jewel would work in tandem with the kwami as one. Miraculously their plan worked, and they created balance within the world."
"Some of the other kwamis from the far reaches of the globe chose to join Tiki and Plagg. They too merged their power to a jewel that would be entrusted to a human wielder. But not all kwamis trusted humans."
"These wild kwamis challenged Tiki and Plagg. They insisted that humans should prove their worthiness to gain access to the full power and be granted a lengthened life. Tiki and Plagg were confident in their chosen. It was finally agreed, and the 'Trials of the Miraculous' were set. Each test would be guarded by those kwami who had refused the miraculous."
"Be cautious young ones. The wild kwami have only grown more mistrustful of mankind through the centuries. They are forces of pure energy."
"Are they dangerous?" Ladybug asked hesitantly.
"Oh yes, you yourselves have already witnessed a hint of what unbridled energy can do," Master Kunchen confirmed, with a glance at Chat.
At this Chat nodded, thinking back to times Plagg acted a part from him. Even a slight breath had caused extensive destruction."
"But do not doubt yourselves. You were first chosen for a reason and in your years as wielders you have sacrificed much to do what is right. Your kwamis have confirmed that they are convinced you are ready," the monk concluded.
Chat put his arm around Ladybug and gave her an encouraging squeeze, "We've never backed down from a challenge yet!"
She smiled back at him, and turned back to the master. "Where are we going next?" she asked boldly.
A young monk set down some porridge, bread, and yak milk tea in front of them. Kunchen took a thoughtful bite of his bread and turned to Ember.
Ember unfolded his wings, which sent little flecks of sparks licking the air. Then in a low musical voice he looked deeply at Ladybug and Chat Noir, and answered, "We fly to visit the country with some of the oldest known fossils in the world, nearly 3.5 billion years old. A country with unparalleled unique species found nowhere else. Your next trial lies in the gorges of Western Australia."
Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading this story! I'm really excited to get into more of the 'trials,' now that the concept is set up. A special thanks to AlyaScribe, Mirami03, and Light Mega Z who gave me some great locations for some of the future chapters (Australia, Philippines, America, and Mexico). I still need some more locations and love hearing from readers. Please help me by suggesting a setting for the challenges Chat and LB will encounter or details about countries you may have been to personally. Thanks again for the help and encouragement!