Ladybug and Chat Noir stepped through the portal, expecting to feel their feet encountering solid ground, but instead took a short drop with a yelp of surprise, and splashed into the choppy waves of the ocean. They plunged only about a meter deep, when they kicked their feet, and resurfaced, sputtering.
What was that Ember?! Chat coughed up seawater, "I thought you said we were going to the Western Australia gorges, aren't those on land…you know…where it's dry?!"
It was a bit more sarcastic than he maybe should have been when addressing their guide and kwami of wisdom, but any cat surprised by a dip in cold salty water would not have been too pleased.
Ladybug wiped her eyes, trying to see a destination. She spotted a huge mass of land, but was disheartened that it was still quite a ways out.
Ember, flapping his wings above them nodded, "perhaps that was deceptive, but in truth, the gorges of our destination were themselves shaped by and submerged under the ocean…long ago. But before we seek out the wild kwamis we must first bring them a token.
But we have nothing with us! What can we bring? Ladybug asked confused.
"Below dive for the Pinctada Maxima Oysters. They contain a highly revered pearl. Its natural luster is unequaled throughout the world. This is the symbolic jewel of perseverance," Ember said, then plunged straight down into the pristine waters.
Ladybug and Chat Noir dug out their water 'power-ups,' closed their eyes tight, and detransformed just long enough to let the kwamis charge up for their 'aqua' transformation.
Once they were decked out for an underwater excursion, they dove down to find Ember. He was already a fair distance below them, so they dove deeper down. The water had a turquoise color, and was so clear they could vividly see numerous fish in the Ningaloo Reef. There were gardens of coral of many colors and configurations. Through a gap in the coral they noticed elegant sea turtles seeming to soar effortlessly. They were amazed by the underwater metropolis around them.
Once they caught up to Ember they noticed his light lit up a cluster of oysters on some rocks. Among the grayish white shells, there was one at the center that was pale blue. It had a faint, shimmery circular pattern on the top of its shell. When Ladybug looked closer she recognized the miracle box symbol.
The oyster was about the width of one of their palms. They each took turns pulling and yanking it with all their strength, but it did not budge. Ember gestured to it and then towards Chat's baton. Chat understood, and started using it like a lever. After a bit of a struggle trying to pluck the oyster out of its bed, it came loose.
Ladybug reached forward to pick up the oyster, but as soon as she had pulled it into her hands she and Chat were pushed backward by a powerful blast of water like an undertow; it was determined to drag them down. Their screams were drowned in the roar of the water. They were tossed around, and somersaulted in the wild frenzy of water. The pressure made them feel like they were about to be torn apart. Ember spun, looking like an underwater fire tornado. Somehow Ladybug was able to keep hold of the oyster, and looped the string of her yo yo around Chat's ankle. Chat extended his baton to try to anchor them. His first attempt flailed off to the left. He tried again, and managed to lock it in some rocks covered in sharp barnacles. At last they escaped the current, and clutched the rock.
"Are you okay?" Chat panted, drawing Ladybug closer to him.
She nodded, and asked, "You?"
He nodded back, "You got the pearl?"
She held their prize up like a trophy.
Ember looked up from behind them, and tried to warn them about the scorpion fish he noticed rising behind their rock. The fish had a bulbous head with protruding eyes. He was covered in tassels that added to his camouflage, making him just look like part of the rock itself or pieces of textured coral. His pectoral fins were painted a pale orange. "Ladybug! Look out!" Ember shouted, trying to cover the distance between them. But the scorpion fish swam up from behind the armored rock, and stung Ladybug on the hand that held the oyster. The jab made her cry out in pain, and drop the oyster. Chat swung forward to protect her, but as soon as it had wounded Ladybug, it sped off into the wide expanse of ocean.
Ember joined them, inspecting Ladybug's hand she was holding tentatively.
"Is she going to be okay? Chat rushed with wide eyes.
"Don't fear," Ember reassured them, "it will be very painful, but will not be deadly. Her suit protected her from receiving too much venom, and there was not too much pressure applied. It actually is usually much worse. If we are able to get to shore hot water with draw the sting out, and we might be able to get an antivenom in the town along the shore."
"What kind of fish was that anyway?" Ladybug asked clutching her throbbing hand, and picking up the oyster with the other hand. Then she handed their token to Chat for safe keeping. "How did it even get through my glove?"
Ember looked in the direction the fish had disappeared, and continued. "That was a scorpion fish, a particularly aggressive one." Then more quietly, more to himself than the others added, "they usually don't attack unprovoked."
Ladybug's hand hurt worse than a wasp sting, and Chat was still concerned.
"How are we going to get her to shore?" Chat asked.
"I may know an old friend that can help," Ember replied. Then he let out a short sound wave that rippled through the water. They waited. And waited. Hundreds of fish came and went ignoring the strange creatures before them, but the 'friend' of Ember did not come.
"Maybe your friend did not hear you, " Chat suggested.
"She will come," Ember insisted, looking into the void of the ocean. "And so she has!" Ember announced sparks sizzling under water.
Ladybug and Chat strained to see what Ember's keep eyes had detected. At first all they saw was blue. But then a dark shadow in the water became visible, growing larger, and larger. It was clearly coming straight towards them. Its wide crevice of a mouth opened wide, and loomed toward them. They rapidly grew more alarmed at the immense size of the creature.
"It is a whale!" Ladybug exclaimed nervously.
"It's a huge shark Chat panicked, raising his baton. Ember put his wing calmly out lowering Chat's weapon. Then he floated up to greet the monster.
Then he turned around and addressed the two, "her name is Marokintana. She helped me on my last trial of the miraculous, but that was in another part of the ocean. Humans call her kind 'Whale Shark,' bug she is actually the matriarch of fish. She has agreed to escort us closer to the shore."
Ladybug and Chat did not have time to ask questions. For such a huge creature she moved swiftly in the water. They just barely had a chance to grip onto a fin, than she was speeding off to shore. Chat had one arm holding onto her fin, and the other he held on tight to Ladybug's waist (as she was still in a lot of pain, and was finding it hard to keep her grip). Ember had no trouble keeping up on his own, occasionally checking on Ladybug.
Ladybug thought wistfully that if the sting in her hand was not bothering her so much, this would be the most incredible experience ever. Each of Marokintana's movements were graceful and swift. Beautiful leopard-like spots patterned all 6 meters of her. Tiny little fish also caught a ride. Once the water started to get too shallow she slowed slightly, just long enough for them to release their grip.
They followed Ember's example, and respectfully bowed in thanks. She dipped her head silently, and turned further west to disappear back into the deep.
They paddled to shore, and called off their water abilities. They had reached the white sand of Western Australia's shoreline.
It was a hot morning on the beach, and they were amazing at the wide open sand that stretched out until it met more of the sea. The white sand ran up to the red cliffs that were spotted with sprigs of light green vegetation. There were a few people already at the beach for the morning, but everyone was off in the distance or busy getting ready for their own fishing or excursions.
Ember flew close to Ladybug to blend in with the red of her suit. They looked like quite the odd couple rising out of the sea. Perhaps the locals and tourists assumed these were some elaborate wet suits or something.
"We need to get you some help," Chat said watching Ladybug trying to hide the tears that sprang up on her cheeks.
"I will go with Ladybug in her civilian form to the clinic and acquire supplies for our journey. We have a long journey still ahead." Then he turned to Chat, "You will need to take your civilian form as well. If you can find some form of transport that would be ideal. One time guiding miraculous holders they used camels, but I believe in these times people prefer automobiles," Ember mused. "We meet (transformed you two) at the east end of the town in an hour or so."
They agreed to Ember's plan and headed off toward the town. They each split in their own direction, and when the coast was clear dropped their transformation.
Marinette, with Ember and Tiki first went to get first aid. The young woman with the tanned skin of a surfer, who introduced herself as Tarni, offered Marinette some help. She heated up some hot water, and Marinette felt a bit of relief from the sting. She also took some antivenom as well. Tarni insisted that if she was still experiencing extensive pain in the next couple days or any trouble breathing she should get medical care right away. Some scorpion fish or rock fish could be lethal. After thanking her for the care, they stopped by a small store to pick up a few basic supplies; jugs of water, food, a canvas backpack, a thick blanket, a compass, and a map.
When Adrien dropped his transformation he had a bit harder time than the others. He and Plagg found a 4x4 rental place quickly, but they did not have any left to rent till later that night. "Don't you have anything I could rent or buy?" Adrien asked desperately.
"Well there is old Brock's jeep, but you don't want that. It's on its last legs and doesn't have many more adventures in the old girl anymore. It's pretty much just fit for spare parts. I don't think it would last more than a week," the mechanic at the rental shop commented.
"I only need something that will get us through till tomorrow. Please show me!" Adrien insisted.
A mechanic with faded blue overalls, with a sewn name tag that said 'Jax,' led Adrien to the back of the shop. There was an old 4x4 jeep was parked in the heat, coated in dry red dust.
After years of playing video games with cars, Adrien had finally got his drivers license in Paris, but he hadn't got a chance to use it much. He had always either had his driver/bodyguard 'Gorilla," or he just to city transport. The mechanic handed Adrien the keys, and he walked around inspecting the jeep. It had good tread on the tires, the shocks seemed solid. Although there was a spread of rush around the two back wheels and the back bumper, it seemed to be intact. He looked under the hood and the motor was older than any he had ever seen. Adrien sat in the driver's seat. He turned on the engine, and the motor roared to life with a bit of a clank. It had started at least. He rolled down the window, and the handle fell off in his hand.
"How much?" Adrien asked.
"Give me a couple cases of beer and it is yours he said shrugging his shoulders.
"Deal!" Adrien called to him over the motor, and dug out a handful of Euros. "This should get you a couple of kegs."
The mechanic looked down at the cash. "Ahh tourist from Europe. Well careful taking your new bucket of bolts into the outback. This land is not for the faint of heart. Make sure you get a guide before you take off into the bush."
"Oh yes, we have a guide," Adrien assured him (not that he would mention that it happened to be the magical Kwami of wisdom Phoenix).
"Good luck kid," he called back walking back to his shop, "honesty it is worth it to just get that rust bucket off my lot."
There were piles of odds and ends, and even old clothes in the back of the jeep, and it shimmied a bit on the road. It certainly was no limo, but Chat was proud he had at least acquired some kind of transportation. Surly it would hang in there just a couple more days.
As planed the group assembled at the edge of town.
"Your chariot awaits M'lady," Chat bowed as Ladybug and Ember approached. They he stood up uncertainly. "Everything else won't be available till tonight, he explained, "We can wait for something better if you want."
"Chat this is just what we need, you did great," Ladybug smiled at him, "I'm just glad it's not a camel," she teased.
Chat brightened, and helped Ladybug load the bag of supplies. Chat carefully laid the oyster between them, wrapped up in a one of the old shirts he found in the jeep. Ember flew around the jeep, and phased in perching on the steering wheel with a satisfied flap of his tail.
"I'll drive!" Chat said jumping into the drivers seat, "But you can be navigator," he told Ember, making him flap to the top of the seat. "Where are we going anyway?"
"Karijini," Ember stated, as if that was all they needed to know.
Ladybug got into the passenger's seat, buckled up and ready to hit the road.
"How is your hand doing," Chat inquired as they headed inland.
"A little better," she assured him, cradling it by the wrist. The hot water erased the sharpness of the pain at least."
"I guess we will have to be careful in uncertain terrain," Chat said, "there is no telling what we might encounter."