They crossed through the portal, and arrived at the center of a rickety metal bridge. Ladybug slipped off the glasses and stashed them once more in her yo yo. The bridge teetered. It must have been made of collected pieces, and strung together with metal twine and chain link sides. It swayed and creaked under their shifting weight. They did not waste time in swiftly making their way across.
Once they had made it to the other side safely, they had a chance to really take in the view…and what a view! In the highlands of the Philippines, a deep, solid green of lush tropical vegetation covered each mountain peak. The rock was barely visible under so many shades of green. At the valleys of the seems, where mountains joined, the green became so dark it was almost navy. The plants that brushed against their legs as they passed by were wider than both their hands put together. The dirt path they followed was so narrow they had to walk one behind the other. It sometimes wove in and out of a clearing that allowed them a sense of the distance they were covering, while other times the plants infringed in on them making time stand still.
They came upon a small scattered village with homes made out of sheets of weathered corrugated metal. Other than an occasional chicken darting across their path, it was quiet and still.
When they climbed over the top of a ridge, suddenly everything altered. In cared out grids that rose up the mountains like innumerable staircases, were intricate mazes of rice terraces. The multiple pools of these rice fields reflected the blue in the sky, making it look like the sky itself had splintered, leaving its pieces scattered up the valley walls. The delicate light green spindles of rice interrupted reflections in some of the pools, creating a mosaic effect. Thin trails framed each pool, allowing them passage across.
Nestled in between the terraces, dotted erratically around the valley, perched multicolored homes. They made their way walking tightrope style across.
"What do you think of my catwalk M'lady?" Chat winked back at Ladybug, trying to lighten the solom atmosphere between them all.
"You've certainly purrfected it over the years," she shot back.
At the 'purr' in her pun Chat's foot slipped into one of the pools, making him stumble in with a splash. He quickly righted himself, but not before Ladybug burst into laughter.
He turned and smiled at her, "totally worth it to hear you make a cat pun."
Their gaze was interrupted by a lizard zigzagging his way across switchbacks above them. He peered over a ledge and then jumped. To their astonishment, it did not fall, but revealed hidden 'wings' and glided easily over to them.
It turned its head to look at them and then nodded in the direction of the next group of houses.
"I have a feeling this is no ordinary lizard," Chat Noir said.
"You're catching on," Ember replied.
"Well, I guess we better follow then," Ladybug edged across one of the paths in the direction the lizard had scurried. But they did not get far…
"Superheros!" a small group of children shouted rushing up to them. The two were mobbed by the pint sized fans, which surrounded them, and dragged them toward their homes. A few older residents curiously lifted their eyes from their daily tasks to see what the fuss was about. A thin tan dog came to investigate, while more chickens clucked angrily at the disturbance.
Chat Noir and Ladybug had lost sight of the lizard, and Ember had retreated to his quill. They couldn't help but follow the children, and Chat Noir provided a few of the youngest with piggyback rides along the way. An aged man, with a creased face, and trembling hands met them, and invited them to stay at his house. They tried to gently refuse, but their tiny entourage would not relent. Finally, they accepted. The old man led them up a staircase to a sparse home, usually used for the occasional backpacker, who had made their way to the village. Seeing that the superheroes were not doing anything particularly exciting, the children became distracted by one of the dogs who ran off with their ball. Pretty soon the group was off pursuing the thief.
The old man opened a door to a room with a large table at the center, with two bedrooms rooms attached. What they noticed first though was that the table was not empty. It held plates of tantalizing food.
"Were you expecting someone?"Ladybug asked.
"We have been expecting you for some time," the elder smiled.
"but how did you…" Chat Noir started to ask.
"The teacher will be in shortly," the man replied to their questioning looks.
"Who is the 'teacher' ask Chat Noir? Is he a friend or an enemy?
"Neither," the man said simply. Then instructed, "Do not eat the food. It is not yet the appointed time." Leaving them more confused than ever, he closed the door and was gone.
"Who is this 'teacher?" Chat Noir turned to Ladybug.
"I guess we will find out soon," she shrugged.
Ember was released from the quill, but he had no answers for them. They waited, but 'soon' did not come.
Chat Noir and Ladybug finally decided to sit at the table to wait, resting after the already taxing day. They had not eaten anything since their lunch on the beach. The food was arranged thoughtfully, and each plate looked more irresistible than the next. It wouldn't have been half so difficult to resist the urge to eat if it wasn't for the delicious aroma that made them realize how hungry they were.
Chat Noir was about to dip his paw into one of the sauce covered adobo dishes, when Ladybug pulled his hand back.
"What?" Chat Noir whined. "I was just going to test it?"
"What if this IS the test?" Ladybug spoke in a hushed tone.
"Just the appetizer," an amused voice said from the window.
Their turned started to see the lizard crawling through the window, and transforming into his kwami form. "As you may have guessed, I am your next teacher. I am flying dragon," he smiled, nodding to Ember. "There will be time for food, but first we will address your reason for being here in the first place."
Chat Noir looked wistfully at the table of food, but then turned himself to face the wild kwami.
"Please, Flying Dragon," Ladybug implored, "who was the elder that brought us here?"
"We wild kwami's typically have rare dealings with humans," the flying dragon said, "but there are some monks who left the miraculous temple to become guardians of the ancient trial sites. The wild kwami are only drawn together to these places when a weilder has come of age, but the monks dedicate their lives to prepare for the coming of weilders...even though some may never encounter one within their lifetime."
"That is true dedication and sacrifice," observed Chat Noir.
"Much like the requirements of a wielder," the flying dragon hovered closer to them. "You two have already proven that when given power you can utilize it for the good of others. It is clear the power is something you utilize, not what drives you," the flying dragon regarded them. "But what are the deepest desires of the black cat and ladybug?"
Ladybug and Chat Noir looked a bit awkwardly at each other, before taking a breath in to reply, when they were interrupted.
"But you must be tired after your journey, and here we are rushing before I've even had a chance to greet my fellow kwamis," the flying dragon switched from his intense tone, to a friendlier one.
"You will have the opportunity to rest in the guestrooms of this house while you await my decision. I will need to speak with your kwamis." The flying dragon motioned to two doors of adjoining rooms. Then he bowed to them, and they bowed back.
After they were each sequestered to their own room (confused at the lizard's odd behavior or possible intent), they detransformed, and their kwami's assured them that they would return, after the dragon had a chance to talk privately with each of them. Tiki and Plagg then joined Ember and the flying dragon in the main room.
The conversation between the kwamis was one of reunited friends, but the flying dragon was still suspicious of the weilders they had brought to his domain. Both Tiki and Plagg insisted they were ready. "We'll see," the lizard smirked and initiated his test.
The flying dragon phased into Adrien's room, and Adrien sat up from the bed.
"You met Push and Pull. You learned that will power can be a matter of either pursuing or resisting the pull of your desires. But what do you want? What drives and sways your will?" The dragon questioned out loud.
"I don't want anything," Adrien said, "I just want to help people."
"There is that…but there is more. It is true you do not desire money, objects, or fame. You grew up among such things. They do not have a hold on you…but there are other desires in your heart that run much deeper," the lizard tapped Adrien in his chest with a clawed finger. "you crave freedom. Freedom to be unrestrained, free to go, to speak, to live…to be yourself. You desire friendship. To develop a strong bond and connection to others in dedicated loyalty," then the wild kwami narrowed his eyes, and hummed lowly, "Ahhhh…and the most desperate longing of your heart…you desire love."
Adrien went a bit red.
"Do not be embarrassed, the dragon soothed. These are noble desires. What truly wonderful targets to pursue!"
Then he edged close to Adrien's shoulder, whispering into his ear. "What if I could give you the power to ensure lasting love right now? You have shared your love and she has turned you down. You have given your life for her, but she does not see how much you care. You fear that knowing who you are will make her distrustful, pity, or disappointed. You want so badly to know who she is, but how can you reveal yourself without leaving your heart exposed."
Adrien's eyes widened, but he said nothing.
"…what if…what if you could find out who she is, without revealing yourself? What if you could find out who had stolen her heart away from you? I could make you take his form, you could take his spot in her heart, and she would be yours?"
Adrien stared at the dragon, and leaned back against the wall.
"Ahhh you doubt me," the dragon flew to the adjacent wall with the door that led to the dining room. He tapped his wing on the wall and it became transparent. "I can reveal many things," the lizard kwami hissed flickering his tongue. "You will be able to see through the wall, but it will not be transparent on her side. She will notice nothing. Your Ladybug is in her civilian form right now. You could just get a quick glimpse of who she is, and she would never know! But for you…this information would change everything! You would both be happy. You'd both be together. You'd both have love!
"You see straight through me, just like this wall of yours. You know I want this so much….but what you are offering is not the path to love. Ladybug trust me, and I will never betray that, even if it means not being with her," Adrien said determinedly.
"If you truly loved her wouldn't you do anything to have her?" the flying dragon asked.
"You already know I love her. Because of that, there are things I would never do," Adrien said boldly. "There have been years I've longed to reveal ourselves, but she said we shouldn't. Then after defeating Hawkmoth it was she who thought we could share our identities. If she does love me, it will be because she chooses to, not because I tricked her into thinking I was someone else."
"But it could take a long time…if ever," the dragon urged. "Already you have waited so long."
Adrien's mind flashed back to Ladybug ducking into a hotel storage closet after defeating Lady Wifi the first time. He put his hand on the door handle. The temptation to open that door was so strong. He closed the door, and released the handle.
"I am waiting for her," Adrien turned away from their adjoining wall and closed his eyes.
The flying dragon kwami smiled, and phased into Ladybugs room next.
"Marinette you've had quite the journey. Can I get you anything? Anything at all?" the dragon inquired with an air of mock hospitality.
"No, thank you, I think I have everything I need," she said pleasantly.
"You do, don't you," the dragon said analyzing her. "Great home, caring family, close friends, skills of a talented designer, a bright future ahead…not to mention you are an adored hero….savior of Paris…but is it enough for some people…or one particular person?"
"People like me for who I am. I did not try to be someone I wasn't," Marinette replied determined.
"No…it is important to be yourself….most certainly," the dragon nodded, and then he smiled sweetly in her face, "but don't you think one should always improve oneself. "Become a better version of yourself," he crafted his words carefully.
"What do you mean?" she asked a bit suspiciously, but also curious.
"Well, someone like Adrien Agresteis certainly a wonderful example. For all his popularity, I'm sure even he has his flaws," he baited her.
"Adrien is the most kind hearted, brave, confident, smart, and handsome person the world!" she defended.
"I wonder what it is about the girl he is in love with that makes such an impression on him. She must be pretty amazing to catch the attention of such an incredible person," the dragon lured.
"I'm sure she is," Marinette said shortly, thinking back to her awkward conversation years ago with Adrien after his 'prank' at the wax museum. What had stung the most was the look on his face, as he thought of that girl.
"But shouldn't you be the one to make Adrien happy? After all you have been with him through everything. His most devoted friend." He dropped the word friend like it was honey…sickenly sweet.
Marinette cringed at that word that she had allowed to sting her over and over again. Surely she should be immune by now…but no it still hurt.
"How?" she asked her eyes wide.
"I have the power to reveal many things. I could make you a super model, wealthy, powerful, elegant, and graceful! No more clumsy, stuttering Marinette."
"Really! You could do that?" her voice lifted.
" For the weilder of the Ladybug?~ Of course. You deserve to be with the one you love."
"What is the catch?" Marinette raised an eyebrow. "I'm not going to hand over a miraculous or give up being guardian. I'm not going to use the wish at the cost to another if that is what you're getting at."
"No, no…my, you are dramatic. Remember I'm a kwami…aren't we on the same side?" he grinned showing his teeth.
"I'm not sure yet…" she stood, "You still have not answered my question. How can I get Adrien to see me as more? How can I get him fall in love with me?"
"All you have to do is have a peak into the room next to you. Chat Noir is not transformed. Say his civilian name to me, and I will grant you everything you desire….Adrien will love you forever."
"I would never betray Chat Noir!" Marinette hissed.
"He wouldn't even see you…one way mirror effect and all…the whole world won't know who he is, just you and I…plus he has wanted you to know for years…why not take him up on his offer?"
"Last we talked about that, he told me he wasn't ready now. He always respected my choice to keep our identities a secret, how could I possibly do that?!"
"Would you be interested to know I made the same offer to him…that he could find out who you are?"
"He would never," Marinette crossed her arms.
"He might," the dragon curled his lips, "maybe he would given the proper incentive."
"You have taunted me long enough," Marinette swung her arm to the side abruptly, "I have given you my answer. Even if you continue to dangle a relationship with Adrien in front of me till the end of time, I will never betray Chat."
"Hmmmm, the dragon," said turning to the window, then looking over his shoulder. "Perhaps I was wrong after all…" Then he spread the gliding flaps under his forearms, "…Maybe it is the cat you desire."
She lunged at him, but with a gleeful laugh he dropped out of the window of the house on stilts, and glided down the valley, and out of sight.
Tiki, Spots on," Marinette called, and then when transformed she called out to Chat Noir, running out of her room.
Chat called "Plagg, claws out," and ducked out of his room, nearly crashing into Ladybug.
"He is gone!" Ladybug pointed out the open window.
"How do we get the last piece of the orb?" Chat Noir asked.
"Echem," Ember coughed from the table of food.
Chat Noir and Ladybug ran over to the table. On a platter at the center was the last piece of Agite, and a note that said "Enjoy your just desserts,"
"So we are allowed to eat now?" Chat asked cautiously.
"Yes," confirmed Ember, "Your restraint and patience has been rewarded. Once you have eated I will present you to the council."
Ladybug and Chat Noir smiled at each other, and sat down to dig into the delicious food before them. There was banquet of Chicken adobo, champorado, banana cue, and surman.
Marinette eagerly unwrapped the banana leave containing the coconut milk infused rice cake. She took a bite and her mouth watered for more. After polishing off her first and reaching for another, her eyes glanced over to Chat Noir who was licking the caramel of his 'paws' from the sticky banana cue.
"So the flying dragon gave you the chance to see who I was," Ladybug stated, taking another bite of the Suman rice cake.
Chat gulped, "how did you know?"
"He offered me the same thing," she said.
"I didn't look though, I swear, I didn't," Chat Noir promised.
"I know Kitty," she smiled, "me neither."
They chewed quietly.
"But, I was curious,"" she said, looking at him sideways to catch his reaction.
"You were? I mean you are?" he asked a bit relieved.
"Of course. It has been quite the build up all these years," she assured him.
"I want to know all of you too," he sighed, "…I mean like who you are, when you're not Ladybug," he added quickly.
"You said before you thought we should wait. Do you still feel that way?"
"A lot has changed," he murmured.
"Like how you feel about me," she asked in a small voice.
"No, no, not at all! If anything I just feel deeper for you. I mean there has been lots going on in my civilian life that effected me as Chat Noir. I guess I'd like to sort stuff out myself before."
"Well, if there is anything I can help you with, know I'm here for you…and Chat, I don't really think it matters much under the masks. You will always be my Kitty."
"And you will always be my Bugaboo," he smiled booping her on the tip of her nose.
After finishing their amazing meal, Chat Noir savored one last mouthful of champorado. It sure had been worth the wait! They were ready for their meeting with the wild council.
They trailed across the slim path across the terraces. A ancient irrigation system fed from the rainforest, and channeled water down alongside them, but there were few other sounds.
Ember flew low ahead of them and would pearch on stacks of rocks to wait for them. Even with the power of their suits, they still could feel the high elevation impact them as they climbed to the top.
"It is said that if the steps of these aged rice terraces were all put end to end, it would encircle half of the globe,"Ember commented.
"It feels like it!" Chat Noir puffed, lending Ladybug a hand over a patch of slippery rocks.
They scambled to the grassy view from the top, with a flat stone, overgrown with ferns. When they turned around to see how far they had come they once again were hit by the other-worldly power of the place. To think human hands over centuries and centuries had shaped the land, transforming it in such a way was incredible.
The white clouds from earlier in the day had darkened, making the green in the rice patties an even more vivid contrast. A mist of rain sifted down across the valley, making the rocks look polished, and creating streaks of clouds layered over the mountain tops.
Ladybug set the now completed stone orb on the flat rock. It must have been set on a slight slant, because it rolled inward to the center, and clicked into place in a groove when it reached the middle.
It was then in the midst of the gentle shower that the wild kwamis arrived; Water buffalo, Tarsier, bearcat, flying dragon, and one more. The fifth was one they did not recognize. It looked like some kind of slim, furry brown dog with wings…some kind of small bat.
"Congratulations weilders," the bat spread his leathery wings. "I am Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox. I have heard the testimony from each of your teachers and they feel you have proven that you possess the will to weild the powers of creation and destruction."
The bearcat nodded, "An excellent pairing."
"A weilder with a strong will can assert decisions even when encountering strong opposition and will not give in easily," The Flying Fox grasped the orb containing veins of multicolored minerals that became illuminated at his touch, "You are ready." He passed it to both of them.
The both reach out their hands to receive it. They held it has the energy surged through them. They had to resist pulling away as the magnitude of the power was over whelming. When the stone disappeared, the skies cleared, leaving only glistening water droplets in the sun. The kwamis were gone.
Ladybug and Chat Noir had accomplished another miraculous trial, but their next challenge would test them even further. Ember told them they were headed for the United States. They would return to America…but they were to encounter places and challenges very different from what they expected.
Thank you so much reader for taking the time to read my fan fic! It is so helpful to get reviews to help guide the story, and give me their next destination.
A huge shout out to Mirami03, who suggested USA (their next destination) and Mexico! (I actually have already finished the Mexico chapters, but some really key moments evolved between Ladybug and Chat...so I decided to add this location later on in this story...make sure to 'follow' the story so you don't miss it!).
Also, I am excited to have Ladybug and Chat Noir visit Canada in future chapters. Thank you to NintendoNate1 for suggesting it!
There are still many places in the world yet to discover for our heroes! If there is a country/city you have lived/visited you think would be great to explore please PM me or write it in the reviews. I'd love to hear what you think:)