The phoenix had sent them home that night to rest, so that they would be ready for their next steps in the trials of Peace in the Country of Canada. The next morning they met Ember on the roofs of Paris, eager to see what the mysterious guardian would be like.
"For the next phase of the miraculous peace trials you will meditate with your kwami before confronting the Guardian of the North," their phoenix guide informed them. "You must take this time to quiet your mind." The next stop is the Southern Badlands of Alberta.
They walked through the portal into a barren landscape that looked like they had stepped onto another planet. The prairie grasslands gave way to the reddish gray sediment of the badlands. Mushroom-like hoodoos of earth stripped away, balanced precariously on carved towers, which alienized the panoramic view.
At first glance they might have thought nothing could survive in such a place, but Chat Noir stepped back, and yelped when he grazed an opunia cactus. Then in the distance their ears picked up the early calls of a nighthawk.
"We will be back for you at dusk," Ember told Chat Noir and steered Ladybug back to the entrance of the portal.
"Wait! You're not staying?" Chat Noir's shoulders slumped.
"But shouldn't I stay with Chat Noir and meditate too?!" Ladybug asked, looking over her shoulder at Chat Noir.
"Each of the kwamis are assigned their own meditation location. I will drop you off at Tiki's destination. We will be back for Chat Noir by the time the coyote chorus starts up," Ember pushed Ladybug through the portal.
"We'll see you soon, okay," Ladybug called back uncertainly.
"Once you drop your transformation, Plagg will guide you," Ember instructed on his way out behind Ladybug. Then Ember paused, and pointed a fiery wing at Chat Noir, "…just remind Plagg that a cat nap does not qualify as meditation."
Receiving a nod and a slight grin from Chat Noir, they vanished. Chat Noir stood all alone in the eroded land.
"Plagg, Claws In," he sighed, dropping his transformation, and dropping down to the clay dust as Adrien.
Plagg floated up to Adrien's shoulder, nudging him persistently with a paw. Adrien absent-mindedly passed him a chunk of cheese.
"They always stick me here," Plagg grumbled with his mouth full. Then the little black cat kwami's whiskers quivered. "They just won't let it go...gotta just rub it in..." he continued to grump.
"Rub what in?" Adrien snapped out of his own jumble of thoughts. "What is it about this place?"
"Long before joining with my first weilder, and fusing with the miraculous...I was...well, I was young," Plagg folded his paws, rubbing them together distractedly. "I may have let a cataclysm get just the tiniest bit out of hand here..."
Adrien's green eye widened and leaned in towards the evasive kwami. "Plagg! What did you do?"
"Well..." Plagg's voice rose.
"Plagg!" Adrien insisted.
"I kinda wiped out the dinosaurs!" Plagg threw up his paws.
There was silence between them.
"At the miraculous temple I heard you had been involved in the extinction," Adrien slowly spoke. "But it is a little different sitting where it actually happened."
Plagg shifted to one side, and looked over the stripped land. "It's not like I meant it to get that out of hand," he grumbled. "Plus that was like 65 million years ago or something."
Adrien looked quietly over to his kwami, and hugged his knees up in front of him. "It still bothers you though..." he concluded.
"Yeah...yeh it does," Plagg admitted, not able to meet Adrien's glance. "There are some things not even Tiki can fix."
They sat there together silently in the dry air, with the sun at their backs. Adrien traced his index finger through the dust at his feet. "Are there still any wild dinosaur kwamis?" He asked, looking over at Plagg.
Plagg picked at a thorn on a pediocatus that looked like an oversized pin cushion, "more than people realize," Plagg responded. Plagg thought for a moment more and answered, "only fossils and bones in this graveyard...but there are some prehistoric kwamis scattered...dwelling in the depths."
Adrien raised an eyebrow, and was about to ask more when Plagg cleared his throat, "it's about time to start this meditation business."
"Wow, you're usually not motivated to get started," Adrien commented.
"The first thing needed is some more good cheese..."
"Ahh that sounds more like you," Adrien grinned, digging out another fair sized chunk of Camembert.
Further in the remote North, Ember and Ladybug came through their portal to Tiki's meditation location; Wood Buffalo National park, along the Peace River.
This meditation destination was a drastic contrast to Plagg's. In the midst of a densely forested Boreal Forrest, by one of the largest inland freshwater deltas. The river, swelled from the addition of the newly melted snow, and surged through the land. Amidst the swirling, gurgling water white pelicans worked together to catch fish by rounding them up and putting their heads down at the same time.
"I will leave you and Tiki for your meditation," Ember said with a flick of his fiery tail feathers. "I will meet you back here by the river." Without further delay, in a flash, he was gone.
"Tiki, Spots Off," she called, and Tiki emerged cheerfully to greet Marinette.
"I love it here!" Tiki chirped, so many great memories." She twirled around, and then paused at the sound a shallow grunts and thuds. "Quick! Follow me! Before we start our meditation there is someone you just have to meet!"
Marinette trotted behind her excited little kwami, as she zipped through the trees. Marinette had to kick up her feet through the tall straw-like grasses, and leafy brush. Pushing aside a large branch, they got their first look at the park's namesake; the wood buffalo herd.
"They are the largest herd of their kind left in the wild!" Tiki whispered excitedly. Marinette watched the relaxed grazing of family of Bison. As they fed on the prairie grass their shaggy brown hair on their wide wooly heads, topped with upturned horns, bobbed up and down.
"Tiki?! Tiki! Is that really you," a bull lumbered over to where they stood. The baritone rumble in his throat resounded as he spoke. He stomped the ground happily, and transformed into his kwami form. "It has been so long!"
"Bison, I'd like you to meet the new Ladybug, Marinette," Tiki introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you," Marinette smiled.
"Ahh on your miraculous trials I see," the Bison nodded approvingly. "The world is certainly in need of some more of the Ladybug's healing. Too big of a job to do on your own though, eh!"
"Don't worry, there are a few more kwami in the miraculous box who have been recruited," Tiki assured him, "And her Black Cat has even won Plagg over!"
"Ha! That rascal! How has he been?" The Bison chuckled. "You haven't let him run loose in Quebec yet have you?!"
"Oh same cat as always...and no...not yet...but I'm sure they've stocked up on poutine since last time!"
Tiki and Bison rolled over laughing together, until the Bison gasped for air.
"I wish we could catch up all day, but I shouldn't keep you," the bison told them, "She is already here. She's been waiting."
"What! Already?!"Tiki asked surprised. "I thought she was still wintering in Texas!"
"I guess she got word from the others that you were on your way and came early. She wants to meet the girl," the Bison gestured to Marinette.
Tiki straightened, and bid farewell to the Bison, who once again took his large animal form, joining his herd.
Tiki didn't stop to explain, but bustled along, calling to Marinette to follow.
"But who is the "She?"" Marinette asked, accidentally stepping into a muddy bog, loosing her right ballet flat. "Aww...yuck...these shoes are not meant for this!" Marinette groaned.
Tiki turned back to help Marinette retrieve the shoe. "She represents tranquility," said Tiki pulling the muddy shoe free. "Since the beginning of the trials she has mentored each of my Ladybugs.
"Maybe I should have dressed up," Marinette brushed off her pink capris.
"She won't care about a bit of mud on your shoes," Tiki smiled affectionately at her weilder. "She'll see right away what a beautiful person you are both inside and out!"
"Aww thanks Tiki," Marinette brightened.
"Now quickly, she should be right over..."
"Here you are," a light voice called. Her voice was like the melody of ripples running softly through a babbling brook.
A tall white Whooping Crane with a long graceful neck, glided through the straw-like swaths of grass. As the beautiful white bird, crowned with a dash of scarlet approached, Marinette was a bit surprised that she came all the way up to her shoulder. In welcome the crane extended her white wingspan tipped with ebony."Tiki, What a joy to see you again. The Wilds are simply buzzing with talk of this one," she nodded her head towards Marinette. "What is your name favored guardian?"
"Marinette," she replied a bit shyly, feeling her Ladybug costume might have made her feel more confident in the presence of the elegant wild creature.
"Ahh...She who rises!" The crane folded her wings neatly. "Very fitting name of a Ladybug."
"She is the very best of Ladybugs," Tiki proudly declared, earnings a blush from Marinette.
"She is a good match for you Tiki," the Crane kwami keenly observed. "A rare pink aura," she nodded with satisfaction.
"Pink is my favorite color, but what do you mean by pink aura?" Marinette asked. "Like energy?"
"Absolutely. You positively radiate pleasant loving energy to every being around you, bringing creativity, comfort, and healing."
"Well, I guess most Ladybugs have those qualities though..." Marinette stumbled.
"Magenta has been the most common in Ladybugs...a combination of red or blue perhaps...but pink is rare," the crane gazed at her decidedly. "Even in the midst of life's most pressing challenges, a person with a pink aura can help heal others with a glance, a smile, a kind word, or just by being present. Then the crane shifted tones and added, "...and those of pink auras are deeply loyal when they find a mate...once they open their heart that is."
Marinette didn't know how valid the Crane's analysis was, but right then her face certainly had a bright pink hue.
"...Much like a crane...one partner for life," the crane continued, before pausing to ask "...Your Black Cat half...do you think his aura could be green?"
Chat Noir's green eyes starring lovingly into hers from the rooftops of Paris flooded Marinette's mind at the Crane's question. "Ahh...I couldn't say...that is...I'm not sure," Marinette stammered not making eye contact.
"Hmm...pink and green share the frequency of the heart," the Crane pondered. "I always like when pink and green find each other. Greens are so full of unconditional love, and are dedicated to serve those they care for. They are confident and passionate. Occasionally a bit overly protective though.
Tiki glanced over at Marinette, who was digging a toe into the soft green turf. Marinette was finding it a bit unnerving how close the crane was coming to describing every aspect of Chat Noir.
The crane's gentle eyes softened, watching the girl. "…but you are still young. Do not worry about figuring out your heart all at once."
"Do you think you could go through some stances to guide us into meditation?" Tiki provided Marinette an out.
Marinette sighed in relief, and her pulse slowed back down to normal. The crane happily led them through a number of motions, which reminded Marinette of the deep breathing her teacher had used with the class. Like a running stream, the slow, fluid movements clensed her racing mind. That is, until she started to wonder how Chat Noir was doing with his meditation. She scolded herself for getting distracted, refocusing on the peaceful sway of the birch trees. The gentle rustle of the fresh leaves. But it wasn't long before her mind diverted back to the vivid green of Chat Noir's eyes.
At that moment, down in the unsheltered heat of the badlands, Adrien flopped down on a rock. "We've been hiking for hours Plagg. It feels like we're going in circles. Tell me again why we couldn't just meditate back there?!"
"Ehhhch," Plagg groaned overheated, lying on his back with no promise of further explanation.
"Maybe he was searching for an old friend…or trying to avoid one," a less than amused voice hissed beneath the rock they had crashed onto. The comment was followed by a distinctive rattle.
Adrien and Plagg leapt off the rock, and saw the speaker. It was a wild rattle snake.
It was hard for Adrien to tell if the snake was smiling or had his fangs bared at them. Either way, he felt it wise to keep at least striking distance away.
"Rattler, old friend," Plagg replied, looking no more at ease than Adrien felt. "We were just on our way to see you to start the calming meditation for the kid's trial. Won't you join us?!"
The rattle snake's tail rattled with irritation, glaring at the cat kwami with unblinking eyes. Then he shed his animal form, and rose to face Plagg as a wild kwami.
"Sass is your ally, so I will ignore your cheek. You know I am just here as a messenger from the pronghorn. He is the one who wants to meet the new weilder," the snake hissed.
"It would be an honor to meet another wild kwami," Adrien jumped in before Plagg could retort. "Please lead the way."
The rattle snake kwami nodded formally, and floated off to the edge of the badlands, were the land flattened into dry stubble fields.
There standing in the stark emptiness with the cloudless blue sky stretching overhead, stood the pronghorn antelope.
"It is not like you can really get lost out here," the pronghorn good naturedly tilted his head toward Plagg. "Are you avoiding another devastating defeat?"
"Aww Prongs, why do we have to start meditation with exercise? It's too early for this!" Plagg moaned. "We've already been walking in the sun forever. Tiki doesn't have to race!"
"Well for starters it is already past noon…and second, you were trying to get out of meditation by leading your charge in the wrong direction…(at this Adrien shot Plagg a glare)…and lastly, we race because it releases endorphins…and because it's fun!"
"Fine, let's do this," Plagg rolled his eyes, and then straightened up at the sound of the rattle snakes tail. "Uh, Pronghorn, this is Adrien, Adrien, this is the wild kwami, Pronghorn…sorry for the detour," he added with some sincerity to Adrien. The snake shook his head, and returned to the rocks.
"You know I'm the one who supplies the Camembert right?!" Adrien shot Plagg a reproachful look.
"Which I am eternally grateful for!" Plagg pulled out his most endearing smile and kitten-eyes.
"Did you just slip in a cheese pun?!" Adrien narrowed his eyes.
"Did it work?" Plagg asked hopefully.
"Not bad…" Adrien shook his head at the mischievous kwami of destruction, "but no more detours, or you're cut off and all you get is American Cheese Whiz."
"But you can barely call that cheese!" Plagg's eyes widened in horror, "Alright, alright, I'll play nice."
"Come on then, get suited up!" the pronghorn urged excitedly, "Let's see what this cat is made of!"
"Plagg, Claws out!" Adrien called, resuming is alter ego.
"First one to the Red Deer River wins!" The pronghorn challenged, and bolted across the dry prairie.
Chat Noir sprinted after the antelope, pushing himself to dig deep. He flew across the stubble of grass, going faster, faster, and faster.
"Pretty good weilder!" the pronghorn called back, pulling up enough to let Chat Noir catch up. "But now really let everything out! Don't hold back!"
Chat Noir's legs lengthened and his arms pumped in time with each stride. The pronghorn next to him let out a "whoop!" and kept just a nose in front of him. Prairie gophers popped down their burrows, ducking out of the way. The land reeled beneath them, and the dry wind wiped Chat Noir's hair back. Chat Noir remembered some of his races with Ladybug across the Paris skyline. The freedom of being Chat Noir welled up within him, and he felt the most exhilarating sense of freedom. He started to pass the pronghorn, who laughed out to him "haha! There it is!"
Chat Noir couldn't help but let out a wild laugh as well, as he and one of the fastest speedsters of the animal kingdom rallied for first.
They each caught sight of the river, winding its way through the parched land, creating a refuge of life along its banks. The pronghorn turned to Chat Noir with a smirk and called out, "You've got heart kid! I'll give you that. But there is just one thing..."
"What's that," Chat Noir panted, his legs burning.
"You might have the cat kwami, but unless it's a cheetah, you can't win against a pronghorn!"
With a gleeful hoot, the pronghorn channeled a reserved ounce of power, and pulled ahead with ease. Breaking away and leaving Chat Noir in his literal dust.
When Chat Noir final reached the river, the pronghorn kwami was already waiting for him.
Chat Noir dropped his transformation, and plunged into the clear river as Adrien. Letting the cool water soothe his burning muscles. He dove forward headfirst, and then leaned back letting the water flood deliciously over him. He breathed in deep, and let out a satisfied sigh.
The pronghorn helped himself to a drink at the shore, watching the human in some amusement as he floated around. Then looked over at Plagg.
Plagg was lying on his back on a flat rock, facing the sky, breathing raggedly and moaning. Adrien pulled his head out of the water and waded over to his kwami. "Come in the water!" he invited. "You'll feel so much better!"
"Stupid cardio...stupid antelope..." Plagg grumbled through pants.
"Common', you got to admit that was pretty amazing!" Adrien smiled, but Plagg's response was a loathsome glare. "Here, I know what will cheer you up," Adrien grinned, pulling out a securely wrapped parcel of cheese from his inside pocket, that was fairly drenched and dripping.
Plagg closed his eyes, and tilted his head back up. "Just put it in my mouth," he instructed entitledly.
Adrien rolled his eyes, and dropped the gooey morsel into the kwamis mouth. The pronghorn smiled, shaking his head. "Let's leave him to his snack. Come on over in the shade with me a moment," the pronghorn motioned.
Adrien and the pronghorn kwami sat under one of the few sparse willow trees along the river, which lent a thin escape of shade from the sun. Adrien stretched out with his back against the tree. The pronghorn sat next to him with closed eyes, smiling contently.
After a moment Adrien looked down at him, and asked uncertainly, "did you need to ask me something or is there something I need to do now?"
"Nope," the kwami responded with a smile. "Now we rest. Now we are still."
Adrien looked around, wondering if he had missed something, or if he truly had just for once been given a chance to pause from hectic schedules, commitments, and responsibilities. He looked from Plagg who was sunning himself now quite happily, having scarfed down the cheese. Then to the pronghorn kwami next to him. He leaned against the tree. Quietly he watched the movement of the water soaking into the parched earth, giving the land a second chance for life.
Thank you so much for the encouragement readers! It has been so awesome to have people follow and favorite this story! It always makes me want to keep writing more! Also thank you for all the suggestions and creative ideas. You readers have really helped shape this story, sending it all over amazing places in the world. Don't forget to follow if you haven't already. More locations keep on getting added! All the best:)