There was a whir of traffic below as Ladybug and Chat Noir stepped from the portal into the midst of Seoul, South Korea. Landing on one of the tall silver skyscrapers they could see the city stretch out below. The modern urban expanse was softened with parks and greenery here and there. Ladybug and Chat Noir were used to getting around a big city quickly. They were able to follow Ember over rooftops to the site of the first trial.
They came to a old dojang within the city. As soon as they arrived they slid the door open, but the space was quiet. Slipping in, they walked across the matted floors and scanned the hall. There were 12 long banners that lined each parallel wall. 6 on one side and 6 on the other. Each depicted a stylized animal: Mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. On the wall to the far left were 7 more: Phoenix, ostrich, fox, turtle, bee, peacock, and butterfly. Then on the opposite wall to the right was only two banners: the black cat and the ladybug.
"Wow! All of these are kwamis!" Chat Noir whistled.
"These are just the ones from the assembly from your miraculous box...there are many more kwamis and powerful beings in the world," Ember said with a glint In his eye.
"As you know," Ember continued following their gaze, "the black cat and the ladybug kwamis (Tiki and Plagg) were the first to join with a miraculous."
Both nodded, and Ember spread his wing illuminating the opposite left wall. "The next to join were the seven of us...but Maat and I chose to assist in the Miraculous Trials rather than stay with the rest."
"...but it wasn't until the great council of kwami right here that the remaining 12 were included. They were the last kwamis to accept a miraculous in the lifetime of the original two weilders."
"The animals of the zodiac!" Ladybug breathed. "Of course! I celebrate them for New Year ever year with my mom and Lao Lao!"
"Sometimes within the legends you find a grain of truth," the Phoenix nodded.
"These kwami agreed to join on the condition that weilders complete challenges of honor. Obviously these challenges became a key element within the miraculous trials and they joined Tiki, Plagg and the rest of us."
"And now here you are continuing on the cycle," a voice at the end of the left side of the hall spoke, and Ember turned on the lights.
Both Ladybug and Chat Noir shielded their eyes at first as they adjusted to the bright lights. Coming through the glare they recognized a familiar face. "Lady Justice!" they both said together.
"It hasn't been long since we met last in Egypt , but I'm sure you've had quite the experiences in the meantime," she smiled, using her staff to navigate her way across the hall.
"Maat's weilder will be your instructor, your sabom," Ember politely bowed to her, which she returned.
Ladybug and Chat Noir bowed lowly, and greeted, "Sabom Justice, thank you for helping us on our journey."
"You are most welcome," she said warmly, returned their bow in turn. Then commented, "I understand you have both had experience with hand to hand combat while weilding your miraculous'."
They nodded. "Mostly against Hawkmoth and his akumas," Ladybug clarified.
"Before we begin I'd like to have a little taekwondo sparring match to see how far you've come. No weapons. Let's see what you can do with your hands and feet," she stepped forward onto the ten meter square mat." This kind of fighting started around 2,000 years ago when a Korean warrior developed a style of fighting that used bare hands and feet instead of weapons. Ember will watch for me as your referee, and I will be your judge."
"So we have to fight each other?!" Chat Noir looked over at Ladybug hesitantly.
"We work better when we fight together," Ladybug added.
"And so it is meant to be that the two of you bring harmony to the world. Just look at the South Korean flag," Ember motioned to a flag draping prominently draped from the center rafter. The red and blue circle at its center is the Taegeuk and represents balance in the universe: Ladybug red represents positive cosmic forces and the dark cat blue half represents the opposing negative cosmic forces."
"But this balance is comprised of living energy that both compliments and conflicts with each other. The struggle between them is inevitable before peace can be restored," Justice rested her chin thoughtfully on the top of her staff.
"But how can Chat Noir and I be destined to fight each other! We're partners!" Ladybug asked confused. "Aren't we on the same side?"
"You weild two of the most powerful forces of life itself!" Justice exclaimed, "unimaginable chaos could descend on the universe if you did not work together...balance is your uniting goal...but that still does not make you the same. The very nature of your powers are that you are opposites."
"And opposites attract!" Chat Noir elbowed Ladybug with a wink.
"Well I guess that explains why you really 'charge' me up!" Ladybug shot back.
"You know you like being 'stuck together!' It must be my 'magnetic' purrsonality!" Chat Noir crammed as many puns possible together not to be outdone, then sat back smugly waiting for Ladybugs retort.
Instead she just mumbled something about him being more clingy than static.
Ember sighed, and looked hopelessly over at lady justice and said , "they think they're funny."
She just smiled amused more at the dynamic between the two weilders than the puns. Then she cleared her throat, "as I was saying...you two will spar against each other and then we will work on strengthening your skills and techniques as needed."
Both Ladybug and Chat Noir stepped forward and faced each other. "I guess it isn't the first time we've had to fight each other," Ladybug shrugged, stepping one foot back.
"Yeah, but those times I was akumatized and was being used against you like a puppet," Chat Noir said bitterly, looking miserable.
"Purrsonally I think you were still holding back!" Ladybug gave him a bow, accompanied with a saucy smirk. "Let's see what my real Chat Noir can do!"
Chat Noir perked up at her challenge, and was puzzled, but intrigued by her flirtatious energy thrown his way. Suddenly competing with Ladybug was not a demand, but an invitation.
He straightened his shoulders, and smiled back at her, "as you wish Mi'lady," then he bowed to commence the fight.
The first two minute round Ladybug won, moving swiftly around Chat Noir and landing a few shots, mostly favoring a series of quick kicks and jabs. Even before becoming Ladybug, Marrinette's Mother had taught her a thing or two about self defense. She used the defining characteristics of speed and agility of taekwondo to her advantage. Her speed more than made up for her smaller size delivering each well placed hit. "You're still holding back on me Kitty," Ladybug breathed. "Come on! We're in our miraculous gear! You're not going to leave a scratch!"
"You sure?" Chat Noir eyed her, breathing in deeply.
"Bring it!" Ladybug shot back, and then launched themselves at each other for their second round.
Right out of the gate Ladybug had to step up her game, to block Chat Noir's strikes. They both had enhanced abilities, thanks to their miraculous', but Chat Noir clearly was also drawing on other experience and training in compact skills. A lifetime of his parents insisting on weekly martial arts training and fencing certainly showed. As he brought his right leg forward in a roundhouse kick, he automatically retracted his right arm to provided added reaction force to the attack. He didn't just kick with an extended foot, but rotated his hip to take advantage of the power behind each of his muscles. There was precision, control, and strategy in his attacks, and without a doubt it was Chat Noir who won the second round.
"Tie breaker Bugaboo!" Chat Noir's adrenaline surged. "What do I get if I win?!"
"You mean what do I get when I win?!" Ladybug jumped back and forth on her the tips of her toes.
"How about a massage!" Chat Noir blocked her punch, and landed a kick, pushing her backwards. "If you think your tiny hands can get through all this muscle!" he teased, giving her an infuriating wink.
"I'll show you 'tiny hands!' Ladybug yelled, letting herself be baited by the feline's taunt, and charging him.
Ladybug flew at Chat Noir and he went from laughing to reeling backwards with Ladybug on top of him. There was a heavy thud as she pinned him to the mat.
"With decisive control, the drive of anger can be a useful tool...but there is a saying that states "uncontrolled anger is a gift to a seasoned opponent," Justice cautioned.
"But I won! I knocked him to the mat," Ladybug sat, still straddling a mischievously grinning Chat Noir, who put his hands behind his head.
"you might have got me if it wasn't for the penalty you landed yourself with as soon as you landed on me!" he smiled. "I will take that massage now!" Chat Noir winked again, making her blush violently, and scramble off him in a huff.
"It is unwise to taunt your opponent, when there are more competitions to go," Ember advised the cocky cat
"What! I thought taekwondo had three rounds!" Chat Noir raised his head off the mat, and picked himself up.
"Oh you are right there!" Justice affirmed, but South Korea is also known for another combat sport from as far back as 37BC. Your second contest will be Ssireum wrestling."
"A full contact traditional survival tactic, in this kind of wrestling you will grab onto your opponents belt, and win by bringing any part of their body above the knee to the ground," Ember stated, as Justice wrapped a thick red satva belt around Ladybugs waist and a thick blue one round Chat Noir's.
"Stoomp loves this game," Kaalki piped up from the sidelines. "It is such a ox-type-thing to show off their superiority when it comes to brute strength."
Physical strength is a big part of it," Ember made eye contact with Chat Noir, "but it also requires strategy," and at this he looked over to Ladybug.
When they started their enhanced strength made them both collide, and stay locked together in a energy charged power struggle. Their faces pressed into each other's shoulders, and they tightly gripped each other's belt.
"This wouldn't be half as hard if you didn't smell so good," Chat Noir whispered next to Ladybug's face.
"Just focus on what we're doing you big flirt!" Ladybug gritted her teeth, dragging Chat Noir's hip closer to the mat.
"I AM trying to focus, but it's not easy when you can't keep your hands off me," Chat Noir purred.
At this point Ladybug returned to a bright shade of red. Her own focus was compromised when her mind betrayed her with pushed aside fantasies.
Feeling her resolve weaken, Chat swiftly turned his torso, shifted Ladybug onto his leg, and brought her down to meet the mat. Before she even knew what had happened she was looking up at him from her back.
"I gottcha again!" Chat Noir smiled like the cat that got the canary.
"You distracted me," Ladybug grumbled, sticking out her lower lip into a pout that Chat Noir found pretty cute.
"Well you have been distracting me for years!" Chat Noir helped her back to her feet.
"Me? Yeah right! I'm always the focused one!" Ladybug refuted.
"Oh the way you have teased me all this time! I've kept my paws to myself even though you flirt with me so!" Chat Noir held up his hand to his forehead dramatically, and fanned distress at the very memory.
"Me! Flirt with you?!" Ladybug's voice rose unconvincingly to a squeak. "If I was flirting with you, you'd go to pieces!"
"How do they get anything done?" Justice whispered to Ember? Are they always like this?"
"I could blame hormones, but honestly I think it's just how they are," Ember sighed.
"What happens when they realize?" Justice whispered to the Phoenix.
"Oh, then it is bound to be so much worse! " Ember chuckled. "Remember Cleopatra and Marc Anthony! They couldn't keep their hands off each other."
Justice shook her head with a smirk, "I better get them reigned in before Ladybug has Chat Noir strung up with her yoyo!"
"Weilders!" Justice interrupted, "are you quite ready for your last demonstration, or do you need another moment to collect yourselves?"
"No, no, we're ready," Ladybug said apologetically, standing to attention, and added, "sorry!"
Chat Noir, however, also stood to attention next to her, but didn't look the least bit sorry.
"Your Third contest is probably the oldest martial discipline in South Korea. Next you will compete in Taekkyon," Justice informed them. "I myself learned from the last known Taekkyon Master, Song Deok-gi, after the Korean War," Justice remembered. "This combat style has became a living national treasure."
"The whole body is used in unity. Whenever you move, allowing all of your energy to flow through you. None of your body is stagnant like a murky pond, but is constantly moving like a river," Ember described.
"Before you begin, the placement of your feet is important," Justice demonstrated, positioning her feet outward, like a triangle. "The footwork is called pumbalkki, and if you are doing it right, it should look like a dance between combatants."
Ember nodded at them when they took their stance. "Let us begin!"
"Shall we dance?!" Chat Noir's bowed, with added flare, to which Ladybug bowed stiffly in return, eyeing down her partner.
Ladybug and Chat Noir circled each other warily, changing their footwork constantly using pumbalkki and feinting with low kicks. Ember had not been joking, they never stopped moving.
Ladybug jumped over Chat Noir trying to sweep her legs, and she returned offensive strikes with a series of kicks and hits, moving both her arms and legs together.
"You're quiet LB! You haven't 'reduced me to pieces' yet!" Chat Noir's taunted playfully.
Ladybug stepped back, and rolled back her shoulders regarding her partner coolly. Then a devious look passed over her features, and the right corner of her lips curved upward. She dropped her weight into her right hip, and rested her left hand on the opposite one.
"Uh...what are you doing?!" Chat Noir took a cautious step back, swallowing with a gulp.
"Oh, I just think you're right," Ladybug dropped her voice a little lower, swaying confidently towards him in almost a predictory manner. "It is so hard to keep my hands off you!"
"What?!" Chat yipped, dropping his hands , and then quickly raising them to block Ladybug's hits. "You're just playing with me!" he shot back, but the tremor in his voice gave away his uncertainty.
"What about playing a game of cat and mouse?!" Ladybug wove around him, with a few punches, just to draw him out. "...or would you prefer I bring Marinette out as Multimouse for that?" she teased.
"Mari?!" Chat Noir stumbled backwards at the mention of her name, and Ladybug pressed forward, gaining momentum.
"Hmm...so the Kitty DOES want to play with his little mouse!" Ladybug narrowed her eyes, smirking triumphantly.
Chat Noir bit his lip, and his eyebrows shot up over his mask. Then he attempted to put more of the pressure back on Ladybug with a crescent kick, jabs, and kicks out from the knee.
"What's wrong pussy cat? Not so Chatty now?!" Ladybug blocked each shot with a sultry smile, allowing him to back her up near the wall. "I would say cats got your tongue..." she suddenly moved into a fake out, and weaved, "...but maybe the mouse wants it!" She dropped her taunt just as she used her weave to then turn with enough speed to surprise Chat Noir with a wall jump, and roll herself over his shoulder, and come down right beside him. His shock at both Ladybug's suggestion at him french kissing Marinette, was only heightened when ladybug herself pecked him on the cheek.
"Whoah!" he reeled back, tripping over his own feet as if she had hit him with more than just a quick kiss. "Keep Marinette our of this! And...and...I don't think kisses are fair attacks! That must be a penalty or something!" Chat Noir put his hands up flustered by this new aggressively flirtatious Ladybug.
"Hmm," Ladybug pouted in that same dangerously adorable way, that made Chat Noir very tempted to forget the whole match and just pounce on her. "Seems like someone can dish it out, but can't take it!"
"It seems more like you've been into my cat nip!" Chat Noir tried to land a few more hits to finish this match before he lost his mind. "You've never been like this before!"
"Maybe it's a good thing you don't remember me chasing you around during Dark Cupid," Ladybug laughed and suddenly exploded into a furry of strikes. "I didn't forget though," she came eye to eye with him, "after all it was our first kiss!" Chat Noir's mouth only had a second to pop open before Ladybug took him out at the knees, leaving him looking a bit stunned up at her from the mat.
"Alright you two, time to cool down," Ember said.
"You know things have really heated up when even a Phoenix gets overheated," Justice chuckled under her breathe to Ember.
Ladybug leaned down, to help Chat Noir up. Chat Noir raised an eyebrow, as he took her hand. "You really know how to drive a guy crazy," he said wearily.
"You really know how to drive a girl crazy," Ladybug tried not to smile, but a grin broke lose anyway.
"In a good way?" Chat Noir asked hopefully.
"In a good way," she smiled, and forced herself to turn her attention back to Ember and Justice.
"You are clearly both bringing your own personal style mixed with your experience and past training...your knowledge of your opponent though was both an advantage and weakness," Justice pointed out.
Both Chat Noir and Ladybug shifted uncomfortably. Just because Justice was blind, didn't mean she was unaware of the flirtatious energy that had gotten away on them in the heat of the moment.
"Emotions and sensitivities are part of who we are as humans..." Justice continued. "If you train yourself to acknowledge and direct these feelings, they can make you stronger, but if you simply react in a moment of stress they can control you."
"It is about time we took a break. After we get an early lunch, there is a place I want to show you both," Justice waved to them to follow her, as she lead the way with her cane.
The mix of very old and very new were woven together into the fabric of the neighborhood near the dojang. Even though the streets were crowed, and people jostled alongside each other, Justice quickly found her way to a small hidden away restaurant that she had clearly been countless times before. "This place has been in the Kim family for generations. Their youngest, Lee, turned it into a Korean BBQ spot; one of the best in the city.
"The 'youngest' Kim was an elderly man. He recognized Justice right away. "Ms. Justice! What a joy to see you again! Radiant as always, and I swear all these popular cosmetic shops in the city need to take a page from your book; you haven't aged a day!"
"Lee, you are so sweet!" she smiled.
Ladybug and Chat Noir waited politely for Justice, as the elder to be seated first. Their host quickly bustled back from the kitchen and started a grill at the center of their table, which was accompanied with colored bowels of different meats, veggies, noodles, and rice.
"jal meokkessumnida", they said together in thanks to their host.
They each savored everything. By the end they couldn't eat another bite. Then with many bows and thanks to Mr. Kim the were lead to a clothing rental shop that specialized in traditional hanbuks.
Justice helped Ladybug into a full crimson hanbuk skirt, that rounded out like a bell from under her ribs. The long sleeved white jacket was crossed and tied in front, featuring delicately embroidered red and black blossoms.
Chat Noir chose a black hanbuk, that fell like a wide robe crossed in a 'y' in front, tied with a green sash, and coming down mid shin. The sleeves were comfortably wide.
They had never worn anything like them before, but Justice seemed to be quite at home in her own soft white and heather grey hanbuk, accented with silver thread, tied with a high bow under her chest.
It was surreal to be walking down the street together as if they had stepped into this modern place from another time. Many other locals and tourists were also dressed up in a sea of color for the chance to experience a piece of palace history.
Walking through the grand bright gates they couldn't help but feel like they had actually been transported back in time. They followed Justice through the courtyards and stairs till they came to a secret garden amidst the palace grounds. "This used to be called Geumwon', the Forbidden Garden of King Taejong, but over the years it has been given many names."
This garden, and the palace itself was designed to work in harmony with nature, rather than manipulate it with artificial landscapes. This allowed that natural beauty to flourish. By respecting nature they were granted this sanctuary."
The garden was a retreat accented with many pavilions and fountains. New leaves sprung from buds on the ginko, walnut, and plum trees, which created a colorful reflection in the ponds against the light blue sky. Justice came to stop under a particular pavilion with the roof the shape of a lotus flower.
"Here in Korea during the Joseon period there were individuals skilled in academics and martial arts who by by all rights could have lived the life of a noble," Justice remembered, "Forsaking titles and wealth, by choice, they dedicated their life to the life of a virtuous scholar; a seonbi. They constantly worked towards self improvement and fighting for what they believed in. They were fiercely loyal to their King. The 'Seonbi Spirit' has come to mean emanating respect and honor even in the face of certain death."
"Is there some death defying feat we must complete?" Chat Noir asked cautiously.
"Haha not here!" she chuckled. Then she paused a moment to center herself in the moment more seriously. " It is here that you will repeat your Miraculous Oath of honor. No magic binds you to this promise, but it is up to you to uphold your commitment to live your life worthy of the power that has been entrusted to you not only by the guardians, but also the kwami you represent," Justice said solemnly standing under the small pavilion overlooking a serene pond.
Ladybug and Chat Noir, straightened their posture sensing the enormity of this moment. Somehow being commissioned for this commitment together made it all the more perfect. They had started this journey together, and now they were being prepared to continue their work as heroes into the future side by side.
"I will recite the oath so you understand what you are swearing to, then I will repeat it slowly, so you can repeat it after me," Justice instructed.
Then with passion in her voice gazing out over the trees with unseeing eyes she spoke the words that all chosen weilders from the origin had recited: "I will be courteous, honest, and respectful to all. With integrity and compassion I will live my life to serve. No matter the challenge I will persevere with self control and an Indomitable spirit. I will never corrupt the miraculous, but will live with honor. As the champion of freedom and justice, I will build a more peaceful world."
As the repeated these words after Justice spoke they breathed out a deep sigh. There were no embellishments, no audience, no grand fireworks for the words they had just spoke. They did not feel lighter after finishing their vow; rather they felt heavier, as if they had just stepped into armor in preparation for battle.
"It is high time we returned to train before your final test," Justice said guiding them back.
For the rest of the afternoon Chat Noir and Ladybug trained with Maat and Ember. Each kwami had extensive knowledge of defensive and offensive techniques. They were given more strategies they could utilize in their battles, and although they could only get so far in a single day, both showed distinct improvement.
"The next sparring match we should probably find a more discrete location," Justice said. With miraculous powers these contests can occasionally involve...shall we say...property damage."
Chat Noir (certainly familiar with the destruction that followed a cataclysm), scratched the back of his neck self consciously. Once more he was very thankful Ladybug was always there with a lucky charm to reverse things.
Ladybug dutifully pulled out the horse miraculous and summoned Kaalki, saying "Kaalki, full gallop." Then she looked to Ember who suggested the nearby Baegundae mountain, among Seoul's highest peaks.
As they stepped through the portal they were caught off guard by the bird's-eye view of the immensely cosmopolitan Seoul.
"The time has come," Justice announced, channeling the power of Maat. "Now you must battle me!"
"Is this fair though?!" Ladybug asked nervously. "You won't be able to see me coming?!"
"This blind old woman before you may seem to be at a disadvantage, and it is noble of you to make this a fair fight. It is not for that reason that this will be an unfair fight. You forget that I have hundreds of years more experience than you!"
Ladybug stepped forward first and bowed in respect, which Justice reverently returned.
Ladybug approached Justice with her yoyo ready, but Justice stayed still with her hands stretched out on top of her staff. It wasn't until Ladybug threw her yoyo that Justice reacted with lightning reflexes. The yoyo that was now wound around her staff, she spun, and leapt high into the air. Ladybug, still tethered to her yoyo shot up with her, dragged upward, then swiftly down onto the rocky cliffs. Ladybug had barely picked herself up again when Justice was upon her, and brought her staff down. Ladybug blocked the attack, and rolled to the side.
Ladybug had been used to being the strategist in the group for years, but this time Justice had her beat. Years of training, leading battles, and advising leaders from countless countries around the world had earned her that. Each time Ladybug moved, Justice anticipated her, and intercepted her. Like a violent game of chess, Justice was thinking several moves ahead.
Finally, Ladybug flicked her yoyo, and managed to pry the staff out of her grasp, and Ladybug caught it in the air.
"Do you concede?" Ladybug asked.
"I may be unarmed, but I'm far from defenseless young Ladybug," Justice stood expectantly. "The next move is yours."
Ladybug looked at her, then at her staff she held. Then she tossed the staff back to Justice, who caught it in the air. Her eyes stared unblinking past Ladybug, but the corner of her mouth turned up into a satisfied grin. Then she rose up to her full height, and tapped the staff thoughtfully. "You might make it too easy for me to beat you if you just hand me back my weapon," she said.
"I'd rather defeat you at your best," Ladybug replied, spinning her yoyo.
"You might not get another chance," Justice took the high ground on the ledge above.
"It did it once, I can do it again!" Ladybug called up to her, jumping from rock to rock.
"You got lucky that time!" Justice laughed confidently, taking a swing at her.
"Time for another stroke of luck then!" Ladybug shouted, casting her yoyo in the air, "Lucky charm!" Then into her outstretched arms fluttered a kite as wide as her arm.
Ladybug glanced around puzzled, then strung her arm through the kite, and leapt to the side to avoid a kick and strike combo from Justice.
Then Ladybug saw her opportunity. She looped the kite string around Justices' leg, as she slid past her. The high wind caught the kite, and dragged Justice back as she was about to strike Ladybug. Instead Ladybug pulled Justice back into a tight hold.
"Nicely done," Justice congratulated. "I submit."
Ladybug , released her, helping her to her feet. Then she and Justice bowed again.
"Well, Chat Noir, Now let's see what you've got!" Justice challenged.
"Whenever you're ready," Chat Noir preformed his classic Chat bow, which Justice returned to start their match.
This time it was Justice that went on the offensive first. Chat Noir tumbled with her off the edge of a cliff, and both dug in to the side of the mountain (her with her staff, and he with his baton). Balancing on these narrow poles, they exchanged a series of strikes and kicks. While the fight against Ladybug had been focused on strategy, the fight with Chat Noir was centered around technique. Chat Noir defiantly held his own, but Justice landed a couple solid hits. The last of which sent him reeling, and he lost his footing.
"No!" Ladybug yelped, witnessing Chat Noir fall. She stepped forward, but was waylaid by a spread out wing of Ember, who told her not to interfere. Ladybug pushed him aside anyway, and scrambled to the edge of the cliff.
Chat Noir was dangling from the branch of a withered little tree sprouting from the rock face.
Ladybug breathed a sigh of relief. "Kitty you okay?!" She called down to him.
"Are you kidding!" He flashed a smile up to her, "I've got her right where I want her!"
"So you still are not ready to relent!" Justice called out from above, and struck the side of the cliff, sending a avalanche of debris falling down on him.
"Stop! Don't hurt him!" Ladybug shouted.
But Justice continued. "You had your turn Ladybug. Only the cat can call it quits when he's had enough!"
"But he'll never stop! He's too stubborn!" Ladybug argued with a edge of panic in her voice that gave away her fear.
"You've got that right Ladybug!" Chat Noir called through the rising dust. "I don't give up!" Then he shouted, "Cataclysm!" And the cliff split right up to were Justice stood. The rock gave away, and she came down with it. She fell straight down, but was caught by Chat Noir who gripped firmly onto her wrist.
"Now purrhaps, you'd like to concede Lady Justice?" Chat Noir smiled as she dangled from his hand.
A dust covered Justice, wiped her arm across her dusty face. Then she drew her other arm up and placed it on his. "Well done Black Cat. Now your Ladybug can haul us both up. I think she's anxious to see you again," she smiled.
Ladybug grumbled about "stupid cats taking chances," but swiftly pulled both he and Justice back to solid ground.
"There you are, you have your cat back in one piece," Justice stood back, dropping her transformation. Where the imposing warrior had stood a fragile old woman took her place. She perched on a boulder next to Ember, grasping her staff for support. "You have proved to be honorable fighters," she concluded, and the ostrich kwami, Maat nodded in agreement. "Just remember that not all your adversaries with show the same respect to you...which doesn't mean you should show any less honor...only that you may be put to the test."
"And I have something for you, chirped a small voice at their feet. Suddenly a grasshopper leapt up and took his kwami form. "I've been watching you closely, and I am very impressed. Honorable people are rare to find...especially when they think no one is watching." Then the wild kwami handed Ladybug and Chat Noir five smooth sticks each. These are for your next challenge he gestured to the bundle of long sticks. "These are for the kwami council," and he placed a polished stone in each of their hands as well. Then bowed low, and instructed that early the next morning they should meet at the park for the next part of the honor trials.
"Have some fun tonight my friends," Justice said, slowly arching her weary back up. "I've got a place in the village in Seoul you can spend the night. Then she past a set of old Skelton keys to Ladybug. Just look for the miraculous crest on the door." Ladybug channeled Kaalki's power and they all. arrived back to the streets of Seoul. Justice gave them a wave, and used her staff to find her way through the busy streets.
After their rigorous training Ladybug and Chat Noir's first stop was the lively night market. It was here that they realized how many fans they had h in the city. They were approached by many people who asked eagerly for a photo together, and even a teen who begged them to sign her Ladybug backpack.
One merchant even offered Ladybug the chance to have a new cosmetic line named after her. Chat Noir ducked his head self consciously, recognizing the 'Adrien' fragrance line ads everywhere. His brand had gone international back in his early teens, but it was always a relief when he could interact with Chat Noir fans, rather than Adrien Agreste fans. He guessed it had something to do with the fact that fans of Chat Noir appreciated him for what he had done, whereas fans of Adrien only were attracted to him by the look carefully concocted by his father. Ladybug certainly noticed the Adrien ads, but linked arms with Chat Noir and they dashed through the shops toward the sizzling roadside food stands.
There was no shortage of people to meet, things to buy, and tasty food to sample.
Ladybug and Chat Noir finally escaped up to the heights of some of the tallest skyscrapers.
They hadn't really been able to comprehend how massive the city was (even from the heights of the mountain range that sheltered it). But now the darkness of night was illuminated the city with bright lights reaching as far as they could see in every direction. It was seriously mesmerizing. During the day they had been focused on the historic shadows of the past, but at night the modern energy of the city dominated the skyline.
It was not till late into the night that the two of them found their way back to the 600 year old streets of traditional Seoul. They strolled through the narrow alleyways to the top of the hill between Jongmyo shrine, Changdeok Palace, and Gyeongbok. Within the beautiful architecture of the Bukchon Hanok Village, they found a Hanok with the circular miraculous symbol carefully etched onto the door. Anyone unconnected with the miraculous world would have missed it, as it blended in with the carved patterns surrounding it. For Ladybug and Chat Noir, it stood out like a beacon guiding them home.
The key ground loudly in the lock, and the door swung open wearily with age. Inside the space was small, and sparsely furnished. But it was neat and tidy, with everything needed in its own place.
Dark wooden pillars and beams accented the walls and ceiling. Matching wooden shelves displayed a collection of photographs faded brown, and an odd assortment of antiques.
Chat Noir curiously picked up one of the photographs, and excitedly pushed it into Ladybug's hands. The photo was of a past Ladybug and Chat Noir smiling next to Justice. Ladybug's eyes lingered on the way the Ladybug and Chat Noir of the past were gazing at each other, and the way that Ladybug's arm wound comfortably around her partner. A glance at the rest of the collection made it clear that many of these photos were of past miraculous holders. While Ladybug continued to study the collection of photographs, Chat Noir explored the rest of the house.
Shuttered windows, with thin slats of wood ran the length of the main room that led to a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. This small space was divided by a sliding door with opaque paper screening. Goldenrod yellow panels with hand painted black ink designs created a headboard, but there was no mattress or bed frame. Neatly stacked flat cushions could be arranged as a bed, with grey blankets with gold stripes.
Back in the main room a low square table held a small teapot, and ivory colored teacups. Justice must have prepared it for them,as the small kitchen was also stocked with food, and a selection of Imsil cheese for Plagg and Yakgwa flower-shaped sweets for Tiki.
"Mind if I let Plagg loose for a bit?" Chat Noir poked his head out of the bedroom. "He usually gets a bit crazy after keeping me transformed all day," he apologized in advance.
"Yeah, sure," Ladybug said still immersed in photos. "You take the bedroom, and I'll give Tiki a break out here and let her recharge."
Chat Noir slid the door shut, and said, "Plagg, Claws in," letting his transformation wash away. He held out the soft cheese for Plagg, which the cat kwami quickly devoured. No sooner than consuming the cheese, Plagg was bombarding Adrien with pleas to go to a cheese themed Imsil amusement park while they were in South Korea. "It's new!" he whined. "It wasn't here the last time were came through on the miraculous trials! 32 acres of cheese-themed goodness! How can you deprive me from experiencing a building shaped like a wedge of fromage. It is sacred! It was established by priest Ji Jeong-hwan himself!"
Although not completely giving in to his plans for a detour, Adrien pacified the demanding kwami with a promise to make a special trip back. Although still grumbling, some additional cheese stuffed in his mouth made it hard for Plagg to complain too much.
Meanwhile, Marinette was pouring over photographs with Tiki in the living room. Tiki was munching on Yakgwa, while sentimentally reminiscing about past battles and friends.
"Uh...Ladybug, are you and Tiki almost ready for bed," Adrien asked awkwardly.
"I'll be right there," Marinette called back, propping the photograph back in its place.
Marinette rubbed Tiki behind the antenna bidding her goodnight, and then called on her transformation.
When she slid the door open, Chat Noir was already arranging mats, cushions, and blankets for them.
"Thanks for getting everything ready," she said lifting a corner of the blanket, and tucking her feet beneath her.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Chat Noir grinned.
"Umm..like what?" Ladybug raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"I believe we had a wager today, in which I won a massage from the Lady!" he smirked.
"In your dreams Kitty! Plus, I won a couple rounds myself!" Ladybug crossed her arms.
"Fine! Twist my arm, I'll give you a massage too," he gave her a devious wink.
"Nope! Not gonna happen!" She declared.
"Come on Bug! I literally fell off a cliff today!" Chat Noir pulled out his kitten eyes. "Come on! How about just a foot rub?" He jumped to the mat beside her and stuck out his still booted foot.
"Ew! Even if you could get those off while transformed, I'm certainly not rubbing those paws!" Ladybug pushed his feet away.
"Just a little head scratch then?" he implored laying his head on her lap.
"Ahh...fine!" Ladybug finally caved, adjusting herself, so she was in a comfortable sitting position.
Chat Noir was a little surprised he had finally worn her down, but was not about to turn down the attention.
As soon as Ladybug's slender gloved gloved hands tangled themselves into his shaggy blonde hair he quivered under her touch. As she drew her fingers over his temples, he let out a deep sigh of contentment. He closed his eyes sinking into the comfort of having her so close. As she stroked his head like the cat he embodied, Ladybug found herself smiling down at her Kitty. It was nice to have him relax under her touch. As she brushed beneath one of his cat ears, a low, reverberating rumble escaped his throat.
Her hand paused, and Chat Noir tensed. Wanting to hear him purr again, she moved her hand back behind his ear. He abruptly shot his head up off her lap, sitting upright. "Ahh...that was great...your turn!" he mumbled backing up, so she could sit in front of him.
Ladybug shot him a sly glance, at his hasty escape, but didn't acknowledge it right away, and rather chose to just move over in front of him. "Here, I'll take these out first," Ladybug said, pulling out her ponytails, and releasing a wave of raven hair down her back.
If it wasn't enough that his cat-like impulses had just reduced him to purring under her hand a moment ago, he was now fighting the urge to play with her glossy hair like a kitten with ribbons dangling in its face. Chat Noir caught the scent of vanilla and cinnamon, and tried to snap himself out of the way it made his heart beat faster against his chest.
"Everything okay?" she asked, turning slightly over her shoulder.
"Yep! Fine! So fine!" Chat Noir rushed, and quickly drew his hands up through her hair. He let his claws rake gently through her hair, till he felt her relax. Then with closed eyes she smiled and said," I like it when I make you purr."
Chat's hands paused in hesitation a moment, before continuing to rub her head. "It's kind of embarrassing," he admitted.
"Did you know some people think purring in cats has healing properties?" she replied, relaxing deeper under his touch.
"Really? I guess if anyone is less stressed it's better for you," he responded thoughtfully.
"Plus it's downright adorable," Ladybug continued with a smirk.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Ladybug!" Chat Noir tussled her hair, and moved over to the mat next to hers.
"Hey! My hair!" she protested, trying to smooth it down.
"I think it's downright adorable!" Chat Noir Mimicked, before dodging a pillow thrown his way and turning over under the blankets.
"Nite," Ladybug rolled her eyes, snuggling under her own blankets.
"Goodnight M'lady," Chat Noir replied.
Readers who have stuck with me through this journey are awesome:) Thank you so much for adding it to favorites or follows!
A special thanks to janicep801 for the suggestion to send Chat Noir and Ladybug to South Korea! Some exciting moments take place for our heroes over the coming chapters;)