The next couple weeks Adrien Agreste and his agent were doing plenty of damage control after the photos of Adrien's "daliencies." With Adrien insisting that the photos were not really him, the agent suggested that maybe he should just lay low for a while, and let the whole thing blow over. Style Queen was hardly immune from the occasional scandal. The design company actually got a lot of free publicity from the whole affair. Audrey Bourgouis however did make the comment during a phone conversation with his agent that "Adrien's image was the companies image, and that attempting to get a bit of attention was one thing, but go to far, and she had no problem dropping him from her new line."
Marinette received the occasional sympathetic smiles, and overheard others in the company whispering about Paris' sweetheart turned playboy for a few days back at her internship. She started eating lunch at her desk, and burying herself in her work. At first her mentor was worried about her, but the increase in her productivity was a good enough reason to gloss over those concerns.
Marinette was working late on a gorgeous fall jacket design afterhours one night, and the buzzing of the lights above slowly lulled her to sleep. She startled awake when her buzzing phone vibrated right off the table. Scrambling to grab the phone, she put it to her ear upside down, mumbling, "ello?"
"Ladybug?" the voice of Lady Justice asked on the other end.
"Uh yes sorry, I wasn't expecting to hear from you," Marinette apologized, trying the rub the sleep out of her eyes. "Is everything alright with Fei? Merlin hasn't been causing trouble has he?"
"Fei is quite relieved to be back, and yes she is doing well," Lady Justice reported. "We've been keeping watch over Merlin. Maybe keeping him close was a better strategy than keeping him at bay."
"I know I just dropped him back at your doorstep, I just didn't know what else to do," Marinette apologized.
"No, you did the right thing. Merlin and I have a history, and there was a lot we needed to unload," Lady Justice admitted.
"You two have been fighting?" Marinette mused, reading into her tone.
"Don't worry, we're both still intact," Lady Justice chuckled. "Actually, Merlin brought up a place I hadn't thought of for centuries that might give you and Chat Noir some more insight into the mosquito kwami. It is risky going back there, but after what you told me with your last encounter with him...well, I think it is a chance you need to take. He's getting bold, and that means that he may strike soon," Lady Justice finished ominously.
"Where are we headed?" Marinette asked, surprising herself with her resolve.
"I told Merlin you wouldn't be deterred!" Lady Justice said proudly. Then she turned to the business at hand. "You both will set off with Ember to the Easter Islands, just off of Chile."
"Is it part of the trials?" Marinette asked.
"No, there are no more wild kwami left on the island," Lady Justice kept her voice formal, but it was laced with sadness.
"I'll confirm with Chat Noir, and head out there as soon as we can," Marinette replied.
"And Ladybug," Lady Justice added, "Let the experience guide you, but never shake you."
oooooooooooo
Chat Noir was already at their meeting point when Ladybug dropped down onto the roof next to him.
"You seem extra eager for this trip," Ladybug observed, as he practically bounded over to her, and pecked her on the cheek.
"It is like my agent and the Bourgouis' have been practically keeping me under house arrest the past couple weeks! It's like a sick case of déjà vu to my old life," Chat Noir's pointed ears flattened, and his shoulders drooped. "They figure if I have an alibi for my where-abouts every second of the day, no one is going to get any incriminating photos of me being 'naughty!'"
"So how did you get away?" Ladybug asked sympathetically.
"I've gotten pretty good at giving watchful eyes the slip over the years," Chat Noir stood up straight, and then leaned in to whisper, "plus Wayhem was only to happy to help hold down the fort!"
"What did you do?" Ladybug's eyes narrowed at her clever Kitty.
"Naw, don't worry, he'll have a blast. He's just 'house-sitting' for me till we get back. He can field calls with a voice recording I left, and other than that he can just chill and play video games or whatever on my big screen," Chat Noir shrugged.
Ladybug shook her head, "well, I'm sure he was ecstatic. I thought I was the biggest Adrien Agreste crazy fan, but I think he even had me beat! He's bound to have a much better time than us."
"Come on Mi'Lady, we've always had amazing experiences on these trips haven't we?!" Chat Noir pouted.
"Are you forgetting the death-defying feats we've repeatedly had to endure?" Ladybug asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, sure, but what about all the romantic destinations too?" Chat Noir purred in her ear.
"We're off to investigate Chaos, I'm not so sure this is going to be a 'couples stroll in the park,'" Ladybug cautioned.
"Doesn't mean we can't make the most of some time together! You've been so busy lately!" Chat Noir sighed. "I understand you trying to make a name for yourself, and you know that I'm so excited that more people are sitting up and taking notice of all your talent! I just..."
"I know Kitty, I am really sorry though about getting so caught up in everything!" Ladybug apologized. "I'll try not to get so busy that I forget what...or rather who...is really important!" She nudged his shoulder, and slipped on the horse miraculous glasses.
Kalaki quivered floating before them, and tossed his head. "So off to Rapa Nui," Kalki whinnied.
"Rapa Nui?" Ladybug asked.
"The original name for Easter Island," Kalki informed.
"You've been there before," Chat Noir asked.
"I've been most places before," Kalaki bragged, "but it is one of the few places I'd never think I'd return to. I was one of the last kwami to set foot there...and that was a long time ago. Most of us try to avoid it."
"What happened there?" Ladybug asked. "Lady Justice said it might be a risk to go there!"
"It used to be a refuge for kwami...but long before the first human discovered the land, Chaos came to the island and stirred up rivalries among the kwami. The mosquito kwami took power, and many kwami joined him. There were kwami that resisted his rule when it became apparent what kind of tyrant he truly was. They fought back. It is not exactly clear what the final days of that time were like. From what we can gather something was done that shook the mosquito kwami from his seat of power. Whatever it was, it also wiped the memories of all of the kwami present."
"The unicorn miraculous!" Chat Noir and Ladybug whispered together, glancing at one another.
"Very likely," Kalaki nodded, and then continued. "Once he had been defeated the mosquito kwami was banished to remain on that very island. His only guard was the manutara bird kwami. Back then I was the messenger for kwami around the world, so I would check in with manutara every now and then. At first it seemed that Chaos was sufficiently subdued, and he spent years burrowing into the seaside cliffs, making tunnels, and carving versions of himself into the volcanic rock of the island. We did not realize that even this isolated island was not far enough to keep the world safe from him."
"How did he escape from the island?" Chat Noir asked.
"He might still be there today, if it hadn't been for man," Kalaki sighed. "A exceptional navigator and Polynesian chief stumbled across the island, thinking he had found the end of the world. At first his people were loyal to the mantara kwami. The mantara kwami helped these people thrive, and in return they worshiped him. The mantara kwami let their admiration go to his head, and the mosquito kwami whispered into the ear of his gatekeeper, and fanned the fire of his ego. The kwami of chaos was of course jealous, and used dissention among the tribe to divide people against each other. In the violence that followed the mosquito was able to slip from our grasp."
With a determined face Ladybug unified her powers. "Well, we're not going to let him slip through our fingers again! You with me Kitty?"
"You know it!" Chat Noir took her hand, and the two of them stepped through the portal onto the cliffs of Easter Island.
Ember unfurled in a burst of flame from the feather quill that Ladybug held between her fingers. "Lady Justice actually sent us here," Ember muttered in disgust. I never thought I'd have to return. This kwami-forsaken land is one of the most secluded locations in the world," Ember shook his head.
The island itself was surrounded by a million square miles of open ocean which smashed elegantly against the black lava rock. Encircled by crystal clear waters, the moon-like topography was scattered with tuffs of the light green grass. Solidary stone sentries carved from volcanic stone dotted the edge of the cliffs. The whole island was itself an underwater mountain which generations ago had risen from the sea.
They ambled along the ridge of the volcanic crater of Rano Kau, which opened up on one end of the island. Chat Noir figured that it must be over one mile across, and over 200 meters deep. It looked other worldly, with floating reeds on water at its base.
On the bluff of the western side of the volcano was an ancient village, which Ember informed them was called Orongo. Ember settled himself onto a speckled stone, and looked out to sea. Both Ladybug and Chat Noire watched him for a few minutes, before Chat Noir cleared his throat.
"So is this where our mission starts?" Chat Noir asked finally.
Ember did not look back at them, but his fiery feathers sagged, and his unblinking eyes stayed locked on the horizon. Finally he sighed, and said, "Every year in spring the people would gather there, and have a competition to see who among them could scale the cliffs down to the ocean, swim across to the tiny islets, and return with one of the eggs of manutara. Whoever was first to return with the egg would have the honor of their perspective chief ruling the island for the coming year."
"That sounds pretty exciting," Chat Noir commented cheerfully, digging out his stash of power-up Camembert and picked out the water-power-up wedge.
"Wait," Ember held up his wing, making them both freeze with his abruptness. "You cannot use your powers, nor your miraculous for this task."
"Not use our miraculous?" Ladybug repeated in surprise. "Isn't this..."
"Chaos...or the mosquito kwami could be kept here because there is a barrier around this island that any kwami cannot pernitrate. A kwami cannot use their powers to fly through the air or swim through the surrounding waters. Only I, as the horse kwami, was able to move to and from this place. Either of you jumping into these forbidden waters would harm both Tikki and Plagg."
Both Chat Noir and Ladybug took a step back from the ledge.
"In your human forms you must swim out to the island, and each retrieve an egg of manutara. It is only then that you will have the status of an island chief and be able to travel into the restricted caves at this island's core. That is the only way you will get a glimpse of the mosquito kwami's past...which Lady Justice seems to feel may be the key to unlocking his plans for the future." It was only then that Ember looked back at them with concern in his coal-like eyes. "I wouldn't blame you if you'd rather turn back."
"When have you ever hesitated or advised us to hang back," Ladybug said slowly, unnerved by their guide's uncharacteristically morose expression
"If there is a chance that we could put an end to this mosquito kwami and squash him for good, I say we go for it!" Chat Noir took Ladybug's hand and lifted it up.
"As you wish," Ember conceded. "Just...be careful," Ember added, and then led them to where they would descend the cliffs.
Both Ladybug and Chat Noir released their kwami from their transformation, and the kwmai looked as hesitant as Ember across the water to the lonely island, and then back to their holders.
"I wish I could go with you," Tikki nuzzled against Marinette's cheek.
"Me too," Marinette replied, "but it doesn't seem so far out. I've swam that far before when the girls and I raced laps at the pool."
Tikki bit her lip. This would be much different than a few laps at Paris' pool. She looked worriedly at Marinette, but found her chosen's jaw clenched, and her hands clenched in determination. Tikki understood now without another word from Marinette. It wasn't that Marinette was unaware of the danger ahead, but rather she was psyching herself up to face it.
"I believe in you," Tikki whispered in her ear. "You can do this."
Marinette nodded at her companion.
"I don't see why you've got to do this anyway for some dumb ol' egg," Plagg muttered. "Whatever that sneaky mosquito kwami has stashed away in some cave is not going to make or break our plans a bit. I say we all go home and kick back and wait for him to show his ugly face...or one of his faces..." Plagg grumbled.
"Aww, you're worried about us," Adrien affectionately scratched the top of the little cat kwami's head.
"I just think that this whole thing is a waste of time. I could be three wedges deep in a wheel of Camembert by now," Plagg huffed.
"Don't worry, we'll be back soon, and then I'll feed you," Adrien smiled.
Adrien raised his arms above his head, and in one swift motion pulled his white t-shirt over his head. Marinette let out a little gasp at the appearance of his tawny muscles that stacked on on the other as he moved. She let out a startled 'yip' though when he started to undo the button on his jeans and strip down to his boxer-briefs. She smacked her hands over her eyes embarrassed with how red she knew her face would be at this very moment.
Adrien looked up at her with a cheeky smile, and tossed his neatly folded clothes onto a nearby rock. "Come on Mari, you've seen me in a swim suit before, is this really so different?"
"You know very well that it is!" Marinette responded flustered.
"Clothes will only weigh a swimmer down out there. You're not going to go out there like that are you?" Adrien crossed his arms, and tried to catch Marinette's eye.
"I...well...I..." Marinette sputtered, tenting her fingers to peek out at Adrien, and looked down at herself. Then she crossed her arms across herself, and glared at him. "Don't look at me like that!"
"How?" Adrien laughed.
She bit her lip and stared back at him.
"Okay, okay. Don't worry. If it makes you feel any better I'll look away," Adrien chuckled with a smile. True to his word Adrien looked the other way.
Marinette glanced over to him, and then instantly dropped her gaze to her ballet flats. This was not the time to drool over how absolutely gorgeous Adrien Agreste was, and how at this very moment he was way hotter than any underwear ads she had poured over in the fashion magazines tucked away in her desk at home. She pulled off her jacket and balled it up, and set it aside with her shoes. She tugged at her white t-shirt, and twisted the corner awkwardly.
"If you're done, I'll turn around," Adrien said.
"No, no, not yet," Marinette panicked.
"Alright, but it is getting kindda chilly just standing here in barely anything," Adrien commented.
"Okay, alright, let's just go!" Marinette said abruptly, and stalked off towards the path still wearing her t-shirt and capris.
Adrien perked up as she walked by, and then reverted to his mopey chat-like self. "Aww, but you didn't even change," Adrien pouted.
"Like you said, it is chilly standing around in barely anything. This will have to do!" Marinette marched on without looking back, trying, without any luck to avoid the tremble in her voice.
"Heh heh! Better luck next time kid!" Plagg called out at Adrien with a snicker. (Tikki elbowed him).
Adrien walked to Marinette's side, and commented, "You know I think you're pretty hot in anything right!"
Marinette blushed, and Adrien settled down beside her at the edge the cliff. With his back facing the water, he put his foot down to find the first foot hold down the rock. "Mi'Lady," Adrien looked up with a wink, and offered his hand up to Marinette.
"Thank you cheeky Tom Cat," Marinette said taking his hand, and the two of them gradually made their way down the steep decline towards the water. Once they made it as far as they could clinging to the rocky ledge, they looked at each other and nodded.
"First one back wins!" Adrien said playfully, trying to lighten the situation as they got closer and closer to taking the plunge into the sea.
"Win's what?" Marinette rose to the challenge of her handsome boyfriend.
"That is a surprise," Adrien winked, and he kissed her firmly on her lips. With a 'whoop' they jumped into the turbulent water hand in hand.