Chapter 5: Memories and Places from the Past

Needing to relax after school ended, miss Bustier arrived at the Garden of the Ancients willing and ready to continue to train her fighting abilities with the old master. Ever since Fu had begun to train her, the young teacher began to show she was a fast learner and quite skilful with both her arms and legs, but also with swords. That garden had become her third home for the last few weeks, and every time she entered it, each time she felt more at home. She, who never imagined that one day she would have to wield a weapon to defend everything and everyone she loves.

"Good strike! But remember about your footwork, my dear." -Master Fu warned her, as he swept her right foot, making her lose her balance, and almost drop her sword. –"You mustn't allow your adversary to find an opening." -he told her.

Even though he was no longer a spring chicken, master Fu was still quite fast and agile. No doubt a side effect from wearing the turtle miraculous for as long as he did, before passing it to Nino. And that made him a formidable adversary. One who was the perfect sparring partner for someone who was still discovering and honing her fighting abilities. Just like he had done with all the members of the Miraculous Team, he was now doing his best to train miss Bustier, and help her anyway he could.

"That's it! Don't be afraid to move around. Pretend that you're dancing the waltz around me!" -Master Fu declared, as he dodged one of her attacks. –"Excellent!"

This went on for another hour, when finally, they both ended the training. Bowing to each other in respect, they then proceeded to the final part of their training session. A warm cup of tea, courtesy of the old master, who like always chose a herbal infusion, which he knew would relax them, and help to tend to their sore muscles. Its scent filled the air, as he poured it into the cups.

"It's easy to see, you were in need to let out some real steam today, my dear." -Master Fu told her, as he handed her the cup.

"Absolutely." -Miss Bustier sighed, grabbing the cup. –"The final exams are hard work for the students, but they're also hard for the teachers." -she admitted. –"And on top of that, I keep thinking about what's coming our way. Neither Hawk Moth, nor La Paon showed signs of life, ever since they faced each other. And that's making me nervous."

"I understand what you're saying." -Master Fu declared, before sipping the tea. –"But to be honest, I'm more worried about that dream Marinette had." -he said.

"Yes. Just before we began the finals, she told me she had called you to tell you about it, early in the morning." -Miss Bustier confessed. –"After she told me and the rest of the class about it, I even asked her if she was okay to do her finals, which she said she was." -she said.

"The dream she had is quite troubling." -Master Fu admitted. –"A prophetic dream is most of the times, not a good thing. And this one certainly qualifies as not a good thing." -he said. –"I just wished the past Ladybugs had told her something that would give us a better understanding of what could be that threat they were talking about."

"It would've made our lives easier, that's for sure. And it would've helped Marinette not to get so stressed about it, especially when she was told she's supposedly the only one who'll be able to stop this threat, alone. Knowing her, like I do, I know that it's going to take her a little, for her to stop thinking about that matter." -Miss Bustier said. –"I hope Tikki can calm her down." -she sighed.

"I told Marinette not to worry about it, and to focus on the Present. But I'm afraid, I myself am failing to do just that." -Master Fu admitted. –"I too am worried about that that unknown thereat she was told about." -he declared. –"And if I am, I wonder how she must be feeling, when she was told that in the end, only she will be able to put a stop to that threat."

"But even if that is true, she won't be alone, until that time comes." -Miss Bustier declared. –"She'll have all her friends there for her, as well as us to guide her. And that is, if that threat comes to pass. Quoting John Connor, "The future is not set in stone, and we can make our own destiny". It may be from a movie, but I always believed that. I believe the future isn't set in stone, and it's up to us to make it a good one." -she said.

There was power in words, and those were some mighty powerful ones. Over the course of his long life, the old master had seen proof that destiny has a funny way of making things happening. The Book of Prophecies was proof of it. But he had also seen proof that the future is not written. Just like the teacher, he too believed that the future could be moulded and changed, even if not entirely.

"I agree. Even though, if it could talk, the Book of Prophecies would have something to say about it." -Master Fu said. –"I've seen that book predicting the future both before and after it happened. So, I'm quite confident that the idea that the future can't be changed is rubbish." -he commented.

"Let us hope so." -Miss Bustier said. –"Still, not everything is bad. Because Hawk Moth and La Paon haven't shown themselves, or threw Akumas or Sentimonsters out into the city, it gave the class the time and the peace they needed to study for their finals." -she admitted, trying to see the good in the bad. –"I would hate for them to end up with bad grades, because they didn't have the time to study."

"Yes. That would be unfortunate. But summer vacation will start soon for them. And that means they will have a little more time in their hands." -Master Fu said. –"And that is a good thing, because it will give them the time to have fun, and to relax, after what has surely been the craziest year of their young lives. After all, they're just teenagers." -he chuckled. –"But it'll also be a good time for them to focus on their training. Whether they want to or not, they need to train harder than ever before. That dream of Marinette is a clear sign that we must all prepare for the worst."

"It's a good thing they have such a good teacher to help them with that." -Miss Bustier commented.

"Oh, but I'm not the only one, my dear. You've been also helping them in their training, whenever you can. And the kwamis are always there for them, to cheer them up, when they need the most." -Master Fu said. –"It's through cooperation between us all, that we will get stronger, both physically and mentally." -he stated.

Without wanting to, the master's little speech reminded her of similar things she had heard in the teachers' lounge over the years. Though a teacher's job is mostly done individually, there were things about the job that a person could not do by its own. There were times where the work they had to do, could only be accomplished by working together, either with other teachers, with the students.

"Together we're stronger." -Miss Bustier asserted. –"It's so basic, yet so true." -she said.

"Some of the most basic things are also the most complex. We just don't realize it." -Master Fu said. –"But changing the subject, the young ones have told me that your birthday is coming, on Monday. And I'm sure they're going to put a surprise party for you, am I right?"

"Yes, well, it isn't exactly a surprise, because that's what they always do." -Miss Bustier admitted, with a smile. –"They always do an effort to give me a wonderful birthday party. The best part is when they place the gift they bought, or they made it themselves on my desk, and they wait for me to open them. The way their eyes sparkle, when I tell them that I loved them, is priceless. And I've kept them all. I never throw any of the gifts they give me." -she stated.

"That alone shows just how strong your bond is with them." -Master Fu said. –"I know you know this, but it never hurts to remember, that your students see you as a second mother. And that means they love you very much. To make such a big deal out of your birthday, every year, is proof of it." -he declared.

"I like to think so, yes." -Miss Bustier said. –"Which reminds me that I still need to finish Marinette and Chloe's gifts. And I always make a point on giving these special gifts on their birthdays." -she said.

"Well, I know what I will be giving them, and you too." -Master Fu said.

"Oh, there's no need for it, master." -Miss Bustier told him.

"Oh, but it is. I make a point of it." -Master Fu said, as he poured another cup of tea for himself. –"Don't expect it to be something otherworldly valuable, like jewellery or the deed to a mansion in the Champs Élysées." -he joked. –"But it'll be something that will be given form the heart, and that I hope

"Now you got me interested." -Miss Bustier chuckled. –"May I ask what it'll be?" -she asked him.

"You'll have to wait. It's bad luck to reveal to a lady, what her birthday present will be." -Master Fu told her, gallantly.

"This is going to sound a little improper, but you must have been quite the charmer, when you were my age." -Miss Bustier chuckled. –"Did you put something in this tea? Because I don't usually say these things." -she chuckled again.

"No, I didn't. It's just herbs." -Master Fu declared. –"But this blend not only helps you to relax, but also makes a person feel more at ease with things." -he chuckled.

"Well, I'm not going to deny it. I do feel relaxed." -Miss Bustier admitted. –"By the way, I'm not the kind of person who likes to know about people's lives, but, and don't take this the wrong way, I don't know very much about you, master." -she told him. –"Do you mind if I ask you a question or two? You don't have to answer them, of course. I'm just curious."

There was a moment of silence between the two of them. For a moment, Caline thought she had overstepped her boundaries. But that thought quickly disappeared, when the old master smiled at her.

"I'm an open book, my dear. Ask away." -Master Fu told her.

"Very well. I understand that other than being the guardian of the miraculouses, you're also an acupuncturist. But you weren't always an acupuncturist, were you?" -Miss Bustier asked the old master.

"No. I only became an acupuncturist about twenty years ago. Before that, I had numerous other jobs." -Master Fu answered her. –"I was a milkman, a librarian, a taxi driver, a photographer, a judo instructor, a nuclear physicist…"

"A n-nuclear physicist?! Really?" -Miss Bustier asked, not believing in it.

"No. I'm just joking. But I used to be a comedian." -Master Fu chuckled.

"For real?" -Miss Bustier asked.

"Yes. Back in the 1920's Vaudeville was quite popular in France, so I ended up making a small career as a comedian." -Master Fu told miss Bustier. –"It was quite fun to be in the spotlight, even if it was only for about a year and half." -he admitted.

"I'd never take you for someone who would do comedy." -Miss Bustier said. –"But then again, nobody would take me for being a cosplayer, who keeps her real identity a mystery from everyone." -she confessed.

"Most people don't look like what they are capable of, most of the time, my dear." -Master Fu declared.

"That is true." -Miss Bustier agreed. –"And because you lived for so long, you had numerous occupations. But how did you manage to keep people from knowing that you were someone…"

"Someone as old as I am? Times were different, and it was easier for a person to appear and disappear. On top of it, it was easier to get false papers, as long as one would keep under the radar. And I didn't live in Paris all the time. I also lived in Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille during brief periods of time." -Master Fu confessed. –"Still, when I was younger, I avoided staying for too long in a neighbourhood, because unlike everyone else, I didn't age as them." -he said. –"When I became older, I managed to remain in a place for a little bit longer, but even then, I was forced to leave."

"That must've been hard for you."

"I confess that it wasn't easy, especially when I was younger. Everywhere I went, I made friends. Friends who didn't know about my real job as a guardian, and who had no idea that I didn't age like them." -Master Fu sighed, -"Friends, who helped me get through the hardest of times, even without knowing it." -he said.

"You were never married?" -Miss Bustier asked, only to repent herself of doing it. –"I-I'm sorry, if…" -she apologized.

"No, no, it's okay, for you to ask." -Master Fu told her. –"Yes, I was married, once. I was married to the most beautiful woman I ever met." -he declared, as her reminisced. –"Claudine."

"Claudine?"

"Yes, that was her name. Claudine Gardet." -Master Fu declared, as a tear ran down his face. –"Just like you, she was a Keeper of the Secret. So, yes, she did know about the miraculouses and my mission." -he told her. –"She found out about the miraculous, when she accidentally saw my friend Gerard, the previous holder of the deer miraculous, transforming in front of her. Now, initially she was infatuated with him. But as time went by, she fell in love with me. After the final battle against Hawk Moth, we began to date, and eventually, we got married in a chapel near Chamonix. At the time, we didn't have much, but we had each other, and that's what mattered to us."

The way the old master talked about his late wife; the teacher realized that Claudine had been a unique woman. As the words came out of his mouth, the old master's eyes sparkled like the eyes of a teenager in love. Smiling, miss Bustier imagined the things they went through throughout their lives, which were now mere memories that he kept with a very special affection.

"I can only imagine the life you both had." -Miss Bustier said.

"It was a good life. Despite all the hitches and all the obstacles, we had, it was a very good life." -Master Fu admitted, as another tear ran down his face.

"How… How did she die?" -Miss Bustier asked.

"She died of old age. Peacefully, in our bed." -Master Fu answered. –"We were together for nearly 62 years." -he sighed. –"After she passed away, it was hard for me to go on, even though she made me promise that I would do everything in my power, to continue to live without her. Luckily, I had Wayzz and the rest of the kwamis to help me. They gave me the strength to go on, and kept me lucid, while waiting for the time when the miraculouses would be needed again."

"I can't even imagine how it was to lose someone you loved so dearly." -Miss Bustier said, as she sipped the tea. –"But didn't she know that you would outlive her? You never told her?"

"No, she did. She knew that I would outlive her, due to the magic granted to me by the turtle miraculous. Still, she accepted it, and told me that she didn't mind that. She told me once that my mission was to protect the miraculouses, until Hawk Moth showed up again, and train the new holders, like I had promised my master, Su-Han, while hers, was to take care of me, for as long as she could." -Master Fu wept. –"Even knowing that I would outlive her, she never complained, she never cursed that fact. She just enjoyed the time we had together." -he sighed, as he wiped the tears off his eyes. –"I couldn't have picked a better life partner than her, even if I lived another two centuries."

Hearing him say those words, for the first time since she met him, miss Bustier realized just how old, the old master truly was. He had lived for more than two centuries, and had lived through so much that it was almost impossible for a normal person to understand. And among the things he lived, a love story such as the one he had with his late wife, was possibly the most important of them all.

"That story reminds me of my parents' own love story, and my grandparents as well." -Miss Bustier sighed. –"Loving someone like that, it's like something out of a fairy tale." -she said. –"I don't know if I'll ever find someone like that. My sister fell in love with her husband, when they were both still in high school. But me? I had a couple of flings, but nothing super serious."

"The way you're saying that, it's like you're as old as I am, my dear. There's still plenty of time. You're still young. And I believe you will, one day, when the time is right." -Master Fu declared. –"But even if you don't, believe me that you will always be surrounded by love, from those who care about you dearly. Love comes in all shapes and forms, my dear."

"Maybe." -Miss Buster sighed. –"My mother's always telling me to give it time and things will happen, when they have to happen." -she stated.

"That's a very sensible advice. Time is both our enemy and our friend. But one thing's for certain. Everything happens when it needs to happen. Not before, nor after." -Master Fu declared.

"I suppose so… And speaking of time, you know what? Do you mind going another round in the fighting arena with me? I'm not feeling ready to go home and prepare for tomorrow's finals, just yet." -Miss Bustier asked the master, as she placed her tea cup on the table.

"I think these old bones still have enough energy in them, to go another round, or even two." -Master Fu chuckled. –"But after it, I'm definitely going to need another cup of this tea. Or I won't be able to move a muscle tomorrow morning." -he joked.

The sun was about to set in the horizon, casting shadows all over the forest, before this one was engulfed by darkness. Diurnal animals began to return to their burrows to spend the night, while nocturnal animals, on the other hand, did the opposite and began to leave their burrows in search of food. No one would think that anything else was to take place there, that night. But they would be wrong. For this was not just any forest. This forest located in the heart of Bavaria, it held at its center a secret that had been forgotten in the mists of time. The ruins of a castle. The castle where the last big battle between Hawk Moth and the previous team of miraculous holders took place. Built around the 11th century, with the Renaissance architecture being added later, the once a magnificent castle rivalled castles like Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenzollern Castle, among others, when it came to architecture, design and luxury. But unlike those, this one ended up turning into a pile of rubble, covered by plant life, and home to numerous forest animals, after the end of the final battle with the previous miraculous holders.

Those who ventured inside the forest and discovered it, tended to forget about its existence, due to the residual magic aura that still existed in the castle and around it. If this aura did not exist, it would have been discovered a long time ago. But this made no difference to the person who was making its way towards the castle, for he was protected by magic, which negated the aura's power. And that person was one of Hawk Moth's lieutenants; Brutus. Breaking through branches and bushes with a katana that he himself produced, he managed to reach the castle ruins, after his master had teleported him there.

"Seems like I'm in the right place." -Brutus declared, as he looked the castle ruins, contemplating them and imagining how the castle would have looked like in its prime. –"And now, to find what I was sent here to retrieve." -he said, as he walked towards the ruins.

(Flashback)

It had been a week since Hawk Moth had locked himself inside his private chambers. This happened after he fell into a sort of coma for four days, due to the injuries La Paon had inflicted him. And when he woke up, he proceeded to lock himself in his private chambers, without speaking a word to his lieutenants. More than once, the four of them tried to talk to him, by knocking at the door, or using the telepathic link they shared with their master. But he did not answer them. Every time they contacted him, theirs was the only voices they would hear.

Hawk Moth was in deep meditation. It had been centuries since he allowed himself to remain in that state. And in it, he was visualizing what he could do to eliminate his enemies, permanently. Now that La Paon had come back from the dead, and wanted to rule the world and plunge it into chaos, he felt it was imperative for him to eliminate the heroes and their miraculouses first, before dealing with the holder of the peacock miraculous, which he believed was a far more dangerous obstacle in his path to victory, than the heroes. Though he had learned not to underestimate them, he still believed that their combined powers were nothing, when compared to the powers La Paon had. She was a far more dangerous enemy than they were. But once more, the same thought came to his mind. Before he could deal with her, he had to deal with the heroes. They were his priority. And after meditating for days in a row, Hawk Moth had reached a conclusion. There was only one way to ensure his victory over the heroes, as well as their defeat and death.

Knowing what needed to be done, he opened his eyes, uncrossed his legs and got up. Smiling evilly, he threw a look at his beloved Akuma Butterflies, before bursting open the doors, startling his lieutenants, as he left his private chambers.

"Master." -Reptile spoke, as he bowed down.

"We were worried, master." -Brutus declared.

"They were worried. I wasn't." -Rapier said, without much care.

"Do not listen to him, master. If I may, why didn't you answer our callings, master?" -Madame Romani asked him. –"You were there for so long…"

"I needed time to think." -Hawk Moth declared. –"I needed time to understand why I'm no closer to achieving my objective, than I was, when I woke up in this new century, almost a year ago." -he said. –"I could say that it was because of those infernal kids, who are always meddling in my plans, and defeating every Akuma I create. Or that it's your fault, because you can't find me the victims to be akumatized, in addition to letting yourself be defeated by those kids, no matter how many times you try to kill them. And no doubt I would have every reason to blame you and the heroes. But the truth, and as much as it pains me to admit it, is that the reason why I haven't succeeded is me. I am at fault here. Because I continued to play this as if it was a game of chess, instead of going in for the killing."

The way their master spoke, Reptile and the others understood that he was not angry, or furious, like he usually was, when talking about failure. He was speaking with a neutral tone, as if he was resigning himself to the reality of facts. But it did not last for long, as a moment later, his voice tone changed to show that beneath a calm demeanor, Hawk Moth was furious.

"But enough is enough! If I want to rule this world and reshape it in my image, it is time to take things seriously, and stop playing games with those kids!" -Hawk Moth shouted, as he used his cane to fire an energy blast which nearly hit his four lieutenants. –"Which is why, I need one of you to go and get me an object which will guarantee my absolute and unquestionable victory." -he told his lieutenants. –"The object in question is a relic which I should've used two centuries ago, when dealing with the previous miraculous holders. One that I should've used when I was released from my prison, last year."

"What relic is that, master?" -Reptile asked.

"Yeah, what's the deal with that relic, Hawk Moth?" -Rapier asked him.

Tapping his cane on the floor twice, Hawk Moth made appear a floating image of a black limestone urn with a cap in the shape of a crocodile's head. The head was magnificently carved and polished, like the rest of the urn. It had rubies in the place of the eyes, which made it look like it had a life of its own.

"This is the Urn of Ammit, the Devoureress of the Dead." -Hawk Moth declared. –"According to legend, inside lay all the souls she devoured. Souls that belong to the wickedest of men. Once unleashed, they will consume the souls of those they catch, turning them to stone. And on top of it, it can also create a force field, preventing anyone or anything from entering or exiting it, creating the perfect trap. Even if they try to, Ladybug and her companions won't be able to escape me." -he explained. –"I will unleash this army of the dead on the city and force the Miraculous heroes to fight it. Once they're weak enough, I will kill them and destroy their miraculouses."

"And where is that relic, master?" -Madame Romani asked.

"In Bavaria. In the ruins of the castle where myself and my cult fought against the previous miraculous holders." -Hawk Moth answered her. –"The magical artifacts and relics I collected during my fight against the Miraculous Order and that were in that castle, were either used or destroyed. But this one, this one was kept safe, hidden in a place which only I knew about." -he added.

"Let me go and get it for you, master." -Reptile begged him.

"No, let me do it!" –Madame Romani exclaimed.

"Silence! I already decided on who's going to get it." -Hawk Moth declared, before turning to Brutus. –"It will be you, Brutus." -he said.

"If it is your wish, master, then I will go and get the urn for you." -Brutus stated.

Upon hearing that their master had chosen Brutus for that task, the gypsy woman promptly felt outraged. In her mind, Hawk Moth had once more favoured Brutus over her and the rest of the lieutenants.

"But why him, master?! Why not me?!" -Madame Romani asked him.

"Because I said so." -Hawk Moth told her, with a cold voice. –"Are you by chance questioning my decisions?" -he asked the witch, with a menacing tone.

"N-No, master. Far from me to question your decisions." -Madame Romani answered, with a low voice.

"Guess you were once again put aside." -Rapier whispered at the gypsy.

"Shut up, or I'll scramble that bird brain of yours with my illusions." -Madame Romani muttered between teeth.

"Now, hear me, Brutus and pay attention to what I am about to tell you. Because if you don't, you will not leave that place alive, and believe me that I will not waste time in bringing you back from the dead if you fail this task, I'm giving you." -Hawk Moth warned him.

"Of course, master." -Brutus said.

"The urn is located in an underground safe, protected by powerful dark magic, which can only be unlocked by this." -Hawk Moth said, as he made appear a glowing purple talisman made out of stone with his insignia. –"This talisman will unlock it. But to get to it, you must pass by several traps. I will tell you where they are, and how you can pass by them. So, pay close attention." -he said.

(End of Flashback)

Following the instructions given by Hawk Moth, Brutus entered the ruins and looked for the hidden entrance his master told him about. He stated that once there had been numerous ways to get to the vault. But given things, he knew the only way that might have survived the castle's destruction, would be the way through a secret tunnel, in the castle's crypt. Crossing the deserted courtyard, he made his way toward what had once been the main gate. This one had a huge hole in it, granting him easy access to the entrance hall. Once inside it, he had a better view of how the interior looked like. Though damaged by the battle and the sands of time, with a little help from Mother Nature, you could still see some of the magnificent details of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Most of the columns sustaining the place were intact, but some were broken, lying on the floor. At the centre, also lying on the floor was what was left of an elaborated crystal chandelier.

"This place must've been beautiful. Worthy of my master. He wouldn't settle for less than magnificent." -Brutus thought to himself, as his eyes absorbed every detail of his surroundings.

Going up what was left of the grand staircase, that granted access to the upper floors, Brutus made his way toward the throne room, where Hawk Moth told him the entrance to the castle's crypt was located, when he heard something, which made him turn around.

"Who goes there?!" -Brutus exclaimed, after which a rat showed itself, as the one who had made the noise. –"It's merely a rat." -he said, as the rat disappeared, and he continued to walk inside the ruined castle.

Just like the rest of the castle, the throne room was in ruins. But the throne itself looked as if someone had been caring for it, ever since that place was abandoned. The little daylight that still existed, entered through a hole in the ceiling, illuminating the throne, as well as what was left of an ancient tapestry that adorned the wall behind the throne. It was there that the entrance to the castle's crypt was. Pulling down the tapestry, he then examined the wall, looking for a hidden button, which his master had warned him about. Knocking on the stone blocks, Brutus took his time to find the one that activated the secret passage.

"This is the one." -Brutus said, as he found it.

Pressing the stone block, this one disappeared into the wall, as Brutus heard the sound of a mechanical device being activated behind the wall. A few seconds later, a door opened to reveal a narrow staircase which went down. Entering the passage, as he descended the stairs, torches on the walls magically lit, lighting the path. It did not take him long to reach the crypt, where this one lit up in the same way as the torches on the walls did. Looking around, several tombstones adorned the crypt. Some were quite plain, with nothing more than the names of the deceased on their lids, while others had lids adorned with sculptures of those who rested within them. The air inside the crypt was stale, a clear sign that nobody stepped inside that place for centuries.

"Now, which one of these is the one I need to open, to reveal the path to the vault?" -Brutus asked, as he looked around. –"No… no… no… that one!" -he exclaimed, as he noticed his master's seal on the lid of one of the tombs.

The tomb in question was one of the oldest, and also one of the simplest in the crypt. From looking at it, you could tell that it had been one of the earliest tombs in that crypt. And on the middle of the lid, carved n the rock was Hawk Moth's seal. Taking the talisman, he had been given by Hawk Moth from inside his armour, Brutus placed it over the seal, as he had been instructed and allowed it to work. Glowing as bright as the sun, the talisman began to rise into the air, while spinning at an incredible speed. Then there was the sound of a lock opening. After that, the talisman began to descend, at the same time it lost its luster. Landing on the tomb's lid, Brutus grabbed it. Seconds later, the lid moved to the left, revealing that there was no body inside the tomb, but a huge hole. This hole was the entrance Brutus was looking for.

"The easy part is done. Now, comes the hardest part of this task." –Brutus thought to himself, knowing the kind of danger awaited him, once he stepped into that hole in the tomb. –"I will not fail you, master." -he promised himself.

Hello, everyone. I'm sorry if this chapter took a little longer than expected, and I feel like owe you all an apology. I wasn't expecting to have a mental breakdown, which seriously crippled my mind for nearly a week. I'm already feeling better, but I'm going to seek medical help next week, to help me, because I can't have this happening again. I can't let my depression get the best of me again this way, because if it reaches that point, I don't know what might happen. Sorry, but I needed to just take this off my chest.

Regarding this chapter, there isn't much to talk about, except that initially it was going to be longer, but I decided to split it into two, because I feel that Brutus's task deserves its own chapter. And regarding this one, I decided to finally give you guys another glimpse into master Fu's past. I had some people asking me if his past was similar to the one seen in the show, of it was completely different. Well, as you can see, it's different.

As for the next chapter, let's see what happens. I truly want to finish it (half of it is already written), but it'll depend if my mind cooperates or not. I truly want to get to the best part of this fic, because I know that you're going to love it.

As always, feel free to comment, fav and leave suggestions for this and/or future fics. I'm plannng season 2 and 3 of this AU, and good ideas are always welcome. :)