Thank you to Khanofallorcs for beta-ing!


Chapter Twenty-Nine

"And that's how I ended up meeting my kwami," Volpina finished, beaming.

Lady Noire snickered. "When I first met Plagg, he tried to eat my scissors. Not sure why he even tried that– he acts like he can only have the best when it comes to food– but all he wants is cheese. Literally."

"My kwami isn't that picky."

"Lucky," Lady replied, stretching slightly, looking up at the sky. "What's your kwami's name, anyways?"

Volpina paused for a moment. "Oh, their name is Duusu."

Lady nodded, recognizing this as one of the names that Plagg had told her about before– but in the same moment she felt a feeling of dread cropping up in her heart. She paused, Plagg's empathic connection feeling stronger than ever. She hesitated for a moment as Volpina continued chatting on, and soon she felt Plagg's dread swiftly becoming her own.

Because Plagg had never told her the name of the Fox kwami.

Her eyes locked onto Volpina, ears flicking up as she took this in. Plagg had always avoided saying anything about the Fox, and she had learned to avoid it after some time. But Duusu was a name he had told her... it was the name of the Peacock kwami. Lady Noire stared at Volpina for a moment longer, not sure why she would lie to her about this one thing... unless everything else she had said was a lie as well.

As her hand tightened around the baton, clawed finger resting over the expand button, she felt a sense of smug relief from Plagg– before his presence retreated from her mind for the first time since Volpina had shown up. Her braid flicked out, instincts taking over as she locked eyes on this fake, who was still chattering on, and Lady felt every muscle tensing as she prepared to strike.

She expanded the baton the same moment she swung it, the metal colliding with Volpina's side. The Fox's eyes were wide as she was sent flying off the rooftop, but she was able to flip about and right herself, landing on her feet on the streets below. Toxic green eyes glowered up at her, and she reached for the flute on her back– before the image of her began to waver, and she seemed to be whisked out of sight.

Lady Noire was instantly on alert– it seemed one thing she had not lied about was her powers. If she could hide with illusions, then she would be difficult to track. Illusions... if she was not a Miraculous holder, then she had to be an akuma– that was the only option. Monarch knew exactly how Miraculouses worked, and had probably been whispering everything into Volpina's ear. Of course, she hadn't seen the glowing mask of Monarch... but that would probably be easy to hide with an illusion as well.

Lady heard the sound of footsteps behind her, and she felt the warmth of a pleasant energy, and she turned expecting to see Crimson– but was instead met with the sight of blinding orange as Volpina charged at her, flute raised to strike. She didn't hesitate, swinging her baton once more, causing Volpina to let out a deep cry of pain– her entire image flickering.

Horror washed over Lady as she watched the illusion flicker away, watching Crimson crumple to the ground, her partner looking up at her with wide eyes.

"Crimson!" She cried, taking a step forward. "Wait, no– I didn't–"

"Well, well," A voice purred, and Lady's head whipped about to see Volpina perched up on the chimney. "The Black Cat attacked her own partner, how could she?"

Despite the words perfectly lining up with Volpina's lips, the sound was coming in a completely separate direction, Lady's ears flicking towards the voice. A growl was slowly building up in her throat, eyes scanning the roofs.

"Shut up!" Lady Noire growled. "Cut the illusions, Volpina."

"And why would I do that?" Volpina asked, the illusion tilting her head. With a snarl Lady Noire turned towards where the voice was coming from, baton raised– only to falter when she found herself face to face with Crimson Beetle. Her partner was staring at her with a frightened look, taking a step back.

"That's not me!" Crimson's voice shouted behind her, and Lady knew that it was another illusion– but she could not bring herself to attack the face of her partner– not with the memory of him crying out from her blow still so fresh in her mind.

The Crimson-illusion had no qualms, though– his yoyo spinning around as if he were about to attack, when she felt something slam into her stomach. The illusion broke with the strike, allowing her to see Volpina swinging her flute as Lady was sent stumbling back. Just as quickly, she darted away– a half dozen illusions of Volpina popping up in the real one's place.

She heard the zip of a yoyo, Crimson now on his feet as he threw the yoyo to attack, but the weapon simply shattered one illusion. Footsteps echoed behind her, and she felt an arm on her shoulder. She looked up to see Crimson, but he wasn't making eye contact, his green gaze flickering out at the swiftly multiplying illusions, trying to pull her to her feet.

"I'm– I'm sorry," she croaked, stumbling up. "I thought you were her, I swear, I didn't mean to–"

"I know," Crimson said, quickly shifting so they were standing back to back. "I don't blame you. So– is she an enemy or an akuma?"

"Akuma," Lady replied, eyes flickering across what were now easily several dozen illusions surrounding them on the rooftops. "I think Monarch was feeding her information about Miraculouses and kwamis."

Crimson tensed up. "Her face. It kept looking... off, earlier, I thought it was magic... it must have been an illusion to hide Monarch's mask."

"You know, I'm still here," Volpina said, somewhere off to the right. It was weird, seeing all of the illusions of her move their mouths together as they spoke– but instead of hearing voices come from all of the copies, there was only one. "How rude, acting like I'm not even here."

"Sorry, we don't care for the conversation of a puppet," Lady Noire growled, expanding her baton just a bit more.

The voice was shifting location, now seeming to come from more in front of Lady Noire, and she tried to pinpoint exactly where Volpina was hiding. "You know, I thought I was putting on a pretty good act. So, what gave it away, kittycat? Or were you just not happy with another 'hero' on your turf?"

"Maybe next time don't try to pass off the Peacock kwami as the Fox."

The illusions of Volpina looked quite satisfied. "So it wasn't my fault, then, it was Monarch's. That's good to hear." All the Volpinas spun their flutes about. "Now, where were we? Oh yes, I am going to need those Miraculouses of yours."

"And we're going to need your akuma," Crimson replied. "It's in that little necklace, isn't it?"

The illusions all narrowed their eyes. "Well, if you're going to make this difficult, then I guess you leave me with no choice."

All of the Volpinas lowered themselves, then as a blur of orange they all charged forward, flutes raised. Even knowing that most of them were an illusion, it was still a frightening display, and both she and Crimson lashed out with their weapons at the same time. Each illusion vanished in a puff like smoke each time they made contact, but it seemed like only more illusions were being summoned as they destroyed the other ones.

"Her illusions don't make any sound!" Lady cried. "If we follow her voice we can– agh!"

The attack came from her left– Volpina's flute being slammed down between their shoulders, forcing the partners apart. Lady Noire stumbled forward, and she let herself fall, using the momentum to roll back to her feet. She turned, eyes searching for Crimson– but all she saw was a horde of Volpinas.

"Lady?" Crimson's voice called out, confused– and she assumed that they were both surrounded by an illusion, hidden from each other's sight.

"Over here!" She replied– but that was hardly an answer. She had heard Crimson's voice and knew what direction he was in– but with so many Volpinas surrounding them, he could be any one of them. Or maybe he was none of them, perhaps just disguised as air, or as the roof.

His energy didn't help either– the pleasant aura told her that he was here, but didn't pinpoint his location any farther. Still she moved towards where she had heard Crimson, splitting her baton into two as she moved. Her ears flicked towards the sound of light footsteps tapping against the roof, and she lunged out with her baton. Her baton slammed against something, the illusion flickering away, showing that Volpina had been using her illusions to look invisible rather than hide among her clones. Her flute had blocked the strike, and she swung around with a kick towards Lady's face.

Her second baton blocked the blow, and the first one came swinging down at the akuma's head. Volpina was swift, though, ducking to avoid the blow, then doing a backflip into the crowd of clones on the roof, all of whom were moving. Lady tried to keep her eyes trailed on the original, but soon she was lost in a sea of orange.

"Poor little heroes," Volpina's voice cooed. "And here I thought this was going to be–"

Volpina was silenced by a low rumble of thunder.

They all paused in confusion at the sound, weapons tensed as they stood in the sea of illusions, the sun shining brightly as they heard the sound of an incoming storm. Lady Noire turned her head, blue eyes widening at the sight she saw was swiftly approaching.

The black storm clouds were rolling towards them, off in the distance, but swiftly darkening the sky. They were low to the ground, easily engulfing buildings, blocking out the skyline, looking almost like a tsunami as it surged towards them– the encroaching storm quickly consuming everything in its path. Lightning crackled within the clouds, and a wind rushed past them.

Illusion. Lady thought– but as another low call of thunder rang out she knew that it couldn't be that. Volpina's illusions didn't create sound, they couldn't create this cold wind. This... this was real.

For a moment, she couldn't move, just watching as the unnatural storm only picked up more speed. The wall of clouds stretched out in all directions– climbing high into the sky, engulfing the streets, stretching out in either direction as far as the eye could see. Lady stumbled back as another gale rushed past, this one stronger than the last.

"Monarch... what is that?" Volpina asked, all illusions of her now still, her voice sounding uncertain.

Another crash of thunder echoed through the air, the clouds growing closer and closer. Lady Noire's hands gripped her batons– but there was nothing they could do against a storm. Even with Stormy Weather there had been a physical entity to attack– but now there was nothing she could do but watch as the storm washed over them, the air humid as she took in a sharp breath, the storm clouds engulfing their rooftop, and she pressed her eyes shut.

"What in the world...?" Crimson's voice whispered after a moment, and Lady Noire cracked one eye open.

The storm had been coming right towards them, but as Lady Noire opened her eyes she wasn't greeted with lightning and rain. There was no wind, no chill, the roofs around them looked untouched. As she looked about, she found herself taking in a sharp breath. They were indeed in the storm– it looked like a dome of black clouds was surrounding them. The clouds stretched out above them, they filled the streets below, only their roof staying untouched.

Lady Noire, Crimson Beetle, and the Volpinas all eyed the churning clouds. No thunder, no lightning, just the clouds moving in an unfelt wind. A flicker of movement caught Lady's attention, and she whipped about, watching as a section of clouds parted, rippling like cloth.

A man strolled out from within, sharp brown eyes looking out at them. An orange mask rested across his face, two short and pointed fox ears peered up from his gray hair. His suit was a golden orange, deep red fur stretching across his shoulders. More red fur hung from an orange belt at his sides like tassets, his boots and gloves black.

The most noticeable feature, however, were the nine tails that flared out behind him.

Deep orange fading to a soft gold, each one tipped with white. Each tail moved as if it had a mind of its own, the air seeming to shimmer with each flick and twitch the tails gave. They swayed behind him as he strolled forward, giving an almost hypnotic waver with his presence. Lady Noire took in the man as he came closer, before her eyes settled on his chest– where hanging from a short strip of black cloth was a fox tail pendant.

The man regarded them for a moment, and as his eyes fell onto Lady she could feel Plagg stirring within her mind. The man didn't say anything to them, simply pulling a flute from his back, orange and black, made from bamboo. He did not raise it to his lips, or hold it like a weapon, but instead held it skyward as he finally spoke:

"Xiànshí."

Though Lady did not know the meaning, she instantly recognized the word as Chinese, the man's accent suggesting the same. His voice was calm, but the word seemed to ring out, humming in the air, as if taking hold of something they could not see.

The clouds stopped churning as he spoke, going still as if someone had paused their action– and a ripple of energy surged out from the man. Volpina's illusions flickered out of sight the moment the energy touched them, and the clouds around them seemed to disintegrate at the contact, vanishing away with nothing more than a waver. Lady held up a hand, blinding sunlight from a clear sky suddenly shining down as parted clouds were washed away in moments.

Paris stood around them as it had moments ago, bright and sunny, the city hushed. Those on the roof also stood in silence, the three of them staring at the man, whose eyes were locked onto the now lone Volpina, who had a glowing mask over her face.

The akuma waved her flute, summoning a half dozen clones once more– before they all charged forward with no hesitation. Lady twitched, wanting to move forward to intercept, but she wasn't sure if this man was yet another enemy.

He didn't seem intimidated at the sudden attack, simply pointing the dizi flute as the charging Volpinas. "Xiànshí."

Another wave of unseen energy was released, though not as powerful as the last. It was more than enough, however– the illusions of the Volpinas wavering and vanishing in a puff of smoke– leaving only the real Volpina rushing at the man with her flute raised like a bat. She didn't seem to realize her clones were gone, or maybe she wasn't deterred from the attack, but the man simply shifted into an attacking stance.

The dizi blocked Volpina's flute, which he then twisted around, sending it flying out of her grasp. He raised a foot, kicking Volpina in the stomach, knocking her back. She rolled to her feet with ease, teeth gritted as she reached for her fallen flute, charging at him again. The man didn't shift stances, letting Volpina run and spring at him.

She passed right through him, his illusion wavering and vanishing into nothing. Volpina crashed into the roof with a groan, rolling over onto her back– only to find a dozen images of the man surrounding her. Volpina's eyes flickered across them, and all of the copies opened their mouths to speak– and it sounded as if each had their own voice, speaking in unison.

"Did you really think, Monarch," the man said in an even voice. "That an akuma of illusions would hold a candle to true Deception?"

A mask flared over Volpina's face, and she lunged at the nearest copy– which flickered out of existence. At the same moment another half dozen copies of the man appeared, their many tails all swaying behind them. It was dizzying, how they just... appeared. It wasn't like Volpina's illusions, where they'd flicker into existence– but it seemed each time Lady blinked there was more of the man around them.

"You have twisted the mind of a child," one of the clones said, and when the man's voice continued it was another copy speaking. "To what? Mislead and attack even more children?" Again, another clone spoke, sending Volpina turning as her eyes tried to keep up with the voice. "How desperate have you become?"

"Who are you?" Volpina snarled, seemingly having forgotten the heroes she was meant to pursue.

"The true holder of the Fox," the man replied. "Deception incarnate– I am Citrine Húlí." His gaze hardened. "And the powers you wield, child, are a mockery to my legacy."

Volpina gritted her teeth, and waved her flute to summon more illusions of herself, which charged forward at the man's armies of clones. Unlike anything else that made contact with the illusions, other illusions didn't seem to make them vanish. Instead, the illusions of Volpina phased through the ones of Citrine Húlí with ease– creating a static blur of orange that was dizzying to watch.

Off to the left, an illusion of Volpina seemed to have found the real Citrine Húlí, that illusion vanishing upon contact rather than them fading into each other. The real Citrine Húlí shifted into a defensive position, waving his dizi once more. This time he didn't say a word, but still the energy from before was summoned– making both his and Volpina's illusions vanish as the energy hit them. With her target now in sight, though, Volpina ran forward, jumping up into the air to bring the flute down onto her fellow fox.

The sound of Crimson's yoyo rang through the air, the weapon wrapping around Volpina's ankle as Crimson gave a sharp tug. The akuma let out a yelp as she was pulled out of her jump, being swung away from her target and off the roof– Crimson Beetle retracting his yoyo as she fell down towards the streets.

"Do you know what her akumatized object is?" Citrine asked.

"It has to be either the flute or the necklace," Lady Noire replied.

"It's the necklace," Crimson insisted, and Lady glanced at him. "Trust me on this one– we need to go for the necklace– can you keep handling her illusions?"

The last question was directed at Citrine, who gave a nod as they ran towards the edge of the roof to see what was happening. They were met with the view of the Paris street, busy as always, with no Volpina in sight. Given the fact that no one was looking up at the heroes, or panicking at the fight that was taking place above, Lady Noire doubted that it was real.

Citrine Húlí confirmed her guess as true with another wave of his flute– removing the illusion of the normal Paris street, instead showing them an empty road with Volpina standing in the center. The frustration was clearly etched on her face as she glared up at them, and as they jumped down to join her the last few civilians who had not taken shelter scrambled for the nearest buildings.

Lady Noire took off running the moment she hit the ground, putting some distance between her and Volpina, to hopefully loop back around while she was distracted. She spun about, watching as Crimson and Citrine advanced, trying to hold Volpina's focus. That didn't stop the akuma from glancing over her shoulder, not about to turn a blind eye to Lady Noire.

The thing was, this akuma had no more tricks left up her sleeve. Her power was illusions– and Citrine Húlí clearly had the ability to cancel that out. Without it, there was nothing Volpina could do. She wasn't like Speedstar who was dangerous if he managed to touch them, nor Princess Fragrance who could control them if they inhaled her perfume– the only thing she had left was the natural speed and agility she had gained from becoming an akuma– something that their Miraculouses granted them as well.

Crimson and Citrine rushed forward, and Volpina swung her flute defensively– breaking the two illusions instead. The real Ciritine appeared to her left, knocking her to the ground, and Crimson pounced, pinning her to the street, reaching for the pendant that hung from her neck, ripping it off of her and throwing it in Lady's direction.

The fox tail necklace clattered against cement, tumbling a ways before it went still at her feet. Lady stared at it for a moment, knowing that her partner was waiting for her to Cataclysm it, but...

She glanced about, at those in nearby shops and buildings, people watching the battle through the windows. Watching her. Any movement she made right now would be watched, and would be judged.

So instead of calling on her power she raised up one of her batons, bringing it down onto the necklace– fracturing the pendant into several pieces, a small black butterfly flying up from the shattered remains.

Dark energy bubbled around Volpina, her akumatization melting away to reveal a very familiar auburn haired girl. Lady Noire had to stop herself from blurting out 'Lila?', knowing that showing familiarity with any civilians wouldn't be good. Poor Lila looked so confused, blinking as she looked about the streets, where people were starting to come back out onto the streets, looking at the heroes– especially Citrine Húlí– in awe.

Lady felt horrible as Lila stuttered out something in Italian– she had just barely moved to Paris, and already she had fallen victim to Monarch. Citrine Húlí was the one to approach her, speaking to her in what sounded like perfect Italian, the only word Lady recognized being 'akumatized'. With her focus being on the two of them she couldn't help but jump as Crimson's yoyo flicked out above her head, snatching the akuma butterfly before it could escape.

"Miraculous Ladybug!" Crimson cried once the butterfly had been purified– releasing a bright burst of pink light. However, the healing light did not go far, the pink glow only swooping about the heroes and Lila in a swift rush, easing the bruises from the fight, returning a restored necklace to Lila, before the light dissolved into the air.

With an akuma that only created illusions, there wasn't much damage to heal.

Now with a sure sign that the akuma had been defeated, the city seemed to creep back to life. Doors to shops opened, people coming back out onto the streets– Lila swiftly retreating towards them, a frightened look still plastered over her face. Lady resisted the urge to go to her side, knowing that her presence would probably only make her more fearful.

"A new hero!" A familiar voice cried only the rising sound of voices and people, and Lady Noire looked up to see Alya scrambling towards Crimson and Citrine Húlí, her phone in her hands. "A fox hero– I knew there was one! What's your name, sir?"

Citrine Húlí gave her a small smile. "I believe you already know it, young lady."

A grin appeared over Alya's face. "You're Citrine Húlí, aren't you? In the flesh?"

"Indeed."

"So the fox hero from before was an akuma, then?" Alya asked, coming a step closer. "Could I ask you a few questions? Would that be okay?"

By this point a sizable crowd had appeared– pressing more closely towards Crimson and Citrine than they did on the side of the street Lady was standing on. She stood there, not sure what to do, not knowing what kind of reaction she would get if she moved closer, even if it was only to move by her partner.

"I'm afraid I cannot," Citrine replied, pulling out his dizi flute, pressing it to his lips, and playing a few simple notes. Everyone seemed to pause to listen, and as Citrine pulled it away he whispered: "Huànjǐng."

The crowd stepped back, heads turning as a flurry of illusions poured out from where Citrine was standing. Lady Noire felt slightly dizzy, watching as the many clones of her, Crimson, and Citrine scattered in all directions– and no eyes turned towards the real ones, even as they remained standing in the street.

"Come on," Citrine Húlí muttered quietly, and it was only thanks to Lady's enhanced hearing that she could hear him from where he stood. "Mirages are fragile."

With that, he leaped up onto a window sill, using that as momentum to get up onto a fire escape, slowly making his way up towards the rooftops once more. Crimson Beetle threw his yoyo, pulling himself up the building with a single tug, and Lady Noire fused her batons back into one so she could vault up after them. The trio made their way to the center of the rooftops, out of sight to those down on the streets.

Citrine Húlí was breathing heavily, leaning over slightly with his eyes closed.

"Are you okay?" Lady asked quietly, and he opened one brown eye, giving a small grin.

"I'm afraid I'm not as young as I used to be." Now that they were closer to the man they could see the ends of his gray hair were tipped white– just like a fox tail. "I will be fine with time, however."

"You're... the ones that gave us our Miraculouses, right?" Crimson asked. "At least, that's what it sounded like based off of what Monarch said, and I don't really know how much of her words we can trust."

"Have you been in Paris the whole time?" Lady asked. "Why did you choose us to fight?"

Citrine Húlí looked at the two of them, his gaze soft. "I know you two have a lot of questions, and you haven't had the opportunity to get any answers yet. However, now is not the time for you to get those answers, your focus needs to solely be focused on defeating akumas for the time being."

Crimson blinked, and his hands curled slightly. "...So, you're just going to show up, and leave us with nothing?"

"The only reason I showed myself was because I was afraid that this 'Volpina' would be able to convince you that she was a Miraculous holder. I know you two have already encountered Cottontail and Apex, and I don't know how strongly bonded you are with your kwamis... but it seems I had no reason to doubt, you both had things handled just fine." He turned, raising his flute to his mouth once more, and Lady tensed– expecting another illusion– but, instead, Citrine lowered it, staring off at the Paris skyline. "...But what's the point of sticking to a plan when it's already falling apart anyways?"

The two heroes said nothing, and Citrine Húlí sighed, before twisting the end of the dizi flute– causing a holographic projection to spring up in the center.

"I'm bringing the children back with me," Citrine said into the device, before ending what seemed to be a call, turning back towards them. "...If it's answers you two would like, then you may come with me. We have to begin somewhere, after all."

"Yes, please," Crimson said, taking a step forward, sounding eager– before pausing. "If that's okay with you, Lady."

She hesitated, trying to sense Plagg within her mind– but got nothing. Which was usually what happened when it came to the kwami, but still some insight from someone with more experience would be nice. However, he had been there earlier to warn her of danger, and she was sure she would be feeling his emotions if there was another threat– so she nodded.

"Very well, then," Citrine Húlí said, his nine long tails swaying– causing the air to ripple about them. "Stay close to me, I will be sheltering us with an illusion so we don't draw unnecessary attention. Where I am taking you is somewhere you are never to approach while transformed under any condition– you cannot draw attention there for Paris' safety."

"Aren't we transformed right now?" Crimson asked with a grin, eyes gleaming.

"This is a very serious matter, Crimson Beetle," Citrine said, and Crimson's smile fell slightly. "If you cannot do this one simple thing, then you are not ready to come with me."

"...Don't approach if we're transformed," he said quietly. "Got it."

Citrine Húlí gave a nod of approval, before taking off across the rooftops. Lady and Crimson were swift to follow, not wanting to disrupt the illusion around them. They may have not been able to see it, but considering that no one down on the streets even gave them a glance, it was quite clear that it was in effect.


"...I've been here before," Crimson Beetle said softly when Citrine Húlí landed in front of a small parlor, the small massage shop tucked between the buildings running along the Seine's shore.

"Indeed you have," Citrine said with a smile, pulling open the door, causing a small bell to ring.

"You have?" Lady asked, looking at him in surprise.

Crimson looked about the small shop, filled with Chinese decor, and the faint smell of incense in the air. "Tikki was sick and she told me to come here, there was a man that was able to heal her, rebalance her energies, I think...? It was kind of confusing."

"Standard healing magic for beings such as kwamis," Citrine Húlí replied, the door swinging shut behind him. He went over to a sign, flipping it so it read 'closed' to those outside. "They are not physical beings like us." He closed his eyes. "Trixx, xiūxí."

Citrine's transformation fell away as a burst of gold light, and Crimson couldn't help but pull back slightly– it being ingrained in his mind that a detransformation wasn't something he was supposed to see. As the light faded there stood a short Chinese man in Citrine Húlí's place, and his eyes widened slightly as he realized it was the man that had healed Tikki.

He couldn't help but wonder why he was so surprised after a moment, because it made sense when he thought about it... but up until a few moments ago the thought had not even crossed his mind.

Flying out from the pendant was a small orange being, which righted themselves in midair. At his side Lady Noire took in a sharp breath as they watched the creature– and despite having a constant kwami companion of their own, they had never seen another, and he couldn't help but watch the creature in awe.

Soft orange fur covered most of their form, highlighted with white. The little kwami stretched, the tips of their paws tipped black, just like their long slender ears. They had a long bushy tail that swayed through the air, and bright violet eyes peered at them. The kwami blinked, and Crimson decided that all kwamis must be as adorable as Tikki.

Then a large grin then spread across the Fox's face– and while the 'cute' factor still remained, the kwami didn't look quite as innocent as before. He zipped over towards them, giving a wave with his arm.

"Hi there!" The Fox chirped. "I'm Trixx, kwami of Deception– it's nice to officially meet you two!"

"You're absolutely adorable," Lady gushed.

"So are you," Trixx said, flying right in front of her face. "Not what most expect from Plagg's holders. How is the grumpy old cat treating you anyways?"

Lady grinned. "He's a little cheese-loving gremlin."

Trixx snickered. "I'd be surprised if he wasn't. He hasn't been giving you any trouble, right?"

"Follow me, if you would," Citrine said, inclining his head towards the hallway that led to the back. Crimson was desperately trying to remember the man's name, knowing that he had heard it the first time he was here– but his mind was blanking.

Trixx zipped off to be ahead of the small group as they followed after Citrine, who was taking them to the main section of the massage parlor. Everything was basically how Crimson remembered it– a large plush mat taking up most of the room, with sparse decorations around the edges: a potted plant, a desk and chair, a phonograph. There was one major difference from last time, a room divider set up on the center of the mat. The panels were painted with flowers and birds, the material allowing light to shine through, but wouldn't allow you to see more than silhouettes.

"So, did you manage to restore your honor, Fu?" A new voice asked, tone teasing, and Crimson turned to see another familiar face– the woman who had first greeted him when he had brought Tikki here. Her silver hair was done up in a bun, and her green eyes were bright despite her age.

Fu rolled his eyes. "You're the one that went out when there was a Black Cat mimic running about."

"We helped fight the akuma," Trixx reported– a grin spreading over his face. "Don't worry, that fake champion didn't stand a chance!"

"Trixx..." Fu said in a low voice– but the woman had already narrowed her eyes as Fu.

"What do you mean you fought the akuma, dear?" The woman said in a sweet voice that sounded downright dangerous.

"Basic self defense, Marianne," Fu replied, swallowing slightly. "Nothing that wasn't necessary."

"Were the heroes unable to fight?"

"Now, dear–"

"Don't you dare 'dear' me, Fu!" Marianne snapped. "Not when you were out fighting akumas! You know you're much too old to be playing hero! Your back can barely keep up with your daily routine, but now you think you can go charging into battle without a second thought?"

"Like I said, it was necessary–"

"One of these days you're going to permanently hurt yourself, and then what are we supposed to do? I'm getting old as well, Fu. What if something happens and I'm unable to help you? What are we going to do then?"

"Dear–"

"You scare me when you're reckless like that!" Marianne shouted. "You promised me that you would be careful and not push yourself!"

Fu took her hands in his. "I promise you I was careful," he said softly, and he pressed his lips against her finger tips. "And I'm sorry if I scared you. Let's talk about this later, okay? The children are here, and they have a lot of questions."

"We will be talking about this later." Marianne's gaze softened as she turned towards them. "I'm sorry I didn't greet you two sooner. I'm Marianne Wang, and this is my husband. It's nice to be able to finally meet you two; Lady Noire, Crimson Beetle."

"Hello," Lady said, giving a small uncertain smile.

"It's nice to meet you two as well," Crimson said, excitement humming through him. Answers– he was finally going to get some answers!

"You two may take a seat," Fu said, gesturing towards the mat in the center of the room. "On either side of the divider, if you would– that way you may drop your transformations and we can speak to your kwamis as well."

Lady froze. "...You want us to detransform?"

"If you are willing to," Marianne said. "We don't want you to feel pressured to do anything– but please be aware that Fu and I already know your identities– we are the ones that selected you to wield the Miraculouses you hold, after all."

"Don't worry!" A new voice chirped– and the heroes found their gaze looking up– where another kwami was lounging on the light fixture above. "They're the Guardians of the Miraculouses– if there's anyone in the world you can trust, it's them."

This kwami was a bold magenta in color, with deep purple stripes running across her form. She watched them with a golden pair of eyes, rounded ears angled towards them, tail flicking contently. The Tiger kwami gave them a fanged grin as the two heroes stared, and she drifted down towards them.

"The name is Roaar," she greeted. "Kwami of Force."

"Hello," Lady said softly. "Um, are you...?"

Her eyes flickered towards Marianne– and in reply Roaar drifted over and landed on the older woman's bun. "If you're asking if she's my holder– then the answer is yes. And I promise you two that you can trust these two."

"And I second that," Trixx added. "They may be idiots at times, but they have a good heart."

"Thank you, for that vote of confidence, Trixx," Fu said dryly.

"You're welcome!"

'Guardians of the Miraculouses'... that sounded promising; and important. Crimson's heart pounded with excitement, feeling like this confusion he had been living in was about to be taken away. He had known there was more to these Miraculouses than he had seen, and for the first time he was getting a glimpse into that world. So when Fu gestured towards the mat Crimson didn't hesitate to step forward, sitting on the right side of the divider.

Lady Noire seemed slightly more hesitant, and he could see her silhouette as she slowly sat down on the opposite side, looking about. "...Plagg isn't happy."

"Plagg has never been fond of me," Fu replied. "I doubt that he would bother putting in a good word for me. If you don't wish to detransform, then don't feel that you have to– whatever makes you feel comfortable."

"Tikki, spots off," Crimson said– since they had already seen his identity he had no reason to doubt, and with a burst of pink light his transformation fell away.

Adrien held out his hands for Tikki to land on, but since he hadn't summoned a Lucky Charm she did not look as exhausted as she usually did. Still, she settled into his hands with no hesitation, looking out at Fu and Marianne as they took their places in front of them– where they could see both Adrien and Lady even with the divider in place. Fu sat in the chair, Marianne standing behind him, both of their kwamis perched on her bun.

"Hello, Master Fu," Tikki greeted. "Hello, Master Marianne– it's good to see you again."

Fu smiled warmly at the kwami. "Feels like it's been a long time. How have you been? How has your holder been treating you?"

"Crimson has been wonderful," Tikki beamed. "I'm glad that you've finally decided to talk to them– Crimson has been asking questions that I haven't been able to answer."

"Well, caution was necessary," Fu replied, a slight smirk tugging on his face. "The Miraculous of the Naked Mole-Rat is a powerful one indeed."

Tikki flushed, though it was barely noticeable against her bright red skin. "...We're never talking about that again."

"...Oh," Adrien said after a moment. "I guess these were people we were going to see again..."

"I told you to tell them that I was a cat!" Tikki fumed. "They would have gone along with anything you said– you could have told them I was an elephant!"

"Well, I didn't realize that they actually knew what you were!" Adrien protested. "I was trying to be realistic!"

"You didn't have to say naked mole-rat!"

"Um..." Lady Noire said uncertainly. "I feel like I'm missing context here."

Marianne chuckled. "Crimson can fill you in another time, it's a funny little story. But we have other things to discuss. Do you feel comfortable detransforming?"

"You better not tell her," Tikki hissed back at Adrien, and he had to hide a laugh. Even when angry... Tikki was adorable. He tried to think of a reply, but before he could Tikki raised her voice so Lady could hear her. "I promise you that it's safe to detransform, Lady Noire. I'm Crimson's kwami by the way– Tikki."

"Alright..." Lady Noire said softly. "Plagg, claws in."

He could see a burst of bright green light from on the other side of the dividers, and Adrien held his breath. His partner was detransforming, she was right there... but with the panels between them he could see no more than her silhouette. There were no cat ears on her head, nor a long braid falling down her back– instead her hair hung around her shoulders, loosely done up. Like him, she brought her hands up for her kwami to rest on, but the black shape didn't land in her palms.

"What are we doing here?" A low voice grumbled, almost a growl. "I thought you two were going to stay in hiding until the Butterfly fell."

"As I'm sure you've noticed, Plagg," Fu said evenly. "Things are not going the way we expected."

"Hello, Plagg," Marianne said in a warm voice.

"...Hello," the kwami replied, not sounding quite as hostile as before. "So. They met you. They know where to find you if they need you– can we leave now?"

So this was his Lady's kwami.

"Plagg, please," Marianne said.

"Hmm," Plagg grumbled– and then zipped towards the panels. He phased through the dividers, and Adrien found himself face to face with a small black figure, his gaze burning. Like Roaar, he was very cat-like in appearance, far more closely resembling his animal than Tikki did. His eyes were a neon green, electric and bitter as they glowered down at him. "So we meet at last, Ladybug."

"Plagg!" Marianne said. "You know identities are important."

Plagg flicked his tail dismissively. "Sugar Cube and I already know both of their identities."

"You do?" Lady's voice sounded surprised. "Since when?"

Plagg drifted closer to Adrien, and despite the kwami looking like a kitten, he felt like it was something much larger and much more dangerous staring him down. Plagg didn't answer, and Tikki drifted between them, giving her fellow kwami a placating look. Plagg snapped something at her, the words sounding like chimes– and Tikki sighed.

"...I ran into Plagg at a Jagged Stone concert," Tikki said when Plagg didn't answer his holder's question. "You were both in attendance, and we learned your identities sometime after that."

"Not ideal," Fu mused. "But that isn't unacceptable. As long as they don't know each other's identity, then I see no issue."

"Why?" Adrien blurted out, causing Fu and Marianne to look at him. "Why can't we know who the other is? We're partners, we're supposed to work together."

"Because that's the way things work," Plagg growled, and Adrien couldn't help but draw back at the way the small kwami was glaring at him. Unlike everyone else in Paris he would never call his Lady dangerous, but her kwami... he looked very dangerous in the moment. "You don't get to know who she is, and you don't get to seek her out. Is that clear, Ladybug?"

"I–"

"Plagg, please don't start this," Tikki begged. "Crimson is a good holder."

"He's a bug."

"He's my Bug," Tikki replied– and then said something else with the chime-like sounds Plagg had been making before. He snapped back in the same musical language, and Tikki said something else, sounding pleading.

Plagg hissed– then turned and phased through the panels, joining Lady once more. Tikki let out a soft sigh, before drifting down towards Adrien. She landed on his shoulders, antennae hanging low, and Adrien glanced at her in confusion. She didn't offer any explanation, however, leaving them in silence.

"As for now, your identities must remain in place," Fu said. "But when the time is right, that can be a possibility that can be discussed."

"Or never," Plagg hissed from the other side of the panel, and Adrien shuddered.

"Plagg," Marianne said.

A hiss was his only reply– and Fu sighed.

"I suppose the best place to begin would be the beginning," the man said, sitting up straight. "I am Master Wang Fu– the last member of the Order of the Guardians, a group dedicated to protecting and distributing the Miraculouses."

"...The last member?" Adrien said, blinking slowly.

"Of the Order, yes," Fu said, voice unnaturally calm. "The last Guardian, however, I am not. I do believe there are a few other Guardians scattered about the world, and Marianne assists me in my duties and in protecting the Miraculouses I guard– and I consider her just as much of a Guardian as I am." He laid his hand over hers, smiling softly. "I don't know what I'd do without her."

"What about that one time you abandoned her to 'protect' her?" Trixx asked, grinning.

"Trixx."

"It was too dangerous, you said!" Roaar said dramatically, laying across Marianne's head, a paw over her heart. "'She could have gotten hurt!'"

"'We have to go on alone, as always!'" Trixx quoted, holding a paw up dramatically– and the two kwamis started snickering– while Fu stared ahead, unimpressed.

"...As the kwamis have so graciously provided, I have not always made the best decisions," Fu continued. "But I have dedicated my life to protecting the Miraculouses–"

"Wait, are we listing off all the mistakes you've made?" Plagg asked. "Are we going alphabetically, or chronologically?"

"How about from least to most impactful?" Trixx suggested. "His first mistake would probably be–"

"Thank you," Fu said loudly, cutting them off. "For the unwelcomed suggestions, you two– but I think I can do this just fine without your input."

Trixx drifted over to him, patting him on the head. "Oh, Fu, where would you even be without input from us kwamis? Still stuck on some snowy mountain?"

"...Maybe I should have stuck with the Turtle after all."

"Hah!" Trixx snorted. "You and Wayzz are too much alike– you wouldn't have gotten far with him!" The kwami placed a paw on his chest. "I, on the other hand, have made you into the man you are today. I practically raised you, Kit!"

"Well then, 'Mother', apparently you didn't do that good of a job," Fu replied, smirking slightly. "If my memory recalls, you had quite a big list of my mistakes, hmm?"

"Sh-shut up!"

Fu grinned, before turning back towards them, his gaze turning more serious. "Throughout my years as Guardian, I have had one goal in mind– which was retrieving two lost Miraculouses. One of which you are very familiar with– that being the Butterfly Miraculous."

"And the other?" Adrien asked.

"That would be the Miraculous of the Peacock," Marianne replied. "Just like the Butterfly, the Peacock has gone through many hands through the years– and just like you two find yourselves facing Monarch, we have had our own share of battles against these two Miraculouses. Sometimes together, other times it was only one we were facing. Many times, it was wielded by those with malicious intent, and other times it was in the hands of those merely unaware of the magic they were wielding."

"Everytime, however," Fu said in a low tone. "They have refused to give the Miraculouses back to us. When one holder fell, it was only a matter of time until another took their place."

"In short, we've been trying to retrieve the Butterfly and Peacock for a long time now."

Adrien furrowed his brow. "Let me get this straight... you've been at this for years, and have never succeeded– yet you expect me and Lady to be able to defeat this Butterfly holder?"

"We did not give you those Miraculouses with the intention of you defeating Monarch," Fu replied.

"You... didn't?" Lady asked, surprised.

"We wanted you to be able to outlast her," Fu replied. "To be someone able to face the akumas and stop them from hurting innocents. To purify those who were affected, and restore the city. You... you were intended to be a check for Monarch– a means for her to be unable to advance in her goals."

"You... you just wanted us to fight akumas until... she gives up?" Adrien said in disbelief. "Are you serious? Have you seen her akumas– she's not about to throw in the towel any time soon!"

Marianne and Fu shared a glance, and Marianne looked pained. "We never wanted this to become another's fight, it was supposed to be our burden to carry... but we are simply at the point where we cannot do this alone. Our bodies are weak, we've stretched our time on earth to be far longer than it should have. We should have looked for someone to take our place many years ago... but we didn't."

"We have no children of our own," Fu said grimly. "We felt it would have been unfair to bring children into the life we live." He shook his head. "Yet, I suppose we did, by handing a Miraculous to the two of you."

"We are not waiting for Monarch to give up," Marianne said. "We intended for the two of you to outlast her– because those that wear the Butterfly Miraculous have never held on for long."

"...What do you mean?" Lady Noire asked softly.

"The Butterfly Miraculous is broken."


Marinette did not know what a broken Miraculous entailed– but with the way Plagg shivered in her hands, she knew it couldn't be a good thing.

A hush fell throughout the room, and the expressions on the kwamis' faces were enough to show how serious this matter was, Roaar and Trixx not making eye contact with anyone. Marinette ran a hand down Plagg's back, where he had been settled in her palms since he had talked to Crimson on the other side of the panels.

"Broken?" Marinette asked. She hadn't known that was even possible... "What does that mean? How does that happen?"

"It is very difficult to break a Miraculous," Fu replied. "A broken Miraculous... it's complicated, and the effects are not good."

"A Miraculous is what keeps us kwamis rooted to the physical world," Tikki explained on the other side of the dividers. "It confines and limits our powers to a point where it can be used safely on a small scale such as here on Earth, and not hurt the humans channeling it. When a Miraculous starts to break... those are the things it impacts."

"They say the kwami of a broken Miraculous goes insane," Trixx said, tail wrapping around himself.

"Not insane," Roaar corrected. "Their minds are simply not as closely linked to this realm. They don't seem to realize that their Miraculous is broken, or that it's hurting their holder. They're trying to exist in two states at once."

"This means the kwami cannot usually warn the holder," Fu said grimly. "So they use the Miraculous without concern– and the magic is no longer contained and safe for a human to wield. In a sense, it is as if the wounds on the Miraculous are inflicted onto the holder. The more they use it, the more dire their state becomes."

"...What kind of things happen?" Crimson asked.

Fu shrugged. "I have seen many different results from the prolonged use of the Butterfly. I have seen people lose the ability to use various limbs, some have had organs that fail them. They may lose their hearing or sight, or find their muscles or lungs weakening. All kinds of physical ailments may occur, and there's no saying what may manifest."

"To put it simply," Plagg growled in a low voice. "A broken Miraculous affects a kwami mentally, and a holder physically."

"The end result is always the same, however," Marianne said grimly. "If they continue to use a broken Miraculous, their body will eventually no longer be able to support them. Bouts of unconsciousness will happen, which would eventually take them permanently... and then there is nothing that can be done for them, medically or magically. The rogue magic will take their life."

Marinette felt her stomach twist, slowly piecing together what they had told her– and she wanted to throw up. "So... so when you say you want us to outlast Monarch... you just want to wait until she... until she–"

"We warned her," Fu said, voice hardening. "We warned her of the danger of that Miraculous, and what her fate would be– and she didn't listen to us."

"She chose to attack the city," Marianne said gently. "To endanger innocent people. And if she won't listen to our warnings or to reason... then the people we are going to protect are the ones that can't defend themselves."

"Our plan was simple," Fu said, looking up at the ceiling. "When Monarch threatened to attack, we knew we would have to find someone that could face her, that could hold their own. We would send someone that could fight and protect the city, and last long enough until the broken Miraculous could claim her... and then we'd bring them here. Tell them what they needed to know... and give them a choice."

"What choice?" Crimson asked, and Marinette felt Plagg tensing in her palms.

Fu looked across at them. "Perhaps this should be a discussion for another time. Our focus should be on Monarch at the moment."

"No," Crimson snapped– and Marinette was surprised at how cold his voice was. "I refuse to be kept out of things that involve me. What choice are you talking about?"

Fu and Marianne exchanged glances, the two of them looking at each other for some time, holding an unspoken conversation. Fu looked hesitant, but it wasn't long until Marianne slowly nodded, and the older man turned back towards them.

"...The choice would be to either return your Miraculous to us," Fu said slowly, and Marinette tensed at these words, clutching Plagg tightly. "To resume living a normal life and no longer be involved with magic. A peaceful and easier life."

"Or you could choose to inherit our burden instead," Marianne finished. "And keep your connection to the world of magic."

Marinette held Plagg tightly, causing the small kwami to twist and look back at her, confusion in his green gaze. She wasn't looking at him though, her mind racing. She hadn't thought much about what would happen if Monarch was defeated, but the thought of losing Plagg...

"Your... burden?" Crimson asked in confusion.

"The burden of being a Guardian," Marianne said softly. "You two would learn all that we know, and take our place in dedicating your life to guarding the Miraculouses, and seeking out the ones that were lost– and facing any threat that requires the use of these gems."

Marinette and Crimson Beetle were silent.

"You weren't meant to know that this soon," Fu said, sounding pained. "Asking you to protect the city was a burden enough, but... but things aren't going the way we thought they would. And as much weight as it is to carry... we need someone to take our place. Marianne and I cannot live forever."

"Hasn't stopped you two from trying," Trixx replied.

"You don't have to make a decision right now," Marianne told the two heroes. "But it should be something you're aware of, to consider as we go forward from here."

"What changed, then?" Marinette blurted out, causing everyone to look at her in confusion. "You... you said things aren't going the way you thought. What happened?"

Fu looked away, and Plagg snorted.

"Monarch isn't croaking, for some reason," the Black Cat said loudly. "With all the fake champions she's been sending out, she should be deader than a doornail."

"...What Plagg said," Fu said after a moment. "I... I have faced many Butterfly holders over the years, and while most have never lasted more than a year or two... they weren't sending out akumas as often and for as long as Monarch is."

"I've been keeping track of how many she's sent out– and since September we're looking at an average of about one akuma a week– about four or five a month, with a few exceptions," Marianne explained. "Other Butterfly holders that have attempted to be that active typically slowed down within just a few months, and if they kept it up they would then fall shortly afterwards. Others seemed to abandon the Miraculouses before that point once they seemed to realize what it was doing to them."

"We've never encountered a holder that has lasted more than about two years, with three being the longest," Fu explained. "But in that time, those holders never sent out more than a dozen or so champions– that being all it took for the magic to overtake them– while Monarch has easily doubled that amount in six months alone."

"Most of those holders were also sending out willing champions," Marianne said. "Which is less taxing than these forced akumatizations we've been seeing– but Monarch has managed."

"We don't know what Monarch has done," Fu said. "The last Butterfly holder before her managed to hold on for nearly three years, but... Miraculouses don't heal on their own. Time cannot be the answer here."

"Was the last Butterfly from World War II?" Crimson asked. "Like Pfau the Peacock? Or was there no Butterfly holder during that time?"

"There was a holder during that time by the name of Violetter Flügel," Fu replied, tapping his fingers. "We never saw much of them, however. They were active for... two years?"

"Closer to a year and a half," Marianne replied. "We suspect he fully succumbed to the Miraculous in, hmm... 1943? Right in the middle of the war. We aren't sure where it went afterwards, or if there were more holders after them or not– but we didn't encounter the Butterfly again until late 2011."

Marinette blinked. "That recently? Where?"

"Right here in Paris," Fu said. "A holder by the name of the Painted Lady."

"There was another holder here in Paris?" Crimson said in surprise. "How... How did no one notice that?"

"They weren't like Monarch," Trixx explained, flicking his tail. "Out in the open, declaring who they are and letting the whole world see magic. They were a much more sly duo, we only knew they were active thanks to Wayzz– and it took us a while to find them."

"Wayzz?" Marinette asked. "Who's that?"

"However," Fu said, cutting off Marinette's question. "The Painted Lady met the same fate as all Butterfly holders– which offers us no insight to how Monarch has lasted this long."

"Could she have fixed the Miraculous?" Marinette asked. "Is that even possible?"

"Possible, yes, but likely... definitely not," Fu replied. "Even I lack the knowledge on how to properly heal a Miraculous. That knowledge... was unfortunately not passed on to me in time. The only place where that knowledge was written was lost years ago."

"Written?" Crimson said, sounding curious.

Fu chuckled. "Written in code, I'm afraid. Even if you were to figure out how to read it, it would still be a riddle after being translated. Not even a kwami could read it, I'm afraid."

"...Wait," Crimson said slowly.

"Um, Master?" Tikki said, sounding a bit uncertain. "Me and my holder found something you might want to take a look at."

There was the sound of shuffling, and Marinette glanced over at panels, watching the outline of Crimson as he appeared to be digging through a bag. It was hard to make out clearly, his figure slightly blurred, but Master Fu had pushed himself to his feet to get a better look as Crimson held something out to him.

The old man took it, stepping back, and Marinette was able to see the man holding what appeared to be an old and worn book in his hands, the cover faded red with a familiar pattern on the front. Master Fu was staring at it with wide eyes as he cracked it open, pouring over the pages with both vigor and caution, hands shaking slightly.

"This... this is the Grimoire," Fu said weakly, looking up at Marianne. "It's actually the Grimoire..." He turned back towards Crimson as Marianne came over to look over his shoulder. "Where did you find this?"

"Um, well–" Crimson began.

"A civilian had it," Tikki said swiftly, cutting off her holder. "I saw a civilian with it and told Crimson he had to take it. I think the civilian said it belonged to his father?"

"Y-yeah– what Tikki said."

"Do you know this civilian's name?" Fu asked.

"...Adrien Agreste?" Crimson said uncertainly– and Marinette's eyes widened in surprise. "So... it was his father's. His father had it first."

"I see," Fu said slowly. "This... this was something I thought I would never see again. It was lost many years ago. It contains important secrets related to the Miraculouses, knowledge dangerous in the wrong hands."

"Do... do you think Gabriel Agreste is 'the wrong hands'?" Crimson asked quietly.

Fu pressed his lips together. "...Any hands that aren't that of a Guardian are the 'wrong' hands. However, as I said, it is coded in a way that I very much doubt that it could be translated with ease... but that doesn't mean it's impossible."

"If... if it means anything," Crimson said quietly. "I think he just used it as fashion inspiration... I mean, he does have a jewelry line based on animals and... and yeah. Like a Fox necklace that looks a lot like your Miraculous– he must have just been looking at all the holders in the book."

"What's in the book?" Marinette asked, inching slightly closer.

"Knowledge on the Miraculouses," Master Fu said, tucking the book close to his chest. "Something I will show the both of you if you agree to take our places." He looked down at the book. "...I will have to remember how to read this code, it's been so many years..."

"...Wh-what about the person that it originally belonged to?" Crimson asked, voice quivering slightly. "I mean, what do we say to them? How do we... explain everything?"

"I am not sure," Fu said uncertainly, before taking a deep breath. "However, we say nothing at the moment. We first need to do some investigating. This book was lost in Tibet over a hundred and fifty years ago– and now it just happens to show up in Paris where the Miraculouses are active? That is a coincidence we can't ignore."

"You want us to investigate... the Agrestes?" Crimson said, in a tone that Marinette wasn't sure how to read. She didn't like the idea either– Adrien was one of her closest friends. Of course, this would be focused on his father...

"We need answers," Fu replied.

"What... how..." Crimson's voice was tight. "What do you even want us to do?"

"At the moment... nothing," Fu said, sitting back down on the chair. "I need some time to think, and see how to approach this. A coincidence isn't something to ignore– but it isn't an excuse to point blame at, either. We will look into this, and go on from there. For now, you two just go home and get some rest."

"And we're just supposed to accept all of this?" Crimson snapped.

"I told you much more than I was planning on doing today," Fu replied. "It would be foolish of me to say any more."

"Oh, so we're doing all your dirty work and fighting for you– but we can't even know everything?" Crimson growled. Marinette understood Crimson's frustration– but still she was startled at the sudden hostility in his voice, not sure of what set it off. "Introduce yourselves, then tell us things you expect us to follow without anything else besides your word?"

"I will not force you to do anything you're not comfortable with," Fu replied. "But if you do not agree with my ways then I will not continue to allow you to use a Miraculous. And your Miraculouses are linked– if one of you can no longer continue, then the other will have to give theirs back as well."

"That's not fair!" Crimson cried.

"Life's not fair," Plagg replied with a snarl– and Marinette was surprised that he was the one chiming in. "If it was, my Miraculous could be handed out without it depending on Ladybugs– but guess what? It can't. One of us cannot be active without the other, and you just can't be assigned another partner." Plagg lowered his voice to a growl. "And if you make me lose this holder, Bug, I'll make you regret it."

"Plagg– you do not threaten holders," Fu said sternly.

Marianne, however, was smiling softly. "I'm glad to see that you have bonded well to Lady Noire, Plagg."

He flicked his tail. "You made a pretty decent choice. At least I'm actually properly bonded to my holder, unlike someone."

"Me and Crimson are bonded!" Tikki protested.

"So was he just ignoring you when that fake fox showed up?"

"That... that's none of your business," Tikki huffed from the other side of the divider.

"That is a good point, actually," Fu said with a frown. "Why didn't you alert your holder that she was not to be trusted, Tikki?"

"...It was my fault, Master," Tikki said swiftly. "He was upset with me and must have unknowingly blocked out my presence, but I was trying to communicate with him."

Crimson's voice was much softer than it had been before. "I'm– I'm sorry Tikki, I didn't know I could do that–"

"Don't blame yourself, Crimson," the kwami reassured him. "I understand why you were so frustrated. And I know you still have questions, but I hope you were able to get some answers that you wanted today."

"I... I don't know," Crimson whispered.

"Crim?" Marinette said softly. "Is everything okay?"

"...Just a lot to take in, My Lady," her partner said softly. "Just not sure what to think at the moment."

"I think we should call it a night," Marianne said softly. "Give you two some time to think, and decide what to do from here. How does that sound?"

"...Works for me," Marinette said after a moment.

"Yes. Get me out of here," Plagg said, his fur rising.

"Yeah," Crimson whispered. "I guess."

Master Fu pushed himself to his feet. "I will escort you two out, one at a time. Lady Noire, you first since you are closest to the door, come along now."

Marinette slowly pushed herself to her feet, worriedly looking in Crimson's direction, knowing that something was off– but Fu put his hand on her shoulder before she could say anything, leading her back towards the front of the building. She looked over her shoulder, watching as Marianne approached where Crimson was sitting.

"Crimson..." She began, but she wasn't sure what to say.

"See you around, m'lady," Crimson replied as she was led away.

"I'm sorry to have put this all on you two," Fu said as they went down the short hallway. "...And I'm sorry for how Paris has treated you. Someone your age shouldn't have to go through that."

"I'm... I'm fine," Marinette said in a small voice. "I mean, it's just..."

They reached the front of the massage parlor, and Fu paused for a moment. "You know, when I first met Marianne, she was terrified of me– she thought I was a spirit or being of some kind she had awoken."

"She did?"

He chuckled. "Granted, I was transformed when we first met one another– but all it took was some time, and now there's no one else in this world I trust more."

"Not even me?" A voice asked, and Fu looked over his shoulder to see Trixx hovering in the doorway. "After all we've been through too– you hurt me, old man."

Fu rolled his eyes. "If you want someone old, then look in the mirror."

"Age means nothing to us kwamis," Trixx replied, grinning.

"Come on, kid," Plagg grumbled. "The sooner we get out of here, the better. I have a wheel of camembert at home with my name on it."

"You can't eat the whole thing tonight," Marinette said. "Mom and Papa will notice if it vanishes overnight."

"Well they shouldn't care– you're the one that bought it, not them!"

Fu frowned at Plagg, then looked up at Marinette. "...Just so you're aware, kwamis do need to listen to their holders. If his preferred diet is too expensive for you to handle, you can order him to eat otherwise, he does not only need fancy cheeses."

Marinette chuckled. "I don't think Plagg will listen to anyone but his stomach."

"They are bound by magic to obey, Marinette," Fu replied, and in Marinette's hands Plagg stiffened– the kwami looking back at the old man with a look of pure betrayal in his green eyes. "If you give an order, he will obey. I know he is a difficult kwami, so just in case that's something you need to know."

Marinette held the kwami close in her hands, suddenly feeling a bit sick. That idea... just felt so wrong. She had thought akumatization was bad enough, Monarch using mind control and twisted emotions to get compliance, but just flat out being forced to obey... that sounded absolutely horrifying.

"I... I should get going," Marinette said quietly, carefully placing Plagg in her purse. "I'll see you around, sir..."

She turned, hurrying out the door, a small bell ringing as she rushed out onto the streets. If the older Guardian said anything on her way out, she didn't hear it, Marinette moving with the crowd as she hurried down the street.


It was supposed to be different this time!

Plagg huddled in the bottom of the purse, shivering with the rage he felt in his heart. He was surprised that cloth hadn't started disintegrating around him, his breathing taking on a ragged tone.

For the first time in ages, for the first time since the Order had begun hoarding the Miracle Boxes, he had a holder who hadn't known. Whose first exposure to his Miraculous hadn't been being told how to twist him to their will.

And the Guardian just had gone and–!

Plagg closed his eyes, trying to calm his breathing– even though calm was the last thing he felt right now. He wasn't sure why he had expected otherwise, this is how it had been for the longest time, after all. Usually, holders were trusted and in the know before they were selected, but it was only natural that now that trust had been secured, that things would be done the way they had always been. Fu had broken many traditions, but apparently this was not one.

Plagg didn't know why he was surprised with Master Fu, though– after all, he had learned ages ago that Ladybugs shouldn't be trusted.


Adrien couldn't relax at home.

His first night home after meeting the Guardian had been one of being on edge. It felt like that any moment someone was going to burst into his room, and demand to know the fate of the book he had taken. Not even Tikki's calming words or Lady's concerned message on his yoyo could calm him down.

But the whole next day went by without incident.

It seemed like the missing book would go unnoticed, or at least unlinked to him, and Adrien was hoping that there would be a way he could get it back from the Guardian. Or find a way to replace it in some form– the guilt about having stolen it still fresh in his mind. Yes, he could see how that was something they didn't want in just anyone's hands... but despite Fu's worries, he failed to see how his father could possibly be connected to any of this.

It was when he got home from school the day after that his hopes about this slipping by were crushed.

His father stood on the stairs as he entered the manor, cool gray eyes staring down at him as the door swung open, and he felt chills race down his back as the two stared at each other. Adrien knew the guilt was clear on his face, and Gabriel's gaze refused to leave his.

"My office. Now," Gabriel said, voice frighteningly neutral– and Adrien turned and hurried towards the atelier without protests, the sound of his father's footsteps behind him only drowned out by the beating of his heart.

The atelier was nearly identical to how it had been a few days ago, but as Adrien's eyes swept across the office he could see a few items he had recognized from the safe scattered about, showing that his father had been through it. He stood in front of his father's desk, gaze angled towards the ground as he listened to his father enter behind him, carefully shutting the doors, before making his way to stand behind his desk.

"Adrien, look at me," Gabriel ordered, and Adrien slowly lifted his head. The two stared at each other, and Adrien felt the urge to turn away once more. "Let's keep this simple. Do you have something you'd like to give me?"

His mouth was dry. "...No."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly, and he took out a tablet, swiping through it for a moment, before turning the screen so Adrien could see it. He slowly leaned forward so he could watch without a glare, and shivered slightly as he watched the security feed showing him sneaking in, and messing with the combination on the safe.

Adrien already knew that kwamis didn't show up on camera, but still he was worried that Tikki would somehow appear on the screen.

Gabriel didn't say anything as the video played out, which showed Adrien going through the contents of the safe, before ending with him stuffing the Grimoire into his bag and hastily closing up the safe and painting before Nathalie entered the atelier– and Gabriel turned off the tablet, setting it down onto his desk.

"I would like my book back, Adrien," Gabriel said in a low tone.

"I... I don't have it anymore," Adrien whispered, closing his eyes so he couldn't see his father's expression.

"What did you do with it?"

I lost it. Adrien was tempted to say, the words on the tip of his tongue– an answer that would put it out of his reach, free of responsibility of possibly retrieving it, no matter how much trouble he would be in– but he couldn't bring himself to lie. He opened his eyes, vision blurring, and he scrambled to say what truth he could.

"C-crimson Beetle has it."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "And how did that come to be?"

"I... I was looking at it, and he must have seen it..." Adrien stuttered out, and despite not wanting to lie, he found himself doing just that. "I was at the park after school, and he showed up, and said that he needed the book."

"Did he just take it from you?"

"I... I gave it to him," Adrien stuttered out. "It seemed like the best thing to do at the time. I'm– I'm sorry, Father, I know I should have talked to you, that I shouldn't have–"

"Shouldn't have what?" Gabriel snapped, cutting him off. "Gone through my personal belongings? Snoop through my office? I thought I raised you better than that– but not only did you steal from me, you saw it fitting to give it away without second thought?"

"I'll– I'll get you another one–" Adrien blurted, even though he knew that was impossible.

"That book is one of a kind. A gift I received years ago," Gabriel said in a low tone. "For a time it was my inspiration, and it became something that was very important to your mother. That book was something very personal to me."

"I'm– I'm sorry," Adrien stuttered. "I'll try to get the book back, I promise, I'll get the book back–"

"It's not about the book, Adrien!" Gabriel shouted, and Adrien flinched back. "You broke my trust! You invaded my privacy, and were careless with my property! I'm not even sure I want to know what made you think that was okay!"

Adrien closed his eyes, trying to keep back forming tears.

"Well?" Gabriel snapped.

"I was upset!" Adrien blurted out. "I... I felt like everyone was keeping secrets, and I just wanted... I just wanted..." He trailed off, knowing that was no excuse. "I'm sorry, Father, I'm sorry..."

"Get out."

"Father–"

"Get out before I say something I regret!" Gabriel roared, and Adrien stumbled back a step. Furious gray eyes met his frightened green ones, and Adrien didn't need to be told twice. He turned on a heel, and bolted for the door.


Gabriel's heart was pounding, his breathing heavy as he watched the door swing shut– his son fleeing from his presence. He stared at the double doors, the anger still pounding through him– but so was a growing horror. He stood there for a moment, before collapsing into his chair, panting.

There was something horrible, something he could not describe, about watching his own son run from him.

But it didn't get rid of the anger, sharp and bitter, as it pulsed through him. When it came to those to be wary of in house, his mind had always turned towards new hires, maids and gardeners he didn't know if he could trust. He was a suspicious man, a cautious man, but in time he trusted. Those who had worked for him for years he didn't doubt; Nathalie and Ezra were closer to the ranks of family rather than employees, in his mind.

Yet it had been his own son who had stolen from him.

He snatched a frame that had been resting on his desk, the family portrait that had been drawn by Adrien years ago, something he usually kept safe behind the painting of Emilie. Out of sight where only he could reach. But that privacy had been violated and cast aside.

Where had he gone wrong? He knew he wasn't perfect... but boundaries had been the one thing he had thought had been clear between him and his son. Something they had both understood and respected.

Gabriel didn't notice the butterfly until it was too late, black energy pouring from its deep purple wings as it fluttered towards the framed drawing in his hand, merging with ease. Gray eyes widened in shock he felt a presence in his mind, his grasp on the frame tightening.

"Wh-what are you doing?" He stuttered out– and for a moment, his anger was gone, replaced by shock.

Words were whispered in his mind, a glowing mask highlighting his face– and Gabriel closed his eyes, jaw gritted as he tried to flush the voice from his mind.

"No," he growled, though his grasp on the drawing refused to loosen. "N-no, I don't want to."

The masked lingered, as did the voice in his mind.

"No... I can't. You know I hate magic."

The voice kept whispering.

"V-very well, I suppose..." Gabriel muttered, relenting. "Just this once."

The dark energy pulsed out from the frame the moment the words left his lips, Gabriel shivering as the magic engulfed his entire form. He could feel the energy running through him, a strength humming in his muscles, changing him as the magic flowed through him. As the dark light faded, it was no longer Gabriel Agreste sitting in the chair.

"From now on," he muttered, rising to his feet. "I shall be known as the Protector."


I changed the Fox and Tiger to Deception and Force out of personal preference. There will be some other Miraculouses whose concept is changed, but the powers will remain the same.

Xiànshí/现实 = Reality.
Huànjǐng/幻景 = Mirage/illusion.
Xiūxí/休息 = Rest.

(These translations I got online, so unfortunately they may be incorrect.)