AN: Sorry for the long wait, got inspired by other things. Anyways enjoy the chapter.
Ch 5 Message from the Future
Ritsuka finished speaking with both Kadoc and Peperoncino and now he sat alone at his desk. His eyes drew over to the picture of his family at the Resort. He took it in his hands and smiled, gaining the motivation to continue. "I swear I will protect your future," He smiles,
A knock from his door interrupts his train of thoughts; looking up he heard a familiar voice. "Master, if I can come in. I need to speak to you about…the next mission." The new Ruler they met near the end of the battle was standing near the door.
Knowing that she's another Counter Guardian, it got to be something important. Ritsuka adjusted his clothes and sat up. "Of course, come in Ruler." Ritsuka granted the Counter Guardian to enter.
The door opened, letting the blue-haired, ladybug-themed Servant inside his office. The Counter Guardian walks inside, looking around his homey office. 'So this is what master's office looks like inside. Not what I expect from a director of a big organization.' Ruler of Paris thought.
Ritsuka smiles, placing his hands on his desk. "Ruler, what is it do you want to talk about?" He asked the bluenette woman.
Ruler of Paris looks at her new master, she walks over to the seats in front of his desk. She sat down while looking at the hope of Humanity. "It's about the next part of the Anomaly. Are you aware of what lies ahead?" She asked, her face dead serious about what they were going to talk about.
"Yes, I know. Your home has been pruned away from Proper Human History." Ritsuka stated, seeing her expression sadden feeling what she's feeling.
The bluenette nodded, closing her eyes. "I have gained the knowledge of your exploits in your Dimension's Lostbelts and how you overcome them." Ruler stated, hoping that he might still have the resolve to do it again.
Ritsuka nodded, listening to Ruler's statement of his previous exploits. "Yes, it was difficult. But we manage to overcome it." He commented, curious about what she was heading to. "I mean no offense but what are you saying, Ruler?" The Magus asked the Counter Guardian.
"I mean no ill will towards you, master but this is something I must know that you have the will to dismantle my home." The blue-haired Ruler demanded of the master.
The Magus closes his eyes, he took a moment to think about the question that he was asked. Just before Ritsuka could answer the door was opened by Koyanskaya back to her Secretary outfit.
"Pardon me, director. We have three interesting guests has entered the Storm Border." Koyanskaya informed her master of the arrival of the three Heroes they met during their time here.
Ritsuka nodded, "Thank you, Koyanskaya for telling me."
Ruler looks at the Assassin Servant, "Might I ask who's the third guest that came with Adrien and…Marinette?" The bluenette woman asked the Secretary of their master.
Koyanskaya looks to the side, trying to remember the female coming with the young Heroes. "Let's see…ah she has maroon color hair with some punk-like outfit on. Oh, and she has a little Nature Spirit that looks a lot like a rabbit looming around with the other Nature Spirits our little friends brought." She informed the Counter Guardian.
"(Bunnyx…)" Ruler looks down, pondering what the Hero of the Last Chance doing with the Heroes of the past.
Ritsuka stood up from his desk, walking around it. "Either way, please tell everyone to give them a proper greeting." He informed the former Apostle of the Alien God.
Koyanskaya sighs, going on her tablet. "Very well," She sent the memo throughout the Storm Border about greeting the guests. "I have informed the entire Border what you requested. Letting more children on board the Storm Border, just add a room filled with mats and we're a daycare." She grumbles, walking out of the office.
Ritsuka turns to his new Servant, "Ruler, shall we greet our guests?" He asked the Counter Guardian.
Ruler of Paris nodded, obliging to his new master's suggestion. "Alright, master." She got up and followed his master outside his office.
Marinette and Adrien looked around in awe, both still following Alix and Holmes down the halls. The bluenette couldn't help but still be in awe of the vessel they were in,
"I can't believe this place exists," Tikki looks around the hallway like a child in a toy store. "There are so many familiar presences in this place." The Nature Spirit stated, wandering around the halls.
"Tikki, don't stray too far…Tikki?" Marinette told her friend not to go too far. She turns around, checking on the Kwami of Creation location. However, Tikki was already gone, lost inside the hallway upon doing so. "Tikki, where are you?"
Marinette walks around the Border's Halls, trying to find her friend.
Adrien turns around, still retaining a smile with the excitement from an interesting place. "This is amazing," The blonde stated,
"You can say that again kid, Heroes gathering in one place is pretty amazing. Right, Tikki?" Plagg looks around, looking for his Sugar Cube, but she was gone and not the only one too. "Fluff, have you seen Tikki or Marinette?"
The Kwami of Evolution turns to her friend, her eyes looking side to side only seeing Servants and Staff of Chaldea. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention Plagg." Fluff said to her friend.
Plagg floats over to Adrien, stopping in front of his face. "Adrien, we lost Tikki and Marinette already." He informed the Model.
"What!?" Adrien turns around, seeing no signs of the two anywhere. "Marinette!?" He calls out for the young Hero.
Alix turns around, hearing Adrien calling the Hero of Creation's name. "Hey, Ruler. I think we're missing someone in our group." The Hero of the Last Chance informed the Detective.
Holmes turns around seeing fewer people in their little tour group. "Ah, we finally lost someone to the Border." The Ruler chuckles, causing the Heroes of Paris to turn around.
"What does that mean?" Adrien turns around, hearing what the Detective said. "Did something happen to Marinette and Tikki?" He asked, a bit defensive of him.
The Detective blinks at the young blonde Model, expressing some distress. "Ohoho, please forgive me, Mr. Agreste. I don't mean any malice to this," Holmes states to the Modern Heroes. "I meant to say that a curious mind tends to wander off to a place of curiosity."
Alix places her hand to her side, looking at the Advisor of Humanity's final master. "I'm betting that Tikki was the one who wandered off." The Hero of the Last Chance commented.
Plagg sighs, crossing his arms. "That sounds like our Sugar Cube," He nudges the Rabbit Kwami.
Fluff nodded excitedly, "Yep, yep, Tikki can be distracted easily. Especially when it comes to familiar things." The Kwami of Evolution stated to the Ruler.
"What do we do? Should we look for her?" Adrien asked the Detective standing behind them.
Holmes smiles, "I wouldn't worry. There are many capable Servants and Staff that can guide her to our destination." He ensures the group that Marinette will be alright within the Border. "Now, the director is waiting for you all."
"Ritsuka?" Adrien asked,
Alix nodded, she is this close to getting the Chaldeans' help. "Great, let's go. I have a lot of things I need to inform you all."
"Huh?" Adrien looks at Plagg and Fluff shrugging their arms.
"Very well, if you would; please follow me." Holmes turns around, continuing their way in and leading them to the meeting room.
In the hallway, Marinette was looking around in search of her Kwami. "Tikki? Where did you go?" The bluenette called for the Nature Spirit. Her eyes scan the hallway, Staff moving past her.
Marinette wanders around, trying to find Tikki. She wanders into a room with smooth light music playing in the background. "Where is she? I should've kept a good eye on her."
"Oya? It seems we have a newcomer to my little bar." The bluenette turns around to a bar scene with a small number of people inside. Behind the bar was an old man in a black bartender suit while cleaning glasses. "Welcome to the Gray Collar Bar, young maiden."
"A bar? I didn't expect a bar to be on here." Marinette walks into the bar, sensing feeling an ominous wind by just being here. "Well, considering saving the World is stressful, it's understandable."
Moriarty nodded, "Indeed, I take it you got lost while that fool was guiding you three to our master. The Modern Heroes of Paris assisted with Marie Alter's defeat." He places the glass on the counter, before looking at the young maiden, her eyes widen at the information he said. "Oh don't worry, I read the reports that master made." He smiles
Marinette sighs, a bit at ease that the Archer knows that from the reports Ritsuka made. She shook her head, placing her previous task in front. "Sorry to cut this short, but I was-"
"Looking for your little friend? Tikki was it?" Moriarty asked the young Hero. He closes his eyes, taking a bottle from the fridge.
"That's right, have you seen her?" Marinette asked the Crime Lord bartender.
Moriarty poured the drink into the glass he just cleaned, "Indeed, but you seem thirsty. Please," He pushed the glass near the edge for her to take. "Take it, if you do, I will tell you where that Nature Spirit is." He smiles, looking at the people sleeping at the table.
The bluenette "Um…I'm too young to drink this, sir." Marinette refuses the drink offered to her. He was given some villain vibe for some reason, but since he's with Chaldea, Ritsuka must trust him.
"No worries, this is just fruit juice. A special kind that rejuvenates your energy." The Crime Lord informed the bluenette standing before her. "Master and the rest of the Staff have this whenever they feel fatigued. You seem so as much."
Marinette looks down at the drink before partaking it. Once she drank a sip before, her eyes widen at the unique flavor she tasted. "Oh, this is good." She smiles.
Moriarty smiles, "Of course, I do brew the best all kinds of beverages in my spare time." He commented, watching her finish the drink. "Now for your payment for tasting my newest concoction,"
Marinette looks up at the Crime Lord who offered her a drink. "Mmm? Oh yes, Tikki. Have you seen her?" She asked the strange Archer.
"Indeed, she was here but she saw a colleague of mine. She's a black-haired girl dressed as a kunoichi." Moriarty explains, "She might be with her by the cafeteria." He informed the bluenette of her little friend's whereabouts within the Border.
"Oh! Thank you, sir!" Marinette rushed to the door, exiting the bar to find her Kwami.
Moriarty smirks, placing the young Hero's glass back in the container. "The piece has been placed, and now all we can do is wait." The Villian chuckles, "Whatever you have plan for them Ruler of Paris. I hope you don't have any regrets in asking my help."
Marinette ran down the halls of the Border, looking for a Kunoichi with black hair. She stops, hearing a familiar voice around the corner.
"How interesting, so you're telling me that you had two Japanese holders in the past?" A female voice converses with someone. "' And one of those holders so happens to be another version of me, little Nature Spirit?" She asked.
"Yeah, you share the same features as the Mochizuki Chiyome that I know." The same familiar voice spoke to whoever she was speaking to.
Marinette turns around the corner, spotting the Kunoichi that the Crime Lord was speaking of talking to the Kwami. "Tikki!" She cried out to her Kwami.
Tikki and Chiyome turn arounds, hearing Marinette's voice calling out to her. "Marinette!" The Nature Spirit floats over to the bluenette. "Marinette, look. I found another past Holder of the Ladybug earrings!" She exclaims, "Mochizuki Chiyome, the second Tentomushi of Japan!"
The Hero of Creation looks at the small Kunoichi stepping forward to them. "It seems that my True Name is no longer hidden," Chiyome chuckles, inclining her head to the bluenette. "It's a pleasure to meet a fellow Hero of Humanity, I am Assassin. True Name Mochizuki Chiyome, I'm a different version of the Mochizuki Chiyome knows."
"It's nice to meet you, Mochizuki Chiyome." Marinette greeted back. "Oh, and I'm sorry. I'm not well versed in Japan History, I'm afraid." She apologizes for not knowing who she was in History.
"Please, call me Assassin or Chiyome Ladybug-san." Chiyome smiles at the young Hero. "And don't worry about knowing who I am, you're young and I expect nothing from someone around your age to know everything." She stated, ensuring Marinette that there's nothing to worry about.
"Thank you, that just relieved me a bit-oh!" Marinette looks at Tikki, floating next to her. "Tikki, you shouldn't be running off like that. You had me worry for you."
Tikki blinks, realizing that they were far off from their tour group. "Sorry Marinette, I was so caught up with meeting old friends that I didn't realize I stray off." She apologizes to her current owner.
Marinette sighs at the childlike Kwami before chuckling, "It's fine, Tikki. I understand how you are feeling right now." She petted the Nature Spirit. "I also wander off whenever I'm looking for a friend,"
"And you sometimes get into trouble," Tikki commented causing both to laugh at her joke.
Chiyome smiles, watching the bond between both Nature Spirit and Hero of Creation. "It seems that you two have a healthy relationship, a strong bone similar to us and our master." She commented on what she sees.
Marinette and Tikki nodded, seeing that the bond was clear to see. Even if they were undercover when they were living among them. "We can tell by the Servants who came with Ritsuka share a bond with him."
"Speaking of Ritsuka, we should catch up with everyone else to meet him," Tikki commented, looking at her owner.
Marinette agrees with the Kwami of Creation, however, the Storm Border was bigger than she initially thought. "But this place is big, we don't know a thing about this ship." She stated,
Chiyome smiles, stepping forward to the two partners. "If I can intrude, I was ordered to find the both of you by master in case if I found you two." The Assassin explains to the Heroes of Paris. "I can take you both to the meeting place if you like."
"That would be great!" Marinette smiles, appreciating the helpful Kunoichi.
"That's how my Mochizuki Chiyome is, even if you are from a different Universe. You both share the same personality!" Tikki smiles, sitting on Marinette's shoulders.
Chiyome walks forward into the open hall, she turns her head to the bluenette and Nature Spirit. "This way you two," She motions to the end of the hall where the bluenette and Nature Spirit follow the Kunoichi.
Adrien and Alix were standing before a sliding door with an olive branch circling over a C. "Ruler, is this the meeting place?" The blonde asked the Detective.
Holmes turns to the Heroes of Paris and their Nature Spirit partners. "Indeed, Mr. Fujimaru is waiting behind the door." He informed the Model.
Alix looks around, seeing no signs of both Tikki and Marinette. "I thought that Marinette and Tikki would be here by now when we arrive." She commented.
"Maybe they're inside already, Alix?" Fluff floats around her current owner, suggesting what might happen.
Multiple footsteps echo at the other end of the hallway they were in. They turn to the other end of the hall and saw two of their missing friends. "MARINETTE!" Adrien exclaims, rushing over to the bluenette.
Marinette paused, seeing Adrien coming right at her. "Adrien," She said as he stood in front of her.
"Marinette! Don't wander off like that!" Adrien breathes, relieved that the aspiring Fashion Designer. "Y-You had me really worried there,"
Marinette blinks, her cheeks blushed red as an apple. "O-Oh, sorry I was looking for Tikki since she wandered off." She looks over to the Kwami of Creation, speaking with the other her Kwamis.
Adrien turns to their Kwamis speaking, "Sorry to make you worry, Adrien." The Hero of Creation apologizes to the blonde.
"No, I should be the one apologizing for being worried." Adrien sighs, placing his hand behind his neck. "I know you can handle yourselves but I can-"
Marinette shook her head, "No, you have the right to be worried. I disappeared without telling all of you." She stated.
Alix chuckles, remembering how their adult versions always take fault whenever things go wrong. She then sighs at the memory of the past- er future; time travel is difficult. "So hey, were you the one who guided Minibug here for us?" She asked the small Assassin.
Adrien looks at the black-haired girl with an eye patch over one eye. "Thank you for taking her back to us." He appreciates the Heroic Spirit,
"Not a problem, you are my lord's friends," Chiyome stated, inclining her head. "If you would excuse me, I'll take my leave. I've done my part in taking my successor of the Ladybug Earrings of this World. I bid you both farewell." She looks at Tikki, smiling at her.
"Bye C-er Assassin! I'll see you later," The small Ladybug Kwami said to Kunoichi leaving them, waving back at them.
"Ahem, if you're all done catching up." Everyone turns to Holmes, patiently waiting for them to finish their little reunion. "Mr. Fujimaru is on the other side of the door."
Both Adrien and Marinette nodded, "Right,"
Alix turns to the Ruler, nodding for him to go forward. "I guess we're ready, Ruler."
Holmes nodded, stepping forward for the door to open. The sliding doors opened, revealing a meeting room that's like the ones in those fancy corporate buildings.
Sitting at the end was Ritsuka in a different outfit, the Decisive Battle Chaldea Uniform or director's Mystic Code. Next to him was the pink hair fox woman in a white Secretary uniform while on the other side was a violet-haired woman with glasses in a sweatshirt and a uniform under it.
Behind them was the blue-haired Ruler that they helped them before.
Ritsuka looks up and saw the three, smiling at their arrival. "Welcome Heroes of Paris to the Chaldea Security Organization. Marinette, I hope you like your little side tour," He jokes with the teenagers.
Marinette chuckles, "Yeah, sorry about that Ritsuka." She apologizes to the director of Chaldea.
"It was my fault, I sensed many of the familiar owners that I wandered off." Tikki floated forward, not wanting Marinette to take the blame. "I should be-"
"No worries, just try to be careful next time, alright?" Ritsuka stated, not minding that the Nature Spirit was in search of old friends.
Mashu nodded, looking at their guests. "Yes, there's a lot of dangerous rooms on the Storm Border." She explains to the group. "The training room, the engine room, and the Technology Development Division rooms. Oh and-"
"Now, now, Mashu. We can't just reveal every room in the Storm Border." Ritsuka smiles at his Wife speaking out.
"Sorry, Ritsuka." Mashu apologizes to her Husband,
Ritsuka smiles, ensuring her that she did nothing wrong. He turns his head to the group of Heroes, offering them a seat at the table. "Please take a seat, I heard from my Advisor that you want to speak to me…Alix Kebdel-"
Alix cleared her throat, "Yeah, uh it's Mrs. Le Chien, director." She corrected the Magus.
"So you're married to Kim Le Chien in the future then," Ritsuka ponders before moving on to the next topic. "You said that you wanted to speak with me, Alix?" He asked, watching them take their seats.
The maroon-haired woman sat down in the chair at the table. "Yes, it's important for you to resolve the Second Anomaly."
"Second Anomaly? What is that?" Marinette asked the attendants in this small meeting. He saw Ritsuka's face expressing seriousness about the subject that Alix brought up.
"Ritsuka, do you know what Alix is talking about?" Tikki asked the Human Magus sitting before them.
Plagg looks over to the two females sitting next to them. "Give him time, Sugercube. After what we faced a week ago." The Kwami of Destruction said to the two.
Adrien looks at Ritsuka, patiently waiting for the explanation from the Magus. "Whatever you're going to say, know that our minds are opened to anything." The Model stated.
Marinette nodded, "After meeting Heroes of the past, I'll pretty much believe anything you say." She commented.
Alix nodded, wanting the two younger versions of the Heroes she knew to know what they were facing.
"Alright," Ritsuka looks at the Heroes, folding his hands together. "An Anomaly is what we call a strange distortion in Humanity from different dimensions." He explains to the group.
"The Eternal Empire as they claimed to be is the source of the distortion," Ritsuka explains.
"I see, so how do we know if the Anomaly is here is resolved or not?" Adrien asked, wanting to protect his home and the rest of Humanity.
Ritsuka looks over to Mashu who nodded in response. She presses a button on her tablet, letting everyone see the branch of this World's timeline. "This is your timeline, the blue line. This indicates that the proper course of how events of this World should play out." Mashu explains to the group.
"And this…" Mashu presses another button, revealing a blueish red line. "Is the timeline we are in, another course of History that slightly diverges."
"Woah, they're parallel from one another." Marinette points to the two timestreams that she saw. "So what makes both different than-" She stops realizing that there was a difference.
"Oh,"
Fluff sighs, having full knowledge of the difference, "The Eternal Empire."
Alix slouched back on the chair, crossing her arms. "Each time I tried to find a way to the exact point in time where things diverge, it ended in the same result as the future."
Koyanskaya chuckles, knowing what the Foreigner encountered. "You've encountered the Quantum Timelock," She informs why Alix can't change the back and change the past. "It's an unchangeable point in time that was placed by the Universe. So no matter how much you go back in time-"
Alix sighs, looking at Fluff who shares the same thought. "There's no changing the future no matter how much I try." Her face frowns at the futile attempt to save her home. However, that won't allow that to ruin her purpose.
"Alix, Fluff, are you alright?" Tikki asked, sensing the sadness in the two.
Fluff nodded to her long-time friend. "Yeah, it's just…" She looks over to her current owner,
Alix looks at Ritsuka, knowing what she must do. "Ritsuka Fujimaru, you have dealt a lot of threats in your own World, you have faced many challenges." She stated what she heard from her allies. "So I ask you, please. Destroy my World to save the past,"
Both Marinette and Adrien along with their Kwami's eyes widen. "W-Wha…"
Alix stands on her feet, inclining her head to the Magus chosen by both Gaia and Alaya. "Please, master of Chaldea." The Hero of the Last Chance begs the black-haired master. "Dismantle the Parsian Lostbelt!"
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.