"Easy, easy, take your time getting up, lad," a gentle voice says. When I can focus, I notice the Songstress and a man in a purple suit and cape with a mask shaped like a butterfly supporting my head.
"Where am I?" I ask groggily. "Where's Marinette, and what happened?" "All your questions will be answered in due time," the man says. "Marinette's fine, she's resting elsewhere," the Songstress soothes. "One of the Supreme's minions sent you into another dimension, but we we're able to bring you back." "Yes, and you two were lucky. Its a very powerful power, for those who enter Fairy Tale don't usually want to come back. They'd rather stay in a place of false peace, false reality."
"Thank you for saving us," I tell them, and I notice the man has a kind and gentle face. "Come, we have prepared food and drink, and we'll show you were you can rest. Are you okay to stand?" I'm a bit wobbly at first, but I can. "My name's Hesperia," the man in the purple suit sticks out his hand, "and yours?" "Some only know me as Claw Noir," I extend my hand, "but you may call me Adrien."
The man's gray eyes soften. "Adrien, lovely name." Hesperia leads us to a dome shaped room, nearly identical to where Marinette and I were not long ago, as I don't have any recollection of how much time has passed.
Apparently, these areas are called "Domes" and they hide the superheroes who work in the shadows. Marinette appears to be asleep in one of the rock bunks, but she stirs when she hears us come in, and walks slowly over to us.
"I'm glad your safe," I pull Marinette into my arms and we cling to each other tightly. We're delivered food and told to bring up our strength. Corn chowder, rolls, and coffee are served to us by a chatty girl named Alya.
"I've heard of you two, but always wanted to meet you! So, you used to work for the Supreme?" "Yes, but now we know about his lies and deceit, and only work for the good of the people." Alya looks at us, back and forth. I'm glad Hesperia rescues us, because as much as I love Marinette, I don't want to answer dating questions.
The Songstress sits down with us as we finish our dessert of berries and some kind of pudding. "We've been informed the Supreme has fled Paris, most likely to Tibet where the Temple of Guardians is." Marinette sets down her spoon. "But why would he run? He knows Hesperia is somewhere here in Paris." "Because he's a coward?" I growl under my breath. "More likely he knows there are powerful Miracle Boxes there, and if he can lay his hands on them, he will be able to sneak revenge on you and Hesperia. Its a shame really," she sighs. "He trained to be a Guardian, but he failed training. Now he's only out for power."
"So, does that mean we go after him?" I ask. "Not just yet. You need to build your strength, and then we plan the next move." She pauses for breath. "There's a incredible waterfall if you go through the secret door on the left side of the dome. Once through, be very careful as its very dark and slippery, but the view is incredible. Hesperia will come find you in the morning."
We thank her, and she walks way, her skirt rustling.
"Shall we go, Princess? We could use some time to ourselves with no interruptions," I ask. "Call it a date, Agreste, and I'm your girl." My breath catches. "Your already my girl Marinette."
The secret door is certainly a secret, because we have a hard time finding it. "Don't give up," Marinette tells me, running her hand along the panels. She straightens suddenly. "Because I just found it." "Show-off," I sing. She rolls her eyes as she opens it, but I pull her back. "Let me transform and I'll go first. I'll be able to see better with my night-vision."
It is dark in the passageway, and damp. I hold Marinette's hand, helping her along the path. Soon, we can hear a dull roaring sound, and we turn a corner finding the falls.
"Incredible!" Marinette breathes, clasping my hand tightly. The power of the water strikes me silent, and we watch, marveling even more when the green water turns a florescent green. I guess that means its night-time up on the surface.
We head back through the tunnels, and I catch Marinette as she stumbles. "Oops, sorry! I'm such a klutz!" she giggles. "I happen to like klutzes," I tell her, and Marinette groans. "We can't all be as sure-footed as you, you graceful pussycat!" I rear back my head, then stalk towards her. "Pussy-cat? Who you calling pussy-cat, Cockroach?"
I grab her, tickling her, and a happy shriek answers. After we calm down, we're nose to nose and the levity turns more serious. Marinette is now backed against the wall, and I brush my nose with hers.
"I'll show you pussy-cat," she grumbles, looking up at my glowing eyes in the darkness. "Not if I do it first," I breathe, finding her lips. Our lips and our emotions dance, and my heart is light as I kiss her, breathing in her sweet scent.
Tired of standing after awhile, I let her clamber into my lap and she plays around with my suit. A kind of peacefulness settles over us. We are truly alone, with no enemies and no problems, as if they have vanished in the waterfall's mist.
More kisses and shared secrets are shared in the darkness, as we know in the morning its back to business as usual.
Once back in the dome, Marinette gives me one last very sweet kiss. "Night, Pussy-cat," she giggles, grabbing her towel. "Sleep with one eye open," I call after her, laughing.
Thank goodness for my partner, for she protects not only me, but my heart.