Here it is, the sixty-eighth full chapter of Miraculous Quirks released at the set time I promised each week. Not much to really say here as this is going to be a straightforward but heavy original lore chapter to explain a lot more about a few things hinted at that will have some relevance at times going forward but should be the last of these chapters for a long time. The only other thing to say here is not to do with this story but rather a gaging of interest in a future, deep crossover story I am currently working on when I have the time between my 2 active stories, 2 semi active side stories to one of the active ones, and of course the real world. That story is a 3 part deep crossover set in the MHA world between MHA, RWBY and Black Clover so for those who know the latter two their elements will be incorporated into an MHA universe with semblances and magic being the basis of the characters from those worlds' Quirks. It's a long way off but I am going to start seeing if there is interest in it now and this will be one of my biggest challenges to date and a story that could rival this one in length (current outline has 114 chapters and I'm only as far as the start of the work studies arc) but let me know if this is an idea that would interest you/any suggestions you might have for it. Anyway, that is all the administrative stuff I have for now though and as there are no review questions to answer or guest reviews to respond to I will end this note here. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from y'all. Now, though, it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the 68th full chapter of Miraculous Quirks.

Disclaimer: I do not own either of these great works of fiction

Chapter 68: Work Study Orientation

"The Hero Work Studies are a more serious version of your internships." Mr. Aizawa said to the class as they sat in homeroom the morning after the reporter had spent the day with them and finally gave them an update on the status of work studies for first years with provisional hero licenses. "They entail helping pro agencies on the streets and in their investigations which includes fighting villains when necessary. Your teachers and the Principal discussed them at the faculty meeting, and we all agree, it's too soon. They should really be canceled."

"What!" Most of the class, pretty much everyone except the two without provisional licenses though Todoroki still kept quiet, wailed as this was not the news that they were hoping to hear.

"But we already met about them." Kirishima said unhappy at the news. "And now we can't do them?"

"I guess when you think about how we had to move into the dorms it does make sense." Kaminari said as he idly played with the tuft on the end of Ojiro's tail as the boy sat in front of him though why he was doing it no one, not even Kaminari, knew. "We were attacked, twice, so maybe they see that we are still too young for them or something."

"Ha-ha!" Bakugo roared as he stood up smiling at the news. "You extras won't surpass me."

"Just because you wouldn't get to do one." Toru muttered from her seat in front of him though quiet enough that the loud, explosive, boy didn't hear her. "The rest of us who passed do want to do one."

"But…" Aizawa said dragging it out and ending any chat. "Some people think we won't be able to raise strong heroes with that sort of protective outlook and with that in mind the compromise is to be selective about participating agencies so choose one with a proven track record that has been approved by the school or you won't be taking part."

"Dammit!" Bakugo roared as the class began to mutter having gone white at the news that the extras would get to do work studies and finally snapping from the indignation of it all.

"On that note." Aizawa said once again ending any chatter in his class. "Dupain-Cheng, Agreste, Yaoyorozu, you're offer has already been approved by the school. The Guardian Agency is on the trusted list and Mage will take personal responsibility for you three. The Principal as well vouched for it and supported you three receiving an offer. Dupain-Cheng and Agreste were expected all things considered, Mage did recommend them for the transfer program and traditionally the transfer students do work studies for the agency that sponsors their placement here. Yaoyorozu on the other hand, you seem to have earned this offer independently. This is a high honor as they seldom do this for native students."

"I won't sir." Yaoyorozu said firmly. "I will not bring dishonor to this offer or to U.A.."

"We had a feeling; we were just waiting for the confirmation that we could participate." Marinette said. "Thank you for letting us know sir."

"Yes the expectation of doing a work study with your sponsor's agency would have been explained to you two back when you moved here what was expected from you." Mr. Aizawa said. "The paperwork is in the staff office, come by after class to sign it so that you can be approved and as the internship is in Tokyo I'll sign off on any absences you end up having. For this one, you are expected to leave Friday after classes and return Sunday evening unless something comes up and Mage personally requests you during the week."

"Got it." The three said as the class either tried to process what had just happened though as Marinette was involved the surprise was more about Momo getting an offer, or in Bakugo's case raged at one of the few in the class he acknowledge getting a chance to surpass him, and Izuku muttered about what he had to do.

"That is all, the rest is up to you to try and sort out." Aizawa said as he turned and left thus ending the period though they had time before the next class.

Instantly Izuku was up and leaving the classroom to go to the teacher's lounge to talk to All Might about getting a work study placement. He'd called Gran Torino about work studies as they had to use their contacts from their internships to secure them and that was basically the only contact he had so he decided to see if he could do one with the old hero.

Gran Torino didn't accept work studies, however, but he had recommended that he ask All Might about introducing him to his old sidekick Sir Nighteye seeing as All Might had many contacts that Izuku could use and then go from there. That was what Izuku was going to do though he didn't know of the history between All Might and his old sidekick nor that the latter was already going to recruit him via Togata, but he had his own reasons for why he wanted Izuku Midoriya as a work study student.

Almost as soon as Izuku had left the rest of the class broke into chatter not noticing his sudden absence and already the girls were coming to the back to talk to Momo and Marinette about their offer. They all wanted to know more about it and how Momo had managed to get it because it all seemed to be out of the blue for her.

"I can't believe you three already have an offer." Mina said with jealousy in her voice as the girls all grouped together in the corner. "How did you manage it?"

"Yeah, wasn't your internship with Mirko, Marinette?" Tsu asked. "She would be a good one to reach out to for a work study, ribbit."

"And you were with Uwabami, right Yao-Momo?" Jiro asked her best friend. "Marinette we understand as the hero who Mr. Aizawa mentioned is their legal guardian and a teacher at their old school before coming here, plus it is Marinette so we expect it from here, but how'd you manage it?"

"You interned with Mage, didn't you Agreste." Todoroki said looking to his friend only really in this conversation because the girls had swarmed their leader and Yaoyorozu before he could leave so he was now dragged into it as he couldn't really get away without looking rude. "So that does make sense for you at least."

"Yeah you met him briefly in Hosu in the aftermath when he got one of his colleagues in to help us out." Adrien said. "And Jiro is right about Marinette and me, we had this on the table for a while so knew it was coming just didn't expect it this year as normally the provisional licenses are achieved next year so that was when we expect to do a work study."

"And yes, I interned for Mirko, but she doesn't take work study students, or interns for that matter but made an exception for me, and Mage had recommended I take that unique offer knowing I'd get this one." Marinette said. "As for Momo, well Mage is a teacher here so he does have access to all your records so he can make offers based off that."

"Yes and I am honored for it." Momo said in her usual humble, formal, tone for things like this. "I will not fail in this work study. Mage called me to his office after I passed the provisional exam and explained it to me and why he wants me in particular. He knows that I speak at least 6 languages and when you add that to my memory, academics, and Quirk and I fit in well with what an agency that mainly deals with international investigations wants. I am sure it is mainly my language skills and the versatility of Creation."

"If you speak that many then yeah that doesn't surprise me." Ochaco said amazed at the revelation. "Most of us only know English and our level of proficiency with that languages varies."

"Trilingual is an easy way to get noticed by the Guardian Agency." Marinette said. "So, Momo had a great chance there and unlike Adrien most of her languages are from this region of the world and not Europe like Adrien."

"Damn, we need to step up." Jiro said though unlike the other girls, except for Marinette and Momo, her English was actually at a fluent level high enough to barely have an accent and better than she let on. "You have to tell us about the work study though."

"We'll say what we can, but I am sure that you will all get one either this time around or next semester, we are U.A. students so it is only a matter of time." Marinette said glad they weren't trying to dig too deep into it and were buying the general cover story as the bell rang to signal the start of their next, completely normal, class. "But looks like it's time for class."

"You know it, let's get ready to drop some sick English beats ya dig." Present Mic said as he walking in followed by Midoriya who was back from wherever he'd been while the girls hurried back to their seats. "Time to start class yo, now tell me…"

With that normal classes began, and the students sat down to learn. For the trio going to the Guardian agency however, they were fully ready for it and couldn't wait to see what they would learn on Friday when they started their work study under Mage.


Soon it was Friday, and it was time to head to Tokyo for the start of their work studies. The three who already had their work studies sorted had already signed the necessary paperwork to be hired and were going to be paid accordingly, not that any of them needed the money, and were ready to go to their work study.

Other than them, it seemed that only Midoriya had managed any success having secured an interview with Nighteye Agency that Mirio Togata worked at as a work study student for the next day. As it was a rare day where Saturday classes had been cancelled for some reason he wouldn't be missing any classes for it and Midoriya was in full preparation mode for the interview.

Naturally the others were trying as well but to little avail. The restrictions were such that many of their internship places weren't eligible for work study students while some straight up didn't take them thus meaning that they had to try other avenues to find a work study placement.

Though none of the class actually knew it, both Todoroki and Bakugo had standing offers from their internships mainly because in Todoroki's case it was his father's agency and in Bakugo's Best Jeanist was for some reason fixated on correcting him so had made the offer during Bakugo's internship. However, as both had failed in the second half of the licensing exam they were in remedial classes to make up for their failure and that met on weekends though it was impressive that Bakugo was still allowed to take them after he started the fight with Midoriya.

As for the rest of the class, they weren't having much luck finding a work study. Though he didn't know it, Tokoyami was about to get an offer from his internship as Hawk's agency was an approved agency, the only one to manage it, while both Amajiki and Hado of the Big 3 had taken interest in some of the class and planned to bring them to their work studies for an interview.

However, in Hado's case she actually wanted three of the Class 1-A girls but the third was Marinette who she couldn't have so she was requesting the other two who she wanted to introduce to Ryukyu. They would find this out in time however, for now it was just the three known, and they were about to head out.

It had been an otherwise standard day of classes and training afterwards but now it was time to leave. Marinette, Adrien and Momo had been told to bring their costumes and had their cases with them as they left the dorm and headed to the train station to get the bullet train to Tokyo, a trip that would take just under 2 hours and one all knew well as Momo had once taken it to visit Marinette on that girls day she'd hosted over the summer.

The rest of the class wished them goodbye and were all clearly jealous, but it just fueled them to work harder and get their own work studies as well. They couldn't afford to fall behind, so this was just what they needed to motivate them.

As for the trio, they took the train in relative silence just chatting about general stuff as they went. Momo was the only one slightly uncomfortable as she was a bit of a third wheel with all this and the fact that Kaalki had insisted on coming with her and was currently chilling in her blazer pocket.

She'd said as much, naturally in French just to be safe, to the other two and they'd reassured her that it was fine as Tikki and Plagg were with them as well having also decided to tag along though Plagg apparently did have plans in Tokyo that night according to him and was just using this as an excuse to get into the city easily. Though no one really knew why Kaalki had decided to come along especially as her Miraculous was back in Marinette's room.

Still, she had come, and they had to deal with it as they made their way to Tokyo to see what they would do in their work study there. Mage had only said that the actual meat of the work study would start bright and early tomorrow but that they were going to be taken straight to his office there when they arrived. He had a few things to discuss before they started that they needed to know so that was the plan.

Naturally it was dark and pretty late in the evening when they got to Tokyo, they'd had to buy food at the station and eat on the train for dinner not that they had minded that, and they were ready to get off it and get things started. As Adrien was the only one who'd actually been to the agency entrance on the other side of the building that housed it and the apartment complex above it he led the way and soon they were in the agency proper.

From there all it took was to present their IDs to the support staffer at the reception desk for them to be let into the agency proper a simple note that the boss was waiting for them. After that it was another staff member who led them to the elevator and took them up to the top floor of the agency, above the training, sleeping, investigation, and recreation areas, and to where the agency's chief's office was located, along with other senior staff and sidekick offices.

The last time Adrien had been here he hadn't actually been to Mage's office as there was no need to go there but this time they were being taken there directly as he'd personally requested it, so they just went with it. It didn't take long and soon they were in the large office that was reserved for whoever was in charge of the agency at the time, which for the foreseeable future was going to be Mage.

The office itself was large and imposing just as one would expect from the head of a major hero agency. At the far end was a large, ornate, wooden desk with a high-end computer terminal to one side so that it wasn't blocking the person behind the desk from looking at those who were seated in the 4 comfortable looking chairs that had been placed before it. Behind the desk there was a bookcase filled with various awards and books on the laws and ethics regarding heroes.

Between the desk set up and a small conference table at the end by the door with a TV on the wall above it was a set of sofas facing each other with a coffee table between them for a more casual meeting or maybe a place to do some late-night work with a few sidekicks. There was even what looked like a wet bar in one wall that had to be new as all the bottles of top shelf alcohol in it were full.

For this meeting Mage seemed to be wanting to conduct it at the desk as he was currently behind it finishing up some paperwork as they were let in, and the door closed behind them ensuring privacy thanks to the work of the Guardian of Sound when the room was set up. Only once it was closed did Mage look up at them.

"Ah good you made it." Mage said in French as Momo had wanted to use the language the last time, so he was honoring that request still and gesturing to the chairs before him as cups of the students' preferred beverages appeared on coasters there waiting for them. "Sorry, there was some paperwork for me to deal with regarding a recent investigation we are working on regarding the smuggling of Quirk enhancing drugs from the US. Fat Gum's agency has asked for our help with it given that we have the jurisdiction over international smuggling, but he has more expertise in the area, so we are working together on it from our various locations both here and our contacts back in the States."

"Of course." Marinette said as she led Adrien and Momo to the seats where they sat with her in the middle, Adrien on her right and Momo on her left, facing Mage as he finished up. "I take it agencies work together a lot."

"Depending on the situation and their size or prestige of the agency some do, and some don't." Mage said finishing up and putting the papers to the side to look at them. "We get a lot from agencies that deal with things like smuggling as they are often international in nature or when a foreign fugitive shows up that an agency can't deal with but usually it's done when specific expertise or manpower is needed. They're called team ups and are requested through the hero network which you will learn about more tomorrow during your first true patrol but that is not what this meeting is for."

"Then what is it for?" Momo asked as she took a sip of the fantastic tea she'd been served; this was truly a perk of working for the Guardians as this stuff was rare for even her family to find. "This meeting I mean sir. You were quite insistent on having it."

"An explanation of the overall structure of the Guardians so that you understand us more and how you fit in as work study students within our hero agency because while we do use these agencies to hide and do our duty they are still proper and fully functioning hero agencies." Mage said looking at them. "And that means a little bit of history regarding the support system for the Guardians and telling you how the organization works as a whole."

"You have hinted at this and the support system that works for the Guardians but never really gone into detail." Adrien said. "At least none that has been full I think."

"Correct, I was waiting for this moment as it was the best time and you two had so much more to deal with before this, and as Ms. Yaoyorozu now knows the full truth of you two and the secrets of the Guardians she too is entitled to this information." Mage said. "Hence this moment being the best. So, prepare yourselves for a bit of history."

"We are always down to learn." Momo said eager to find out more about the Guardians and how they worked as the whole thing fascinated her now that she knew exactly who they were. "Whatever you want to share we'll listen and as hard as it is to believe we kinda have to."

"That would be correct." Kaalki as she flew out of Momo's jacket to hover over her shoulder, Tikki and Plagg doing the same thing. "And we can help somewhat though I will probably just listen and learn as well, we can discuss this together in your room later."

"Somewhat, even we barely understand the system." Tikki pointed out. "We are mainly associated with Mage, so we didn't really learn it, and we only interact with the Guardians not those who support them when we do interact with them."

"All true." Mage said as Plagg took this moment to leave them too it as he did have plans with some associates in Tokyo. "But such is the nature of the kwamis as Plagg is no doubt up to though with a Japanese deity or two if I had to guess. Marinette, I take it you can access Kaalki's Miraculous should you need it as I don't sense its presence."

"Yes my yo-yo is tied to all the Miraculouses just as the original one that comes with my Miraculous is, even the ones with Adrien as it is best for it." Marinette said with a nod as Tikki decided to just hover and listen rather than speak so that she could learn as well. "So, if need be it can be here in an instant."

"Magic?" Momo asked, this was something she was still getting used to.

"Correct." Mage said with a nod. "The yo-yo tool of the Ladybug Miraculous has certain additional features that can be used if need be for extra dimensional storage and transportation between items made from pure magic like the other Miraculouses from the same box as it, a little thing I added as it would be the usual primary active tool for the 19 in that box. Marinette's yo-yo isn't the actual one from her Miraculous, that is still contained within the magic of the transformation as is the full scope of the powers associated with it that couldn't be transferred into a Quirk when I altered her DNA, but her yo-yo is a device I made to replicate it, same with Adrien's baton. Alas it isn't indestructible."

"We found that out the hard way." Marinette muttered recalling that surprise when it happened right at the start of her new hero journey. "Shigaraki destroyed mine during the USJ incident, but Mage replaced it."

"It takes more power than you'd think but nothing compared to forging a new Miraculous, those things are beyond draining." Mage said. "But that is a tale for another day. Back to the topic at hand, the history and structure of the system that supports the Guardians and to understand that you first need to understand a little history of the Guardians themselves, primarily our eternal enemy."

"The Guardians have enemies?" Momo asked confused. "I thought you are more about maintaining balance between chaos and order."

"We've had many over the time but only one true foe that wishes for utter, unrestricted, chaos from as far as we can tell." Mage said seriously. "They are called the Vengeful Spirits after two of their four highest ranking members, and they have been a thorn in our side for eons."

"The Vengeful Spirits?" Adrien asked. "You've never mentioned them before."

"That's because until now there was no need, our war with them has raged in the shadows since they were founded and rarely spills into the mortal realm but since the advent of Quirks they've become bolder, so you need to know about them if you work for us just in case." Mage said. "They usually use a mix of sycophants, fanatical followers, proxies, catspaws, intermediaries, and dupes most of the time, but they are around even if their leader hasn't been seen in over 2000 years. She's around though, Dominus and her brother, the Guardian of Acid, would know if she wasn't but even we have limitations and she's found some blind spot to hid and plan in."

"Alright back up." Marinette said trying to process all this. "Start at the beginning for us and then go from there. Who are these people and how are they tied to you? Once we know that we can figure out how we play into it."

"Hopefully you don't as you are just work study students at a Guardian Agency well away from where we usual deal with these people and only those who have formally sworn the oath of fealty to the Guardians as our followers tend to deal with them, not the everyday heroes we employ." Mage said. "But anything can happen hence the need to tell you. I will start at the beginning with the founder of the Vengeful Spirits, a being of unknown origin who last we knew went by the uninspired name of Vindicta, the Latin for vengeance, and her unending desire destroy the Guardians."

"Unknown origin?" Adrien asked. "How does that work? Surely you know her lineage?"

"Alas we don't for, all we know is that she and her twin brother showed up randomly one day having found out about the Guardians and come to join as they claimed to be illegitimate immortals with some strange powers already manifesting." Mage said. "The male could produce a substance Dominus had never seen before that was green and destroyed anything it touched while leaving noticeable burns that weren't due to flames. The female was the same only dark blue and it neutralized the male's ability but was also destructive in its own way."

"Acid and alkali." Momo said almost at once seeing it and given the age of the Guardians something like that would have been unknown to them back then, so it all made sense that they were confused. "And I take it they were the extremes of the pH spectrum."

"Correct." Mage said. "And with such interesting and new things, this was before I was born by the way that's how long ago it was, Dominus was interested. However, for whatever reason he only accepted the male as a follower."

"Why?" Adrien asked. "Marinette and I met Dominus; he seems like he'd be accepting."

"He is and will usually give anyone a chance, but the oath is ancient power that can't be contravened." Mage said. "The female had something off about her, a darkness that radiated pure chaos and hate that caused her to either be rejected outright or unable to say her oath Dominus has never been clear on that front. It wasn't the first time this has happened, but she was the most powerful failure and from all accounts she didn't take it well. Her brother would rise to become the Guardian of Acid in time, but Alkali has never had a Guardian nor will it as Dominus has no control over it. It's as if she has the powers of a Guardian without ascension and those powers never existed for Dominus."

"That is odd." Marinette said recalling what she knew of the Master Guardian. "Isn't he supposed to be able to use whatever he deems to be an element? Surely if there is an acid then he can deem alkali as well?"

"Well, that is the other odd thing." Mage said. "Dominus's weakest element, and all elements with a Guardian are naturally stronger in the Guardian than in Dominus, is acid. One of the limitations on his power is that he can't actually use an element himself until it is assigned but he's apparently tried to assign Alkali to someone, and it failed so he got Gas instead as he was a regular mortal with no distinguishing factor for his element upon ascension. Honestly one of the biggest mysteries has been where did these two come from, why were they so different, and why was the girl who'd become Vindicta the way that she was? Whatever the case, she left and swore vengeance against us."

"Well rejection can do that." Adrien said recalling how it was a key emotion that Hawk Moth would exploit back in the day. "I've seen how strong the negative emotions can be from it."

"It can but Vindicta took it to a new level and her patience is unrivaled as far as I know." Mage said. "For gods know how long she bided her time, built her power base and grew her own abilities until she was ready to strike. In that time, she recruited 3 other lieutenants to her side, each bringing their own sources of vengeance, hate, ambition, and other such emotions to her army that could rival the followers of the Guardians."

"So, wait, how powerful is she?" Momo asked.

"On par with one of the primordial Guardians, the originals who are actually made from their elements rather than having been assigned them." Mage said seriously and Adrien shuddered having met one of the original Guardians and seeing only a fraction of his power. "Though she seldom fights her own battles as she prefers to let others do her dirty work for her. She's a master manipulator, schemer and planner. She left the fighting to two of her 3 chief underlings that would form what we call the Quartet that runs the Vengeful Spirits. They are the skilled warriors with weapon skills that match the best in the Guardians."

"So, they're more likely to appear." Marinette said. "Who are they? We should focus on them first though knowing of this Vindicta is useful."

"As with Vindicta we do not know their origins though styles indicate that they are from the fringes of the cradle of civilization as the Greeks would have known it at the time." Mage said. "Both are men, one goes by the name Ulcisci which is Latin for avenge and is theorized to have been recruited due to an extreme rage and desire to avenge a wrong done to him in the past. Based on his preference for a pair of khopesh blades and a powerful bow used by what the Persian called the Ethiopians we suspect he hailed from south of ancient Egypt and likely lost the chieftain selection down there thus making him easy pickings for Vindicta. He's certainly a skilled warrior."

"Ethiopians?" Marinette asked. "So, he's African then?"

"Modern day yes but we aren't sure he's from there other than his proficiency with those weapons and that bow was only known to exist down there." Mage said. "And they seldom had interactions with the Greeks or Persians given how a Persian Emperor's failed invasion of them went but that's irrelevant these days."

"That's confusing." Momo admitted. "And the other one?"

"From what the ancients would see as the far east though not this part, more eastern edges of the Persian empire." Mage said. "And he's even harder to pinpoint as he's a swordsman who's changed his blade, and name as he goes by the name of his weapon of choice, that has changed over the years. Last time we saw him he used a scimitar, hence the name Scimitar, and he is deadly with it."

"I repeat what Momo said." Marinette said. "Confusing."

"When you are immortal, and as far as we know they are, and can roughly change your appearance it can be but after all these millennia the Guardians can sense Ulcisci, and Scimitar and they only appear to face one of us as they can match us in skill and power." Mage said. "As for how they came to Vindicta's service and the very nature their immortality I do not know but Dominus has always theorized that Vindicta herself made a deal with an ancient deity, possibly even Chaos for he is always changing, to get the powers she has to be able to rival Dominus. However, that is more based of her own followers having a similar pseudo immortality as ours do but I'll get into that in a moment."

"I guess that would make sense." Adrien said as he tried to get his head around it and decided that there was one good way to look at it. "In your world that is beyond mortal comprehension then things like this can happen."

"Alas that is true but even that was not the worst part of this." Mage said as his expression hardened as he spoke showing some level of personal experience with this one. "That is reserved for the final member of the Quartet, an illegitimate immortal woman known as Spirit though we refer to her as the fallen Guardian because she was once one of our own before she betrayed her oaths and vows."

"The original Guardian of Ghosts." Momo said recalling what she'd been told that night in Mage's office when she found out about everything. "She's one of them?"

"Yup, we try to not speak her name because of her treason and what she did." Mage said darkly. "I was still a follower back then as it was before my ascension but at some point she was lured away from us by Vindicta and joined her though we didn't know at first."

"You didn't?" Marinette asked. "How?"

"The Guardians have a lot of autonomy once they ascend and so long as you don't directly go against Dominus or the order you can go unnoticed, and our traitor was a master of subtlety." Mage said. "For a century at least, she plotted as a Guardian to usurp Dominus from within and had turned half the followers against us because of how the system worked back then which caused confusion and issues for ascension as there was no structure just a general seniority system and many didn't like it. I was pretty senior by that point, top 10 actually, so I knew my time would come so they couldn't sway me but some above me did break their oaths. That was how she launched her coup, a strike from within."

"That is how a coup works best." Adrien said. "So, these followers, what exactly are they?"

"They are as the name says, followers of the Guardians." Mage said. "Throughout history all pantheons and deities have had acolytes who serve them, aid them in things they cannot do, and aspire to be them, and the Guardians are no different."

"So, like monks or priests?" Momo asked trying to contextualize it in a way she understood. "You were the connection between the Guardians and the mortal realm in a way."

"That is a good way to look at it though we aren't a religion." Mage said. "Due to our nature many illegitimate immortal children like me were given over to serve the Guardians to save us the wrath of the legitimate gods, along with others recruited through various ways, to the point that Dominus didn't know what to do with us. In the end it was the suggestion of the only person to turn down Guardianship, an illegitimate immortal son of the Titan Atlas and someone else, who had the idea to form the followers of the Guardians under his leadership to aid the Guardians and get around the restrictions on them while also allowing for a path to ascension through that aid."

"That makes sense." Marinette said as she began to understand how the Guardians would have been forced to do something like this to ensure the right people ascended and to deal with the numbers they were likely getting. "If I recall there are a lot of restrictions on the Guardians that your followers aren't bound by."

"Correct though many just have martial strength or some small abilities from godly parents." Mage said. "The system was created to train us to be strong under the leadership of a man known as the Commander who's real name is now lost to time as he'd shed it before I was given over to the Guardians."

"So how does it work?" Adrien asked curiously. "Joining these followers that is."

"Pretty much as you'd expect." Mage said with a shrug. "When a potential recruit has distinguished himself or herself in the eyes of the Guardians, at the recommendation of the Commander or a recruiting Guardian, they swear an oath of fealty to the Guardians for all time to serve them and work through the system with the ultimate goal of ascension one day if they survive. The oath grants pseudo immortality to those who swear it, for those who aren't immortal to begin with that is, so they will not die from old age, disease, sickness, etc. but can only die in battle. There are some other perks to it such as ability to control appearance and age, but you get the idea."

"It's a reward for service and a way to ensure that your followers are around for as long as possible but can still perish." Momo said thinking on it. "A way to make the pledge worth it and ensure you have loyal followers for all time, other than dying in battle which given the era you lot are from makes sense."

"That is how Dominus saw it and how it is meant to be." Mage said. "And for a long time, it worked as more a lose collection under the Commander with Guardians giving missions and tasks to us as needed but as we grew things began to get strained as this was in the day when the Guardians were more widely known about. As such some didn't like that the chances of ascension was low or that there was no structure to streamline it and that is what the fallen Guardian targeted. The aim of the coup when it was launched was to kill as many of the eligible to die followers as possible and weaken us so that Vindicta and her forces could win by overwhelming the Guardians with numbers."

"But seeing as you are still here that didn't happen." Marinette said.

"It did not." Mage said with a grim smile. "That day is seared into my memory for all time. It was a sudden, unexpected, bloody, violent, brutal, and devastating day but we survived it with more than Spirit had expected and thus began the Guardian Civil War. Because Spirit had failed, Vindicta herself didn't get involved though Scimitar did as he loves battle and is the reason for Technus's wounds as Technus was a follower back then like I was when he was maimed by Scimitar in battle. Most would have died but as an illegitimate immortal he couldn't, but he did permanently his left arm, ear, and eye due to the special alkali poison that Scimitar coats his blade with."

"That doesn't sound pleasant." Adrien said.

"It's not and for a warrior a bit of a cowardly move but it works, and many fell to Scimitar in the war until he was bested in a dual by Bright, the Guardian of Light and our top swordsman and fled after losing his right hand." Mage said. "In addition, the man who'd become the Guardian of Gas killed Ulcisci's apprentice and still wields the weapon he won in that dual to this day."

"How long did this last?" Marinette asked. "With you lot a war could last centuries."

"It can but once her opening gambit failed it was only a matter of time before our forces won out as we had the numbers and skills because the Guardians themselves could fight as it was an attack on them directly." Mage said. "When a Guardian fights with no restrictions it's best to be on the Guardian's side. For a good decade the war between the factions raged all over the ancient world but in the end it was clear that we had the advantage as for the most part it was the low level and/or impatient ones who betrayed us. In the end Spirit knew that she had one hope, an all-out assault on our home base at the time in northern Greece using all her power."

"Which is where she was captured." Momo said. "You said that she was defeated and arrested by you lot."

"By Dominus himself, she had gone after him in a foolish attempt to win and was bested quickly and captured though not because destroying our base." Mage said. "Afterwards she had her powers stripped and was sent to a special prison we created for our enemies though we do sometimes take special requests for it as the prison is effectively purgatory in a space between dimensions controlled by the Guardian of Light so good for evil souls in need of eternal imprisonment after death. It's a complicated system so I won't go into it too much as you will never deal with it. These days only Vengeful Spirits who are caught alive are sent there."

"I see that does make sense to have it though if you are dealing with immortals." Marinette said recalling that in mythology eternal prisons were a real thing, hell the supermax prison here in Japan was called Tartarus after the one from mythology that Mage claimed was real, so it made sense to her. "Though as a Guardian surely this Spirit woman would have been able to separate her essence like you can?"

"She could but to ensure victory she coalesced her full essence in one place for that final fight and forced Dominus to bring at least 75% of his to counter her." Mage said. "So, when she was captured and stripped of her powers, the only way that can be done is through Dominus's touch hence why she wasn't stripped of her powers until then, she lost that ability though not her immortality. As such she cannot split her essence anymore so is safely locked away."

"Ah another restriction." Momo said and Mage nodded. "And the other traitors?"

"Alas many of the surviving traitors did escape." Mage said with a sigh. "And it wasn't until the 1990s that the last was found and captured. Spirit herself ranted and raved after her capture about how she was now part of the Vengeful Spirits and how one day she'd be back to get her own vengeance with the aid of her true family but that still hasn't happened."

"Have they tried?" Adrien asked.

"No which has always been an issue because it means we always have to be on guard just in case." Mage said. "And it was because of all this that the codification of the followers in the structure that they have today was made and a new name given to them, the Sub-Guardians. A full quarter of them are always on active duty in this regard."

"Sub-Guardians?" Momo asked. "That roughly translates to under the Guardians, right?"

"Correct." Mage said with a nod. "It was seen as a rebranding and a reordering that was needed to make it clear how it worked while also setting a clear path to Guardianship for those who follow us. I was one of the 4 most senior followers still alive when the final dust cleared and the four of us, with the aid of the Commander, reordered the followers into a cohesive and well-structured organization."

"4 senior leaders beneath an overall commander." Marinette said realizing what that looked like. "A mirror of the Master Guardian and the original Guardians."

"In a way yes, that is how we did it though it was a bit of a coincidence actually." Mage said with a chuckle. "And when we realized that we kept it as a way to honor and reflect the founding of the Guardians of the Elements."

"So how does it work?" Adrien asked.

"The Commander will never become a Guardian, so he serves as the leader of the Sub-Guardians and the middleman between the Guardians and their followers." Mage explained. "And as he held the title of Commander it was decided that a proper ranking system for the Sub-Guardians was needed. While the terms for the ranks have changed, the structure has not. 4 branches each led by the 4 most senior Sub-Guardians who are the only 4 eligible for ascension at any given time as they have proven their worth enough to reach that rank and each is in charge of one the 4 branches as designated by the Commander with the approval of Dominus."

"4 branches." Momo said. "So, like how the military would have army, air force, navy and marines."

"In a way but ours are a bit more specific and tailored to our needs." Mage said. "The highest ranking of the 4, today we use the rank of Major for them by the way and they are known by the Latin for first, second, third, and fourth to distinguish them, serves as the deputy Commander and is in charge of the defense of the home base of the Guardians wherever it may be, these days it is in America."

"That does make sense." Adrien said understanding it now. "Especially if the most senior Major is the most likely to ascend then he or she should be right in the center of it and showing his or her commitment by protecting the main base."

"That's how we see it and it was done to prevent an attack like the final assault of the Civil War again as that devastated our base." Mage said. "As for the other branches, the second Major is the warden of the prison and maintains order there so that is the branch always on guard for an attempt to free Spirit and the other prisoners that we are still expecting one day. The third Major is known as the field Major and leads the activities of the Sub-Guardians in the field so that is the person who is mainly the one dealing with our ongoing war with the Vengeful Spirits. The fourth Major is the support Major and lends aid to the other three as needed and on break when not though since the advent that has changed."

"How so?" Marinette asked.

"Nowadays the 4th branch is mainly responsible for staffing the Guardian agencies around the world with senior heroes." Mage said. "Not the main one in America that is actually our home base or the other American agencies, those are staffed exclusively by the first branch as that is home defense and they are the only agencies that are solely staffed by the Sub-Guardians."

"So, they are in places like this agency?" Momo asked.

"There are some here yes." Mage confirmed. "They staff the international ones but only the senior officials, including the Agency Chief, are actually Sub-Guardians. They are high-ranking 4th branchers who are stationed at a particular location during their rotation in the 4th unless that Agency is run by an actual Guardian like here and thus have less Sub-Guardians present. However only a few of our international agencies are headed by a Guardian. At last check it was Japan, the UK, Singapore, Mexico, France, Russia, and Italy are currently run by Guardians outside the US though the head of the Germany agency in Berlin is a special case that isn't relevant, just different."

"Wait back up." Adrien said as he tried to parse what he'd heard. "Rotation? Do the branches change?"

"Yes." Mage said simply. "When someone joins the Sub-Guardians, unless they are specially recruited to the 5th branch which I will go into in a moments as that is actually important to you lot though normally classified so you will be sworn to secrecy about it, they are assigned to whichever branch has the least number of people at the time as their unit and given the rank of private. From there they are in that unit until they die in battle or reach the rank of Major, but the 4 units rotated between the branches every decade, so you spend 10 years in each. That way they are always fresh, there are breaks as the 4th branch is the least taxing, and you understand how each part of the system works."

"So only the Majors don't change." Marinette said starting to get it though she felt like she'd have to talk to Tikki later just to make sense of all this. "Unless one becomes a Guardian, right?"

"Yup when a Major becomes one the others are bumped up a slot and a new Major is promoted from the 8 Captains who actually manage the units under the Major in charge of the branch that unit is assigned to." Mage said. "Each unit has 2 Captains who oversee it, and they are evaluated by the Commander who then makes the recommendation for the new Major to take over the 4th branch and the Original Guardians either approve or reject though the latter almost never happens. I was the second Major when I started and elevated to First only 3 years after the formation and ascended 2 years later as the ascensions of the first 4 Majors were quick due to our service in the war and other factors."

"I see." Adrien said thinking on it. "And I take it under the Captains it is the other ranks like Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant and so on."

"Pretty much." Mage said. "You start at Private, there are a lot at that rank, before going up to Corporal, Sergeant, one of the specialty Sergeants before you reach the officers starting at Second Lieutenant, then Lieutenant and finally Captain. All but the officers have no cap restraints on their numbers though the higher up the less there will be in a unit so that it is always a decreasing number but promotion through the lower ranks isn't too hard. Each unit is structured like this and as such we can keep them balanced under their officers, 2 Captains 4 Lieutenants, and 8 Second Lieutenants who serve the Major in charge of the branch at the time but as they are lifers in that unit they know it best."

"Ok I think I get it." Momo said still struggling to fully comprehend it, but she knew she would in time once it all sunk in. "So, some of the sidekicks here are part of the 4th branch at the moment then?"

"There are a couple yes." Mage said. "As a Guardian is here one of the 14 officers doesn't need to run this agency and he was reassigned to the Athens agency for his service and because its historical importance to us. A few of the highest-ranking sidekicks however are Sergeants in the 4th branch and some of the support staff as well though given how Japan is with All Might it was deemed that most weren't needed here and adding in my presence it's even less. Overall, you won't see many nor will you know who they are unless they say so as they are in the know about you three knowing the truth though none know of Adrien and Marinette's past or the Miraculouses as that is not relevant to them."

"Makes sense." Adrien said before asking the question he had to ask now that he knew all this. "And the people I met before?"

"None were Sub-Guardians, all standard sidekicks though these days this is how we recruit for the Sub-Guardians as we do need more people with Quirks to staff the agencies." Mage said. "We determine any who would fit and sound them out though it is a tough choice because you basically foreswear all your past life, which we help with to fake your death should it be necessary, and have to lay low until your family that knew you is long gone which can take a few generations. As such we don't often recruit given the price it requires."

"That is actually understandable." Momo said thinking on it and knowing that at that price she'd never accept an offer. "You offer something that is really good but there is a catch more than just dying in battle and it makes sure only those who know what they are getting into and want to serve do so."

"Correct which is why we usually recruit orphans these days." Mage said. "They are great recruits because they have no ties and we try to recruit siblings if there are multiple, while also given them a better life. These days it also helps that almost everyone has a Quirk, so powers aren't an issue. Those who run agencies or serve as sidekicks are usually the ones who have some ability from a godly parent that can mimic a Quirk while the ones who can't do the support work. Incidentally, the 4th Major is one such support worker, she hides in plain sight as the chief administrator in her office."

"About the Majors, who are they right now?" Marinette asked. "Should we know them?"

"You will likely not meet them, but I'll give you some idea." Mage said. "The first and second are male, both born of a god and a human so can still die with one hailing from what is now modern-day Russia, and the other from north Africa and both their godly parents are long gone now as they were minor deities. The third and fourth are female with the third being pure mortal and she roves between bases in the Americas mainly with no fixed location whole the fourth is an illegitimate immortal of two Slavic deities that are lost to history. Coincidentally the fourth is a Francophile, the only one of high rank who is, and based in the Paris agency as the 4th can chose where to set up his or her base."

"That is a coincidence." Marinette said surprised to hear that. "And has she been there since our day?"

"Before, she became the latest major in the 1800s when the last ascension happened." Mage said. "And she's been based in France ever since as she's always loved the country. She was of some assistance when you two went missing as she had to be, and she's since helped out where she can though for your cover story we mainly used the 5th branch."

"You've mentioned this 5th branch." Adrien said. "What are they? I take it they are something completely separate from the main structure"

"Good guess, they are just that as they are our special division." Mage said. "Their official designation is the Clandestine Services Branch and are run by a follower who only really answers to Dominus but is a master of the shadow game. He's the biggest asset we have against the Vengeful Spirits in fact and when we find a prospect to serve there he is nominally their boss, but all Guardians and Majors have access to the CSB should they need one of them. As for the members, they are specially recruited for that branch, hold no rank, cannot become Guardians, and understand what they do is shadow work mainly and do so admirably. Since the advent this is where many Quirk based recruits go."

"And you said that this is relevant to us." Marinette said. "How so?"

"Because already one CSB agent is in Japan assisting us and your cover from the shadows." Mage said. "And 5 more will come in time because they are who I am tapping for the bakery we are setting up for you. We have a location sorted and are working on the designs by the way, but I need to travel in the coming weeks to Paris to confer with the 4th Major about the 4 French CSB agents I want to bring in for the bakery staff to ensure that authentic feel, help with their cover, and get them to work learning the craft and trade while Nezu sorts out the necessary paperwork."

"That will help with a French bakery, no one will think twice that the people there are French." Adrien said. "It will just add to it."

"Exactly and we can go into more plans later as Nezu has an idea for it he wants to run by Marinette but that can wait." Mage said. "As for the manager, I have a more senior CSB agent in mind, one who predates the advent in fact and is from Shanghai though she's been all over the world aiding me since I recruited and has already done work that has helped your backstory. She's the main one I need to talk to and bring in if she agrees to it. If not, I have a few other east Asian assets to tap for that position."

"Oh yeah I forgot about the bakery." Marinette said as it all came back to here. "I've been a little too busy to even think about it what with everything else going on recently."

"That is perfectly understandably." Mage said. "You have been dealing with the Provisional Licensing exam, the start of the semester, your detention, and now an approved work studies. I expect to have the manager in before the School Festival however so you can meet her and approve of her, if she agrees which she might not but I can be convincing if need be. Now if that is all we should get moving onto the next stage of the orientation for you three before it gets too late."

"That should be it." Marinette said looking at Adrien and Momo who just nodded in agreement, they could discuss and dissect this latter if they wanted, but they were at their limits for new information they felt. "What's next?"

"A little tradition to make sure you're up for what is to come." Mage said grinning in a way that didn't put them at ease as he stood up and the students did the same. "Go and change into your costumes, your rooms have been assigned in the sidekick quarters and then follow the staffer who will bring you to where you need to be. I'll meet you there."

That didn't sound good, but the trio knew by this point to just expect the unexpected and did as instructed, picking up their cases and heading to the door that was opened as they reached it by the staffer in question, the same one from earlier who must have been waiting for them to finish. This person, possibly one of the Sub-Guardians that they'd just learned about, led them out and down a few floors to the rooms where they all had their own rooms in the same corridor and left them.

The rooms were just as they had been when Adrien was here though they were new to the girls but perfectly functional for their time here. Still, they closed their doors and quickly changed into their costumes before heading out for what was to come. As they were heroes in training and had easy costumes this didn't take them long.

The staffer, ever professional, didn't bat an eyelash at how fast they changed and just took them back to the elevator and up to the training floor. However, unlike before when Adrien had been to the main gym, the staffer led them to a special training room elsewhere on the floor. When asked the staffer just said that it was what was requested because they needed the special room for what was going to come and left it at that. It wasn't until they were led in that Adrien understood.

The room itself was a small, dojo style room with tatami mats on the floor though no markings on them and nothing else in the room. The only odd thing was that the walls weren't wood but metal which meant that this room was clearly designed for them to go all out without fear of doing too much damage to it or expensive equipment.

Mage was already there waiting for them and standing with his back to a wall, but he wasn't the only person in the room. Standing in the middle was a tall blonde man with mismatching eyes and built like a brick shithouse wearing a tight tank top and slightly too short training pants. He had bindings over his chest under the top as if he'd been injured recently and a bottle in his hand that could be attached to his waist though Adrien recognized him right away.

"Welcome to your orientation test." Mage said with a grin. "This is one of the sidekicks we have here, Ben, hero name BB, who is a U.A. alum and was part of the transfer program though he came from an American school. You're test is to fight him and see if you can win as a team against a pro. You will win if you can incapacitate him for 3 minutes as that is the time it would take for the right pro to arrive and ensure restraint."

"Wait really?" Momo asked shocked and she saw no restraining gear. "I take it that he is fighting at full strength."

"You've faced pros before, and between the three of you and your Quirks you should be fine against him." Mage said as Ben grinned at them. "Course this won't be that easy and you are correct Creati, there are no restraints on Ben so he will be fighting at full strength. Don't worry Ben can take it."

"Oh, I can seeing as I won't be the one taking it." Ben said in Japanese with a clear American accent to it before getting a far-off look in his eyes. "No, I am not asking the busty one that, you do so when you get the chance in a moment and seeing as you're the one doing the beating you can do so not that anything I say will stop you. Yes, I'm about to let you out and go wild we have permission and Mage wants to see if Ladybug's Quirk can create something that can actually damage you, the other creation-based Quirk probably can't if her records are accurate. I know it will be fun and I'll be here to help as always so let's do this."

"Um…" Marinette began as Ben seemed to snap back into it and lifted the bottle to his lips.

"Get ready." Adrien suddenly said taking an attack stance. "And spread out. This is going to be unlike anything you've ever seen before and we've never faced strength like what we are about to face, at least not yet."

"You waited too long." Ben said as he finished drinking, his grin never faltering, and reattaching his water bottle to his waist. "It's time, let's see how you handle our Quirk."

With that Ben began to change and Adrien knew that the fight was on while the others tried to process what the hell was going on or why the guy had said our not my. Regardless, it was time to pass this sudden test and truly begin their work study.

Ah a nice little cliffhanger to leave on because why not it's been a while since I last did one and it tees up the next chapter well. Those who recall BB from the internship arc will know what is about to happen and the fun that will ensue in the upcoming fight. As for this chapter, sorry for the lore dump, this is probably the last major one I'll be doing, but it was needed at some point to explain the structure to the Guardians just in case it is needed, and the 5th branch will appear a little here and there, and is where most OCs that get suggested will end up as the whole Guardians structure is my own original creation that I've been working on for a long, long time, since before I even joined fanfiction in 2009. I am also considering using the enemies as a potential sequel story that will allow for more use of the Miraculouses with the members of Class A but all in good time, I've got to finish this massive story first. Anyway, that is all I have for this chapter so I will leave this off here. As always, if you like it or have any questions please let me know in reviews or PMs, I will try to answer them as best I could and post any questions asked between uploads at the start of the next chapter and do follow and favorite this, so you are alerted to future uploads. Do keep the reviews coming as I like hearing from y'all as you enjoy my work, it motivates me to keep producing the best work I can for y'all to enjoy. Until next time.

Stringdog