#and liberty helps her up cause she lands near her and summer is like oh haiiii hai hai

[meekinthedraw]

Wouldn't it be funny if they held hands haha

[sassyduckqueen]

Miraculous: Rise of Anatis Shanghai Special

Finally! My Shanghai special is done!! Whoop!! I hope you guys like it because this was pretty fun to adapt. So chronically speaking, this is set after the NY special and before Truth. Also due to the recent episodes, I had work in some good lukanette/adrigami content so enjoy :D

Translations:

Nǐ hǎo, wǒ néng wéi nín fúwù ma? - Hello, how may I help you?

Móshù zhīzǐ- Son of Magic

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Miraculous World: Legend of Lady Dragon

Luka...  Luka gasped as he tossed and turned in his bed, making Tikki look over at him in worry. Ever since the Blackout incidents, he had started to have terrible nightmares. The akumas certainly didn't help but this seemed like his worst one yet. Normally, he didn't toss too much in his sleep but tonight seemed to be different. She floated over and gently placed her paw on his forehead, frowning as he felt extremely hot.

 "Luka?" She whispered as he gasped and flinched. She frowned deeply as he mumbled something that didn't make much sense to her. She flew out of his room and to the kitchen. She searched through the cupboard and found a little bowl that she could carry. She filled it up with some water from the tap and flew back over to Luka's room, placing it on the bedside table next to him before flying back into the kitchen and ripping a small piece of cloth from the dish cloth. She flew back over and dipped it into the water before ringing it out and gently dabbing Luka's forehead as he took short breathes, similar to how he was when he got possessed by the akuma. She frowned to herself and glanced over at his phone, thinking about phoning Master Fu if he got worst. However before she could, he suddenly gasped and sat up, making her jump. "Luka?"

 He ignored her and got up, walking over to his draw before opening it and taking out the notebook that he used for his ideas as Anatis. She flew over and watched as he wrote it in before gasping as she realized he was writing something in a different language. She couldn't quite read it but it looked like it could be Chinese. She looked up at him and blinked as she saw his eyes weren't his usual blue but silver. She frowned deeply as he continued to write.

 "Luka?" She asked as he suddenly stopped before he dropped the pencil and jolted, blinking as he did. He frowned and looked over confused before looking at Tikki. She frowned as she saw his eyes were now back to been blue. "Luka? Are you ok?"

 "I... what happened?" He asked, confused as she frowned before pointing to the notepad. He picked it up and looked at it before frowning. "Did I write this?"

 "Yeah," Tikki replied as he looked at it in confusion. "I think it's Chinese,"

 "But I can't writing in Chinese," Luka gasped, looking at her. "I can only say very basic phases that Master Fu has taught me,"

 "Then we should see Master Fu," Tikki gasped, making Luka look at the note. "He can speak Chinese so maybe he could translate it,"

 "That's a good idea," He replied, placing the note down. "We should go there now. Tikki! Spots on!!"

 He transformed into Anatis and picked up the notepad, frowning a little as he looked at it before closing it and placing it into his yoyo. He placed a couple of cookies in his yoyo for Tikki as well before opening the porthole and climbing out. He threw his yoyo up and wrapped it around a lamp post before pulling himself upwards and landing on it. He dived off it and threw his yoyo, swinging through the city before landing on in the alleyway, dropping his transformation. He caught Tikki and placed her in the pocket where the cookie was before walking into the building. He carefully made his way to Master Fu's apartment before lightly knocking on the door and opening it.

 "Master?" He asked, hearing a snoring noise. He glanced over and saw Master Fu asleep on the massage mat. He let out a sigh and came inside, closing the door behind him. He knelt down and gently shook him. "Master, wake up,"

 "Huh?" Master Fu asked as he woke up before blinking and sitting up. "Luka? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?"

 "Everything is fine, Master. There's no akumas or sentimonster," He replied as Tikki flew out of his pocket, making Master Fu frown. "And I'm sorry to wake you like this but..."

 He reached into his pocket and took out the notepad before opening it to the page he wrote on before handing it to Master Fu.

 "Can you translate this?" He asked, making him frown a little more before Master Fu took it and glanced at it. "Tikki think it's Chinese..."

 "She is quite correct," Master Fu replied as he read over it. "Interesting thing about Kwamis. They can speak any language in the world but they find it very difficult to read them,"

 "Really?" Luka asked, looking at Tikki who nodded. "Oh... can you read what it said, Master?"

 "Yes, I can. It appears to be some kind of riddle and instructions," He replied, making Luka and Tikki frown. "It reads as follows. Find the red dragon and locate it's pearl. Hidden deep within the Dragon's cave, there lies the secrets of the Phoenix,"

 "What does that mean?" Luka asked, confused as he looked at Tikki, who shrugged. Master Fu pulled a face.

 "Well, the red dragon happens to be a nickname for China," He explained, making Luka look at him in surprise. "I think it's telling you to go to China,"

 "But what about Hawkmoth? And what does the rest of it mean?" Luka gasped, moving near to him. "What does it mean locate the pearl? The pearl of what? Does China even have a pearl?"

 "Actually, it does," Master Fu replied, making Luka look at him with surprise. "If the red dragon is china, the pearl you must locate is Shanghai. You see it is known as the Pearl of the Orient but I do not know what the Dragon's cave is or what the secrets of the Phoenix is but maybe it has something to do with Master Feng. Did you have one of your dreams before you wrote this?"

 "Yeah..." Luka replied, frowning. "But I don't remember writing it. Do you really think it's linked to him?"

 "Yes. Master Feng took the name Hao Feng because of what it means," Tikki explained, making Luka look at her. "He thought it was suitable for him,"

 "Why?" He asked, frowning a little. "What does it mean?"

 "It means Good Phoenix," Master Fu explained as Tikki nodded.

 "Wait so the secrets of the Phoenix could mean Feng's secrets?!" Luka gasped, looking at them. "We have to find them! It could explain how I'm connected to him,"

 "But I do not know what the dragon's cave is," Master Fu sighed. "And we still need to worry about Hawkmoth,"

"Oh right..." Luka sighed, looking down. Part of him wanted to go to Shanghai and locate the dragon's cave but he also had to be here at the same time and it's not like he could be in two places at once. He let out a sigh, unsure what to do. Master Fu, however, smiled at him as he passed him a cup of tea. "What do I do?"

 "I think you should go there," Master Fu answered as he took a sip of his own tea, making Luka look at him with surprise. "But ultimately the choice is up to you,"

 "I think I should talk to Lady Noir," Luka muttered, finishing his drink and standing up. Tikki flew over to him and settled on his shoulder as Luka put the notepad into his pocket before he looked up at Master Fu. "Thank you for the help, Master Fu. Sorry for waking you up so late,"

 "It is quite ok, Luka," He replied, nodding. "If you experience anything else or come to a decision then please come by again and let me know,"

 "I will do," Luka replied, walking over to the door and opening it as Fu began to tidy up. "Good night, Master Fu,"

 "Good night, Luka," He replied as Luka left. He exited the building and re-transformed before swinging through the city. He decided not to go home straight away and made his way to the Eiffel Tower, setting on the top of it as he sighed. He ran his fingers through his hair before taking out the notepad and looked at the note he wrote. He traced his fingers over it as he frowned. It really was in Chinese but he barely knew it. He could say a number of phases that Master Fu taught him but that was as far as it went and he knew he definitely couldn't write it.

 "What is happening to me?" He muttered as he frowned. He put the notepad back into his yoyo before looking out to the city as the sun began to rise. Taking a deep breathe, he stood up and leaped from the tower, free falling as he did before he threw out his yoyo and swung through the city. He landed on the Liberty and flipped down before sliding through the porthole into his room. "Tikki, spots off,"

 His transformation dropped as Tikki reappeared, causing him to catch her before he gave her the other cookie. She grinned and took it as he gently placed her on his desk before heading outside. He carefully made his way past Juleka's room and climbed up onto the deck before scaling the mast and hooking his legs over part of it before letting himself fall backwards so he was hanging upside down before he began to start his workout as he thought about things. He really needed to get to the bottom of this. It was bad enough that Hawkmoth had been trying to target him and he didn't want to think about what happened with the press. He was just glad that today was the last day of school. He had a lot of plans for the summer holidays, both as Luka and as Anatis. He would be hanging out with everyone when they got a chance and he was going to try and track Hawkmoth as Anatis. Since Hawkmoth had made an appearance in New York, Luka had been trying to work out his identity more then he already had. He had investigated a couple of his suspects but so far nothing had turned up. Apparently, Hawkmoth had been taking precautions himself. Probably because if he didn't, the government would arrest him for war crimes and terrorism. As Anatis, he had also kept in touch with Jess and asked her to locate any clues that Hawkmoth may have left in New York. She was due to video call him and Lady Noir tonight. She had also informed him of the appearance of a native guardian whom she had began to work with to create a new generation of heroes. Luka had advised her to be careful in case of anything but he had yet to meet any of the new guardians himself. Gradually, he lowered himself back to his original position and took a deep breathe as he hung upside down with his eyes closed. The sound of the door opened, causing him to open his eyes as Juleka walked over to him.

 "What are you doing?" She asked, looking up at him. He smiled and grabbed on the beam, freeing his legs before sliding down the mast. Juleka rose an eyebrow as she looked at him. "You're getting weirder and weirder,"

 "I'm just working out," He replied, making her frown. "What? It helps with my flexibility,"

 "Right..." She asked, rising an eyebrow. "Are you trying to impress Marinette? Cause trust me when I say she's already impressed,"

 "Really? I mean... I'm not trying to impress her," He gasped, going a little red before sighing. "I'm just trying to make sure I can actually escape if akumas continue to come after me,"

 "Oh, right... that makes sense," Juleka nodded, frowning before looking down at the floor. "You know I'd protect you right?"

 "I know," He smiled, ruffling her hair as he walked by. Juleka gasped and shouted at him as he laughed and headed downstairs. He headed to his room and grabbed some fresh clothes and a towel before heading to the bathroom. He took a quick shower before getting changed. Once that was done, he headed back to his room and dried his hair before putting on his shoes and socks then packed his bag for the day. He opened his jacket for Tikki, who flew into his jacket before he headed into the kitchenette and made some breakfast for himself as Juleka sat down. "You ok?"

 "I just want today to hurry up and pass," She replied, looking up at him. "I'm so ready for the holidays!!"

 "Same here, Jewel,"

 ~Later That Night~

 "Dragon's Cave?" Anatis sighed as he tapped the pen against his chin. He was sat at on top of the Arc de Triomphe, trying to work out the last part of the riddle. He sighed and looked up as he saw Lady Noir land on the building and walk over to him. "Hey, Kitten,"

 "Hey, Annie," She grinned, sitting down. "So I checked the south side and west side. No akumas over there. What about you?"

 "North side and east side is clear as well," He replied, looking up and putting his pen away. Lady Noir rose an eyebrow as he closed the note book. "I'm trying to solve a riddle,"

 "Anything I can help with?" She asked, moving a little closer to him as he reopened the book and showed her. "Find the red dragon and locate it's pearl. Hidden deep within the Dragon's cave, there lies the secrets of the Phoenix... hmm so you've solved some of it I see,"

 "Yeah. Master Fu helped me with it but I don't get what the Dragon's Cave is," He sighed, making Lady Noir think.

 "Maybe it's a nickname for a place?" She asked, making him look at her. "I mean... Red Dragon is a nickname for China and the Pearl is a nick name for Shanghai so maybe the Dragon's Cave is also a nickname,"

 "That's a really good suggestion," He smiled, writing down 'nickname?' on the paper before putting it away. "I'll research it later,"

 "Ok," She grinned, looking up to the sky. "Think we're gonna get an akuma tonight?"

 "Probably not," He replied, lying down and placing his hands behind his head. "It's been pretty quiet for the past couple of days,"

 "Think Hawkmoth is planning something?" She asked, lying next to him.

 "Possibly," He replied before looking at her. "Do you ever have weird dreams?"

 "Like what?" 

 "Like of the past,"

 "You mean like when you dreamt about Bunnyx?" She asked, glancing over at him. He sighed and nodded. "Well.. sometimes I have dreams about past cat holders but they're very few and far between. Though I did once have a dream about been a princess in Ancient China once but I think that might have been my imagination. Why? Are your dreams getting worst? Do I need to be worried?"

 "No need, Kitten. I was just curious," He replied, making her let out a sigh of relief before he looked back at the sky. "For the record, I think you would be an amazing princess,"

 "Nah... too formal for me," She grinned, making him laugh. "I'd be like Hua Mulan. A totally badass!"

 "I see it," He chuckled before stretching and yawning, making Lady Noir laugh before he stood up and offered her a hand. She took and he pulled her to her feet, causing her to grin and stretch. "I'm thinking one more check around the city then home,"

 "Sounds good to me, Annie," She grinned before running over the edge of the building and diving off it. He chuckled as he saw her jump across to the other building before heading the other way and jumping. He threw out his yoyo and swung through the city but nothing seemed to be happening at all. Once he was satisfied, he headed back to the Seine and landed quietly on top of the Liberty before slipping through the porthole and dropping his transformation. He caught Tikki and gently placed her in her little bed as she stretched before handing her a cookie. She muttered a thanks and began to eat it as he got changed into his PJs before getting into bed. Tikki looked over as he sighed a little.

 "You ok, Luka?" She asked as he moved his hands behind his head.

 "Yeah," He replied, glancing up to a ceiling as he thought about what Lady Noir suggested. "A nickname huh?"

 "What was that?"

 "Something Lady Noir said," He replied, turning on his side so he could see Tikki a bit better. "She said that Dragon's cave might be a nickname for an actual location in Shanghai,"

 "That's a good idea," She replied, yawning. "But maybe google it in the morning,"

 "Yeah," Luka agreed, yawning as well. He leaned over and turned off his lamp. "Good night, Tikki,"

 "Good night, Luka,"

 ~Fuzanglong Waterfall, approximately 4000 Years Ago~

 "Hello?" The man shouted as he walked into the cave hidden behind a waterfall. He wasn't a young man but neither was he old. He had dark hair but it had began to turn silver and he had a few winkles across his face. His clothes were simple but well made and he had a blade at his side. He glanced around before noticing another man said in the middle of the room. His legs were crossed and his eyes were closed. He had his hands resting on his knees and appeared to be asleep. He was dressed in a dark gray hanfu with matching pants but had no shoes on. He was sat in the middle of the cave surrounded by a lot of colorful quarts crystals. The man gasped before getting down on his knees and bowing to the mediating man as he opened his eyes, revealing them to be silver in color. "Master Feng, it is a honor to see you again,"

 "No need for formality, Bao," He replied, getting up as Bao stood up. Feng smiled and hugged him, causing the man to gasp in surprise before returning the hug. The two men pulled part as Feng smiled. "It is very good to see you,"

 "And you," He replied, looking at him. "I see time has been kind to you. You barely look any older then the day we met,"

 "I have good genetics," Feng laughed, making Bao chuckle as well. "How is your school going?"

 "Very well thank you," He replied, nodding and smiling as he thought of his students. They were all full of honor and respect but he shook his head before turning to Feng. "But I have to ask... why are you here?"

 "I have a favor to ask you," Feng sighed, making Bao frown a little as he reached into the side bag he had one and took out a small wooden box. He placed it on the ground before taking out another box and something wrapped in cloth. Bao rose an eyebrow. "I need you to guard these two items,"

 "For how long?" He asked, making Feng sigh.

 "For as long as necessarily," He replied, making Bao frown a little. "I know it is a lot but I can't trust anyone else with this,"

 "Not even Piao and Hēi?" He asked, making Feng's eyes fill with sadness. "Feng?"

 "They are gone," He replied, frowning before blinking away tears. He sighed and gave Bao a smile as he looked at him. "I'm fine... anyway, this is more important. Will you look after them?"

 "Of course," He nodded, making Feng smile before he walked over to one of the walls and traced his hand around it. "But can I ask what it is?"

 "Something that could be very dangerous in the wrong hands," He replied before moving his hand back, causing the wall to crack as a small cave was created. Bao watched in amusement before Feng stepped inside. He opened the little box and touched the amulet inside it, causing kwami like creatures to appear but only he could see them. He looked at them as they looked back at him. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

 "This is for the best," The Dragon, Long Long, declared. "Mei Shi can test any human who seeks the Prodigious to see if they are worthy,"

 "As long as you are happy to stay here," Feng replied, causing Bao to give him a confused look before he removed his fingers from the amulet and closed the box, causing the creatures to disappear. He moved his hand again, creating a pedal of stone. He sighed and placed the box on the pedal before walking out of the cave. He glanced up over at an opening off the cave before moving his hand. The rocks began to move, creating a closing so a single of beam of moonlight was pointing towards the thing before Feng closed his eyes and held up his hands, muttering in a different language. The cave closed and a green seal appeared of it before  a flat circular stone rolled in the way of it before Feng walked back over to Bao, who was looking impressed. He had always found Feng's gift for magic amazing. He shook his head and looked at him as he held out a box. "This is the key to unlocking the seal. You can only use it on a full lunar eclipse. If you do, it will summon a dragon spirit called Mei Shi. Only he can open the cave and he'll want to test any who wishes to wield the Prodigious,"

 "I see," Bao nodded, putting the bracelet on. "I will guard it with my life,"

 "Thank you," He replied, picking up the item covered in a cloth. "I need you to watch over this as well,"

 "What is it?" He asked, making Feng look at it but he didn't answer. Instead, he just walked over to the other side of the cave and moved his hands again, creating a second cave. He stepped inside as rocks formed a second pedal. He placed it on it before walking over of the cave and lifting his hands, once again speaking in a different language, causing it to close. He finished his incarnation before taking off his glove and reached into his bag again. This time he took out a blade and slid it down the palm of his hand, making Bao gasp. "What are you doing?"

 "Blood magic," He replied, placing his bloodied hand  onto the wall before muttering the language again. This time, the blood moved and took the shape of a bird before glowing gold then disappearing. Feng sighed and held his good hand over his injured one, healing it as he walked back over to Bao. "It's a special seal,"

 "Are you sure sealing that is a good idea?" He asked, frowning. "What if you need it?"

 "The seal can be broken by the one who bears the soul of a phoenix," He replied, making Bao frown. "But it is safer here then anywhere else,"

 "Feng... are you in trouble?" Bao asked, making Feng look at him and smile a little.

 "I'm fine, Bao," He replied, placing his hand on his shoulder. "I'm just taking precautions that's all," 

 "You can tell me you know,"

 "I know," Feng nodded, placing the dagger back in his bag and placing his glove back on. "But now I must take my leave. It was good to see you, Bao,"

 "Are you sure you need to go?" He asked as they turned to walk away. Feng stopped and glanced over at the corner, smiling as if he could see someone there before leaving with Bao...

 Luka gasped as he jolted awake. He sucked in a breathe and let it out before getting up and heading over to the bathroom. He ran the tap and splashed his face with water before grabbing a towel and drying in face before looking in the mirror. He jumped as he saw Feng stood behind him before quickly looking over his shoulder. He frowned as he saw no one there before glancing back in the mirror. However, Feng was gone. He shook his head before walking back into his room and glanced at the time. 4am. He groaned and crawled back into bed, curling up on the side as he tried to get back to sleep. However, his mind kept drifting back to the cave so he got up and turned on his lamp before grabbing his notepad and wrote down his dream before going onto his computer and researching Dragon's cave in Shanghai but nothing came up. He groaned and shut down his laptop before getting back into bed and curling up again. This time he managed to fall back asleep but it was pretty restless sleep. Soon, his alarm went off and he got up, stretching out before getting ready for his day and the summer holidays. He had set up plans for it both as Anatis and as Luka. He would patrol a couple of times a day but also spending time with his friends. Since he wasn't at school for the next six weeks, he could work some extra shifts at his job. The summer holidays would be great. 

 ~One Week Later~

 "You want me to go with you to Shanghai?" Luka asked as Jagged played his guitar. He looked up and nodded. "Why?"

 "Because it will be rock and roll!" Jagged declared, standing up. "I'm doing a couple of shows there so I'll be there for a week and I figured we could use the chance to spend some father and son time together!! What do you think?"

 "I don't know, Dad," He replied, making Jagged frown as he put down the violin and flopped on the sofa. Fang crawled up onto his lap, causing Luka to pat his head. "Won't you be busy with set up on the show?"

 "A little bit yeah but since I'm only playing two days, we'll have like five days to do whatever we like," Jagged explained as Luka scratched Fang's chin. "I get it if you don't want to spend some time with your old man,"

 "It's not that, Dad," He replied, sighing. "I doubt even with my job I could afford a plane ticket plus I have commitments here,"

 "I'd pay for your ticket, expensive and we'll be staying in the best hotel in Shanghai!" Jagged declared with flair. "Fang will becoming with us and it's ok to get away from responsibilities from time to time you know,"

 "Alright... I'll think about it," Luka replied as his phone vibrated. He checked it and smiled, getting up before putting his jacket on as Fang moved over to Jagged. "I gotta get going. I need to meet up with Marinette,"

 "Tell the little lady I say hi!!" Jagged sung, making Luka shake his head before he rushed out and began to walk to the party where he would be meeting her. He thought about Jagged's suggestion. Feng's riddle pointed to Shanghai and now he's given the opportunity to actually go... but who would look after Paris while he was gone? Sure, he could trust Lady Noir but part of him wouldn't want to leave the burden all on her. He could talk to her on their patrol tonight and see what she thinks. Entering the park, he felt his worries melt away as he saw Marinette. She was stood by a tree, glancing in the opposite direction. Her hair was loose and she was wearing a pink summer dress with matching sandals and her signature purse. He walked over to her and cleared his throat, causing her to look at him and smile brightly.

 "Hey," She smiled, pushing a stand of hair behind her ear. "Ready to go?"

 "Whenever you are," He smiled, offering her his arm. She giggled and took before the two of them walked off, heading to the summer fair that the school was hosting. "I like your hair by the way. It looks beautiful like that,"

 "R-Really?" She gasped, blushing as he linked their hands together, making her giggle. "How was your time with Jagged?"

 "It was ok," He replied as she waved to her parents from their stall. Sabine waved back but Tom looked like he was about to burst into flames with how excited he looked. "He wants me to go with him to Shanghai for a week,"

 "Really?!" She gasped, making him look at her. "You should go!! We could arrange to meet up there!!"

 "You're going to Shanghai?" He asked, making her nod excitedly.

 "I was gonna tell you when we had finished looking around here," She replied, sheepishly as he smiled. "Uncle Cheng invited the family. Mama and Papa can't make it as it was too short notice so I'll be going on my own... which I'm a little bit nervous about but maybe we could arrange it so you and Uncle Jagged are on the same flight? If that's not too weird... actually forget it... it's too weird and I'm sure you probably have other things-"

 "Hey, it's not weird at all," He smiled, making her smile as well. "I wasn't really sure if I should go but... it would be nice to see a different city with you... I mean... um..."

 "You're adorable," She grinned, making him blush. "I'll be staying with Uncle Cheng so you and Jagged can come by. Oh we could visit his restaurant!"

 "Y-Yeah, that would be great," Luka smiled, making her grin. "Jagged's doing two shows so I could ask for some VIP tickets if you want..."

 "You don't have to," She replied, smiling again. "I'd just be happy to spend some time with you. Of course, if you want to that is. I mean Shanghai is a very beautiful city and I'm sure you'll want to do some sight seeing yourself..."

 "I'd be happy to spend some of my time with you," He smiled, making her blush before they heard their names been called. Marinette looked over and waved as Kagami and Adrien walked over to them. "Hey,"

 "How's it going?" Adrien smiled as Kagami said hi to Marinette. They were both dressed really nice. Kagami was wearing a black shirt with black tights and a red vest with a white jacket over it, causing Marinette to gush at how cute she looked where Adrien was wearing blue jeans and a green shirt that had a tiny little snake on it. One of Marinette's hero inspired tops. This one was clearly inspired by Aspik. Luka clapped his hand against Adrien with a smile as Marinette continued to gush over Kagami, making the girl blush a little.

 "It's good," He smiled as Marinette hugged Kagami. "How's everything with you?"

 "Same old, same old," Adrien sighed. "Father is going out of town for a week. He wanted me to go with him but Kagami and her mother convinced him to let me stay,"

 "That's good," Luka smiled, glancing over as Marinette took Kagami's hand and lead her over towards one of the stands. He smiled before Adrien grinned at him, making him look at him. "What?"

 "So you and Marinette huh?" He grinned, making Luka go red and nervously rub the back of his neck. "You a couple then?"

 "W-We're just see how it goes," He mumbled, going redder. "Like we're not like dating dating... but I guess you could say we're testing the waters?"

 "I see," Adrien grinned as Kagami came back over and took his hand. "Well, we'll leave you to it. Have fun,"

 "You too," Luka smiled as they walked off before he walked over to Marinette, who was still looking at the stall. "Everything ok?"

 "Oh, yes... sorry, I didn't mean to run off," She gasped, making him chuckle. "I just saw that,"

 She pointed to a bracelet made from silver and dark leather. It definitely wasn't her style and was more something he would wear. She looked up at him.

 "Do you like it?" She asked, surprising him but he slowly nodded. "Then I'll get it for you,"

 "You don't have to," He replied as she turned to the merchant. He nodded and gave it to her before she gave him a note. He turned his back and grabbed her change, giving it to her. She thanked him before turning to Luka. "Melody?"

 "I know," She replied as she took his arm and fixed it on. "But I want to,"

 "Thank you," He smiled, gently leaning down and kissing her cheek lightly. She blushed and smiled shyly as he looked at it. "I love it,"

 "L-Let's go on the carousel," She gasped, gently grabbing his hand and leading him to it as she continued to blush. Luka smiled softly as he followed her, glancing at his new bracelet with a happy expression.

 ~Later That Night~

 "So if we're both going away for a week, what do we do?" Lady Noir asked as she looked up at Anatis. She had her head on his knee and he was gently stroking her hair. "I mean I know Hawkmoth has been super quiet but still..."

 "We could test out some of the others," He replied, making her look up at him. "Culpeo would be a good idea since she can create an illusion of us and Abeille's ability would be extremely useful. I could take the Horse miraculous with me so I could teleport back to Paris as soon as there's an akuma alert,"

 "Oh and I could fly back here as Lady Cosmic!" She gasped, making him nod. "That's a good idea but will Master Fu let us do it?"

 "I think so," He replied, making her nod. "Plus it would be good practice for them,"

 "So it's settled then," She grinned, making him nod as he continued to stroke her hair. She closed her eyes and began to purr a little, making Anatis chuckle. "Do you think it's been weird how quiet Hawkmoth has been?"

 "Yeah, it is odd," Anatis sighed, frowning. "The last time he was this quiet, he attacked New York,"

 "I messaged Falcone," Lady Noir stated, looking up at him. "Apparently, everything is ok there but she said she would keep an eye out and let us know if Hawkmoth shows up again,"

 "That's good," Anatis nodded before stretching, causing Lady Noir to sit up and poke his cheek, making him look at her. "What?"

 "You looked tired," She stated, making him frown. "Bad sleep?"

 "Feng keeps on turning up in my dreams," He admitted, sighing. "I feel like he's trying to show me something but I don't understand what,"

 "Well, what are your dreams?" She asked, making him look at her.

 "I keep seeing this cave and Feng talking to a man called Bao," He explained, making her nod. "Feng is asking him to guard something but I can't remember what it is exactly. Like I've wrote down the dream but some of the details are hard to remember,"

 "What do you remember?" She asked as he sighed and thought about it.

 "The moon was red," He muttered, making her nod. "And there was a lot of colorful crystals in the cave..."

 "Anything else?"

 "He talked to something that looked like a kwami but wasn't a kwami," Anatis continued, making her nod. "And he loss someone... no, two people... he seemed sad about it. I think they died but that's all I remember,"

 "Well, it's better then nothing," She mumbled, making him nod before she looked at him. "Maybe you'll get some clarity from this journey?"

 "Yeah," He muttered, glancing down to the side. "I hope so,"

 "Speaking of journeys, we should go and talk to Master Fu," She replied, getting a nod of him and standing up. He stood up as well before the two of them dived off the building and made their way to Master Fu's apartment. They landed on his window seal and knocked, causing him to get up and invite them in.

 "Ah, Anatis, Lady Noir," He smiled, opening the window. "Come in,"

 "Thank you, Master," Anatis replied, helping Lady Noir inside. "Master, we have something to talk to you about,"

 "Go ahead," He replied, making them tea. Lady Noir looked at Anatis, who took a deep breathe.

 "Me and Lady Noir are going away for a week..." He stated, making Master Fu look at him with surprise.

 "Which is why we came here," Lady Noir gasped. "We have a plan to make people think we're still here,"

 "We want to give Culpeo and Abeille their miraculous for the week so Paris is defended," Anatis explained, making Master Fu frown a little. "I know you're not comfortable with other miraculous been out and about but this is something that can't be avoided for us. Our families are insisting we go with them but if we use Culpeo, she can create an illusion of us which will make it look like we've never left. I also would like to request the horse miraculous so I can travel back instantly if there is an akuma,"

 "This is risky..." Master Fu replied, frowning. 

 "Please!!" They both begged, surprising him. 

 "Hawkmoth and Mayura have been super quiet all week," Lady Noir gasped.

 "All the more reason to be careful," Master Fu replied, frowning. "Is there no way for you to say no to your families?"

 "I can't," Lady Noir sighed, frowning. "My parents are insisting I go and spend time with my other family so I can learn about my culture,"

 "I see," Master Fu sighed before glancing over to Anatis. "And you?"

 "My family is insisting I go as well," He replied. "Plus I think this trip might help me with those dreams I'm having,"

 "Oh... I see," Master Fu nodded, turning around and walking over to phonograph. He took out the miracle box and placed it in front of them. "In that case, I will allow Culpeo and Abeille to use their miraculous on a full time basis for this week and I grant you permission to use the horse miraculous, Anatis but you both must get back to Paris as soon as you can if there is an akuma alert,"

 "We will, Master," Anatis gasped, taking the horse miraculous and placed it in his yoyo before he took out the fox and the bee miraculous. "I don't leave just yet so I'll have Abeille and Culpeo shadow me for a couple of patrols. Lady Noir, if you can make it that would be great,"

 "I'll see what I can do," She replied, nodding. "I don't think we're leaving just yet though,"

 "Ok we can get them to shadow us for a couple of days then," Anatis replied, nodding as Master Fu closed the box and put it away. "Thank you, Master. We owe you one,"

 ~The Next Night~

 Anatis landed on the lamp post near where Juleka and Rose were. They had gotten themselves some ice cream from Andre's and were sat on a bench by the Seine. The sun was going down and they were bringing a romantic date to an end. Anatis whistled, getting their attention before he jumped down and walked over to them.

 "Sorry for interrupting but I require Culpeo and Abeille," He replied, holding out the box. Rose grinned and took her box as Juleka did the same. The two of them transformed into Culpeo and Abeille. "Follow me. We're meeting Lady Noir at the Arc de Triomphe,"

 "Ok!" Abeille declared as she and Culpeo followed him across the rooftops as he informed them of the plan. It was a very clever plan but they were a little surprised that he trusted them enough to trust them with this. However, it was also really nice that he trusted them as well. When they got to the Arc de Triomphe, Lady Noir was sat by the edge with her leg swinging down as she waited for them. She looked up and smiled as they landed on the building and walked over to her. "Hey, Lady Noir!!"

 "Hey, Bee. Hey, Kit," She smiled, jumping and walking over before looking at Anatis. "You informed them?"

 "Yeah," He nodded, turning to the two girls. "You two ok with doing this?"

 "I'm good with it!!" Abeille grinned before looking at Culpeo, who was holding onto her flute and looking panicked. Anatis gently placed his hand on her shoulder, making her look at him. 

 "You ok?" He asked, making her shake her head.

 "I d-don't know if I can do this," She gasped, looking at him. "I me-mean what if I mess up?"

 "Then we'll fix it but you won't mess up because you can do this," He replied, making her look at him in surprise. "You were made for this, Kit. I know you were,"

 "R-Right," She nodded, feeling a bit more confident. "I can do this,"

 "Sure, you can sweetie," Abeille grinned, hugging her. "And I'll be here so you won't be alone,"

 "R-right," She nodded again before looking at Lady Noir and Anatis. "A-Are you leave tonight?"

 "Not tonight," Anatis explained, making them nod. "We actually don't leave for another two days so we plan to use these two days to help you get use to the patrol thing,"

 "So tonight, Culpeo will be with me while I take the north and east side of the city while Abeille goes with Annie in the south and west of the city," Lady Noir explained, making the girls nod. "Once we've completely that, we'll meet back here then one more round of the city then home,"

 "Tomorrow night, Culpeo will be with me and Abeille, you'll go with Lady Noir," Anatis explained, making them nod again. "Any questions?"

 "How long does patrol normally take?"

 "Usually about an hour," Anatis answered, making them nod. "But we also use the time to discuss akumas and potential suspects for Hawkmoth and Mayura,"

 "Ooh do you have any suspects?" Abeille asked, making the two of them look at each other.

 "The list is really long," Lady Noir replied, rubbing the back of her neck as the two girls nodded. "Alright, let's getting go then! See you soon, Annie,"

 "Alright, Kitten," He smiled as she and Culpeo ran off before he turned to Abeille. "Shall we?"

 ~A Couple of Days Later~

 "This is gonna be rock and roll!" Jagged grinned, hugging Penny as they drove to Marinette's to pick her up. They had already picked up Luka so it was just Marinette they needed to pick up. She was gonna be staying with her uncle during the actual week where Luka would be staying with Jagged and Penny at a hotel. However, they both agreed with was perfect. They would be able to do their own exploring as well as meet up in the city later on. Jagged had also insisted on giving them tickets and VIP passes to his shows. The limo pulled outside of the bakery, causing Luka to undo his seat belt and get out, helping Marinette put her suitcase in the trunk next to his. She smiled shyly as she thanked him before the two of them got into the limo. "Mari!! Isn't this gonna be rock and roll?!"

 "Hi, uncle Jagged," She smiled as he grinned, causing Luka to shake his head as they begin to drive off. Marinette moved so she was leaning against his arm, making Luka look at her and smile a little. The drive to the airport didn't take too long and soon enough they were in the sky on Jagged's plane, watching a film together. Luka couldn't help but yawn as Marinette leaned against him. "You should sleep if you're tired,"

 "You sure?" He asked, yawning again before nodding. She smiled as he moved his arm around her and rested his head against her, closing his eyes. When he next opened his eyes, Marinette was curled up next to him and was also asleep. Someone had put a blanket over them as well. He smiled a little before glancing over at Jagged. Penny had fallen asleep next to him, along with Fang. He smiled before closing his eyes again. He was quite happy to sleep a bit more. He moved his arm around Marinette and closed his eyes again drifting into sleep again.

 Luka frowned as he looked around the little hut that he recognized as Feng's home. He had a few dreams like this since the first time but they were few and far between. He glanced around before walking over to the door and tried to open it. As usual, it was locked. He frowned and turned back round. He jumped a little when he saw Feng sat cross-legged on the bed in the corner of the hut. Luka frowned and walked over to him.

 "Why am I here?" He asked, not expecting an answer. He never answered. He waited but Feng didn't moved. "Can you even hear me?!"

 Nothing as usual. Luka sighed and walked over to the door again, trying to open it.

 "It's locked..." Feng's voice made him stop and turn around. The man was still sat on the bed in the way as before, making Luka frown before he opened his eyes and looked at him. "You haven't got the key yet,"

 "Key?" He gasped, running his fingers through his hair. "What key? What are you trying to tell me?! Why am I having these dreams? Let me guess! You're not gonna answer me?!"

 "Would anything I say make you understand right now?" Feng asked, surprising him before he shook his head. "No, I know it won't. You must come to the truth by yourself,"

 "Or you could just tell me," Luka sighed. "I want to know. I'm afraid and I don't understand what is happening to me so please just tell me,"

 "I can't," He replied, looking over at him. "I'm sorry, Luka but this is the only way. You must learnt the truth slowly,"

 "Why?" Luka sighed but he already knew the answer. It would be too much for him to find out straight away. He let out a small sigh before looking at Feng. "I know... but can you at least give me a clue?"

 "I already have," He replied, making Luka frown. "Find the red dragon and locate it's pearl. Hidden deep within the Dragon's cave, there lies the secrets of the Phoenix,"

 "Ok but seriously a riddle?!" Luka sighed, shaking his head. "I'm terrible at those,"

 "I find them entertaining,"

 "You would," Luka sighed, sitting down on the bed."So how do I get out of here?"

 "Wake up," Feng replied as if it was simple. Luka gave him a look, making him smile before he closed his eyes. "You should know that this isn't a dream by the way,"

 "If it isn't a dream then what is it?" Luka asked as Feng began to mediate again. "Feng?"

 He ignored him.

 "Feng?!"

 Luka jolted awake again, blinking as the plane shook a little before he stretched and looked over. Marinette was sat talking to a now awake Jagged but Penny was still asleep. She looked over and smiled at him, making Luka smile back before he moved the blanket and undid his seat belt. He stood up and stretched, yawning a little.

 "We have some good food over here," Jagged grinned, making Luka nod before he wandered over to the bathroom. Once done, he washed his hands and came back out, sitting next to Marinette. 

 "How long until we're there?" He asked, sleepily before reaching for some of the food and eating it.

 "About another 2 hours," Jagged replied, surprisingly calm but Luka figured he hadn't been awake long either. He stretched and grinned. "So what you two plan to do in Shanghai then?"

 "Well, my uncle Cheng has his own restaurant so I was hoping you guys would like to join us for a meal there at some point," Marinette smiled, making Jagged grin. "But in general, I'll be doing some sight seeing,"

 "I'll be doing my own sight seeing as well but we plan to meet up at some point during the week," Luka replied. "Not to mention your gig, Dad,"

 "Ooh yeah!!" Marinette grinned, making Jagged smile. "That will be so much fun,"

 "I'm looking forward to it as well," Luka smiled, making Jagged grin.

 "Young love is so cute!!!" He grinned, making them both go red. "I should write a song about it!"

 "Dad!!"

 ~At the Airport~

 "Uncle Cheng!!" Marinette grinned as she ran over to him and hugged him. He chuckled and hugged her back. "It's great to see you,"

 "Likewise, Marinette," He replied, making her grin as his french had improved a lot since they last spoke. He looked over as Luka and Jagged walked through with Penny. They had all changed into something a little more inconspicuous. Jagged was wearing a hat over his hair and sunglasses over his eyes while dressed in normal jeans, t-shirt and denim jacket. Penny was still in a suit but it wasn't her usual style. She also had sunglasses on. Luka had just switched his usual blue hoodie for a dark gray and was wearing a matching beanie hat, making Marinette giggle as he brought over her suitcase to her. Cheng frowned before he clicked his fingers. "I remember you. Mr Stone right?"

 "Ah, Chef Cheng, the world's greatest chef," Jagged grinned, shaking his hand before grabbing Luka and pulling him next to him. "This is my son, Luka,"

 "We've met before," Cheng smiled, turning to him. "I recall you were on the set of the world's greatest chef with Marinette,"

 "Yeah, I was sir," Luka nodded, making Cheng nod. "I was really honored to try your signature soup. It was amazing,"

 "Thank you," Cheng smiled as Marinette yawned. "We should head home?"

 "Yeah, it's been a long flight," Marinette nodded before turning to Luka and gently kissing him on the cheek, making him blush a little. "See you later kay?"

 "Right," He nodded, smiling a little as Cheng placed her suitcase in the boot before closing it and getting into the driver's seat. Marinette got into the passenger seat before doing up her seat belt and waving to Luka. He smiled and waved back as another car pulled up. Penny walked over to the driver and talked to them as Cheng drove off, causing Jagged wrap his arm around Luka's shoulders and grin. 

 "You two are so cute together!!" He grinned, making Luka blush as Penny walked over.

 "Leave the poor boy alone, Jagged," She ordered, making him grin before the three of them got into the car, along with Fang. Luckily, Penny had already explained to the driver about Fang.

 ~On the way to Cheng's Home~

 "I'm so glad you were about to come by," Cheng smiled as he drove them through the city. Marinette smiled and glanced outside. "I do wish your parents could have come by as well,"

 "They do too but they just can't afford to close the bakery for a week," She replied, making him nod in understanding. "Mama was worried you wouldn't get your present in time so I'm glad I was able to bring it with me,"

 "Ah, you're the best gift I could ask for," He smiled, making her smile as well. "Your mother mentioned you wanted to connect with your roots and learn more about your culture,"

 "Yes, I really do,"

 "It makes me really happy that you want to," Cheng smiled, making Marinette smile as well. "I have a lot of reservations at my restaurant this week but I cancelled them all so I could spend time with you. Thanks to you, I'm on holiday for the first time since... your mother left for France,"

 "You did all that for me?" She gasped, completely surprised.

 "Of course," He replied, nodding. "Family is sacred after all,"

 "You've made really good progress with your french since I last saw you," She smiled, making him smile back.

 "I have worked really hard and practiced often so I can communicate with you," He smiled, making her smile even more.

 "I've been trying to learn Chinese as well," She replied, making him smile. "I'm not very good at it but I can say a few more things then before,"

 "I'm sure you're doing well," He smiled before looking ahead. "I can tell you all the stories about our ancestors and we can visit Shanghai. Oh, I can teach all the traditional songs of our family!"

 "We have traditional songs?"

 "Yes!" He grinned, excitedly. "Oh and you can bring your boyfriend along,"

 "O-oh me and Luka aren't quite there yet," She blushed, looking to the side as Cheng looked at her. "We just kind of testing the water with our relationship and enjoying each other's company. Luka is very respectful and sweet,"

 "He seems like a kind and gentle boy," Cheng smiled before frowning. "I hope I didn't hurt you or him when I was Kung Food,"

 "Oh no! You didn't," She gasped, holding up her hands as they pulled into a parking space. "Luka actually went to look for you during that time as we were worried about you. Anatis ended up telling him to hide while he and Lady Noir tried to save you,"

 "Anatis? That's the ladybug boy, isn't it?" He asked as he killed the engine and got out. Marinette followed and got out as well before they opened the boot and took out her suitcase and the present for Cheng. "He seemed like a nice boy too,"

 "He is," She nodded as they walked over to a door. "Could you tell me more about our family?"

 "Of course," He smiled, unlocking the door and letting her inside. "Your great great grandfather would draw for Pekin's opera artists,"

 "Really?" She gasped, amazed. "I do fashion myself!!"

 "Yes, your mother has told me all about it," He smiled, putting the box down as a gray parrot flew over to her and flapped in front of her.

 "Marinette!! Marinette! Marinette!!" It cawed, making her jump before it flew over to Cheng and landed on his shoulder, making him laugh.

 "This is Bastille," He smiled, gesturing to the bird. "Bastille, I'm really proud to introduce you to my niece, Marinette,"

 "Delighted to meet you, Bastille," She replied, walking over to him and Cheng before noticing the pictures on the wall. She stopped in front of them and looked at them.

 "Bastille has been in the family for a long time," Cheng explained, pointing to the picture. "Look, he was already there for your Grandpa Yen and Grandma Chun and he was there for your mama, Xia Ping,"

 "Xia Ping?" Marinette asked, making Cheng nod.

 "Yes, she only named her Sabine when she moved to Paris," He explained, making her frown a little. It was sad that she felt like that she had to change her name to something that was more accepted. She looked back at the picture.

 "I've never seen this picture of Mama before," She stated, smiling a little in. "She looks so happy and beautiful,"

 "She was," Cheng replied, nodding before Marinette yawned.

 "Sorry," She gasped, holding up her hands but he chuckled.

 "Why don't we have some dinner then you can get some rest?" He suggested as Bastille said 'magic ingredient' repeatedly, making Cheng smile. "I already have one for today. You remember my style of cooking, don't you Marinette?"

 "Yes," She smiled. "You always improvise with something destiny sends your way,"

 "And today, destiny placed you in my path,"

 "But I didn't bring an ingredient," She replied as her phone vibrated. She took it out and saw Luka had texted her. She smiled softly before sending a text back then looking up at her uncle. "Should I find one?"

 "No need," He replied, smiling. "Sometimes improvising isn't about the ingredients but the chef themselves,"

 "You mean... I can help you cook?" She gasped, looking excited. He chuckled and nodded before picking up her suitcase and taking it to her room. Once that was done, the two of them headed to the kitchen and began to work on dinner. Once they had finished, they sat down for a meal before Marinette helped Cheng clear up then retired for the night. As she settled into her bed, she smiled to herself. Tomorrow she would go and explore Shanghai for a little bit.

 ~The Next Day~

 Marinette gasped as she looked around the city in amazement. Despite that he had booked the week off, Cheng had to go into his restaurant to fix something but promised to spend the rest of the day with her as soon as he had sorted out the issue. Since she was free for the rest of the day, she decided to explore the city center and had texted Luka. They had arranged to meet for lunch since Jagged and Penny were busy setting up Jagged's shows. She walked over to the traffic light as she headed to the shopping center but a girl knocked into her, causing Marinette to gasp.

 "I am so sorry!" She gasped, making the girl look at her in surprise. She realized that she probably didn't realize what she said so she just gave her a weak smile and when on her way. She stopped at the traffic lights and looked around as she waited. The girl who had bumped into her stopped nearly by and opened her purse, causing Plagg to go still. She frowned to herself when she only found her phone, a block of cheese, a weird cat plushie and Marinette's id. She turned back and looked at her before moving closer to her. The traffic was still going and the Marinette seemed lost in a day dream so the girl lifted her necklace from her, her earrings and her ring before turning to walk away but three boys gasped and began to shout at her. She backed away and ran from them, knocking into Marinette who frowned as the boys moved past her. "Oh no. That girl seems in trouble,"

 She ran across the road and followed them down into an alleyway before slipping into an alleyway herself.

 "Plagg, claws out!!" She shouted, punching the air but nothing happened, making her gasp. "Plagg?!"

 She glanced down and realized her purse was gone, making her gasp before she touched her ears and realized her earrings were missing as well. She quickly searched herself discovering all of her valuables were missing, including her phone. She gasped before shaking looking down at her hand and covering her mouth when she saw her miraculous was missing.

 "Plagg!!" She screamed, falling to her knees as tears filled her. She had somehow lost Plagg. 

 ~Meanwhile~

 Fei, the girl who had pick-pocketed Marinette, ran as fast as she could before suddenly tripping over. She frowned and quickly got up before disappearing into the crowd, away from the boys chasing her. She switched her hat for a new wig and looked at her before noticing a boy stood in the crowd. Like the girl who she robbed, he stood out and was clearly a tourist. She walked over and knocked into him, slipping her hand in his pocket but to her surprise, he suddenly grabbed her arm. She gasped and looked up at him.

 "What are you doing?" He asked as his clearly silver eyes bored int her eyes. It actually scared her and she quickly snatched her hand from his, stepping away before running off. Luka frowned as his eyes turned back to blue. He wasn't sure why he sensed that she was trying to pickpocket her but he did and something wasn't right either. He was suppose to be meeting Marinette for lunch but he had this nagging feeling that he needed to follow this girl. Deciding to follow it, he turned around and headed in the direction she had gone. He stopped at a stall and brought a baseball hat. He tore off the label and put it on before taking off his blue jacket and put it inside his rucksack. Tikki looked up at him from the hoodie with a confused look. "I'm following a feeling, Tikki,"

 "Ok," She nodded as he followed the girl. She didn't seem to notice him and seemed to be pretty clumsy for a pick-pocket. She walked into a number of things, tripped up a few times and even knocked into a lamp post. Luka frowned as she cursed at it before heading down some stairs, which she proceed to fall down.

 "Seriously!?" She gasped, getting up and dusting herself down before a phone began to ring. She took it out of a familiar phone and disconnected it, causing Luka to narrow his eyes.

 "That's Marinette's," He whispered, frowning before he gasped, causing Tikki to look at him. "If she robbed Marinette, she has no way to contact anyone or navigate her way around Shanghai. We need to find her,"

 "If that girl robbed Marinette then maybe she can't be far too away," Tikki replied, making Luka nod. "I also wouldn't transform just yet. If you find Marinette as Anatis, she might get suspicious,"

 "Good point," He replied, frowning as the girl came out of the shop, looking disappointed. "We could get Marinette's things back though,"

 "Is that a good idea?" She asked, making him frown. "That place seems bad,"

 "You're right but Marinette might not get her things back this way," He replied, moving from his hiding place. He walked into the shop and walked over to the desk as the man was trying to get something to work. It appeared that his till had broken down and a light was flickering in the back. He looked up at him, causing Luka to get a very deep shiver. Every part of his being was telling that this man was bad news. He took a step back but noticed Marinette's purse and phone to the table. The man moved his hand and gave him a dark smirk. 

 "Nǐ hǎo, wǒ néng wéi nín fúwù ma?" He asked, making Luka frown. "Oh, are you a tourist? I speak French and English if that helps,"

 "Y-Yeah..." Luka replied before pointing to the purse. "That purse and phone... how much for them?"

 "5000 yuan," He replied, making Luka frown. He knew that was over priced and he certainly didn't have that kind of cash at all. He frowned and sighed. "Ah you don't have that kind of money, do you? I'll tell you what. You give me those ear plugs and I'll knock the price down to 3000 Yuan,"

 "No," Luka gasped, glaring at him and causing the man to frown. "I'll leave it,"

 "Very well," The man smiled as Luka turned on his heel and walked out. The man smiled and clicked his fingers, causing a couple of his men appear. "Go and get what you can from that boy,"

 "Yes, sir," They exited the shop and caught up to Luka, causing him to frown as he noticed them.

 "Tikki, stay close," He whispered, turning down an alleyway. The men turned down it as well, making him frown even more. He was certain that they were following him now. He broke into a run and climbed onto a dumpster before scaling a building, pulling himself on a roof, causing the men to growl as he ran across it before jumping onto another one, running across it until he lost them. He jumped across another roof and leaned down before seeing Marinette arrive with the girl who tried to rob him. He frowned and knelt down. He wanted to get down and warn her but something was holding him back and he couldn't explain what. He just knew things would work out worst if he did.

 "Fei, look, I found my ring!" Marinette gasped, making the girl... Fei... move over to her. 

 "Oh, that is lucky," She gasped, making Luka narrow his eyes before the two of them grabbed the ring and disappeared into the shop. Luka narrowed his eyes. He was about to climb down when Fei and Marinette suddenly rushed out of the shop. He stopped and watched them as Marinette looked upset. She shouted something about getting her ring back but Fei suddenly put something in her hand.

 "My ring?!" She gasped, looking up at the girl. "You stole it back?"

 "Didn't you want it back?" Fei asked, making Marinette frown.

 "Yes but not like that," She gasped but Fei shook her head. "Stealing is very wrong!"

 "Cash was trying to con you," She gasped, looking down to the side. "He is not a good man,"

 "But-" She gasped but three men ran out of the shop, causing them to gasp. Fei grabbed Marinette's hand and ran off with her, causing the men to follow. Luka frowned but decided not to follow. Despite wanting to help Marinette, he had a feeling that staying here and waiting would lead him to her quicker then if he chased them. A few minutes later, the owner of the shop... Cash... came out and frowned before turning in the other way and walking. Luka narrowed his eyes and lowered himself down before shadowing him. 

 ~Back To Marinette and Fei~

 Marinette ran as fast as she could from the men that were chasing her and Fei. They seemed really annoyed but she had gotten her ring back. She glanced at it as a black blur appeared, making her gasp and smile.

 "Plagg," She gasped, opening her jacket and letting him fly in before she ducked into an alleyway and slipped her ring on her finger. "Plag-"

 "What are you doing?!" Fei gasped as she grabbed Marinette's hand and pulled her away from the Alleyway. "Those men are really dangerous and we need to keep running!!"

 "But those other guys who were chasing us were really dangerous as well?" She gasped, making Fei frown before she pulled her arm from her. "Fei, what is going on?!"

 "Cash was trying to rob you blind because he knew that ring was precious to you ok?!" She gasped as they looked around. However they had reached a dead end. To make matters worst, the men who Cash had sent after them turned up. Fei stood in front of her and took a pose. "Stay behind me, Marinette,"

 "Fei," Marinette gasped. "Let me help you,"

 "Marinette, these men will hurt you," She gasped as they moved closer. "At least, I know how to defend myself,"

 The men went to charge at them but before they could, the three boys that had chased Marinette came down the alleyway and gasped. 

 "What is going on?!" Marinette gasped, clearly panicked. However, the guys seemed to see the bigger guys as more of a threat and declared themselves as some sort of neighborhood watch. Fei told them to go home but they said something about not taking an order from a thief. Marinette looked between them but Fei shook her head and told her to ignore them. Cash's guys smirked to themselves and walked over to the young boys, causing Fei to grab Marinette's hand and run. They briefly saw Cash's guys trying to chase after them but the other set of boys jumped on them, allowing Fei and Marinette to run as fast as they could through the alleyways. Gradually they came to a stop as Marinette caught her breathe. "Where are we going?"

 "Somewhere safe," Fei replied as they began to move. Marinette nodded before following her to a burnt down school. She frowned as Fei entered it. "Where are we?"

 "It's my father's old school," Fei replied, looking down as Marinette glanced around. She noticed a bed and a small altar with a photo of a man. "I'm sorry it isn't much but it's home. I live here and now..."

 She walked over to a small little table and poured a drink before handing it to Marinette.

 "Sorry, I don't have much else to offer you," She muttered, making Marinette nod as she took the drink. 

 "It's fine, Fei," She smiled, taking a sip before looking around. "But why did you bring us here?"

 "I have to protect my father's heritage," She sighed, looking sad. 

 "But... your father..." Marinette glanced over to the picture of the man as Fei nodded.

 "He's dead..." She mumbled, frowning. "He died when this place went up in flames..."

 "Oh," Marinette replied, frowning. "I'm so sorry,"

 "They did everything to make us leave," Fei gasped, looking down as tears threatened to spill. "I mean everything. Intimidation, robbery... they took everything from us. Even the bracelet my father had entrusted me with. The jewel I told you about. I was as attached to it in the same way that you are to your ring but this jewel was something else. It had a sort of power,"

 "Oh," Marinette gasped, surprised. Did this girl have a miraculous? "These people you are talking about... who are they?"

 "That's the problem," Fei sighed, frowning. "I don't know. It was my quest to find them that put me in your path. I... I have something important to tell you... It was-"

 "Did you really think I wouldn't find you here, Fei?!"

 ~Back to Luka~

 Luka frowned as he followed Cash through the alleyways. Occasionally, he would stop and turn around but he never noticed Luka following him. Of course, he didn't think to look at the rooftops. Luka frowned as he came to a burnt down building and walked inside. Luka frowned and jumped downside, moving over to the window and glanced inside. Marinette and Fei were inside, making him frown deeply.

 "Did you really think I wouldn't find you here, Fei?!" Cash growled, making both girls step back in fear. Marinette looked between the two of them.

 "You know each other?" She asked, confused.

 "Of course, I know her," He laughed, making Luka frown as he stalked over to them. "How do you think I ended up with your ring, Little girl? She stole it from you then she stole it from me,"

 "Y-you... stole from me?" Marinette gasped with tears in her eyes as she dropped her cup. Fei gasped and held out her hand.

 "I was just about to tell you I swear," She gasped but Cash laughed as Marinette's eyes watered.

 "Y-You saw how much it meant to me!!" She cried, making Luka's heart ache. "And you knew I would pay any price!!"

 "I'm sorry!!" She gasped, making Luka frown. "He said he would tell me who murdered my father but he was asking for a huge amount of money in return,"

 "There is always a price to pay," Cash grinned, making Luka grit his teeth. This guy was awful. While he didn't agree with Fei's actions, he could understand why she did it now that he knew she was trying to find who killed her father. "You can't get anything for free in this world, baby,"

 He turned and stalked over to Marinette, making Luka growl.

 "You are going to phone your uncle now!" He demanded, making Marinette step back as he shoved a phone at her. "And ask him for the money he owes me!"

 "I won't let you!" Fei cried out, knocking his phone out of his hand and moving in front of Marinette. "Marinette! Run!!"

 "I want my money!!" Cash shouted as Fei kept her pose. Luka narrowed his eyes. He had been trying to avoid transforming as he didn't have an excuse as to why Anatis would be in Shanghai but if this guy keeps threatening them, he would interfere without hesitation. "And you're gonna give it to me or you'll never get your answers!!"

 "Do you even know who killed him?!" Fei shouted back, making both Luka and Marinette frown.

 "The truth is if this girl doesn't get my money, you'll both meet the same fate as your father!!" He shouted, causing Luka to transform into Anatis without a second thought. He was about to jump in when Fei kicked Cash across the room before he heard shouting between the two girls. Marinette ran out a few seconds later, causing him to frown as she wiped her eyes. She looked over and gasp.

 "Anatis?" She asked, making him sigh. "What are you doing here?"

 "I've been tracking down Hawkmoth," He replied, making her gasp.

 "I just saw an akuma in there!" She gasped, pointing to the building. Anatis frowned and looked inside, just as Fei ran after something. He frowned and turned to Marinette.

 "Wait here while I go and deal with this," He ordered, making her nod before he walked inside. He took out his yoyo and ran out into the garden. However, he came to a stop as his eyes widen. He recognized the place but he didn't know why. He just knew he had seen it before. He snapped out of his surprise when he saw Fei flying towards him. She landed in a well, making him frown before he rushed over and lowered his yoyo, causing her to look at him as she tried to climb up. "Grab on to this,"

 She nodded and took hold of it, causing him to pull her up and out of the well.

 "Thank you," She muttered before looking at him."Who are you?"

 "I'm Anatis,"

 "I'm Fei," She replied, looking down a little before she looked back at him. "Are-Are you one of the good guys?"

 "Yes, I am," He replied, taking his yoyo and sliding it open as it vibrated. He answered it. "Perfect timing, Kitten. I was just about to phone you,"

 "Lucky me," Lady Noir purred as he chuckled. "So I was just checking in like I said we would,"

 "As I said perfect timing," He chuckled before going seriously. "I just found Hawkmoth, which is concerning. Can you get here quickly?"

 "I'll be there in a flash," She replied before they hung up as Fei hugged herself. Anatis turned to her. 

 "Did you see where a man in a purple suit went?"

 "He broke into the cave," She gasped before going to run towards it. Anatis, however, grabbed her arm, causing her to look at him. "I need to protect it!"

 "Rushing in isn't gonna help," He replied, making her blink before he smiled at her and ran across to the water fall with her. She blinked in surprise as he walked inside with her. "Hawkmoth is after something here. Do you know what it is?"

 "It's a bracelet," She gasped, making him look at her as they walked into the cave. "Is he... bad?”

 "Yes." Anatis asked, making her nod. "He’s called Hawkmoth and is very dangerous. We need to defeat him,"

 "We?" Fei asked but she jumped as another person joined them, landing next to them. This time it was a girl dressed as a black cat. "Who are you?"

 "This is my partner, Lady Noir," He replied before holding up his hand and pointing to the colorful quarts. The three of them hid behind a rock as Hawkmoth walked over to one of the walls. His akuma was stood nearby, making Anatis frown before he glanced up at the sky. The moon turned fully red, making the beam disappear and causing the circular stone to move, revealing a seal. Anatis frowned as Hawkmoth walked over and placed the bracelet against the seal, causing Fei to gasp. 

 "That's my bracelet," She gasped, looking at him. "H-He was the one... who took it,"

 "Does it have any special features?" Lady Noir asked, making Fei shake her head.

 "I don't know," She replied, frowning. "I was just suppose to protect the cave and the bracelet... but I failed..."

 Lady Noir frowned as Fei went to move but Anatis grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her back down.

 "Stay down," He ordered as a green light came from it. It began to take a form, transforming it into a statue. Anatis' eyes widen as he looked at it. "Meishi?"

 "You know that thing?" Fei asked as it began to talk. Anatis frowned and shook his head, making both girls look at him with confusion.

 "It's complicated," He hissed as Meishi turned to Hawkmoth.

 "Human, are you ready to face the judgement of Meishi, the protector of the Prodigious," It stated, making both girls look at Anatis with surprise. He shrugged before continued to watch as Meishi moved aside, letting Hawkmoth walk into the cave and retrieve the Prodigious. Anatis narrowed his eyes as he walked out. "Put the the Prodigious around your neck, human, and prepare to face my judgement,"

 "I can't let him take it," Anatis gasped, moving away as the two girls looked at him. He glanced over at them as they went to follow him but he shook his head. "Stay here,"

 He slipped past the rocks as Hawkmoth walked out of the cave.

 "What makes you think I have the slightest intention of confronting you, Guardian," He replied, walking over to his akuma as Meishi looked take back. "Silver King, it is time for me to keep my end of our deal. Use your power on him and turn him into a gold statue that will be yours to do as you wish,"

 Silver King smirked and lifted his fan as Meishi gasped.

 "What?!" He declared, looking at Hawkmoth as he walked away. "You can't do that! I forbid you!! You don't respect the rules!"

 "Rules are for the weak," Hawkmoth replied, walking away. Anatis narrowed his eyes before throwing his yoyo towards Hawkmoth. It wrapped around his feet, causing him to yell out as Anatis jumped through a large hole in the rocks. Using his weight, he lifted Hawkmoth in the air, causing him to yell out and drop the Prodigious. "No! You!!"

 "Nice to see you too, Hawkmoth," Anatis grinned as Fei ran out and grabbed the necklace. "What are you doing?!"

 "I am going to complete my father's mission!" She declared, looking to Meishi.

 "So you shall face my judgement," He replied, sitting down as Hawkmoth growled.

 "Silver King!" He yelled, making Fei and Anatis look at him. "Get me that amulet!"

 Silver King smirked and charged at her, making Fei gasped 

 "Fei!" Lady Noir shouted, rushing out. She pushed Fie out of the way but Silver King knocked her into a wall with a lot of force before he grabbed her and threw her into Anatis. He let go of Hawkmoth and tried to catch her as best as he could. "Sorry,"

 "It's fine," He replied as the two of them jumped out of the way of Silver King's attack. Anatis jumped over him and threw his yoyo at Hawkmoth, wrapping it around his cane as he stalked over to Fei. He growled and yanked his cane free before swinging at Anatis. He blocked it but Hawkmoth came in with a blow with his cane before grabbing Anatis by the neck and slamming his head into his, causing Anatis to drop to the ground. Hawkmoth lifted his cane as if to stab Anatis but he slammed his foot into his stomach, causing Hawkmoth to gasp before he jumped up. Hawkmoth growled and threw his fists again as Lady Noir blocked Silver King's attack, causing Fei to frown. She looked down at the Prodigious before narrowing her eyes and putting on the Prodigious. One by one, it's dots lit up with symbols before a glow that resembled embers came from it. She gasped in surprise as she felt an energy surge through her before slamming her right fist into her left hand. The glow moved across her body, changing her clothes in a red and orange suit with gold detail. She moved her hands upwards and over her face, creating a red mask with a golden trim and turning her eyes to gold. Her hair changed color to a pinkish red and began longer as well. She moved her arms in kung fu moves as extra detail appeared on her suit before striking a pose. Once her transformation was completely, she blinked as the Prodigious glowed and a number of small creatures appeared.

 "Greetings to our new Renren!" They yelled in union as Anatis jumped out of the way of Silver King's attack. Lady Noir jumped over him and landed a kick to Silver King but he blocked with his fan. Hawkmoth charged at Anatis, causing him to jump out the way.

 "New what?!" Fei gasped in surprise, causing the other two heroes to look at her.

 "Renren," The Dragon like one stated, making her blink. "The person who wears the Prodigious,"

 "Who are you talking to?!" Anatis asked as he wrapped his yoyo around a rock and threw it towards Hawkmoth before jumping over to her, blocking Silver King's attack.

 "Only Renren can see us," One of them explained, making her nod.

 "It has a species of magical bugs but only I can see them,"

 "Useful!" Lady Noir shouted as she jumped and wrapped her baton around Silver King's neck, causing him to try and throw her off. "I guess these magical bugs are like Kwamis!"

 "They're Renlings!" Anatis replied, blocking Hawkmoth's cane before kicking him back as Fei rose an eyebrow and when to ask how he knew that. "Don't ask because I don't know but whatever they tell you, listen!"

 "What?!" She gasped as Silver King threw off Lady Noir and charged at her, under Hawkmoth's order. She jumped away as he went to swipe at her but Lady Noir jumped up and dived at him. He blocked her with his fan again before grabbing her leg and throwing her into a wall as Anatis went head to head with Hawkmoth. Silver King swiped his fan, causing gold spikes to come towards her. 

 "Your friend is right about our name," The Praying Mantis one stated, making her blink in surprise. "We are the Renlings and represent human values,"

 "Anyone of us can transform into a wild animal," The Snake one explained, making her nod as she listened. "Provided that you are worthy of the values we represent,"

 She jumped out of the way of Silver King as he tried to attack her again before slamming her foot down. He blocked and she jumped back as Lady Noir dived in front of her and began to engage with him as the Renlings reappeared.

 "For example if you want me, Tang-Tang the Renling of Patience, to transform you into a preying mantis, you have to be patient," Tang-Tang explained, making Fei sigh.

 "Thank you but I don't have time for patience right now!" She gasped as Silver King threw Lady Noir in Anatis before trying to hit her. She jumped out of the way and landed on the ground as the bear one moved in front of her. "Huh?"

 "Xung-Xung, Renling of Calm," They stated, making her look at them like they were crazy.

 "Of calm?!" She gasped. "How can I be calm?!"

 "Calm like a bear," Xung-Xung declared, moving their paws downwards. "Big and Strong like a bear,"

 Anatis threw his yoyo towards Silver King as he charged towards her but Hawkmoth intercepted it, grabbing it. He yanked it and kicked Anatis to the ground before placing his foot on his neck as Lady Noir went to jump at him. He grabbed her and threw her down, pointing his cane at her neck. She growled and when to summon her power but before pressed on Anatis' neck.

 "Don't even think about it, Cat," He stated, pressing on Anatis' neck even more, causing him to gasp for breathe and try to get Hawkmoth off him. "You summon your power and I'll break his neck. Silver King, get me that necklace!"

 Silver King grinned and charged at Fei but she took a deep breathe and calmed herself down.

 "Xung!" She declared, causing her eyes to turn purple as one of the symbols lit up before she glowed and turned into a bear, causing Silver King to look surprised before she swiped at him, sending him flying into Hawkmoth and knocking them both into a wall. Lady Noir rushed over to Anatis as he coughed, helping him up.

 "I'm ok," He muttered before Fei came over to them in her bear form. "Thanks... um...?"

 "Lady Bear I guess," She replied, making them both nod. "What's the plan?"

 "We need to get his fan off him and destroy it," Anatis replied, taking out his yoyo and throwing it up in the air. "Lucky Charm!!"

 A ball appeared out of thin air, causing Anatis to catch it as Fei rose an eyebrow.

 "What are you gonna do with that?" She asked as Hawkmoth and Silver King got up.

 "No idea. Mind distract them while I work out how to use this?" He asked, causing both Fei and Lady Noir to nod. Lady Noir charged at Hawkmoth as Fei took on Silver King, switching forms as she did. However, she failed to transform into the dragon, making Anatis frown. "What happened?!"

 "Normally, if I can turn into a dragon, I can use all of the elements," She gasped, slithering away in her snake form. "I'd like to hit his armor with some lightening but I can't use it!"

 "The power of the dragon is the most powerful of them all," Meishi explained as Anatis dived out of the way of an attack. Lady Noir jumped at Hawkmoth, kicking before he returned the attack as Anatis looked around. He frowned as nothing lit up yet. "Your intentions need to be just and noble for you to earn the right,"

 "My intentions are noble!" She declared as she dodged Silver King. Hawkmoth grabbed Lady Noir and threw her up onto a rock before hitting it with his cane, causing it to fall on her leg and trap her. "I want revenge on the man who ruined my life!!"

 "Revenge is against the dragon's value," Meishi replied, glancing over at Fei as Hawkmoth charged at Anatis, causing him to throw the ball straight at his face before using his yoyo as a shield. "Your intentions and your judgement are troubled,"

 "Isn't revenge and justice the same thing?!" She asked as Lady Noir tried to get the rock of her leg.

 "No, it isn't," Meishi answered as Anatis tried to get to Lady Noir but Hawkmoth hit him with his cane, causing him to fall on the ground before he dived at him. Anatis rolled out of the way and jumped up.

 "Then we'll find another way to defeat him!" She shouted before turning into a monkey. She jumped at him, repeatedly hitting him and biting his armor but he grabbed her and threw her into a deep puddle before slicing one of the pillars, causing it to land on her.

 "No!" Anatis shouted as it landed, apparently crushing her. Hawkmoth laughed and turned to him as Lady Noir continued to try and free her leg. Anatis took a step back as Hawkmoth and Silver King stalked towards him.

 "Your partner is trapped and your new ally has fallen," Hawkmoth smirked as Anatis' back hit a wall. "Who thought today would be the day I get your miraculous and the prodigious? Silver King, you know what to do,"

 Silver King smirked as Anatis felt something hit his foot. He glanced down and noticed his lucky charm, causing it to light up before looking up as Lady Noir freed her foot with her baton before getting up and giving him a thumbs up. She lit up as Silver King charged at him. He lifted his fan above his head, causing it to light up before Anatis grabbed his lucky charm with his foot, kicking it up and causing it to knock Silver King's fan out of his hand. Lady Noir dived down towards it, wrapping her hand around it.

 "Cataclysm!" She shouted, causing it to turn to dust before she landed in front of Anatis as he kicked the ball up and caught it before catching the akuma in his yoyo and releasing the purified one. Silver King stumbled back and turned back into Cash as Fei slithered from beneath the pillar, moving over to them as Anatis swung his yoyo around. Lady Noir took out her baton as Hawkmoth looked down. "You're alone against the three of us, Hawkmoth,"

 "It's over," Fei declared, turning into a bear but Anatis frowned.

 "Something isn't right,"

 "Always so prospective, Anatis," Hawkmoth declared as he lifted his hand. A second akuma landed on his finger, making the three of them frown. "I think it is over for you,"

 He suddenly threw the akuma away from him. Anatis threw his yoyo but just missed as it entered Meishi's orb, making them gasp.

 "Meishi!" He shouted, causing Hawkmoth to laugh.

 "Not anymore," He replied as the butterfly mask appeared on them. "Yan Woshi, I am Hawkmoth. You're certainly not going to let this little girl who thinks vengeance is the same thing as justice, be the holder of your prodigious, are you?"

 "Hawkmoth, no!" Anatis shouted, stepping forward before looking to Meishi. "Meishi, don't listen to him!!"

 "I will give you the power to reclaim the Prodigious," He declared, ignoring Anatis. "In return, all I ask is for you to help me squash this annoying bug and his friends,"

 "Meishi! Don't!!" Anatis gasped but his cries went unheard.

 "As the infernal demon Yan Woshi, I will sow carnage and destruction until she gives me back the Prodigious!" He declared, transforming into a hulking, red creature as the three of them stepped back in horror. The four of them ran out of the cave as it burst through it, causing Anatis to grab Cash and throw his yoyo up as Yan Woshi lifted himself up and swallowed the ball that contained his akuma, making them frown. He yanked on it and pulled them up to safety as Lady Noir and Fei landed next to him before rolling on the ground as Hawkmoth jumped over to Yan Woshi. Anatis jumped up and threw his yoyo, hitting Hawkmoth and making him look at him. "Tremble, humans!"

 "You idiot!" He shouted, causing Hawkmoth to look at him in surprise. "You don't know what you've done!"

 "Give me your miraculous and I-" He started before noticing Yan Woshi was heading towards the city. "Yan Woshi! I order you to destroy Anatis, not the city!!"

 Yan Woshi ignored him, causing Hawkmoth to growl.

 "Yan Woshi! Stop or I'll take back your powers!" He declared, causing Yan Woshi to turn towards him. He smirked and turned to Anatis, pointing at him as Anatis took a step back, gesturing for the girls to do the same. "Now, attack-"

 "I take orders from no one!" He shouted, firing at Hawkmoth with his red eye beam. Hawkmoth shielded himself but it was too late. He turned to Anatis as he gasped.

 "Anatis! Help me!" He shouted before screaming as he turned to red dust, causing the three of them to blink as Yan Woshi headed towards the city. 

 "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Lady Noir asked as their miraculous beeped, causing Anatis to frown.

 "We need to recharge and then we need to stop him. We have to find a way to get that ball," He declared before running off. He hid behind a rock as he detransformed and gave Tikki a cookie. He saw a blink of green light from a rock nearby before sighing and turning to Tikki, handing her a cookie before taking one for himself. He would need the energy. "How do we fight a dragon spirit that has been akumatized?"

 "You're gonna need help," She gasped as she ate a cookie, making him nod.

 "Fei will have to help us," He muttered, frowning. "Is this why Feng locked up the Prodigious?"

 "I don't know," Tikki frowned as he finished his cookie. "But it's a good job we came here. Imagine if Hawkmoth had gotten to Prodigious or unleashed that thing on the city,"

 "I don't want to," He replied as she finished her cookie. "Charged up?"

 "Ready when you are," She smiled as he swiped his earrings and transformed before jumping back over to Fei, who was looking down.

 "You ok?" He asked, making her jump as she looked at him before nodding as Lady Noir jumped over. Anatis frowned as her song was one of guilt and sorrow before turning to the two of them. "Ok, we're gonna need all three of us to defeat him,"

 "Right!" Lady Noir grinned, spinning her baton. "We need to get to the city fast,"

 "Space power ups," Anatis replied, reaching into his yoyo and retrieving a purple macaron. "We can fly there,"

 "Good idea," Lady Noir nodded, taking a chunk of purple cheese before the two of them ate them, transforming into Asteroid and Lady Cosmic. "Fei, you got a way to fly or do you need a lift?"

 "Oh," She muttered, frowning. "I can fly. Ying!"

 She turned into a bird before the three of them flew towards the city. Anatis frowned as Yan Woshi continued to destroy the city before pointing to one of the buildings. Lady Noir nodded and the three of them flew over before landing on the building.

 "Spots off," He declared as Lady Noir said Claws in, turning them back to their normal selves as Fei landed next to them. Anatis threw his yoyo, wrapping it around Yan Woshi before Lady Noir dived at him. However, he grabbed her and threw her into the floor before yanking Anatis towards him. Anatis yelled as he flew by before landing in a tree as Fei jumped off the building and turned back in her bird form. She flew over to Yan Woshi and transformed into a tiger. She landed on his nose and tried to scratch him but he grabbed her and threw her to the ground before firing his beam at her. She managed to turn into a horse and run from it before hiding behind a newspaper stand. She looked behind it before gasping and looking away.

 "This is all my fault," She gasped with tears in her eyes.

 "Give me back the Prodigious!" Yan Woshi declared, walking towards her as Anatis climbed down from the tree. He swiped back the stand, making her gasp as she stepped away. "You're not worthy of wearing it!"

 His eyes charged up but before he could hit her, Anatis grabbed a piece of metal and threw it at him, causing Yan Woshi to turn to him and fire his beam at him. Anatis jumped back but Yan Woshi slammed his fist down on the ground, sending a shock wave that knocked Anatis onto the ground before firing at him.

 "Annie!" Lady Noir gasped as she ran and pushed him out of the way, taking the hit.

 "Lady Noir!!" Anatis screamed as he tried to grab her as she screamed, turning to dust. He felt to his knees as tears filled his eyes before letting out a scream, his eyes turning silver as he did. Yan Woshi turned his attention back to Fei as his eyes charged up and fired at her but Anatis suddenly slammed his feet into his face, making him stumble and causing the beam to narrow miss her. She gasped and turned back into the bird, flying off as Anatis landed on the ground, looking up at Yan Woshi with glowing silver eyes. He jumped out of the way of the beam and threw his yoyo, pulling himself onto a building as Yan Woshi went back to destroying the city. He punched a wall before hearing a bird. He looked up and noticed Fei landed on the balcony below him before turning back into herself and curling up as she began to cry. 

 Talk to her.... He nodded and jumped down, de-transforming as she hugged her knees. She looked up and wiped her eyes before gasping as she looked at him.

 "Y-You," She gasped in surprise as he walked over. "Who are you?!"

 "Luka,"

 "But what are you doing here?!" She gasped. "You should try and find safety,"

 "Your song called to me," He replied, making her blink before he looked at the Renlings too. He was a little surprised he could see them but he would worry about that later. "And so did theirs,"

 "Y-You can see them?" She gasped as he nodded. "B-But how?"

 "It doesn't matter," He replied, sitting next to her. "You know this isn't the first time I've seen destruction like this. Back at home, we face things like this every day,"

 "Re-Really?" She asked, making him nod. "I caused this..."

 "How?" He asked, making her look at him.

 "I was selfish and took this to take vengeance on the man who ruined my life," She answered, showing him the Prodigious. "Instead, I messed up. I tried to rob you, I robbed a really sweet girl, I lied to her and everything that is happened is my fault. I can't do anything right. I can't even use the dragon's power right and it's what we need to get the ball but... Yan Woshi is right...I'm not worthy of it..."

 "I disagree," He replied, making her look at him in surprise. "Besides, he's an akumatized villain. He isn't in his right mind,"

 "It doesn't change that I'm not worthy," She replied, frowning. "My father would be so ashamed. I wanted vengeance on the man who took my father from me and destroyed my life, despite the fact that my father wouldn't want me to. He would have wanted me to do good but instead I've brought ruin onto Shanghai because I couldn't move on! How can I ever come back from that,"

 "By trying to do the right thing," Luka replied, making her look at him again. "People make mistakes but that isn't what defines us. What defines us is how we try to fix them. Yes, you messed up but you have a chance to change that. You can help save this city. You just have to accept that you made a mistake and try to fix it,"

 "You really think I can do that?" She asked, wiping her eyes as he placed her hand on her shoulder. She looked at him as he gave her a smile before nodding. "Thank you,"

 She smiled before looking at the Renlings but before they say anything, Yan Woshi walked towards them and glared at them.

 "My Prodigious," He growled, making them jump. Fei transformed back into her super form as Yan Woshi growled and fired his beam at the building, causing it to break. Luka jolted forward as the brickwork gave way and began to plummet towards the ground as Fei fell after him. 

 "Luka!" She screamed as she tried to reach him. She wanted to save him. She had to save him. Despite her trying to steal from him and barely knowing her, he believed in her. He believed she can fix her mistake. A complete stranger who had no reason to believe in her yet did. She would not let him die. "Long!!"

 She transformed into the dragon and flew towards him, weaving wind around him and stopping him from falling. She directed the wind to a building, causing him to land on there before she flew over to Yan Woshi. 

 Well done, Luka... Luka nodded as he watched Fei try to reason with Meishi and redirected water towards him while she flew around. He fired at her but she pushed it back with lightening breathe, making Luka step back. He hid behind a building and transformed back into Anatis before throwing up his yoyo.

 "Lucky Charm!!" He shouted, summoning a mink vase. He gasped and caught it before placing it down. "Really?"

 He shook his head before looking back over to the scene. Fei lit up then the water and finally the vase. He smirked and moved over to the edge, just as Yan Hoshi overpowered Fei. She flew away from him and used her power to wrap him in water.

 "Calm down, Meishi," She gasped. "I don't want to hurt you. I'm not here to destroy you or to satisfy my revenge. I only want to save you and bring you back to your senses!"

 "I am no longer Meishi!" He declared, breaking free from the water and running towards her. "I am Yan Woshi!!"

 He went to punch her but she flew out of the way. However, he turned around and punched her out of the sky, sending her fly as she scream. Anatis threw his yoyo and wrapped it around her, pulling him towards him before catching her and putting her down.

 "Anatis?!" She gasped. "You're alive?!"

 "Of course, I am," He smiled but she noticed his eyes were silver, just like Luka's. She frowned but decided not to say anything about it as he leaned onto the vase. "And I have a gift for Yan Woshi,"

 "Red with black spots?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Funny design for a vase,"

 "That's because it isn't a normal vase," He replied, making her tilt her head, "It is our solution,"

 He suddenly jumped into it, surprising her.

 "As I said it's a gift for Yan Woshi," He smirked, pulling himself up as she gave him a questioning look. "Think of it as one big pill that requires a lot of water to swallow if you get my drift,"

 "Oooh... that's insane," She replied, making him laugh. "You're insane,"

 "Of course I am. How else would I get my crazy plans to work," He replied, making her laugh before he grinned at her. "Mind getting me to the river?"

 "No problemo," She grinned as her eyes glowed. "Long!"

 She transformed into the dragon before using the wind to move the vase into the river as Yan Woshi continued to destroy stuff.

 "Are you sure this will work?" She asked as she flew towards him.

 "I'm sure," He replied, disappearing into the vase as she called for Yan Woshi's attention. Once he was facing her, she flew around the vase at a high speed, causing the water to lift it up before directing the stream toward Yan Woshi, forcing it into his mouth and down into his stomach. Once in there, Anatis threw out his yoyo, hitting the ball and causing it to crack before the butterfly flew up and Yan Woshi threw up the water, along with the vase. Anatis stepped out of it and smirked. "Ta da! Now where's that akuma?"

 He took out his yoyo and opened it before catching the akuma with it. He freed it once purified as Yan Woshi turned back into Meishi before Fei flew back over and landed in front of him.

 "What happened?" Meishi asked before looking at her. "You mastered the powers of the dragon?"

 "Yes..." She replied, smiling before gesturing to Anatis. "With some help,"

 Meishi smiled a little before looking up and gasping as he saw the destruction of the city.

 "I did that?" He asked, causing Anatis to step forward. "I have failed my mission,"

 "No, you haven't," Anatis stated, making him look at him. "Hawkmoth took advantage of you but that's what he does.... and fixing this is what I do..."

 "Fixing it?" Fei asked as she looked at him. "You can do that?"

 "Of course," He smiled, lifting the vase as Fei watched. He smiled and nodded to it, causing her to help him throw it up into the air. "Miraculous Ladybugs!"

 The vase burst into the cure and flew around Shanghai, fixing the damage and bringing back the dead. It swarmed around one area before moving away and leaving Lady Noir in it's place. Anatis rushed over, tackling into a hug before she could even blink.

 "Annie!" She gasped, hugging him back.

 "Kitten," He gasped, looking at her as his eyes turned back to his normal color. "I thought I lose you,"

 "Nah, you can't get rid of me that easily," She grinned but he hugged her again, causing her to hug him back before they walked over to Fei. "Aww, Meishi's back,"

 "You overcame your mistakes and renounced your vengeance," Meishi stated, looking at Fei. "You have all the human values required. The Prodigious is in good hands with you, Renren,"

 "Thank you, Meishi," She smiled before he turned to Anatis.

 "And you," He stated, making Anatis to look at him. "The answers you seek are in Fuzanglong Waterfall, where the Prodigious rested..."

 "Oh! That's why it was called Dragon's Cave!" He gasped, making both girls look at him as Meishi bowed to them and disappeared into green dust. "It's a long story but we should head back to the cave regardless. Hawkmoth has probably gone by now but Cash is still there,"

 ~Fuzanglong Waterfall~

 "It is time for justice," Fei stated as she stalked over to him. Lady Noir and Anatis just stood there, waiting for her to do her thing.

 "W-Wait we can forget the past?!" Cash gasped as she glared at him. "Just tell me what you want? I'll give you anything!"

 Fei walked over causing him to panic.

 "Wait!" He gasped, flinching. "I swear I'll do whatever you want!"

 "You destroyed my father's school, made me an orphan then forced me to steal for you!" She growled as he looked at her with surprise before she stood up and turned back into her normal self. "Because of you, I renounced what my father had taught me to find the man who took him from me but it was you all along! You are the source of all my misfortune and for what?! Money! There is no words that describe what you are but today I have decided..."

 She turned around before directing a kick at him, making him gasp and hold up his fan. Not that it did any good. It broke from the impact of her kick, despite that it never touched him.

 "To let justice take it's course," She replied, lowering her leg as the two heroes grinned at her. She took a deep breathe as the Renlings appeared to her, congratulating her on been wise enough to let justice take it's course. She transformed back into Lady Dragon as she had taken to calling herself before taking the bracelet from the wall and putting it back on with a smile before it began to glow green before a small lion like creature appeared. It was dark blue with a light blue mane and red eyes.

 "It's not too late!" It declared, making the heroes gasp. "I was wondering if you would put it back on,"

 "Meishi!" The three of them gasped, causing him to smile.

 "You thought my mission was over?" He asked before shaking his head. "No, it's just begun,"

 "Anatis, Lady Noir," Lady Dragon smiled as she turned to them. "Thank you for everything... but Anatis... I'm not sure what you're looking for but Meishi said it was in here?"

 She turned back to him as he nodded before flying over to Anatis. 

 "Can you show me?" Anatis asked, holding up his hands so Meishi could sit in them. 

 "It's over there but only the one who has the soul of the phoenix can unlock it," He replied, making Anatis look over at wall. He turned towards it and walked over before placing his hand on it. At first nothing happened but then golden lines came from Anatis' hand and spread across the wall, forming the image of a bird before the wall cracked and opened. Anatis walked inside and picked up the item before unfolding the cloth, revealing a book with a phoenix drawn on it. He stepped outside before the wall closed as Meishi flew over to him. "So it was you I sensed,"

 "Me?" Anatis asked, frowning. "Wait sensed?"

 "I felt it as soon as you entered this cave," Meishi replied, making him frown. "You are something else, Anatis,"

 "I'd say," Lady Noir grinned, walking over and leading on his shoulder. "But I wouldn't change him for the world,"

 "Thank you," He smiled before turning to Meishi. "This... am I ok to keep it?"

 "It is yours, Móshù zhīzǐ," He replied, bowing to him. "Come, Renren. We have much to do,"

 "Right," She grinned, transforming into her bird form before she grabbed Cash and flew out, making him scream out before Anatis put the book in his yoyo.

 "Sorry for dropping in your holiday," He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

 "It's fine," She giggled. "I'm glad you were here...but I should get back to my holiday. See you later, Annie,"

 "Bye," He smiled as he waved to her as she ran out of the cave. "Well, time to get back to Marinette,"

 ~Uncle Chen's Home, A Couple of Days later~

 "Ah, Marinette, could you get the door?" Cheng asked as the door rang. Fei was helping set up the table and Bastille was helping Cheng. Marinette nodded and opened the door, gasping as she did.

 "Luka!" She gasped, hugging him before letting go. "Oh no! I didn't turn up to lunch!! I'm so sorry!!"

 "It's fine," He smiled before taking out her purse and things including her Kwagatama, causing her eyes to water a little. She took her purse and put it back on before putting the necklace back on.

 "I can't believe you got them back," She gasped, hugging him again. "Me and Fei thought they were gone forever! Oh, you haven't met her, have you?! Fei!!"

 She grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. 

 "Fei! This is my bo- I mean friend... This is my... Luka! This is Luka," She gasped, blushing as Fei looked at him in surprise. "Luka, this is my new friend Fei. We got off on the wrong foot but she's really cool. Thought you already know that cause it's you,"

 "She has a nice song," He smiled, making Marinette grin as Fei stared. "It's nice to meet you, Fei. I'm Luka Couffaine,"

 "L-Likewise," She nodded before Cheng came over.

 "Luka, it's good to see you," He gasped, hugging him.

 "Thank you, Mr Cheng," He gasped, smiling before turning to Marinette. "Dad said gave me an extra ticket so if you want we could bring Fei?"

 "Oh yes!!" She gasped, turning to Fei, who looked at her with surprise. "We've got VIP tickets to Jagged Stone's show. Want to come with us?!"

 "Really?" She gasped as they nodded. "Sure,"

 "Oh, I got this for you," Luka stated, handing Cheng a small gift. "Marinette told me it was your birthday yesterday so I hope you don't mind. It's not much,"

 "Not at all," He smiled, opening it. It wasn't much but it was a bar of rich dark chocolate, making Cheng smile. "Thank you, Luka. I can use this for one of my dishes. Will you join us for dinner? Marinette made most of it,"

 "I would love to if you don't mind," He smiled, making Cheng laugh.

 "Have a seat,"

--------------------------------------------------------------------

[awakeningofthedeath]

Awakening of the Death Chapter #31

The sound of twigs and leaves being crushed under horses hooves were a great contrast compared to the sound of hooves and chariots on cobble stones to Jack’s ears. He took in the sights and smells of the thick wooden areas of the state of Missouri, as he wrapped his arms around Hellen’s waist holding onto to her as she guided their way. The air had a humidity that seemed thicker then what he’d experienced in London; yet it had a cool evening chill. Through the trees, the stars were of the multiples, and could clearly see the constellations. He noted that they seemed rather different in this side of the world compared to the east. He could see that of the big dipper to the north as well as countless counterparts.

Though it was dark, even with eagle vision, Hellen had no need. For she trusted the horse, and her senses to find her way home. She felt a tightening sense of reminiscing and uneasiness as they rode through the woods of her homeland. Her heart pounding as another mile was made toward the homestead that was her childhood home. Jack’s arms around her were as secure as if she was in a thick wool blanket. Comforting and warm. Hellen at first teased Jack as they mounted the horse about taking advantage of the position.

“What do you mean by that Hellen?” He asked.

Hellen gave a quiet laugh. “Oh Jackass, tell me you don’t think about sliding your hands down my trousers to “keep warm”.”

Jack could only roll his eyes in a humph. “I wouldn’t want us to fall off when the guide is distracted.”

Hellen gave a cheeky smile. “So you thought of it after all.” 

Jack would only shake his head and kiss her forehead, to which Hellen caught his face with her free hand and pulled him in for a kiss.

Hellen felt Jack leaning into Hellen’s back, she could feel his breath as he breathed in and out of her. She looked to see that he was falling asleep. Hellen was thankful that she’d forced Jack to tie a rope around them both to the saddle with a break away knot incase they needed a quick escape from the horse. Turning her head towards him, Hellen kissed Jack’s brow. She noticed that her had a musky smell that was sweet and earthy like rain. She continued down the bath, cross a few creeks and large hills. In her thoughts, she’d thought about the twelve years of hardship as an assassin; how she thought that pleasantries were a mere dream. She thought of the only few men she’d admired, only to turn out to be false in convictions. 

Yet, her thoughts always returned to the two men in her life. Her father, Jeremiah and Jesse James. What would they think of Jack if they were still alive. Jesse would of worked with all his might to get Jack to join the gang. Perhaps Jack would of been best at train robbery. Perhaps he would of done better stealing the Piece of Eden over her; least he wouldn’t had made a scene causing him to be captured like she did. But Jeremiah. Her father. He would of given the blessing to Jack of courting Hellen. She even dared imagined that if things were different, perhaps Jack would of asked her father for Hellen’s hand in marriage. Jeremiah would of probably said yes regardless, thinking he would of tamed his renegade daughter. Yet the problem with fantasies and dreams, you can never have them come true once they are gone, the people you care for and admire. Hellen fought the tears as she thought of them, mostly her father. Twice she was off sight when two men who were scum of the earth, one of them still roaming the country, shot the two most important men of her young life in cold blood. Her knuckles tightened on the split reins as she thought of it, swallowing the bitter taste to follow with a spit on the ground off the horse’s left side. 

When the bitterness settled down, Hellen felt comforted as in his sleep, Jack tightened his grip around her. Hellen smiled, leaning into Jack. “I love you Jackass.” She whispered. “Thank you.” Hellen then looked up into the heavens, seeing a shooting star. Hellen smiled, thinking that her father was probably watching her from above. “I love you too pa. I hope I make you proud. I’m going home. Hope the mice didn’t make a mess, let alone get into the desk again. But if there is, it wasn’t my fault. Haven’t done that since I was seven.”

Jack shifted in his sleep, moaning into continuousness sleep. Hellen continued in silence, feeling the cadence of the horse into the night.

Hours had past, Hellen and Jack no trouble making their way through. Hellen had to ride quietly through the surprisingly grown town of Liberty, then to head north for another ten miles, then a turn towards the east where the town of Kearney still stood right where Hellen left twelve years ago. The difference though was settle, yet surprising as Hellen saw painted sighs advertising a sight Hellen never thought be possible. They advertised the grave site and the home of the famous outlaw himself. Jesse James. Hellen curse the individual who advertised Jesse’s final resting place. 

What sick son of a cow would make money out of a dead man?

 Hellen made a mental note to ask Zerelda about it, if the old woman is still alive.

The other reason, Hellen prayed that no one would see the old homestead that belonged to her mother’s family for years. From what Hellen understood, her mother’s family moved to Missouri to escape the growing dangers back east and to start a tobacco farm free of slaves. Then during the border wars, Jeremiah and Clara meet by unknown circumstances, courted and married, even in the midst of war, and when her grandparents died by cholera, Clara and Jeremiah inherited the land. Even after Clara died giving birth to Hellen, Jeremiah fought the war and had his friend Zerelda Samuel and her slaves care for the land on the side, even when they themselves faced hardship, Zerelda also helped raised Hellen.

The dawn was half an hour away before rising, and Hellen turned the horse towards the northwest through an old path. She found a dirt road hidden among a grove of trees where nestled in a hidden meadow with a large untended patch of land was an old homestead house. The site caught Hellen’s breath. The house had a dark wood almost black with an old door locked in place, a step on the porch was missing, two rocking chairs were pushed to their sides. Hellen took a deep breath she didn’t know she was holding. She turned to see two gravestones facing the western side of the house. A tear fell from her eyes. 

Ma. Pa. I’m home.

Hellen gave herself a minute to gather herself before she turned and kissed her sleeping passenger on the nose. “Wake up handsome. We’re here.”

Jack moaned and yawned. 

“How long was I asleep?” He asked in a low sleepy tone.

“Long enough.” Hellen admitted.

“Why didn’t you wake me? Hellen you look tired!” Jack’s face examined Hellen’s tired face. She looked as if she had been in deep thought for a long time. He looked up and saw the homestead in front of them as Hellen untied themselves from the saddle. Jack dismounted, brushing his backside and legs of the light summer shaded horse hair from him. Hellen followed in pursuit and lead the horse to the barn where she untacked the horse and rubbed it with a brush. She took the horse to an overgrown round pen where the horse gladly began to work on eating the grass.

Jack looked at the house he assumed was Hellen’s childhood home. It looked humble and rustic. Jack only saw these homesteads in photographs and drawings in the newspapers in London. He walked towards the porch, lifting up the chairs and found a round tin tray that smelled of tobacco smoke and leaves. This one had a natural vanilla taste, even if it had been over a decade. Hellen joined Jack on the porch and searched for a spare key. There was none in sight. Either Zerelda or Collin took the key. Hellen knelt down, pulled her tools for picking locks and made the task of unlocking her childhood home. With only a couple of minutes of getting through the old keyhole, a click made the announcement of permission granted to enter into the homestead. Pushing herself up, Hellen grabbed the brass door knob and turned it open. 

With a click and a creek, the couple was greeted by an hold dusty smell. The furniture was covered in dust. three chairs covered in blankets, a table with two tin plates sat place with a chair knocked over. The house had a fireplace with a holder for pots and kettles. A belly stove sat near the small area Jack assumed was the kitchen. On the west side near the fire place was an old writing desk with a small shelf of books, an old tobacco pipe Hellen recognized too well rested there. The rich cherry wood with carvings of a horse and eagle around it still had some tobacco leaves in it. Jeremiah would often smoke his pipe in the evenings after supper as he read the documents. Resting on the dest was an old journal that she knew that he’d dedicated his time too. One of its pages still close to her pocket. Though Hellen never understood, but she knew this old recording document passed on generation to generation was possibly the cause of the invasion of the templars. Hellen walked into the room. Memories flooding her mind as she looked at the bison run that laid in front of the fire place. Jack watched as she looked at the home around. As she looked, Jack went to the writing desk, and noticed the contents. Along the journal was a photograph of a couple in a wedding. He recognized the groom as Jeremiah, and the bride right next to him must be Hellen’s mother. She was smaller than Jeremiah, but more a resemblance of Hellen’s hair and eye shape, which proved that Hellen looked more like her father than what Jack first thought.

He noticed the old journal, its leather cover showed its age of what Jack assumed to be over a century old; yet it’s cover and pages with in such distinct condition that it carrels looked that old at all. Carefully he turned to the first page where it dated 1755, the first page was written in small writings, all except for the bolder font larger than the others in the title. 

“Liam O’Brien.”

Jack had recalled learning of that name. An assassin that was formally associated with the infamous traitor Shay Cormac. 

As he thought of beginning to read, he heard the sound of knees banging on the wood floor. Jack turned, setting the book down, and saw Hellen on her knees towards a spot off to the right side of the fireplace. Her body was shaking as she looked down towards something on the floor. Jack walked towards Hellen, his heart racing with concern. 

Was she exhausted from the long ride? Is she sick?

As Jack stood behind Hellen, he looked downward to where Hellen was staring at. On the wood floor was a massive dark stain that was almost pitch black. The shaping of the stain was large and wide enough to recognize a similar shaping of a human. Jack knew that over a decade later, the markings of Jeremiah Patterson’s death was still present. He knelt down to Hellen’s level, placing a hand on her trembling shoulders. 

Before Jack could say anything, Hellen choked out a sob, he pulled her in as Hellen buried her face against his chest. He sat upon the floor, laying down towards the large bison rug, spooning her in closer to her. He could feel the hot tears of grief that were held back far too long soaking through his coat and into his skin. Hellen found sanctuary in him, to which Jack found that when his mother died, he had no one to comfort him. His life after that was a living hell; and yet, when in a homestead with a woman he felt he knew longer then what they had in reality, he felt release too. Though no tears emerged from him. For his were silent. But Hellen, she needed liberation.

“Why?” Hellen’s muffled sobs asked him. “What did my father deserved to die like that?” She cried harder than when Daniel nearly raped her months prior. Jack stroked Hellen’s hair, and they both held each other. When exhaustion took over Hellen, he carefully shifted her into a more comfortable place on the rug, her head on his arm, and both fell asleep; but not before Jack released a silent tear for his Hellen. In this ghost of a shell of her childhood home, Jack for the first time, allowed sleep to take him.

[authorkimberlygrey]

Short Story Sunday: Ascendant Outtake

So since I got the recommendations back from the content editor I’ve been working like crazy to fix everything and one unfortunate casualty was a scene that was, admittedly, entirely filler/pointless worldbuilding, but I still really liked it so you guys get to read it. This takes place in chapter 2/3 after Grace has been ordered by the king to help Liberty’s flight hunt down a traitor. 

When they make camp that night, Grace asks to accompany Hope on her foraging. 

“I don't mind the company.” Hope says with a friendly smile, “I'll show you where to find all of the best stuff.”

They drift down to the forest floor and Hope immediately took a knee and began searching through the grass. “Oh! I think we've landed in some burrower plants!”

Grace knelt beside her, examining the stalks. They looked like normal grass to her. “How do you know?”

Hope plucked a stalk. “See how the edges of the leaves are serrated at the top? And in full spring they'll have flowers too, blueish around the edges and white in the middle.” She rooted through the undergrowth for a stick and began digging.

A few inches beneath the earth there were smooth green tubes, when Hope pulled the plant all the way out of the ground, Grace could see that the end was in a twisting shape, like the threads of a screw. “They grow like this to get deeper into the ground,” Hope explained, starting on another plant. “The greens are good too, but the flowers are the best, too bad these haven't bloomed yet.”

Together they dug up about ten burrowers and then moved on. Hope's eyes remained glued to the ground, scanning the forest floor for what Grace wasn't sure. Her wind feathers remained perked though, so at least she wasn't oblivious to her surroundings. After a short distance, Hope perked up again.

“Ah!” She pointed victoriously to the ground, Grace examined it closely, but all she saw was some trampled grass. Something had walked by here, but it wasn't big enough to be a Black-Wing. Eager to use her new knowledge, she checked the ends of the stalks, but none of them had the characteristic serration though.

“What are we looking at?” She asked eventually.

Hope moved a the grass out of the way, exposing a faint imprint in the half-dry mud. It must have rained recently. “See this track? Notice the two toes here,” she motioned to it with two finger. “These are deer tracks, and there is nothing in the forest that knows water like the deer. They can follow the scent for miles, so if we follow these tracks, we'll come across water at some point. I'm not sure how far away it is though…” Hope looked conflicted. “Well, we'll follow for a bit, and see if we find any other signs, we can forage along the way.”

They set off down the trail, following the crushed grass and bits of fur snagged on bushes. Along the way, Hope showed her how to identify mint and garlic, they gathered some of both and continued on.

About half a mile into their trek, they came across an old log, not anywhere near the size of the fallen tree they had landed on yesterday, this was only a sapling when it had fallen and begun rotting. Growing on it were a number of pale yellow mushrooms, intermixed with dark brown ones.

Hope nearly squealed with delight, taking Grace by the hand and dragging her over to the log. “This is really important, I'm glad I got a chance to show you this. Now with mushrooms, you have to be very careful. A lot of them are poisonous, sometimes even lethally so. The two kinds you see here are one of my favorite things to find.”

She gestured to the mushrooms. “These are always found growing together, so most call them twins.” she pointed to the yellow one. “This is the kind sister, she is good to eat and is actually an antibiotic as well.” Then the other one. “This one is the brother, he isn't any good at all. Even a bite of him will give you horrible stomach cramps, and too much could put you into a coma.”

Grace nodded. “So yellow is good, brown is bad.”

Hope nodded. “But if I were you, I wouldn't go messing around with mushrooms until you've got a lot more experience. It’s easy to get them mixed up, and sometimes… if we're lucky…” She poked through the mushrooms. “Their older sister will come too. Ah! Here!” Hope beckoned Grace closer and they both examined a yellow mushroom. It looked just like the other sister mushrooms to Grace, but clearly Hope was pointing something out.

“This one is the cruel sister. She looks just like her kinder sibling, but she's tricky, look here, on the stalk.”

Grace bent down farther, on the stem there were tiny black spots, small enough you could almost convince yourself they weren't there. “This is what distinguishes her from her sister.” Hope explained, “those little black spots could save you life some day. Because even a few bites of her will kill you.”

They gather up a few of the kind sister mushrooms, carefully checking the stems for black spots. Once Hope feels like they have enough she moves over to the end of the log and begins pulling away at the bark. Grace watches her closely, and Hope tosses her a smile over her shoulder. “I just wanted to show you this, I don't think we'll take any with us. These white spots in here,” She pointed to a few pale points in the dark background of the rotting wood. “These are grubs, they've got a lot of protein, but they're really sour. So they aren't really something we want if we've got other options. If we don't find anything to hunt, we'll come back this way and grab a few, at the very least they'll add some flavor to the rations.”

They leave the grubs and continue following the trail. It is getting harder to follow now, with daylight fading, but Hope never falters, trotting along humming happily. “This is fun, Faith already knows some of this stuff and he isn't interested in the rest, so mostly he goes and hunts and leaves me by myself.” She looks sheepish for a moment. “I hope I'm not boring you.”

“No!” Grace says quickly. “I like learning new things. It’s fun, and useful besides.” For a moment she could almost forget about what is riding on this mission, of father's disappointment if she fails, of the consequences of the Black-Wings learning the traitor's information.

Hope smiles and they keep walking. “Well, I like teaching people, so this is going to be great!”

A bit farther in, just when Grace is going to suggest that they turn back, she hears the trickle of water not too far ahead. A look at Hope's grin tells Grace that she hears it too. They pick up their pace and find themselves at a small pool. A thin stream snakes away from it, falling down a short drop into another pool.

“Oh this is just the best night!” Hope cheers. “Come on, there is so much to show you here!”

Hope takes her around the edge of the ponds, showing her which aquatic plants are good to eat. “This one is a water gourd!” Hope says, following the stem of a plant that grows straight out of the water. The leaves are narrow and clumped in groups of four. “These things are great.” She pulls a large, bulbous plant from the water. It is about as big as Grace's head and the outside is pitted with tiny holes. Hope wades back out of the pond and drops the gourd on the bank.

She pulls out her dagger and carefully cuts off the top of the gourd, the inside is hollow, surrounded by about two inches of flesh. “So check this out. These things grow in temporary ponds, where the water dries up In the summer right? But instead of just drying out, they store water inside themselves. The outside isn't so good to eat, but it is really useful, feel how it’s got these pores? They actually filter the water, you can drink this.” She offers the gourd to Grace and watches as Grace hesitantly lifts it to her lips.

The water doesn't smell bad or anything, and it is crystal clear. With a mental shrug, Grace tips it back and takes a tiny sip.

“Sweet!” she says once she's swallowed it. “The water is sweet!”

Hope grins wildly. “That's another amazing thing. I'm not sure how they do it to be honest, but that's the best water you'll ever taste.” They finish the water in the gourd they dug up and grab a few more for the others.

“Another thing that's cool about these temporary ponds is the fish.”

“There's fish in there?” Grace asks, looking for any ripples on the surface. Of course, the water is still lapping at the shore from their excursions into it, so there are no obvious signs.

“Mm-hm.” Hope nods. “They bury themselves in the mud during the dry season and swim around during the spring. We've probably scared off all the ones in this upper pond, but I bet the ones down there aren't suspecting anything.” They pick their way down to the other pond and Hope lays flat on the bank. “Now I'm wishing we had grabbed a few of those grubs,” She grumbles. “I guess we'll have to see how they like fingers.”

While Grace is still trying to figure out what exactly that is supposed to mean, Hope eases one hand into the water, slow enough that it barely causes a ripple. “What do you-”

“Sh.”

Obediently, Grace falls silent. After a few moments of waiting, Hope lunges forward, and then draws back, fast as lighting. In her hand is a wiggling fish. “Ha!” Hope whispers while Grace stares.

“How did you do that?!” she hisses, following Hope's example and keeping her voice down.

Hope bashes the fish's head on a rock to kill it and smiles over at her. “I'll teach you. You'll probably be best for this anyway, with your talons.” She motions for Grace to lay on the bank beside her “What you're going to do is gently put your hand under the water.” she mimes doing just that, “and kind of wiggle your fingers a little bit. Not too much, just twitch them every couple of seconds. The fish will see it and think is something to eat, that's when you grab them.”

“So I'm letting the fish bite my fingers?” Grace asks.

“They don't have any teeth, their mouths are just a little bit rough. It’s the fins you've got to look out for.” She holds up the already caught fish as an example. “See how stiff they are? If you grab too hard, you'll cut yourself.”

Grace nods and Hope continues. “This is actually an old Forest Clan trick, so you'll probably do great, just don't pull back If you feel one biting. They can't hurt you, so you'll just scare it off. When you feel one nibbling, just grab it'

“Right.” Grace says, pulling herself closer to the water's edge. She unsheathes her talons and slowly sticks her hand into the water. It is cold, but she doesn't shy from it. Carefully, she starts twitching her fingers the way Hope showed her. Her muscles are tense, even though she knows that the fish can't hurt her, there is something almost scary about sticking her hand into the cloudy water and waiting for something to bite at it.

She almost jerks her hand back when she feels something smooth brush against her palm, but manages to keep it down to a twitch. Hope spreads a wing over her shoulders. “Easy.” She murmurs. “You've got him, he can't hurt you, remember.”

Grace nods and takes a deep breath, forcing her body to relax as the fish brushes over her palm again.

“Can you feel him in your hand?” Hope whispers.

“Just barely.” Grace replies.

“Okay, very slowly lift your hand up until you're right under him.”

Grace presses her palm up into the fish's belly, it shies, but doesn't flee. “Kay.”

“Now…Grab him!” Hope says at speaking volume, and the sudden sound shocks Grace into doing just that without a thought. Her fingers reflexively squeeze and she jerks her hand out of the water.

There is not a fish in her hand.

There is a snake in her hand.

Grace drops the snake and leaps back, wings hiked to push her off the ground the moment the serpent twitches. But she does. Not. Scream. They may be just barely in Black-Wing territory, but patrols are common, and would be attracted by such a sound. However, when the snake twists feebly, Grace shoots up into the trees without a thought. She lands on a branch above Hope's head.

Hope has not followed her into the air. She has grabbed the snake at the back of the head with one hand and uses the other to pick up a small rock and crush its head. Threat contained, Grace allows her wings to fold back against her spine, though her feathers stay ruffled, making her look bigger.

“What happened to fish?!” Grace doesn't yell. Barely.

“I'm so sorry.” Hope says, looking caught between horror and laughter. “Come back down here. I'm sorry.”

Grace flutters to the ground a good ten feet from Hope and picks her way forward carefully. Hope bites her lip, trying to keep from smiling and Grace sends her a sour look. “I'm sorry.” Hope repeats again.

Grace glares at her.

“No, really, I didn't expect there to be a snake any more than you did, or I would have warned you. Promise.”

Grace draws gingerly nearer, wings rising again in case the snake suddenly recovers from having its skull crushed. When it remains still she folds her wings and actually takes a moment to look at it. It’s huge. About five feet long, if she held onto its head and let the tail dangle down, it would be about as tall as she was. Not that she would be touching the thing ever again. It isn't very wide, perhaps about the thickness of her forearm.

Actually it’s almost pretty. The skin is deep green and slightly iridescent, creating phantom patterns of lighter green and blue in the fading sunlight. The color is uniform up until just before its head, where it fades gradually into a pale yellow, the same color as the fruits Hope had brought last night. What remains of its head is round, like the fruit as well.

She can see where she grabbed it, about two feet back from the head, she can see hints of white in the flesh. She must have severed the spine, probably what saved her from a strike. That, and sheer surprise on both their parts.

Grace sighs. “Why is there a snake?”

Hope clears her throat. “Well, usually they're up in the tree's this time of year, this one must have been washed down by the storms. They aren't really an aquatic sort of reptile, they live in the trees mostly, see how its head looks like the fruit I brought back last night? They're called snake fruit, because the snakes like to hide in them and wait for things to come eat. They aren't venomous enough to hurt us though.”

Grace hums, still not looking away from the fruit snake.

“I don't suppose you want to try again?” Hope asks.

Grace gives her a flat look.

“Thought not. Well, we can eat the fruit snake anyway.”

Grace walks around the snake and picks up the fish they caught. “You can eat the snake. I'm done with that thing.”

With a quiet laugh, Hope cuts off the snake's head and tosses it back into the water, then she drapes the body over her shoulders. “Too bad you mangled it so bad, the hide would be pretty.”

Grace just shakes her head and takes off, Hope follows. They fly back to the camp, whistling to the others once they're close enough. They receive the food happily, though Amity looks as leery of the snake as Grace herself is.

They cook the fish and the snake with garlic, and while Hope, Faith, and Liberty are more than happy to eat it, Grace and Amity share the fish in silent solidarity.

[foolishtomfoolery-blog]

We Bought a House: Parts 1,2,3

We moved into the house at the beginning of March.

It was one of those old, Antebellum plantation houses that looked more like a mansion.

It stood three stories and all of the fixtures were ornately adorned. Four large pillars stood in the front, on top of which rested a balcony which spanned the length of the house. This gave the lengthy porch plenty of shade and helped to draw attention to the windows. They were quite large. They were also evenly spaced throughout, adding a symmetry that was aesthetically pleasing.

Richard was in love with it the moment he laid his eyes on it. “Can you imagine Christmas’s in this house?” He stood back, marveling up at it. “Or any of the holidays really?” He turned to look at me.

My attention, however, was elsewhere. I had become enthralled with the surrounding area. There was a stunning garden which wrapped around the foundation and trailed down, ending finally, at the halfway point of the walkway. The area surrounding that was a lush expanse of yard and fields, now overgrown with wildflowers, which abruptly turned into woods. The trees were so thick it could have easily been mistaken for a forest.

“Plenny of privacy out here.” The realtors thick southern drawl snapped me back to attention. “Plenny of room too.”

“I’m not sure.” I looked over to Richard. “What would we even do with all of this space? There are only three of us, counting Falcon, and there are three floors and acres of land. It seems rather silly for us to move into something so big.”

“Honey,” Richard began, “we are never, in all of our lives, going to come across a deal like this one again.” He laced his fingers through mine. “We can convert some of the rooms to suit our needs. If it’s the size of our family that worries you, we can adopt a friend for Falcon. We can finally adopt a baby of our own, even.” He waggled his eyebrows at me.

Some of what he said did make sense. The property was being sold at a ridiculously low price. It was actually well below the budget we had set. The thought of having everyone together under one roof for the holidays did give it a cozier appeal as well. But the thought of finally starting a family of our own made my chest flutter with excitement.

“They lettin folks like you adopt now?” The realtor squinted at me in the sunlight.

“Excuse me?” All of the excitement I had felt moments ago was replaced with revulsion.

“I didn’t mean you as in coloreds,” he pointed at me as he said this, “I just meant, ya know, homosexuals.” He was pointing at both of us now.

“How in the hell is that supposed to be less offensive?” I seethed.

“Aw, hell, I’m sorry.” He brought his hand up and gingerly began rubbing his scalp. “I ain’t dealt with any couples like you fellas before. I guess I gotta work on that.”

“Yes, I’m sure it must be so hard for you to treat the interracial gay couple like normal human beings.” I shot back hotly.

Richard placed his hand on my arm, “Sweetie, please. He said he was sorry.”

“I really, truly, do apologize sir.” He did look as though he wished he could take it back. “I’m just an old buffoon with poor conversation skills is all. I didn’t mean no offense.”

“You know what, it’s fine.” I huffed. “Just keep in mind that this is no longer the slave south when you decide to ask your rude ass questions from now on. Equality is a thing, even for us homosexuals.”

He threw his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “How ‘bout we take a look at the inside of the house now? I promise I won’t ask no more silly questions.”

The realtor focused his attention on Richard as we skimmed through the rooms, keeping his distance from me now.

There was beauty in it, even I could admit that.

However, I couldn’t help but be put off by the obvious history of it. This portion of Virginia had been known for its cotton plantations.

As we went from room to room, an uneasy part of myself couldn’t help but wonder how many slaves has been forced to tend those overgrown fields outside. How many had been forced to tidy up these rooms.

By the time we had finished our tour, I had a bad taste in my mouth. I was almost certain this house would not be for us. Though the land was breathtaking, the house itself had left me with a cold and unwelcome feeling.  

I took Richard to the side as we stepped out onto the porch. “Can we please look at some of the other places instead? Preferably with a different realtor as well?” I asked him quietly. “I am uncomfortable with the feel of this house and it really is too large for us anyway.”

“Are you kidding me,” he hissed back at me, “you are the one who said you wanted to move down south. I didn’t even want to at first, but this place is perfect.” He was giving me “the look”. That pouty face he always gave me when he wanted to get his way.

He interjected as I began to respond, “you can have your own writing room AND we can convert a room into a library. Think of the dinner parties we could host in that dining room.”

I could tell there would be no talking him out of this. He had made up his mind before we had even seen the interior of the house.

“I guess it is only fair for me to give it a shot, if you really love it that much. Plus, it is a little funny to think of some old plantation owner pitching a fit beyond the grave because we bought his house.” I giggled at the thought.

“Yes!” He rejoiced. “You will not regret this, love. It is going to be wonderful!”

As he happily strolled over to the realtor, ready to give him the good news, an uneasy thought crept up on me.

“Why exactly is this land being sold so cheap?” I called over to him.

“I ain’t really sure,” I could have been imagining it, but he looked angry that I had asked. “I know the lady said there was some kind a emergency with her husband. Don’t think she could take care of it by herself, so she’s just trying to sell it quick and easy. He’s in the hospital, so she’s spending most of her time with him there.”

“Oh no,” Richard crooned, “that’s terrible.”

“Eh,” the realtor began, “terrible to say, but it happens a lot now days. It’s all them chemicals they been putting in the food, making people sick more often.” He chuckled as he said this, which made me loathe him even more.

“How kind of you.” I said sarcastically. They were both ignoring me now though, lost in conversation about finalizing the sale.

When they were finished, Richard and I climbed into the car. He waved genially at the realtor as we began our departure into the looming trees.

I glanced in the mirror as we got further down the drive and did a double take. Upon first glance, I could have sworn the realtor had been flipping us off, a look of scorn stretched across his face. However, there he stood, still waving at us as politely as ever. We eventually lost site of him as we continued down the winding path, and I pushed the uneasy feeling I had to the back of my mind.

…

It was easier to get out things settled than we thought it would be, once we moved into the place.

The realtor had taken care of the cleanup for the previous owners, which I thought was suspiciously nice of him. He had done a fantastic job, though. He had even taken the liberty of mowing our grass and getting rid of most of the wildflowers that had taken over the fields. I thought it was odd when he leaned in and told me he had left one of the fields overrun with them because he had seen me admiring them during our showing.

His kind gesture had left us more time to get better acquainted with our surroundings, so I tried my best not to be negative about it.

After moving in our belongings and getting everything set up, we spent the first two weeks exploring the surrounding area or planning out renovations to some of the rooms.

Richard was beyond excited with the way things were going.

I was still filled with that same uneasy feeling, and it was growing as the days passed.

This caused me to keep Falcon, our two year old chocolate lab, directly by my side. For some reason, his presence calmed me to a degree. It was something I needed as we explored.

I assumed I was just letting my anxiety get the better of me, but there were times as we explored or sat and planned out our renovations that I felt like we were being watched. During one instance, when we were picking out how we would put together the library he had promised me, I turned fast enough that I thought I saw something darting away quickly. Normally, there would be no doubt in my mind that it had been a trick of the light, but Falcon had stiffened beside me as well, fur bristling.

I tried to keep these feelings from Richard. I think I was reluctant to be the thing that ruined this excursion for him. I had been the one who begged and begged for us to move down south, despite his reluctance to do so. I thought that if I just stuck it out and tried a little harder, I would  find the same kind of enthusiasm that he had and everything would be alright.

Then we found the pond.

It took us about an hour, but after walking straight from the back door into the woods, we stumbled across the thing.

I shivered as we drew near it, despite the stifling heat I had been feeling only moments prior. Falcon, either sensing my unease or becoming uneasy himself, let out a low growl and tucked himself closer to my side.

Richard seemed unaffected. He was strolling about the area, talking about how it looked unused. “We could set up a little picnic area here eventually. It would be wonderful to use as a swimming spot in the summer. Maybe we could even buy an ATV, so we wouldn’t have to walk out here in the heat.” He was smiling at me now, but it faltered and eventually fell. “What’s wrong, love? You look white as a ghost.”

“I’m not really sure, dear. I got a chill all of a sudden. I think I may need to sit for a moment.” For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself any closer than I already was to the edge of the water. I took a few steps back and sat down quickly, as I had gotten light headed as well.

Richard stared at me a moment before he began a closer inspection of the water. “After you rest for a moment, we can start walking back. I hope you aren’t coming down with something.” He leaned over and stuck his hand in the water. When he did, Falcon let out a thunderous bark. Both Richard and I jumped in unison.

“What in the world?” He looked back at our beautiful boy, who was tugging anxiously in the direction of the house.

“Maybe we should go ahead and start back towards home.” I turned my gaze to Richard and let out a blood curdling scream.

There had been a little boy standing behind him. He was soaking wet and appeared to be wearing some kind of tattered, dirty shorts. Before Richard had turned, however, he was gone. Falcon erupted in a series of warning barks, his fur was bristled and he had an attack stance about him.

“What in the hell is going on with the two of you?” He said in an annoyed tone. “Let’s get you both home. Clearly whatever is affecting you is also having an effect on the dog.” He came over and took Falcons leash from me, helping me stand back up as he did. I turned back to look as we began our walk home, and this time I know I saw a little face, dripping wet, peering from behind a tree.

…

The week Richard had to leave for his business trip was the worst.

Everything seemed to amplify in his absence. It wasn’t just that I was seeing things moving in the shadows anymore. I could hear things moving around the house as well. At night, I would catch hushed whispers as they floated down the hall, yet I could never find the source.

Even Falcons demeanor had changed. He no longer resembled a happy, energized dog. He was constantly alert, emanating low growls of warning at seemingly nothing.  

I tried going into town as much as possible, but it was a small town and there wasn’t really much there to entertain the two of us.

I tried to work on my writing, locking Falcon in the room with me when I did. It did little good however, as I had no focus so I got nothing done.

By the time Richard returned, I had slept very little. I, of course, explained it away, saying that I had been unable to rest well with him away and the house still feeling too new.

Still, he knew that something wasn’t right.

“We both know you are well used to my business trips by now.” He held onto me lovingly as he said this. “What is the matter? Honestly this time.”

“If I tell you, you will commit me.” I laughed. “There is no way in hell that you will believe me.”

“Try me.” He sat in the bed and looked at me patiently.

It was hard for me to find the right words, hard for me to explain to him what had been happening to me while he was away. I wasn’t sure how I could convince him that I wasn’t going insane, especially when I had a hard time believing it myself.

“I feel like…” I was stalling. “Look, I know it sounds absolutely insane, but I feel like there is something in this house that wants us gone.”

“Honey, it’s just a house.” He said, maintaining an even stare.

“It feels like something is trying to chase us out, Richard. I keep hearing things, footsteps and whispers. I feel like I can see them running around the house sometimes. Even Falcon reacts to it, it isn’t just me.” He was looking at me with pity in his eyes.

“Falcon is a dog, he is going to act accordingly with the way you are feeling. You haven’t let him leave your side since we got here. Also, you have to remember that the house is very old. It will make noises from time to time, it’s settling.” He was shaking his head now. “I think you’re getting worked up for no reason, babe.”

“Do you remember the day we went to the pond? Falcon was acting strange, and I screamed at one point.” He nodded his head in acknowledgment. “I screamed because I saw a little boy standing behind you. One minute he was there and then he was gone.” I was aware that I sounded ridiculous, but at this point I couldn’t seem the stop the flow of words coming from my mouth.

“There isn’t even anyone that lives near us for miles.” By this point, Richard sounded annoyed. “Look, I know you were hesitant to move into the house, but this really is silly. I know that you aren’t crazy, but I do feel like you are letting your imagination run wild with this.”

I felt defeated. This was exactly what I had been trying to avoid.

“Maybe i’m just suffering from sleep deprivation.” I acquiesced.  

I crossed the room without another word and climbed into the bed, Falcon nestled up beside me. It didn’t take long at all for me to finally fall asleep.

…

As I slept, I dreamt.

I was in a cotton field. I glanced around and was horrified by the realization that I was in a cotton field on our plantation.

Where rows of wildflowers had stood when we attended our showing there was now cotton. All around me, toiling away endlessly, were slaves. White men paced the surrounding area with whips, occasionally cracking them off of some poor souls flesh.

Some of the men were covered in old scars. As I took in the scene playing out in front of me, I noticed that many of them had open wounds. A few of them seemed to be festering.

The sight of it all was enough to make me wretch. I stood, dry heaving for a good moment. I regained my composure when an odd sort of whisper made its way to my ears.

I turned my back on the scene to find the little boy I had seen at the pond. He stood at the edge of the field staring directly at me. His hand was out, beckoning for me to follow him.

I glanced around to see if he was motioning to someone else, but there was no one else. The slaves and their driver had disappeared, leaving me and this little boy alone on the property.

I began to make my way closer to him. “What’s your name little guy?” All I got in response was that same hushed whisper. It resembled the static from a television, but just barely audible.

He darted forward suddenly, lacing his fingers through mine. He began to tug at me persistently.

“Alright, alright.” I crooned as I began to following along behind him. His fingers were still locked around mine and there was desperation in the way he tugged at me as we walked.

We crossed the yard together and he hesitated at the edge of what is now my favorite field, the one still littered with overgrown wildflowers. He gave me a forlorn glance before jerking me back into motion.

The smell of rot began to permeate the air as we made in to the middle of the field. “What’s back here little man?” I mumbled more to myself at this point. It wasn’t long before I had my answer.

At the edge of the field that met the woods, there was a massive pit. Maimed and bloodied bodies littered the pit floor. The collection of bodies were at varying stages of decay, and the heat made the smell that much worse. I tried to shield myself from the stench as I took it all in.

There were bodies that had been here so long that the decayed flesh was sliding off. I glanced one side of a woman’s face, pooled around her skull, the bone left to bleach in the sun.  There were newer bodies as well. Some of them appeared to be sleeping until my eyes trailed down from the faces, one such face had the end of a noose still tied around its neck. Others had been brutalized beyond recognition. The wounds that covered the bodies, left to fester, now teemed with maggots.

I tried to turn quickly, as the bile that had been making its way into my throat surged forth. As I turned, I tripped on my own feet and stumbled forward. Vomit cascading onto my hands as I landed. He watched me for a moment, as I emptied the contents of my stomach onto the grass, before grabbing my face and pointing back in the direction of the pit.

I was unable to form words. Each time I opened my mouth, trying to form a question, I was assaulted with the image of what I had just witnessed. I gave up trying to communicate with him as his static whisper filled my ears again, opting to turn and look once more into that pit of horror.

The body he gestured at appeared to be that of a women. It was fairly new, covered with open wounds. It looked like this particular women had been beaten to death with a whip. She was naked, her body now a canvas of weeping sores and contusions.  

I looked up at him and discovered that he was weeping. I realized then that the trickles of moisture I had believed to be sweat dripping down my face were also tears as I began to sob loudly. Somehow, I knew without asking that this was his mother.

“Why?” I finally puttered. Tears, snot, and spittle flying from my lips. “Why would you show me this?” I attempted to bury my head in my hands, I couldn’t bear to see anymore. As I did so, he placed his hands at each side of my face, clasping onto me with purpose.

Images flooded my mind as I tried to protect myself from the scene in front of me. I knew that they were memories, but I was unsure of who they belonged to and how he was showing them to me.

I saw his mother, her wrist tied to a beam as she dangled naked in the morning sun. Her head hung limply, lips parted and cracked, but I knew she was alive. I saw what appeared to be a wealthy women, possibly the lady of the house, standing next to her. A crowd stood lazily, some of them were white, but the majority of them were slaves. I realized that they were being forced to watch as this spectacle began to unfold. The lady began to shout angrily, and the static filled my ears again, this time it was a roar that tore through my mind. I watched as she raised a whip in anger and began to lash out at the little boys mother. As she screamed in agony the imagery cut to black.

Then, his mother again. Still tied up and hanging in the sun, like meat left to cure. Her body covered in seeping wounds. This time, her head hung back limply behind her, eyes still open. They were swollen, a look of sheer terror forever frozen on her face. I saw the little boy then, kneeling at her feet. He gingerly placed a hand atop her foot before a cry rang out and he darted off towards the woods. It cut to black again as he reached the trees.

This time, I knew I was seeing the scene from the wealthy woman’s perspective. I looked down to see her hand, wrapped in his mothers thick hair. I was sickened to feel a surge of glee pass through me as I watched her broken body flop limply over the ground. We were dragging her towards the same field that held the pit. She made sure that we took our time as we passed the slaves that worked the grounds. I was filled with revulsion when the phrase “filthy niggers” crossed her mind as we eyed them. The memory ended as suddenly as it had began.

Then, once again, I was sitting across from the little boy. My hands had fallen away from my eyes as he had shown me what happened. I sat in a stupor, unable to comprehend what was happening to me.

He shifted his gaze from me out into the field again, pointing for me to look as well.

This time, I saw an older African American woman, she was hunched over where the pit had been moments before. It looked like she was working diligently on something, but I couldn’t quite make out what it was. I stood and crept closer, finding her hunched over a partially marked stone. She was working away at it with a chisel, a half finished “Rest In Peace” could be seen. Beside her, in a box, were more stones than I could count at the moment.

She was marking the graves. Silent tears making their way down her face as she did so.

The little boy clutched at my hand again, this time just giving it a solitary squeeze.

I awoke with a start, Richard standing over the top of me. He looked scared, and I was drenched in sweat.

“We have to go to the field,” the words rushed out me so quickly that they blended together into nonsense.

“What?” Richard looked confused. He was grasping my shoulders tightly. “What did you say?”

I threw the blankets to the floor and jumped off the bed, Richard jerked as his hands flew from my shoulders, “the field.” I slid my feet into my slippers and made for the door. “We have to go into the field, right now!”

…

It was dark outside, which made my scramble to the back of the field that much more difficult. Between fighting my way through the wildflowers and trying to avoid tumbling over Falcon, I’m surprised I came out of it unscathed. I could hear Richard calling out from somewhere behind me, but I refused to stop until I found what I was looking for.

When I finally made it to the part of the field that touched the woods, I flew face first into the dirt. Falcon had wound himself between my feet and I narrowly avoided slamming my head on a grave marker.

At some point during my mad dash, my eyes had adjusted a little better to the light. I laid there and marveled at the sea of stones the woman had placed. They spanned the entire stretch of land that the pit had once inhabited.

When Richard finally found me, I was still sprawled out on the ground, lost in the sea of images that had played out before me as I had slept. He had a flashlight in his hand, and he scanned the scene before him before finally shining it onto my face.

He was panting and when I finally looked up at him, aggression was rolling off of him in waves.

“What in the hell is this?” He waved the hand that held the light around wildly while the other was balled into a fist at his side. “You ran out of the house in the dead of night to show me some stupid rocks? Are you fucking serious right now?”

I stood then, and gently took the flashlight from him. “This isn’t just some stones Richard. Look at them, really look.” I held the beam of the flashlight on one of the markers. “They are headstones.”

“Who cares?” He spat back at me, not even bothering to spare a glance. “How does that have any significance?”

I began to grow agitated with his attitude. “This was a mass grave site. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of people were murdered here and tossed into a pit to rot. How can you be this callous right now?”

“How the hell would you know anything about what happened here?” His tone was cold. “So you found some graves? Who the hell cares? This house is old, this house was a plantation, obviously people died here. It’s just how they did things and you need to get over it. I’m not going to tell you again to drop this.” He was seething and there was something off about his eyes. In that moment, he looked nothing like my husband.

I hesitated, but only for a moment. “This is not something that I just happened to stumble upon while you were away.” I stretched out each syllable in my anger, I thought back on everything I had seen and everything I had experienced and I lost it. “I was shown where it was. The little boy, the one I told you about from the pond, he came to me while I was sleeping. He showed me what this place was like. I watched slaves being beaten as they worked. I saw a woman beat his mother to death in broad daylight while she forced the others to watch. I saw that same woman, drag his mother’s naked body to this pit.” I was close to hyperventilating at this point, but I pushed forward, refusing to end it until he heard it all. “He took me to this place and he showed me where they dumped their bodies. They just left them there, day and night, to fester.”

By this point I was shaking. I stopped to catch my breath as tears began to fall from my eyes.

“I said enough.” He was screaming at the top of his lungs as he lunged at me. I jerked back in time for him to miss, and he cursed under his breath. “Get back to your quarters now!”

I saw movement in the trees then and I let my eyes flick there for just a moment. Just long enough to see that same little boy hidden behind a tree. He had peered out for a moment, holding eye contact with me, and gave me a quick shake of his head.

My eyes went back to Richard and I noticed again that his eyes seemed cold and distant. The little boy knew something was wrong as well, he was warning me not to press this any further. Reluctantly, I listened.

“Alright,” I held my hands high in surrender and he snatched the flashlight from me. “We do need to get some sleep tonight, let’s go back to the house.” I studied him as he trampled through the growth ahead of us. He was ripping at it and throwing it off to the side as he went. Everything about his demeanor seemed different and it scared me.

…

Falcon had made himself a barrier between me and Richard when we reached the bedroom, tucking himself tightly into my side.

As I was lying in bed going over the revelations of the night, I kept replaying Richards aggressive behavior in my mind.

I had just began to drift off to sleep, when an alarming question came to mind.

Had he really told me to get back to my quarters?

…

I woke up to Falcons hot breath in my face. I gave his ears a good scratch and stretched lazily. The previous night was the farthest thing from my mind until Richard strolled into the room.

He seemed bright eyed and cheery, the polar opposite of last night. “Good morning! You need to get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast, it��s going to get cold if you keep laying in here.” With that, he turned and left.

I stared at the empty doorway, more baffled than ever.

Though I had been terrified by the thought of sleep when we came into the house last night, exhaustion had finally won over. I must admit, I too felt much better than I had in the previous weeks. I wondered if his behavior from the night before had simply been stress induced as I made my way downstairs. I was still apprehensive as I strolled into the kitchen, however.

“Good morning love,” I said slowly, my eyes taking in the massive feast that was set atop our table. “What…what is all of this? Do we have people coming over?”

He had to have been up well before sunrise cooking. There were waffles and pancakes, eggs and bacon, sausage, grits, toast, hash browns, and fresh fruit salad. There was no way we were going to be able to eat all of this food between the two of us, not even if we let Falcon have some.

“No, no visitors. I just wanted to make a big breakfast is all.” He was grinning ear to ear as he said this. “I thought we could enjoy each others company this morning and maybe talk about starting the adoption paperwork.”

I almost allowed myself to be sucked into this, he knew how badly I wanted us to adopt. I realized when that thought passed through my mind though that he was trying to manipulate me into dropping the conversation from the night before and I was not going to allow it.

“I think we should probably make a call to realtor before we do all of that, don’t you?” I asked as I casually began to make my plate. “After all, it seems as though he chose to leave that overgrowth there intentionally. I think he was trying to hide the headstones from us.” I sat back and slowly began to chew my waffle, Falcon was whining nervously at my feet.

“Lets not be silly, dear.” He was smiling tightly as he spoke. “You heard the man, he noticed you admiring them and left them there as a gesture of kindness.” He started making his plate as he continued. “I agree with you that he should have mentioned it, but I don’t think its reason enough to be upset with the man. He was just trying to do his job.”

“Yeah, that doesn't excuse it for me, though.” I sipped juice, knowing full well that I had issued some kind of challenge between the two of us with my statement. “It seems to me that this house has an incredibly bad history. I can’t fathom what it is that is making you turn a blind eye, but it’s something I am not capable of doing. I want to know who that woman was from my dream. I want to know what the hell is going on with this house and why that little boy keeps coming to me. I will not bring a child here, under any conditions.” Falcon growled then, low and soft, but audibly.

“Ghosts did not come to you in your sleep.” I noticed that his hand was balled tightly around his fork. “You are being ridiculous and talking like an absolute madman.”

The look on his face made me think back to the time my father had hit my mother. The way he forcefully told her that he didn’t lay a hand on her, trying to make her feel like she was crazy. I wasn’t sure what the hell had happened, but I knew that it wasn’t my husband speaking and I needed to tread lightly.

“Look, I don’t want to ruin this day. You made all of this delicious food and you still have a couple of hours before you need to be at work.” Falcon eased himself back down as I spoke, and I felt like I had said the right words to diffuse the situation. “Maybe we can explore the attic a little before you leave. I think it may be the only part of the house left.”

He was visibly calmer as we finished our food.

…

Distracting him with the attic turned out to be a regrettable decision.

We had yet to equip the house with central air, and heat rises. By the time we reached the door I was drenched in sweat. I could hear shuffling noises coming from the other side, but Richard seemed to be oblivious to them.

I was nervous as he opened the door. We were both hit in the face with stale, hot air. It was suffocating. I crouched down for a moment, afraid that I was going to faint. Richard waltzed right in as if he was impervious to the heat.

“Hey,” he called out, “there’s an old trunk in here.”

I took my time getting back into the standing position. I was still a bit dizzy as I made my way into the attic with him.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I entered. Richard was leaned down inspecting an antique trunk. Behind him, standing with one hand placed on a loose board at the wall, was the little boy from the pond. He held a finger to his lips as he rapped his hand against the board before slipping off into darkness.

“What the hell is wrong with you now?” Richard had stopped fiddling with the trunk long enough to stare up at me. He seemed annoyed.

“Oh, nothing really.” I ran my hand across my brow. “I think the heat may be getting to me is all.” I made a mental note to inspect that portion of the wall after he left for the day. “What do you have there?” I pointed at the trunk, trying to turn his attention away from me.

“I already told you, it’s a trunk.” He was looking at me like I was an idiot. “Maybe you should go lay back down for a while.” With that he turned and began to tinker away at the trunk again.

Part of me wanted to stay with him until he left for work, but an even larger part of me knew I needed to get away from him for a while. I was beginning to grow tired of his snappy attitude. Though I kept telling myself that it clearly wasn’t Richard, my patience was wearing thin.

“I think you may be right love,” I felt like it was getting hotter in there by the second. “I’ll go lay down for a bit, just remember to come tell me goodbye before you leave.”

I turned to make my way to the bedroom and met face to face with the apparition of the wealthy women from my dream. She was grinning from ear to ear, which stretched her face beyond normal proportions. My heart was racing as she pressed her face against mine and opened her mouth in what would have been a scream. Static screeched through my mind so fiercely I felt like my ear drums would explode.

A scream tore its way out of me and then there was nothing.

…

I came too for a moment.

Richard was pacing our bedroom and Falcon was crouched low over me. He was growling menacingly at Richard anytime he would come near me. Richard grew annoyed and tried to shove him away, but Falcon attacked him.

I tried sit up, to call out to them. The moment I began to elevate myself dizziness washed over me again.

As my head hit the pillow I spied the boy again, he was standing in the doorway staring at me.

…

He was there again, in my dream.

“Thomas,” I said as I gazed into his mournful eyes. “Your name is Thomas isn’t it?”

I’m not sure how I knew, but I was correct. He’d given up trying to speak to me, instead he nodded his little head in agreement.

“What are you trying to tell me?” I was desperate for answers by this point. My entire life had been fucked since we purchased this house and I needed to know what was going on. I needed answers and I knew this little boy was the only way I was going to get them.

He tangled his hand into mine and began to lead me to the house. Everything was still as we approached, which did nothing to ease my worries.

When we reached the house he led me into the dining room. The woman that had killed his mother was there, talking in hushed tones to a man. He squeezed my hand as we watched the scene unfold, and her name flooded my brain.

“Mrs. Elizabeth,” I asked Thomas. Another firm nod of the head confirmed what I already knew.

Elizabeth stepped away from the mystery man then. Finally being able to gaze upon his face left me feeling simultaneously sick and enraged.

It was the realtor. I can’t explain how, but it was the exact same man we had spoken too. The same man who had done all the cleaning for the previous owners, the same vaguely racist ass who I had been so infuriated with just a short time ago.

Thomas gave my hand another quick squeeze and then the scene shifted in front of my eyes. We were standing at the door of the attic now. Inside was a gentleman I somehow knew to be Thomas’s father and Elizabeth’s husband. The realtor stood in front of him, they were in the middle of a heated argument. I watched as his Father, the name “James” coming to mind as I watched, tried to shove past the realtor. As soon as he had drawn near enough however, the realtor stabbed him. I watched as James crumpled to the floor, the realtor twisting the knife in his abdomen as he fell. When James was lying on the floor, the realtor pulled the knife out and slashed quickly at his throat.

I watched as the realtor shoved James into the trunk Richard and I had discovered in the attic, tossing the knife inside in afterthought before closing the lid. He covered it with an old sheet and placed a few miscellaneous items around it before walking calmly back towards the door.

Next, we were standing at the edge of the pond. He let go of my hand then, glancing back at me as he moved away from me slowly. He was crying as he laid face down on the ground. The moment he had finished laying himself out, the rest of the scene filled itself in.

There was a german shepherd holding him to the ground by the back of his neck. When he squirmed, trying to get away, the dog would clamp down harder. Elizabeth stood a few feet away, a snide look on her face. She lifted her hand and shouted something to two other shepherds and they darted forward, biting at the exposed parts of Thomas. The realtor stepped up from the shadows then, calling the dogs off of him after they had inflicted enough damage.

Elizabeth sauntered over then, grabbing him by the hair, and began dragging his nearly lifeless body towards the pond. He was a tough kid. Despite the fact that his body had been torn open and brutalized by her dogs, he still tried to fight her. He lifted his arms weakly and she smacked them away each time. When she reached the water he tried to kick her, but it was no use. She held him under as he struggled. It faded out then, but I knew how it ended.

…

When I opened my eyes, Falcon was there. He was licking tears from my eyes.

I pushed him away gently and looked around for Richard, but he was gone. I assumed he’d left for work so I immediately set out to explore the attic.

I knew now what was inside the truck, but I still needed to find whatever was hidden in the wall.

I noticed streaks of blood as I exited the bedroom and remembered that Falcon had attacked Richard. It worried me, but I trusted my dog. Something had been wrong with Richard and he was trying to protect me. I just hoped he hadn’t hurt him too badly. I imagine that would be hard to explain to his boss.

I made a mental note to clean up the blood when I came back down from the attic and headed to get the tools I would need to get that wall panel off.  

…

It wasted no time prying the panel off of the wall. I had no interest in coming face to face with the specter of Elizabeth again and the way Falcon was pacing made me anxious.

There was something bundled inside. The rags didn’t look that old, which was surprising to me for some reason. There were journals inside, and they belonged to the woman I had seen placing the headstones at the pit.

There were three of them in total, and in scanning them briefly I found that they detailed her time in this house.

I walked back downstairs, making myself comfortable so I could read them.

Her experience with the house was much the same as mine. She was plagued by the spirits in the house, her and her husband. I learned that her name was Margie and her husband’s name was Tyler.

The little boy had come to Margie, and Elizabeth had inhabited Tyler.

The story within those pages was almost identical to my own. The only variation I found, aside from her lack of a pet, was that the little boy had shown her how Elizabeth had died as well. Apparently, after learning that Elizabeth had murdered the child, the slaves had revolted. They murdered every white person they came across on the grounds, and then drowned Elizabeth in the pond the way she had done with Thomas.

Thomas hadn’t shown me that part yet.

I’ll tell you now, the similarities scared the hell out of me. Especially when I had gotten near the end.

Tyler had eventually been overcome by the spirit of Elizabeth. In his possessed state he had tried to murder her. She had to fight back, and in doing so she killed him. She was overcome with grief and she took her own life. She had written out these journals and hidden them in the house, expecting that what had happened to her would happen again. She wanted to leave some kind of warning for the next victim.

I tossed her journals back into the hole in the wall when Falcon began viciously barking at the stairs.

…

[lostinfic]

Mercier x Betty  British Raj AU

The word ‘dance’ comes to mind, their own choreography of gazes exchanged across the room, brushes of hands and half-spoken confessions. They orbit around each other, destined never to collide it seems; Mercier is upper class, Betty is a governess. And he’s spying on the family whose children she swore to protect. But in this foreign land of spices and silk, of golden gods and lush forests, where cultural norms clash and wane, even destinies must yield to desire.

Rating: Mature  Word count: 3.9k Beta: @fadewithfury​ <3 Thank you anon who prompted a Victorian AU that became this, and to my French anon for inspiration; Don’t let the pretentious summary fool you, this is plotless and shameless romantization of India, and an excuse to write UST and sneaking around. Warnings: drinking, smoking, kids because Betty is a governess. You don’t need to have seen either show. 

Tumblr | Ao3

1 | Falling

Calcutta, August 1902

As soon as Mercier exited the Raj Bhavan and stepped out from under the shade of the portico, the sun assaulted him. He tugged at his stiff high collar. It wouldn’t last, leaded clouds loomed on the horizon.

Monsoon season was almost over, the violent showers now few and far inbetween, giving way to the more tolerable days of Sharad Ritu, the fourth season of the Hindu calendar with the autumnal equinox as its midpoint.

Mercier walked towards the river Hoogly, intent on enjoying the city before having to shut himself indoors because of the heat.

Early morning was the busiest moment of the day. Even before sunrise, natives and foreigners alike took advantage of the cooler temperature to conduct their business. The clocks had barely struck nine when Mercier left the government house, having approved a transit between Calcutta and the French territory of Pondichéry.

He navigated between sweetmeat sellers, water carriers and liveried chaprassis, and beasts too, as numerous as humans, oxen pulling carts, gharry horses wearing blue beads and sacred bulls eating marigolds. Dust rose under their hoofs. And the smell of them reminded him of the stables on his estate, in a much quieter part of the world. How incongruous to find something so familiar halfway around the globe, and that such a foul smell should make him smile.

He reached the shore and stared absentmindedly into the flow, brown waters, a shade like café au lait, stirring memories of lazy Sunday mornings with his wife.

Mercier shook his head free of these melancholy thoughts, and instead settled his attention on the large steps descending into the river. No, not the colour of café au lait but of chai masala. Locals and pilgrims bathed there, washing clothes and cattle. The thrum of women’s gossip and fakir’s prayers reached his ears. A couple knotted their robes together and dipped side by side as a little boy priest showered them with petals.

In every city he’d lived in there had been such a river. The social and commercial center of the city, bustling with activity and yet nothing appeased him like walking along the banks. The Seine, the Thames, the Danube, the Vistula, the Rhine… And once again his mind wandered with the river, joining the Ganges and flowing to the Bay of Bengal and into the Indian Ocean; the same route he’d arrived in this country.

His steps took him towards the port where the wind impregnated the great white sails of the P&O ships.

He did not miss France per se, but his freedom. Always an independent spirit despite his military career, he went from one European capital to the next, to spy or fight, taking unpaid leave when things didn’t go his way. India had promised such liberty. But after four years, the close-knit community felt claustrophobic. The occasional mission kept him on his toes, but he’d imagined a work far less administrative.

He’d missed another Exposition Universelle and the summer olympics in Paris. He’d thought about leaving India before. But this country always had a new marvel in store to convince him to stay a while longer. Whenever melancholy had swept over him before, he’d discover a new sport, new food, new landscape to remind him there was much left to discover and enjoy. What would it be this time?

Anyway, he had an important assignment to complete before he could take his leave.

Mercier stared into the waters again. There were no steps here, but a steep wall, four feet above sea level, that dived into the river. Waves broke against the stone and a refreshing salty mist sprayed his face.

“Oliver Douglas Wigram, come back here!”

Mercier perked up at the name; Lord Wigram was part of his assignment, someone to report on, but he had yet to secure an invitation to his home.

“Oliver! It’s dangerous!”

A woman, Lady Wigram he assumed, ran and shouted, holding up her yellow skirts. A little boy, no more than four years old, ran past Mercier, giggling as he glanced over his shoulder at his pursuer.

Out of nowhere, a donkey headbutted the boy, sending him into the port’s deep waters. Mercier froze, agape. Oliver resurfaced, gesticulating wildly to keep himself afloat. Mercier started removing his jacket. He barely had one arm out that the woman dived straight into the river, her hat flying off behind her.

The strong current dragged Oliver away. Lady Wigram swam steadily to him. Mercier ran along the edge, trying to catch up, preparing to jump. Water swallowed the boy, and she dived under. His heart stopped as they disappeared, but she emerged with the child in her arms.

She was a good swimmer but her layers of clothes and corset would weigh her down. They didn’t need a third person in there but something to pull them out. He grabbed a thick rope, unwinding it from around a post, and threw it at them. It fell too far.

With one arm around the crying boy, the woman had trouble keeping her head out of the water. Mercier threw the rope a second time. It landed right beside them, and she grabbed it immediately. With the help of other men who’d witnessed the incident, Mercier pulled them out of the river.

An old sepoy caught Oliver, and Mercier hoisted Lady Wigram by her underarms. He laid her on the ground and knelt beside her. Brown curls stuck to her face, and he wiped them off as she coughed water. Her breath was short and laboured, her eyes wide and panicked. She clawed at her dress, and he realized what she needed. Running his fingers over her torso, he located, under the fabric, the front hooks of her corset. With some fiddling, he managed to free her. As soon as she could breathe properly, she looked around, searching for the boy.

“He’s here, my lady, he’s alive.”

She crawled to the boy. Oliver safe in her arms, she sagged with relief against Mercier’s chest. He couldn’t help but close his arms around them.

“Shhh. You’re fine, you’re safe,” he whispered to soothe the lady’s tears.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, pulling away and wiping her nose on her sleeve.

“There is nothing to be sorry about. Can you stand up?” he asked after a moment.

She nodded, and he helped her up to her feet. The old sepoy offered to get them a carriage. They sat on a bench near the road to wait for it.

“Oh, my Lord! Thank you for saving us. Thank you,” she said. “Oh, where’s me head at, I didn’t even ask your name.”

“Colonel Jean-François Mercier. It’s a pleasure to meet you Lady Wigram.” He kissed the back of her hand.

“Oh. I’m not lady Wigram.”

“I heard you say the boy’s name, I assumed…”

“I’m just the governess.”

“A pleasure all the same. And your name?”

“Betty Salinger, sir.”

“A governess? You do not look like one.” He looked pointedly at her colourful promenade dress.

She sniffled as she fingered a muddied lace trim. “It’s me— my day off,” she explained

She looked at her ward, but didn’t express discontentment at his presence on her day off. She attempted to clean his face with her soaked handkerchief, and Mercier offered his own. It didn’t do any good, the child still looked a right mess, soaked to the bones with a runny nose and one shoe lost.

“Her ladyship will kill me dead.”

At that, Oliver’s lip wobbled and his eyes welled up again.

“Oh, no, no, sweetheart, don’t worry, I didn’t mean like that.”

“Because you saved her son?”

“I let him run off.”

“Children will do that. The donkey pushed him.”

Betty nodded, but worry lines still bracketed her mouth. The poor woman was dishevelled, her chignon slid halfway down her hair, and her corset still gaped under her dress.

“Perhaps if your clothes were clean and dry, the accident might not appear so severe.” He pulled a dead leaf out of her hair.

“Is it that bad?”

“We could stop by my house so you might fix your appearance and the boy’s, and dry your clothes.”

Her wide, uncertain eyes settled on him, mouth slightly agape. “Is that proper, sir?”

“Oh, of course, my apologies… My sister will be there.”

She relaxed. “Yeah, if you would be so kind, it might make matters better.”

*

The carriage stopped in front of a large white stucco house with a classical portico. Above the entrance, hung a French flag, the heat had caused the blue and red dyes to bleed on the white middle.

Taking in the size of the building, Betty’s eyes widened and shifted between Mercier and the house.

“It is not all for me. It doubles as the French consulate,” Mercier said. “The west side is offices and guest rooms.”

“There are people in there?” She crossed her arms to cover herself.

“Come this way, I will make sure no one sees you.”

He guided her around the house to a side entrance.

Oliver was getting impatient, clinging to Betty and demanding to go home, but he stopped whining as soon as he saw Mercier’s two pointer dogs. His giggles and the dogs’ soft barks attracted Gabrielle to the room. Back from calling on a friend, she removed her gloves and feathered hat.

“Have you gone fishing, brother?” she teased as she eyed their soaked guests.

Mercier introduced his younger sister and explained the situation.

Gabrielle promptly put an arm around Betty’s shoulders. “Good heavens, what a fright you must have had. Come with me, we will find you something dry to wear. Jean-François, please have the cook prepare something.”

He watched the three of them walk up the stairs with an odd pinch to his heart. He could trust his sister to take good care of them. No doubt Gabrielle’s congeniality would soothe Betty’s nerves better than he could. But it felt wrong to let them out of his sight. Of course, he couldn’t follow, Betty was about to undress. Not that he was averse to witness that.

Clucking his tongue at his own silliness, Mercier headed for his rooms. He changed out of his clothes, damp from holding Betty, trading the layers of jacket, waistcoat and cravat for a loose linen shirt.

He unlocked his roll top secretary and sifted through files for the one on Lord Wigram.

Douglas Wigram had been doing business in India for over a decade but only moved permanently to the country eighteen months ago. Although his business partners worked mainly in Bombay, he now lived in Calcutta, on the eastern side of the country. He had made enemies in Bombay, amongst which trade partners from the French territories of Mahé and Pondichéry. Rodier, the Governor General of French colonies, had put him on the list of potential enemies who believed India should be united under the British crown.

By taking Oliver back home, Mercier might meet Lady or Lord Wigram and perhaps secure an invitation for some upcoming gathering at their house. From then on, it would be easier to assess if Wigram was a threat.

After stopping by the kitchens, Mercier joined the women on the white marble verandah. In the corner, a punkah wallah with a string attached to his toe stirred a large cloth fan suspended from the ceiling on a wooden frame.

Betty was sat on a reclined Planter’s chair, and, standing behind her, Gabrielle braided their guest’s long brown hair. Both wore loose muslin wrappers, strictly speaking these garments were dressing gowns, but had been widely adopted as day wear in India, perfect for the heat if not quite appropriate to entertain company. Gabrielle tied the end of the braid with a ribbon and laid it over Betty’s shoulder. Water from its tip seeped into the white fabric and a wet ring grew above her breast. She noticed and swept the braid behind her, but Mercier’s gaze lingered on the sheer spot, then on her delicate sun-kissed collar bones. She clutched the fabric on her chest self-consciously, and he averted his eyes immediately.

He cleared his throat and turned to the bar caddy, chiding himself for ogling her. The poor woman was stuck between borderline indecency in the company of strangers and the wrath of Lady Wigram. Yet the light tan of her skin told him it was not her first time out of the house wearing little.

“Brandy?” He offered Betty a glass which she accepted but didn’t bring to her lips.

“None for me?” Gabrielle complained as she sat down on a large cushion.

“Only for those who have rescued someone today,” he replied, drinking from his own glass. “How are you feeling miss Salinger?”

“Better, thanks,” she answered, eyes downcast.

“In this sun, your clothes will be dry in no time,” Gabrielle assured her.

Mercier turned his attention to the garden below. The chirping of blue-breasted quails and Himalayan flamebacks made him search for their colourful plumage amongst the garden shrubs.

“What kind is that?” Gabrielle asked pointing at a small bird with iridescent feathers perched on a palm tree.

“A sunbird, I believe, green-tailed.”

“My brother loves birds and all wild animals,” Gabrielle said. “Do you love nature and animals, miss Salinger?”

“Oh yes!” She covered her mouth, tampering down her own enthusiasm straight away.

“The wildlife of India is marvellous, don’t you think?” Gabrielle insisted.

“The flowers are beautiful, I shall never tire of walking in the Wigrams’ garden.”

“How nice. You love the flora and my brother loves the fauna.”

It’s only out of respect that Mercier didn’t roll his eyes at his sister’s matchmaking attempt. Gabrielle was all but married to Armand, and, before leaving her brother, she endeavoured to find him a companion.

“Do you hunt, Colonel?” Betty asked.

“I have been on a few expeditions.”

“Have you ever killed a tiger? I hear they are terribly dangerous and bloodthirsty.”

“I saw some last year. I was invited to a hunt with a few generals and lords at the domain of the Maharaja of Surguja. They are magnificent creatures, but I did not kill any.”

When their party had arrived in the forest, servants had already baited and drugged the tigers. There was no danger, and certainly no honour, to killing them. So as not to insult his esteemed colleagues, he’d held his tongue and pretended to miss his mark.

“His lordship made a carpet out of the first one he caught,” Betty said. “I always walk around it.”

He smiled at her, and she averted her eyes.

“How is the boy doing?” he asked.

They looked at Oliver, chasing after the dogs.

“Brave lad, he had quite the adventure… oh, what’s the point of fixing me dress, he’ll tell her ladyship everything anyway.”

“He seems quite taken with the dogs, perhaps it’s all he shall remember,” Gabrielle said.

“Let’s hope so.”

Truth be told, Mercier worried more about the dogs than the boy, he was now pulling at their tails and ears.

“Achille. Céleste,” he called.

The dogs joined him, Oliver on their heels. Mercier showed him how to pet and play with them.

“You don’t have to do that,” Betty said, “I should take care of him.”

“It’s your day off, is it not?”

She didn’t voice another objection, instead leaning back and taking a sip of brandy.

“He was lucky you know how to swim. It’s quite rare amongst young women,” Mercier commented. When she offered no explanation, he asked, “where did you learn?

“Me father, sir.”

“Did you live near the water?”

“No.”

He wondered if her reluctance to speak stemmed from shock or shyness. To put her at ease, he told her of a river, near his family’s estate in Boutillon where he used to swim. No more than two-feet deep, but still his mother had forbid him to go. “So of course, I went there every occasion I had.”

“And I followed,” Gabrielle added. “Even after you left, I kept going.”

“Not by yourself, I expect.”

“I always managed to find some company…”

He smiled indulgently at his sister. She used to tease the village boys mercilessly. They did anything she asked as long as they believed they had a chance with her, which, in actuality, they never had. One of them received the scold of a lifetime for bringing her tobacco.

He rolled a cigarette and handed it to his sister. She never smoked in public, etiquette forbade it, but he wanted to check Betty’s reaction. A sort of moral test, to assess if he could use her to spy on Lord Wigram. Betty frowned at Gabrielle exhaling smoke, but he thought it was more from curiosity than judgement. Interesting.

A servant brought a platter of jalebi, deep fried curls of batter dipped in sugar syrup and saffron. Oliver dashed to the plate, grabbing one jalebi in each hand.

“Slow down, sweetheart, don’t spoil your lunch.”

But the adults were as eager as the kid. They emptied the platter in no time, the crystallized exterior crunched under their teeth, and they hummed with delight, sucking their greasy fingertips. Colour returned to Betty’s face, cheeks flushed, her lips tinted gold with saffron, and glistening from the sweet oil. He caught her eyes as her tongue darted to the corners of her mouth. For the first time, she didn’t look away.

“Me granddaddy did, live by the water I mean, near the Eccup reservoir in Leeds,” she said.

“And that is where you learned to swim?” Gabrielle asked.

“Yeah... We went there in the summers,” she added, gaining a little confidence. “Daddy was in the Navy. He knew water can be dangerous, but he didn’t want us to be afraid of it.”

“You certainly were not afraid of it today,” Mercier said.

“Wish I’d stayed longer in the water, it was quite refreshing,” she admitted, hiding a laugh behind her hand.

That made him smile. Perhaps it could be arranged, he’d heard of some rivers one could swim in just outside the city. He refilled their glasses of brandy, offering one to his sister this time.

“How long have you two been in India?” Betty enquired.

“I arrived fours years ago, and Gabrielle joined me a year later. You know what they say, women come to India for two reasons: because they are married to empire builders or because they want to be.”

“I will hear no such thing, Jean-François! It may be unladylike, but I came here because I wanted to see India.”

“And you prefer piano players to empire builders,” he replied, referring to Armand.

“Hush!” She poked him with her toes. “And you Betty, why did you come here? Looking for the perfect man?”

“The only interest I have in men, is making a good one out of Oliver.”

“I like her, brother, you should rescue governesses more often.”

Realizing what she’d said, Betty blushed and glared at her glass of brandy. “As good a man as his lordship, I mean… I should go, we will be late for tiffin. Come on sweetheart.”

“I want the doggie,” the child replied, hugging Achille’s neck.

Betty gently pried him away.

“You can come back to see them again,” Mercier said impulsively, earning a surprised look from Gabrielle.

While Betty and Oliver put on their now dry clothes, Mercier had the driver prepare the buggy. He put on a waistcoat and jacket again, and fixed his hair to make a good impression on the Wigrams.

Although Betty and Oliver looked in better shape, their outfits were still the worse for wear. It saddened him to see her smile now turn into a frown.

“Thank you for your help, Colonel, but I’m afraid it will not do much good.”

Mercier’s ancestors had been knights, and he found nothing awakened the chivalry in his blood like the distress in Betty’s doe eyes.

“Let me take you home and talk to Lady Wigram. I will tell her it’s my fault.”

“I appreciate it, sir, but why would you do that for me?”

“Yes, why would you do that?” Gabrielle echoed.

He could not reveal he wished to make the Wigrams’ acquaintance to spy on them. But he didn’t have to take the blame for that. The truth was he couldn’t stomach any criticism coming to Betty when she’d so bravely jumped in the water before he had even gathered his own courage to do so.

*

As they neared the house, Betty chewed harder on her bottom lip and wrung her hands in her lap. She fussed over the child’s appearance. “Oliver, sweetheart, what did we do this morning?”

“I played with doggies.”

“Yes, exactly, that’s what we did. All morning. We played with the dogs. Do you remember their names?” And she kept on asking about the dogs, to make sure it was all the boy would talk about.

Arrived at the house, Betty had hoped to slip under the radar but Lady Wigram was in the hall. She was a good looking woman, but her pale skin, droopy eyelids and oddly slow demeanour gave the impression she was permanently drowsy.

She took in their clothes and asked: “Good Heavens, what has happened?”

“I fell in the river,” Oliver said before running off to his room.

“My horse pushed him,” Mercier said right away, “it was frightened when the boy came running. Miss Salinger was with him. He fell in a stream, hardly a river, and—”

“You let him run off?” Lady Wigram spoke daintily, but accusation and contempt spiked her words.

“I— I’m sorry… the horse and…”

“She immediately jumped in too, to grab the boy, most courageously.”

Lady Wigram huffed and sent Betty to her room. “You cannot possibly eat lunch in this state.”

Betty’s eyes welled up, and, shoulders bowed, she walked away. As he watched her disappear up the stairs, there was again that odd pinch to Mercier’s heart.

“Really, madam, miss Salinger is not to blame.”

“There is no need for that, Colonel.” She looped her arm through his, guiding him to the front room. “The girl is a lost cause, but my husband knew her father and he’s sentimental, you know how these things go. We make do with her flaws, poor girl.”

Mercier ground his teeth.

*

When he returned home, Gabrielle was waiting for him at the dining room table. He knew that amused glint in her eyes, and only reluctantly sat down with her.

“You like her,” she said in French with that teasing lilt.

“I need her. I have to learn more about Lord Wigram’s business in Calcutta.”

“So you are using her to be in the Wigrams’ good graces.”

“Exactly.”

“Hm.”

“… What is it?”

“And how does taking the blame achieve that?” she asked. “Wouldn’t it have been better to present yourself as a hero, or to at least side with Lady Wigram on staff’s incompetence?” Although she’d formulated her sentences as questions, he knew she was only mocking him by stating the obvious.

“It worked—” he showed an invitation to a dinner party at the Wigrams’— “it’s all that matters. I can complete my last assignment.”

And with that mission done, he would be able to leave India. The governess was his ticket out… or the marvel that would make him stay another while longer.

Chapter 2: Observing