Before Adrian and Marinette could register the scenary change, they reappeared sitting side-by-side on a massive, incredibly plush couch. Disorientation made Marinette blink rapidly, but the strange, luxurious comfort of their new surroundings quickly brought her back to the immediate bizarre reality.
"Huh?!" Marinette exclaimed, sitting bolt upright.
"Where are we...?" Adrian murmured before holding marinette's hand in a protective gesture. His other thumb carressing the ring on his other hand subconsciously.
Around them, a large room had materialized. It was a spacious, opulent lounge decorated in warm, comfortable tones. A giant screen dominated one wall. Several large, inviting sofas—piled high with soft blankets and gourmet snacks—were scattered across the room. A very big, circular table occupied the center, laden with a cornucopia of drinks that instantly replenished. Speakers were tucked into every corner. It was the opposite of danger, almost painfully cozy.
Alya and Nino appeared with soft thuds on the couch adjacent to them.
"Alya! Nino!" Marinette immediately felt a bit relieved in her heart at the thought of them not being alone.
"...-whoa! Where are we? And how did we get out of the city so fast?" Alya looked around, half-alarmed and half-fascinated- her speech clearly telling she was midway speaking to Nino when they got teleported.
"Is this a new villain's lair? It doesn't look very... danger-y, if you ask me." Nino added quickly standing before alya in a protective stance.
Before anyone could decide what to do, the giant screen flickered to life, displaying a glowing, stylized message.
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[ Hello Parisians. Please don't panic. You are under no danger. You are here to react to some things that are associated with you and someone you all know. ]
[ Please take a seat, and if you want to eat or drink anything, just think of it and it will appear. Other people of your knowledge will arrive soon. ]
[ You do not have to worry. I am not a villain, nor a bad person. I am a necessary guide. ]
— FATE —
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"What the- dude? Fate? Quite a name he has... " Nino exclaimed a bit intrigued as he sat down on the adjacent sofa with Alya.
Within the next fifteen minutes, as if pulled by an invisible cosmic string, the rest of the intended group materialized in the room: Kagami, Chloé, Alix, Sabine(Mari's mom) , Tom(Mari's dad) , Gabriel, Emilie, Nathalie, and Master Fu.
A collective gasp went around the room.
Sabine and Tom instantly rushed to Marinette, their faces clearly asking her if she knew anything or the place they are in.
Gabriel appeared, looking bewildered and stiff, immediately going to Emilie. Adrian shook his head at his parents indicating there is no danger. 'For now... ' his mind echoed.
Marinette was both surprised and terrified when she saw Master Fu appear in the room. His presence was not only a shock, but it confirmed her greatest suspicion: Fate knew absolutely everything- about the kwamis, the miraculous, the Guardian and presumably the heroes and her.
Adrien and Marinette's heartbeats quickened again when they saw Luka appear. He wore his everyday calming, beautiful smile, but it lacked its usual warmth.
'Where am I? I can't sense sass here- did he not come with me? I feel like I knew it was going to happen..... Ah..... Time loop....' He nodded to his friends and gave a small smile to the duo as he began inspecting his surroundings.
Adrian's hand fisted as he realised luka distancing himself from them...from him. Marinette's heart skipped a beat, though she wanted to rush to luka- her ladybug side resisted to not make Luka anymore uncomfortable.
Luka read the message on the screen and walked toward a nearby sofa and sat down, seemingly oblivious to the chaos.
Kagami and Chloé quickly chose seats near the perimeter. Chloé, ever the drama queen, huffed, "Honestly, a reaction room? How déclassé! And why am I here with them? Fate? What is this name?! Ridiculous- utterly ridiculous!"
Master Fu, after a quick, knowing look to Marinette, also quietly took a seat, his face a mask of calm meditation. Gabriel and Emilie sat down, their eyes darting between the familiar faces and the strange environment.
Adrien had already claimed a seat on the sofa adjacent to Nino and Alya, but his gaze was locked on his father. He glanced back at Marinette, who sat beside him, and gave her a silent nod. She understood: they needed to know if they were safe. Gabriel also took a seat, though he and Emilie remained guarded.
Everyone's attention turned toward the screen as the message changed again.
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[ Welcome again, my dear Parisians. I see many old debts and lingering secrets in this room. Fear not, all will be revealed in due course. ]
[ Oh—I forgot to tell you that the ancient creatures who helped our heroes fight evil will also be reacting with you. Please welcome the Kwamis. ]
— FATE —
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Everyone except Sabine, and Tom tensed. They knew what 'Kwamis' were. The others were completely confused. There was nothing that explicitly told them that Fate was male, but they knew instinctively that this controlling force was 'he'.
The screen changed again, displaying a definition.
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[ Kwami: The divine beings connected to the Miraculouses which grant the holders their power. ]
— FATE —
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Sabine and Tom exchanged a look of pure bewilderment. Emilie looked suspicious, her eyes narrowing as if sensing something she didn't know about her miraculous awakening. The heroes instantly alerted. Gabriel stiffened seeing his wife suspicious- he didn't want his wife to know the things he did, the way he ignored their son.....she will be disappointed...he didn't want that....
The message changed, yet again.
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[ Welcome, Ancient Creatures. ]
— FATE —
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And in an instant, seven small, bright beings materialized in the center of the room: Tikki, Plagg, Sass, Trixx, Wayzz, Nooroo, and Duusu.
The Kwamis didn't dare fly to their miraculous holders in order not to expose their identities, though Tikki's big blue eyes were fixed on Marinette. Plagg simply zipped toward the nearest snack bar and began sniffing a wheel of Camembert. Sass though, flew towards Luka in an instant- his worry and protectiveness towards his master evident to all although everyone else but Adrian and mari just guessed that Luka was Viperion based on sass's behavior.
A soft smile bloomed on Adrian's face as he felt himself relax at the site.
The message on the screen changed once more.
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[ You will start reacting soon—but Luka will be asleep throughout the time you are here. ]
— FATE —
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As soon as everyone read the message, Luka's eyes gently fluttered shut. He didn't slump; he simply fell asleep on his sofa, his features softening as though he was finally resting after several agonizing, sleepless days.
Marinette and Adrien immediately noticed this change. The sight of Luka, suffering alone for so long, made their hearts tighten with a fierce, protective ache.
'Fate.' Adrien thought, his eyes darkened, a shadow of the destructive power within his green orbs.
'Teleport Luka to our couch'
In the darkness, a small smile bloomed in the mysterious beautiful blood red eyes without anyone's notice.
A mysterious yet calming voice echoed in Adrian's mind- 'As you wish.'
Adrien and Marinette's couch suddenly extended and shifted. Luka was instantaneously transported, his head now gently resting on Marinette's lap. Though surprised, Marinette quickly adjusted him into a comfortable position, and Adrien moved closer to hold Luka's hand tight against his side.
It was no surprise to anyone else, because the feelings of the duo for Luka were easily noticeable, even to strangers, and Marinette and Adrien had already told their families about their feelings for the guitarist before they even told each other. Now they just hadn't had the chance to tell Luka himself.
The message on the screen pulsed one final time.
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[ Starting. ]
— FATE —
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{ END }