Miraculous Order Series: The Secret Battles of the First Box

Chapter 25: Hello, World!

Chat Noir stood behind the adults that towered him. The mayor, his guards - the security was at its maximum capacity. The various news stations in the crowd were impatient to hear about the masked heroes. The Miraculous Guardian of the Black Cat peeked from above the guards to see that the mayor was still giving his long introductory monologue. La Escarabaja put her hand on Chat Noir's shoulder and gave him a compassive smile.

"Are you nervous, Chat Noir?", the virtual star asked.

"A little, I was used to you know - not being alone on the podium.", Chat Noir responded meekly.

"I understand. This is a big change, but you aren't alone. The people that are around you are different - that's all.", the blue bug lady reassured, "Now go up there and make us proud!"

She gave a small wink before he went to the podium. Behind to his right was Escarabaja and to his left, Queen Bee.

"Hello, World!" Chat Noir said, "I know these past days have been tough. The akumas got stronger, and we all lost some people. Paris will no longer be the same."

There was a silence in his head. Adrien Agreste could still see Eagle close a small box with a pair of earrings, abandoned by their guardian.

"But we rise." the black cat hero continued, "Like we always have. I am proud to announce that we are the Miraculous Guardians and we belong to the Order of the Miraculous."

The heroes detransformed for the whole world to see. There were gasps, cheers and screams. The flash of light in just one second could change everything. For the first time, the guardians showed their true faces. Their masks fell and their identities became known.

A heroine of red and white rested on a building. She smiled as she saw the scene unfold. Her bright dark green eyes watched the hero in black layout what was to come. The world was finally going to know the truth - their truth. Looking up Orsa-Rossa wished nothing more but hope that her master was watching from above the fruits of her labor.

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Wang Fu stood below the towering nine members of the Council. He had never known of their existence, surely a new addition and change to the Order during the time he had been hiding. Their poise and closed off faces stared daggers at him. According to his captors, they were to determine his fate.

"We have heard poorly of you, Fu Wang.", a member in white said, being the first to speak. "Many of our members, even in this Council of judges, think you as a traitor. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty." was Wang's natural response.

"We have seen the evidence pointed against you and we will come to a decision soon. Leave the court and we will inform you of your new future.", the Holder of the Swan boomed, their voice echoing loudly in the old man's ears.

Wang bowed all the way that his old back could allow him to. He felt the piercing eyes of the Council members look at him. He left, escorted by guardian with plenty of miraculouses. The amount of the charms his guard had was one he did not count. It didn't matter whether he had one or six, Wang was too weak to do anything but what they pled.

The time in the waiting room was not long but tense. There were no other people except his guards, serious men that looked at no one in the eye. Wang rested his wrinkled hands on his legs. He took a deep breath and sat as he had been taught. The old man meditated, knowing the Council would decide on a punishment soon.

"The Council wants you back.", one of his guards informed.

"Very well.", Fu answered, opening his eyes and walking slowly to meet again the cold faces of his judges. The Council waited for the old man, who weakly made his way to them.

"The Council has decided that you will return to your old temple. We have found that your situation was complicated. You are guilty of stealing the miraculous and hiding them from the Order. ", the member in the white tunic announced, making the old man tense, "But, we do not deem you a traitor for your reasoning to do so. We have decided that you will live as monk and live out your days there in the temple. You will be a servant to all those who ask you, especially the Elders. Have you understood?"

"Yes," Fu bowed, "Thank you for your mercy."

Fu left, an imprisoned man indebted to serve the people he had left behind as a child. He would have no miraculous to call his own. The old man walked off, interrupted by another.

"Wang", called a man's voice.

Fu turned around and smiled. Xiongmão smiled back, and said, "How have you been, my apprentice?"

"I've grown too old for that title, Master." Wang replied, walking up to him.

The two elder men cheerfully laughed and headed into the shadows. Perhaps the questionable traitor was not alone as the other council members had thought.

Jessica Keyness looked at the two old men rencounter. She huffed as they disappeared because she cared little for the coworker's personal life. Whatever secrets Xiongmão had to hide, he could keep. Suddenly, her phone buzzed it's ringtone. Jessica picked up the small electronic device and received news from her sister, Aeon. Jessica left the temple once the call was finished, booking a flight to New York.

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