Title: The Edict

Chapter 2: Shadows of a New Dawn

Chapter 2: Shadows of a New Dawn

Miles away, locked in a secret compartment behind a painting, Nooroo and Duusu felt the tremor of power ripple through the universe. It was subtle, like the softest of whispers, but to them, it was unmistakable. The shift in guardianship had occurred, and with it, they felt a faint hope spark in their hearts.

For the first time in what felt like centuries, they dared to feel something other than fear and exhaustion. Huddled together in their cramped prison, Nooroo’s wings fluttered softly as he held Duusu close. They waited, their breaths held in anticipation, for the moment they had longed for — the moment their miraculous would be reclaimed.

But as the seconds turned into minutes, then into hours, they realized something horrifying.

They weren’t moving.

Their miraculi remained untouched, still bound by the invisible chains of their captors. The weight of despair returned with crushing force.

Duusu whimpered, the realization setting in. "She doesn’t know…"

Nooroo nodded grimly, his antennae drooping. "Tikki can’t revoke what she doesn’t know exists. We’ve been hidden too long."

Years of manipulation and abuse had taught them this truth — Tikki’s power over the miraculous was vast, but not omnipotent. She could only recall a miraculous if she knew who possessed it, and Gabriel Agreste had made sure they were buried in the shadows.

A loophole in the ancient laws of magic. A flaw in the very system meant to protect them.

The kwamis shuddered at the memory of how their miraculous had been corrupted, twisted by the greed and malevolence of humanity. Gabriel and Nathalie had used their powers, not to protect or create, but to destroy and control. They had reduced Nooroo and Duusu to mere tools in their relentless quest for power.

They were exhausted. They had no energy left for anger, only a deep, hollow sadness.

Duusu’s voice cracked. "We trusted them. We trusted that the guardian would keep us safe."

"We didn’t know," Nooroo whispered. "We couldn’t have known how far humans would go… how far Gabriel would go."

But now, things were different. There was a new guardian. Marinette.

A spark of hope flickered in Duusu’s eyes. "Maybe she’ll find us… maybe she’ll—"

"—it’s enough," Nooroo interrupted gently, pulling her closer. "For now, it’s enough that there’s a new guardian. One who won’t abuse us. One who will bring balance again."

They clung to each other as their hope flickered like a dying flame. They were still trapped, still forgotten, but maybe—just maybe—things would change.

---

Marinette awoke in the sterile light of a hospital room, the rhythmic beeping of monitors in the background. Her throat ached, and her body screamed in protest as she tried to move. The fog of confusion clouded her mind, and she struggled to remember what had happened.

Why was she here?

She coughed, instinctively reaching for her throat where the remnants of a breathing tube had just been removed. Pain flared in her chest, sharp and unyielding, and she winced.

A nurse’s soothing voice broke through her haze. "It’s okay, Marinette. You’re safe now. Just try to breathe easy."

Marinette blinked, her mind racing. Safe? Safe from what?

Her memories were a jumbled mess, and the throbbing pain in her side was making it hard to think. She glanced down, noticing the tube that ran from her chest. Her pulse quickened. "What… what happened to me?"

The nurse, Claire, hesitated, her eyes soft with sympathy. "You had a rough night, dear. The doctor will explain everything, but you’re going to be okay. Your parents are waiting to see you."

"All night?" Marinette’s voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. How long had she been unconscious? What was she missing?

The nurse gave her a gentle pat on the arm. "Rest. The doctor will be here soon." With that, Claire left the room, leaving Marinette alone with her thoughts.

Tikki was by her side the moment the door closed. "Marinette," she whispered, her tiny form glowing softly as she hovered over the bed. "You’re awake… thank goodness. I was so worried."

Marinette’s heart skipped a beat. "Tikki? What’s going on?"

"There’s so much to explain," Tikki said, her voice trembling. "But you’re the new Guardian now, Marinette. You’ve inherited the responsibility… and with it, you’ve awakened powers you can’t even imagine yet."

Marinette’s head spun. Guardian? Powers? It was too much to take in all at once, especially with the pain gnawing at her body. She needed answers, but they would have to wait.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the door swung open again, revealing her parents. Sabine rushed to her side, tears streaming down her face as she took Marinette’s hand. Tom knelt beside the bed, his large hands trembling as he wept quietly.

Marinette’s heart clenched. "Maman, Papa… I’m okay. Really, I’m fine."

Sabine shook her head, her voice breaking. "You’ve been through so much, Marinette. We were so scared… we didn’t know if… if you would wake up."

The weight of her parents’ fear settled heavily on her chest. Something terrible had happened. But she still couldn’t remember what.

---

Elsewhere, Adrien woke with a start, his hand instinctively reaching for the ring that wasn’t there. His eyes widened in panic as he bolted out of bed, searching frantically through his room. "Plagg!" he shouted, but there was no response.

His miraculous was gone.

His mind raced, trying to make sense of it. How could this have happened? Why hadn’t Plagg warned him?

He stormed out of his room, ignoring the Gorilla as he rushed out of the house. He had to see Master Fu. He had to get answers.

By the time he reached the tiny shop, he was fuming. He pushed open the door, the bells jingling ominously in the silence. "Master Fu!" he called out, his voice sharp with frustration.

There was no answer.

Adrien stepped inside, his stomach twisting with unease. The shop was in disarray, plants overgrown and chaotic, and in the midst of the wreckage lay Master Fu, frail and unmoving.

"Master Fu!" Adrien rushed to the old man’s side, shaking him frantically. "What happened? Where’s my miraculous?"

Master Fu stirred, his eyes filled with sorrow as he looked at Adrien. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t explain, but Adrien didn’t care. His anger boiled over.

With a shove, Adrien sent the old man sprawling to the ground, the sound of breaking bones echoing in the quiet shop. Fu’s cry of pain barely registered as Adrien stormed out, rage clouding his judgment.

He didn’t need Master Fu anymore.

He had a plan.

All he needed was to get akumatized. Then, he would get his miraculous back—one way or another.

---

Back in the hospital, Tikki hovered nervously as the doctor entered the room to explain what had happened. Marinette listened carefully, trying to piece together the fragments of her memory. But her mind kept wandering back to Tikki’s words.

She was the new Guardian.

What did that mean for her? For the miraculous?

And why did it feel like the world had just shifted beneath her feet?

---

Chapter 2 ends, setting the stage for the unfolding tension surrounding Marinette’s new role as Guardian, Adrien’s dangerous path, and the unknown forces still lurking in the shadows.