Miraculous Ladybug: Volpina's Return

The Great Guardian

Marinette gave the man several confused blinks. This was the man that had helped Tikki when she was sick, but there was something else about him that striked Marinette as familiar. She tried thinking back to see if she could remember something, anything to remember him. Before she could think about it more, the old man spoke,

"Please, have a seat." The old man gestured to the mat in front of him. He didn't say anything as she sat down criss-cross with the book in her lap. Tikki didn't say anything either only giving her Chosen a very confident look. Marinette took an awkward sigh trying to think of something to say that wasn't too weird.

"So you are the Great Guardian?" Not the best conversation starter but it wasn't the worst either she thought. The old man only offered a small chuckle and a nod. Marinette brought a finger up to her lips in thought, trying to think of something else. "How did you know I was Ladybug? Was it because of my Kwami?" She pointed at Tikki, who only just smiled. The Guardian finally looked up from his meditation and spoke,

"I knew that you were Ladybug because I was the one who choose you." Marinette was about to ask another question until the Great Guardian raised his hand before she could speak. "I'm aware that you have a lot of questions but I cannot answer them all at this time. You and I both know we have more pressing matters." He was looking straight at the book. Marinette raised the book off her lap, looking very sheepish and embarrassed a little. She handed the book to the man who took it with a smile.

He scanned through the book for a few minutes leaving Marinette to just sit and twiddle her thumbs. The Guardian placed the book to his side and finally asked the question Marinette had been dreading,

"Where did you get this book?" Marinette couldn't help but to look down in shame. She had debated on either telling him the truth or trying to come up with a convincing lie, which she was never good with. As if he could read her mind, the old man spoke. "I can sense that you are very conflicted. However it is very important that you tell me who had this book, and how you obtained it. I need you to be one hundred percent honest with me on this Marinette." He even knew her actual name. What did this man not know? With a sigh Marinette looked up at the man straight in eyes and confessed,

"I got it from this boy, in my class," the old man only lifted an eyebrow at her, clearly not completely satisfied with the answer she provided. "His name is Adrien, Adrien Agreste." She had said it with a little less confidence but continued never the less. "And well there was this girl named Lila and she had taken this book from him and almost threw it away. Tikki and I managed to retrieve it, but before we could take it home we had an Akuma to deal with." The old man clearly very deep in thought muttering "interesting" every so often until he finally stopped and stood up clearing his throat.

"Thank you, Marinette. This information has become very useful." Marinette also stood and bowed, in which he returned too. "I would advise that you tell your partner, Chat Noir, about this book. He might have some very interesting things to say about the book himself." Marinette gave the man a quizzical look, unsure of what to make of what he said. Either he had ignored the look or hadn't noticed it when he continued speaking, "I will be in touch with you and Chat Noir soon. Once I have gone through the book of course. Good day Marinette."

"Good day to you too, Great Guardian." Marinette replied returning the friendly gesture. However he shook his head and said,

"Oh please just call me Fu. Most of my friends do anyways." He smiled as he looked down at his bracelet that had a jade turtle on it. Marinette blinked at Fu, and gave a quick giggle, releasing most of the tension she had felt. She waved Fu goodbye and quickly exited the building, finding herself back at her family bakery.