Miraculous: Tales of Pandora Possum and Hawk Demask: Origins

True Potential

Lucas's POV

I guess you could say Austine had become something of a friend. She was kind and nice, and yes, perhaps a little shy, but she was also relatable, and she knew what I was talking about. As we got to know each other better, I realized she was a loyal friend. I often found myself pouring out my troubles to her, and for once someone understood and listened. I had usually kept my thoughts to myself because no one seemed to care about them. Austine was different however. She would sit quietly by and listen to me, then state her own opinion. I always took it into consideration, because I learned quickly that she usually knew what she was talking about. It was also fun exploring her mansion, which was an adventure all by itself. Every week we'd go off exploring different rooms. Sometimes we would even get lost, and then we had to call Simone for directions.  It was fun though. Other times one of Austine's friends, Clara, would come over too. We would just hang out together and laugh for hours. This year things felt different, and better. The only wish I had left was for my cousin Hazel to recover herself. I thought that perhaps school would bring back her old self, but instead it released a monster. Every time I saw her, she was glaring at someone or yelling at the top of her lungs. When she was smiling it was because of someone else's misfortune. I tried to get the courage to go up to her and tell her to be kind again, but my mind kept hoping that soon she'd go back to her old self, and things would be just like they used to be. It wasn't my place to tell Hazel how to act, and I didn't want to hurt her either, so I decided just to leave her alone. One day I told my thoughts to Austine, only to find she didn't know what to say. When Austine had become my friend, Hazel seemed to have become more distant from me, if that was even possible. Hazel never liked Austine for some reason. I guess because she was different, and new. I sometimes found myself in an awkward position since both Austine and Hazel didn't like each other well. I hoped one day they would get to know each other better and find friendship.

💥

One day I found myself in an argument with Hazel. She was complaining about school again, saying no one was worth her time and it was all a waste.

"Sure, school isn't the best, but there are some things that are great about it."

"Name one thing." Hazel hissed back.

"Well, friends." I said in reply. I couldn't think of anything else to add to that.

"Of course. Friends. Did you just suddenly think friendship is worth it because you finally have one?"

"What are you saying?"

"You suddenly make friends with this good little girl Austine. It's like you don't even care about us anymore. We used to be real friends. Then you ditch me for this orphaned girl."

My eyes grew wide with anger. How dare Hazel say something like that!

"I gave you chance after chance! You were the one who pushed me away! Austine has been nothing but kind and understanding. But you dont even care. You just hate her because she's better than you." The last part I said was hateful, and I knew it. But if Hazel was going to spew venom, I was going to as well.

"Go ahead, defend your new friend. I guess our friendship is over." Hazel gave me her meanest glance I'd ever seen, and then she walked out on me. I didn't chase her or forgive her. I just let her walk away. The truth was I didn't know why she hated Austine.

In my pain and anger, I retreated to my safe sanctuary, Austine's mansion. I of course told my parents where I was, but I didn't bother telling Hazel anything. When I first got there Simone let me in, but I didn't see Austine.

"Austine went down to the library a while ago. She should be back soon though," Simone told me with her usual smile. I nodded, then decided to walk around for a little while.

Every corner of the mansion seemed to be filled with a new treasure. Lately I had been exploring the paintings on the walls, which all had some unique type of art to express. I was into drawing myself, and I often got inspired by other paintings. The ones against the walls that I was studying reminded me of something, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I was walking along the hallway on the east side. I noticed Austine didn't go down this one very much. As I continued on, I thought I heard something. It was a rustling sound, as if someone was rearranging something. I followed the noise, which lead me into a strange and secluded library. I carefully entered, examining the exotic decor.

"Oh, I have a guest." Said an elderly gentleman. On a ladder not very far up, there was a jolly old man smiling down on me. It was Mr. Morre, Austine's adopted guardian. I had heard only good things about him, but I'd actually only met him once.

"Hey. I'm one of Austine's friends." I stated. Mr. Morre smiled.

"Ah, Lucas, is it?" I nodded in reply.

"Do you ah, need some help?" I asked as I indicated the surrounding books. Mr. Morre nodded his head very quickly.

"Well yes, I wouldn't mind some help." Mr. Morre seemed partially surprised by my urge to help, I noticed. Nevertheless, I began helping right away. I helped carry books from one shelf to another, and I dusted off a few artifacts. Mr. Morre told me about many of them, and the various places in the world where they had been collected. He was a very interesting old man, with a lot more than meets the eye. When Mr. Morre took a pause to his small talk, my mind wondered back to Hazel. I was feeling guilt now, and more than ready to apologize.

"Something is bugging you, correct?" Mr. Morre asked me. I shook myself back to reality and glanced up to him.

"Just...family." I didn't really feel in the mood to express my thoughts and complain to Mr. Morre.

"Yes, yes. Family. It is a special gift, but sometimes hard," Mr. Morre said. I nodded in agreement. "As long as we are patient and understanding, you will find a solution to your problems."

I took Mr. Morre's words into consideration. Perhaps time and thought weren't a bad option to go by. "Maybe your right," I said as I placed the last few books onto a different shelf. Mr. Morre gave me his happy little smile.

"Hey. Sorry, I didn't know you were coming by Lucas." I heard Austine say as she came by a second later. She waved a hello to me, and then handed Mr. Morre a book.

"Here's the book you wanted Mr. Morre." Austine said.

"Thank you dear."

"I'm going to get a snack. You want to come along?" Austine asked me. I looked to her, then to Mr. Morre. He nodded his head gently.

"Ah, go on ahead. I've done enough organizing for today."

I jumped down off the ladder and dusted my hands off.

"Thank you. Your are a very kind soul, Lucas." Mr. Morre said to me right before I left.

"Your welcome. Helping others is the right thing to do." I said truthfully.

💥

Mr. Morre gazed off at the two young friends as they left.

"They have potential to be great things." He thought to himself. Little did Austine or Lucas have any clue what their futures would hold. Mr. Morre secretly pulled out his Miracle box, as he examined the beutiful miraculouses inside. "One day, they will be ready." He told himself. Sooner than they would know, the world would need more heros.