Miraculous Ladybug - Deep Blue

Chapter Ten

The old merman slowly brought his gaze to the two young merpeople. His eyes were mysteriously glinting in the low light of the cave. Two dark red cushions made of sea silk appeared right under them. "Sit, please," he said in a soft voice. Marinette stole a glance at Adrien. Should she trust this merman? Adrien just simply sat on the cushion and looked at the merman curiously. Marinette slowly did the same as well, awkwardly shifting her tail in a comfortable position.

There was some silence. Marinette was getting a bit anxious. She cleared her throat. "Um excuse me, Mr...uh..."

"Call me Master Fu," the old merman smiled, wrinkles forming at the eyes as he did. More silence. "So, uh Master Fu...as you can see we are very confused as to why we are here. Is there something going on? I mean I've only been a mermaid for a little while and I..." Marinette trailed off as Master Fu held his hand up for her to stop speaking.

"I know what you are about to ask. It is better if I show you."

He held out his wrist, a jade green pendant the shape of a sea turtle glowing brightly. Adrien's eyes widened in excitement. "T-that's the legendary jewel of Carapace isn't it? I heard about it from the sea creatures." Master Fu nodded his head. "You are correct my boy, but we all must be silent now...the magic will not work as well in noise.

"Also, before we go..." he said, turning to the two, "you might need to brace yourself, going back in time can seriously affect someone if they do not concentrate. My advice is to clear your mind and think of absolutely nothing for the time being." Marinette gulped. Going back in TIME?!

What the heck was this old man rambling on about?

Adrien saw the scared look on Marinette's face. "I'm sure it will be fine," he reassured her. He gave a shy smile to Marinette as she returned a nervous one back. After both were somewhat prepared, Master Fu waved a hand over the glowing jewel, causing the cave to disintegrate into nothingness. The world around them now was blank and empty. The darkness consumed everything. All around them, there was a gentle humming noise, just out of grasp.

Marinette tried to do what Master Fu had told them, but it was just so hard. She couldn't help but recall her worst past memories for some reason. It was like the space time continuum they seem to be in was messing with her head. From the time she got bullied to the time she scraped her knee from falling and getting humiliated...no, just ignore it Mari...keep it together... Sharp pains shot up her head, causing a horrific ache.

Adrien sensed her pain. Even though he himself naturally felt calm and happy even without a real family, Adrien still understood the confusion and terrified thoughts Marinette had. He inched closer to her and linked arms with hers. She looked up in surprise. "Everything will be okay" he said, mouthing the words.

The minute seemed to last an hour as Marinette experienced cold thoughts but with a warm heart. These feelings confused her. She had never witnessed anything like it before yet...she smiled letting her bad thoughts drift away, a warm blush blooming on her cheeks, head rested on his shoulder. WAIT. What was she doing?! She tried to snap out of her strange actions, yet she was extremely drowsy, and couldn't seem to move from her original state.

A strong current caused Marinette and Adrien to get swept back a few feet. They have arrived. Master fu was calm and collected however, making Adrien and Marinette look quite foolish. They collected themselves up. Marinette quickly looked away avoiding Adrien's eyes. The ocean was rambunctious and dark. Every living thing seemed to hide away, leaving the ocean very lifeless. In the distance above shore, there were thunderstorms, and lightning striked occasionally making random bolts of white light flash underwater. Master Fu turned around with a solemn expression etched on his face.

"This is where it all begins. As you can see, it is quite dangerous in these waters, so I want you to follow and pay attention to me closely." He began to swim, wearily looking at his surroundings while doing so. Marinette and Adrien followed closely behind. After about a few minutes of swimming, they arrived at the exact same place they were in, fifteen years in the past. The cave still pretty much looked the same, except for the fact that it had a brighter shine to it.

The crystal opening gave way for the merpeople to swim in. "Now listen to me," began Master Fu. "In this past we will see many different merpeople...it is wise that they do no see us. Whatever you do, do NOT change the past, it will effect the future gravely." He held out his hand, transparent pearls apparated in them. He handed each of them a pearl and kept one for himself. They began fading away. Marinette let out a high shriek and quickly covered her mouth. Adrien stifled a laugh. "Marinette...don't worry, mer magic is usually painless."

Marinette uncovered her mouth. "Ohhh...er...sorry, I just panicked...", she said, flustering. They swam down the corridor of the cave and stopped at the wooden table. A younger version of Master Fu swam around panickingly, stopping at each corner of the room checking something on strange items like seaweed scrolls, an odd looking telescope, and finally a crystal ball. He was muttering some strange words. "Master Fu, can you explain what's going on?", asked Marinette. Master Fu shushed her and nodded his head over to his younger self, implying her to just watch.

Younger Fu stopped short. "No no no...this is not good. IT has been stolen from the gods, they are raging." The merpeople watched closely as young Fu swam over to a crater, opening it up with an old golden key. He slipped his hand in it drawing out two sparkling jewels. Dark red earrings and a silver ring.

This time it was Adrien's turn to react. All his life he had wondered where his ring had come from, what it meant, never noticing that it was a powerful and legendary jewel. He swam a little closer to it, forgetting everything Master Fu was telling him. He was about to reach out and touch the jewels when he was pulled back with a powerful water tentacle. Master Fu lowered his arm and looked at him sternly. "What did I tell you? Just watch." Adrien just nodded sadly.

For the first time, I might finally get to know where I came from...who my parents are...or were, he thought to himself.