Nino tucked his legs beneath him, heart still hammering as he forced himself to take in his surroundings. His default state was to stare at the floor mat and wait until things started making sense, but for the few sparing moments he was alone he tried to take it in.

He lifted his head, one hand tilting back the brim of his hat so he could look above him too at the humble vaguely Chinese home. It had hints of the man's culture strewn around in things like floor mats, low tables and long screens separating the rooms where he did his business and his home. He was in the main room as far as he could tell, a screen on the far wall suggesting a kitchen of sorts or maybe a bedroom, Nino left alone to sit near a long low table and a TV set that was dark.

It was so... weird. Something was driving him crazy. Being in this guy's house at all was weird but somehow he knew that wasn't it. It was something else like... He imagined it was what dog whistles must be like for dogs. Maybe not that, that wasn't a good comparison, he couldn't figure it out. There was just something about the room that made him feel... weird. Not even bad or uncomfortable just weird, just something. It made him feel... amped, but calm? It was so distracting, he kept glancing around the room like something was going to jump out at him and make it clear, like a stereo pumping out inaudible feedback that was driving him crazy.

Nino flinched when he heard a laugh from the other side of the screen, gradually drawing closer and bringing with it the sound of quiet conversation. Nino fidgeted awkwardly, finding the image of seeing Wayzz confidently out in the open with anyone other than the trio unnerving. But it wasn't like this guy was exactly out of the know... his gaze drifted down to the bracelet on his wrist before he looked back up at Fu as the old man settled down to sit beside him.

Nino swallowed, eyes shifting between his kwami and his predecessor as they faced him and he was reminded vaguely of a parent teacher conference where they team up to teach you stuff.

Jesus this was intimidating.

"Relax Nino," Fu said with a chuckle, that same shine in his eyes as he extended a cup of tea Nino hadn't seen him holding. "It is nice to finally see you here."

"T-thank you," Nino stammered, taking the cup gently and looking down at the steaming green liquid before sipping it gingerly, not liking tea much but not wanting to be rude. It was alright actually.

No one spoke for a moment, Nino sweating bullets for a while until Fu laughed again, mostly to himself. Wayzz chuckled too.

"I've wanted you to meet Master Fu for a while now," Wayzz started, floating between the two of them off to the side slightly to create a triangle like shape. "There is no one better to answer your questions."

"Um, it's an honor sir," Nino said, nodding his head. "I've wanted the chance to thank you, for saving my life. I would have been screwed if you hadn't shown up to help Cat and Ladybug. Thank you."

"No thanks are needed," he said with a smile, setting aside his own cup for a moment. "It was your strength that turned the tide in that cathedral." His eyes practically twinkled as he chuckled. "I merely helped."

Nino laughed a little breathlessly, looking away and shaking his head. "I would have been dead man you say it like you turtle bashing Hawkmoth didn't totally save my life."

"Well maybe," he allowed, grinning at Nino when the boy met his eyes again.

There was a small pause as Nino looked down to have a staring match with his cup and Fu waited patiently, most likely perfectly aware of what Nino wanted to ask. The boy searched for the words, watching the steam for a while before Fu eventually spoke for him.

"No doubt you would like to know why I chose you to take my place," he said, Nino's face snapping up in surprise. "Though I expect the answer is simpler than what you desire."

"What do you mean?" Nino asked quickly, looking towards Wayzz for a moment before looking back.

Fu shrugged, drinking from his cup as he thought through how to explain. After a moment he nodded, holding the cup in his hands as he met the boy's searching gaze.

"You have an admirable spirit," he answered, voice old and methodical. "It was not simply your situation that helped me decide. I'm sure you would be surprised to know I had you in mind to take my place before Hawkmoth ever made his move."

Nino blanched, mouth opening as the old man continued.

"A young man with such unshakeable loyalty even in the face of great consequence and evil. You guarded powerful secrets, and acted selflessly in every instance. Such nobility is easy to see, even in one so young. In the simple things, helping a friend, protecting them," he smiled, "opening the door for an old man. Your actions when your life was in peril only confirmed what I already believed. Even when faced with your own death you did not think to betray your friends, not only out of loyalty to them but also out of loyalty to the people." Master Fu nodded, watching as his words sunk in. "You understood that if Hawkmoth succeeded the world would be at risk, not just your friends. This was clear by your actions, and in your ability to defy his dark power. Even when you stood to lose everything you did what was right." Fu smiled, his tone making it sound like it should have been obvious. "You deserve it."

Nino said nothing, eyes wide as he drew back in shock. He sputtered, looking away and trying to gather his thoughts, Wayzz speaking before he could formulate a response.

"He has made a great Jade Turtle master," Wayzz said, voice filled with pride. "He is more than we had even hoped for. There is no finer Jade to be found."

"I agree," Fu said kindly, a smile clear in his voice. "And the pair of you have gotten along?"

"Oh yes!" Wayzz answered enthusiastically, both of them ignoring Nino's emotional upheaval just a few feet away. "He is kind and considerate, a great friend just as we expected. I am more proud of him then I can say." Wayzz paused for a moment as if considering what else to add before saying, "He got me a tank! Have you seen turtle tanks master? They are excellent!"

"Did you want a tank?" Fu replied. "You should have said, I would have gotten one for you old friend."

"Guys," Nino interrupted them in a thick voice, still floundering for words. "You can't just drop that on a guy like you were telling me the weather."

"I don't see why not," Fu answered with a grin. "It is as simple."

"I don't agree," Nino said in exasperation, but Fu and Wayzz just laughed.

"Soon you'll realize the only one who doubts you is yourself young master," Wayzz said with a chuckle, the DJ totally on his own.

"I- I," Nino tried, Fu's words circling through his head and forcing him to pull down the brim of his cap to give him even a shred of privacy.

You deserve it.

"Jade," Fu said after a while, voice suddenly even and calm as he got his attention. When Nino looked up Fu's expression was... he could only describe it as ancient. Balanced.

Fu leveled him with a kind and aged gaze as he let the name hang between them, before finally he continued.

"There is something I would like to ask you. Something I've been waiting to discuss with you until you were more settled. Though today was unplanned, I would not call it too soon. You have proven to me you are suitable for this task." Fu gestured to the kwami in the room. "Wayzz agrees."

Nino was still, pushing back his cap and swallowing again nervously, holding his warm cup in his hands for something else to focus on beside the invisible distraction and Fu's suddenly serious tone. He watched the old man and fought the urge to pull back from how rapidly intense the atmosphere was getting.

Fu waited for a while before he asked, "Since you've come in you've been looking for something." He folded his hands in his lap as Nino looked caught out. "Is there something distracting you?"

"I- I'm sorry sir," Nino stammered, looking over his shoulder. "It's nothing. Just nervous."

To his surprise Fu chuckled, Nino turning back to see the man smiling gently. "It's a pressure, isn't it? Subtle but present." Fu nodded sagely, eyes drifting towards something behind the young boy before he said, "What you are sensing is great power. Magic more powerful than any other force found on earth. It's undetectable by even other miraculous wielders. It is only the Guardian who can sense them, and even some of us in the past have failed to hear their quiet call."

Nino felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise up, the boy instantly looking around the room again at the distant hum he now knew was magic before he looked back at Fu with wide eyes. "Us?"

Fu didn't respond immediately, thoughts far away. Finally he hummed and said, "No doubt Wayzz has briefly explained. My role was not only that of Jade Turtle, first I am the Guardian of the stones." He zeroed in on the overwhelmed boy and watched him for a moment before saying, "It is not only Jade Turtle's that inherently have the ability to undertake this role, though it is not uncommon. You can hear them, sense their power. If you choose to, I would be able to train you. You are capable, though you are young." Fu took a moment to take a long drink, aware of Wayzz's concerned stare. "It is a heavy task, but for that same reason training can not be delayed for long. I am strong but my age will not be abated forever." He left the sentiment at that, his meaning clear enough but his eyes still kind. "I would like you to be my successor in this regard as well. You would do well with it, that I am certain. But there is no need to decide now."

"The stones are here?" Nino said, his voice quiet and... strained. "You want me- Something that important I..."

"You are young," Wayzz reiterated, flying forward to float in front of Nino's face. "It is a life changing choice, something that shouldn't be taken-"

"I want to do it," Nino cut him off, taking even himself by surprise. However as the words hung in the air he cleared his throat, heart beating unevenly as he said again, "I want to be trained. I want to try."

"Nino!' Wayzz blurted out, completely caught off guard but Fu was steady, smiling to himself as if he was unsurprised.

"Fu said he had all these reasons for picking me," Nino said in a rush, the words slamming together as his fists balled up in the fabric of his jeans. "All this stuff all these big reasons." Nino's voice faltered but he choked out the words, showing how overwhelmed he really was. "I've been nothing but scared as hell but everyone's believed in me this entire freaking time, Cat and Lady and Alya and everyone at school and little Cheney and so many people. So many people think I'm a superhero, think I'm- think im anything and I know how much danger there really is now, I get it I see it all the time. So much is at risk all the time and even with this," he gestured to his wrist, "sometimes I still freak out, even with power I still get scared. What about all the people without that kind of power? How scared are they going to be with people like Hawkmoth doing such awful things? These stones, the miraculous stones are- they're so powerful. If they were misused if they were lost or damaged or given to the wrong people it would be so impossibly bad and that scares the crap out of me that I would be the one handling any of that at all but- I-" he faltered again, picking up his cap and running a hand through his hair as he looked up at Fu. "Mari said once that when people have power it's the heroes who use it. If I can do it, if I can... sense or whatever the hell the stones and if I can learn then I should because I can help, and if I have the power to help I have to use it, I have to."

He hesitated, looking between Fu and Wayzz before dropping his gaze, slowly bowing his head as part of him demanded that he stop and another part solemnly knew this was the path forward.

"Sir I don't know if I'll be any good but I want to try."

Nino waited, eyes fixed on the cup of tea on the mat before him as he was acutely aware of the seconds passing. How many seconds would be have because of this? How many years? He just said yes to something... so impossibly heavy, he was practically begging for it. The most not-Nino thing he could have done.

But he wasn't just Nino anymore.

After a long pause he heard the old man hum again, a smile clear in his voice as he spoke. "Very admirable indeed," he said quietly, mostly to himself as he drew Nino's gaze upward when he addressed him, eyes... proud. "I can think of no one better. I am grateful to you. There is something we must do." He started to stand, gesturing for Nino to do the same. "Rise young man. Wayzz will bear witness."

"W-what are we doing?" Nino asked hesitantly, hurrying to stand and moving to help Fu do the same which he seemed to appreciate. He couldn't help but look around for some kind of knife for a crazy blood ritual, but he doubted Fu would spring something like that on him without a heads up. He felt uneasy, thinking mostly variations of 'What the hell am I doing?' until Fu interrupted his thoughts by speaking to him again.

"A simple thing, but it is traditional. The intent must be made clear," he smiled slightly, "more so for you than anyone else. Stand before me."

Nino stared at him in confusion before obeying, taking a step back and standing in front of the small man, the elder looking up at him. Fu waited for a moment more as Wayzz situated himself beside Nino before starting with a serious expression.

"Jade Turtle," he said in an even tone, locking Nino to the spot with the weight of his gaze. "In this instance I ask it of you plainly, so that the matter can not be denied by any uncertainty." He clasped his hands behind his back, standing tall and for a moment looking as full of life and pride as he had when he had stormed the Notre Dame. "Will you pursue the knowledge of the Guardian, with all that it entails willingly and without cruel intention?"

Nino swallowed, the dull inaudible hum of the miraculous stones somehow more present in that moment than they had been in any moment prior, demanding his attention.

"Yes," he said quietly, throat dry even as his palms were wet.

"Do you accept the changes it will bring, and the weight you will bear?"

Nino felt Wayzz land gently on his shoulder, and even though he didn't look at him somehow he knew he was proud of him.

"Yes."

Fu smiled, pride in his expression as well. "Are you prepared to uphold the lessons of our position as I will teach them to you, in the face of any threat you may face?"

"Yes," Nino said more firmly now, that distracting hum of energy starting to let him rest, still there but... it was somewhat different now. Not so abrasive, more natural.

Fu grinned, one hand moving from behind his back to be held forward in another friendly gesture. "Then shake an old man's hand. And that will be Master Fu to you from now on young man."

Nino hesitated, a smile of his own spreading across his face as he huffed, wiping off a hand before taking his mentor's grasp in his own. "Sure you don't want Sensei?"

Fu laughed, Wayzz chuckling too as the old man shrugged his shoulders. "Either works."

Nino managed a somewhat natural laugh, heart still uneven in his chest as Fu's hand dropped and he bent down to collect his and Nino's cups, extending the latter to its owner.

"Do not be nervous," Fu said kindly, smiling when Nino took his cup again. "You will take to it well, I am sure. I have no intention of overburdening you, I'm still in my prime I'll have you know." Fu chuckled, reaching out to stroke Wayzz's head as the kwami floated closer, looking towards Nino. "We can wait until the summer to start your training extensively, but there are some things you can start now."

"Now?" Nino said in surprise, eyes widening, "Like now now?"

Wayzz snickered along with Fu, the old man taking a long drink before saying, "No, it is something I'd like you to take home to look through in your own time. It will be like your textbook in a way, there is a lot you can learn from it. You have school, and also your duties to the city. I will ask however that you find the time to come here once a week after school. We can use that time to discuss what you've read in the book."

"Okay," Nino said, nodding his head quickly, "I can do that. Thanks for this Master, I won't let you down." He hesitated, rubbing at his neck and looking away. "Or, I'll try not to anyway..."

"Have faith," Wayzz spoke up for the first time in a while, flying in front of him and zipping forward to hug his face, the DJ taken by surprise by the genuine tone to the little kwami's voice. "I am very proud of you Nino. You are very brave."

"I-" Nino stammered, reaching up with his free hand to cradle Wayzz, his voice a little stunned. "Thank you little man... thanks."

Fu walked a short distance away, leaving the pair to talk quietly and returning a short time later with a heavy book in his hands, the surface scrawled with gold embossing.

Nino looked at it, hurrying to set down his cup so he could hold it with two hands, instantly nervous again. "Woah... this looks super old."

"It is an incredibly valuable tome, guard it with care," Fu said seriously. "I'll ask that you keep it to yourself for now as well. While your friends are very trustworthy there are some things meant only for you. For that same reason, I expect you to keep what you learn here a secret."

"I can't even tell them?" he said, shocked when Fu nodded.

"Not all things are meant to be known. In time I will share what they need to know with them myself, the rest is for your education alone."

Nino held the book close to him, caught off guard but agreeing to secrecy. He hadn't expected not to be able to tell the others, but it made sense sort of. They'd probably get it... but still.

Nino jolted when Fu suddenly waved his hands, shooing him and Wayzz both. "Now now, I have business to do. You have your things and I have your oath, that is enough for now. We can see each other again next week, at this same time."

"Uh o-okay," Nino stammered, stumbling back as Fu pushed them towards the door with the book still in his arms. "Next week same day?" Nino tried to clarify, but he was already out the door, Fu calling past them to a man waiting outside.

"S-Sir!" Nino tried again, but Fu was already occupied, taking the customer inside and leaving a confused Nino with Wayzz stuffed haphazardly in his pocket stood on the sidewalk with an ancient book in his arms. He huffed, shaking his head and looking around before quickly lifting Wayzz into his hat, saying quietly to him, "Okay he's cool but he's also a little weird."

Wayzz didn't offer an explanation, only a laugh as he settled in. Nino sighed, head reeling with literally everything that had just gone down, feeling not all that different but...

He gripped the book closer to him, eyes screwing shut for a moment as he forced himself to breathe evenly. A lot of hardcore stuff happened way too fast, as was seemingly a trend. He just got sworn in as a student to an almost two hundred year old slightly eccentric Asian man so he could be trained to overtake arguably the most important position on planet earth and he still had Lit homework to do before patrolling the city of Paris is skin tight green spandex.

"What is my life," he muttered aloud, clutching the book protectively as he hurried home. "What the heck is my life dude. I need the life extension cause all this crap is gonna kill me..."