Back in the Agreste Mansion, Nathalie remained silent, patiently waiting for her employer to calm down. The source of his outburst was the loss of the Butterfly Miraculous.
"Gabriel, you need to calm down," Nathalie urged softly, trying to ease his anger.
"How can I stay calm, Nathalie!?" Gabriel snapped, his voice sharp with fury as he swept his arm across the desk, sending papers and objects flying. "I was about to use that Miraculous to bring chaos to this city, to draw out the wielders of the Ladybug and Cat Miraculouses! And now—an intruder broke into my own home and stole it!? How could this happen under our noses!? You didn't even find them!?"
"Placide and I searched everywhere, Gabriel," Nathalie replied, maintaining her composure despite his rage. "There was no trace of anyone. The intruder escaped." Even she couldn't understand how someone could infiltrate the heavily secured mansion. "What will you do now? How will you achieve your goal?"
Gabriel exhaled shakily, his fury slowly giving way to exhaustion. He sank into his chair, running a trembling hand through his hair. "I don't know," he muttered. "I can't risk using the Peacock Miraculous—it's damaged. If I try, I won't survive long enough for Adrien to have a father."
Nathalie hesitated before speaking, her tone tentative. "Then… perhaps it's time to give up on resurrecting Émilie?" She hoped, perhaps naïvely, that Gabriel would finally abandon his obsession and focus on his son.
Before Gabriel could answer, an unfamiliar presence filled the room. A figure appeared out of nowhere, and in an instant, every exit—doors, windows, even the hidden passage—was sealed. Both Gabriel and Nathalie tensed, ready to defend themselves.
"Rest assured, I'm not here to harm you," the figure said calmly, taking a seat as if the mansion belonged to him. "My name is Unknown, and I understand you're in quite the predicament—you've lost the Butterfly Miraculous."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "How do you know about the Miraculous? Do you possess one as well?"
"No," Unknown replied simply. "I was once an akumatized victim—thanks to you, Gabriel Agreste. Or rather, your counterpart from another universe." His words left both Gabriel and Nathalie momentarily speechless. "But that's not important. I'm here to restore balance to this universe's story. To do so, I will grant you an ability—one that allows you to wield the Peacock Miraculous without suffering its curse."
The offer hung heavily in the air. Nathalie exchanged a wary glance with Gabriel, both deeply suspicious of this stranger's intentions.
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Gabriel asked warily.
Unknown stepped closer, and with a casual wave of his hand, Nathalie found herself frozen in place, unable to move. "I possess two Quirks," he explained. "One allows me to transfer a Quirk to another person. The second, called Gift, lets you choose two superpowers each day—any ability, so long as it doesn't disrupt the fabric of reality or time. I can give you both."
Gabriel eyed him suspiciously, though curiosity flickered beneath his caution. "And what do you want in return? Powers like that aren't given freely. What's the catch?"
"Nothing," Unknown said with an eerie smile. "Except the creation of a new storyline. You wouldn't understand what that means, not yet." His hand began to glow with a radiant white light. "Gabriel Agreste, do you accept my power to fulfill your goal—to bring back your beloved Émilie? Don't you miss her?"
"Don't do it, Gabriel! Don't trust him!" Nathalie cried, her voice trembling with desperation.
But Gabriel's resolve was absolute. The mention of Émilie's name erased all hesitation. "I accept," he declared coldly. "I'll bring my wife back—no matter the cost. Even if I must burn the world to do it."
Unknown placed his hand on Gabriel's forehead. The room filled with an otherworldly light as Gabriel screamed in agony, his body convulsing before collapsing to the floor, unconscious. Nathalie, finally freed, rushed to his side, panic in her eyes.
Unknown gazed down at them, his expression unreadable. "I look forward to seeing how this universe will evolve from this divergence," he murmured, activating a strange device on his wrist. "Let's hope it creates a story worthy enough to spare this world from nothingness."
And with that, he vanished without a trace.
—
The following morning, news spread across Paris of mysterious superheroes who had appeared throughout the night to assist police in stopping various crimes before vanishing back into anonymity.
On TVi, reporter Nadja Chamack stood in front of the camera, her tone brisk yet intrigued as she relayed the breaking story.
"Don't be bemused, it's just the news. Last night was nothing short of extraordinary," Nadja announced, as clips played of masked individuals thwarting criminals across the city.
"Numerous new superheroes were seen working alongside law enforcement to stop criminal activity. When our reporters attempted to interview these mysterious figures, they all shared the same explanation—that someone had granted them powers to help in their missions before taking those powers back once the job was done. Every one of them mentioned a single name: Mightyfly. Whoever you are, Mightyfly, where did you come from?"
High above the city, on the rooftop of a quiet building, Nooroo watched the broadcast with a warm smile. The sight of so many heroes inspired by his new master filled him with joy.
After centuries of serving those who used the Butterfly Miraculous for selfish and malevolent purposes, seeing people helped instead of harmed was a miracle in itself.
"Everyone knows who you are now, master," Nooroo said cheerfully, his small wings fluttering with excitement. "You've become a hero."
Izuku yawned widely, his eyelids heavy from exhaustion after an entire night without rest. "Nooroo, I don't think this is healthy," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "As much as I want to help people, I need to take care of myself too."
"You're right, master," Nooroo admitted, his tone softening. "But you don't have a home. You came from another world—not even within this multiverse—so you don't have an identity here."
"I know," Izuku said with a tired sigh, stretching his arms until his joints popped. "I'll have to figure something out. I also need to go to school. Even if I don't need a hero license here, I still want to graduate."
Nooroo floated in circles, thinking deeply. "Why don't we try to find the Guardian of the Miracle Box, master? He might be able to help you."
"The Guardian of the Miracle Box?" Izuku repeated, slapping his cheeks lightly to stay awake. "Who's that?"
"I'm not allowed to reveal his identity," Nooroo replied regretfully. "It's part of the rules. But he's the one responsible for keeping the Miraculouses safe and ensuring they don't fall into the wrong hands. He… made a mistake once, but I can't tell you about that either."
"Alright," Izuku muttered. "Do you at least know where this Guardian is? You said you were found by past wielders, so that means you weren't with him anymore, right?"
"That's exactly the problem," Nooroo admitted. "I have no idea where he is. But if fate allows it, we'll meet eventually. His kwami should inform him about a new Butterfly Miraculous wielder… or maybe he'll see the news." He paused thoughtfully. "Though I'm not sure he watches television."
Izuku groaned and rubbed his forehead. "So basically, all I can do is hope he finds me?"
"I suppose so, master," Nooroo said, guilt heavy in his voice. "I wish I could do more, but there are limits to what I'm allowed to say."
"Then I'll just have to wait and… sleep…" Izuku mumbled before collapsing face-first onto the rooftop, sound asleep in seconds.
"Oh dear," Nooroo murmured, fluttering down beside him in concern. "I hope Master Fu finds us soon." He began looking around for something—anything—that could serve as a blanket for his exhausted master.
—
At Wang Fu's modest shop, the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as the elderly Guardian sat before his small television, his expression pensive. The news report described people gaining temporary superpowers overnight—abilities granted and then withdrawn once their heroic deeds were complete.
Wang Fu immediately recognized the distinct energy of the Butterfly Miraculous at work, yet what puzzled him was its benevolent use. It was not being used for corruption or chaos as he had long feared. Instead, it seemed to be inspiring acts of heroism.
Could it be, he wondered, that someone had taken the Miraculous from its previous, malevolent wielder and chosen to wield it for good?
"If that is so," Wang Fu murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "then Nooroo has finally found a worthy host."
Relief filled his aged eyes; after so many years of uncertainty, it eased his heart to know that Nooroo was safe.
"Wayzz, we'll be departing soon."
"Are you planning to find Nooroo and his new master, Master?" Wayzz asked curiously, his small voice filled with both excitement and concern.
Wang Fu nodded, his expression calm yet resolute. "Indeed. I must discover what drives this new holder to use the Butterfly Miraculous for good. Is it fame, power… or genuine heroism? I must know with my own eyes."
Wayzz tilted his head, worry etched into his tone. "But how will you find them, Master? I'm certain they're in hiding."
Wang Fu chuckled softly, standing up and fastening his satchel. "Something tells me they aren't trying very hard to hide. Come, let's start where the first of these new heroes appeared. We'll trace their steps from there."
Hours passed as Wang Fu conducted his quiet investigation, retracing the sightings of those who had been temporarily empowered. His search eventually brought him to the area where the most recent kamikotized hero had been seen before their powers faded.
The task was intricate, requiring patience and precision—but the old Guardian was accustomed to such challenges.
"This is more complicated than I anticipated," Wang Fu muttered, scanning the surroundings carefully. "This may take even more grueling hours, Wayzz."
Before Wayzz could reply, he emerged from his camouflaged bracelet and squinted upward, pointing at something in the sky. "Master, look! Is that Nooroo up there?"
"Hm?" Wang Fu turned, following Wayzz's gaze. A small, radiant purple figure fluttered in the distance near a rooftop.
A knowing smile crossed the old man's face.
"Yes… that is indeed Nooroo. Come, let's go see him."
On the rooftop, Nooroo waited with visible anticipation. The sight of Wang Fu and Wayzz after one hundred seventy-two long years overwhelmed him.
For more than a century, he had been alone, enduring countless masters who abused his power for evil. Now, seeing his old friends again—the only family he had left—filled him with emotions he could hardly contain.
"Long time no see, Nooroo," Wayzz greeted warmly.
Nooroo gasped, tears immediately forming in his eyes. "Wayzz!"
He flew into Wayzz's embrace, sobbing with joy. After so many years of isolation and suffering, the comfort of a familiar presence was almost too much to bear.
Had it not been for his current master accidentally acquiring the Butterfly Miraculous, it might have once again been used to terrorize Paris instead of saving it.
"It's good to see you're well, Nooroo," Wang Fu said kindly, his tone filled with relief. "Are you alright, my old friend?"
"Master Fu!" Nooroo exclaimed, his voice trembling between joy and sorrow. "I've… been through so much. My power has been used for evil time and time again. And recently, I was nearly forced into the same fate."
He paused, then smiled gently as his gaze fell upon the sleeping figure of Izuku Midoriya lying nearby.
"But my new master saved me—completely by accident—and used my power to help others. I've never been so grateful."
Wang Fu knelt beside the unconscious boy, studying his features thoughtfully. "So this is your savior. Judging by his appearance, he's from Japan."
"Not just Japan, Master Fu," Nooroo explained softly. "He's from another multiverse entirely—one separate from our own."
Wang Fu's eyes widened in astonishment. "Another multiverse? Not merely another universe within ours?" He stroked his beard in deep contemplation. "That means he's someone who doesn't exist in any alternate version of our reality. How could such a person have arrived here?"
"I don't know," Nooroo admitted sadly. "My master refuses to talk about it, but I can feel his anguish and sorrow. Perhaps… his entire universe was destroyed, and somehow, he ended up here."
Wang Fu nodded gravely. "We'll have to wait until he wakes to learn the truth. For now, he needs proper rest." He raised his hand toward his bracelet. "Wayzz, shell on!"
In a flash of emerald light, the old Guardian transformed into the Jade Turtle. His attire shifted into green armor: a dark green chestplate with lighter green panels, matching pauldrons and tassets trimmed with deep jade edges, and dark brown loose trousers.
His boots were armored, light green at the toes and dark at the soles.
A mask split between dark and light green concealed his face, and a large conical shield rested atop his head like a hat when not in use.
The transformation radiated calm strength and wisdom—a protector once more ready to act.