Chapter 22: A New Fox!

(A/N: This is so rushed...)

(Third person pov)

In the days after the call with Bridgette, Marinette felt freer than she had in a long time. She smiled brighter and was almost always in an upbeat spirit. Her friends took noticed and asked about it. She and Akira explained what happened on that Saturday evening to their friends. They were all happy that Marinette managed to resolve that problem in her life. And in celebration, they decided to share the secret of the Miraculous with Yusuke.

(Marinette's pov)

I was nervous. I didn't know how Yusuke would react to the Kwamis. Would he yell? Would he be scared? But, it is only fair that we tell him. So, there we sat. The Miracle Box was on top of my kotatsu table. Yusuke sat on one side of the table while I sat on the opposite side. Akira sat next to me while Ryuji and Ann stood just behind us.

"So... you are finally going to tell me how you have extra powers in the Metaverse?" Yusuke asked.

"That is correct," Akira responded.

"Are you ready?" I asked.

"I'm curious... so yes, I am ready!" Yusuke said.

"Just... promise not to freak out too badly..." I said. I let out a sigh and knocked on the top of the Miracle Box three times.

Yusuke looked confused, then frightened as the Miracle Box started to vibrate. And just like that, fifteen small, colorful comets of light flew from the box and danced around the room. Yusuke looked around in wonder at the display. Akira, Ann, and Ryuji also looked around with awe in their eyes. I have to admit, the light show the Kwamis put on is something that never gets old. When the Kwamis settled down and returned to normal, they flew to me and floated around me.

"Yusuke Kitagawa, the beings that are all around me are called 'Kwamis' They are gods and zodiacs in the shape of animals that can give humans their powers. Akira, Ann, Ryuji, and I all have one in our care." I said, showing off my earrings. The others did the same, showing off their respective Miraculous.

"We use the Miraculous to assist with our Phantom Thievery, as you know. Since I am the guardian of the Miraculous, I have decided to give you a Miraculous." I said. Yusuke looked amazed and slightly confused.

"Are- are you saying that you trust me with something like this?" He asked.

"I am... it is my way of showing my trust to my fellow Phantom Thieves," I told him.

"So... do I just pick one?" Yusuke asked.

"Not exactly..." Ann said.

"What do you mean?" Yusuke asked.

"For the best result, the Kwamis choose whether or not to be your Kwami," I explained.

"So... they choose me..." Yusuke said.

"Yup!" Ryuji confirmed.

"This isn't gonna hurt Yusuke," I reassured him. He let out a breath and nodded, closing his eyes. I nodded to the Kwamis, and they did their thing. The fifteen kwamis who didn't have a holder zoomed to my tall friend sitting across from me. They circled him for a minute before all but one return to the Miracle Box.

Trixx was the one who remained, floating in front of Yusuke with a smile on their face.

"Yusuke Kitagawa... I think we'll get along nicely.~" Trixx said, pulling out their Miraculous and giving it to Yusuke. I nodded and smiled.

"Yusuke, my friend, my ally, my fellow Phantom Thief. You have been chosen to be the next holder of the Fox Miraculous. This Miraculous holds the power of illusions... use this power responsibly." I told him.

"The power of illusions..." Yusuke muttered.

"Come now..." I said, reaching into the Miracle Box. I pulled out the horse Miraculous.

"Let's go test how good you are~," I said with a smile.

(Time skip! Brought to you by Bridgette figuring out how to visit Marinette without looking suspicious!)

... What was I expecting? Yusuke's hero outfit was... unusual... It somewhat resembled traditional Japanese male attire. Only, it had a hood with fox ears and nine tails flowing from the back. It was also white with orange accents and patterns. His mask looked somewhat similar to his Phantom Thief one.

Despite his... costume... Yusuke (who dubbed himself Kitsune-shi) was a natural with the Fox Miraculous. His illusions were so vivid and realistic. More realistic than any other made by past Foxs I had seen. They were extravagant (seriously, he made the island we traveled to look like a fever dream), so we agreed to let him keep the Miraculous. I have to say... I love my life in Japan!

(A/N: This is late! I'm sorry! here are links to Kitsune's costume: https://www.deviantart.com/justacreator/art/The-New-Fox-Kitsune-Shi-Aka-Yusuke-Kitagawa-pt-1-867317788

https://www.deviantart.com/justacreator/art/The-New-Fox-Kitsune-Shi-Aka-Yusuke-Kitagawa-pt-2-867317943)