Chapter Text
“Your blackened intentions are so obvious. I’m not so innocent anymore. Why did you change? Unforgettable. You are really a bad, bad boy.” - Reason to Become a Witch, NS Yoon-G
-~-~-~
As of late, Marinette has begun to see the irony in her inheriting powers based on being lucky. Not that she never had any doubts concerning the Ladybug Miraculous, but considering the events of the past few weeks, she’s not sure how anyone could connect her to the concept of good fortune.
First, there had been Lila. Lila, who promised on her very first day back to make Marinette’s friends and classmates turn against her. At the time, Marinette didn’t take her threats too seriously. She didn’t have time for Lila’s petty little drama and ambitions for popularity, and yet she had to keep a sharp eye in case she tried pulling a fast one on Marinette’s friends.
That day came when Lila had to give her mythology report. The girl begged and begged Ms. Bustier to allow her to choose something from Italian mythology, under the excuse that she was “sharing her culture” with the rest of the class. From the way she smirked, Marinette instantly knew she had ulterior motives.
“Il Malocchio ,” she said, making her voice tremble, “Or the evil eye. It’s said that anyone who is swallowed by envy will receive a glare of judgment from higher forces and be cursed.”
Of course, Marinette knows that this isn’t true. She wasn’t 100% caught up on her Italian mythology, but her grandmother taught her that the “cursed” one was the subject of envy, not the one suffering from it.
One glance over at Adrien reminds her to take the high road. And so she suffers in silence.
“And the way to tell if someone has been cursed is…” her eyes fall on Marinette and she gawks. “Oh. My. It seems our class president has had an awful encounter with misfortune.”
She snorts. “And how can you tell?”
“Well, I happen to be related to Professor. Occhiodestro, an incredibly respected expert on mythology and witchcraft in Italy. He had me study in his seminar at age ten, and learn how to study people’s auras. And according to my reading, Marinette, yours has been infected with a black eye, the sign of Malocchio.”
Of course her classmates were quick to start gossiping. Even Alya shot her a concerned glance.
“Thankfully, the means of breaking the curse are easy,” Lila explains, “The first step is admitting to your source of envy. So Marinette, tell us, who is it that you envy?”
“I’m not envious of anyone,” Marinette spits, “If anything, I’m annoyed you’re dragging me into your presentation to make an example of me, especially without my consent.”
Lila, of course, was not satisfied with this answer. She pouted and cried, making the class study Marinette with raised eyebrows. Just like when Lila first returned. Only Adrien offered an apologetic smile.
But that wasn’t the end of it. When the class wasn’t looking, Lila went out of her way to arrange for “pranks” to make it seem like Marinette was actually cursed. Tripping more often. Water spilling from above and drenching her. Interfering with girl group activities and rearranging the plans at the last second, making it seem like Marinette “forgot” and then forging evidence that Lila did sent the text to her and Marinette should have received it.
Looking back on it though, all of that was to be expected from Lila. She’s not even sure why she’s disappointed.
But then there was Alya. Story-chasing, stubborn as hell Alya. The same reporter who preached “fact-checking” only to give Lila a pass because her stories were so amazing and gave her another chance to be close with Ladybug. It wasn’t enough that Alya already knew Ladybug, got an interview with Ladybug and even worked with Ladybug. No, she had to continue posting interview after interview with Lila gushing about her “best friend” with no inkling of self-awareness of what she was doing.
And of course, once Lila’s pranks started becoming relentless, Alya started entertaining the possibility that Marinette really was cursed.
“Ha, maybe that’s why you still can’t confess to Adrien! I’m sure if you just broke the curse like Lila said, everything would be better!”
That comment annoyed her for many reasons. But one was for a reason that, while obvious on the surface, came to be for different reasons.
--
She tried desperately hard to fight back the tears in her eyes as she walked away from Master Fu’s. The conversation had been long and hard, but it was time for her to take a real break from being Ladybug. If her trip to China made her realize anything, it was how much more refreshed and light she felt when she wasn’t in constant contact with Chat Noir. And she hated that realization because it used to be the opposite. But lately…
Turning into the park near her house, Marinette is cut off with the sudden arrival of the cat hero, plopping down behind her. She doesn’t have to look to know that his face is glowing with a proud smirk.
“Princess! Wow, your hair looks so beautiful down!” he reaches forward to touch her shoulder, and she instantly shudders, especially as he gestures to turn her around, “The only thing that could be more beautiful is… you’re crying?”
Great. No, this is it. It’s finally time to put an end to this. Sniffling, she rubs away the rest of her tears, and stares him straight in the eye.
“M’lady, what’s the matter? Who did this to you?”
“You did,” she says, her voice somehow even. “You made me upset.”
His face falters, and he crosses his arms over his chest. “What are you talking about? I’ve done everything I could to make you happy. I’ve been the perfect gentleman! If anything,” he pouts, “ You’re the one who’s upset me. Why can’t you see how ridiculous you’re being? I mean, I love you and you love me . Why do you have to continue to insist on pushing me away?”
Because she thought bitterly, you’re my third strike out.
He wasn’t even supposed to know about her feelings, but of course, Liar Rossi struck yet again. Part of her plan included getting Marinette to spill out her feelings for Adrien by accident, having him secretly listen in on it the whole time. It led to an awkward conversation afterward where he basically rejected her. It sucked at the time, but she accepted it and was ready to move on. The Chameleon incident had already somewhat soured her feelings toward him anyway, so perhaps this was for the best.
But then the reveal happened. A reveal that wasn’t supposed to happen and a reveal that left her caught entirely off guard. It was so much for her to process, and she wanted to sit down as she reconciled the actions of the two personas.
His eyes lit up when he realized it was her, and she had no doubt in her mind that he wasn’t weighing the same thoughts as her. His feelings were reciprocated! So of course, when he went to ask her out again , he was truly confident that she wouldn’t say no again! They could finally become Paris’ Power Couple, both in and out of the costume.
Weeks ago, she never would have thought of turning Adrien down.
“Well, since there’s no secrets between the two of us anymore, I think we can finally make it official, don’t you think?”
“I don’t think so.”
The pause that settles over them is the most awkward experience she’s ever had around him. More awkward than her stuttering, more awkward than her fumbling over her words, and even more awkward than her trying to avoid his line of sight as she innocently went about her business.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you right,” he laughs, “What did you say?”
“I said , I don’t think we should date.”
“But… you like me.”
She’s slow to respond to this. “I do.”
“So then what’s the problem?”
“The problem is that this all happening so fast.” She frowns. How can he be so calm about all of this? “Now knowing that you were Chat Noir the entire time, it puts a lot of your actions and behaviors toward me in a new light. And because of that, I need some time to think.”
“What is there to think about? We’re in love!”
“Everything!” she exclaims, trying to bite back hot tears. Damn, why did she have to get so caught up like this now? Tikki stares at her with her own tearful eyes, silently begging her to calm down. “W-Whether or not this relationship is right for me, what’s healthy for me… You knew about Lila, all the lies she told and yet never did a thing about it. In fact, you told me to do nothing and insisted that it wasn’t hurting anyone! All the while, she targeted me specifically and threatened me in the bathroom!”
“But-”
“Or how about how you treated me after I rejected you, multiple times ? I only had to do that because you felt like your feelings were more important than mine and you couldn’t let it go after the first time! You even sulked during akuma attacks, like when the entire city was frozen over!”
“But-”
“And I know you’ve flirted with multiple girls, like Rena Rouge and me before you found out who I was. Which, if that’s who you want to be, whatever. But I don’t want a boyfriend that leads other people on, even as a joke.”
“Marinette…”
She turns her back to him, lowering her head. “I don’t hate you. I still really like and care about you. And I know you have good in your heart. You’ve proven multiple times that you’re worthy of the cat miraculous. But that doesn’t make you perfect for me. Sorry Adrien, but I think we’re better off just as friends for now.”
Those hot tears come back in full force, and now she’s hissing through her teeth. “ I rejected you! Multiple times! I told you that I don’t want to be your girlfriend, Adrien!”
“You don’t have to keep saying that!” he yells back, grasping her by her shoulders, “I know you only think that because of them ! You just can’t see it, because you’re afraid to love-”
“No!” she cries, pushing him away, “It’s because I wasn’t interested in you! It’s because I thought you and I weren’t going to work!” Her fingers curl inward and god she doesn’t think she’s ever shook as much as she is right now. Even with all the years of Chloe bullying her or all the crap Lila’s been tossing her way lately, she’s never felt such rage. “We’re not even dating, and yet look at what you’ve done! I lost Alya and I lost my desire to ever see you!”
“Don’t blame this on Alya,” he harrumphs, “She’s only acting that way because you refuse to see reason. I’ve given you so many chances to see the truth, but you’re only refusing to because you’re bored of me or because you’re too lazy.”
Lazy ? Her ? How can he stand there and proclaim his love to her and then go on to say such awful, untruthful things about her? The worst part is that she knows he’ll just expect her to forgive him, or better yet, have her apologize for how wrong she was for just not putting in the effort for them.
The only thing stopping her at this point from cursing his name and telling him to go straight to hell is the fact that she could be targeted for an akuma. If only Tikki were here to back her up.
When she finally manages to recompose herself, even just a little, she makes sure her glare is hard and that he sees it. “Stop being so damn selfish. I stopped hanging out with you because you made me uncomfortable. I had no clue what you’d be willing to do and that made me feel unsafe.”
He returns her glare, only to falter. Following his gaze, she realizes what he’s so horrified of now.
“Y-Your earrings…” he gasps, “Don’t tell me… H-Hawkmoth-”
“No. They’re safe. You’ll be meeting the new wielder, whoever they are, soon.”
His jaw drops at this, and she has to admit, part of her feels really bad about all of it. It’s not as if she wanted everything to get to this point. “You’re leaving me?”
If it hadn’t already, her heart would have broken into pieces.
But she’s done pitying him.
“I’m not yours to keep.”
A moment ago, he was on the verge of tears. It seems he managed to successfully swallow them down though, because now he starts laughing. “So you got bored of being a hero too, huh? God, how selfish can you be? You’re gonna leave Paris in danger because of a couple of bad days or a silly miscommunication? And after everything I’ve done for you...”
All of what he says she knows is just projection. None of it is true. But maybe, she hopes, that by him saying all that, getting it off his chest, he’ll finally stop and leave. Finally, she can be done with this and move on.
He sighs, planting his hand on her shoulder yet again. “It’s okay. I know it’s just a phase. But we’re going to get through it-”
She lets out a hard screech. “This isn’t a phase !” Taking a moment to wipe away her new tears, she sighs before she begins again. “I did this because I thought you’d leave me alone.”
“Bugaboo, you know I could never leave you alone. I’m practically your knight in shining armor. The yang to to your yin. We complete each other.”
“Chat, please-”
“No! Not until you tell me why you did it and you apologize for making me feel this way!”
“What other choice did I have? You broke up one of the most important friendships I’ve ever had, you kept getting in the way of relationships I was trying to build with other people, you keep messaging me from new accounts whenever I block you… what do I have to apologize for? I’m so done with apologizing for things that aren’t my fault!”
“You have to apologize because you made me do those things!” he sniffled, actually sniffled. “I only wanted to treat you like the princess that you were, and make you feel safe.”
“I didn’t need you to make me feel safe. I needed you to listen to and respect me.”
“And I didn’t need that from you?”
“I think that’s quite enough of your obstinance, Chat Noir.”
Relief overtakes Marinette as she realizes who that voice belongs to. The new red superhero drops down, standing in front of Marinette and regarding Chat Noir with a hard stare. Judging from the features of the suit, she’s decided to take both Tikki and Longg for this confrontation, even if it’s overkill.
“An imposter Dragonbug,” he hisses, “What are you doing here?”
“First off, you will refer to me as Ryukōun,” she fires back, “Second, I’m here by request of the Master to protect her.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. She’s purrr-fectly safe with me.”
“Correction, I’m here to protect her from you. And if you insist on continuing to act the way you are,” she takes a step forward, getting right in his face, “I’ll have no choice but to protect Plagg from you as well.”
“You dare threaten me?” he hisses, “I earned my claws! You’re nothing but a rookie hero that had to use two kwamis to stand a chance against me!”
“I don’t need a kwami to stand up to you,” she retorts, “And I’ll have you know between the time you started harassing her and me intervening, I fought off four akumas targeting her because of the stress you’re causing her.” She backs off, placing a hand on Marinette’s shoulder and studying her expression. As a calm overcomes her, Ryukōun smiles briefly. Returning her attention back to Chat Noir, however, her frown is back in full force. “This is your last warning, cat.”
Huffing, he raises an eyebrow, “How do I know you’re not an akuma?”
“Because the only one hurting anyone here right now is you.”
No experience in the past few weeks had been as terrifying as seeing Chat’s face contort with such rage as he lunges for Ryukōun. Gasping as he launches himself towards them, she doesn’t have enough time to jump out of the way. Thankfully, the new dragon-bug hero shoves her out of the line of fire. She finds herself frozen on the ground, watching the fight as it breaks out.
“Marinette, get going!” Ryukōun shouts.
Her first instinct is to run toward her house, but she knows that if things go wrong, Chat Noir will only show up there and refuse to leave. And she doesn’t want to imagine just what he’d do at that point.
Where can she go? Where can she be safe? She runs and runs, trying to think of solutions. Tikki once said that figuring out solutions to your problems would keep her from being akumatized, and she’s well aware that she’s pushing her luck at this point.
But what solution does she have at this point? And really, hadn’t her luck ran out by now?
She stops in an alley, huffing and puffing and shaking. Staring down at the ribbons that used to carry her pigtails, she only barely manages to catch a glimpse of the purple butterfly as it possesses her.
“Bewitched. I am Hawkmoth. For too long, you have been cursed with responsibility and cursed with unfair expectations. Too many cruel and nasty people have trampled your heart, taking advantage of your kindness, even heroes like Chat Noir. But I can give you the power to curse them back, force them to see the error of their ways. And all I ask in return is for Ladybug and Chat Noir’s miraculouses. What do you say? Do we have a deal?”
It’s selfish that she would even consider this option. Hawkmoth has hurt countless people at this point, even if the damage was mostly reversed.
Even now, being offered what it is she should want, Marinette finds herself cursed with bad luck. Perhaps Lila hadn’t been entirely lying this entire time.
She can’t help but laugh. He doesn’t realize it, but Hawkmoth is going to pay. All of them will pay. Lila for her manipulations. Alya for her disloyalty. Adrien for his false and ugly heart.
She doesn’t utter a single word as she allows for the akuma to take over.
The process is simultaneously terrifying and liberating. Like a snake, she sheds her previous skin of nervousness, exhaustion and ire. And now, she embraces her new power, and the previous feelings of resentment and bitterness she was previously forced to swallow down. She always had to be the good guy and not let her feelings get the best of her? Well, whoever thought that would pay the price for expecting such a thing from her!
Damn, what a weight she had been carrying. She smiles, for what feels the first time after long, hellish weeks.
“Hawkmoth, if I may give you a suggestion? Allow me the rest of the evening to plan my attack. By tomorrow morning, Chat Noir will no longer have his miraculous.”
“That sounds promising. And tell me, what about Ladybug?”
She smirks. “She’s not going to be a problem.”
--
Adrien finds himself simultaneously dragging himself to school and also being too excited to get there and confirm that Marinette is alright. Last night’s confrontation wasn’t supposed to end with her disappearing into the night, and him spending all of that time looking everywhere desperately for her. Even when he tried checking her bedroom, there was no sign of her anywhere.
The school yard is full of students laughing and chatting without a care in the world. A group of his own classmates, the girls mostly, crowd over Lila, no doubt telling them about her wonderful trip to Nova Scotia she’s going on next week. They practically fawn over every word, and he can’t help but kick himself. If he had done something about Lila all those weeks ago, would Marinette be at his side now?
He doesn’t bother to hide the dirty glare he shoots them all. How can they all be so carefree and innocent, while he has to deal with the toil of a stubborn love? Why couldn’t their relationship be as simple and Ivan and Mylene’s, who currently sit at a bench, cuddling and watching videos on their phone?
Looking to the left of them, he spots Nino and Alya standing off from each other, deep in conversation. The couple may not have been in the best spot right now, but at least they had each other. He’d do anything to trade spots with them right now, if it meant he got to call Marinette his girlfriend.
Dragging himself over to them, he barely manages to mutter a ‘good morning.’ The two of them exchange concerned glances with each other.
“Dude, you look like hell,” Nino comments, “Didn’t sleep well last night?”
“I had a fight with Marinette,” he answers abruptly.
“Oh, Adrien,” Alya sighs, “I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what’s gotten into Marinette lately. I’m sure she’ll come around.”
He shoots a smile at the journalist, not sure that it’s convincing. Still, how exactly can he explain to her that Marinette ended up running away the previous evening because of that damn Ryukōun?
Nino, on the other hand, doesn’t seem so sympathetic.
“You’re still going on about this?” Nino asks, crossing his arms over his chest. “Dude, I think you’ve crossed some serious lines. You’re not just scaring Marinette anymore. You’re scaring me too, man.”
“Come on, man,” Adrien laughs, patting his shoulder, “You and Alya know what it’s like to be crazy mad in love, right?”
“Neither one of us have ever done the sort of shit you’ve done,” Nino argues, “We’ve always respected each other’s boundaries. Dude, if this is what you’re willing to do just courting her, what are you going to do once you start dating her?”
He doesn’t have to say anything for Nino for him to understand that what he just said was a mistake. Adrien didn’t think he had it in him, but he’s sure he just emulated a dirty look befitting of his father.
“Are you accusing me of something Nino? Because you’re my friend, and I would hope for better from you.”
“It’s because I’m your friend that I’m saying all this.”
A silence falls between the two of them, and for once, Adrien isn’t sure what to say. Why, he asks himself, can’t people just let these kind of things go? Why is it that everywhere he goes, someone always finds something to criticize him for? All of them are just like his father, trying to keep him under their control. He just never would have expected this sort of behavior from his own best friend.
What sort of friend would do that, especially a friend that hated his father?
Shrieks from the girls’ group interrupt them before they can exchange any more words. He looks up at the top of the building and wishes he hadn’t.
“I hope you all had a good morning,” a raspy, and yet familiar voice snickered, “Because it’ll be the last time any of you know good fortune.”
Oh no .
Descending from above the school ground and at the top of the stairs, is none other than Marinette. He ought to be relieved to see his lady love recovered, but seeing her now, his heart sinks.
The most notable aspect of her outfit is the complete starkness of it - there is no trace of color to it, just black and white. The only color that pops out to him are her bluebell eyes, which have now taken an icy tone.
The next thing he notices are all the spiked accessories. A choker, two rings on one hand, three on the other. There’s also the dozens of chunky bracelets on her one wrist. Even the witch hat atop her head has spikes at the base of the cone.
Her top is a white button up shirt with a camisole underneath. One of the sleeves is rolled up to her elbow, threatening to drop, while the other hangs freely at her wrist. The hem is curved at the bottom, and hangs freely over her black biker shorts, cut off just a bit over the knee. Underneath the shorts are a pair of black and white striped leggings. To finish it all off, she dons a shiny pair of black military boots, taking powerful, marching steps down the stairs.
With all eyes on her, her face breaks into a grin. A wicked grin that he’s only ever seen in his nightmares, and it’s enough to break his heart. Who could have done such a thing to his lady, his princess?
“M-Marinette?” he barely manages to say.
Her smile disappears, replaced only with a hard glare. No, this can’t be his Marinette!. His Princess, his Lady was too smart, too strong, too good to be tainted by that Hawkmoth! Oh, if only that Ryukōun hadn’t gotten in his way! Strong, protective arms would have been wrapped around his lady, gentle fingers ready to shed away her tears, and his lips, always ready to bless her with thousands of kisses, silencing her fears with a gentle whisper.
And despite this information, he can’t help but tremble under the gaze of his possessed love.
“I am not Marinette. I am Bewitched,” she says, “And to those who cursed me…” her gaze falls upon Lila, then back to him, and that wicked smirk of hers returns, “Well, allow me to return the favor.”