Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“ I can’t believe it.” Marinette said breaking the silence. 

“ Me neither.” Tikki confessed. 

They both sat on Marinette’s bed, with the miracle box set in front of them. None said nor did anything for the past twenty minutes. Marinette looked slightly pale. 

‘ My poor Marinette. ’ Tikki thought to herself. ‘ She’s not ready for this .’

“Oh Tikki, what am I going to do?” Marinette started. “ How am I, a fifthteen year old who’s only skills are designing and playing video games, supposed to be able to take on this responsibility! How am I supposed to care for the kwami when I can’t even read the grimoire! Or how am I supposed to protect and defend the miracle box when I can barely walk on my own two feet due to my extreme case of clumsiness! Which by the way I still haven’t found the cure for!” She said with sarcasm. 

‘ Well she does have a point there. Uh, I didn’t think she had a sarcastic side. Plagg will definitely love her. ’

“ See Tikki, I haven’t even been Guardian for an hour and I’m already a total failure!” She flopped onto her pillows burying her face inside. “ Maybe we should find someone else to be the Guardian.” She mumbled out. 

At that moment Tikki snapped up and flew over to her chosen. 

“ Don’t you dare say that Marinette! You are the most sweetest, kindest, and bravest person I’ve ever known. While you could use a lot of training, I believe that there is no better person to be Guardian.” 

Marinette looked up at Tikki with evident tears in her eyes. She sniffed, “ Do you really mean that?”

“ Of course!” Tikki exclaimed. “ I know that there is a long journey ahead of us, though I want you to know that I will be here with you, right by your side every step of the way.” She said with a loving smile. 

Marinette sat up slowly composing herself. She gave a soft smile. 

“ Thanks Tikki.”

She held out her hands to embrace the tiny goddess, and Tikki joyfully flew into them. She held Tikki against her cheek. Their tender moment was soon interrupted by a knock on the door. Marinette’s eyes widened in alarm.

“ Hide Tikki!”

Tikki quickly hid behind Marinette’s computer while Marinette shoved the miracle box under the pile of pillows on her bed. ‘ Come on Marinette look casual. ’ She thought to herself. Finally she got into a position that made it look like she had been there relaxing the entire time. 

“Come in!” She said as she turned her head to the intruder. 

“ Hi Maman.” Marinette greeted with a bright smile. 

“Hi sweetie, are you feeling okay?” She had a worried look on her face.

‘ Oh nooo... she probably knows. No, that’s not possible it has to be something else.’

“Yes, of course. Why do you ask?” she asked, a bit confused.

“ Well it is a beautiful Saturday afternoon and instead of being out with your friends you’re in here. Is everything ok?” 

‘ Ok thank heavens she doesn't know!’ 

“ Wha- Pshhh I’m fine! Everything is great. I just wanted to slow down and take a moment to look at all the great things in my life.” A partial truth really. ‘ Great things more like great responsibility. ’ Marinette thought.

“ Well ok then sweetie. Be sure to come down to dinner in an hour.” She still had a little doubt that Marinette wasn’t completely fine.

“ Yes, Maman.”

As soon as the door shut Tikki came out of her hiding spot. Seeing Tikki, all the day's events came flooding back to her all at once. She started to panic again.

“Oh Tikki what do I do? Where do I start? Marinette cried as she headed towards her desk. 

“ Marinette.” Tikki said in a soft but stern voice. “ You need to calm down. Try taking some deep breaths.”

She took a moment to pull herself together; Tikki was observing her with a concerned look. 

‘ This might be worse than I thought. Hopefully the others will be supportive when they find out that there’s a new Guardian.’

“ Don’t worry Tikki I’m fine.” She said with a reassuring smile. She sat down in her swivel chair and was silent for a moment. ‘ Okay so apparently you’re the Guardian. It’s time to take charge. Think Marinette! I’m the Guardian, and Master Fu is gone. It’s my fault he’s gone. I was reckless. All the kwami will hate me. But Tikki is still with me.  I have the miracle box, though it’s more like a miracle egg. The miracle box! That’s it! I need  to hide it! ‘

“  I think the first thing I should do is hide the miracle egg.” She told Tikki

“ That’s a great idea Marinette! Miracle egg?” 

“ Um yeah since it’s no longer a box really, it’s more egg shaped. So I’ve decided to call it the miracle egg.” She said sheepishly. “ Is that okay?”

Tikki giggled “ I think it’s a great name!”

“ Have any ideas on where we should hide the egg?” Marinette asked.

“ How about in that hat box you used for the derby hat competition.” Tikki suggested. 

“ You’re a genius Tikki!”

She giggled at the praise. 

“ Well it’s just one of the benefits of being millions of years old.” 

Marinette’s jaw hung open, “ Millions?!”

“Well it’s probably more than that but yeah.” The tiny goddess admitted. Noticing Marinette’s gaping expression she changed the subject. “ I’ll tell you more about that later. Let’s go find that hat box.”

“ Found it!” Marinette cried out in victory. 

She put the box on her desk and then went to grab some colorful pieces of paper and tape. 

“ Uhh Marinette what are you doing?” Tikki asked as she flew over to the plate of macarons on her desk. 

“ I’m going to tape these pieces of paper to my windows so no one will be able to see into my room.” She said as she walked over to the nearest window. “ The last thing I need is someone finding out my identity.”

‘ Huh, even I didn’t think of that ‘ Tikki thought

“ That’s very smart Marinette” 

“ Thanks Tikki”

As soon as Marinette finished covering all of her windows she went back up to her bed to get the egg, and put it in the hat box. It was pure luck that the miracle egg actually fit into the box. Before she put the lid on she took the turtle miraculous out.

“ Tikki?”

“ Yes?”

“ Is it okay if I take Wayzz out? Maybe he can give me some Guardian advice?”

“ Absolutely, I’m sure Wayzz will be more than happy to help out.” 

“ Is there a way to take Wayzz out without putting the miraculous on? I don’t want anyone to recognize it. ” Marinette said thinking of Alya and Nino.

“ Yes there is, tap on the miraculous and say ‘awaken’.” Tikki informed her

Marinette did as Tikki said and a green ball of light came out of the miraculous. The light died down and in it’s place Wayzz stood (more like floated) in front of Marinette.

“ Greeting’s Master” Wayzz said solemnly. 

“ Please call me Marinette. How are you doing Wayzz?”

He hesitated, “ I must admit that I am still very saddened by Master Fu’s departure.” He confessed. 

“ It’s okay to be sad Wayzz.” Tikki said as she embraced him. “ Come here” She gave Wayzz the warmest hug she could give. Marinette stood aside giving them a moment.

When they finally parted Tikki spoke “ Marinette you wanted to speak to us?” She smiled encouragingly. 

“ Only if Wayzz is ok with it. I know this may be hard for you, and I want to make sure to give you enough time-”

“ I’ll be alright Miss Marinette. I want to help you with this burden. Perhaps I can give you some words of wisdom.” Wayzz said determinedly.

“ Alright then.” Marinette said as she sat down.” There’s one last kwami that I’d like to join us before we discuss the future.” 

“ Who?” Both kwami’s asked at the same time. 

“ Plagg.” Marinette simply said.” Is there a way you can contact him or should I transform and wait for Chat Noir to find me?” She continued. 

Both Kwami’s were gaping. Marinette noticed their expressions. “ What?”

Tikki was the first to find her words. “ We were surprised that it was Plagg you wanted to talk to.” She explained 

“Oh”

Wayzz also spoke up “ While Plagg can be lazy and grumpy; it is my opinion that he can provide good insight at times. Miss Marinette you also need to speak with your partner about the situation. It is important that he stay’s informed.”

Marinette nodded in understanding “ I still got about half an hour until dinner, so I think it would be best to have our chat after dinner. Do you guys think I have enough time to talk to Chat and give him the letter?”

“ Yes, that should be enough time,” Tikki said confidently. “ Just no getting side-tracked.”

Marinette smiled, “ No problem Tikki.” She turned to Wayzz, “ Wayzz?”

“ Yes, Mast- Miss Marinette” he was quickly embarrassed when he almost called her Master.

‘ Oh poor Wayzz’  Marinette thought she held out her hands invitingly to hold Wayzz, leaving him the decision of whether or not to go into them. He accepted quickly and sat in her hands.

“ Do you remember the time where Master Fu wrote me a letter that disappeared as soon as I was done reading it?” She said while stroking his head with her thumb. 

“ Why yes Miss Marinette. There is a magic perfume in the miracle box that grants this effect. It also makes the letter appear blank to prying eyes. Do you need it?”

“ Huh I didn’t know that.” Marinette said, “ Yes I do need it please.”

Wayzz flew into the miracle box and came out with an old- fashioned glass perfume bottle.

“ Thank you Wayzz.” 

As Marinette went to go find a piece of paper and a pen she started explaining to the two kwami her plan to write a letter to Plagg. “ I think it would be safer to give Plagg a letter rather than asking Chat to talk to Plagg just to invite him over later.  That way no civilians or cameras will see or hear me talking to Plagg. Plus if Chat were to find out about Plagg coming over to see me he could just follow Plagg here and then my secret identity would be compromised.” 

Marinette quickly wrote her letter, and doing as Wayzz said she sprayed two puffs of the magic perfume onto the letter. She saw her writing fade away and the letter was blank again. ‘ Wow this stuff really works.’ She smiled and Wayzz took the perfume back into the miracle egg. 

“ Ready to go Tikki?”

“ Just say the words Marinette.” 

“ Tikki, Spots On!”

She grabbed her letter and she opened the trap door leading to her balcony. 

“ Miss Marinette?” 

“ Yes Wayzz?”

“ Can I come along with you?” He asked shyly.

“ Of course!” She said with a bright smile. “ You can hide in one of my pigtails.” She suggested. 

She closed her trap door and then after throwing her yoyo and making sure that it was secure she lept off her balcony. Swinging around the city Marinette felt all of her stress get washed away. She no longer felt the betrayal of her friends . She no longer felt the pressures of being Guardian. She no longer felt the stress of working in the bakery or completing her school work. She felt free.

‘  Wow this feels nice.’ Marinette thought. ‘ I should do this more often. I know what would make this even better yell out ‘whoo-hoo’ No that would be too childish. But it would be fun. I’m not going to do it. You know what, screw it I’m gonna do it.’

“ Whooooo-hooooo!”

“ Come on Plagg! Hurry Up!” Adrien whined. “ Ladybug has been spotted in the city! What if she needs me!”

“ Is there an akuma?” Plagg asked through a mouthful of cheese.

“ Well no but-”

“ Then what’s the rush kid?”

“ I want to go see her. She’s transformed and there’s no akuma so maybe she’ll say yes to hanging out together.” He said hopefully.

“ Ughhh, She’s already told you no, plus I think you’re starting to get on her nerves.” Plagg said feeling sorry for the girl.

They stayed a couple more minutes, and Plagg tried to stall as much as possible. 

“ Alright now you’re just purposely taking forever!” Adrien accused with a finger pointed at Plagg.

“ No I’m not.” Plagg lazily denied.

“ Plagg, Claws Out!”

“ Heyyyy!”

Ladybug sat at the top of the Eiffel Tower patiently waiting for Chat while swinging her legs. Five minutes turned into ten. ‘ Hurry up Chat! ’ She thought.

Wayzz came out of her pigtail and sat on her shoulder instead.

“ This is the longest he’s ever taken.” She mused.

“ I’m sure he’ll be here soon, Ladybug.” Wayzz said being mindful of not calling her by her civilian identity. 

Suddenly they saw a black figure in the distance. Ladybug stood up and Wayzz flew back to his hiding spot. 

“ I don’t have enough time to talk to Chat right now, so I’m just gonna have him give the letter to Plagg.” she whispered to Wayzz.

“ Good evening, My lady.” Chat greeted. 

“ Hey Kitty.”

“ So what are you up to this fine evening?” he asked curiously.

“ Waiting for you actually.” She said truthfully 

His heart leapt, “ Really?” 

“ Yeah, I was wondering if you could give this letter to Plagg.” She said, holding out the letter. “ I also wanted to talk to you but I have somewhere where I need  to be.”

He took the letter in his claws. He felt glum. Ladybug looked at her yoyo phone checking the time. 

“ I gotta go Chat. Promise me you’ll give it to him?” 

“ Cat’s honor M’lady.” he said, disappointed that she was leaving already.

“ Thanks Kitty! And I promise we’ll get to talk some other time!” She jumped off the tower before extending her yoyo and then swinging away.

Chat stood there for a moment before deciding to head back home. He used his baton to launch himself back into his room.

“ Claws In.” He said dejectedly

Plagg came flying out of his ring. “ Wow, that was short.” he commented.

Adrien opened the letter for Plagg and saw that it was blank. “ Here Plagg, Ladybug wanted me to give you this blank letter.” he said sourly, while extending the paper towards the kwami.

Plagg rolled his eyes at his sour mood, and took the letter. He knew very well that since the letter was meant for him that it was all but blank. 

Dear Plagg, Kwami of Destruction, 

    As you probably already know Master Fu has passed on the title of the Guardian to me. I wish to carry out this title the best I can but to do so I will need some help. Having no Guardian training whatsoever I am guaranteed to fail. Tikki and Wayzz have given me their support; we’ll be having a discussion regarding my future. With that being said I’d like to invite you over to my place so that you can be there too.  We’ll be holding our meeting at The Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie on 12 Rue Gotlib at 9:00 pm. I hope to see you there. 

           Sincerely Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Ladybug heroine of Paris, Guardian of the Miraculous

               Ps. I had no idea that I had the capability to write a formal letter! Haha! =)

Plagg laughed at her last comment, and the letter disappeared leaving no evidence of its existence. ‘ She seems to be taking the Guardianship well so far. ’ Plagg thought to himself. ‘ And she’s already taking charge. ’ He felt a bit proud. 

“ What’s so funny Plagg?” Adrien asked, still in his bad mood.

“ Oh nothing.” He then noticed Adrien’s bad mood. “ What’s wrong?” he asked his chosen.

“ I was really looking forward to being with Ladybug but she didn’t even stay for five minutes!” He cried. “ She just wanted me to give you that letter and then she left!” 

“ Did she say why she left?” Plagg pressed.

“ Something about needing to be somewhere and that she’d talk to me later.” He ended with a huff.  

“ Well there you have it. Ladybug had to leave and now you’re throwing a hissy fit.” Plagg said with sarcasm. Adrien glared at Plagg. “ Look why don’t we spend the rest of the night relaxing and watching T.V.” Plagg suggested fully knowing that Adrien always ends up falling asleep while watching T.V. 

“ Fine.”

Chapter Text

Plagg looked at the time 8:43 pm. His chosen had just fallen asleep while watching T.V. just like he predicted.‘ It’s almost time to go should I turn off the T.V.? Nah. The man he calls his father will just have to pay for the waste of electricity. ’ He started to snicker. He phased through the window and flew towards the Dupain bakery. He saw the light on in her room and decided to head inside. 

“ Plagg!” Tikki cried happily.

“ Sugarcube!” Plagg flew over to give Tikki a hug. Then he noticed Wayzz. 

“ Hey Wayzz.” he greeted with a smile.

“ Hello Plagg, I’m surprised you're actually here early.” The two also shared a hug though it was much shorter than the one with Tikki. 

“ Well, after the effort Marinette put into writing a formal letter I had to come earlier.” Plagg said playfully.

“ Hi Plagg.'' Marinette said as she held out a finger respectfully to shake his paw. Plagg shook her finger, and Marinette sat down at her desk. On the desk there was a mini table with a mini teapot on it, a small plate of mini macaroons and cheese bread. Surrounding the table were mini bean bag chairs for the kwami to sit at. 

“ I made you guys some treats. Tikki said that you like cheese, so I made you some cheese bread. Wayzz made the tea.” Marinette said while gesturing towards the table. 

“ Indeed. It’s the Wayzz Special.” He said proudly.

“ The Wayzz Special!?” Plagg exclaimed.

“ The Wayzz Special.” Tikki confirmed.

Marinette looked confused, “ What’s so special about the Wayzz Special?” she asked. 

Plagg flew up to her face “ The Wayzz Special, my darling.” He paused dramatically, “Is the solution to all your problems! It’s like an energy drink that keeps you calm! It’s both energizing and calming! It is the greatest tea in the entire galaxy!” He gushed. 

“ Really?” Marinette questioned.’ It sounds too good to be true. ’ 

“ Absolutely!” Tikki confirmed.

She glanced at Wayzz who was sitting comfortably in his beanbag chair drinking his tea. “ Shall we get started?” he said. 

“ Oh, yeah, of course. *ahem* Let's get started.” Marinette stumbled. 

Tikki and Plagg went over to join Wayzz at the table. Plagg decided to try the cheese bread. 

“ Oh gosh! This tastes heavenly!” He cried. 

Marinette blushed at the praise. “ Thank you.” 

“ Now onto the serious matter at hand. Now I'm going to be totally honest with you guys I have no idea where to start.” Marinette admitted. “ There are a lot of things that I need to learn so that I can be Guardian, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thankful Fei was willing to teach me kung fu, so maybe I'm not completely hopeless. I don’t know if I can balance being Guardian alongside with being Ladybug and Marinette.”  Marinette paused to take a sip of her tea. “ Wow this tea is amazing, Wayzz.”

“ Thank you, Miss Marinette.”

“ It probably makes things worse that I’ve almost been akumatized before.” Marinette ended with defeated sigh.

“ Don’t feel bad Marinette. You're allowed to have feelings. We just need to find a healthy way to let out your emotions.” Tikki assured her. 

“ Sooo… to sum it all up you need to figure out a way to balance all three lives all while trying not to get akumatized.” Plagg said bluntly.

“Plagg!” Tikki scolded

“ What? It’s true! Plus I already have an idea that can hit two birds with one stone.” He said proudly. 

“ And what would that be?” Wayzz deadpanned. 

“ A dart board with Hawk Moth’s face on it.” he announced. “ Think about it. You can take out your anger on him and if you use knives then you can develop a new skill that can help you defend the miracle box!” 

Everyone was silent. Wayzz and Tikki were both staring at Plagg with their jaws hanging wide open, thinking he was a madman, Marinette on the other hand looked thoughtful.

She finally spoke up, “ I love it!” 

“ Really?!” All three kwamis turned to look at her. 

“ Yeah! We can go out tomorrow to get it.” She bounced in her seat out of excitement.

“ Miss Marinette? May I suggest something?” Wayzz asked with his flippers folded in front of him. 

“ Of course Wayzz.”

“ I suggest meditating in the morning, and learning Mandrin will help you be able to translate the grimoire.” he said.

“  That’s a great idea!” Tikki said. “ It could even solve your tardy issues at school! Doesn’t your mother meditate, Marinette?”

“ Hey! My tardy issues are not that bad!” Marinette huffed indignantly. “ And yes Maman does meditate.” She paused for a moment.” She also speaks Mandrin and knows martial arts!” She said in realization. “ I could just ask her to teach me and I could start joining her in the mornings when she meditates.”

“ Well I guess we could say that Marinette’s mother is the solution to her problems.” Plagg commented with his mouth full of cheese bread. 

“ Miss Marinette, do you plan on speaking to the other kwamis?” Wayzz asked hesitantly. 

“ Yes I will be speaking with them soon, but not tonight. I needed to figure out what I was going to do before I introduced myself as Guardian to them.” Marinette said looking down at her empty cup of tea. 

“ I understand, Miss Marinette.” Wayzz said

“ Marinette, it's getting late we should probably call it a night.” Tikki suggested.

“ Really? I’m not tired.” 

“ You’re not?”

“ Nope.” She said popping the ‘p’

“ Marinette it’s almost midnight. You're telling me that you're not tired?” Tikki said questioningly.

“ Nope. I can run a marathon!” She said excitedly. 

Tikki turned to Wayzz, he shrugged. 

Plagg started snickering, “ Sweetheart here, has a lot of energy because of the tea! Oh this is going to be so much fun!” 

“ Does your chosen drink coffee or any caffeine?” Wayzz asked Tikki. 

“ No not often why?”

“ Well that would explain why she is especially energetic.”

 Plagg chugged down the rest of his tea and threw the cup to the ground ceremoniously. Though the teacup didn’t break. “ Hey Princess!” He called out to Marinette with a crazed look in his eye. 

“ Yeah?!” She called back wearing the same look. 

“ Are you thinking what I’m thinking?!”

“ I have no idea but I think so!”

“ You go change and I’ll wait for you here!”

Marinette quickly ran to her to her closet and came back seconds later wearing a black hoodie with thumb holes, black joggers, and black high tops. She also wore a thin black scarf which she pulled up to her nose, effectively covering the bottom half of her face. Her pigtails were gone and in their place she wore a high bun. 

Wayzz spoke, “ Oh Tikki, what have I done?” He kept his gaze on Marinette as she went to write something on a piece of paper.

“ It’s not your fault Wayzz. I’ll stay with them just in case if they do anything crazy.” Tikki assured him.

“ Are you sure?” 

“ Of course, I’ll be fine”

“ Well ok then.”

With that Wayzz returned to the miracle egg, and Tikki saw Marinette climb onto her balcony. Tikki put the lid back on the hat box, and she followed Marinette. Plagg was holding on to a small black backpack with drawstrings. 

“ Great you’re here! Let’s go!” Plagg said excitedly when he saw Marinette.

The both turned to leave but were stopped by an authoritative voice. 

“ Now where do you think you two are going.” 

They looked at Tikki who had her arms folded with an unimpressed look.

“ We’re going to run across the rooftops all night long.” Plagg said, still enthusiastic.

“ Yeah! You can come with us” Marinette added.

“ You can’t do that.”

“ Why not?” 

“ Because of your parents. What happens when they wake up and find you gone?” Tikki reasoned.

“ Oh, we already took care of that.” Marinette simply said.

“ You did?”

“ Yeah, I wrote a note telling them that I woke up early, and that I wanted to see the sunrise to get some more inspiration for my designs.” Marinette said proudly.

“ Isn’t she great, Sugarcube! She has a solution for everything.” 

“ It’s a miracle if you can get up early.” She deadpanned. Curiosity getting the best of her she asked , “ What’s in the bag?”

“ My sketchbook, some pastries from the bakery, my wallet, and my phone.” She said listing each one on her fingers.

“ Come on! Let’s go!” Plagg cried, getting impatient.

“ Ok, Ok we’re going.” Marinette assured him while grabbing the backpack from him. “ Tikki, you coming?”

‘ I’ll be fun. ‘ Tikki thought. 

“Sure!” She said with ease knowing that Marinette has a backup plan.

Chapter Text

Marinette ran across the rooftops, constantly dodging, and flipping over obstacles that came her way. She gave loud cries of joy and excitement, unknowingly waking some of Paris’s citizens. Tikki and Plagg flew twirling around each while still managing to race alongside their Guardian. Suddenly an old raspy voice demanded their attention. 

“ Oi!” 

They came to an abrupt stop, and Marinette looked in the direction of the voice. She saw an old man standing on his balcony, across the street, waving his fist in the air. 

“ Who are you and what do you think you’re doing?!” 

She turned to the kwamis for guidance. “ Should I answer him or leave?”

“ Let’s just leave.” Tikki said.

“ No, no wait! I have an idea!” Plagg exclaimed. “ Let’s pretend to be an alien! I’ll be the voice, Marinette can be the actual alien, and Sugarcube you can be the weird glowing light around Marinette.” 

“Plagg, don't you think it's too childish?” Tikki asked. He didn’t get the chance to respond as the old man had called out to them again.

“ Did I stutter?! Who are you and what do you think you're doing?!” He demanded.

Plagg decided to make his intervention. “ Do not fear Human! I come in peace!” He said in his ancient voice.

In that split second Marinette lifted both her hands up as if greeting him. She had overlapped her index and middle finger; making the two look like one finger. She did the same thing with her ring finger and pinkie. The overall result made it look like she had three fingers on each hand. She, Plagg and Tikki started to giggle quietly.

Suddenly the man looked petrified. “ What do you want, Martian?!” He said in a shaky voice. 

Finally Tikki joined in; creating a blue glow around Marinette. 

“ I was just enjoying this beautiful night.” He paused as Marinette extended her arms gesturing to the sky. “ Then you called me over so now I’ve come to eat- I mean, greet you.”

Tikki and Marinette went into a fit of uncontrollable giggles while Plagg was trying hard to maintain his composure. The man disappeared inside his house and came back out with a shotgun in his hands. 

“ I give you the count of three, Martian!” 

“ One!”

“ Uh, oh.” Plagg said, realizing what was happening. “ Tikki we got to go!”

“ Two!” 

Tikki looked over to the man and her giggles came to a stop as soon as she saw the man pointing a gun at Marinette. “ Marinette run!”

Marinette’s eyes widened  as she finally saw the man at the same time in which he called out the number three.

“ Three!”

She bolted across the rooftop she was on and jumped onto the next one as she heard shots fired from behind her. 

“ Run Marinette!” Plagg cried desperately. 

Marinette forced her legs to go faster to the point where she thought that she was going to trip any second now. She counted the number of blocks she passed as she ran. When she deemed a safe enough distance she finally slowed down. Tikki and Plagg started fussing over her.

“ Are you okay?”

“ Yes.”

“ Are you hurt?” 

“ No.”

“ Are you able to walk?” 

“ What do you think I’m doing?” She said sarcastically.

“ Don't you give me sass little lady!” Plagg shot back.

“ Little?! Look who’s talking!” 

“ Hey! This is the form I choose to be in. I could be a dragon if I wanted to!”

“ Guy’s stop it! I think we’re being followed.” Tikki whispered urgently. This caused them to pause. 

“ Where Tikki?” Marinette asked.

“ Over to the left in the shadows.” 

Marinette stepped closer to the edge of the roof to get a better look. As soon as she did the figure came out of the shadows and Alya stood in her pj’s with her phone in her hands. She started to take pictures of Marinette. 

“ Of course it’s Alya.” Marinette muttered, as she started to run again. ‘ That crazy girl. She’s going to end up getting in trouble or worse.’  Marinette thought worriedly. 

Finally Marinette stopped on a random rooftop. Double checking that she had no followers she was at last able to relax. She set her bag down and found a good place to lay down and stargaze. Tikki and Plagg joined her. 

“ Did you guys see the look on his face when I said ‘I come in peace’?  Plagg said as he started cackling. 

Marinette and Tikki started laughing again. 

“ And you did a great job with the glow, Tikki. Why blue?” Plagg asked.

“ The blue brought out Marinette’s eyes. So not only was she glowing blue but her eyes too.” Tikki explained, still giggling.

“ Brilliant!” Plagg complimented as he started laughing again. He turned to Marinette who was still laughing.

 “ Marinette, you were the cherry on top! That thing you did with your hands! It was perfection!” 

They soon fell into a comfortable silence. Tikki and Plagg settled on her collarbone and started to cuddle her. The kwamis fell asleep quickly leaving Marinette with her thoughts.

‘ I wish everyday could be like this free, without responsibilities. But it can’t. I’ll have to give up my free time so that I can focus on being Guardian, and being Ladybug. Though it seems so impossible. I already have so many responsibilities as Marinette. Commissions, helping out in the bakery, class president. Not to mention school drama. Do my friends really think that I would cheat or hurt someone or steal something? I thought they knew me better. At least Alya believes me but she also believes Lila. Lila… she said that she was going to take away my friends. What if she does? Come on Marinette that’s the least of your concern right now. What about the order of the Guardians who want to take back the miracle egg? Or what about that gang you beat up in China.’  She grinned at the memory. 

                                                 Flashback

“ Wow Marinette, you learn quickly.” Fei said as she was sparring against Marinette. 

“ Have you had any training before?” 

“ No, but I’ve been told that I have quick reflexes.” Marinette said as she blocked a punch.

Finally Marinette managed to knock Fei over. 

“ Great job!” Fei congratulated her. 

“Thanks!”  She held out her hand to help Fei up. 

“ It seems like I have nothing left to teach you, Sister.” Fei said as she stood up. “ Want to go with me to the outdoor market? Who knows maybe we'll find something cool.”

“Sure!”

The two wandered around the market, until something finally caught Fei’s eye. 

“ Marinette, I’m going to go look at something over here. I’ll be right back!” 

Marinette stayed where she was. She was busy examining pottery and it’s designs. Then all of a sudden she felt a pair of arms grab her and started to pull her into an alley. She bit the hand that was over her mouth.

“ Fei! Fei help!” 

She wrestled in his grasp trying to break free. Marinette stomped on his foot and elbowed his stomach. Pushing him to the ground she decided to kick his stomach so that he would stay down. 

“ Well, it looks like we have a fighter.” A voice called out to her in Mandrin; she turned around and there were four others. She noticed that they were all wearing the same patch on their jackets; a golden dragon with flames. She quickly got into her fighting stance.

The other said some things too but Marinette still didn’t know Mandrin so she couldn’t understand what they were saying. 

The one that had called out to her attack first but before his fist could reach her, she grabbed his arm and flipped him over. This seemed to upset the others and they started to attack Marinette. She quickly punched the first one effectively knocking him out. ‘ Whoops.’ she thought to herself. Though in the end she decided to repeat this process with the others. 

“ Marinette! Marinette!” Fei came running into the alley and stopped when she saw Marinette standing in front of the unconscious gang. 

“ Marinette?” 

“ Yes?”

“ Did you just beat these guys up?”

“ Um… yeah.”

“ I’m so proud of you!” Fei said as she went to hug Marinette.

“ You are?” 

“ Of course I am, Sister. You just single handedly took down one of China’s most dangerous gangs!”

“ I did?”

“ Yeah! They’re called The Golden Triads. Look I’ll take them to the police and then we’ll go out to celebrate!” 

She transformed into Renren and grabbed two of them.

“ Fei, wait!” 

“Yes?”

“ Don’t tell them that it was me. Okay?” 

“ Sure.”

Later after Fei was done delivering the gang to the police, the two girls went out to get tea.

“ Tell me Marinette, how did you do it?”

“ Well I fought off the first one that grabbed me, then I flipped over another guy. After that they all started attacking. I punched a guy and accidentally knocked him out so I decided to do the same to the rest of them.” She simply said. “ By the way, what did you tell the police when you turned them in?”

“ I told them that a fourteen to sixteen year old girl managed to beat them up. When they wanted to know who,I just told them that you didn’t want to be named. By the way I think It’s going to make international news.”

“ Why do you say that?” Marinette asked.

Fei started snickering, “Well, it’s not everyday you hear about a dangerous gang of grown men getting taken down by a teenage girl.” 

 “  I guess you have a point. Did you find what you were looking for?”

“ Huh?”

“ In the market, did you find what you were looking for?” She asked again.

“ Oh yeah! I almost forgot! Here.” She held out her hand towards Marinette. In it was a red, braided, friendship bracelet with gold thread woven in it. “ I wanted to give you this before you leave tomorrow. As a symbol of our friendship.”

“ Thank you, Sister! I’m glad we’re friends.” Marinette said happily.

“ Me too, Marinette.” 

Marinette carefully grabbed the kwamis and took off her scarf to make a little bed for them. Once she safely put them down she went to her backpack and pulled out her sketchbook and started working on some new designs; using the moonlight.

Time passed as Marinette was finally burnt out from designing. It was still dark out, so she put away her sketchbook and grabbed her phone. She hissed at the brightness, and struggled to dim the phone. ‘ 4:38 a.m. What should I do now?’  She thought to herself. Finally Marinette settled on walking back home. Scooping up the kwamis carefully she tucked them in the front pocket of the hoodie. She grabbed her backpack, pulled up her hoodie, and climbed down the building, doing her best not to wake her companions. 

To Marinette’s surprise she had managed to get to the other side of the city. ‘ This is going to be one long walk.’

Chapter Text

As Marinette walked back home she made a mental note of the shops she passed so that she could later visit them when they were open. She even came across the studio where Alya’s sister trained. She peeked inside and saw punching bags hung a safe distance from each other, boxing gloves were tossed to the side. ‘ Maybe I can sneak inside and practice my punches. But that would be breaking and entering. No one would ever know. Plus if you get caught you can outrun them.’ She checked the front door. Locked. Then she went to the back. Locked. 

 She continued walking.‘ Well maybe I could come during the day, but people would be suspicious. I have money saved up, maybe I could buy myself a punching bag. It’s not worth it, you’re already buying a dart board, but it would help. Where would you put it? In my room of course, but there’s not enough space. That’s a lie and you know it.’ 

 As Marinette struggled with her inner dilemma the sun started to rise. She finally reached the park that was just across the street from her house. 

“ Finally!” She said out loud. Heading to the grass she laid down, putting her hands behind her head, closing her eyes, and crossing her feat. She stayed there basking in the sun's warmth. Suddenly she no longer felt warm. Marinette opened her eyes and saw Kagami standing over her. 

“ Kagami!” She cried happily.

“ Hello, Marinette. What are you doing?” She asked.

“ Oh, I was just relaxing.” Marinette said as she got up. “ What about you?”

“ I come here on Sunday’s at six, with my mother to train.” Kagami simply stated. 

“ How long do you train for?” She asked curiously.

“ However long my mother determines. It could be up to an hour or two.” 

“ Oh. Do you want to go hang out? Get some orange juice later? Maybe after your training session?” Marinette asked.

“ I’d like that, though I’m not sure my mother would allow it.” Kagami said as she frowned.

“ Let’s go ask her then!” Marinette cried as she grabbed Kagami’s arm and dragged her toward her mother. 

“ Hello Madame Tsurugi.” Marinette greeted. 

Kagami watched in horror as she watched the scene unfold. Last time Marinette spoke with her mother it did not end very well. 

“ Who are you?!” She demanded. 

“ My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Kagami’s friend.” 

Kagami’s mother remembered Marinette, she was the girl that was on the phone with her when she was looking for Kagami.“ What do you want Miss Dupain-Cheng?” 

Marinette started to feel a little nervous. ‘ I can do this.’ She thought. “ I was wondering if you could allow Kagami to have free time today. So that we could go hang out together.” 

Kagami held her breath as she waited in anticipation for her mother’s answer.

“ Kagami.”

Kagami felt a flicker of hope, “ Yes, Mother?”

Tomoe sighed.  “ I will allow you to go. You may leave after training; I expect you to be home by lunch and no later.”

Kagami was stunned. She scrambled to find her words, “Thank you, Mother.” ‘ Thank you, Marinette.’

‘  Mission accomplished.’  Marintte thought. “ Hey, Kagami!” She pointed to the fountain.“ I’ll wait for you over here!” 

Kagami smiled and nodded; she went back to her mother to start her training.

Marinette sat down at the fountain and decided to check in on the kwamis. She raised her phone to her ear so no one would think that she was crazy, “ Plagg? Tikki? Are you guys awake yet?” 

She suddenly heard a low growl come from the front pocket of her hoodie. “ Let me sleeeeeep.” Plagg complained. 

“ Okay, okay I’m sorry. Is Tikki up? I just wanted to let you guys know that it’s already six am.” 

“ Six am?!” He hissed loudly.

“ I’m up!” Tikki chirped happily.

“ I’ve got to get going!” He cried as he flew up to hide in Marinette's hair. 

“ Woah Plagg, what’s the rush?” Marinette asked.

“ A-” He spat out bubbles. “ Ugh, that’s so annoying! My chosen is gonna wake up any second now!” 

“ Chat Noir wakes up this early?!” Marinette cried in disbelief. 

“ Never mind that.” Tikki said, she turned to Plagg. “ You need to get going.” 

“ I know, I know! Bye, Sugarcube. Bye, Marinette.” 

“ Bye, Plagg. Please come and stop by more often.” Marinette offered.

“ Sure kid.” And with that he flew off headed back to Adrien. 

“ Hey, Marinette?”

“ Yeah?”

“ Do you have anything planned today?” She asked curiously. Tikki flew into Marinette's hood so that she could hear her better. 

“ Yes.” She looked in Kagami’s direction. “ I invited Kagami to hang out today so after she's done training we’re going to get some orange juice again. After that I’m going to explore some of the shops I discovered while on the other side of town. Not to mention that I still want to get that dart board.” 

“ Well, it sounds like you got a busy day ahead of you. Did you get any sleep last night?” Tikki asked.

“ No, I spent the night sketching and walking back here.” She explained. “ Do you want to see my sketches?”

“ Sure, though you should really get some sleep Marinette.” She scolded.

“ Don’t worry Tikki.” Marinette grabbed her sketchbook from her backpack. “ I promise that I’ll get some sleep by going to bed earlier.” 

“ Ok, but I’m going to hold you to that.”

Marinette flipped open her sketchbook, and found the first design she made. A knee length, navy blue, dress. To the side of the sketch Tikki saw some notes explaining that there were stars on the dress that could only be seen at a certain angle in the light.

“ Wow, Marinette this is beautiful.” she complimented

Marinette blushed. “ Thanks Tikki. That’s just the first one.” She continued to flip through the pages until she finally got to the last one. 

“ That’s a lot of designs. You have more than enough to start a fashion line.” She said, astonished. “ You did this all last night?” 

“ Yeah.” She said sheepishly, “ Now I’m kind of burnt out.” 

Before Tikki had the chance to respond, they were rudely interrupted by a brunette who called out to them. 

“ MARINETTE!” 

On the other side of the park, Tikki saw Alya look more energetic than usual. Behind her she saw Rose, Juleka, Mylene, Alix, and Lila who looked like she just woke up. Tikki scowled at the sight of the liar.

Marinette was startled and dropped her sketchbook. She tried to catch her phone before it hit the ground, but inevitably failed. ‘ Nooooooooooo!!!’ She thought melodramatically as she just stared at the phone. 

“ Marinette!” Alya waved as she approached her. “ Guess what?!” 

Marinette looked up slowly. She saw Rose pick up her phone and her sketchbook. 

“ These are some really nice designs, Marinette.” She complimented as she returned her sketchbook and phone.

“ Thanks Rose!” 

“ Girl, you will not believe this! Guess what?!” She asked again grinning madly.

Marinette grew a little nervous, “ What?” 

Finally Alya burst, “ I’m on the news!”

“ What? Really?” 

“ Good for you, Alya.” Mylene said through yawn.

“ When? Why?” Rose asked.

Juleka also mumbled something.

Suddenly Alix spoke, “ That’s why you woke us up? I could’ve just watched you on the T.V. when I woke up!”

“ Congratulations, Alya.” Lila said in a sickly sweet voice. “ You know I was once on the news in Italy; I saved an old man from getting hit by a car.”

Tikki and Marinette groaned as all the attention turned from Alya to Lila. 

“ Wow really?!”

“ You’re so amazing!”

“That’s so kind of you!”

Marinette cleared her throat feeling a little annoyed, and turned to Alya,“ So what happened? Why are you on the news? Don’t tell me you're a criminal now.” Marinette teased.

“ Haha very funny.” Alya said sarcastically. She noticed Marinette’s dark clothes. “ What’s with the outfit change, girl?” 

“ Oh, um, it was just the first thing I saw this morning.” She lied.

“ Hey you weren’t home this morning when we went to go get you. Your parents said that you had actually woken up early and decided to go out to get inspiration.” 

“ Yeah I woke up early. Are we going to watch your interview now?” Marinette said changing the subject.

“ Oh, yeah! Here just watch.” She pressed play on her phone and all the girls huddled up around her to watch.

“ Don’t be bemused, it’s just the news! I’m here with Alya Cesaire, creator of the Ladyblog. Tell me Alya what exactly did you see tonight?”

“ Well, Nadia. I saw a person in black running across the rooftops.” A picture of said person was now next to Alya. “ I came outside to follow them. The person noticed me and stopped and looked at me. That’s when I managed to get a picture. Then they ran away, pretty quickly might I add.” 

“ Were you able to identify this person?”

“ No, I wasn’t. All I know is that this person had blue eyes like shown in the photo.”

The scene was cut and the old man from the night before was on screen. 

“ Hello Mr. Abras, could you tell me about what you witnessed tonight?”

“ I’ll tell you what I saw! I saw a martian! He was walking by and I called out to it and asked what it was doing. He said that he just wanted to eat me! He wanted to eat me, I tell ya! So I grabbed my shotgun and gave it to the count of three, he ended up getting away.”

Officer Roger interrupted.

“ Excuse me sir, do you have a permit for that?”

The man looked flabbergasted.

“ Of course I do!”

He fumbled in his shirt retrieving the paper, and he handed it to the officer.

“ Sir this has expired for over twenty years.”

“ What?!”

Nadja decided to interrupt.

“ There you have it folks, this man says he saw an alien on Paris's rooftops.  Citizens of Paris please be aware of this person, we don’t know what his or her intentions are.  Police have yet to identify this person. This is Nadja Chamack. Don’t be bemused, it's just the news.”

“ So what do you guys think?” Alya asked excitedly.

Marinette finally let out her laughter. 

“ Uh, Marinette, are you ok?” Rose asked her now, looking concerned.

 ‘ They think I’m an Alien!’

“ I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” She apologized, not really meaning it.

Mylene looked afraid. “ What if it is an alien?” 

No one got the chance to answer her because this only made her laugh harder. Marinette was laughing mirthfully as she slowly sank to the ground clutching her stomach. 

“ Alya, is she going to be ok?” Alix asked her while staring at Marinette.

“ I honestly don’t know. I haven’t seen her laugh this hard in a long time, and I don't even know what’s so funny.” 

“ Marinette!” Tikki whispered to her. “ Marinette everyone is looking at you like you're crazy. They don’t know that it was you.”

Marinette looked up to see everyone except a certain lair looking at her with worried faces. She pulled herself together.

“ I’m sorry. Congratulations on your interview, Alya.”

“ Thanks Marinette. Can I ask, what just happened?”

“ Well I thought the whole alien thing was funny.” She told them. “ What did you guys think?”

“ At first I thought that it was Ladybug or Chat Noir but when I went outside and got a look at them  I thought that maybe it was a new superhero. Then I thought to myself if it was a superhero wouldn’t they have greeted me? So the alien theory kinda makes sense.” Alya explained.

“ What if it’s just some regular person who wanted to go out?” Alix suggested. 

Rose spoke up. “ What if it really is an alien, like Mylene said?” 

“ Guy’s don’t worry!” Lila said. “ Aliens only make pit stops here! Besides they told me that they were vegetarians!” 

“ You’ve met aliens Lila?” Rose asked.

“ Of course!”

Marinette interrupted before things could escalate further. “ Guy’s come on, we all know that aliens aren’t real.” She reasoned.

Lila gasped. “ Are you saying that I’m a liar?”

“ Marinette!” Alya scolded.

“ How could you do such a thing?” Rose questioned.

Juleka mumbled. “ Not cool.”

“ Guy’s Marinette didn’t say that. She said that aliens aren’t real and I agree with her.” Alix said.

Lila glared at Alix but quickly changed her expression when everyone looked at her. Now she looked like a kicked puppy. 

“ I would never lie, Marinette.” She said in a hurt voice. 

Just as everyone was about to turn on Marinette again Kagami made an intervention.

“ Are you ready to go, Marinette?” She asked her completely ignoring the others. 

Marinettel looked at her gratefully. “ Yeah, let’s go!” She rushed to leave with Kagami but was stopped by Alya. 

“ Girl, where are you going? We were all going to hang out with each other today.”

“ I’m going to hang out with Kagami today. I didn’t know you guys were planning to hang out with me.” She explained to them. 

Alya was about to retort when she was once again interrupted by Kagami. “ Marinette has already planned this outing, she can’t just change her plans because you want to hang out with her.” She said coldly. 

Alya scoffed indignantly. “ Well you can’t decide things for her either, right Marinette?”

“ Look Alya, I already planned this and it’s rare for Kagami to get free time. I’m sorry. Though I’m sure you guys will have plenty of fun without me.” She assured them. Marinette linked her arm with Kagami’s and dragged her away. “ Bye guys! I hope you have fun!”

The group stood there staring at the two girls walking away. 

“ It’s okay guys!” Lila said sweetly. “ I’m sure Marinette bailing on you guys is just a one time thing! She loves hanging out with you all.”

No responded as they all thought about all times Marinette had flaked on them. Lila smirked at their response. She was well aware of all the times Marinette bailed on them. She didn’t know the real reason behind this but she planned to use this to her advantage. Now she had successfully planted seeds of doubt.

“ Thanks Kagami.” 

“ For what?” She asked, confused.

“ For coming to get me when you did. I think everyone was about to gang up on me again, and if it weren’t for you I’d still be over stuck with Lila and the others. So thank you.”

“ Your welcome. Why do you still hang out with them?” Kagami asked her.

“ They’re my friends. Lila’s the problem. She’s a liar, and she said that she’d take all my friends.” Marinette sighed. “ I’m starting to worry that she’ll actually accomplish that.”

Kagami put a hand on her shoulder. “ If they are truly your friends then they would trust you more than the word of some other girl.” 

“ You’re right.” 

They arrived at the cafe unbeknownst to them a certain blonde was there too. 

 “ Hey, Kagami! Hi, Marinette!” Adrien called out to them. 

Both girls were startled by the sudden outburst.

“ Hi, Adrien.” Marinette greeted.

Kagami went over to kiss Adrien’s cheek. He returned the gesture. 

“ What are you guys doing here?”

“ We were going to get some orange juice.” Kagami told him.

“ Can I join you guys?” He asked them. 

“ Sure.” Marinette said. 

The three got their juice and sat down at a table Adrien and Kagami sat next to each other holding hands. Marinette was starting to feel awkward. She knew Adrien meant well when he gave her that advice but still a part of her was upset for not defending her against those passive-aggressive comments that Lila would say in class. Her crush was gone; Marinette decided that she should get to know him better as a friend.

Marinette decided to break the silence. “ So, how’s fencing?”

“ Fencing has been great!” Adrien said enthusiastically. “ Kagami is still the best.” He praised .

Kagami blushed. “ Thank you. We also have a big tournament coming up in a few weeks. It’s in Japan.” 

“You guys are going to be a part of it?” Marinette asked.

“ Yup, Kagami and I have been chosen to represent France.” He said proudly.

Suddenly the ground started to shake. Marinette looked up and saw Gigantitan at it again. Alongside him was his lollipop sentimonster. ‘ Duty calls.’ Marinette thought.

“ I gotta go check in on the bakery see you later, bye!” She ran off to transform in an alley and started to fight off the sentimonster.  

“ Come on Kagami we need to hide!” 

‘ I need to go transform. But I can’t leave Kagami alone. I’m sure Ladybug will be able to handle this akuma. It's a pretty easy one.’

“ Aghhh!” Ladybug cried as the sentimonster threw her at one of the Eiffel tower’s legs. 

Ladybug fell to the ground. She felt herself struggling to breath. ‘ Get up. I need to get up.’ She grabbed her yo-yo phone instead. 

“ Chat Noir I could really use a hand here.” She said to her phone.

“ Hey!” 

Gigantitan turned to her. 

“ Follow me!” 

She led them away from the city, and called upon her lucky charm. 

“ Let’s get this over with, yeah?” 

Using the mini trampoline that her charm gave her she launched herself at the akumatized object and broke it. Finally she purified the butterfly and the feather, and used her miraculous cure. Still she felt sore from the hit she took.

That’s when the reporters invaded. 

“ Ladybug! Are you ok?”

“ Ladybug! Where was Chat Noir today?”

“ Was Chat Noir too busy to save Paris?”

“ Did Chat Noir quit?”

“ Will you continue to fight alone?”

“ When will you catch Hawkmoth?” 

That last question caught her attention. She turned to the reporters, they all held their breaths in anticipation to her response.

“ Chat Noir was not able to come fight. I’m not sure why. I hope that he’s alright.” 

Her earrings beeped. “ I’m sorry, I should get going. Bug out!” She left back in the direction of the cafe.

Marinette detransformed in an alley, and handed Tikki her cookie without a word.

“ Marinette? Are you ok?” Tikki asked worriedly

“ We still haven’t caught Hawkmoth.” She told her kwami.

“ It’s not your fault Marinette. You’re always so busy. We’ll get him eventually.” 

“ But that’s the thing Tikki. I’m busy but it’s usually with school. I have to rearrange my priorities. I haven’t made much of an effort at actually tracking him down.”

Tikki stayed quiet. She knew that Marinette was right. 

“ We’ll figure something out when we get home. Right now we have to find Adrien and Kagami.”

“Marinette!” Adrien waved at her, catching her attention.

“ Hey guys!”

“ Hello Marinette, I have to go home now. Perhaps we could hang out some other day?” Kagami asked.

“ Sure! I’d love that. That akuma rudely interrupted us!” Marinette told her. 

“ I’ll drive you home Kagami.” Adrien suggested.

“Bye!”

Adrien and Kagami left, so Marinette went to go get that dartboard that Plagg had suggested last night.

Chapter Text

“ Welcome home Ms. Marinette.” Wayzz greeted. 

Marinette groaned as dragged herself on the chaise.

“ Marinette? Are you okay? Should I get some painkillers?” Tikki asked.

She grunted in response, and Tikki went to go get the painkillers. Wayzz followed.

“ Tikki, may I ask what happened?”

“ The akuma slammed Marinette into the Eiffel tower, right now she’s feeling sore.” She explained. 

“ What about the miraculous cure?” Wayzz asked.

Tikki sighed. “ The akuma was destroying everything it could touch. So the miraculous cure was focusing more on the city damage and any possibly hurt civilians rather than Marinette.”

“ Oh.”

The two returned to Marinette and gave her the pills.

“ Here, take these.” Tikki instructed. “ Is it okay if I inspect your wounds?”

Marinette blinked. “ Okay.”

She lifted up the back of her shirt. Tikki saw bruises that cover most of her back. She cringed at the sight. ‘ That has to hurt.’ 

Wayzz spoke. “ Marinette, how much does it hurt?”

“ Enough that I just want to lay down, but I can walk if I have to.” She told him.

“ So going out and getting that dartboard was a ‘have to’? Not to mention that punching bag you purchased.” Wayzz scolded.

“ Ok, ok I wanted to.” She said sheepishly.

Tikki butted in. “ Marinette, could you lay down on your stomach for me?”

“ Um, sure. What are you going to do?” She asked a bit worried. 

“ I’m going to use my magic to heal you.” The kwami said, determined. 

Marinette sat up. “ You can do that?!” 

“ Yes, yes, now lay down will you?” 

“ Sorry.” 

Tikki put her flippers on Marinette’s back, and focused her energy on healing her chosen. A soft pink glow enveloped them, while Wayzz stood to the side watching it all happen. Marinette felt her back glow warm and she allowed herself to relax. Tikki continued her magic until she saw all the bruises fade away. Marinette opened her eyes.

“ Wow! That was amazing.” 

“ How do you feel?” Tikki asked.

“ Great! As good as new! Thank you, Tikki.” 

“ No problem, Marinette.”

Marinette stood up feeling refreshed. She now wondered what she could do to make the most of her time she still had. She took a look around her room, and her gaze met the hat box. The same hat box that held the miracle egg. She still needed to talk to the rest of the kwamis. Prying herself away from the box she remembered what one reporter had asked her earlier that day. ‘ When will you catch Hawkmoth?’  She would have liked to say ‘ We’re trying, or We’re doing our best’ , but truth be told she hasn’t made much of an effort in tracking him down. Sure she stumbled upon a lead once but that was pure luck. She needed to-

“ -rinette, Marinette.” 

Marinette’s train of thought came to a halt as she heard her name. “ Yes?”

“ Are you okay Marintte?” Tikki questioned, worriedly.

“ I’m fine, Tikki. I just kinda spaced out there that's all.”

She saw Tikki and Wayzz exchange a look she couldn’t quite decipher. 

“ Ok then.” The red kwami paused as she noticed Marinette gancing at the hat box again. She seemed uncomfortable. ‘ She needs a distraction.’ She thought. Tikki spoke up again.  “ You should hang up your dart board, Marinette.” 

Marinette lit up. “ Good idea, Tikki.” 

As Marinette went off on her new mission to hang her new dart board. Tikki had Wayzz sat down over at the windowsill. 

About an hour or two later. Marinette had finally mastered getting the dart to actually go where she wanted it to. Who knew throwing darts actually takes a lot of precision. She grinned evilly at the marvelous makeover she had given Hawkmoth. Satisfied with her work she decided to take on the punching bag. The clerk who sold her the punching bag had laughed at her, but overall he decided that business was business, and he even offered to hang it in her room for her. So here she was about to land her first punch as her alarm went off. This startled the kwami’s who had fallen asleep peacefully. 

 “ What’s going on?! Trouble?! Danger?! Akuma?!” Wayzz asked at lighting speed. Tikki on the other hand was unfazed.

“ It's okay, Wayzz! It’s just my alarm. It’s time for patrol.” Marinette soothed. 

“ Oh, I apologize.” 

“ Don’t. You were just concerned.”

Tikki sat munching on a macaroon. Healing Marinette had drained a significant amount of energy from her; sleeping helped her regain it. She was now eating the macaroon because she was just plain hungry. 

Finishing off her macaroon she said “ Ready when you are, Marinette. ”

“ Though try to make it quick, you have school tomorrow.” She added.

“ No problem.” Marinette grinned. 

“ Miss Marinette, try not to end up on the news again.” Wayzz advised.

“ Sure-” Marinette did a double take. “ Wait you know about that?” 

“ Of course.” 

Marinette stared at him, needing more of any explanation. 

Wayzz sighed. “ Last night you ventured out with Plagg , kwami of destruction. There was bound for something to happen, so I kept myself updated with the news, and sure enough, you were there.”  He turned to Tikki. “ And I also know that you were involved too. How else could Marinette’s eyes glow like that.” 

Tikki smiled sheepishly. “ It could have been the moonlight.”

“ That’s what the reporters are saying. Anyway I just want you to be careful. If the media finds out that it was a teenage girl out in the middle of the night, reporters are going to want every single detail of that story.” 

“ Don’t worry, Wayzz. I won’t get caught, after all I’ve been able to keep Ladybug a secret all this time.” Marinette reassured him.  “ Plus right now I’m going out as Ladybug, everyone is used to seeing Ladybug.”

Marinette transformed and swung out into the night. 

After patrolling the city, Marinette went home feeling that tonight would be peaceful and free of akuma. Detransforming in her bed she kissed Tikki's forehead and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She hadn’t bothered changing into pajamas. 

 A black blob came rushing in. “ The fun has arrived!” He said in singsong. 

Plagg was quickly shushed by Tikki and Wayzz. He looked over to the ravenette. 

“ Whoops. Sorry.” 

“ Plagg,  what are you doing here?” Tikki hissed.

Plagg looked offended. “ Am I not allowed to visit The Guardian? After all she needs me.” 

“ Uh huh, sure.” Tikki deadpanned. 

“ Hello Plagg, it’s a pleasure to see you here. We need to talk.” He said in a serious voice.

Tikki and Plagg both looked at Wayzz surprised at his tone. 

The kwami’s silently flew towards the bean bag chairs they had sat in the night before. Tikki and Plagg waited patiently for Wayzz to begin. 

Wayzz struggled to find words. After a few false starts Wayzz managed to finally speak to his point. “ I worried about Marinette’s wellbeing. I think she is stressing over her new respon” 

“ Why? She seems perfectly fine to me.” Plagg said. 

“ No, I don’t think so. She’s been having some strange moments.” Tikki said thoughtfully.

“ Like when?”

“ After the akuma attack earlier, by the way what happened to Chat?” She questioned. 

Plagg wasn’t expecting that question. “ Um, well he, um-” ‘Say something you idiot!’ “He was in a tough spot and he couldn’t make it.” He wasn’t really sure why he was covering for him.

“ Oh, ok.” She said, feeling a little skeptical. 

“ What happened after the akuma attack?” Wayzz asked her. 

“ She was really quiet, so I asked her if she was okay.” 

“ What did she say?” Plagg interrupted.

“ She told me that she still hasn’t caught Hawkmoth. I told her that it wasn’t her fault. Though I think she feels like she hasn’t been doing that great as Ladybug.” 

Wayzz and Plagg pondered this thought. 

“ Tikki?”

“ Yes, Wayzz?”

“How is she doing in school?”

“ Academic wise or with her friends? Cause they both don’t look pretty.” Tikki said, feeling helpless.

“ Could you tell us about it?” Wayzz pressed on. 

“ Academic wise, she’s very smart but thanks to Hawkbutt and his incredible timing, she’s barely passing her classes. And don’t even get me started on physics! She needs help but I can’t help her! Why do humans question it?! So what if an apple falls? It just does! Why make a big deal out of it?!” She ranted. Plagg hummed in agreement.

“ And what about her friends?”

“ I don’t know. I thought that they were her friends, until Lila came along.” She said, her voice dripping with venom. “ As if Marinette would actually do those things.” 

Plagg took charge. “ Marinette needs to be Guardian and Ladybug, we could help her with that. In her academics she’ll have to start asking for work . As for her friends, she doesn’t need them.” He said bluntly.

Tikki wanted to retort but she knew that Plagg’s words held truth in them.

“ What about her designs?” Tikki asked. “ It’s her dream to become a designer, she’s already turned down an opportunity from ‘The Queen of Fashion’ the only reason why she did was because of Ladybug.”

“ Maybe it’s for the best.” Wayzz said. 

“ But-”

“ We’ll figure something out.” Plagg reassured her determinedly.

Chapter Text

Ladybug stood on the rooftop, across from her, Hawkmoth stood, hand held out in front of him.  It was dusk and in the moment they seemed to be the only people in the world. 

“ Ladybug, hand over your miraculous.” He demanded.

“ Never.”

“ No? What a shame. I guess we’ll have to try the hard way.”  He grabbed his cane and positioned it at Ladybug. The blade slid out gracefully. 

He charged at Ladybug ready to pierce her abdomen. The heroine saw this coming made a ninety degree turn, and using Hawmoth’s speed against him she pushed him to the ground. She quickly opened her yoyo and called Chat. No answer. 

“ Chat Noir I could really use some help! I’m kinda battling Hawkmoth all alone!” She yelled at her phone. 

Hawkmoth got up and punched her jaw. Ladybug fell to the ground as her yoyo slid out of her grip. ‘ Crap.’ She thought, starting to panic.  

“ Chat! Chat help!” 

“ He’s not coming.” He told her as he grinned evilly.  

She quickly got up ignoring the hot-white pain she felt in her jaw. She held her fists up. Hawkmoth attacked her again, slamming his cane into her stomach. She felt the wind get knocked out of her as she flew backwards dangerously close to the edge of the roof. Marinette struggled to breathe. Hawkmoth calmly walked over to her and grabbing her leg he held her upside down. She called out to Chat one more time, having a horrible feeling that Hawkmoth was probably right. 

“ I'll give you one last chance, Ladybug. Hand over your miraculous.” 

Ladybug scowled. “ Over my dead body.” 

Hawkmoth smirked. “ Well, if you insist.” 

Ladybug’s eyes widened in realization of the situation she was in. Hawkmoth was holding her over the roof's edge and had just let go. She didn’t have her yoyo. 

“ Chat!” 

She felt herself falling; falling fast. She hoped; she wished that Chat would save her that she’d miraculously live. 

Only a few seconds before she hit the ground her mind had registered on last thought. ‘ I’ve failed.’ 

Marinette woke up with a start, as she gasped desperately for air. She looked around at her surroundings and was relieved that she was safe in her room. 

It seemed like Hawkmoth had finally taken a day off. Marinette went downstairs to meditate with her mother. She felt her worries get smothered down with each peaceful breath she took. Time seemed to fly by and Marinette felt a hand on her shoulder. 

“ Are you alright honey?”

Marinette gave her mother a bright smile. “ Of course.”

Standing up she went back up to her room to get her stuff for school. Her backpack was now filled with books on how to learn Mandrin and some psychology books. You may be wondering why Marinette was reading on psychology. This fact was simple; she wanted to be able to fight back with words. Marinette was no stranger to bullies and they always seemed to take her down with words, she wanted to eliminate that problem so that she could get that pointlessness off her shoulders, plus it made her good at reading people. 

After kissing both of her parents on the cheek, and bidding her mother goodbye in Mandrin, she left the bakery with half an hour before school started. 

“ Your getting very good at speaking Mandrin, Marinette! I’ve got to say I’m impressed!” The small kwami complimented. 

“ Thank you.” She said in Mandrin.

Marinette climbed up the stairs to her first class with Ms. Bustier. Making her way to the back of the classroom she continued reading her books. Marinette refused to waste time so she shoved more words and phrases into her brain. 

Tikki had never seen anyone learn Mandrin that quickly. Was she supposed to be worried? It seemed to be all Marinette was doing lately; reading books. It seemed that her strategy was to finish Ms. Bustier’s classwork and homework within the first fifthteen minutes of class and then continue her reading. This strategy doesn’t really work with Ms. Mendeleiev’s class. Marinette still has no idea how to even approach physics. When she wasn’t reading then she passed out from exhaustion. Who knows how many times Ms. Bustier sent her to the headmaster’s office for sleeping in her class. Though she doesn’t even bother anymore. As long as Marinette got her work done she was okay with it. In those days with the headmaster he first had called her parents. That day her papa had to carry her home since she had fallen asleep again. After that  he would take one look at her exhausted face and send her with the nurse. Needless to say she and the nurse are now very good friends.

Students gradually arrived in the classroom. Mariette was very aware of their presence even without looking up from her book. 

“ Marinette!” 

Marinette looked up at Alya, Nino, and Adrien who were all waving at her; beckoning her over. With no hurry Marinette calmly bookmarked her book and went down the steps towards them. 

“ Yes?” She asked them politely. 

Adrien was radiating happiness, Nino had his arm around Alya as she took charge. “ We were wondering if you wanted to come to the movies with us tonight.” She also gave a subtle nod towards Adrien but she ignored it. 

Tonight? Tonight she was planning on making her official meet with the kwami’s. “ I’m sorry guys. I’m meeting with someone who wants me to commission for them.” The bell rang and the great Lila Rossi strolled into the classroom. “ Maybe some other time!” She said as she walked back up to her desk. 

Marinette now lived with half truths. She used them whenever she had to, and that seemed to be pretty often now. Head in her hand she waited while slightly dozing off, for her teacher so she could start working.

Back on the other side of the room. Alya, Nino, and Adrien were left disappointed as Marinette couldn't hang out with them. Then Alya noticed Lila. 

“ Hey Lila!”

She was caught off guard and jumped at the sound of her name. She saw Alya and Nino approaching her while Adrien lingered back. 

“ Oh, Hi Alya.”

“ Would you like to join us for a movie tonight?” Alya said getting straight to the point.

Lila blinked. She hadn’t been expecting that. 

“ Um, sure!” She said a bit hesitantly. 

Alya squealed. “ Here’s your ticket, meet us at the theatre at four.”  

Suddenly Lila was caught in a bone crushing hug. She squirmed uncomfortable as Alya apologized and explained that she was happy Lila was going.

Finally! The school day was over and Marinette was exhausted. She had slayed physic problems, now knew most of Mandrin, and managed to stay awake the entire time. To celebrate her victory she grabbed a bucket of vanilla ice cream, and a spoon, and headed back into her room. 

“ Want some?” Marinette held out a spoonful of ice cream to Tikki.

“ Sure.” Tikki happily ate ice cream with her chosen. “ Are you ready for tonight?” 

“ Mm-hm” Marinette nodded. “ Plagg said he was coming right?”

“ Yeah, though he didn’t say what time.” Tikki told her. 

Tikki had told Wayzz to prepare the kwami’s for the meet. So he was back in the miracle egg, which was now under one of the floorboards in her room. Marinette felt that the hat box wasn’t enough so now it’s under her floor. 

Marinette hummed in acknowledgement as her eyes fluttered shut. 

Marinette tossed and turned in her sleep as she suddenly bolted upright.

“ It was a dream.” She reassured herself, breathlessly. 

Marinette looked around looking for the Tikki. She found her snuggled up against Plagg. ‘ What’s he doing here?’   Wiping the sweat off her forehead she silently climbed out of bed, and made her way towards the floor. 

Marinette vaguely noticed that her bucket of ice cream from earlier was now placed on her desk, then she remembered her dream. She couldn’t fail. She needed to train more. She held up her fist’s and started to fight her invisible opponent. Remembering Fei’s teachings she practiced kung fu, and worked on her punches. If she trained more than she’d be better prepared to fight Hawkmoth. Training is the solution to her problem. So she hit the air with different combinations of punches, each time feeling like she needed to do better. 

“ Marinette.” 

She turned around to the gruff voice that called her. Squinting into the darkness she only saw two  green eyes glowing in the dark. He flew into the moonlight.

“ What are you doing?” Plagg asked her.

“ Training.” She simply stated, as she stubbornly continued her punches, not wanting to waste any time.

“ At three in the morning?” 

“ Three in the morning!” She hissed. “ I was supposed to meet with the kwami’s! You guy’s let me sleep?!” She said as she finally came to realization. 

Plagg ignored her question.“ What’s wrong, kid?”

She paused and contemplated whether or not to tell him. He would be disappointed in her. Though the way he looked at her told her that maybe he wouldn't be. “ I failed.” She told him. 

“ Care to elaborate?” 

She sat down on the floor, and Plagg sat on her knee, ears perked up ready to listen to what she had to say. “ I had a dream that I was fighting Hawkmoth.” 

“ Alone?” The kwami asked.

“ This time yes. Well technically the last few times too.”

“ What do you mean?” He asked, feeling lost. 

“The first few times I was fighting Hawkmoth alone, and I kept calling for Chat but he never came.”

“ Why?”

“ I’m not sure. Hawkmoth said he wouldn’t come. Anyway, Hawkmoth demanded my miraculous and I refused. I kept fighting, and I kept calling for Chat. He ended up dropping me over the edge of a building. That’s when I failed the first time. This time I didn’t call for Chat. I just kept fighting Hawkmoth.” She paused as she held herself together. “ He was laughing, Plagg. He said that I was a disgrace, while I was on the ground. He metaphorically and physically kicked me while I was down.” She ended silent tears rolling down her face. 

 “ That’s why you’re training.” Plagg said sympathetically. 

“ Yes.” Marinette said in a quiet voice. 

Disappointment ran through her. She felt frustrated that she had failed in her own dream! Sitting on the floor with her head in her hands she was starting to lose hope in herself. 

“ I’ll help you.”

Her eyes met his determined gaze.“ Why?”

“ You’re a brave kid. Taking on all of these responsibilities is something that even an adult can’t do. You shouldn’t even have to deal with this. I want to help you.”

Marinette was filled with happiness. “ Thank you Plagg.” She held the kwami to her cheek, and Plagg started to purr. 

Plagg broke contact.“ Okay, sweetheart. What do you know?”

“ What do you mean?” She said as she wiped her tears away.

“ I want you to show me what you know. Any skills you might have? You said you know Kung Fu right? I gotta know what I’m working with here.” He explained.

She rehearsed some of the more advanced techniques to Plagg. 

“ Very good.” He commented. “ You have a great stance and your punches hold power. Your friend Fei taught you well.”

“ Thank you.” 

“ Anything else?” He questioned. 

“ Well, I’ve gotten good at darts-”

“ Wait! You actually got the dartboard?!”

“ Um, yes?” 

Plagg snickered. “ I’m so proud of you!”

Marinette quickly shushed him and pointed to Tikki. 

“ I’m sorry, please go on.” He insisted. 

She shot him a halfhearted glare, and continued in her ‘ don’t interrupt me’ tone. “ I’ve also got a knack for pickpocketing.” She said thinking back to the time where she stole Alya’s phone. “ And I’ve been told that I have quick reflexes. Oh, and by the way I have an extreme case of clumsiness.” 

“ Ok… could you show me your dart skills?” 

“ Sure.” Marinette pulled the darts off the board, and she threw them aggressively at Hawkmoth’s already damaged face. Feeling very satisfied she turned to Plagg who was stroking his whiskers. 

“ You have great aim, but you’re slow. Trying flicking your wrist.” He advised.

Taking Plagg’s advice, Marinette threw the next dart much faster at the center of the board.

“ Much better.” He flew over to sit on the dart Marinette just threw. “ Have you practiced with knives?”

“ I don’t own any knives, and I can’t exactly go out to buy some either. Nobody in their right mind will sell a fifteen year old some knives.”

Plagg hummed. “ Well, we’ll just have to put your pickpocketing skills to good use.”

“ Uh-uh.” Marinette did a double take. “ Wait, what?!”

Completely ignoring her, he asked her. “ Are you going to bed anytime soon?” 

“ No, I don’t think so, but what’s going on?!” 

“ I see you're still in your clothes from yesterday night, put on your shoes Miss Alien, we’re going out.” He instructed.

“ I’m guessing you saw the news?”

“ Yup!”

Marinette was still reluctant. “ Wayzz said not to attract attention, and what about Tikki?” 

“ Dang! Wayzz found out?”

“ He saw the news.” 

“ Oh. Don’t worry about Tikki, she'll keep sleeping until she gets her full eight hours.” Plagg looked over to see Marinette still standing there. “ Come on let’s go.” The kwami insisted.

Marinette crossed her arms feeling that she was going to have to be the reasonable person between the two. “ Not until you tell me where we’re going.”

Plagg groaned. “ Fine. You’re going to go take down a small gang and take their weapons and money.”

“ What?!” She hissed. “ I can’t do that!”

“ Sure, you can. They’re the type of gang who are more of a pain than a threat. They’ve got good weapons that they don’t even know how to use.” He told her. “ You’ll be doing Paris a favor.”

“ Maybe, but I can’t take their stuff.”

“ Consider it their punishment and your payment.” He reasoned. 

Marinette and Plagg had a mini stare down before Marinette gave in. “ Ugh, fine. Let’s go.” 

Why did she agree to this? 

Plagg had led her down to the other side of town where some of the more wealthy people lived. Right now she was stalking the people she was about to take down from the rooftop. 

“ Okay sweetheart what’s the plan?” 

“ What do you mean, what's the plan? You’re supposed to have the plan!” 

“ Tik-tok, Marinette.” He taunted. 

No matter how much Marinette was to deny it, she really did want to do this, and Plagg knew this fact very well.

Marinette groaned. She looked down again and counted a total of five guys standing around a fire that was going. They all seemed to have at least one gun not very well hidden on them. She thought about the last time she fought people in her civilian form. Knocking them unconscious seemed to be the best plan. Then she could just search them for weapons, take them and call the cops. Simple. 

Marinette explained her plans to Plagg. 

“ You know how to knock someone out?” He questioned, while being very surprised. 

“ Actually, I just kinda punch them as hard as I can and hope for the best.” She explained. 

Plagg grimaced. “Ouch. Ok, honey. I’m gonna give you a quick lesson called ‘how to knock someone out for dummies’. ”

“ Hey!” 

“ Not that I’m calling you dumb.” He amended. “ You just got to hit a certain spot between your victim’s neck and shoulder.” He flew over and tapped the spot on Marinette. “ Got it?”

“ Yes.” She started to climb down the building. ‘ Well here goes nothing.’ She thought to herself. 

She stood in front of the alleyway as she waited for someone to notice her. She counted down to the moment someone would notice her. 3.2.1.

“ Hey!” 

‘ Huh, I didn’t think that’d work.’   All five guys turned to them and she gave them a mocking bow. The one that had spotted her growled as he started to grab his gun. Marinette was quick to react and ran towards the left side and behind a young skinny boy. She elbowed the spot between his neck and shoulder and the boy fell limp. Holding up the boy she used him as a temporary human shield, and pickpocketed his gun, and his wallet from his person. A large man became furious and charged at Marinette; she threw the boy at him and slipped to the side. Tossing her elbow back she hit the big guy’s back. He crumpled to the floor and Marinette grabbed his shoulder digging her thumb into the sweet spot. 

Two down, three to go. The one that had called her out started shooting at her. Marinette dodge each bullet quickly. It was an easy thing to do since this guy had a slow aim. Once she was close enough she kicked the gun out of his hand and grabbed his shoulder. She heard a snap come from behind her, she turned around only to find a crowbar heading towards her. Ducking quickly she swept the guy's legs, and he fell. Rendering him unconscious she turned to the last guy with an intense gaze. 

“ I surrender!” He yelled out in panic as he lifted both arms up. 

Without a word she pulled her sleeve over her hand, and grabbed a phone she had just pickpocketed and called the police. Marinette walked up to the man and gave him the phone. 

Extremely frightened and confused he took the phone and waited for them to pick up. Marinette gestured to the fallen gang, and the phone. 

“ You want me to tell the police about us?”

Marinette nodded. 

Finally someone picked up. ‘ Hello?’  

The man gave a sigh of relief. “ Hello?! Help! Some guy just beat up my friends. We’re a couple streets away from Notre Dame, in an alleyway. Please-”

Marinette cut him off putting her hand on his shoulder. When he looked at her, she squeezed and he fell to the floor. She used the guys hand to hang up the phone. She didn’t want her finger prints on the device. 

Without warning Plagg flew at Marinette and hugged her cheek. “ You amazing genius!!!”

“ Uh, thanks.” 

Plagg smushed her cheeks together. “ You, my darling were made for this!” 

“ Thu wepuns.”

Plagg let go of her. “ What was that? I couldn’t understand you.”

Marinette rolled her eyes. “ The weapons.” 

“ Oh, right.” 

The quickly retrieved any weapons Marinette might have missed. 

“ Wow, we really hit the jackpot.” Plagg commented as he shoved money from the wallets into Marinette’s backpack. 

Just as they were about to leave. Marinette said she had an idea. 

“ What!” Plagg complained. “ The cops are going to be here any minute.” 

“ It’ll be really quick.” 

Marinette noticed that there were spray paint cans in the corner of the alley. She wanted to figure out a way to embarrass them. Obviously this was going to be on the news. 

An imaginary light bulb went off at the top of Marintte’s head. 

She dragged each guy and propped them up against the wall. With the pink spray paint she sprayed their clothes. They each had horrendous fashion if anything she was doing them a favor.

She painted each of them wings on the wall, and over their heads was a giant rainbow. Feeling artistic she also painted a couple unicorns, cupcakes, and even a green leprechaun. She was about to start on another leprechaun but was interrupted by the sound of sirens in the distance.

“ Uh-oh.” She muttered to herself. “Plagg! What’s the name of this gang?!” She asked him.

“ The Counting Crows! Would you hurry up, we need to go!” 

“ What kind of a name is the Counting Crows?!” She wrote ‘Counting Crows’ on the wall and drew an arrow pointed at the unconscious gang. She crammed the spray paint cans into her bag and scaled the building. 

“ Why’d you bring the spray paint?” Plagg asked her.

“ They have my fingerprints on them.” She told them. 

“ Come on let's go home.” 

Marinette started to jog across the rooftops.

“ Looks like you’re gonna need a new outfit, honey.” 

Marinette looked down at her clothes. Perhaps she was too careless with the spray paint. Right now she was a rainbow of colors.  

“ Well I was going to need one anyway. I need gloves so that I don’t get fingerprints on anything, and I also want to wear a leather jacket.” 

Plagg hummed. “ Well you should start designing as soon as you get home.” 

“Yeah, but I’m going to talk to the kwami’s first.” She told him.

“ Whatever you say, sweetheart.”

Chapter Text

Thud.

Marintte let out a silent scream as she held her foot.

“ Hey klutz, could ya try to be quiet?!” Plagg said frustratedly.  

She looked up at Plagg with evident tears in her eyes. “ I stubbed my toe.”

He sighed. “ Which one?”

“ The pinky.” She whispered in pain.

Plagg cringed. “ You have my condolences.”

“ Thanks.” 

Marinette and Plagg had finally arrived at the bakery, and were now sneaking back into her room, as quietly as possible. Marinette obviously failed to do that. Tikki was still peacefully sleeping. Or so they thought.

“ Hurry up and get back in bed before Tikki wakes up.” Plagg command. 

“ Well, it’s a little too late for that. Don’t you think?”

Marinette and Plagg froze. They turned around at the same time. The kwami of creation floated in front of them, looking very angry.

“ Crap.” Plagg muttered to himself. 

“ So tell me.” Tikki began. “ How would you feel if someone you cared about, went missing, leaving nothing to explain their absence? I woke up this morning and you-” She pointed to Marinette. “ -were gone.I noticed Plagg gone but I just figured he went home.” 

Marinette started to apologize. “ I’m sorry, Tikki-”

Plagg cut her off. “ Marinette had a nightmare last night so we went out for a midnight stroll to walk it off.” He simply stated.

Tikki narrowed her eyes at him, having a feeling that there was more to this. Last time Marinette was with Plagg they ended up on the news and about a fourth of Paris now believes that there are aliens in France, and Tikki was there with them! Who knows what they could’ve done on their own. 

She decided to change the conversation. “ So, Marinette, are you going to talk with the rest of the kwami’s today?” She flew over to her computer to put on the news. If Plagg and Marinette did something then it’d definitely end up here. The show that was on was wrapping up, after the commercials the news would be playing. 

“ Yeah, I was about to do that, actually.” 

As Marinette got the miracle egg, Tikki patiently waited for the news to start, wanting to catch them red handed. 

Plagg curiously inspected the new miracle box. “ It’s interesting.” He commented. 

“ AH-HA!” 

Marinette was startled and she ungracefully fell onto the miracle egg, unknowingly pressing the button that released all the kwami’s. 

Tikki pointed at the computer screen, while Marinette jumped up to her feet. “ You guys did this!” 

“ Don’t be bemused, it's just the news! The Counting Crows have been arrested.  The police received a call around four a.m. from a man who was pleading for help.  He managed to give information on their warabouts before the call abruptly ended. Police have yet to identify whoever did this. Here is a picture of how the authorities found them.” 

At the sight of Marinette's work, she and Plagg started cracking up, along with some other kwami’s who went unnoticed. 

“ I knew it! Plagg you are so irresponsible, and Marinette you could have been hurt or worse!”

Marinette straightened herself and put on a straight face. Plagg on the other hand didn’t even bother. “ Aw, come on Tikki. Marinette’s fine, besides she did a good thing.” He tried reasoning.

“ Ahem.” 

Marinette, Plagg and Tikki whipped around to the voice. They saw Trixx in front of all the kwami with a sly smile on his face. 

“ So, I’m guessing you’re our new Guardian.” 

Marinette looked composed and calm. Truth is, she was a complete mess inside. She was not ready to have this meeting. What if they didn’t like her? What if they blamed her for what happened with Master Fu? She took a deep breath. “ Yes, My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng and I am your new Guardian.” 

All the kwami’s were looking around her room. Their eyes lingered on the dart board and the notes Marinette had written herself in Madrin. She seemed to have a lot of books. 

“ I just want to get one thing straight.” Trixx said as he went dead serious. Marinette held her breath. “ I like you!” He said as he broke out into a wide grin. 

The small fox flew over to Marintte and buried himself in her hair. “ Your hair is so soft!” He squealed. 

“ Um, thanks.”

A few of the kwami’s had gathered around Marinette’s computer, some of the others were inspecting her notes and the stack of homework she had piling up from physics . 

“ Marinette?” Mullo asked timidly. 

“ Yes, Mullo?”

“Tikki said you did this.” She gestured to the computer screen. “ Is this true?” 

All the kwami quieted, waiting to hear her answer. Tikki wore a smug expression knowing she was about to get a confession.

“ Yes. Yes I did.” She said with a small smile on her face. 

“ Tell us more!” Trixx said enthusiastically.

All the kwami swarmed her wanting to hear the story. Plagg sat proudly on Marinette's shoulder as she told them the tale. 

Just as Marinette was finishing her story, her alarm for school went off. 

“ What’s that noise?!” Pollen and Mullo asked panicky. 

“ It’s war!!!” Trixx cried out. “ Everybody take cover!” All the kwami proceeded to hide in Marinette’s hair. Plagg, Tikki and Wayzz were the only ones who didn’t. Marinette stood up to turn off the alarm. 

Sass spoke up. “ It seems as if that device was making that noise.” He observed.

“ Indeed. Marinette what was that?” Longg asked her. 

“ It’s my alarm.” She told them. 

Wayzz, Tikki, and Plagg were giggling at their friends' reactions. Wayzz still remembered the first time he heard the sound.

“ What’s an alarm?” He asked her.

“ An alarm is sound that reminds me that I need to do something.” Marinette explained patiently.

“ Oh.”

Marinette looked around her room, and she made a mental note to clean it later. “ I have to get ready now. Who would like to come with me?” 

All the kwami’s broke out into a riot. 

“ Pick me!”

“ I deserve to go!”

“ No you don’t!”

“ Please!”

“ I want to go!”

The alarm went off again. The kwami’s saw Tikki holding Marinette’s phone, with Plagg standing by her. 

“ They’re all yours.” She told him.

“ Thank you, Tikki. Now, I’m going to make this quick because I need to get back with my chosen. Whoever wants to go with Marinette needs to offer her something in return.” He told them.

Sass flew forward. “ I wish to accompany you Marinette, in return I can help you with your paperwork.” He gestured towards the pile of physics homework.    

“ You know physics?” Plagg asked incredulously.   

“ That is correct.” Sass said calmly. 

Plagg threw his paws up in the air. “ Well, it’s been decided. Sass you get to go to school with Marinette.” Plagg said this and phased out the window. 

“ Plagg, where have you been?!” Adrien demanded.

“ Just went out for a stroll.” He said with a small smile.

“ I was worried. You should tell me you were leaving! I thought you’d never return!” 

 Plagg gave a dramatic sigh. “ I’m sorry, next time I’ll let you know.” 

Obviously Plagg didn’t mean this. Next time he would just have to make sure that he didn’t get caught. 

“ Okay, I only have one rule. Don’t leave this room. You guys are allowed to use my stuff as long as you put it back.” She told the kwami’s.

“ You mean were allowed outside of the miracle box?” Mullo asked.

“ Of course!” She answered brightly then she called for Wayzz. “ Wayzz?”

“ Yes, Miss Marinette?”

Marinette pointed at him. “ You’re in charge.”

“ As you wish.” He said with a smile. 

Marinette grabbed her sketchbook, books, and physics homework. She looked around the room to see if she forgot anything. Noticing her black backpack, she grabbed the weapons and she hid the guns in her flower pots on the balcony, she hid the knives in various places of her room. Feeling satisfied she turned to leave her room with the paint cans but paused when she felt multiple eyes on her. 

“ What?”

 Tikki flew in front of her. “ Marinette, why do you have these?” 

Even though Tikki didn’t specify, Marinette well knew what she meant. “ Self-defense. Plagg is going to be teaching me.” She ended with a yawn.  “ Come.”  

Still feeling a bit concerned, Sass and Tikki hid in Marinette’s purse, as she went down stairs. 

“ Morning Maman.” Marinette said in Mandrin. She had used every opportunity possible to be able to show off to her mother. 

“ Good morning, sweetie. A package arrived for you.” Her mother replied.

Marinette lit up. She dashed toward the package and tore it open. Silently cheering to herself, she pulled out a map of Paris. She ran back up to her room to hang it up where Adrien’s schedule had once been. Marinette had been planning to use it to track down Hawkmoth. Though she’d have to work on that later. 

The morning flew by as Marinette dumped the evidence of her spray paint cans and just received a call from Fei while she was arriving at school. Marinette still had time so she answered her phone. 

“ Hi, Fei!” 

“ Hey, Marinette! How are you?”

“ I’d rather be sleeping, to be honest.”  Marinette let out a yawn as if to prove a point.“ How about you?”

“ I’m great!” 

“ Well, of course you are. You just got out of school. I’m barely going in.” She whined.

Marinette sat at her usual desk as she waited for school to start.

“ Aww, come on Marinette it’s not that bad.” 

“ Easy for you to say. Like I said before, you just got out of school.”

“ Anyway I have some news.” Fei said, completely ignoring her comment.

“ What? Is everything ok?” Marinette asked, starting to panic. 

“ Well, so far yes. Remember that one time you beat up a gang.” 

“ Which one?” As soon as she asked she immediately regretted it. She pulled the phone away from her ear to avoid becoming deaf. 

Marinette noticed Alya walking in with the rest of the girls. They all greeted her but she just waved and pointed at her phone. Her friends got the message and decided to chat on their own.

“ Fei.” She waited patiently for her friend to stop yelling. “ Are you done now?” Marinette asked her in Mandrin. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the strange looks her friends were giving her. 

“ Yes. You know Mandrin?” She asked, confused. 

“ Yes I do, and if you want answers than I’ll be speaking in Mandrin so that my friends don’t understand me.” She continued.

“ Ok, here’s my first question. Since when do you take down gangs?!”

Marinette sighed. “ Since yesterday. Look at the recent news here in Paris.”

There was a stretch of silence. Then all Marinette heard was laughter. “ That was you?! And are you the alien that they keep talking about?!” Fei had managed to ask through her laughter.  

“ Yup.” 

“ We’re going to have so much fun when I come visit.” 

“ So, what’s the news, Fei?”

“ Oh! Right. The Golden Triads escaped and are now trying to hunt you down.” She informed her. 

“ I guess that’s good to know.” Marinette muttered as she played with her friendship bracelet that Fei gave her. “ You said you were coming to visit?”

“ Yeah. In a few weeks.” Fei paused. “ Well I’m sure your class is about to start, and I don’t want to get you in trouble. Love you Sister, bye.”

Marinette switched back to French. “Love you too Sister, bye.” 

She hung up and was immediately not so subtly interrogated by Alya. 

“ Hey, Marinette. Who was that.” She asked curiously.

Rose joined in. “ Yeah, who was that.”

“That was just my friend, Fei.” She said nonchalantly. 

“ Who?” Alya asked. 

“ Fei, my friend from Shanghai.”

Alix came up to her; arms folded. “ Since when do you know Chinese.”

“ Mandrin.” Marinete corrected. “ Only for a few day’s.” 

The bell rang before anyone could ask anymore questions. Alya went back to their seats feeling  a little jealous of Marinette’s friend. Shouldn’t they be the one’s Marinette talks to? As for Marinette, she quickly finished her work (like usual) before she fell asleep into a deep slumber. 

Most of the students had already left the classroom the only ones left were Chloe, Kim, and Max, and at last Ms. Bustier noticed that Marinette was asleep again. She sighed. “ Could someone wake Marinette please.”

“ I’ll do it.” Chloe said. 

Kim and Max stared at her both flabbergasted, before running out of the classroom to gather witnesses. 

Chole has been trying to be nicer lately. So that’s why she decided to be the one to wake Marinette. People still constantly mistook her brutal honesty as bullying. Who cares what they think. At least she was trying. 

She made her way to the back of the classroom after gathering her stuff, and outside the classroom stood all of their classmates waiting to see what would happen. Alya was there recording. 

“ Marinette.”

Nothing. 

“ Marinette.”

Chloe put her hand on Marinette’s shoulder. “ Mari- aaAA!”

Marinette had grabbed Chloe wrist and flipped over onto her desk. 

“ Who are you and what do you want?!” She said as she held her forearm at Chloe’s throat. 

“ Chloe Bourgeois, I was only waking you!” She replied frighteningly. 

Marinette slowly processed that she was in class, and not getting beat up by the Golden Triads.

“ Chloe!” She pulled Chloe up and hugged her. “ Chloe Bourgeois! I’d never thought I’d ever be this glad to see your face!” She cried. 

“ Uh, thanks?” 

Marinette pulled away quickly. “ I’m sorry.” She wiped at her eyes. “ Thanks for waking me up.” 

Marinette rushed out of the classroom leaving a surprised yet confused Chloe behind. She went on her way to her next period, completely oblivious to the rest of her classmates watching. 

Alya spoke up. “ Did that just happen?”

Chapter Text

Marinette sat on the roof of her school, as Sass explained the concept of physics to her. Using two small stones he gave some visual demonstrations of Newton's laws. Alongside her were Tikki and Plagg. Plagg said that his chosen gave him permission to leave for a bit. In reality, Adrien hasn’t even noticed Plagg was gone. 

“ … And that my friends, is the basic understanding of physics.” 

“ That’s it?” Marinette asked in disbelief. “ It’s that simple? I mean don’t get me wrong it still seems hard; just easier too? Sorry that doesn’t really explain what I’m trying to say.” 

“ Physics requires combining complicated concepts to solve complex problems. Now that you know the basics you can apply this to your work.” Sass told them. 

“ Yes.” Marinette nodded thoughtfully. “ That was exactly what I was thinking.” 

“ Wow, Sass. I don’t know how you had had patience to learn this, but it’s a good thing you did because Marinette would have been completely hopeless without you.” Plagg said. 

“ Hey!” 

“ We all know it’s true.” 

Marinette ignored this statement. “ Thank you, Sass, for teaching me.” 

“ You're welcome.” 

Marinette glanced at her phone. “ We still have some time before class starts again, and I kinda need the bathroom.”

“ Has anyone seen Marintte?” Alya asked.

“ We haven’t seen her since her crazy ninja fiasco.” Kim said. 

Others nodded in agreement.

Lila approached the group. “ Hey, guy’s! What are you talking about?”

“ Hi, Lila.” Alya greeted. “ I was just asking if anyone had seen Marinette.”

“ Oh. Well, I haven’t seen Marinette, but I’m sure she’ll be here soon!” She said faking optimism. 

“ Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Marinette walked out of the bathroom stall, surprised to see Lila entering the bathroom.

“ Oh. Hey, Lila.” She rolled up her sleeves to wash her hands. 

Lila narrowed her eyes in response. “ What are you doing?” She demanded. 

Marinette gave her a confused look through the mirror. “ Washing my hands?”

This only made Lila more annoyed. “ What’s your game you’ve been playing, Dupain-Cheng?” 

“ What?”

“ Don’t act like you don’t know.” She said as she walked closer to Marinette.

“ What?” Marinette asked again, getting more and more confused. 

Lila gave an annoyed sigh, and pointed her finger at her. “ You’ve been ditching your friends.” She paused to analyze Marinette. “ So what game are you playing?”

“ First of all I have not been ditching my friends, thank you very much. Secondly, I’m not playing any games, honestly, I’m just trying to get through life.” Marinette dried her hands and gave Lila a tired smile. “ Nice chatting with you.” 

And with that she left to her next class with Ms. Mendeleiev.

“ Marinette Dupain-Cheng!”

Marinette’s head shot up to the sound of her teacher calling her name. She quickly bookmarked the page she was on. “ Yes, Ms. Mendeleiev?”

Everyone in the classroom now had their eyes on the two of them. Whispers were heard all around the classroom, and bets were made on weather or not Marinette was going to get sent to the principal's office.

“ I don’t suppose you’ve already finished your work. So pay attention to the lesson.” She instructed strictly. 

“ Actually, I already finished my work for today, as well as the homework” She said a bit awkwardly. 

Her teacher gave her an extremely skeptical look. “ Let me see.” 

Marinnette gathered her work together and walked to the front of the classroom. Ms. Mendeleiev took her work and quickly skimmed through it.

“ It’s all correct.” She said in disbelief.

“ Really?!” Marinette asked excitedly. 

“ Yes.” The teacher muttered. “ How do I know you didn’t cheat?”

This again? Do people really believe that she would cheat? Well the suspicion would probably make more sense in this class since apparently she’s become an overnight physics master.

Marinette’s happiness was quickly smothered. She sighed. “ You don’t, but you could write down some problems for me to solve.” She suggested. 

Ms. Mendeleiev was studying Marinette. She didn’t really believe that she’d cheat but she didn’t believe that she completed this all on her own either. “ All right then.” 

She grabbed a piece of chalk and started to write an equation on the board. “ Solve this.” 

As Marinette solved the problem, Ms. Mendeleiev glanced at her classroom. Upon seeing their teacher everyone ducked their heads down.

“ Get back to work.” She ordered. Turning around she found that Marinette was already finished. She examined her work again. “ That’s correct.” 

Marinette gave a gleeful smile. They spent the next fifteen minutes exchanging problems and answers. 

“ You may return to your seat, but please stay after class.” Ms. Mendeleiv said satisfied. 

Marinette nodded and walked back to her seat.

                                                        Time Skip

Marinette stood in front of Ms. Mendeleiev’s desk. “ You wanted to see me?” She asked nervously. 

“ Yes. I’d like to make a deal with you. It’ll make life easier for both you and I.” She said with her hands folded in front of her.

 Marinette crossed her arms. “ What kind of deal?” 

“ I’ll give you all of my class’s work for the week on Monday’s. You can complete the work whenever you want and you could use my class as a free period. You could sleep, read, sketch, heck you don’t even have to be in here.” Ms. Mendeleiev explained.

Marinette blinked. “ What’s the catch?”

“ Just turn in the work on Wednesdays.”

Marinette’s hand shot out. “ Deal!” She said with a bright smile. 

Ms. Mendeleiev gave a smile of her own and shook the girl's hand.

“ I do have to ask, when did you finally learn physics?” Her teacher asked.

Marinette smiled. “ Not too long ago; an old friend taught me.” 

“ Marinette! It’s time for dinner!” 

“ I’ll be right there!” 

She quickly cleaned up in her room, putting away her books and hiding her knives. 

“ You guys know the drill. Wayzz you’re in charge again.” 

“ Why can’t I be in charge?” Trixx questioned.

“ Because if you're in charge there’s no telling what you’ll do.” 

Some of the other kwami’s nodded in agreement. 

Marinette opened her trap door and quickly rushed down the stairs. 

“ So, what’s for dinn-ahh!” Marinette fell to the ground with a giant crocodile on top of her. “ Hi, Fang.” She wheezed. 

“ Fang, get off of her.” Jagged scolded. 

Fang quickly got off, and Jagged helped Marinette to her feet. “ Sorry about that, Marinette. He’s just really happy to see you.” 

“ Oh, it’s fine.” Marinette waved it off. “ I just wasn’t expecting him.” 

“ I told you we should have made an appointment.” Penny said to Jagged. 

“ Nonsense!” Tom cut in. “ You’re always welcome here!”

He eagerly pushed everyone towards the diner table. 

“ Your mother made her uncle’s famous soup.” He told Marinette. 

Everyone sat at the table and enjoyed their soup. 

“ Marinette, I was wondering if you’d like to design my awards ceremony outfit.” Jagged asked her shyly. 

Marinette started choking. “ What?!”

“ I was wondering-”

“ No! I already know that!” She interrupted. “ I mean, you won an award?!”

“ Oh, yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “ For one of my songs; Top Song of the Year.”

“ Wow.” She said awestruck.

“ So, will you do it?”  He asked her again.

“ Yeah! Of course!”

“ Great! Here’s your first payment.” He held out a bunch of cash. 

“ What?! That’s not necessary! It’s way too much!” 

“ I insist!”

“ But-”

“ Nope! It already belongs to you! No take backs!” 

“ I’m going to go get started!” She said excitedly. Marinette retreated back up to her room. 

“ Is she not going to finish-” Jagged started.

“ Nope. She’s in the zone right now. I don’t think she’ll come back down.” Sabine informed him. 

“ You’re not going to check up on her?” 

“ We know she’s responsible.” 

Just then a thump and a string of curses in Mandrin were heard from Marinette’s room. Jagged raised an eyebrow, and Sabine wore a blank face..

“ Excuse me, just one moment.”

“ How on earth did you cut yourself?!” Tikki asked worriedly.

“ I don’t know! One moment I tripped and then the next my hand was sliced open!” Marinette explained.

“ I believe this is the culprit.” Longg said, holding up one of her knives, with some of her blood on it.

“ Oh.”

“ I knew those were a bad idea.” Tikki muttered. 

Trixx flew up to Marinette’s face. “ Intruder alert! Your mother is coming!”

“ Everyone hide!”

Marinette pulled her sleeve over her hand and hid it behind her back. Just then her trap was opened, without a knock.

“ Hi Maman!” 

Marinette’s smile was strained. She still felt the pain in her hand. 

“ Hello, Marinette. I was just wondering where you learn how to curse like that. I never taught you that.”  Sabine paused. 

Marinette stayed silent, as she hoped that the punishment wouldn't be too bad.

“ But, I’m so proud of you!” 

“ What?” Marinette said baffled. 

“ Your pronunciation was perfect and your choice of words too!” 

“ Umm, Thank you?”

“ So is everything okay up here? We heard a loud thump.” 

“ Yes, I’m fine. I just tripped.” Marinettes told her mother. 

“ Oh, okay then. Let us know if you need anything.” She said as she left the room.

Marinette let out a sigh of relief.

“ Miss Marinette, are you alright?” Wayzz asked her. 

Marinette held out her bloody hand. “ Yeah, it’s not that bad.”

“ Not that bad?! Look at your hand!” Tikki cried. 

“ I think I’m going to be sick.” Mullo said.

 Tikki hugged Marinette's wrist and led her to the sink. “ Can somebody turn on the water, please?”

“ I’ll do it!” Xuppo said. 

“ Thank you.” 

“ Can someone clean my knife, please?” Marinette asked the kwami’s. 

Trixx lept at the knife but was quickly tackled by Stompp. 

“ Hey!” 

“ Oh no you don’t! Remember last time you had a knife?” He reprimanded. 

Trixx scoffed. “ You’re no fun.” 

“ I’ll clean it.” Fluff said. “ This is a pretty nice knife.” She commented.

Tikki finished up using her magic on Marinette’s hand. “ How do you feel?” 

Marinette flexed her hand.“ Great, much better. Thanks, Tikki.”

“ So are you going to start on Jagged Stone’s outfit?” Tikki asked curiously.

“ Actually I was thinking of going out to buy some supplies, since Chat has patrol tonight. ”

“ For what?”

“ A new outfit for myself, maybe some spray paint and glitter.” She said with a mischievous smile.

“ What are you planning?” Tikki asked suspiciously. 

“ Revenge.”

This startled Tikki a bit. “ On who?”

Marinette scowled. “ On all those idiots who are making my life as Ladybug harder than it needs to be.”

“ You mean those people who keep robbing stores during akuma attacks, and get away with it. Then everyone ends up blaming you.” 

Marinette smiled at her kwami. “ Exactly.” 

Tikki hummed. “ I’ll help you.” 

“ Alright! Let’s go!”

Marinette grabbed her purse and opened it for Tikki. Then she ran down the stairs again. 

“ Hey, Mama, Papa, I’m going out to get something important for a project.” She yelled as she left the bakery.

“ How about hot pink paint with green glitter?” 

“ Yes! That’s perfect.” 

Marinette and Tikki have taken it upon themselves to go on a shopping spree at an arts and craft’s store. Their sole mission? To embarrass their victims for all eternity. 

“ Wow, you really like spray paint.”

“ Yeah, I had no idea that they were so much fun to use! I already got two of every color they have!” 

Marinette kept walking down the aisle adding more things to her cart.

“ Ooo, we definitely need confetti.” 

Marinette noticed a guy that seemed a few years older than she was, walk up to her. He leaned on the shelves close to her. 

“ Hello Miss. Is there anything I can help you with today?”

“ No.”

The guy still stayed there. 

“ Actually, could you help me get that gallon of glue up there?” Marinette pointed to the top of the shelf. 

He gave a sly grin. “ Sure, little lady.” 

He grabbed the glue and was about to hand it to her before he noticed that she was gone.

“ Marinette why are you running away?” 

“ I’m not running away! I’m just making a strategical retreat.” She reasoned.

“ What about your glue?”

“ I already have glue. He should have noticed but he didn’t. It’s not that hard to miss!” She gestured to her cart. 

Tikki just stared at her.

“ Okay, okay, the guy gave me the creeps.” Marinette confessed.

“ Don’t worry Marinette. Let’s just pay for our stuff and leave.” She suggested.

Marinette got her supplies for her new outfit and decided to head home, until she noticed a bus going a little too fast towards someone. She could tell who it was but before she realized what she was doing, Marinette dropped her bags and sprinted towards the person. They looked pretty familiar.

“ Sabrina!” 

That red head looked up from her phone, and saw Marinette. 

Marinette looked at the bus and back at Sabrina. This is going to be a close one. 

Finally Marinette lunged at Sabrina, and she felt a sharp tug at her calf. Marinette grit her teeth in pain as they both rolled onto the sidewalk. The bus had scraped her leg pretty badly. 

Sabrina looked around bewildered, while Marinette quickly stood up and hid her bloody calf, not daring to look at it. Other pedestrians approached them and helped Sabrina up.

“ Are you guys ok?”

Marinette wore a tight smile. “ I’m fine. How about you, Sabrina?” 

“ I’m okay, but what just happened?”

“ I'll tell you what happened.” One of them said. “ This girl.” He gestured to Marinette. “ Just saved your life.” 

Sabrina looked astonished. “ Thank you, Marinette.” She said gratefully. 

The bus driver came up to them. “ I am so sorry. Some of my passengers were causing problems and I didn’t notice you while I was telling them to quiet down. I am truly sorry.”

Marinette felt blood dripping down her leg. “ Well, I really have to get going. I don’t want to worry my parents.” 

She casually walked backwards as she was given weird stares. She walked past a girl and her mother as she grabbed her bags. 

“ Mommy, why is that girl bleeding?”

Marinette heard the girl and forced herself to walk faster until she started jogging. She didn’t want anyone worrying about her.

“ Which girl, sweetie?” 

The little girl pointed her finger at Marinette. “ Her.” 

The lady looked up and saw Marinette turn around the block. 

“ Hey! Wait!” She grabbed her daughter’s hand. “ Come on, let’s go find her.” 

When they got to the corner of the block they couldn’t find her. 

“ Marinette! What happened?!”

“ Well I saw a bus and it was about to hit someone. It turns out that it was Sabrina. I managed to save her but my calf got scraped. A little girl saw the blood. I think her mother did too.” Marinette explained. 

“ Well I’m going to use my magic to ease most of the pain away ok?”

“ Right here?”

“ No. We need to get back to the bakery, but your parents might see the blood.” She paused as she came to a conclusion. “ We’re going to need Trixx.” 

Marinette limped back to the bakery. Tikki flew up to her room and explained the situation to Trixx. He created an illusion on Marinette’s bad leg. Now it looked like nothing was wrong. 

“ Marinette!” 

Marinette looked up at her balcony, and saw Trixx. 

“ You’re good to go.” He called out to her. 

Marinette walked into the bakery. 

“ Hi Mama, Papa, I’m home!” She called out. “ I’m pretty tired so I’m just going to bed!” 

She rushed to her room and all the kwami’s swarmed around her. 

“ We heard what you did!” 

“ You’re so brave!”

“ Ahh! Look at the blood!” 

“ Don’t worry guy’s! I’m fine!” Marinette reassured them. 

“ Have you looked at your leg?!” Mullo asked.

“ Well no but-” 

“ No but’s! Are you trying to kill yourself?!” Pollen asked. 

“ Oh, please! This is just the beginning. You guys haven’t even seen the worse!” Fluff said. 

Wayzz turned on the news, and sure enough Marinette was on it. This time as her civilian self. 

“ Miss Marinette.” Wayzz called. 

“ Yes?”

“ You’re on the news.”

“ Really?” 

“ Yes and they figured out that you’re hurt. Tikki can’t completely heal you without raising suspicion.” He told her. 

Marinette groaned. She decided to look at her wound. 

“ Oh, that’s not pretty.” She confessed. “ Tikki, do you think you can make it a little better so that it doesn’t look too bad?” 

“ Sure!”

Tikki started working her magic on Marinette’s calf, but stopped when she heard footsteps approaching.

“ Marinette, I think your parents are coming.” Tikki informed her

“ Well, the scrape looks better. Hopefully they won’t freak out too much.” Marinette said hopefully.