I suppose... I never thought about it, I guess part of me just always assumed, that as ladybug... I couldn't be akumatized. But I wasn't ladybug, the day everything fell apart. I was sadly... just me.
My name is Marinette. And this is the story, of how I lost my way.
"Morning papa!" I called as I ran down the steps from the apartment to the bakery. Grabbing a fluffy biscuit before kissing my father's cheek. I wasn't late...yet. But the idea of getting to class early was too good to pass up. What could I say? Being a superhero explained my tardiness...at least for myself. So being early would be a nice change.
My father gave me a warm smile, then nodded to me before going to make some more yummy treats. The bakery was always busy in the mornings. My mother quickly descended the steps. "Mari! Wait!" She called. Holding something in her hands.
"What is it momma?" I turned my full attention to my mother. Smiling to her. She looked excited. Then slowly showed me a necklace.
"Look what I found today.. this was my grandmothers.. you know you remind me of her everyday..."
I smiled. My mother had loved her grandmother dearly. They were very close before she passed away, not too long before I was born.. though I'd never met her, I respected the woman.. she helped my mother become who she was, which was pretty amazing. In her hand was a small golden necklace, a locket. Inside was a photo of my mother when she was younger, being hugged by her grandmother. As well as a beautiful small photo of a stage with a microphone one it.
"That's amazing.. what's this photo for. " I tapped it lightly. Making my mother smile even wider. I remember being told she used to preform but figured I could ask
"Oh your great grandmother... she used to sing.. she had he most beautiful voice, just like you Mari.."
"I'm happy you found it." I felt my cheeks heat with a little embarrassment. I didn't always like to my singing voice but my mother did.
Mother shifted. Sliding the necklace around my neck, "I want you to wear this..for her and for me. You would have loved her Mari.."
"Oh momma..." we hugged the other, all I could do was smile. Today would be a great day. I knew it. After saying goodbye i left my home. Smiling at the city around me. The weather was nice... and Paris was beautiful today. Well... it was always beautiful. As I walked to school, happy to not be rushed for once. I heard Tikki talking to me.
"That necklace is very pretty Marinette, that was really nice of your mother to give it to you."
"I know, my mother loved her grandmother. " I said softly. Gently holding the locket in my hand. "She was a kind woman. Always putting others before herself. I didn't get to meet her, but my mother told me stories about her when I was little. She was amazing. "
Tikki giggled, "I see why she said you're like her. "
I smiled softly. It did make me happy to think I could be someone like that... someone amazing. I mean yes ladybug was amazing... but sometimes I just.. don't think it's really the same thing. I wonder if Chat ever felt like that, under the mask.. whoever he really was
"Marinette! You're gonna be late!" Tikki said snapping me from my thoughts. Oh no... she was right!! I really went and spaced out this time.. after a squeak I ran all the way to school.
I groaned. Sitting in my seat. Alya smirked softly as I panted. "Well. You aren't late today."
"I...guess..." after catching my breath I groaned. Sitting up.
"Hey? What's on your neck? New necklace?"
"Mm!" I nodded. "It was my great grandmothers. My mother gave it to me today. "
"Oh that's cool, just a gift?" Alya asked. Curious as always.
"I think so, she found it and said she wanted me to have it. Because I reminded my mother of her, but I never got to meet her. "
"That's cool. Did your mom tell you what she was like?"
"Tons, when I was little. She said she was a nice woman and that she had this amazing singing voice. Apparently she used to do concerts and get paid. " I smiled softly sharing my information.
"Wow. That's awesome. But I don't think I've ever heard you sing Mari." Alya taped her lower lip in thought. I went to speak before Chole spoke. I guess she'd been listening...
"Well count yourself lucky! When Marinette sings you'll wish you were death, isn't that right?" She turned to her only friend. The other girl nodding.
" she ruined our school concert with her voice. Remember Chole?"
"You're right!" The bottled blonde laughed.
When we were younger. I'd gotten sick before a school concert. So my voice didn't sound too good... that was part of the reason I didn't sing as much as I used to.
"Face it Marinette. Maybe your mom just doesn't know you like you think. Or maybe your grandmother sounded like a dead toad too."
I went to speak. But Nino stood. "Chloe why don't you shut up already. No one wants to listen to your voice any longer. "
"Good job babe." Alya nodded making Nino to smile wide. The teacher walked in before it got worse.
I... don't know why it bothered me so... it's not like I wasn't used to Chloe being well... herself. But that day... it seemed to hurt more. Alya told me it was okay. I nodded. But that was the issue I always nodded. I always said it was okay... it wasn't okay. I suddenly felt like all I did was push my feelings down. Now they were finally exploding inside me...
I glanced to the blonde before turning my head back to the golden locks in front of me. Adrien.. I wished for a moment I could just always be like ladybug... he'd like me then... Chloe wouldn't torment me then. It's have been easier. Wouldn't it?
Everyone loved ladybug... but i wasn't ladybug... not really... Tikki made me ladybug. Without her.. I would just be me, the clumsy little girl, the normal... ordinary. Useless girl...I never thought about it that way before.. but Tikki had changed me too..
Did my mom notice the change...? Is that why she gave me her necklace. I sighed softly. A tear slid from my eye, I didn't even realize I had teared up.. in the end it was my own fault. I over thought and hurt myself. But that's all it took usually... a little push of negative emotions, then some thinking for them to spread.
Someone had yelled. Gaining my attention back to reality. An akuma had entered the class from the window. The teacher screamed herself. Urging everyone to stay clam. Some still sat frozen in their seats. Others quickly fled to the back of the classroom. All wondering just who it would go after I was already ready to make a mad dash for the bathroom to change and stop whoever was going to be altered... until the dark moth landed on my locket. Fusing into it.
"Mari!" Alya yelled. Trying to help me, but Nino held her back
My head jerked with the sudden power. It was like when I was close to changing to lady bug, I could feel the power there... but it was opposite. Dark. Destructive. Free... I didn't feel the need to stop the bad guy anymore. I was the bad guy... almost.
"Lady Butterly." The sickly sweet voice echoed in my head. "I am Hawk Moth, and I present to you the power to be as amazing as you always dreamt of. And the freedom to release those emotions you bottle. All I ask. Is for Ladybug and Chatnoirs Miraculous. " I went to speak. Unsure what I'd say really. Until Tikki burst from my bag.
"Marinette! Listen to me!" Her small voice pled. A few gasped at the appearance of the giant bug like creature. "You have to transform right now! Before you're fully akumatized!"
"...I.. can't Tikki..."
"But your /ladybug/! If you don't save yourself no one can help you! Listen to me! You need to be strong! Be the ladybug I know you can be!"
"...I told you Tikki..." the moth was turning my emotions darker. I couldn't help myself... "you picked the wrong ladybug. "
"Marinette! You can't do this!"
Without my permission my hands went to my earrings.
"No! You can't give me to hawkmoth! The world could be in danger if he had my powers."
Her powers...
"Tikki!" another voice yelled. A Kwami came to her side... was this Chat's kwami..
"Plagg?!" Tikki looked shocked.
"That's it!" Hawkmoths voice echoed loudly. "Grab them both!"
I could feel my face scrunch as I held my earrings, then threw them. And with that I lost myself to the darkness. The Akuma changing me completely until only my new existence was left. Marinette, ladybug, they were both gone. Only Lady Butterfly was left.
When I opened my eyes. I was different. Not really me... but I didn't think I was like the other akuma victims. After I took the powers.. I didn't hear him anymore. I moved freely. Hawkmoths control over me was gone like that...
Slowly I collected Tikkis earrings. The cat Kwami was trying to take them.
"You can't give those to hawkmoth!"
I didn't answer. Only grabbed a small compact Chloe had out. The blonde squealing and sobbing. Begging not to be hurt. No one else moved. Even adrien looked disgusted... alya was still being held away by Nino...I did this to myself. After securing the earrings in the compact. I handed it to Plagg. "Find yourself a new ladybug. " with that. I left through the open window. I would find hawkmoth. And would defeat him, alone. I would be a hero without Tikki.
