Miraculous Pretty Cure!

by mjinxlei

Marinette Dupain-Cheng never expected to become Cure Ladybug, one of the legendary Pretty Cures that borrowed power from jewels known as the Miraculous. But the forces of Hawk Moth set its sights on Paris and Marinette finds herself fulfilling her destiny. With a sheltered partner and a black cat shadowing her every move, would Marinette's life ever be normal? Pretty Cure AU.

1. Chapter 1: Cure Ladybug is Born!

MIRACULOUS PRETTY CURE!

Chapter 1

The Light of Fortune! Cure Ladybug is Born!

- o - 0 - o -

"Marinette, hear me…"

There was a voice calling her - a serene, soft tone yet with urgency in the words. Marinette opened her eyes and saw a dark void, extending over the horizon. It was cold and forbidding and she was shocked at the feeling of helplessness that vibrated up to her fingertips. Yet despite the darkness that tempted her to despair, there was a light radiating from her body, keeping the shadows at bay.

"Marinette, there is a light within you that cannot be smothered." The voice continued and Marinette felt the mellow but determined timber, blanketing her with courage that she never knew she had. "Hear me, Marinette, the forces of darkness are gathering as we speak. Find the light within you and fight."

What, fight? Clumsy, timid Marinette who couldn't even stand up against one bully? She couldn't live up to such expectation.

"Believe in yourself, Marinette," urged the voice, as if the person could read her thoughts. "Soon, your light will be needed. Your light will overcome the darkness of the heart and your courage will stop the butterfly's symphony of despair."

This was all confusing for Marinette. Darkness of the heart? Symphony of despair? What was the voice talking about?

"Marinette…"

The light was dimming from her body, as if some invisible black hole inside her was sucking everything that shines. She could feel the voice's owner gasping for air, like they were drowning in some far-off place, fading in the distance as time ticked by. She needed to reach for the person behind the voice, she had to save them, her quivering throat finally able to utter a sound.

"No, come back!"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, wake up!"

- o - 0 - o -

"Waaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"

Marinette's loud voice echoed throughout the room, shocking both her and the short woman with slanted eyes looking down on her. Marinette straightened and sat up on her bed, panting as her heart ran a mile a minute.

"Marinette, dear, are you alright?" The woman asked her, putting a hand over Marinette's forehead. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"I don't know, Maman," said Marinette, the strange dream already fading in the distance. She could remember a voice speaking to her and something about a "light", but that was all she could think on her muddled head. It was like grasping at straws, every fiber escaping as she held on tighter. She looked up at her mother's worried expression and gave her a weak smile. "I'm fine Maman, it was just a dream."

Sabine Cheng looked over her daughter and Marinette knew she was trying to see if there was something bothering her or if she was hurt anywhere. So she gave her one of her best smiles and kept the memories of the dream in the farthest reaches of her mind. "Don't worry about it, Maman."

"Well, if you say so," said Sabine, still looking unconvinced. But she quickly frowned, as if remembering something important. "Anyway, you better hurry, school starts in fifteen minutes."

"What?!" Panic clouded over Marinette's mind, the strange dream all but forgotten. She hopped off her bed, putting her hands on her hair, looking over her room as if what she needed will magically appear. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier, Maman?"

"I tried, but you wouldn't budge." Sabine put her hands on her hips, as her daughter raced to her wardrobe, pulling her brand new school uniform. "I hope you didn't stay up late sketching more designs."

Marinette gave her mother a sheepish smile and raced to the bathroom. Apologizing to her mother could wait, she wasn't going to show up at the first day of school tardy. She was determined to change her luck this year.

- o - 0 - o -

After exactly ten minutes, Marinette speeded out of the stairs and into the bakery her parents owned. She was already in her school uniform for Collège Françoise Dupont - a black long-sleeved blazer over a white blouse, punctuated by a red ribbon in the neckline, a black skirt with red edges that reached up to her knee, black leggings that covered her entire lower body and a pair of brown loafers. This particular uniform was brand-new, since she had grown a little over the summer and her parents were able to save enough to buy her a new one. Her bluish-black hair was tied into two small pigtails and her pink school bag was straddled over her shoulders, dancing with every movement she made. She was bent on arriving on time at school, but it didn't mean she had to bypass her father.

Tom Dupain was arranging the baskets of bread on display when he was suddenly hugged from behind and kissed on the cheek. "Goodbye, Papa, have a nice day!" Marinette hummed as she rushed to the main door.

"Marinette, wait!" The girl paused as her burly father grabbed something from the counter. It was a white box imprinted with the boulangerie's iconic logo. "Here's some macarons to share with your classmates."

Marinette's eyes shone as she cradled the box full of pastries on her arms. "Thanks Papa," she mumbled, hugging her father once again; this time her father was ready and gave her a fond embrace in exchange. "I'll see you later."

"Good luck, Marinette!" Tom called out as Marinette finally grabbed the door and opened it, feeling the vibrant sunshine on her skin. She could sense that this school year was going to be different. Now, if only she was not assigned in the same class as Chloe, everything would just be perfect. She hummed as she closed her eyes and put both her hands on top of her beating heart, a silent secret prayer whispered in her lips. As she opened her eyes, Marinette felt bright and ready and believed that everything will go the way she wanted it to be.

Paris in the early morning was breathtaking and Marinette loved every moment of it. Although she always had trouble waking up in the mornings, it was her favorite part of the day. She liked basking in the rising sun, feeling like a sunflower rising to meet up the vibrant glow. She ran through the streets, careful not to hit anybody in the way. Her clumsiness was legendary and she was not going to dirty her brand new uniform with some acrobatic foolishness on her part. She skidded to a stop in front of the pedestrian lane, looking up to see that the light was blinking towards the red. She looked up at the other side and gasped - an old Chinese man hobbling on a cane was crossing but the traffic light had already turned green for the vehicles.

Without thinking, Marinette rushed and grabbed the man's arm quickly, pulling him into the side of the street before a speeding car ran him over. In the adrenaline of the situation, she wasn't thinking enough and dropped the box of macarons, the pastries spilling over the ground. She bit her lip as she helped the man up, who brushed the dirt off his red floral shirt, with some concerned passersby asking for his well-being. While the man addressed them, Marinette picked up the box and what was left of it, trying to stall the tears that were forming in her eyes.

"Thank you, little lady." The man's voice was lilting, as if he was not used to using the French language. His tone was kind and grateful and Marinette turned to him, wiping the tears off her face with her hands.

The old man was very short, he was inches smaller than Marinette and she was quite petite enough! But Europeans were typically tall and people with Asian blood like her and the old man could be midgets over here but giants on the other side of the world. "You're welcome," she told the man with a smile. "You should be more careful, monsieur."

"Alas, I try but my legs were not as it once were." The man told her dramatically, bending his knees with a cracking sound, as if to illustrate her point. Marinette couldn't help but giggle as he straightened up his back with the use of his walking stick.

Without thinking too much about it, Marinette grabbed a macaron from her box and offered it to the man. "You can have one, if you'd like."

The man's eyes widened. "Not only do you save my life, but you have the kindness to offer me a gift. Even when I was the reason why you have less now than before."

Marinette shrugged. "I would have fell down and spilled it later. Don't let it worry you, monsieur."

The man accepted the offered macaron with a big grin. "This is my lucky day indeed," he commented, looking thoughtful. Marinette wanted to say something more, but the lights changed and she remembered she had school to go to.

"I bid my leave, monsieur," she told the old man kindly. If there was something she learned from her Asian ancestry was that seniors were to be treated politely. And running off without saying goodbye was definitely not proper. "I wish you good health."

The old man's smile widened even more and he gave her a small bow. Marinette grinned in return before dashing to the other side of the street. She huffed as she realized she only had a minute left. But she didn't regret what she did - at least one old man found his luck on what could be a dreary day for hers.

- o - 0 - o -

"Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng, how nice of you to grace us with your presence at last."

Marinette winced, the steely voice of Madame Caline Bustier petrified her where she stood - the entrance to her new classroom. A few of her classmates giggled good-naturedly but there was one snide laugh that grated her nerves. She focused on a tanned-skin blonde on the front row and she almost groaned. It was just her luck to be stuck with Chloé Bourgeois in the same class for the fourth year in a row.

"Well, what is it this time?" Madame Bustier asked, tapping her foot as she crossed her arms. She loomed on Marinette; tall, with red hair tied in a bun and her otherwise kind teal eyes nothing less than intimidating. Their teacher was as pretty as she was strict and the student gulped. "Your reason for being tardy, that is," she clarified at the blank look Marinette was giving him.

Marinette finally found her voice. "I helped an old man cross the street," she blurted out. It was the truth but she knew what was coming…

Madame Bustier sighed. "I really don't want to deal with this at the first day of the school year," she said. "Make sure you come early next time Marinette or you will be the first to be in the principal's office this year."

"Yes, thank you and I'm very sorry." Marinette dropped her head. She failed miserably as she knew she would. The rest of day felt like it was going to spiral down to oblivion and she was not looking forward to it.

"Hm-hm," said Madame Bustier, looking over the whole classroom. "There's an empty seat in the front row, just beside Nino, why don't you take it?"

"No way!" Chloé's distinctive voice rang loud and Marinette winced for the second time that day. Her high-pitched tone as she drawled out was not in the little bit kind or generous and she whipped her ponytail back. "I'm reserving that seat for a very special friend and she's not getting it." Her eyes were cruel as she regarded Marinette then stared at the auburn-haired girl behind Nino, whom Marinette did not recognize. "Why don't you sit with the transfer student from Japan? Maybe you can understand each other, give her the tour, maybe let her join the club while you eat those dinky Asian noodles together."

Chloé laughed at her little joke and her ever-loyal follower, the orange-haired bespectacled Sabrina sitting beside her, joined in with a little prodding. The rest of the class did not look like their funny bones tickled and there were some angry expressions all over. The auburn-haired girl especially bristled and so did Marinette, but her protests died in her throat before she could even voice them.

Madame Bustier, as usual, was not threatened by the mayor's daughter's smug statements. It was one of the things Marinette liked about the literature teacher, though she could really be stern when angered. Like now, for instant. "Chloé, I will appreciate it if you keep such undesirable comments to yourself." The blonde girl stopped laughing at this, but Marinette could see her mouth form the words "My father will find out about this" as she checked her fingernails. "And Marinette has the freedom to choose wherever she'd like to sit in this room."

Marinette silently thanked her teacher for the opportunity, but she there was no way in hell that she was going to sit near the aggravating blonde, even if they were separated by a walkway. There was an empty seat beside the auburn-haired girl and although she didn't look particularly Asian, if she came from Japan - if Chloé was right for once and did not mix countries as she usually does - then she definitely have some interesting things to say. The transfer student looked nice too as she gave her a small smile. "I'd like to sit beside the transfer student, if that's okay, Madame Bustier."

"Of course you can," said the teacher kindly.

Marinette climbed into the second row, plopped her bag and the box of macarons in the table, sat down and extended her hand to the girl sitting beside her. "Hi, I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng", she greeted, thinking too late that she should have used English if she was speaking to a transfer student from overseas.

The redhead took her hand and shook it. "Alya Césaire," she said with a smile. "And I can speak French fluently so no need to hold back." She must have noticed the other girl's very obvious discomfort. "I only lived in Japan for five years, but my family were from Martinique. Actually born here in Paris, but my mom studied Japanese cuisine so the entire fam moved. Then moved back here after she got hired by a fancy Parisian hotel."

"Wow," breathed Marinette. "I've never been outside France before, though my mother sometimes went home to China."

Alya smiled and Marinette noticed how pretty she was. She had chocolate-brown skin, hazelnut-colored eyes over a pair of black-rimmed glasses and her hair was wavy yet stylishly combed. The black school uniform suited her, too. She must have noticed Marinette was looking at her uniform when her next words came. "I thought being out of Japan meant I don't have to wear silly school uniforms, but I digress."

Marinette giggled. "The principal was fussy and liked fashion, so he commissioned for some school uniforms to be made."

Alya wrinkled her nose. "Well, this one looked ten times better than the ones I had to endure in Tokyo. If there's something similar between France and Japan, it's the over-the-top fashion."

"Oh, do tell." Marinette's eyes lit up and it was not lost on Alya, who raised an eyebrow. She blushed as she confessed, "I actually like fashion and it's my dream to be a fashion designer one day."

Alya gave her a genuine smile and Marinette's anxiety evaporated - people were keen to tease her about the impossibility of her ambition. "That sounds wonderful," she said. "Actually, I can show you some fashion from Japanese pop culture. Don't know if you'll like it, though."

The nervousness was entirely gone as excitement bubbled up into Marinette's system. She restrained herself from jumping up-and-down in her seat. "Wow, show me then!"

Marinette must have must have made too much noise as Madame Bustier coughed loudly to catch both girls' attention. "As much as I liked seeing you being friendly with the transfer student, Marinette," the teacher said, but she had a softer expression than what Marinette expected - the kind woman must have been worried if the new girl could fit in. "I'd like to have your undivided attention as I discuss today's lessons."

"Yes, sorry, Madame Bustier!" Marinette squeaked and her classmates laughed once more. After a while, Alya joined in on the laughter and though looking a bit put-off at first, Marinette found herself joining the chorus of giggles all around.

Once the class settled down and Madame Bustier returned to her lecture, Marinette remembered the pastries her father gave her. She opened it, grabbed a macaron and offered one to Alya, who looked please and munched at it. Marinette was glad as a pleasant expression flowered on Alya's face as she chewed and she hoped she can convert her newfound friend into a regular at her parents' place.

- o - 0 - o -

Lunch time led Marinette and Alya in the cafeteria and though the dark-haired girl usually went home for lunch, she decided to accompany the transfer student and toured her around the school for good measure. The two girls were seated together closely as Alya opened her bag to show her a beautifully-bound book.

"Wow, are these comics?" Marinette took the book after Alya offered it to her, eyeing the colorful cover. It showed two girls, wearing complementing black and white dresses that reminded her of their school uniform, though these were much frilly and pretty. They were joined by a pair of cute critters that reminded her of those little creatures in the Pokemon video game.

"In Japan they call them manga," Alya told her as she carefully turned the cover so Marinette could see the contents.

"I've read about them." Marinette saw the black-and-white pages, with several shades of grey to give it a more monochrome feel. "You read these from right to left, right?"

Alya nodded, looking surprised at her knowledge of Japanese comics. "Some visiting cousins from Korea brought one," Marinette explained. "These things are popular over there, too though they call it…"

"Manhwa," Alya supplied. "It's more or less the same thing though." Her eyes flashed a bit too excitedly for Marinette as she continued on. "Anyway, have you heard of magical girls?"

"Magical what?"

"It's a genre of manga and anime," Alya told her. "They're like superheroes, but are female, of course. They have this cool transformation sequence into their um, superhero outfits, I guess? And they kick evil butts with all their pretty dresses and all the finery!"

Marinette chuckled. "That sounds awesome."

"It is!" Alya's eyes brightened like a pair of suns. Marinette was reminded of herself when she was talking about fashion and stitching. "And in Japan, they have real-life counterparts! Ever heard of the Pretty Cure?"

"The what?"

"They're like heroines of justice!" Alya beamed and Marinette couldn't help but join in her enthusiasm as she listened intently. "Legendary warriors who protect humanity from the forces of darkness!" She pointed at the manga on Marinette's hands. "That one's an author's rendition of those famous heroines!"

"Really?" It was pretty clear Alya loved superheroes and magical girls and Marinette couldn't help but smile. She studied the manga once again and flipped into a page where the two heroine's outfits where spread out. "Wow, these dresses looked nice!"

"Told ya, didn't I? Japan's got some fashion sense of their own."

"I bet." This time, it was Marinette's eyes that gave a radiant gleam, as she turned more pages over. She was inspired by the drawings, astounded at the avant-garde fashion style of the fictional characters. She was about to open her mouth once more when the manga was forcibly wrenched out of her grasp.

"Hey!" Alya's voice was alarming as she stood up. Marinette followed her - she had a thing or two to say to the rude person who pulled out Alya's book without permission. When she was faced with the cruel blue eyes and smirking mouth, she faltered.

"Oh, what's this?" Chloé held the manga in her fingertips, like she was holding some kind of dirty object and despite everything, Marinette's nerves flared. "Some kind of Asian mag?"

"It's a manga and it's mine, so give it back Chloé!" Alya was red in the face as she tried to get her book back. She pulled the manga from the bully's hand and accidentally pulled it too hard. This resulted to Chloé tumbling out of her high heels and falling face-first into the floor. Everyone saw the scene and a raucous laughter rang out in the hall - a testament to how many people disliked her. Marinette smiled at this little thought.

Chloé stood up a moment after that, embarrassment and fury making her red in the face. "You pushed me," she told Alya, who gaped at the blonde girl's accusation. "You pushed me and you're going to be punished for it!"

"I didn't push you, you fell on your own," countered Alya, incredulity written all over her face.

"Th-that's right!" Marinette was glad that she could find her voice and Alya flashed her a gratified look, making her braver than ever. "Alya just took the manga from you. You fell on your own."

Chloé's eyes flashed angrily at Marinette and she could feel courage desert her. "Are you accusing me of being clumsy? Because no one can beat you on your game."

"I…" Marinette faltered. Alya gave her a sharp don't-let-her-get-to-you look but memories of a similar encounters in the past flashed on her mind. She bit her lip, her voice wasn't coming out at all.

"Are you going to cry again?" Chloé's snide voice was like judgment over Marinette, pulling a blanket of self-loathing over her body. Tears formed in her eyes and she bowed, not wanting to see Alya's face or those around them. "Know your place, Marinette. And you better teach this new friend of yours manners too."

Alya's voice was so far-off inside Marinette's bubble of self-depreciating thoughts. "If someone had to be taught manners, it should be you! You pampered little spoiled brat!"

"W-what did you call me? My father's going to hear about this!"

It was too much for Marinette so she fled. She ran away like the coward she was, not hearing Alya's voice calling out to her. She raced out of the school, into the streets, covering her eyes as tears threatened to gush out once more. Unable to see where she was going, she fell into the street, tearing a part of her skirt. The tears came like a cascading waterfall and Marinette had enough - enough of this timid personality, enough of her clumsiness, enough of her unchangeable infinite bad luck.

- o - 0 - o -

Alya rushed after Marinette, but she lost her on one bend. Boy, the girl was petite, but she could run like a deer. She was in an unfamiliar street and wondered where she was right now. It had been a long time since she was last in Paris, so it was reasonable that she'd get lost, but not in this kind of situation. She sighed as she headed to the nearby park, sitting forlornly on one of the benches.

The manga was still on her hand, her angry thoughts swirling so fast. Chloé's wicked words, Marinette's face as she tried to hold it in, her own fury at being talked like that - it was mixing together in her mind like a chaotic ensemble of words. She hated being unable to do something about the whole situation, furious at her own incapability, at the fact that she might have lost a possible friend there and then, because she couldn't protect her. She looked at the comic's covers and saw the two heroines of justice, who can do everything for the sake of righteousness.

"This fury, this anger, it's so intoxicating…"

"Who's there?" Alya stood up, the sneering tone of the voice creeping her out.

"Hello there, mademoiselle." The voice was behind her so Alya turned to look. A bowing man stood in a fancy bright red collared formal jacket, yellow-and-black striped pants and brown shoes. He wore a black-and-red top hat that formed a light bulb. He had a bow tie, which was formed like a purple butterfly and Alya saw it flutter, though only for a moment. He was eerily slim, like he can bend his body at any direction. He looked like a middle-aged gentleman with the pointy beard and graying sparse hair, but his eyes were a cold and calculating purple. "Pardon my intrusion, but it looked like something is troubling you."

"I…" Alya's words failed her. She couldn't help but look at those sharp eyes, as if it could read her very soul.

"This world is so full of injustice," the man cooed and Alya agreed with him, her mind being clouded as if being in a trance. "Truly terrifying, how one could step on another, eh, petite dame?"

"No one has the right to ridicule others." The voice that came from Alya's mouth was harsh and murderous, as if the hatred that she was feeling would burst out any moment.

"So true, so true," said the man, but his eyes grew into ones of immense pleasure. "Now come, petit dame, let us offer your wrath to Hawk Moth."

Unseen by anyone as shadows lengthened around him, the man did a weird pirouette, pulling out his tie and crumpling it in his hands. "Akuma, Akuma, hear her plea!" He spun once more and opened his hand, the tie turning into a purple butterfly with a red aura. "The butterfly rages, release her, s'il vous plaît!"

The butterfly flew to the manga still grasped on Alya's hand and a black aura with purple and red gleams covered the girl, turning into a bizarre purple cocoon. The manga that was once on her hands fell, as a puddle of black energy began to form around it.

"How wonderful," said the man, eyeing his growing creation with the stroke of his beard. "An Akuma worthy of Luciferin, Hawk Moth's mightiest commander."

- o - 0 - o -

Marinette planned to skip afternoon classes, even though she should have known better. She was crying unto her pillow on her bed, unable to stifle the emotions that were coming out of her little body. Her parents were concerned about her, of course, but she feigned a headache so that they didn't have to worry too much. They were too busy at this time of day and Marinette had no plans to add her problems into their busy schedules.

Marinette sniffed as she finally sat up, hugging the pillow tight. She wanted to stand up to Chloé, she really did, but her cowardice was too powerful for her to control. She straightened up, slapping her cheeks hard, trying to be positive despite all the despair. She told herself not to lose hope and to believe and her eyes traced to the black umbrella placed on the highest shelf of her wardrobe. It was there in its place of honor as a symbol of the lowest moment of her life and how someone brought her hope back.

Three years ago…

Marinette couldn't remember what she was arguing with Chloé about. All she could remember was that she punished unfairly and she had to stay at school for an extended period of time. When she could finally leave, it was dark out as a sudden storm came, drenching the whole of Paris with non-stop rain. Marinette was caught in the onslaught of water and she shivered as she ran back to the school, shivering in its empty entrance. She huddled to her knees; the tears falling from her eyes mixing with the rainwater. She was too engrossed in her own despair that she didn't hear a black limousine stop on the road, the sound of a car door opening and hurried steps splashing the puddles that formed on the ground.

"Here…"

Marinette opened her eyes to the gentle voice's urging and the first thing she saw were brilliant green eyes. The owner of these captivating lens offered her a black umbrella, which she numbly took. Then there was a soft smile and Marinette felt her stomach contract. But despite fighting the blooming feeling that suddenly sprouted in her heart, she looked closely at the boy who ran in the downpour just to give her an umbrella.

He was taller than her and probably a few years older. He had a steady posture as he regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and pity. He had blonde hair that looked like the sun to her and his brilliant emerald eyes reminded her of the green pastures she once went to with her parents. His face was astoundingly handsome and the kind smile that graced on his mouth made him more perfect.

"Are you okay?"

Marinette had to follow his lips to make sure that he was actually saying it and she was not imagining things. Unable to form any words on her mouth, she simply shook her head up and down.

"Good," he said. Marinette thought that he would leave after that, but he stayed with her. "My Mother taught me a little prayer to recite if my day wasn't going well. It's like a lucky charm. Do you want to hear it?"

Marinette wondered if she nodded her head too eagerly, since he gave out a laugh. The sound was heavenly and she believed that angels were real right there and then.

"You cup your hands like this," the boy said, putting his hands over his chest, right on where his heart would be. "And say: Ladybugs shine in the morning dew; The black cat purrs on the sunset's cue; When you're feeling lonely and blue; Just remember I am always here with you." When he finished, his eyes looked a little bit sad, but mesmerizing nevertheless. "It's lovely little poem, don't you think?"

Marinette agreed and she easily memorized and repeated the words in her head. It gave her a sense of calm, like she was being embraced by someone who truly cared for her. It was an uplifting feeling, like she can do everything she sets her sights to. It was like being filled with hope to the brim, racing despair out like a shining beacon of light banishing the darkness.

A chuckle and then a radiant smile. "You look like you're feeling better, that's good," the boy said. "Sleep well and you'll get back at your feet in no time." He started to move, his gait as perfect as his whole being. "And oh, you can keep the umbrella. Bye!"

Marinette didn't knew how long she stayed in that same spot. But she knew that without the boy's encouragement - and the umbrella - she would have gone home cold and depressed.

And that was the story of the black umbrella, imprinted with the initials A.A. in its handle. Marinette never saw the boy again and her vision of him was too hazy to try and find him. Blonde, green eyes with a perfect smile - it's not like she can just meet someone like that somewhere down the street, can she?

But she knew one thing - that boy gave her something irreplaceable. And if the fluttering feeling in her stomach and the redness of her cheeks meant something, it was definitely more than gratitude. Placing her hands over her heart and closing her eyes, she repeated the prayer, knowing it would give her the courage she needed.

"Ladybugs shine in the morning dew; The black cat purrs on the sunset's cue; When you're feeling lonely and blue; Just remember I am always here with you."

Flooded by her memories, Marinette didn't quickly register the shining red light that suddenly burst out from her bag. Once she did, she yelped and almost fell to her knees. She was one moment from rushing downstairs and screaming for her parents' help when a voice suddenly rang out.

"Marinette!"

Shocked, Marinette didn't move an inch. When the light suddenly went out, she continued gaping at her bag. She stayed still for a minute and when the light didn't returned, she crawled slowly towards her bag, tensing in case something came out from it. When she finally reached it, she swallowed and closed her eyes as she opened the thing.

When nothing happened, she opened her eyes. There was nothing strange inside her bag - there was her sketchbook, a few notebooks for class, her pencil case, a strange pentagonal box with some kind of engraving, her gym clothes, a pink towel - wait, what?

Marinette took out the box, a small thing that fitted easily on her palm. She wondered where she got it and if someone put it in her bag as a mistake. But she only opened her bag under her supervision and there was no time for anyone to slip it inside. She decided to bring it in the lost-and-found counter and was about to pack it up back. However, her curiosity of the mystery box was overwhelming and even though it was against her better judgment, she picked it up again. Slowly, she opened up the cover and screamed.

Bright, radiant light erupted from where she opened it and Marinette dropped it like a hot potato. She closed her eyes as the radiance blinded her and she had one last glance to know that the light was covering her whole room. There was a whooshing sound and something zoomed, but she couldn't open her eyes until the light faded.

Her heart going into wild overdrive, Marinette felt like she'd die of shock. Once she realized she was still alive, she opened her eyes to meet a red creature with an antenna and black spots hovering in front of her.

Marinette opened her mouth to scream but the strange critter pressed its tiny hands over her mouth. "No, please don't scream, Marinette!"

The red-and-black creature talked! It looked like a stuffed toy of some sort, but no amount of technology would make it fly and speak. Marinette saw its mouth move as it spoke and she could see its beady little black eyes as it regarded her. She was giving a dumb look, her brain fried at the series of events. The creature seemed to think that she had calmed down enough, as it pulled off its hands from her mouth.

"I know this will come as a shock," said the creature and it was the understatement of the year for Marinette. "But I'm Tikki and I'm a fairy called a kwami. The kwami protects the Miraculous, a talisman that grants a person the power to combat the encroaching darkness."

"K-kwami?" This was the only thing that Marinette grabbed in the fairy's rapid onslaught of words.

"There's not much time to explain," said Tikki with urgency in it - her - voice. "The forces of darkness have made a move and an Akuma had been released in the city."

"Akuma?" Since her mind wasn't working still, Marinette could only repeat the words.

"It's the evil manifestation of negative feelings, such as anger, envy, despair. A person who turns into an Akuma loses all semblance of rational thought and becomes a raging monster bent on causing chaos and destruction." Marinette's blank look was not lost on the little kwami. "You'll understand when you see it. Take the ladybug earrings and follow me, please."

"Take the what?" Marinette saw Tikki hover down to the box that she dropped. Inside it, ruby-red round studs with black spots where placed on white, soft silk.

"Wear it please," urged Tikki. "The Miraculous will protect you and grant you the power you need. You can fight the forces of darkness with it's help."

"What? But..." Finally, the gears on Marinette's head started turning and all her thoughts went into the same conclusion. "But this is happening too fast, don't I get the right to refuse or something?"

Tikki looked conflicted but gave in after a sigh. "Of course you can choose not to carry the burden of a Pretty Cure. But please, we need to go to the Akuma; we'll talk more about it there."

The fairy looked earnest and sincere, so Marinette let out a sigh as she wore the studs on her ears. She stood up, when she remembered something. "Wait, Tikki, did you say a Pretty-"

"Marinette, are you all right? We heard you scream!" Sabine's voice was loud and concerned as an urgent series of knocks was heard on her door.

Marinette stiffened. Tikki looked at her pleadingly. "Please, Marinette, you've got to trust me."

Marinette didn't know much about Tikki or about flying and talking stuffed toys in general, but she knew she was telling the truth. There was nothing in the fairy's eyes but pure sincerity and Marinette knew that she was not going to refuse someone needing a hand. "I'm okay, Maman, I just stubbed my toe on the closet."

"Oh, okay." Sabine's reply from behind the door was hesitant but accepting. Marinette had to thank her record of clumsiness - this was a believable lie for her. "Do you still have a headache? Should I call the school for you?"

Marinette grinned as an idea formed in her head. "I think I can manage. I want to go back for the afternoon classes."

"Well, okay, make sure to drink some medicine before you head out, alright?"

"Okay, Maman, thanks!" Marinette waited for the footsteps to fade before she faced Tikki. "Hide inside my bag, Tikki, I'll open it slightly so that you can tell me where to go."

"Thank you, Marinette." Tikki quickly flew to her bag and Marinette zipped it, but left an adequate opening for the fairy to whisper instructions.

Marinette wore the bag once more, noticing it got a little bit heavier, when she realized something. "How did you know my name?"

There was a pause before Tikki replied. "I'll tell you later. First, we need to go find the Akuma."

"Fine, fine," said Marinette as she rushed out of the bedroom. She wondered if fairies liked to postpone important stuff at the last minute.

- o - 0 - o -

It wasn't difficult to find a monster made of negative emotions. The screaming of the fleeing people pointed Marinette in the right direction, although Tikki had to reassure her that as long as she had the earrings, she will be alright. Marinette's imagination ran wild on what the Akuma could look like but she was not expecting this.

"Alya?!" Marinette couldn't help but gasp. What once was the friendly and enthusiastic transfer student was trapped in a strange purple-colored cocoon. She wasn't moving and with her eyes closed, she looked like she was dead. "What happened to Alya?!"

Tikki peeked from inside her bag. "Oh no, she was the victim of the Akuma!"

"The victim?" Marinette's heart thudded. "Is she alive? Can we turn her back to normal?"

"The Akuma must be purified first before she can be freed," stated Tikki. "We have to look for the Akuma, it couldn't have gone far."

"Well, with my enormous bad luck at work, it will just suddenly appear before us, trust me."

And so the Akuma did. Marinette was shocked as a huge black monster fell from the sky. The impact of its landing sent waves of wind towards the girl and knocked the fairy out of her bag, who yelled. "Tikki!"

It happened too fast. One moment ago, Tikki was mumbling exposition on her ear as she hid inside her bag and moments after, the fairy was grabbed by a strange man in a top hat that looked like a light bulb. The colors of his outfit was too bright and too gaudy for Marinette's eyes, especially that the person was standing on top of a streetlight with the intense noontime sun as his backdrop.

"Well, well," said the man, who had a snide tone that Marinette immediately disliked. "It seems to be my lucky day! First, I found the perfect host for the Akuma and now, a kwami fell into my hands. And not just any kwami, but the ladybug kwami." Marinette saw the man licked his lips like someone eyeing a tasty morsel for a snack.

"Get your hands off of Tikki!" Marinette yelled, her anger at Tikki being treated like that spurning her into action. But as the cold stare of the man turned to her, she could feel her legs turn to jelly. There was something evil in those amethyst-colored eyes of his.

"Your anger is outstanding, petite dame," said the man, his eyes squinting as if he was not seeing her properly. "But not enough, I so regret to inform you. Now, if you will be kind enough to hand over those beautiful earrings, I will let you leave."

"No, don't give it to him!" Tikki grimaced in pain as the man tightened his grip.

"Tikki!" Marinette felt helpless as she saw the fairy try to mask the pain, urging her not to give up the earrings. She looked at Alya's frozen figure, trapped in a place that kept her in what could be a temporary state of death. She glared at the thin man who caused this madness and felt her blood boiling.

"I admire your courage, petite dame." The man gave her a scrutinizing if not mocking smile as he leapt to the ground, walking towards the black monstrosity that did not move an inch after arriving. "But can you truly hold your ground against an Akuma?"

Marinette stepped back as she saw the Akuma move towards her. It was a large thing, almost ten feet tall, with big, strapping arms and gigantic legs. Instead of a face, there was a red butterfly mask and a mouth with fangs. It was dressed in a silver steel knight's armor and held a huge sword and shield on each of its hands. A roar came out of the Akuma and Marinette fell into her knees, shivering like a twig left in the wintery wind. Then, there was the sound of someone talking, the voice so familiar to her.

"No one has the right to ridicule others! No one has the right to step on another's feelings! If you persist on your folly, you will face justice!"

"Alya?" Marinette looked at the frozen girl, but her mouth was clasped tight. The voice came from the Akuma and using Tikki's previous explanations, she realized that the emotion that made the Akuma was Alya's anger of Chloé bullying her.

"Now, petite dame," said the man, looking triumphant at Marinette's look of horror. "Won't you please hand over the Miraculous, s'il vous plaît?"

There was no pleading tone in the man's voice and no kindness as he reveled in the terror he inflicts on others. Tikki was squirming in his vice grip, tortured for existing and trying to help those in need. Alya was nothing but enthusiasm and eagerness and her love for heroes of justice transcended that of anger and utter destruction. Marinette looked at the Akuma, on how one brave girl's emotion was manipulated and turned into something hideous and ugly. Marinette found her resolve as she stood up shakily, but her gaze did not waver and so did her heart. A strange feeling was overcoming her cowardice, her self-doubt, her awkwardness, chasing the darkness that stifled the flame inside. She looked at her palms as a bright yet soft red light glowed from her body, a far cry from the repugnant color that colored the Akuma's butterfly mask.

"W-what?" For once, the man on the top hat was taken aback. Marinette smiled at his discomfort, as how his calm face was ruined into one of panic and anger. "W-who are you?!"

"S-she is the chosen one." Tikki managed to speak. The same red light shimmered from her body and burned the man so suddenly that he yelled and let go. She easily found her way back to Marinette's side, looking at her with fondness and pride. Marinette returned her gaze, steady and confident and Tikki simply smiled at the girl. "You have found the light within you."

Those simple words felt like a gentle breeze for Marinette. "The light within me…"

"Now is the time," said Tikki, her whole body glowing as she turned into an orb of scarlet light. With a flash, she was absorbed into Marinette's earrings and the girl could feel the power emanating from the bond between the Miraculous and the kwami.

Tikki's final whisper was all she needed. "Remember the words, Marinette…"

"Pretty Cure," yelled Marinette, touching her right earring then the left. As her finger left, a whirring noise blew out as the studs shone a iridescent shade of pink and red. With the finger she touched the earrings with, she formed a circle in front of her, a path of red light flowing from where she drew. Once she finished, she punched the center of the ring and it glowed into a powerful disc of light. "Miraculous Metamorphosis!"

The scarlet magic circle grew and covered Marinette's entire body and she closed her eyes, concentrating. She could feel her uniform consumed by the searing light, blanketed by a strange power that caused it to transform. A bright red blouse with black spots appeared on her chest, the sleeves of which lengthened up to her arms and a pair of black gloves settled on her hands. An short skirt was conjured on her thighs, fashioning the same ruby-red color with black dots, although it had pink frills at the tips. A pair of black heeled boots closed in on her feet, the length of it almost reaching up to her knee. With a flash of light, a black belt was strapped on her waist and a large pink ribbon erupted from behind her, trailing two ends that fluttered like upside-down antennae. Another, but smaller ribbon was placed on her neck, but with a round red emblem with five black spots in the center. The earrings flashed to reveal the same design as the button on her neck and a ladybug-themed mask materialized on her face. Her pigtails lengthened into at least triple its size, now trailing from her head up to her knees. A flash of light graced her hair, turning it a shade lighter, with a black ombre sprouting from the tips of her pigtails. Finally, the last of the lights turned into a round yoyo-like object, fastened on her belt.

Opening her eyes, the girl swiped her right hand, dispelling the magic of the transformation in an instant. "The light of fortune that blooms over the land," she mused, tracing her right arm back to her beating heart. And with one swift motion, she flicked her hand and posed.

"Cure Ladybug!"

- o - 0 - o -

Author's Note:

Hey there! Thanks for reading. I'm pretty sure (yeah this is a pun) I'm not the first one to think and write about a Miraculous Ladybug and Pretty Cure crossover, but I felt like I just have to let these ideas out lest they keep me from my beauty sleep. Anyway, I'm not much of a fan-fiction writer (I write more original ones) but I fell in love with Miraculous Ladybug, so here I am.

I'd like to address some changes in this AU that diverted a little too much for any self-respecting fan's comfort. First off, since this a Pretty Cure series, all the Miraculous holders will be female, except Chat Noir of course. Cure Ladybug's partner will be an OC who uses the Peacock Miraculous, who may or may not have a connection with Adrien. I'm not booting Adrien though and he will have an important role to play in this story. Second, I needed to age up Adrien (only a few years though, don't worry) for plot purposes and he will keep the same personality and appearance, though he will be homeschooled. Romance is still in the plot, of course, this is a magical girl series after all. Third, I changed the Akuma to be more like the monsters of the week in the Pretty Cure meta-series (being sort-of mindless beasts but they will be dangerous, I promise) though I kept the victim of the week plot thread and I will try to connect them more with the original. Fourth, Alya's backstory was changed so that she will be a fan of magical warrior girls but she will remain Marinette's closest friend and Cure Ladybug's number one journalist. Fifth, I made the kwamis bigger so that they can continue the legacy of Pretty Cure mascots trying - and failing - to be inanimate stuffed toys. Sixth, there would be no Pretty Cure without a transformation sequence and the an in-the-name-of-the-moon tag line (tell me if it's horrible) so I added it. And turned Ladybug's costume more magically-girly and I don't really have any drawing and design talents whatsoever, so I just made her costume out of what could I piece together in my imagination. I hope it works somewhat, but I doubt it (I tried though). Lastly, I created Hawk Moth's league of minions-slash-butterfly-commanders so that he can be a full-fledged Orcus in his throne like most Pretty Cure Big Bads (we will see Hawk Moth a few times though, don't worry). I've spent a lot of time making up these minions and I feel like they should be manipulating one emotion per person, since they're just Hawk Moth's cronies and only had a speck of his powers. So we have Luciferin and the emotion of anger this time. I made Luciferin a calm and polite gentleman with a terrifying short temper, which you will see next chapter. I also tried to design them with winged insects in mind, so try to guess which one Luciferin is based from.

Wow, that was a lot. Sorry about the ramblings.

Anyway, just a fair warning, there will be lots of action in this fanfic as I am a fan of action scenes in magical girl series and ML in particular (Lucky Charm for the win). There will be plenty of character development and romance stuff of course, but take a memo regardless. If you're in, then get ready for the ride and grab some popcorn as teenage girls kick some evil butts. (Sorry, can't help myself.)

And I hope the little prayer/poem was to your liking. I spent hours trying to make a suitable one.

Anyway, see you guys later. Drop by a review and I will be as happy as the sunflower who got its daily dose of sunshine.