*~Chapter One~*
A picture was something that Marinette never considered heavy. It was just a photo, a flimsy piece of paper decorated with a recorded memory, usually shaped by a frame, wood or metal; it was something that always looked nice. A memory to appreciate. One to smile at. She's never thought of pictures to be heavy… never had a reason to really.
But right now, the few pictures she had in hand were… weighted. Heavy. It felt like bricks in her hands. Which is silly. No picture this small should weigh so much and yet…
Marinette stared down at the two pictures she managed to find.
The class photo in the park, everyone pointing to Juleka, making her the center star.
And a picture of her and her parents, all huddled together, beaming towards the camera.
These were one of the smaller pictures they, they had here. They should be feather light. But Marinette found she could only hold them lowly, like they were rocks.
"They're nice photos," Duusu offered, floating out and hovering near Marinette.
Marinette gave a heavy nod.
They were nice, even if they lost their frames, were wrinkled, stained, and burnt around the edges.
But they had so much value… they couldn't be let go. She couldn't leave with them.
Her hand shook at the thought.
She'll never let them go.
A feather soft touch was on her hand, and Marinette blinked, looking over and meeting amber pink eyes, bright against a dark sclera. With her crest drooped down, the peacock kwami offered the girl a small, encouraging smile.
Marinette shakily returned it, only for a moment.
It broke apart easily, the girl drooping. The pictures were lowered, hanging from her side like weights. She looked out the window, seeing a vibrant blue sky, seeing the city of Paris still so lovely and…
With a shaky murmur, Marinette mumbled to the kwami, "It doesn't seem like the end of the world."
The kwami glanced towards the city, still standing despite the shift in power.
Though for how much longer… it was hard to say. Shaking her head, the kwami uttered, "Sometimes the world won't echo the catastrophes."
It happens.
The worst tragedies can happen on the most beautiful days.
It could be the worst mockery sometimes.
Sometimes it never caught up.
Sometimes it did.
For Paris, that all depended on… Duusu cut off that thought, unwilling to think about it as she looked out. Only real echo of this were that the streets were clear. Everyone stayed inside, unsure what to do or react. Praying that he would leave them alone, that he'd be content with the jewels he finally won.
Will he though, Duusu doesn't know.
She doesn't know him.
She turned to Marinette when she gave a weak, broken chuckle, leaning forward, resting her forehead against the glass, not caring about the smear of grit and sweat she was going to leave.
Marinette wonders again just, how did it get to this?
This point?
It, it wasn't supposed to go this way.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
And yet it was.
Crest drooping down till it was nearly flat on her head, Duusu patted and nuzzled Marinette's hand, mind scrambling to think of some reassurance to the girl.
"Ladybug?"
Marinette gave a start, sucking in a sharp, quivering breath.
The near kwami watched the child intently, waiting, observing.
Slowly, Marinette stood up and turned, seeing Nathalie standing near, looking unsure and unsteady as everyone else. One arm was wrapped in a sling, secured to stay there to properly heal. In her other hand was a familiar scarf. It was burnt up, torn, punctured, and simply ruined by this.
It hurt to look at.
But Marinette couldn't look away, eyes locked on the blue fabric.
Another touch at her hand and Marinette found the strength to tear her gaze away from the ruined blue cloth. She met Nathalie's gaze, feeling exhausted. With a forced smile that felt like it should be there, there to reassure though what Marinette felt she had to reassure, she didn't quite know.
There was nothing to reassure.
Quietly, she reminded, "I'm not Ladybug. Not anymore."
Going through with this, she probably won't be ever again.
Nathalie flinched at the statement, taking a step away from the girl. Clearing her throat, she awkwardly uttered, "I, I know, I… I don't know your nam…" Nathalie went quiet, unsure of what to do or say. She held out the scarf to the miraculous holder.
Marinette stared down at it, going stiff.
"You, you were the one who made this, weren't you?" Nathalie asked.
Unable to find her voice, Marinette nodded.
"I… I'm sorry, I… he loved it. He loved it very much," Nathalie reassured.
"I know," Marinette murmured. She remembers the day after his birthday. He was so happy, he couldn't help but show it off to everyone at school.
"My father made this scarf! He actually made it for me!"
"He'd love for you to have it," Nathalie told her. "He really should have known…"
Marinette took it, noting that it was still so soft despite what it went through. Her hand tightened around the fabric, bringing it close and pressing it to her chest. Closing her eyes, she leaned into the fabric, still able to catch his scent among the smoke and stench of rubble that clung to it.
It left her shaking again.
It made her breath queasy.
It made her eyes ache, her chest hurt, her legs weak.
Beside her, Nathalie made a worried gasp. "I, Ladybug! I, oh, I'm, I'm so sorry I, I shouldn't have-"
"Thank you," Marinette mumbled out with a whimper, clutching the scarf. She peeked at Nathalie, her eyes pink as she struggled with tears, her lips twisted up as she tried to smile, only they curved into a messy pout that threatened to break. "He, he was happy. He was very happy that day."
Nathalie brought her hands close to herself, clutching her suit, conscious of the quiet, ancient little being watching them.
She wanted to tell Ladybug that he would've loved learning that the scarf came from her. He would have been so touched. So happy.
Nathalie remembers the day she joined Gorilla in picking him up from school.
The boy was so excited about becoming friends with this girl, she was the first person he mentioned to Nathalie.
She wanted to tell Ladybug so.
But with how she was right now…
Nathalie deemed that'd hurt too much.
She couldn't do it.
The girl would truly break and crumble down before her.
She needed too, Nathalie did think so.
But right now…
Heavy steps drew near, and the two turned to see the Gorilla before them, gaze locked on Marinette.
"R-ready?" the girl asked, a quiver in her voice.
Gorilla nodded.
Twin pictures clutched tightly in one hand, the scarf in the other, the girl went towards the large man, the small blue being floating after her. Nathalie watched her go, and uncomfortable feeling in her stomach.
She was only a child and yet…
She truly wondered how did things come to this?
Marinette trailed behind the Gorilla, items clutched tight in her hands. With her gaze settled on the pictures, she ignoring the lingering gaze of the kwami drifting along beside her. A kwami that couldn't resist in asking, "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes Duusu." She had to stop him. Had too. This could not happen. This…
"There's no going back," Duusu warned her gravely. "Once this is done-"
"I know the price. I, I'm willing…"
Duusu frowned at the girl, but didn't push.
It was a solid fact, Duusu didn't like it. Didn't approve. Time was a touchy thing to mess with, and the risks were too great. Kwamis were to discourage the thought of time travels as best they could. Most time travel came with consequences, and the outcome usually came out worse or just wasn't worth the effort. And time was harsh with travel. There was always some consequence to the traveler, something to be given up.
For miraculous means of time travel, that was existence.
All agreed that wasn't worth the risk.
And yet… Duusu found her paws tied.
Time travel was either an act of desperation or an act of selfishness.
This was an act of desperation.
One Duusu was willing to bow too.
A bitter, vengeful man had succeed, he had Tikki and Plagg, and he still had Nooroo. She didn't know where the Guardian was, though with how Gabriel had the miraculous book, Duusu didn't take it as a positive sign. She didn't know if the Turtle was still active, if the Bee and Fox were awake and active. Or would awaken and activate.
There was little that they can do at this point.
They were facing a god. A god that could create and destroy, and with the butterfly miraculous still in his hands, he could could have an army at his beck and call.
To handle him now would be a grueling and risky battle. Even more so with his hatred towards this child, how she stands up against him, and for the longest time, stood in his way of his goals.
His bitterness made the destructive power chaotic, and Duusu does not doubt the high chance that he may try to use it on this girl, to destroy her.
It was a safer approach to face him again, before he had the miraculouses.
And with this child's existence erased, he would be unaware of her. He would not see her coming at him at all.
She would just have to locate him first.
But there was the matter that they didn't know what to expect.
What changes when this girl doesn't exist anymore?
Duusu knows Marinette was scared to consider the idea, to try and think of the answer.
But it was the safest, most successful course of action they had; she was willing, just as Ladybug would be, acting with selfless bravery and a logical approach.
Never considering or thinking of her personal feelings.
A Ladybug must do what they must for the greater good.
It was a truth that left Duusu wary.
The Gorilla opened the door to them, leaning on it with a heavy sigh, resting his leg.
Gabriel stood alone in the room, before a torn portrait of the woman he loved, a portrait that was moved here when the room she used to smile at was destroyed. A woman Duusu had equally adored. One that left the Agreste manor cold and sorrowful with her disappearing. One that lead to Duusu's sealment, till she was reawaken a few days earlier, to an exhausted, distraught girl pleading for her help while her previous holder stood near, looking exhausted himself.
Gabriel turned to them, his steel eyes resolute and tired. His gaze met Duusu's for a moment before he settled on Marinette, his gaze sliding down to her scarf. "Are you ready?" he asked, his tone grave and heavy.
Marinette nodded, tightening her grip on the scarf.
He paused, looking down into the miraculous book. He reminded, "Once you go, your existence will be erased. This present will be erased. It will reshape into a present you were never born into."
"I know," Marinette said.
"There will be no returning. No going back to this time."
She didn't want to come back. Not to this. There was nothing for her to come back too. All she cared for was gone. She told him, "I've accepted this when you came and proposed this, Gabriel."
He eyed her, taking in this youth, a girl barely fifteen. A child. Someone that was his son's age… He closed his eyes, nodded and turned to the near wall, where chalk characters were drawn out, and holding the miraculous book, leaning on his wife's torn portrait for support while his cane fell to the ground with a loud clatter, Gabriel started to chant. The characters lit up, glowing white. Stiff webs jerked out from them, connecting the characters and gradually over taking the space. A glowing white wall stood before them, waiting and ready.
Duusu darted down, and nestled against Marinette's neck, eyeing the door warily. Marinette drew near it, clutching her only souvenirs from here. Adrien's scarf and two pictures, one of her and her parents, the other the best picture taken of their classmates together, of Juleka being the center of their world, her curse seemingly broken with their support.
She stopped before the entry way, staring into the bright oblivion. It was a mash of energy before her, making her loose hair rattle and shake from the surge, showing off her ears, how the right was lobeless. Duusu's own crest rattled and jerked against the energy, making the kwami press harder against Marinette's neck. "Are you sure?" Duusu called out, squinting against the light.
"I'm sure," Marinette whispered.
Before she took that step, a hand grabbed her shoulder, and she turned, meeting Gabriel's pained gaze. "Please… save my son," he requested, his grip shaking as he struggled to stand without the cane.
Marinette met his gaze and nodded, unable to think of any parting words to him. She instead turned and took that first step into the light, leaving this world with a bright, flash of light.
Deep in the eve of the still night, Gabriel slipped down the dark empty halls of his home, his tired mind still abuzz with work and designs, what color should he do, what match up, buttons or beads, long sleeve or short. So many things to try out, so many things to prepare…
He stopped for a moment, rubbing the bridge of his nose, feeling a slight ache there. Proper sleep. That's what he needed.
A night of rest, reenergized, then he can jump up and finish his designs, make those phone calls, and-
Gabriel paused when there was a near glow.
He turned, looking towards the portrait of his wife.
A portrait that was glowing blue.
Frowning, Gabriel quickly drew near, unease bubbling inside him as he quickly opened the portrait, then his safe, where the blue glow was coming from.
Before him, on the shelf, was the peacock miraculous, the source of the near blinding glow. Squinting, Gabriel reached for it, mind scrambling as he tried to make sense of what the glow could mean. He was inches from the magical jewel when it flared out, and Gabriel had to close his eyes. When it dimmed, he squinted, seeing Duusu float before him, the miraculous gone, and her eyes near black, the faint amber pink pupils frighteningly small.
Gabriel stiffened, not ready for the kwami's awakening.
She wasn't supposed to awaken again. Not unless he wanted her too. Why was she-
With a twitch, she darted past him, ignoring his sharp call after her.
Heart pounding, Gabriel hurried after her, worried that Adrien may see the kwami, may learn of the history he and his wife tried so carefully to keep under wraps.
Why was she even active?
Why was she out and about?
Where did the miraculous go?
She shouldn't be awake. Wouldn't ever awaken, not till he wanted her too!
And yet there she went, a blue blur in his halls.
"Duusu!" he half hissed, half shouted after her, but the kwami didn't respond, still darting away from him.
Library.
She was heading towards the library.
Gabriel sped towards the doors, grabbing the frame in surprise when he saw a white glowing door completely cover one of the walls, with Duusu hovering before it, set in a patient trance. Heart pounding in his chest, Gabriel slowly drew near, tense and ready for whatever that could mean. With the miraculous gone with her sudden reawaken, he couldn't transform. Whatever was coming, there was nothing he could do.
Logic warned him to leave, to evacuate.
He didn't know what was going on in his home, he should get himself and Adrien out of here.
But instinct whispered for him to stay, to see.
Kwamis were ancient and near all knowing. If this was a real danger, would Duusu truly come to it willingly?
Or were kwamis so easily entranced?
Gabriel doesn't think so.
This had to be something Duusu trusted, or it could be some unseen force beckoning her-
The light flashed, and Gabriel watched someone step out with a stumble, dropping to the ground with a grunt.
Over her, in a glow of blue, was another Duusu.
The two dove at each other and in a flash, only one floated above the girl, blinking her eyes in a slight daze before she shook her head, looking awake and turning to the girl worriedly. She dropped down, resting her paws on the shaking girl's head, Gabriel hearing her whisper, "It's ok, we made it, we're ok."
Gabriel stared, struck dumb by this.
The girl was small, her clothes had tears and burns and covered in filth; her hair was a knotted mess, curling against her shoulders; and in her hands was a ruined scarf and two small pictures.
Gabriel blinked, unsure of what to think about this.
What to make of this.
A girl just appeared in his home through magical means, he's sure, and his kwami knew her.
Hands set behind his back, Gabriel took a step near her, clearing his throat and startling the two.
Eyes as blue as a chipper sky met his, only those were eyes filled with pain, that saw more than someone her age should've seen. Disgruntled, for a moment, Gabriel could not help but note that she was around Adrien's age.
Perhaps the same age.
Why did someone this old have eyes like those?
Why was she so roughed up?
At his frown, Duusu startled him when she dove over the girl, her body hunching low as her tail fanned out behind her, the little red dot on her forehead flaring out as her pupils shrunk down. Gabriel blinked, surprised.
He knows that stance.
That's Duusu's protective, angry stance.
She was ready to fight.
"I don't want to hear it, Gabriel," Duusu sharply warned.
He frowned down at his kwami, then look past her to the tense girl she guarded.
A girl that was wearing the peacock miraculous.
There it was, clipped to the rim of her shirt, dormant and set in a pasty white that made it an easily overlooked pin.
Gabriel gave a start, eyes locked on the pin.
Why did this girl have that?
Why was she wearing it?
Duusu drew his attention when she shook, her body quivering, her tail feathers rattling with her angry dance. "Don't!" she snarled, her eyes daring him to move towards this girl, daring him to try and take the miraculous.
He stood stock still, watching the peacock kwami do her angry dance, warning him to not make a move she didn't like.
Gabriel grimaced, meeting the silent girl's gaze. He slid his gaze back to Duusu, then her. Despite his hushed tone, his question was loud in the library.
"What is going on?"