I haven't written fanfic in ages and I had this floating around, especially after that episode aired because boy was I disappointed.
I'm not that used to introducing OC's in fanfic but let's see how this goes. I should clarify that while this is me annoyed at the episode and I haven't done anything for ML since it came out, I'll try my best in the characterization but hey, fanfic is fanfic in the end.
Tags will be added as the story goes, because I do have a pairing in mind at the end but shall see first how it goes.
Anyway, enjoy!

Does FF still asks for disclaimers? I don't know, you know that drill alright.

Also this is crossposted from my ao3 just in case

Of silver tongues and do overs

Chapter 1: Introductions

It was a beautiful evening in Paris. The sky had just the right amount of clouds to allow the sunset light to filter through them, hues from orange to purple decorating all over the city as the street lights lit up in methodical synchrony. The air was fresh, from the top of a balcony the scent of mint and rosemary mixing from the neighbour's rooftop garden. It was a postcard imagery, the right amount of ease and mindfulness mixed into one.

But Marinette Dupain-Cheng paid no attention to any of that.

Her mind was reliving the day, how it had started as any other only to plummet into total disaster. She was thinking about every piece of conversation, every moment between her classmates, and yet many things didn't make sense.

Wasn't Max smart enough to know a napkin was impossible to leave someone blind? Especially if that someone was wearing glasses? Wasn't Rose already close friends with Ali to confirm the lies told by Lila? Wasn't Alya, her best friend, brave journalist that worked hard to find the truth after her incident as Lady Wifi, the first to verify sources?

"It doesn't make sense" Marinette sighed against the rail of her balcony.

Nothing of that day had made sense. It was as if everyone had been under a spell or something, blind to everything they knew or charmed by Lila's words so strong they refused to believe anything else.

And then, and then there was the hurt.

Marinette could feel her exasperation crawling back to her mind. How hurt she had felt when Alya diminished her thoughts as mere reactions to jealously, how Nino had sort of belittled her without listening to the rest…

How Adrien had decided to "take the high road" as the best choice of action.

Because Adrien knew Lila was lying. Adrien knew, was well aware that Lila's lies were going to cause more harm than good in the end. Sure, he didn't know that Lila had basically threatened her, almost caused her to be akumatized, but because there was "no physical harm" then nothing bad had happened?

Marinette loves Adrien but after that day, she couldn't help but to question how much had she ignored of him because of her crush.

"Marinette," a tiny voice called her, the sight of the red kwami making her smile a little "are you ok?"

"I'm…" Marinette turned back to the city, the sky now dark with some stars twinkling in the distance "I don't know."

She moved away from her balcony and down to her room, sparing a glance at the posters that still remained on her wall. Her desktop with the same picture in better quality, the sketches she had been working on the entire weekend.

"This…taking the high road," she looked at Tikki "it doesn't feel right, but what else can I do? If I call her out then everyone will turn against me now, I don't even think Adrien would have my back if I did… and what if I am suddenly not strong enough for the next time an akuma targets me?"

"But Marinette," Tikki floated until she was on eye distance "you are strong, and always find a solution."

Marinette offered a small smile but it wasn't enough.

"I'm afraid I can't do this fight on my own" she said as she turned to her drawer to retrieve her pyjamas "so much for every day Ladybug, at least Ladybug has her partner, right? Who do I have as daily life Marinette?"

Tikki didn't have an answer to that, but before Marinette could shrug off her jacket, her phone beeped, a message alert that Tikki hovered over to see who it was from.

"Unregistered number" she looked at Marinette who grabbed the phone to check it out "be careful Marinette, it could be a scam."

"Then best to delete and block right a- "Marinette cut her words short when she looked at the text.

I believe you Ladybug

Marinette's breath got caught in her lungs, her hand almost dropping the phone, startled when it chimed again with a new message from the same number.

Oh shoot, I just realized that last message may have looked bad. But I mean it, I believe you and I want to help you.

"Who- "she glanced at Tikki "do you think someone found out my identity as Ladybug?"

Tikki crossed her paws and glanced at the phone and back to Marinette, her expression a thinking frown.

"They don't seem to be… threatening you?" she said "I think this could be the ally you are looking for."

"But, I don't know who they are" Marinette clutched her phone against her.

A third beep caught her attention as she looked at the new message popping on her screen.

Oh, oh! Don't worry. I am NOT telling anyone about your secret identity. I'm Mauro, I will be a transfer student at your class tomorrow.

"A transfer student?" Tikki blinked as Marinette finished reading "then how would they know about your number?"

"That's exactly what I want to figure out" Marinette took a deep breath and typed it out.

How did you get this number?

Let's say I have a bit of magic of my own.

Marinette frowned at that answer. She would play dumb then.

I don't know what you are talking about, you must be mistaken.

Right, secret identities and all. I've been through that story already. I understand this is way too sketchy Marinette but I can assure you, I mean no harm.

How do I know that?

Hm… well how can I prove you I'm 100% here to help you out? You name it.

Marinette frowned, sitting on her bed as she typed out.

How did you get this number?

Magic~

I'm serious

So am I! You have a magical kwami, ask her about silver tongues.

"Silver tongues?" Marinette turned to Tikki who no longer had a worried expression but one of excitement "you know about them?"

"Oh Marinette!" she clasped her little paws as she flew towards the phone, rereading the conversation "a silver tongue got hold of your predicaments!"

"Is that good or bad?"

"Considering how this one is asking you to tell how to help? Good."

Marinette hummed and felt some of her worry ease up, but she still couldn't put down how this person, this silver tongue, found out about her identity. Wasn't there magic that also helped camouflage hers and Chat Noir's identities?

Let's say I believe you

Awesome

Why would you want to help me? We don't really know each other

Why does Ladybug help and save Paris when she doesn't know ALL of the people she saves? :D

"That's… a valid point," Marinette frowned but left her phone on the drawer and got ready for bed. It wasn't even nine but she was tired, exhausted of everything and in need of a good long rest.

"What are you going to do about this?"

"If you think it's a good idea" Marinette said as she snuggled up in the covers "then I should at least listen to this person" she rolled over to get comfortable and closed her eyes "good night Tikki."

"Good night Marinette," Tikki gave her charge a small kiss on the forehead and waited until she could hear Marinette's soft snoring to fly out of her room, zipping past the Parisian rooftops all the way until Master Fu's home.

"Master, a silver tongue has appeared in Paris," she greeted him and revealed the information before he could ask why she was there "and has approached my charge."

Master Fu blinked, looked at Tikki and then to the night sky, humming as his hands thrummed against the wooden table.

"Any particular reason?"

"I, well," Tikki's antennae lowered, "today was a difficult day Master, the akuma and how it happened all" she shook her head, determination in her eyes "but silver tongues appear for many reasons, right?" Master Fu nodded "maybe this one wants to help? They made contact first, that is a good sign, and maybe they are here to help Ladybug and Chat Noir."

"Yes, but it would be best to know their intentions first" he looked at Tikki "a silver tongue can be a powerful ally or a terrible enemy, and if Hakwmoth were to know-"

"He would use it to obtain the Miraculous," Tikki nodded "but it would be good to see this one's intentions before, don't you think?"

"If you trust them Tikki" Master Fu stood up "and they mean no harm to you or your charge, then best to know what or why are they here for," he offered the kwami a smile "thank you for letting me know."

"As soon as we know more I shall tell Marinette to come as well" Tikki smiled and bowed before zipping out of the room and back to her charge, leaving the night of Paris to its own.

When morning came, Marinette was already up and awake. She was ready for the day, for the most part.

"I don't really feel like going to school" Marinette sighed after she waved her parents good bye, the jingle of the door echoing behind her "what if they changed seats again?"

"Then it is good we are arriving on time, isn't it?" Tikki said from Marinette's purse "and we will get to see the silver tongue."

"Right," Marinette looked around the school block, students making their way up the stairs and inside "I had forgotten about that."

She hadn't paid much attention to the people around her, instead going straight up towards her classroom that was mostly empty, with just Nathaniel at his usual seat as well as Juleka and Rose who were listening to some music on Rose's phone.

Marinette sat down on her seat, the one she had had since the beginning of the year, and pulled out her tablet to check she had done all the homework.

She ignored the chattering of her classmates as they filled the room, only nodded at Nino's greeting and offered a small smile at Alya's "well someone is here on time". She had noticed Adrien walking in with Lila clinging to his arm and his pained expression but she held against saying something. This was what Adrien had said to do wasn't it? And if she were to say something, Alya would probably throw another 'you are saying it because you are jealous' comment at her.

"Now, class, to your seats" Mme. Bustier entered the classroom just in time and Marinette let out the sigh of relief as Lila moved to her new assigned seat, not without throwing Marinette a leering smirk.

"I know we had a problem with the seat rearrangements, so let's try to not cause a commotion, especially to our new exchange student," Mme. Bustier kept talking, with most of the class turning to look at her, curiosity on the top of their heads as Marinette frowned at that. So they were having someone new. She spared a glance at her purse but Tikki didn't poke her head out nor did she feel any taps against her thigh, so she kept looking at her teacher.

"Thank you Miss Bustier" the principal said from the front door as he walked towards her, "as your professor said, you will be joined by an exchange student from Mexico, he is going to be practicing his language skills as well as learning about different school environments…"

Marinette lost track of what Principal Damocles said, because just as he talked, a boy taller than Marinette, with tan skin and freckles all over his face and arms came through. His hair was a mess of black and silver highlights, with a plaid shirt and t-shirt with words Marinette figured were Spanish, washed out jeans and an untied shoe. He had his hands in his pockets and the moment Marinette crossed sight with him, he just grinned.

"Mauro, make yourself comfortable in the class" Marinette heard Mme. Bustier "if you need anything our class representative Marinette can assist you."

"Wha-"Marinette had forgotten about that detail.

The boy, Mauro, nodded and skipped the steps to the back, where Marinette had sat the day before and settled down.

Just as the teacher went to the board to start the class, Marinette's phone buzzed on her pocket, and as she discreetly pulled it out to check, she could feel a swirl of emotions invading her head.

So! How would you like me to prove to you I am telling the truth that I want to help?