Chapter 4: The Grading

Adrien was just strolling around the forest, still waiting for an Akuma to attack him. He had been out for nearly an hour now and nothing had happened yet.

Sighing in frustration, he kicked a pebble away. Who said it was dangerous out here? It was boring.

Slumping against a tree in defeat, he glanced up at the bark, the sun glittering through the green leaves, creating peace and a calm he rarely was able to enjoy.

That was until he heard footsteps, thumping across the ground in a manic run. Glancing around, he just saw a red blur pass him, flowing pigtails. Marinette! Maybe he could talk to-

His train of thought was interrupted when an Akuma raced past him as well, hot on Marinette's tail.

Gasping, he quickly followed as well. Chloé had told him many stories throughout the day, how weak Marinette was, how 'pathetic'. She had next to no power and was currently being chased by a wild Akuma.

Maybe if he saved her, she would at least talk to him. Adrien had seen how fast Marinette could be, but she was surely not fast enough to outrun an Akuma.

Speeding up, he caught sight of the Akuma attempting to cross a river. Marinette was ahead, jumping gracefully from stone to stone, crossing the rapids as if they were clouds. The Akuma tried to follow, but was soon caught in the current and was dragged away.

Glancing to Marinette, he tried to catch her attention to tell her to get the hell back, but the girl was currently resting on her back, breathing heavily.

He called her name, but she did not seem to hear him, the river was too loud. Frowning, Adrien glanced around. The General had told them to not cross the river. Like the flags, it was a border and past that border lingered Akumas far worse than they were able to take on.

As if to prove his point, he noticed glowing eyes in the darkness behind Marinette. Akuma level 6 or higher. Far worse than the one Marinette had just managed to outrun. Glancing to the stones Marinette had just gracefully leaped over, Adrien decided that he was not able to mirror her.

They were very slippery and some of them too small to even consider placing his foot there. He had no clue how Marinette had managed that task. Groaning, he turned to his right and ran down the river, hoping he would get to her in time, hoping he would find a way to pass the river before it was too late.

Increasing his speed, he saw a tree blocking half the river, the other half was covered in stones. That was his bridge.

Leaping onto the trunk, it protested under his weight and splintered, but Adrien was already over and gone. A huge leap between a stone and the other bank and he was over. The tree was down, so he had no means of returning with Marinette. They would need to find another way.

Gasping, he began his sprint once more, back up the river. Adrien prayed he would not come back to find her in pieces. That Akuma had been close. Maybe she was hurt, but he would be able to save her. He had to save her.

His feet crunched on the shore, stones clicking together and tumbling in the river.

Soon, he realized that it had not only been one Akuma, but more. He didn't know how many, but he saw the huge one crouching over Marinette, his wings flared and risen, creating a huge shadow.

"Cataclysm!" he called, focussing all of his energy into his right hand, all his hope of not being too late.

Adrien touched the leathery skin of the Akuma's back, black coal spreading and bubbling quickly over the skin, but Adrien barely paid them any mind. He just grabbed something of Marinette and hoisted her over his shoulder, leaving only ashes behind.

The girl struggled in his grip, which was a great sign, but he just realized that they were surrounded. A few too many Akuma prowled and growled, circling them.

"Adrien, what are you doing?!" Marinette hissed and hit his back. "Let me down. Now."

"Now's not the time to make wishes, Princess," he hissed back, barely realizing the name slipping past his lips. He was just so glad that he arrived on time.

Suddenly, an Akuma leaped at them, fangs bared, claws risen, ready to attack them. Adrien leaped to the side, breaking back into a run, tightly securing Marinette on his shoulder.

"Watch out!" she called and tugged violently at his jacket, making him lose his balance and tumble sideways, an Akuma soared above them. They rolled down a sloppy hill, the world a muddy and green blur around them. Coming to a stand in the middle of a meadow, they barely managed to right their senses of up and down when Adrien heard rapidly approaching footfalls. Glancing around, Adrien noticed a small hole in the ground, roots of a tree had formed an awning, just big enough for both of them to hide under.

"Quick," he hissed and tugged her under, drawing her close to his chest while rolling into their hiding place. They would not be able to outrun these, so they needed to hide and pray none would find them.

They held their breath and listened closely. A few were close by, they could hear their breathing. Adrien feared they would hear them as well. Their breathing was labored from all the running, Marinette having not even remotely recovered from her earlier run and her near death experience and Adrien from having to carry her and having nearly his heart ripped out at the sight of his classmate in danger.

Their hearts were pounding, they were too loud. Too loud.

Leaves rustled nearby, the Akuma's noises increased and – passed by. Another beasts came close from time to time, but none seemed to notice them. Only once an Akuma nearly discovered their hideout, setting down his foot directly in front of their faces and giving both of them a heart attack. But it passed as well.

They stayed there for quite some time.

It was Marinette who broke the silence. "We have only thirty minutes to get back home," she whispered careful to not disturb any lingering Akuma. Was it already that late?

"Okay," he whispered, "I'll have a quick peek and then we can try to get back over the river."

Marinette's head moved against his chest, indicating a nod.

Adrien took a deep breath and shimmied out from behind her, glancing around the meadow. No Akuma there. Crouching low, he risked a glance above their hideout and was met with the silent forest.

"All clear," he whispered, refusing to talk normally until they were in a secure area.

Huffing, Marinette left the secure roots as well, glancing around on her own. That was when he noticed she was clutching her arm a bit too tight, red coating her fingers.

"Are you hurt?"

Frowning, Marinette glanced at her arm. "That Akuma that made us fall, he managed to get me. But it's not too bad, it's barely hurting anymore."

Sighing, he decided to take care of that when they were secure again. "Come on, let's go home," he murmured, gently placing a hand on her back and guiding her back to the river.

They walked in silence, anxious about meeting another Akuma. Their eyes were flickering left and right, his hand refusing to let her back go. He'd be damned if she were to get hurt again because of him.

When they reached the river, Marinette gasped and headed a bit to their left to the shore, retrieving something small and red. Adrien hurried after and again stepped close, glancing to the small object. It was read and had five black dots in the middle. It looked like a Ladybug.

"A yoyo?"

"Yeah, I'm quite fond of it and it's proved to be useful more than once already," she explained and glanced up the river. "I managed to cross it here?"

"I wondered the same," he chuckled and tugged her further up the river, the opposite side from where he had come from. "Come on, let's find a more secure way," he said and Marinette followed him.

They were still anxiously eyeing the forest on both sides and eventually managed to find a place with currents only half as strong and with flat stones lining both banks.

Back in secure land, they headed in the general direction of Paris. They couldn't wait to get back to safety. Crossing paths with one or two more Akuma, they quickly skirted around them and were easily back on the meadow leading them inside.

"Ten more minutes," Marinette sighed and headed on, crossing the meadow easily, Adrien at her heel.

Soldiers whisked them inside and Marinette got quickly tugged away by Alya. Frowning, Adrien had hoped to talk to her now that they were no longer in danger.

Sighing, he turned to find Nino throwing him a large smile. "Did you manage to talk to her?"

"No," Adrien shook his head, yawning. He was suddenly very exhausted. "But I managed to save her, it has to count for something, right?"

"Bro," Nino chuckled and clapped his shoulder. "You really have the worst luck, you know this?"

He simply shrugged. "How was your evening?"

"Well," Nino laughed. "Full of a bratty Blonde who clung to me, screamed for her daddy and alerted every Akuma surrounding us. I ditched her and ran. Managed to knock an Akuma out though."

"Cool," Adrien exclaimed. "Any chances you'll get a C?"

"Nah, I don't think so," Nino shrugged. "But I managed to save Alya, that must count for something right?"

"You what?"

"Yeah," Nino laughed, "she was surrounded by two Level 3 and she just panicked. I came up with my super cool bubbles, distracted the Akuma, so she could knock them out," he laughed. "You know she plays the flute?"

"No?" Adrien chuckled.

"Well, that thing hurts," he groaned. "She hit me over the head after I startled her."

Laughing, Adrien clapped his back. "You should stop doing that."

"Yeah."

:

"Nooroo?"

"Yes, master?"

The room was quiet, dark. Feet shuffled, fabric rustled. Two men stood at the centre, barely illuminated by the artificial light hanging from the ceiling in the floor outside. The door letting only little light inside.

They were clearly colleagues of some sort, the first man more intimidating than poor Nooroo.

"Did you feel that?"

"Destruction?" Nooroo asked.

The first man only chuckled. "No. Creation. She finally awakened."

:

It was only a few minutes until the last student returned to the group and they boarded the train, bringing them back to the school.

Adrien wasn't as tired as most of his classmates. That might be because he hadn't done quite much. With a cringe he realized that he had done nothing in the realms of their secured patch of land.

Sure, he had killed a Level 9, but that was outside. And he ran from the rest, not even coming close to a fight back in their small patch of land.

Sighing, he hoped that his teachers had eyes on them even outside. Because, technically, he had had no fight with his powers, resulting in an instant E. Groaning, he hit his head against the glass window.

What would his father say when he came home, not able to attend the academy? Oh. Well. Actually, his father might enjoy it, much to Adrien chagrin. He didn't want to resume to being schooled by tutors and Nathalie. Maybe he could ask to get to a normal school instead? Meet up with Nino or Marinette?

No, both had fought. Both were graded. Was it too much to hope they would fail, only to accompany him? Most likely.

Glancing to the girl a few seats over from him, Adrien smiled. She was dead asleep, leaning on Alya, who seemed to be napping away as well. Most of his class were sleeping, exhausted by the day's events. It was only 4 pm, but the fights seemed to have taken their toll. Even Nino, who had his cap drawn into his face, his headphones over his ears had his eyes closed and was breathing deeply.

Only few were chatting, quietly so as not to disturb the others, exchanging stories of what happened outside.

Adrien was just listening in to a girl telling the story of how she got cornered in the inside of a massive tree trunk, when Nino jolted awake next to him, startling Adrien.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Nino mumbled, drawing his headphones from his head. "Just thought an Akuma was nearby. Man, I swear, I'm going to have nightmares for quite some time."

Chuckling, Adrien bumped his shoulder against Nino's. "Don't worry, they'll pass eventually."

Nino mumbled something more and then blinked around the cabin. "Someone is missing, why is it so quiet?"

Chuckling, Adrien raised his arm shaking it. "Oh, you're right, my arm is feeling lighter than usual, I think a Blonde is missing."

Upon Nino's narrowed eyes, Adrien shook his head. "It seems after you dumped Chloé, she panicked and got taken back home. Sabrina told me."

Nino hummed and glanced around. "A few more are missing as well."

"Yeah,it seems many got scared."

"'It seems'?" Nino huffed. "Somehow, I have the feeling, you don't quite understand the drama."

Shrugging, Adrien tried to explain. "It was freaky. Especially if you're surrounded by a hundred or so, but most of the time, I didn't do much."

"Explain."

Scratching his head, Adrien shrugged. "I was out there for an entire hour and nothing happened. It was Marinette bolting away from a Level 3 that got me something to do, actually."

"Ah," Nino nodded, rubbing his eye and yawning. "Then you saved her. You still have to tell me the story."

Adrien hummed. "It was not much, really." He couldn't explain Nino they had left the area and that he killed a level 9. That was far beyond anything he was supposed to manage. "We mostly ran away and hid when we were surrounded by far more Akuma than we were able to beat. When they were scattered, it was time to go back. At least you're not the only one that might not pass," Adrien smirked ruefully.

"Oh," Nino blinked. "I'm sorry, Bro, honestly." A few seconds of silence and a large grin spread on his face. "Maybe you could come to my school!"

"That would be really nice," Adrien smiled and glanced around. "But I would first have to talk to my father. Honestly, it would be more likely to win against an army of Akuma than persuading my father to let me out."

"That's awful. But it couldn't hurt to try, right?"

"Right."

They smiled and chatted some more about school, Nino describing his old one. He had been in a few classes with Alya and Marinette and he laughed, because neither had recognized him. In return, Adrien told him about his home-schooling, telling him how one of his tutors once came in ill and fell asleep during an exercise, so he had many hours for himself until the tutor got shooed home by Nathalie.

He also told Nino of his many extracurriculars. Then, Nino told him about his music, that he was DJing sometimes and that Adrien could accompany him during one of his gigs.

By the time they arrived back at the station and went back to the school, they had established something that Adrien would call a friendship. But he was socially awkward, so he only hoped the best.

:

Back in the academy, Madame Bustier lead them back to their classroom and Marinette was just awake enough to realize she was announcing their grades.

Sighing, she avoided Alya's gaze, not wanting to see the disappointment, should Marinette not make it. She did her best, but sometimes, your best is not enough.

"Adrien Agreste," Madame Bustier began and Marinette's gaze flickered to the blond boy in front of her. He had saved her earlier. But he was still a dick. "A in the final test, sums up to A. Congratulations."

A dick with good grades.

He was whispering quietly with Nino, who went pale and shook his head. Groaning, Marinette hit her head on her desk. She didn't like tests. And the results were even worse this time.

Ivan Bruel passed as well, the next one was Alya. "Alya Césaire. A in the final test, sums up to a tight B. Congratulations."

Alya whooped and shoved Marinette, telling her excitedly how she managed to kill two Akuma in one go with one of her illusions. Again. Juleka passed as well with a B and a girl called Marie got an E.

The next one was her. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng. E in the final test. I'm sorry."

"That's not fair," Nino piped up. "I saw her kill at least two Akuma."

"And she saved me at the obstacle course," Rose argued as well.

Madame Bustier raised her hands and Marinette tried to hold back her tears. "But she did not use her gift. That was the main point of the test.

"That's not true," Nino began again, "she distracted that one from Chloé. That must count for something."

Tuning the voices out, Marinette rubbed at her eyes. She would not cry in front of everyone. Not in front of Alya.

"It's okay, guys, really," she whispered and stood up, taking her bag. "I'll... I'll see you around, I guess."

Without looking at Nino or Alya, she went past Madame Bustier's desk and was about to grab the handle of the door, when the teacher stopped her. "Marinette? Are you hurt?"

"Huh?" turning back around, she watched Madame Bustier come closer. She inspected her arm where she had been hurt earlier, the blood still clinging to her jacket and arm. "Oh, it doesn't hurt, really."

She just wanted to go home.

"Let me see, you may need a nurse," Madame Bustier frowned and pushed the stiff leather aside, showing only bare skin. "Huh. Nothing there."

"Madame, she was hurt pretty badly," Adrien objected. "The blood is hers. An Akuma had grabbed her and made us tumble to the ground."

Madame Bustier nodded and made her remove her jacked to inspect her arm any further. Aside from dried blood and the ripped suit, nothing was there.

Marinette as well found that quite weird, she knew she had been hurt, because it rendered her entire arm useless for at least an hour. But she wanted to dwell on the weirdness of the situation at home, in her bed when she had cried her eyes out.

"Healing powers?" Madame Bustier wondered and flicked on her tablet. "Your form says nothing of healing."

Healing? No, definitely not. She had several scars from burns on her papa's oven and cuts from various objects to prove that. But she held her mouth shut, not really in the mood to argue.

"That means, Madame," Alya insisted, a wicked glim in her eyes, "Marinette did use her powers. To heal a fatal wound, if the rip in suit and jacket is anything to go by."

Madame Bustier glanced at Alya and along the rest of the class, some nodding more eagerly than others, but Marinette began to squash the little flicker of hope she might be able to stay.

"Why didn't you write anything of healing powers?" Madame Bustier asked again and Marinette shuffled on the spot, fiddling with her bag and jacket.

"I... I didn't know?" she whispered, completely overwhelmed.

Madame Bustier hummed, frowning. Then, she thumbed something on her tablet and smiled. "Then I'm curious what else we'll discover of your gift. Adding the recent discovery, I have no other choice than to re-evaluate your test." Marinette gasped, as well as several others. That had really worked?!

"Final test: C. Sums up to a tight B. Congratulations, Marinette. You may retake your seat."

Okay, maybe she had misheard her teacher, but did she really pass?! Going by Alya's squeal and some laughing, she trudged back to the table in the second row, being squashed by Alya.

"Healing?!" she squealed, "What other powers are you hiding from me?!"

The rest of the day was a blur. She somehow noticed Nino passing as well, receiving a B. Some people passed, some were thrown out. At the end they were fifteen students left, only few really having to fear the next year.

Madame Bustier handed them their own tablets to work with during lessons and their timetables as well. Intent on studying both as soon as she managed to drift back to reality, she shoved them into her backpack.

Then, Alya managed to shove her to the changing rooms so they could get into their everyday clothes. Her best friend had to leave quickly because her mother called, wanting her to be home, so she left Marinette on her own. Marinette had regained some of her senses by now, so Alya apologized with a hug and a promise to call her later as she raced off.

Marinette bid goodbye to some others from her class, many congratulating her on the close call, but all in all, she was soon the last to be left behind. She may have been moving a bit slowly, but that was due to her nerves as she finally registered what had happened.

Sitting on a bench by the changing area, she inspected her arm. Nothing, but smooth skin. Once she peeled the bits of dry blood away, she indeed noticed that there was not a single scratch.

It had hurt intensely, back out in the forest. Recalling the event, she frowned.

She had been still on Adrien's shoulder, when suddenly an Akuma sprang on them. She had managed to cry a warning and tried to tug at Adrien's jacket. But the Akuma was too fast, too close.

A flaring pain in her arm, it had gripped a good chunk and was throwing Adrien off. They tumbled to the ground and the beast let go of her, ripping pieces out in the process. She still felt how the claws ripped and tugged at her. The pain, the feeling was still there.

But her arm was smooth. Untouched.

Groaning, she rubbed her hand over her biceps, closing her eyes.

Maybe her power decided to be finally useful? Healing was incredibly rare and strongly needed. She halfway contemplated to test the extent of her power by hurting herself, but she shivered at even the thought of trying that out.

Okay, maybe she should just be happy that she was able to continue at AHS. Forget that weird day, forget that she had more than one close call that afternoon.

Standing up from her perch, she quickly collected her stuff, throwing her stained jacket over her arm and was about to leave, when she heard thunder rumble in the distance.

With a deep sigh, she stepped out of the courtyard, stopping under the canopy. Maybe she could wait some time until the rain had lessened.

"Hey," someone suddenly said and she looked to her right, Adrien standing next to her, a black umbrella in his hand.

Huffing, she rubbed her arm. It still tingled a bit. "Thanks, I guess. For earlier."

"No problem," he smiled, but Marinette did not look up, still set on her opinion of him as a dick. Sighing, he stepped forward, out in the rain, but stopped when he was in front of her. "Listen. I... I never wanted to mock you. I know you have some history with Chloé, but... I only tried to help. I swear.

"It's just... I never went to school before and never had friends before. Everything's kinda new to me."

His eyes told Marinette the truth. There was no hidden meaning, no hidden malice or lie. Then, he held out his umbrella to her to take it. He smiled and more thunder rumbled in the distance.

Hesitantly, Marinette reached out and took the umbrella, flinching when their hands touched and tingles went up her arm and down her spine.

In fear of that new feeling, she pulled the umbrella slowly closer to her body, still staring at him getting all drenched in the rain that now cascaded down his back.

Adrien's waiting car on the street honked and Marinette flinched, accidentally hitting a hidden button, making the whole thing collapse over her head.

With a flushed face, she peeked out again and he began to laugh. The tone was soft and rang in her ears. It was beautiful.

"See you tomorrow, Marinette," he chuckled and waved, heading over to the car that was waiting for him.

"Sa- eh, see ya. To- morrow! Tomorrow!" she stuttered, frowning. What was that?

:

Adrien quickly hopped into the waiting car, glancing out of the window and watching Marinette vanish when his driver drove on. With a smile, he leaned back in his seat.

"Who was that?"

Nathalie sat across from him, tablet in her hand, but looking straight in his eyes, frowning slightly. "Marinette. She's a friend, I think," he answered honestly and looked back through the rear window, seeing a black blob descending the stairs to his school.

Nathalie seemed to dismiss the topic, asking instead how the test had went.

:

"Sir? I'm concerned for one of my students."

Caline Bustier stood in the office of her Director, having just handed her data to him, so he could file it away.

"Who is it? Monsieur Agreste's son? I hope not."

"No, Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she answered

"Ah," Damocles nodded, "that girl without any power. I read her form and heard some people talking. She fell through, right?"

"Eh, no," she fidgeted. Monsieur Damocles watched her very confused. "She... she had hurt her arm during her time outside and was completely healed by the time she came back. She didn't know about her healing, so I felt it was wise to let her pass. To have her here should her powers evolve. That's why I'm concerned."

"Healing?" Monsieur Damocles repeated, rubbing his chin. "Was it a grave wound?"

"According to some students, yes. We didn't see much of the fight, because Adrien and her had left the assigned area."

Damocles hummed. "Adrien Agreste?"

"Yes, sir."

"A strong one, that Agreste kid," he hummed. "He killed a level 9?"

"Yes, sir."

"Keep an eye on both of them, Caline. Let's see how they develop. If you need help, call."

"I will."

Okay, now you have a feel of the characters and the universe, and I'm SO exited to show you Paris some more in the next chapters! What's up with Marinette's powers? What's with Ladybug and Chat Noir?

Hope you have a nice week!