You're Lost, I'm Found.
Chapter Ten: Vanishing Point
Marinette never once moved her eyes from the new girl as she entered the class with Adrien. Her Adrien. It hadn't been five minutes and Marinette already had a grudge against this girl.
Alya nudged her arm with her elbow, "Hey, give her a shot! Adrien just was helping her out. That doesn't mean she's trying to steal his heart."
"Yeah but…" Marinette watched as the blonde took his seat in front of her. "It's easy to fall for kindness…"
Alya stifled a small giggle, "That definitely is the truth for you. Should we mention Luka right now?"
A slight blush warmed Marinette's cheeks as she shushed her friend. "You know who really has my heart though…" Or well. The half that didn't belong to Chat Noir.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about right now girl…" Alya watched as the brunette introduced herself to the class. "I'd say Argot is a little too focused on her nerves to fall head over heels for anyone at the moment…"
Ms. Bustier smiled brightly as she placed her hands on Karina's shoulders. "Very good Karina! Now, does anyone want to ask any questions so we can get to know her better?"
"Oh oh! Do me!" Rose threw her hand up excitedly, her bright smile never fauletering.
With a chuckle, the redheaded teacher nodded to her student to proceed.
"Where are you from?"
Karina spoke shyly, "Oh Um, I'm from a small city on the edge of France. My father was from Spain so we had wanted to stay close so we could visit often."
Kim raised his hand next, "So you're half Spaniard then right? Does that mean you can speak Spanish?"
"Well...I can a little. I haven't had to speak it in a long while but I know the basics."
The class chattered a bit about this before Alya raised her hand. "So like, what made you move all the way to Paris then girl?"
"Oh, well…" Karina studied the tiles on the floor before looking back to the class with an empty smile. "My mom got a really nice job here. It was a great opportunity and I'm super glad to be able to come with her and support her in her career."
Marinette furrowed her brows. Was that...resentment? "Aren't you excited to move to the city of love?"
The question caught the green eyed teen off guard as she locked eye contact with the the gorgeous blue bells of the girl that asked her such a prying question. "Y-yeah. I really am. I'm just trying to get adjusted is all. I'm sure I'll be fine!"
"Pfft, as if." Chloe chimed in, causing Marinette's teeth to clench. "A peasant girl from the outskirts of France? What makes you think you'll fit in at all around here?"
"Miss Bourgeois!" Ms. Bustier called out.
"Ugh, what? I'm only speaking the truth! She's even worse than the baker girl."
Karina felt her heart being squeezed by this blondes harsh words. What had she done to deserve such judgement? She could feel the tears trying to break free. All these emotions...from being alone most of the time because of her mother's job, to leaving her comfort zone, her friends… why? Why would someone say such things?
"Depends on who you're asking, Chloe."
Karina looked up to see the blue bell eyed girl standing up at her seat.
"As if you should complain. You finally have someone below you on the social totem pole."
"You shouldn't judge anyone based on their past or Social status. They didn't get to choose it. It's who they truly as deep down that matters."
"And besides," Adrien stood up from his spot, looking directly at Chloe with a glare. "Her mother works for my Father in the fashion industry. Karina told me that herself. Isn't that right?" His gaze turned to rest on the girl who stood as a statue in the front of the room.
The class looked at Karina, a mix of excitement and shock on their faces. The brunette swallowed. "Yes, that is true. My mom is a fashion designer for Gabriel Agreste…"
"Oh." Chloe immediately laughed, "Well...perhaps we can be friends then!"
Marinette growled a bit, but Alya beckoned her to sit down.
"Well, I think that's enough questions. We need to move on with our lesson. Marinette, Alya?"
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Would you both care to make sure Ms. Argot gets to know her way around the school?"
"Absolutely!" Alya chirped.
"You can count on us Ms. Bustier!"
Alya and Marinette scooted over so Karina could sit next to them for the time being. She looked a little awkward at first, but she flared her greens over to the two girls. "Thank you guys...for standing up for me."
"No worries… Chloe is evil. We gotta watch out for one another. I'm Marinette by the way! And this is Alya!" She pointed as Alya waved and smiled.
"It's great to meet you Karina. I'm sure we'll be great friends."
Karina smiled, this time, for real. "I'm sure we will be."
. . .
Marinette sighed lightly as she finished explaining the entirety of the class rules. "You think you've got that?"
Karina clicked the pen on her notebook and smiled up at Marinette, "Word for word. I guess I'm lucky to have the class president as my guide for the day. Thank you so much for all your help."
Alya threw her arm around Marinette in a casual way, "Hey, no need to thank us! We're your friends now too."
Marinette scribbled something down on her sketchpad before tearing it off and handing it over to Karina. "That's both Mine and Alya's phone numbers. You should really give us a call! We'd love to hang out and tour you around Paris."
The brunette lit up and took the paper joyfully. "Thank you, thank you so much! I'm seriously grateful for your kindness."
Adrien perked up his ears as he made his way down the stairs of the school. He had been on his way to meet his bodyguard when he overheard the girls talking. His interests peaked however, so he slowed down to listen.
"Listen, Karina… about Chloe. It's really best to stay away from her. She'll only make you sad and… being sad is… well. Dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Karina replied, somewhat shocked. "Isn't being sad part of human nature? Why is it dangerous?"
"Girl, haven't you heard of Ladybug and Chat Noir?" Alya crossed her arms and raised her brow. Did this girl live under a rock?
Kari nodded, remembering her mother telling her about the hero's and their amazing deeds of saving Paris's residents. "Yes of course! I mean, my mom has told me alot about them, but I've never actually known why Paris has needed superheroes."
"WHAT? You're kidding!" Marinette couldn't hold back her shock. This girl really did live under a rock.
'"We've got to give her a link to the Ladyblog. This is a travesty! The biggest unscoop of the century! Karina hasn't heard of Paris's greatest heros!" Alya ranted, overdramatically throwing her arms in the air and 'fainting' into Marinette's arms. "Specially with what happened a few days ago…"
Marinette felt her heart plummet at the reminder. "Ah, yeah."
Karina raised a brow at the theatrics that were presented in front of her, but she couldn't hid the smirk from her face as she giggled softly. "Okay. I'm very intrigued by this 'Ladyblog.' But can you at least tell me why I need to be careful about being 'Sad?'"
Marinette sighed lightly as Alya regained her balance. "Ladybug and...well, Paris needs superheros because there is a supervillain. His name is Hawkmoth, and he is able to make people his henchman by feeding off their negative emotions. He gives them powers of their own, under his control, but with the agreement of seizing the Earrings of the Ladybug, and….and the Ring of the Black Cat."
"So Ladybug and Chat Noir get their powers from their jewelry? Karina asked, rather perplexed by all this information. Paris was already one heck of an interesting place. Now it was a comic book too? That was just super.
Alya shook her head, "Not Jewelry. They're miraculous."
"Miraculous?"
"I think she can save the rest for the Ladyblog. Just text Alya, She'll send you that link." Marinette offered her a smile. "Besides," She pointed the the black car waiting by the curb. "I bet that's your ride."
Karina nearly tripped as she ran toward the car, "Oh gosh yes! I'll text you guys! Thanks again!"
Alya watched as she jumped in the vehicle before she laughed a bit, "I think she's starting to get comfortable."
Marinette smiled and looked at her best friend, "Yeah, me too. That's a good thing though. I just hope she can stay positive. Hawkmoth is always looking for new victims."
"I'm sure she'll be fine…" Adrien approached the two from behind. "She seems to have a pretty good head on her shoulders."
"Oh, Hey there Adrien." Alya smiled at him before winking to Marinette. "I was just about to go find Nino. Think you guys will be alright?"
Marinette opened her mouth to protest, but Adrien beat her to the punch. "We'll be fine, I promised her I'd walk her home anyhow."
"OH, really now?" Alya smirked, eyeing Mari's now blushing face as she studied the ground. "Well, I'll definitely leave you guys alone then." The brunette started to turn away before she stopped and looked to her friend one last time. "Text you later Marinette…"
'She's gonna kill me…' Marinette let her shoulders drop forward a bit. She was alone. With Adrien. Again. How did this keep happening?
"Sooo, I texted my bodyguard and let him know already. Shall we get going?"
Marinette nodded, "Better late than never, huh?"
Adrien chuckled a bit, taking the first steps away from the school and towards the Bakery. He knew it wasn't a long walk, but it was a start. "So, Ms. 'Gust of Wind.' I had… a question for you."
Marinette flashed her hues up to him curiously.
"When I found you the other day… you...you were obviously upset. I'm...I'm not asking why you were so upset because that's prying and I don't want to do that to you. I guess what I'm really asking here is...Can I be your Sunshine?" Marinette's eyes widened, her face a deep pink. "You're like a bright red rose, in full bloom all the time… bee's come to make sure you're well taken care of and pollinated. But...if it's cold outside, your petals may wither. That's where Sunshine comes to warm you back up." Adrien smiled warmly at her, tucking a peice of hair behind her ear.
"I...I... I would love you to be my Sunshine, Adrien…" Marinette smiled back at him, making his own cheeks warm. That was one warm gust of wind…
Suddenly, the weight of what he had just said came crashing down on him. That had sounded a bit...no no, that WAS romantic! Oh goodness, what had he gotten himself into this time. "I-I mean, I just don't want to see you sad again is all! You're just too kind, too sweet, inspiring...creative and just! Ah-" Adrien stopped as his eyes locked with Marinette's, his mouth still gaping. He shut it quickly, realizing he made it worse.
A moment of silence passed between them before...
Suddenly, the air was filled his a hysterical laughter. Marinette had tears in her eyes.
Adrien looked a bit sad at this, not understanding where this fit of laughter had come from.
"No no! This is good! I just, well, you see…" Marinette smiled softly at him, "I trip over my words just like that, and well, it was actually kinda funny seeing you do that too…"
Adrien smiled, remembering all the times Marinette had stuttered and said the most ridiculous things to him. She had been getting better at not doing that recently, but it still happened. Thinking back on it, the blonde thought it was actually kinda cute. "It's okay, really."
The two stopped at the waited for the crosswalk to turn green.
"Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be the gust of wind! Is everything alright with you? You seemed really down earlier…" Marinette watched at Adrien's gaze shifted to the ground.
"If you want me to be honest, I lost my ring." Adrien looked down to his hand sadly. Plagg, inside his jacket, nearly choked on his cheese. "It was special to me. I must have lost it at a photoshoot...someone made me take it off for it. Something I never do."
Marinette found herself eyeing his hand as well, feeling his pain in an odd way. Why did she feel connected to this somehow? "I'm...sorry. It must have meant a lot to you. Was it from a family member?"
"Hm, I guess you could say that." Adrien smiled at her, trying to avoid any over questions concerning the subject. "It just meant alot to me."
The Light turned green and Adrien took the opportunity to change the conversations direction. "We better get going." The blonde bowed, gesturing her to go first. "After you, M'lady."
Crap.
Marinette started at him in shock. First the weird ring thing...now this? Let's not mention his hair. The universe just loved to mess with her. She knew Chat was gone… he wasn't coming back. Tikki had told her so. She shook it off, pretending to smile as he looked up at her hesitation. "Why, thank you." She offered a playful curtsy before crossing the street.
Adrien followed her, leading her to the bakery. "Well, perhaps we can do this again sometime… It was nice to get to talk to you. Thanks for being my gust of wind."
Marinette smiled at him, "And thank you for being my Sunshine. I'll be a big beautiful rose now, thanks to you!"
Adrien turned around to see his ride approaching. "Man… he's on the dot."
"It's that punctuality. You're family is known for it, right?" Marinette teased.
"It used to be, Now He's only punctual when I don't want him to be."
Marinette giggled a bit as Adrien grabbed the door handle of the car. "Hey Adrien…"
The teen stopped, looking back at Marinette's soft features.
"I hope you find your ring. I'll be sending you all of my good luck!"
Adrien laughed, "I still have my goodluck…" He pulled out the bracelet Marinette had given him during the Mecha Strike III Practice Tournament. "I take my Lucky Charm with me everywhere."
Marinette's cheeks were red again as a smiled ran across her face. "I'm glad."
She stood in awe as she watched the limo drive away.
Meanwhile, tucked away in her bag, Tikki let out a worried sigh. Why hadn't Plagg told Adrien the truth yet? Time was running out...She knew it. "Please, hurry Plagg…"
. . .
Karina scanned the article up and down several times. She had Alya text her the link to the Ladyblog and that's all she had her head in. The History of the Akuma's, the origin of Ladybug and Chat Noir… She recognized many of the akuma's from news reports back when they happened...but she never realized they were real news reports until now. Now everything made sense. Why had her mother been hiding all of this from her. Was it to protect her?
Her phone dinged, signifying she has received a text.
Swiping down from her notification bar, she read the text message as follows; "Sorry sweetie, we can talk about it later. Agreste is keeping me here late tonight. But hey! Overtime hours! Love you."
Per the usual, too busy.
Karina had worried about that when her mother had told her of her new job.
Oh well, she could question her mother about the Akumas later. Right now, she wanted to do more research. Especially concerning the last article she had read about Chat Noir. Apparently, he had lost his ring, or miraculous rather, in the last Akuma battle. Ladybug had come forward to speak on this, telling Paris of his passing.
This has left Paris with many questions. The biggest one being, "Where was the Miraculous now?"
Ladybug had not mentioned it in her last appearance. Some speculated she was going to pick another wielder when the time was right. Others believed it to be lost somewhere in Paris. No matter what they speculated though, everyone agreed that someone else would appear as Chat Noir, whether that be good or bad. The Miraculous were indestructible, after all. Or at least, that's what the internet claimed.
Karina looked outside, observing the sun at it started to get into the late evening 's when she caught sight of the pool, glistening in the rays of light.
"I guess the pool guys finally came and cleaned it up…" Karina got up from her bed, rushing to her drawer and pulling out her black two piece swimsuit that was decorated with ruffles. "It's about time I finally get to use that pool."
…
"Master. Are you sure about this?" Wayzz hummed, staying tucked inside Master Fu's hoodie.
"Without a doubt. I managed to decipher the ancient encryption. It took many moons, but I think I finally found her location."
The sun was blinding as it beat down onto the snow covered mountains. As the old man reached the top, he pulled down his red hoodie.
"It's been 100 years since anyone has last been here…" Down on the mountain side below him, the somewhat snow covered remains of the temple laid before him. Charred pieces of the roof stuck out of the snow, stirring up an old feeling of remorse in the guardians gut.
"I know it's been a long time master, but are you sure you're ready to face this part of your past?" Wayzz looked at his wielder, concern prominently present in his yellow eyes.
"I'll face anything if it will bring Duusu back to us."
Wayzz nodded, but inside, he knew Duusu was not who he'd really come to discover. Rather someone or something entirely different.
A friend that had been hidden away for centuries.
Wayzz only hoped they'd find her. In times like this, her power and guidance would be greatly appreciated...
...
Adrien sighed lightly as he closed the door to his room. "Locked up again…"
"You know it won't be that way forever." Plagg zipped out, offering him a smile. "No matter what, this is temporary."
"I know that." Adrien forced himself to walk over for his desk and take a seat, spinning back and forth in his chair in frustration.
Plagg followed him after a moment, softly hugging onto the boys soft and oddly very huggable cheek. "You'll make it. You're amazing Adrien. Don't forget that."
The blonde returned the affection by gently stroking the kwami's soft black fur. "I won't, though, since when did you become so affectionate?"
"Oh! Stop that!" Plagg crossed his little arms before turning his back to Adrien. "You should just learn to appreciate my love while you have it! Someday it might be-" Suddenly, Plagg felt it. His miraculous had moved. Something had caused his ring to shift the position it had been keeping for two days.
"Plagg?" Adrien cocked his head slightly. "Are you alright?"
"We're out of time."
"What? No we're not. You're still right here. With me."
Plagg turned around, tears brimming in his eyes. "I have to tell you this quickly. You must find her and tell her who you are."
Adrien looked over his kwami frantically. Was this it? Was Plagg… telling him goodbye? "No...no wait. You can't go. Please don't go!"
"You know I don't have a choice Adrien!" Plagg scoffed, closing his eyes tightly, letting a tear slip free. "Only she can help you! Find her! Ladybug is Ma-"
Silence.
Adrien had only blinked, listening closely to his kwami. Then he opened his eyes again, and nothing. No sound, no smells...no Kwami. Plagg had vanished… this time, literally before his eyes.
He swallowed, sitting back in his chair before taking in a shaky breath.
This was it. He was gone.
Adrien was all alone.
To Be Continued...
A/N: Heya guys! Long time no see :)
I do apologize for the wait. I was in a car accident, then I had to work two jobs again...thennnn JUST LIFE HATES ME OKAY.
but on the bright side I have a small stockpile of chapters now.
From now on, I'll be updating every Friday Night. Consider it my New Years resolution? Happy 2019!