"I missed you girl!" Alya squealed hugging me.

"So did I!" I hugged her back, "What happened?"

"Well the akuma got us," Nino sighed giving Adrien a fist bump, "We were trapped in these sticky black pod things. It was terrible."

"Um-That would be me who did that," Celeste blushed, "Sorry it's just-" She suddenly dropped forwards.

"Whoa!" Nino caught her as she dropped forwards, her eyes drooped and her skin was paling. 'Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! I thought I'd mastered it!' I mentally panicked as Celeste began to react in a way similar to that of my previous 'patients'. This wasn't good.

A few years ago, I purified an akuma and it didn't exactly end well. They began to grow tired and weak and I watched as their condition worsened while trying to save them with spells and incantations I'd learnt. Nothing worked and they died no longer than a few hours later. That poor innocent soul died because of me! Why didn't I just trap them? I didn't know. I was a mess for weeks after it happened; I couldn't eat, or sleep, I tried to kill myself, hell I stopped breathing for a while until my aunt and uncle emitted me into hospital. That's why I refused to let Celeste suffer the same fate. She deserved a better fate and was definitely too young to die. Plus I don't think I could handle going through that again, and if I die then we all die.

"Get her to the infirmary!" I looked at Nino, "Alya get Tikki. I'll try to fix this."

"Marinette what's going on?" Adrien looked at me concerned. I felt like his gaze could see right through me and I think he knew I wasn't telling them something...And I really did want to tell him, but at the same time I couldn't. I felt so conflicted and doubt quickly snaked into my mind. I shook my head and got back to my senses. 'This isn't the number one priority, getting Celeste better is,' I think as I put on a small smile.

"Nothing," I replied a little too quickly, "I'll be able to fix this, with Tikki's help of course. Just please trust me!"

"We do girl," Alya smiled, "Now let's go!"

We then rushed away, going our separate ways, while the rest of the school watched in confusion or were recovering from the recent events.

I paced the hallway outside the infirmary as Tikki treated Celeste. I heard her muffled moans and yelps of pain as I walked. Occasionally she vomited and I had to cover my ears before I released my own bile. I winced as I heard an especially loud yelp and then the following sound of bile. If anything happened to her, I didn't want to be the one to blame and I definitely didn't want for her to die like this. She seemed like she was a good person and I'd never get over this if I keep killing everyone I cure. I'd have to give up my destiny if I killed everyone I cured and where would that leave the world? It'd be doomed, that's one thing for sure.

I groan in frustration as I pace about, causing Alya and Adrien to look at me. They'd been watching me cautiously for the past few hours and Nino left to check on everyone in the school. I knew they were just trying to make me feel better but right now, I was beyond comfort. Plus they probably found it really strange that I suddenly cared for some random girl, even if I have a caring nature.

"She'll be fine Mari," Alya sighed for the hundredth time this afternoon.

"I know but-" I begin.

"It's not your fault Marinette," Adrien groaned, he looked stressed and tired, "You can't predict things like this."

"But I could've stopped this! All of it!" I yell, "I knew for a while that every time I cure an akuma, they die! I thought this time would be different and...and I fucked up! I completely fucked up! I wasn't certain if she'd survive and I selfishly cured her! Just to save this godforsaken school! Now I don't even know if Celeste will make it!"

"You're not selfish Mari," Adrien sighed.

"I am!" I say tears starting to pool from my eyes, "I'm no better then Hawkmoth! I'm just a piece of shit..."

"Mari you're not," Alya looked sorrowfully at me, and I broke. Like a damn.

I collapsed into tears and Alya and Adrien rush to my side. My nose ran and my tears ran down my cheeks making me swallow some tears. I just sat there, a heap on the ground, crying out all my frustration. I was an emotional mess and I knew it. Alya helped me to a chair, making sure to be gentle and guiding, while Adrien went off to get me some water and something to wipe my tears. From the look on Alya's face when I sat down, I knew I had a lot of explaining to do.

"Girl what do you mean by this is all your fault?" Alya raised a brow as I sniffled.

"Because I made Celeste ill," I hiccuped, trying to stop a new wave of tears from falling, "Every time I've purified an akuma so far, the person who was akumatised has died. She's not doing too well and..well I'm scared she's going to die, because I can't even master my own gift! What sort of Ladybug am I?"

I shake as a new wave of sobs and reality rack my body. My tears fell onto the stone floor beneath me and I hung my head low. What was I? I definitely wasn't good at being a Ladybug, just look what I've caused already...Alya's expression softened as I sobbed, she patted my back reassuringly as I cried, telling me that Celeste would be fine and I was doing well. I just sat there, the tears dripping down my chin and plopping onto the floor. This was all my fault...

"Marinette," Tikki came out of the infirmary, her face looking slightly cheerful.

"Yes?" I look up, my face was probably red and my eyes puffy.

"Celeste wants to talk to you," Tikki gestured for me to come over, "I'll help you clean up before you see her. Oh and she's recovering remarkably."

"She is?" I tilt my head as I processed what the kwami told me, slightly not believing her.

"Yes she is," Tikki smiled, "Now come on I'll help you clean up."

She then led me into the infirmary and guided me over to a sink. She wet a washcloth and began to wash my face, while I tried to get my breathing back to a steady pace. After a few minutes, I was back to my normal klutzy, go lucky Marinette and no longer the doubting and unsure amateur.

"Let's go see her," Tikki smiled walking to and opening a door just off from the centre of the room, "She has a lot to tell you..."

I gasped as I spot Celeste tucked up in a medical bed. Her midnight hair was sprawled all around her face and her copper skin was lighter. The rosiness had left her cheeks but she looked healthy. I shakily stepped into the room and she gradually opened her hazel eyes.

"Marinette!" She smiled, once seeing me, and sat up, "I have a lot to tell you."

She seemed to be fine, but I knew she felt some pain. Her face looked strained, but her smile natural and I noticed she relied on the support of her pillows. I look back at Tikki and she nods for me to sit in the chair beside Celeste's bed before leaving us alone. I slowly shuffle towards the chair and give the girl a small smile.

"So what do you want to talk about?" I smiled awkwardly, as I genuinely didn't know how to react to the situation. It was all so new to me.

"Well...a lot actually," She laughed softly, before suddenly hugging me, "Thank you. You saved me."

"It was nothing," I blushed hugging her back, "But thank you as well."

"For what?" The teen raised a brow before tensing, "Wait! I sense a very faint aura. You seem pleased I'm ok, but you're still worried about my health and whether I'll survive."

"How did you-"

"I'm a Peacock descendant," She smiled, "The rightful miraculous holder actually, but it was stolen by Hawkmoth when I was just a small infant."

"It was?" I looked at the girl. We were all told the Peacocks surrendered and gave him their help. Celeste looked really young, no older than thirteen, and I was surprised she could remember so much from so long ago, but I could tell she wasn't coming up with fairy tales.

"Yes," She sighed looking wistfully out of the window, "My older cousin Emilie went to Paris after checking on me, she never returned, the same for her miraculous. Then we received news that Hawkmoth had defeated her and stolen her miraculous. I cried for many nights and woke up saying I'd seen her dying at the cruel hands of him... It went on for years. Until the raid. It was then he- he invaded our village and burned it to the ground! He found me and kidnapped me- I-I was then akumatised and everything spiraled downhill from then... But what pissed me off was what some of the 'heroes' from here did!"

"What did they do?" I say wanting to hear more from the girl. She was telling the story so well, that I felt as if I were watching a younger Celeste experiencing all these things.

"They- they watched as he took me and- they...they did nothing!" Her eyes turned a deep violet before she sighed and unclenched her fists, "They said they's protect us and they didn't save me when I needed it most and.. I-It stung! And I wanted revenge! Then I did things I'm not too proud of, like trying to kill you and Adrien. I'm truly sorry for that."

"It's fine," I smiled at her, "I can relate. I had to evacuate my home because of Hawkmoth and here I am: studying in a school and training to defeat him."

She laughed, it was sweet and melodic and she smiled afterwards, "We really do have a lot in common!"

We then spoke for a few hours and didn't run out of things to say. She really was great company and we learnt a great deal about each other, like how I like designing and she liked singing and stargazing. Then I brought up her hairpin...

"Your hairpin," I say looking at the shooting star shaped pin, "Is it from your papa?"

"It is," She sighed and clutched the pin, looking distant, "I used to stargaze with him, until I was taken. He taught me many things about the stars and called me his little comet. I used to laugh all the time, when he was around..."

"Oh," I say suddenly realising it was a touchy spot, "I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't," She smiled, "If anything I'm glad I told you."

It was that moment I noticed that she'd gone through a lot and it seemed like all akuma victims had a story to tell.

"Marinette?" Tikki interrupted, "Mr Damocles has called for you."

"I'll be there in a sec," I say back and stand up, "Well I guess this is goodbye-"

"No!" Celeste grabbed me by the wrist, her eyes looking urgent, "Just promise me this one thing Marinette!"

"What is it?" I say, I couldn't refuse her, the look on her face said it all.

"Please return the Peacock miraculous to me," She pleaded, "It's the only thing I have left of Emilie and I don't want to lose that forever too! It's the only thing I have left." After thinking for a while I reply.

"I'll try my best," I smile back at the girl and she gave me a small smile before laying down and closing her eyes. My visit seemed to have helped her in her recovery significantly and I could tell that she enjoyed my company, like I did her. I inwardly smile at the thought.

I leave the room and think about how Hawkmoth has affected all of the good people out there like Celeste. It was then I made a promise; a promise to help save and protect every person from his deeds. No matter what, I'll make sure no-one else had to suffer the way Celeste and countless others already have. No matter what it takes...

I arrived at Mr Damocles' office and sighed. This was either going to be about good or bad news. I inwardly groaned at the thought before I find my self knocking on his door.

"Come in," His voice boomed as I hesitantly opened the door and walked into his office.

Alya, Adrien and Nino were already in there and it looked as if they'd all been talking about something important. It was then I decided to have my guard up for unexpected news.

"Ah Marinette," Mr Damocles smiled, "I was just telling the others about how you'll all be doing the test tomorrow at 3pm."

"Wait we're doing the test early?!" Alya's eyes widened, "But we're not ready!"

"You are," Mr Damocles continued, "You all managed to defeat the akuma from earlier on."

"Correction Marinette and Adrien did," Alya grimaced, "If anyone should be doing it early, it should be those two."

"Yes but," Mr Damocles sighed knitting his brows, "The Fox and Turtle miraculous do the best job in aiding them, since we are missing the Moth and Peacock ones and you've seen how Chloe reacts with Marinette."

"That's fine with me," Nino shrugged, "As long as we get to go out into the field earlier."

"You've got to be kidding me, right?" I say feeling completely paranoid, "I'm not too good at what I do... I-I don't think I'm ready yet. I nearly killed Celeste."

"Marinette if anyone's able to win this war it's you," Adrien smiled at me, "If you didn't use your Lucky Charm back then, then we'd be goners."

"He's right," Alya winked.

"I-I guess," I stammered blushing, "But if we go into the field early doesn't that mean..."

"Hawkmoth'll be more aware of your movements?" Mr Damocles raised a brow as I nodded, "Well yes, but it would also slow down his oppression and free people trapped in his tyranny."

"Well that's good enough for me!" Alya smiled.

"Me too," Nino winked.

"Well I guess it had to happen eventually," Adrien sighed. Then all four figures peered at me. I had to answer, but this would change my life completely. If I said yes, I could possibly die in battle, but if I said no I was still at risk. My mind puzzled over the decision, when suddenly my promise rang through my thoughts causing me to sigh as I thought.

"I'll do it," I smiled determinedly, "For Celeste and all the others who need our help."

"Well then," Mr Damocles smiled getting out a book and jotting something inside it, "You'd better get studying. You four have a big test to revise for. You're dismissed."

"Yes sir," We all nodded and left the room.

"Yes girl!" Alya wrapped me in the biggest hug, "We're gonna be on the field!"

"We've still gotta pass the test remember," Nino sighed face palming, "And I have a feeling they expect a lot from us."

"Yeah but we'll pass it no sweat," Adrien grinned, "Plus we've got Mari with us." Yep the suit definitely gave him more confidence. But he was still caring, although he was a cocky flirt. Sometimes I felt like punching him bang on in the face, not in a bad way, just playfully. Like now, but instead I came up with a smart response.

"Ha ha very funny," I pouted, "I guess I'll just not tell you guys my secret studying technique since 'you'll pass it thanks to me'."

"No!" Alya groaned playing along, "I need your help with some history about spells shit."

"Too bad," I smirked shrugging, "Now I'm off to study!"

I then ran off, leaving the other three confused at my sudden change in behaviour. I guess I need to learn to balance these new sudden urges, and fast...

I got back to the dorm, got changed into my pyjamas and got all the books I could find. If I was going to pass this test, then I needed to study. Once I'd found all the books I needed, I sat at the desk in my and Alya's room. It was fine for the first few minutes, but I kept getting bored and started to fidget. I sat there for a few more minutes, until I closed the book I was trying to read and got up. Getting all the books, I went into the living room and lay on my stomach on the carpet near the fire. The carpet was soft, while the fire kept me warm creating a cosy atmosphere for me. 'Perfect,' I thought as I opened the book again.

"Mari!" Alya ran through the door, "Um what are you doing on the carpet? Adrien's meant to be the cat, not you."

"Hey!" I heard Adrien say from not too far off, "It's not just cats who do that!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Alya yelled back, "Don't think we haven't caught you!"

"What about you Alya?" Came his smart ass reply.

"W-what?" She blushed.

"You do it too," He continued, "So I guess you're a cat too."

"Wow Alya that's so hypocritical!" I laughed as Adrien said that, "I'm here because it helps me concentrate, that's all."

"Oh so is this your oh so secret studying technique?" Alya quizzed.

"Maybe..." I teased, "Just grab a book and I'll help you with that history of spells."

"Nice!" Alya smiled, running off to get her books.

The two guys came in and went to get their stuff to study. I sighed as I flicked to page one of my history book. It seemed like it would be long and something told me that it was going to be tedious, unlike reading my book my mother gave me. To be honest I learnt everything I know from that book and I seem to know more than most people in my class. That was really weird. Nevertheless I began to read the first page.

Spells were created long ago by the clans. It was first used by the two strongest clans, the Ladybugs and Black Cats, for the use of healing or destroying things before they developed into more complicated areas. Take a storm for example, a Ladybug can create it, then a Black Cat can destroy it. However the other clans can come into play, like how Foxes make the storms look scary or not too bad, or how Bees make the storm last for longer than needed, and even how Moths and Peacocks make them go to other places before the Black cats destroy them. That is how all the clans work together to help life on Earth remain and keep the balance needed for everything to be stable.

That is why spells are a powerful tool used by descendants and must not be taken lightly or the whole world would be out of balance.

I finished reading the first paragraph and threw the book into the corner of the room. My book already stated about that and even gave more information. Like how the clans spells differed due to their powers. Like how Ladybugs could only heal or create and Bees could only make thing subject, like with making storms last for longer. No two clans spells were alike.

I growl in frustration and go to retrieve my design book. If non of the books the school has will teach me anything I don't already know, then I might as well work on my designs. After all I promised Alya a new outfit, that may be ready for tomorrow...

"Wait so spells were created by all the clans?" Alya asked raising a brow. We were all sitting in a circle in the living room. All of us were in pyjamas and had books, but only Alya and Nino read them.

"Yep," I say stitching away at a piece of orange cloth.

"They also differ for each clan?" Nino scratched his head.

"Yep," I answered, "Are you guys sure you're ready to take this test?"

"Honestly," Adrien smiled sheepishly, "Plagg more or less taught me all of this."

"Wait what!" Alya screeched, "That asshole taught you more than Trixx taught me! How?! He only cares about his cheese and Tikki!"

"I don't even know how," Adrien sighed, "It's like sometimes he cares and other times he's an ass."

"Got that straight," Alya mumbled, "Anyway what are you doing Mari?"

"Just stitching," I reply my eyes on the cloth in my hands.

"Stitching what?" Alya probed.

"Your new outfit," I smiled, "Since I have the spare time. I thought why not just do it now."

"Wait you can design and sew?!" Nino's jaw dropped.

"Yep," I smiled.

"Doesn't really surprise me," Adrien shrugged smiling, "You did grow up in Paris."

"That's true," I smiled back, "Anyway you guys should get back to studying."

"Yeah we should," Alya gasped as she looked at her watch, "Shit it's almost ten."

"Wait it is?" I raise a brow, "I thought it was earlier."

"It is," Alya confirmed.

"Well I'm off to bed," Nino got up and stretched, "We've got a big day tomorrow and something tells me Mr Damocles is going to make the test a little harder for us."

"Same here," Alya got up, "Night guys."

"Night," Adrien and I called back.

"I don't know about you, but I'm hungry," I say getting up and heading to the kitchen.

"I'm fine," Adrien flashed a grin, "Just a little overwhelmed."

"Can't blame you," I sighed, "I just wish everything didn't happen so fast. It gets confusing."

"It sure does," Adrien sighed getting up, "Night."

"Night," I smile as he goes to his room.

Suddenly, I wasn't hungry anymore. Instead the feeling was replaced with an odd feeling. I touched my cheeks and noticed they were burning. Shit, I was blushing. Great. But that means... No that's not possible. But maybe...

I groan as I head to my room and flop down on my bed, not bothering to put the covers over me. Why does everything have to happen so fast...

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

I grumble as Alya's alarm clock goes off. I sit up and rub my eyes. What time was it?

"Morning girl," Alya smiled putting on her glasses, "It's our turn to make breakfast."

"Yay," I cheer sarcastically making her chuckle.

"Come on let's go already," She dragged me out of bed and to the kitchen. It was quite standard and seemed to have room for two people to cook together.

"So what are we making?" I say raising a brow and going into the cupboards, "I can make croissants."

"Perfect," Alya winked, "I'm shit a cooking, so I'll butter them and cut then in half, then you can try to make some eggs and we can make a sandwich."

"Great idea," I smiled getting the ingredients, "Lets get started."

A/N: Sorry it wasn't updated as quickly as usual. But hey. Here's the latest chapter, hope you all enjoyed! Don't forget to review!

Till next,

D.L.D