I….was no expecting so many sad reviews after last chapter. I honestly thought nobody would care. So…uh…sorry-not-sorry? My bad?

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Guest Review; MEAN

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Leave Out All the Rest

-Linken Park

Marinette shivered, drawing the blanket tighter around her as she stared at the ladybug-themed Miracle Box at her feet. The onyx spots twinkled up at her, glimmering in the light pouring down from her sunroof.

Fifteen Kwamis floated all around her room, a few of the more curious and hungry ones nibbling on objects, some shy, withdrawn ones gazing out the window longingly, and a few more in the safe enclosure of her diary's case as they sobbed together over the loss of their Guardian.

Wayzz had not made a sound since he and his brethren - were sisteren a thing? - bid Master Fu a last farewell in that hospital room after the doctors had let her alone once more after trying and failing to revive him.

The green Kwami floated silently beside Marinette, tears sitting unshed at the rims of his yellow eyes.

Both sat and stared at the Miracle Box, uncertain what to do.

Wayzz, who had spent all of the last 170 years by Master Fu's side. Who had seen him go through guilt, through love, through joy, through love. Who knew him better than anyone.

Marinette, who was terrified of her new responsibility. She had been trained until she knew everything she needed to know, but that didn't mean she was ready! She probably never would be ready, even though she knew it one day would happen, but being dropped into it head-first with no warning didn't help.

Tikki didn't stay beside Marinette, instead preferring to keep herself occupied with tending to the other Kwamis and helping them get their bearings in this strange and new place. It was evident, however, that all the Kwamis were not too particularly happy with their situation. Many – including Longg and Roaar – pretending as if everything was fine, though the moment they thought none of the other Kwamis were looking, they floated into the walls to sulk.

Ziggy and Kaalki tried to drift off into the kitchen, and Tikki had barely been able to stop them before they did; Sabine was in the kitchen. After hearing that Marinette's client had died, she had decided that she'd be right beneath her daughter in case she needed it.

Marinette was only thankful her mom hadn't tried to interrogate her, yet still was there, just in case.

Marinette raised her eyes from the Miracle Box, finding Orikko off to the side as she curiously pecked at some beads off in the corner.

Then Ziggy and Kaalki comforting each other, close to the trapdoor.

Longg, Mullo, and Fluff arguing quietly, the rodents teaming up against the fire-breathing dragon as they waved their arms frantically. After a bit, Mullo and Longg both turned a fiery gaze on Fluff, scolding her for something inaudible, before all three turned to look at Marinette. Marinette raised her hand in a small wave, offering them a sad smile. All three of them went back to whispering, and, eventually, Fluff and Longg began wrestling Mullo.

"How are you two?" Tikki inquired, tilting her head as she neared Marinette and Wayzz, looking so done with trying to stop Rroar from pouncing on Stompp.

"I'm fine." Marinette said, using the age-old maxim that meant 'I'm totally not fine and will soon die because I'm so depressed'.

"Indeed." Wayzz agreed, nodding his head slightly as he stared up at Marinette with yellow and green eyes. "We're coping."

"Yes." Marinette echoed. "Coping." Where's Chat Noir when you need him? I just want to hug him for all eternity. He'd never let go.

He would be there and would know how to comfort me. He always does, after all. If he was here…

Her eyes landed on her chaise, and she pictured Chat Noir sitting cross-legged on it, surrounded by the Kwamis. Mind-Chat hummed comfortingly to them, cuddled with them as he helped them cheer up. He looked up at her, and grinned, and –

Marinette growled low in her throat, earning a surprised look from Wayzz, Tikki, and other Kwamis that were nearby. She didn't spare them a second glance as she allowed her anger to overcome her. She trembled in rage, fixating her eyes on the place where she had imagined Chat Noir only a moment before. She wished she could just –

– the Miracle Box crashed through the area, slamming into the window behind her chaise – thankfully not shattering the glass – and landed onto the ground behind the piece of bed-like furniture with a huge crashing noise, the drawers flying from it and scattered across the floor.

Marinette froze, horror building up as the Kwamis fled, into walls, boxes, and one into her computer. Only a couple limbs stuck out of various hiding spots, and occasionally a head appendage.

All were terrified, shocked of Marinette's behavior, perhaps fearing an abusive holder.

Only Tikki didn't retreat, and Wayzz only drifted into the bed enough that his bottom half was gone, head still peering up at her from the sheets.

Marinette sat rigid, staring down at her hands – her terrible, pale hands which had thrown the Miracle Box, her legacy. The thing she was supposed to protect.

"Marinette?" Oh, Kwamis on a cracker, Marinette had forgotten about her mother. Sabine sounded panicked; her daughter could hear her first footstep on the stairs up to the loft, yet Marinette was quick to stop her, scrambling from her bed.

"Um, yeah, Mom! I'm fine!" She yelled, struggling to keep her tone even. "I tripped and dropped some things; it's all good!" She dashed over to the Miracle Box, thankful to find it wasn't even slightly damaged in any way.

A beat of hesitation from her mother's part, but thankfully the petite woman didn't make any noises of advancing further. "Well…alright, dear." Another pause. "I'm needed down in the bakery…Will you be okay by yourself?"

By herself. Chat Noir left her by herself, too. So did Master Fu. But Chat was different - he had a choice.

Marinette shook it off, nodding towards the trap door. "Yes, I just need some time alone!" Her voice broke with a choked back sob, but she ignored it.

"If you say so." Sabine sounded doubtful. "There's Chicken Noodle Soup on the stove, set to simmer. Have as many helpings as you like!"

"Thank you!" Marinette smiled sadly; thankful her mother couldn't see her trembling figure. What did she do to deserve such wonderful parents? Nothing, that's what.

Her mother left, footsteps retreating as they excited the front room, door closing.

Marinette sagged against the ground, scooping up the drawers of the Miracle Box that had been scattered about. She pressed them back into their proper places, ignoring the Kwamis as they edged closer.

The Kwamis quietly murmured to one another as they gradually left their hiding places, shaking in fear.

Above them all, one single voice stood out.

"See?" Marinette heard Mullo declare from his spot beside Fluff and Longg. "I told you she wouldn't be a good Guardian."

"Yes, she will be!" Fluff disagreed cheerfully. "At least, she will be! Or has she already been? Is this after or before her trip? In the future, or is it the past? There's no such thing as the present! I know that she's the greatest Guardian! But, how great is the greatest when it was already great?"

"Do not be so hasty to judge." Longg sighed at Mullo, mostly ignoring Fluff, as he at least tried to be quiet. "Patience, Mullo."

Mullo squeaked in defiance, turning his tiny head away from the reptile. "I still stand by it. Powerful Miraculous Holder or no, she's not Master Fu!"

Marinette's joints locked up, and she stared blankly at her wood floor, shoulders beginning to shake as tears streamed down her face.

"Hey!" Tikki shrieked in anger, shaking a tiny hand at Mullo. "You better behave! I'll either deal with you myself or get Plagg to visit! He'll steal all your cheese, and you'll be sorry then! Or maybe Cataclysm your Miraculous out of existence!"

Mullo ducked his head, completely heeding Tikki's words, taking her threat extremely seriously. Never mess with the Guardian of Creation, rule one.

He didn't apologize for the insults against Marinette, though, instead sitting down in a corner with his back to everyone else.

"Don't take it personally." Longg told Marinette, ignoring the sulking Mullo. "He's just a bit…temperamental, but he gets better when you get to know him."

Roaar chimed in at that point, smiling sympathetically. "Yeah, he's a real pal when you get to know him."

Marinette ignored them, turning to Mullo and taking a few steps over. "Mullo, I'm…sorry. I'm just so stressed, and I miss Chat, and I need him to help me, but he's not here, and he might never be again, but…I'm sorry. I'm missing him and Master Fu and everything is just so stressful, an-"

"And you need to leave me alone!" Mullo snapped. "I need time to simmer down but you're not letting me! Scram! Isn't that what humans always say to mice? 'Scram'? Yeah, that's just perfect."

Marinette stiffened, bluebells eyes widening as her apology failed. "I'm sorry, Mullo. I'll leave you in peace."

Marinette walked slowly over to her chaise, pulling the Miraculous spread across the blankets off one by one, stashing them in the drawers. The Kwamis didn't even resist or look surprised as they allowed themselves to return to the confined quarters of the Miracle Box.

Marinette put away the Mouse Miraculous locket third to the last, then gave Tikki and Wayzz a nervous look.

"Wayzz, I'll bring you back out in a moment, okay?"

Wayzz bowed, accepting his fate.

Once he, too, was devoid of physical form, Marinette turned back to Tikki, shuddering.

"Need some time alone?" The Kwami assumed, eyes speaking more than words ever could.

"Five minutes. Without Ladybug, without Guardianship, without…" without Chat Noir.

"Remember me." Tikki silently begged. "Put me back on immediately after you're done."

"I will." Marinette promised, slipping off her earrings as Tikki vanished into a pink light. "See you soon…"

The moment Marinette was alone, she stashed the Box nobody would find it, where she couldn't see it, and curled up in the middle of the floor.

A sob left the teenager as she collapsed fully, grief crashing down on her.

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Anger, second stage of grief. I'm sorry, Marinette.