Was she really so replaceable?
Marinette felt crippling fear as she watched Lila smirk at her with everyone fawning over her. How was it that she could defeat villains as Ladybug but can't outsmart a petty liar in her real life?
She couldn't take it anymore.
Her head was throbbing as she felt a myriad of emotions. She felt ashamed, exploited and hurt. It wasn't Lila's lies or that her friends were gullible enough to believe them that hurt her the most... It was the fact that they had forgotten all about her, disregarded her opinions even after years of knowing her and that was humiliating.
Time and time again, she had been there for them and when she needed them the most, they weren't there for her.
She took her bag and ran out of the canteen.
She was powerless, inspite of being a superhero.
She wouldn't cry in front of them. She wouldn't give Lila the satisfaction of winning.
Marinette burst through the doors of the vacated science laboratory and closed them before slumping against the wall. She felt so alone and worthless.
Mental anguish had turned into physical pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn't breathe.
"It's going to be okay." Tikki whispered gently but urgently as she phased through her bag and nuzzled against her cheek. "Marinette, please. Think positive thoughts."
"I can't!" Marinette said through gritted teeth. "Am I really this worthless?"
"Never! You are Ladybug. You saved Paris countless times. Don't let a liar twist your truth, Marinette." The kwami pleaded.
Just then, a purple butterfly entered through the open windows and dived towards the baker's daughter, settling on her bag and a purple butterfly insignia appeared over her face.
"Princess Justice, I give you the power to right what's wrong and expose-"
"Fight it Marinette!" Tikki's voice cut through Shadowmoth's monotone.
"No!" Marinette screamed, clutching her head. "I refuse to be one of your puppets!"
"You can be powerful!" The villain urged.
"I don't need your power!" She dropped the bag and the butterfly fluttered out of it before Tikki grabbed it and swallowed it in one gulp. White energy swirled around her as a white butterfly appeared in front of them before flying away.
"That was close, Marinette." The kwami said worriedly. "If Shadowmoth akumatises you, he'll not only have your miraculous but also every other in the Miracle Box. You have to stay more positive."
"How? I try Tikki but after everything that's going on-"
"I believe I can offer an alternative solution, Miss Dupain Cheng or should I say, Ladybug." Another voice entered the conversation as they looked up to see Miss Mendeleiev glowering at them.