Hi everyone here is another update. I hope you enjoy the story.
I slowly open my eyes to see the Kwamis floating above me. I reach out for the red Kwami without thinking it. I'm so close to becoming Ladybug. I'm close to helping everyone. I take in the sight of seeing powerful beings as adorable creatures. Tears are rolling down by the time I realize it. My hope has finally appeared. Relieves washes over me finally I can relax a little.
I stood up, wiping the tears away. I have to get this ball rolling. No time for crying.
"Okay, explain the Guardian part." I spoke in a calm tone.
They all turn to Turtle Kwami to answer.
"Before Master Fu died. He was given a message from the Keeper of Time. She predicted his successor. A powerful Generator of magic, a person strong enough to handle any of the Miraculous. He made sure to seal the box with a spell. Only you would be able to break."
I take a deep breath feeling the incoming headache. "What are you talking about? What is a Generator?"
"A magic Generator is someone capable of creating endless amount of magic." Plagg said, impatient. "You can wear any of the pretty jewelry in the box. Now, about my delicious cheese."
The sight of Plagg brought a fresh set of tears. I grab hold of him, feeling his soft fur. I rub my cheek against him. Chat Noir will be here soon. Plagg seem startle by my actions. He pets my cheek awkwardly with his small paw. He so flipping cute! I can picture cat lady's going crazy over him.
"How am I, a magical Generator?" I question getting back to the subject.
"A Generator reproduces endless amount of magic. Right now, you are oozing with magic to the point it awoken us from our slumber. Generators are rare, it is even rarer for one to become a Guardian of the Miraculous. They are usually hunted down in order to gain the corpse. Since a Generator will continue to reproduce magic even in death." Turtle Kwami explains. "Master Fu, trusted you were the best candidate for the Miraculous box since a Generator is capable of anything."
I can't tell if I'm happy or sad at the fact Master Fu believe in me this much. I twist my hair in my fingers. I turn my head to the gramophone as another question dawns on me.
"How do I open that?" I point towards it.
"You need to put magic in it." Red Kwami answers in a cheery tone.
Oh yeah, completely forgot she is as chirpy as Marinette. I wonder if Adrien mind switching Kwamis. Plagg seems to be more of my type. Our personalities are alike. I place my hand on each side of the gramophone.
"Okay, how?"
"Imagine it."
I gave them a confused look. They smile in return. I can already tell being the Guardian won't be an easy feast.
"Imagine, what exactly?" I question.
"Imagine magic is water. You're going to pour it into a cup, which is the box." Turtle Kwami explains.
"Speaking of which, you may want to be careful of how much you pour in. Right now, you are overfilling with magic to the point your body can't contain it. I'm guessing you suffer from fevers." The Purple Tiger Kwami said thoughtfully.
"I do, actually." I nod my head, recalling the diary.
"Then, please imagine a small stream pouring into box. It will be a slow process but you will be able to unlock the box." Red Kwami smiles at me.
I turn my attention back to the box feeling ridiculous about the entire thing. But this is a situation I can exactly explain everything with common sense. Okay, I've never been any good at imagining things. I close my eyes in hopes to get a clear image. Water, just imagine the sound of water pouring on to a cup. The cool feeling you get when a fresh cup of water is poured out. The chills you get from taking a sip.
"You're about to overfill the cup." Plagg speaks out in urgency.
I immediately let go of the box startle by his voice. I take a step back trembling feeling as I had just gone through an intense work out. I feel like I haven't eaten in days. My entire body feels too weak to stay standing. My knees buckle underneath me before I take a step closer to my chair.
"Take it easy, your body is not used to being empty." Chicken Kwami floats near me in concern.
"I've never seeing a Generator generate at this speed. You might be one of the few Generators capable to will both Tikki and Plagg." Pig Kwami explains in excitement.
"Are you serious?"
My mind goes into overdrive at the endless possibilities. I look at each Kwami as a plan form in my head. First thing, firsts I need to put down the ground work. Out of everybody in this world, Adrien needs my help the most.
My muscles protest as I force myself to stand up to sat in my chair. The gramophone had completely disappeared is replace by a black box. I instantly recognize it as my make-up box from my world. I roll the chair over to open the box. I pull both trays out from the box to see the Miraculous on each tray.
Without thinking I take Plagg's ring and Tikki's earrings. I slid the ring into my finger, next the earrings. Another wave of exhaustion hits me. I put my hands on my knees trying to catch my breath. I fought the urge to cough. I just want to vomit and call it a day.
I take deep breaths willing the nausea to fade. I have too much to prepare for. I pull out Google and began my search on everything to do with the Agreste family. One thing that always bug me about the show, is the lack of information on Adriens family. His father can't be the only living relative.
I search for answers as to why no one help Adrien from a clear abusive relationship with his father. No one should neglect their child. I can't help but realize I don't want Adrien to live the life I had. I wish someone had done everything in their power to save me from the never-ending loneliness. I dig up any old newspaper articles on the Agreste family. One particular photo got my attention. I chew on my bottom lip in pure annoyance. I wonder if the show was ever going to put this in the story.
I made notes of every article I found. This one didn't catch me in surprise much. Lana had mention it several times during her rants. Felix is pretty much the evil twin. I can't help but feel it has more of adult content. I've read several stories on one twin sister being pregnant. She gave birth to twins and gave one of them to her own twin sister.
There is also no other article on Amelie Graham de Vanity. The family isn't very famous. Yet, they are one of the richest families in France. They are also one of the oldest families. Their history is full of accomplishments. I really hope Lana was wrong on suspecting Felix of being the next Hawkmoth. Otherwise, it will be a huge thorn on my side.
"How are you feeling?" Turtle Kwami asks.
I had completely forgotten they were still here. I got too excited with the latest development. Now, the pieces to my plan are coming together. I still need more information.
"Marinette, breakfast is ready." Mom calls out from downstairs.
"Coming, mom!" I yell back.
Okay, I have to go downstairs to help with the bakery. Hopefully the Kwamis know to stay hidden.
"I'll be right back, please hide if anyone comes up to my room." I give the Kwamis one last look then head downstairs.
The rest of the morning I couldn't concentrate on anything. The fear of the Kwamis kept eating me alive. I had chewed my bottom lip to the point of tasting blood. I had to fight the urge not to snap at people. They just kept coming in for fresh sweets and warm coffee. My cheeks were hurting from smiling too long. My throat had gone soar from the cheery tone I greeted people with.
"That's the last one." Dad said relief.
He leans against the wall while wiping the sweat away with his apron. He ends ups putting flour on his face. A giggle slips out of my lips. Mom hears me, she looks surprise until she sees dad. She hands him a napkin.
"You might want to get that." She points at his cheek.
He gives us confused looks. I point to the mirror by the sink in the kitchen. He chuckles at his reflection.
"Honey, why don't you go take a break. Me, and your father can clean up." Mom looks at dad, who nods at me.
I debated whether to stick around or head back to my room. But the fear of the Kwamis wondering the house got the best of me.
"Okay, I'll be in my room if you need me." I said feeling guilty.
I rush to my room scare I might catch sight of the Kwamis floating around the house. I open the trapdoor to my room to see the Kwamis playing around with the markers. Thank God, their drawing on the sketch books Marinette has laying around.
"What are you drawing?" I question them.
"Hey, you never introduce yourself." The Dog Kwami accuses me with a glare.
Its freaking cute.
"I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng." I wave at them awkwardly.
All of them shout their names in unison making it hard to understand them. Eventually I made them take turns to introduce themselves. Their so freaking adorable! I did my hardest not to shriek in excitement.
"So, are you going to tell us your name?" Barkk asks with a piercing glare.
I tilt my head to the side.
"I'm Marinette." I point at myself.
"No, you're not, she's gone from that vessel." Wayzz points at me. "You're a different soul living inside that vessel."
I clamp my mouth shut at his words. For a moment I couldn't catch my breath. I swore not to tell anyone. I take this secret to the grave. A week is all it took to be found out. What if others realize the truth? What would happen? Would they hate me for not trying to live as perfect as Marinette? Would they call me a faker? The questions circle around my mind. The fear clung to me harder. I'm so useless, nobody needs me.
"Breath," Plagg appears before my eyes. "Take deep breaths."
The sight of him brought out an ache I hadn't realize I had. The ache to meet Chat Noir. Would he treat me differently for not being like the real Ladybug? I tremble at the thought of him walking away from me.
"Yeah, I'm not Marinette. I'm not the perfect and kind Marinette. The lovable heroine of this story. I'm just a substitute, a pretender, a faker." I hiccup.
"What do you mean?" Tikki asks.
The sight of her brings out an anger I had push down.
"I'm not the real holder of the Ladybug. I'm just someone from another world, a different world from this one. A world where magic doesn't exist. One where everything is normal to the point is boring. In that world I'm ordinary boring me. The me no one wants because I'm not lovable like Marinette. I've seeing this world through a TV. In that world is a childish show. One that held no interest to me because Marinette is so perfect if she were to get hurt everyone rushes to dry her tears. No one did that for me."
The sobs are building up, I let one out unable to hold it in. My head falls to my hands. God, I really hate her. I despise the ever-loving Marinette. The one I saw in the TV, the healthy Marinette. It's unfair the Marinette from this world passed away. She's the one who should be here. I continue my rant wanting to get it all out.
"Worst part, I died in my world. I should be in the afterlife. Instead, I took the life of a wonderful girl. A girl with parents who deeply love her. Every time they are nice to me, I can't help but feel guilty for being alive." I cry.
I'm not sure when they started to hug me. Each Kwami gave me a hug as they mutter reassuring words to me.
"You're not a fake. You're here, the reason might be because we needed you. Not the real Marinette. Living as her might make things worse for you. You are alive use whatever reason to cope, just don't ever call yourself useless. We need you; you are the Guardian of the Miraculous. You are not alone." Plagg wipes my tears away.
I haven't realized just how much I needed to hear that. I thought if I took a different path the world would fall apart. I might be punished for trying to be a different person. I did take a couple of steps off the path but I still try to stick to it. I force the cheery personality even when it hurts to wear the mask. I just don't want to be such a disappointing hero.
"Thank you, Plagg." I smile at him.
It will most likely blow up in my face for faking it. When it happens, I hope someone will be there to help me through it.
"Elizabeth Rhodes is my name." I finally admit.
"Can I call you Lizzy?" Mullo asks.
"Sure."
I highly doubt I'll ever bring anyone around them. I don't have to worry about anyone hearing my name.
I edited this chapter after thinking about it. I was sleep deprived after finishing this chapter, I didn't really the way I finished it. So, I edit it out. I hope to hear what you think after reading the new version.
