I woke up to the see four other young adults asleep in my room. A blonde man sharing the air mattress with a dark skinned man, a blonde woman asleep on my chaise lounge and a brunette with red tips at the end of my bed. Then I remembered yesterday and how I'd bumped into Adrien and he'd introduced me to the others, and we went over my book and they were taking me to their school...
The school... That was when it dawned on me that I wouldn't be seeing much of my family anytime soon. I sure would miss the sweet smells that travelled up from the bakery to my room every morning; and talking to my grandfather every weekend even though my auntie and uncle don't like me to. But most of all I'd miss the memories I'd made here. I grew up in Paris and I'd grown fond of it. The bakery was my home, I grew up here and I cherished it. I take a deep breath in and let it all sink in.
I sighed as I stretched and tried to manoeuvre my way past the sleeping young adults to my closet. I stepped over arms and legs and had to wiggle my way out of more than one person's grasp. Eventually, I made it through with no problems and breathed a sigh of relief as I chose an outfit to wear for today. I chose a white off the shoulder top, with a denim ruffled skirt, cap and ankle boots.
Once again I trekked over the sleeping people and got my towel, underwear, brush and other necessities for a shower. There was no way I was gonna let anyone see me right after a shower. I then got my stuff and went into the bathroom, making sure to have locked the door.
I then stripped down naked and turned on the shower and went in. The water was just right and the warmth was just what I needed to make me feel refreshed after the freezing night last night. So many thoughts filled my head and I was scared of what would happen next. I didn't want Hawkmoth hurting my family and I definitely didn't want to watch the world suffer. I sigh as I contemplate my anxieties. While I was busy showering, Alya was causing a little mayhem.
...While I was in the Shower...
Alya woke when she sensed I had moved. Instead of asking what I was doing she observed and then saw I was going to have a shower. Being the cunning and mischiebous fox she is, she stumbled over the two other young people as she went to Nino. Smirking craftily she woke him up and she told him her plan. He then smiled as he heard her instructions and pretended to go back to sleep. Then while I had the water off, Alya used her powers and created a illusion of me getting changed.
She then shook Adrien awake and pointed to the illusion. The blonde woke groggily and then looked over in the direction of the illusion.
"Alya!" He hissed, "Really?! You woke me up for that?!" He began to blush and turned away, while Nino kept staring at the illusion as if he were intrigued. Alya smiled as she saw Adrien's reaction and nudged Nino, frowning.
"He likes her," She whispered.
"He sure does," Nino replied, "But who wouldn't she's the last Ladybug?"
"And don't get any ideas Mr," She said sternly.
"As if I would," He smirked kissing her.
...After my shower...
I came out of the shower, fully changed, to be greeted by a blushing Adrien, sleeping Chloe and laughing Alya and Nino. Judging by Alya and Nino's laughter they'd probably thrown a prank or something and judging by Adrien's blush he must've been the victim. As I came closer, Adrien blushed even deeper and Alya and Nino's laughter got worse.
"What happened guys?" I asked coming towards them, "What cause I showered?"
"No!" Alya giggled, "I just did the biggest prank on Adrien!"
"Which is?" I raise a brow intrigued, "We're in the middle of a war so it'd better be for a good reason!" If they were going to be the closest thing to family I'd have at school, then I wanted to make sure they weren't playing me and didn't waste vital time. For all I knew Hawkmoth could be watching us right now and I could be putting my aunt and uncle in danger.
"Well I heard you get up and noticed you were going to shower..." Alya trailed off.
"And?" I say and then began jumping to conclusions, "And you guys saw me! God! No wait I locked the door! Or did I?"
"Girl take a pill," Alya laughed, "I told Nino something and-"
"And she made an illusion of you getting changed in front of us and she woke up Adrien so he could see!" Nino pointed at the brunette laughing, "It was hilarious!"
"W-what?!" I blush feeling the heat rising to my cheeks, "You mean me!? N-Naked! Changing?! Why would I do that?!"
"Cause we do that at school," Adrien mumbled rubbing the back of his neck, "We all change in front of each other and usually we don't feel self conscious or anything..."
Ok that was a little weird. But then again we were in the middle of a war, so maybe they were preparing the students for unexpected situations like that.
"But he blushed!" Alya squealed, "That's gotta be a sign!"
"Not necessarily," Nino clarified, "It might just be because he just met her Alya. Remember we've known our class for years."
"True," Alya contemplated, "But I'm watching you! Both of you! The prophecy is going to happen and I have a feeling it's you two! Even Trixx said so when we left to find you!"
I went over to Adrien and gave him a hug.
"I won't blame you," I smiled, "She shouldn't have done that anyway. Why is she so obsessed with the prophecy anyway?"
"Thanks," He smiled his blush fading, "She's like that cause her family were close friends with the Dupain-Chengs. But trust me she'll do worse, even though there's a war on." We both started laughing as Alya and Nino whispered.
Suddenly the ground shook a bit and we all gripped onto each other. It was Hawkmoth bombing out a building again, probably looking for me. I sigh, why can't he just leave us descendants alone?! He's already taken everything we held dear; and if not to add to what he takes the poor innocent people who live here suffer for all his deeds. It really wasn't fair.
Right after the shaking halted, Chloe woke up and looked in the mirror. "My hair!" She screamed running into the bathroom. To be honest it wasn't too bad, but it was obviously not perfect for her. It wasn't like anyone cared though as we were in the middle of a war.
"Well that's Chloe for you," Adrien chuckled, "She always has to look 'perfect'."
"It takes her hours to get ready," Alya groans, "And after that she takes another half hour taking selfies."
"Wow that's vain," I mutter.
"Sure is," Nino joked.
The four of us then laughed and I relaxed as the three of them get ready for the day ahead. There were a few more of the shaking episodes but they weren't a major as the first, meaning Hawkmoth wasn't heading here yet. I sigh, I only needed to go and then my family would be safe. All I had to do was find a school, how hard could that be?
But something told me that this school was going to be hard to get to, let alone find. After all it did house Miraculous clan descendants. Then my thoughts were shattered by a single voice in my head 'Come back to me.' I jumped from shock and got weird looks from everyone else. 'Must've been my anxiety,' I thought as another bomb went off.
The five of us walked down the Parisian streets, me in my disguise and the other five casual. The bombings had stopped a few minutes after Chloe finished getting ready, and there were multiple people on the streets. There were crying children, injured adults and even dead bodies. I shuddered at the thought of dying in a bombing, the rubble and debris crushing you and burying your body. No-one looked pleased.
The sun wasn't out today either and the sky was dark and grey with flashes of red. I had bid my aunt and uncle goodbye and they'd given me a bunch of baked goods to eat and wished me good luck; I couldn't bare to tell them that I worried about them because I knew it'd make me regret my choice. But I had to go, not just for them but for everyone in the world. I sigh as I trudge behind the group, shivering with cold.
Not long after we left, it had started to rain and we were all soaked to the skin. I chattered as the cold from the raindrops seeped through my skin, making me shudder and the cold breeze didn't help either. Hopefully my book would survive the trip. There weren't many soldiers out today and many of them looked pale and sickly, as if they were malnourished. I looked at my friends and Chloe.
Alya snuggled into Nino as we walked down the street and Chloe tried to nestle into Adrien, who just looked awkward. They all seemed pretty fine with how things were right now, but I couldn't grasp how they remained so calm and collected and didn't freak like I did. They seemed to accept that the innocent died for us and that was that. I should've never used my magic two days ago. Sighing, I wiped the rain from my face and continued to follow the others towards town centre, feeling terrible for what happened today.
Once we were nearing the town centre, I spotted my grandfather walking not too far off. He had a green turtle shell umbrella and waved goodbye to a little boy and girl who looked like he'd made their day. It was just like him to do so. I smile as I remember when he used to give me little candies after a raid to cheer me up. I should really say goodbye to him: I wouldn't be seeing him for a while. I was sure the others wouldn't mind if I just spoke to him for a minute. Hey he might be able to help me make sense of that weird voice from earlier.
"Can I speak to my grandfather?" I say pointing to where he was stood.
"Of course as long as you make it quick," Adrien sighed looking exhausted, "We haven't got long before the school sends a search party for us and I'm pretty sure Hawkmoth's on our trail."
"Thanks," I say rushing over to the old man, "This means a lot."
I then ran across the street and smiled as he saw me.
"Mr Fu," I say in my accent, "It's me Victoria, I came to bid you goodbye."
"Victoria," He smiles at me, "So nice to see you! Are you going out of the country to study?"
"Yes but how did yo-"
"I organised it all," He winked, "I spoke to my old friend, Wayzz, and he made you a space. I shall see you soon enough, though. But give this to your friend with the glasses, the male one." He passed me his miraculous. "I hope this will give you the best chance in succeeding. We're all counting on you even those four. All our fates rest in your hands."
"Me? Are you sure, Mr?" I say as me places it in my hand, "That would mean you're retiring and that you're counting on me to-."
"I am," He gave a small smile, "I will go into teaching new students my valuable skills. But for now give this to your friend. Also take these umbrellas."
"Yes sir," I nod tears glistening in my eyes as he passed me five umbrellas, "I'll see you soon then?"
"Yes, of course. You remind me so much of your mother," He sighed, "Now go and study and do what you've always wanted to achieve! Right the wrongs of the enemy!"
"I will," I say walking back to the group, "Goodbye Mr Fu, I shall see you soon."
"Goodbye Victoria,"He gave a small smile and then disappeared. I suddenly felt a small sadness come over me, before zoning back into reality. 'He's counting on me to study and help defeat Hawkmoth in the war, everyone is, so I have to go,' I thought solemnly, 'Even if I don't want to, I need to.' I look down as I cross back over to the group.
"So what was that all about?" Alya looked at my closed palm, "Did he give you something?"
"Yes," I say passing them an umbrella each, "And this is now yours Nino. He's trusting you with it." I pass him my grandfather's miraculous and sigh.
"Wait...I'm the new leader?" Nino was breathless, "So your grandfather was Wang?"
"Yes," I say the cold wind starting to annoy me, "Can we just leave theses questions for later? It's really cold and I have a lot to think about."
"Yeah, of course!" Chloe snapped, "It's raining and I'm freezing my fucking ass off, while you all want to talk about one old dingy man instead of going back to train for this god damn war! For once I agree with Marinette lets go!"
We all blinked at Chloe's sudden outburst and follow her lead. Alya and Nino walking in front with me and Adrien behind. It wasn't long before we began talking.
"So we're meant to be rivals, right?" I ask stupidly, looking down at the pavement. Of course we were! The book said so and so far I was doing what nearly every past Ladybug descendant did, I was fixing others' mistakes or righting the wrongs of a misguided soul.
"Yeah," He smiled sheepishly, "It's odd though cause we haven't argued yet."
"That's true," I spin my red and black umbrella, causing droplets of rain to scatter everywhere, "But then again we could always end up fighting. It said so in the book and the book doesn't lie."
"I guess so," He sighs as the rain falls down harder, "Why can't we just take the normal way? This path's so long!"
"I get where you're coming from," I say trying to cheer him up, "I used to walk for hours when I was little. But it's nice. You can enjoy the things around you and listen to the rhythm they create. See?"
I then stop walking and he watches as the rain begins to drop the the rhythm I was thinking of. The rhythm was calming and it had a serene effect on everything around me, from the sky to the ground. Small rays of sunlight shone down, a few flowers bloomed and the clouds parted just a little. It reminded me of my island home and the summers I used to spend at the river, always helping animals and splashing about in its crystal blue waters. For a moment I was taken away from the war and reality, I was back home, the smells of the market drawing me in...Then I felt a pain in my arms. The spell didn't take a lot of my energy but it was creating something all the same and I couldn't waste any energy I had spare. I sigh as I go out of my spell. It never gets old.
Back when the raids first began I used to entertain all the other kids by making the wind hum a small tune or the leaves rustle as a pulse for my singing, making them all leave this dreary waste-land and go to a paradise of serene days and cool summer nights. I took pride in creating new things and shared it with others while the world around us slowly aged and became a victim to the war. But what was magical was that to create something you needed to work with something that was made before it, you couldn't just make things out of thin air. I sigh as I look up at the greyish blue sky. When I finish this war I'll try to restore the world to how it was a long time ago.
"Wow," Adrien smiled breaking my train of thought, "That's wonderful. I couldn't do anything like that."
"Really?" I raise a brow, it was a simple creation spell and it could be done by most Ladybugs, then I remembered he was a Black Cat.
"Yeah," He rubbed the back of his neck, "I mainly destroy things but I have a small amount of magic that can create."
"Well," I smile, "I think it's good to have a balance."
He just chuckled at my response and I noticed a certain brunette and her boyfriend turn around. Oh they were up to something and it from the looks of it, it was mischievous. This prophecy shit was really getting on my nerves...
We reached the gates of the school at around midday and were met by a hill. It was covered in green grass and had daisies and lilies littered all over it. I sighed at the sight. The closest thing we had to flowers in Paris were weeds or wilted roses and lilacs that grew in the parks. Of course I knew that looks can be deceiving, but something told me that there was something the school had to keep hidden from its choice of location. Hills usually had something hidden inside of it, or formed on top of something else. Sometimes they even used to be Volcanoes if it was really large. There was definitely something going on. I didn't have time to ponder on it though as Alya dragged me through the portal.
It felt like jumping into a pool on a hot summer's day. The portal rippled around me and I saw a light blue light with dots of white that looked like stars. I gasped as the light brightened and then dulled as we came to the end of the portal.
I was right about looks being deceiving and saw a large building in front of me. There was an array of students outside all belonging to one of the nineteen clans. I looked around and spotted Rabbits,Oxus,Pigs and other rare clans. I looked around and tried to spot the red and black of my clan. However to my sadness there were no other Ladybugs, we truly had gone into hiding and non of the other clans knew of our location. Not even the Black Cats. Maybe Chloe was right, maybe we were useless.
I got a bunch of stares from the students and blushed. It must've been weird for them to see a Ladybug descendant attend their school. After all it wasn't everyday you met a Ladybug and Hawkmoth himself told his citizens that we were well and truly wiped out. I heard a few whispers about me and my appearance and that was when I looked down. I saw my yo-yo was strapped to my waist. And my boots had disappeared.
It was then I noticed what I was wearing: A Ladybug spotted mask and a skin-tight Ladybug suit. So my magical self was brought out in this environment, cool. I'd heard of something like this in my book, it was a realm created by all nineteen clans, so that we all saw each other for who we were if anything such as this war were to happen. I then saw Alya was in a orange and white skin-tight suit, with black thigh highs and gloves, fox mask and ears; Nino wore a green skin-tight suit and had a shield on his back, with hood he could take on and off and a green mask; Chloe wore a black and yellow skin-tight suit, had black streaks in her ponytail, black thigh highs and had a bee themed mask on and Adrien wore a skin-tight leather suit, black mask, cat ears and a belt for a tail. His eyes had turned completely green.
His eyes were such a deep emerald green. You could get lost in them forever... 'No! Bad Marinette!,' I mentally scolded myself, 'He's your enemy. Not your crush. The book says so.' I studied him a bit longer before turning to look at the school.
There was a main building and many smaller buildings around it. 'They had to be the dorms,' I thought, 'I wonder if they're co-ed or not.' I then saw the fields surrounding the school. They looked fertile and fresh, like Hawkmoth's damage didn't happen here. So I guess I was right about it being a realm created by all the clans together. I sigh as it reminds me of back home.
"So is this the school?" I say breaking the comfortable silence.
"Well obviously," Chloe groaned, "For a Ladybug you sure are stupid! Tikki's gonna have her hands full."
"Just ignore the bitch," Alya whispered, "She may be the second most powerful, but maths isn't her strong point." I burst out laughing getting looks from everyone around us and a glare from Chloe.
"Sorry," I say wiping a tear, "It's just good to be here I guess? So what do you guys like about here?"
"My sweet house parties," Nino shed a tear, "I'm so happy to be back."
"My blog," Alya smiled, "I've been researching the Ladybugs for years but now! Oh you'll help me complete it!"
"My territory," Chloe smiled proudly, "I'm respected here."
"It's just beautiful," Adrien smiled, "Out there's bleak and grey and well I kinda grew up here."
"Oh," I say at their replies, "Well I gu-"
"Top four!" A girl dressed in pink rushed up to us, "New girl!"
A/N: Newest chapter! Hopefully this one is more in the format of the previous ones. Hope you all like! I worked real hard on this one! Till next,
D.L.D