"And done!" I say placing the finished croissant sandwiches on the table.
"Wow I'm impressed!" Adrien looked at us both, "But did Mari make these on her own or-"
"For your information, I did something too!" Alya snapped, "All because I'm a shitty cook doesn't mean I can't make something without help!"
The three of us just blinked at her as she adjusted her glasses and took in a deep breath.
"He was just saying they look really good dude," Nino smiled, "But seriously Alya who could blame him? Usually you make burnt toast."
"Ok I'll give you that," She grumbled grabbing a sandwich and walking off, "Now I'm gonna get in some practise before the big test."
"What test?" Nino looked at Adrien then me and back again.
"Did you seriously forget!" I snorted, Adrien was laughing too, "The final test, it's today! Mr Damocles told us!"
"Yeah I know," Nino laughed, "I just wanted to brighten the mood. Everyone seems so tense this morning."
"Well who wouldn't be?" Adrien chuckled.
We then ate breakfast, before all getting ready for the school day. By the time we were all ready, the bell rang signalling the start of the day.
"We've got no lessons today," Alya sighed, "So we'll get to revise but you know I won't be doing that shit. Wanna make some mischief after talking with Tikki?"
"Sure," I smiled walking into Tikki's classroom.
"Cool!" Alya smiled back, "I'll tell the guys."
"Good Morning Marinette!" Tikki smiled as I walked into the room, "You ready for the exam?"
"Kinda," I offered shyly, "So how's Celeste doing?"
"Really well actually," Tikki smiled, "Duusu's talking to her right now. She'll start classes as soon as she's well enough."
"That's great!" I smiled sitting down.
I sat there in silence for a few minutes, drawing a few odd doodles on a piece of paper, while Tikki read a book, until a thought crossed my mind.
"Tikki?" I asked.
"Yes?" The kwami replied.
"Why did Celeste get ill?" I looked her in the eyes, "Every time I heal an akuma it gets ill. Could you maybe tell me why?"
"Of course," Tikki put her book down, "It's part of the healing. Once you purify the akuma, the victim has to have the will power to live on, if not the sickness can kill them. But that's why it's important to purify akumas when they're young. That way they're not too deep in the negative emotions, to feel like they've lost everything."
I nodded understanding what she'd just said. So I could purify them, but they needed to recover and go back to being healthy. So it wasn't my fault that child died, but what if I could stop them from giving up?
"But could I maybe help them see hope?" I tilted my head, "By reminding them of their past life or something important to them?"
"You can," Tikki sighed, "But it can be dangerous. They might lash out at you or feel even worse. No-one's used that technique except your mother."
"Oh," I sighed going back to doodling, maybe it was better to leave them to fix it themselves.
"Then again you did help Celeste," Tikki continued, "She was about to give up, but seeing you cheered her up and look at her."
"You're right," I smiled remembering how her face lit up when she saw me, "So do you think-"
"You can help akumas see hope?" Tikki raised a brow and I nodded, "Of course. But just be careful Marinette, not all akumas are like Celeste."
"Yes Tikki," I replied as the bell rang. I got up and went to meet Alya.
"Good luck Marinette," Tikki called, "Ace that test!"
"I will," I replied.
I met a smirking Alya by the changing room and raised a brow. Something about her spelled trouble.
"You ready to take the piss with Plagg?" She pointed towards the kwami's classroom.
"Are you sure?" I whispered, feeling small, "He seems a little..."
"Like an asshole?" Alya finished for me, "He won't punish you, you're a Ladybug. Don't worry, plus what I'm gonna do is more playful than spiteful."
"What are we gonna do?" I look at her.
"This," She whispered her plan in my ear and smiled triumphantly as she finished, "So?"
"Do I have to?" I asked groaning.
"Yes or I'll make you dress in a very showy fashion," Alya chuckled as I turned red.
"Fine!" I mumbled as the guys came over, "But remember I was forced to do this, so if I don't put in my 100% effort it's not my fault!"
"That's fine with me," Alya crossed her arms, "Ready guys?"
"Ready," Nino smirked.
They were up to something and it didn't look good...
Somehow I found myself in the school vents with Adrien and watching over the hallway outside of Plagg's classroom. I had a feeling she would pull something like this on me.
"Just stay here until you see me and Nino leave ok?" Alya winked, "Oh and tell us if Plagg is coming!"
"Sure thing!" Adrien replied heading deeper into the vents. Ok, someone remind me why he's helping us prank Plagg.
"Fine!" I grumbled, "But if I panic cause of claustrophobia don't blame me."
"Stop being so sour Mari," Alya teased, "Plus if you get scared Adrien's with you."
"Alya!" I growled, hopefully he didn't hear.
"What?!" She shrugged.
"Um guys are we gonna do this or what?" Nino asked.
"Yeah give me a sec!" Alya called back, "If anything goes wrong tell me through this."
She passed me a earpiece and winked. I groaned as she placed the grate back on and the darkness came back. I began to crawl towards the grate that lead to Plagg's classroom when I bumped into something.
"Ow!" We both yelped as our heads collided.
"Sorry!" I blushed backing away.
"It's fine," Adrien replied, "And are you blushing?" Shit! I forgot about his night vision!
"Um...No?" I reply awkwardly, "That's not the point. We need to see what those two are doing. I don't trust Alya."
"I'd like to say you're wrong but she's addicted to this prophecy shit," He sighed, "But I don't think she'd go this far. Do you?"
"Maybe," I replied, "Now lets go."
He led the short way to the grate that let us see into Plagg's class. Exactly as I'd thought she and Nino were in the closet. Loud thumping could be heard followed by muffled moans, groans and name calling. I blushed at the thought of them both in there before shivering.
"That's not surprising," Adrien chuckled, "So what are we gonna do? Knowing Alya she probably made sure we couldn't get out by that grate."
"We use this," I get out my yo-yo and use its phone like features to get out a map of the vents, "I kinda recorded the school's blueprints on this."
"That's great!" I could hear the smile in his voice, "But what should we do with those two?"
"How about we do this," I whispered into his ear and could feel the smirk he was wearing.
We'd managed to get to the other side of the school and decided to have our own fun. We spent an hour or two going around the school. I slipped a letter signed by Adrien into both Chloe and Lila's lockers and smirked as I thought about the look on their faces when they meet each other on the rooftop. We were both waiting in the fields when we spotted the others approaching.
Adrien and I watched as the two young adults and Plagg came up to us. Plagg looked pissed beyond belief and his face was as red as a tomato. Adrien and I were in stitches as a red Alya and embarrassed looking Nino approached us. Plagg followed, squawking at the both of them.
"What have I told you two about doing things in my cupboard!" The kwami yelled at Alya and Nino before turning on us, "And you two should've stopped them!"
"Like you don't do things with Tikki," Alya grumbled, causing the rest of us to laugh.
"Hey!" Plagg yelled his green eyes flashing with fury before he calmed down, "Well I guess I'll just have to make you clean the dining room again."
"But-" Alya began.
"And the toilets!" Plagg smirked.
Nino burst out laughing, causing the kwami to turn on him next.
"You too," Plagg added turning to leave, "Oh and Adrien and Marinette."
"Yes?" We gulped.
"Record that fight between Lila and Chloe," Plagg smiled, "Watching those two never gets old..."
"Ok then," Adrien sighed, relieved the kwami didn't turn on him.
The kwami then sniffed, before leaving. He really did seem like an asshole.
"So you guys set Chloe and Lila up huh?" Alya smirked, ready to tease.
"Yes we did and?" I asked.
"They are funny to watch Alya," Nino nodded.
"Yeah but are you guys sure you didn't bond during that moment?" Alya probed, "You must find them annoying Adrien. What about you Mari? Chloe always belittles you and Lila's...well you know."
"Ha ha very funny," Adrien teased catching on, "So how did you and Nino first bond?"
Alya blushed and stayed quiet for a moment, "We-um I- ugh! You win!"
She sighed and then went onto her phone. I looked up at the sky and noticed the sun was just past being directly above us, "Um guys? I think it's time for the exam."
"No way," Nino chuckled, "It's not for another ho-"
The bell rang and we watched as students transitioned to their new classes.
"How did she?" Nino asked.
"Magic," Adrien shrugged, "Hell we all have it here. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew how to read minds."
"Liar!" I playfully slapped his arm, "It's the position of the sun. If it's slightly away from being directly above you it's morning or early afternoon."
"We'd better go guys," Alya said dashing towards the main building, "They'll fail us if we're late."
"Lets go then," Adrien smiled.
We all then headed towards the building, trying not to be late to the test.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng?" Ms Bustier called as she did the register.
"Here!" I say panting, I was red in the face and my freckles stood out. We'd run all the way from the playing fields to the school, it was at least a ten minute walk. I sighed as the teacher led us into the exam room: At least something will seem familiar here.
Once we were all in the room, she left and locked the door. It was only the four of us in there and the other three looked tense. Alya was already in a fighting stance, while Nino was looking like a bird in a glass maze and Adrien looked as if he were unsure. I was the only one who seemed familiar with a test room. I smiled at the thought, I'd have to help them with this.
"Ok you four," Mr Damocles spoke through the intercom, "This is only a simulation, but it will test you on your ability to fight akumas and hopefully purify them. If you pass, you'll be able to go on the field."
We all nodded and the simulation began. We were in a forest. We all stood back to back, and the sounds around us weren't inviting. The simulation had given us blindfolds and I recognised this as a trust exercise. It was to see if we could trust each other. Suddenly to my left I heard the heavy breathing and trampling of an animal. I remembered Adrien was to my left and called out.
"Adrien move to the right!" I yelled, "Now!"
I felt him shift and wrapped my yo-yo around the akuma. It then melted away. That was the point of the simulation, to see if we did trust each other.
"We need to trust each other," I say calmly, "That's why we're in blindfolds. It's to see how much we trust each other."
"That's cool with me," Nino replied.
"Me too," Alya's voice replied back instantly.
"We did it before with Constellation," Adrien replied breezily, "I wouldn't mind doing it again."
The next few moments were filled with calls to move and the sounds of weapons coming into contact with akumas. We did pretty well and no-one managed to get hurt, then just as I heard another akuma approach the scene changed.
We were now in a city. There was a group of civilians trapped in a building and an enraged akuma standing at the end of the street. This time we didn't have blindfolds but I could feel that yet again we'd have to trust each other and somehow come up with a solution. Alya attacked first, hoping to get the akuma down, only for her to get brushed to the side. Nino was about to rush towards her, when I stopped him.
"I need you to protect the people," I replied, "We can't all defeat the akuma, and I'll help Alya. Trust me."
"I'll try," He replied rushing towards the civilians. I knew they'd be safe with him. The akuma took out his sword and Adrien looked at me.
"So what's the plan?" He tilted his head to the side. It was actually kinda cute with his little cat ears. 'Ugh not right now Marinette,' I scold myself mentally, 'Finish the test and then fawn over adorable things!'
"The akuma's most probably in his sword," I point at the weapon, "If we can get it off him and you use your Cataclysm on it, we could win."
"Sounds like a plan," He winked charging forwards. While he dealt with the akuma, I'll help Alya.
She looked pretty banged up. Her lip was busted and her suit was ripped, but not too badly. She groaned as I headed over to her.
"Mari?" She blinked as I helped her up, "What's the plan? I still want to help! Even if I'm limping!"
"Well I need you to make an illusion of this," I say telling her to make the akuma think he was caught in a spider's web.
"I'll try my best," She smiled placing her flute at her lips, "Good luck!"
I dashed back to help Adrien with the akuma. He was currently trying to defend himself with his baton against the sword and was actually doing really well. The akuma looked as if it were breaking a sweat trying to break his parry. I wrapped my wire around the akuma's ankles and giggled as Adrien sighed.
"Looked like you needed some help," I smiled as I tightened the wire making the akuma drop on the floor. I then signalled for Alya to make her illusion and watched as the akuma struggled in fake spiderwebs.
Sighing I took the sword from the akuma and passed it to Adrien. He then destroyed the sword and the room changed again...
"This is the final test," Mr Damocles said through the intercom, "It will be the hardest and I hope you all pass."
The room then changed and I noticed that I was alone, when it finished. I was in a mountain based location and by the looks of it, a simulation of one of Hawkmoth's delivery bases. I spotted descendants all over the mountain, dressed in the purple or blue of the Moth and Peacock clans. They carried guns and by the looks of it, had the ability to use small spells. I groaned at the sight.
It was a stealth mission and by the looks of it I had to meet the others inside the base. I got my yo-yo and scrolled through my phone. It had a recent message with the guard changes, map and even where I was meeting the others. This really was the hardest test. It was probably to let us see what a real mission would be like. Sighing I put my yo-yo back where it was and scoped out my position.
The next guard change was in a few minutes and apparently my best chance at entering the base was through the front, where there were only four guards. According to my message those guards like to talk as they change with their replacement, buying me a few extra minutes. I couldn't use my yo-yo as it would make too much noise and attract too much attention. I had no choice but to dash for it. Taking in a deep breath, I count down the final few seconds of the few minutes before I make a dash for it.
I spot the guards walk a few feet away to change and begin to talk with their replacement. I smiled, just as the message said. I ran down the icy slope and rolled into the entrance, making the least amount of noise as possible. The next thing was to blend in. There were more guards inside than out and they would find it pretty suspicious if they an eighteen year old in a Ladybug skin-tight suit running around the halls. I peeped my head around the corner and spotted a guard scrolling through something on their phone. Perfect.
I threw my yo-yo aiming at their head and heard the familiar conk! as it hit their head. I then heard a thud and knew I'd put enough force to knock them out. I walked around the corner and dragged the guard to my safety spot. I then stripped them to their underwear and put their uniform over my suit. I then tied my hair into a ponytail and removed my mask, before putting on the cap and boots. I smiled as I grabbed the gun from my unfortunate victim. I also took their ID card and read it: Natasha Rark Age: 23 Clan: Moth. I repeated inside my head that I was Natasha and I reply to that name. Then went off around the corner, dragging Natasha with me, if I needed to find my friends then I needed to get to the meeting point without leaving evidence.
So far I'd gotten Natasha into a supply closet and was patrolling the halls, acting like a normal guard, when in fact I was trying to find the room I was meant to meet the others in. Everything was going well until a chatty guard saw me.
"Natasha!" They smiled as I tensed up.
"Yeah," I reply in my accent, hoping they'd not want to talk for too long.
"How are you?" They asked, "You're usually scrolling through YouTube."
"Oh well," I began, "I got hungry and I was wondering if you remembered where the Canteen was. I kinda zoned out on my videos and forgot."
"Sure thing," He replied smiling, "Straight down third left."
"Thanks," I replied and began to walk off.
Luckily I'd practised my accents or I'd be captured by now. I walked down the dimly lit passages, until I spotted a small passage to the left. It was darker than the others, which was a little disconcerting but i continued nevertheless. Since I was separated from everyone else my only option was to meet them here. I took in a deep breath as I walked down the narrow and dark passage. The ceiling dropped as I went deeper in and the walls went in, causing me to crawl. The ground was steep and unpredictable, so I often stumbled, but I continued to crawl deeper still until the passage widened out into a room.
It was lit relatively well and had benches, cupboards and tables. It had a cosy and nice atmosphere, like most canteens and the smell of food was so compelling I felt my mouth water. 'Eyes on the prize Mari,' I mentally reminded myself, 'Find the others and then eat.' Sighing I headed towards the counter, where steaming trays of food were and the aroma was stronger. I needed to get into the kitchen and then go through the vents to a sealed off room located not too far from here. I looked through the opening to see if I could find the entrance into the kitchen.
There were no cooks in there at the moment and I noticed a small door located the the left of me. Smirking, I got the ID card and scanned it to open the door. Who knew a book and growing up in wartime Paris could teach me this much? I opened the door and walked into the kitchen. According to the message the vent leading to the room should be right...there! I found the vent just above the ovens. Fortunately, they were off and no-one was around. I approached the ovens and used the gun to shoot the bolts holding the grate in place. It dropped onto the ground causing a loud clatter. I needed to get into the vents and fast.
Wasting no time, I climbed into the vent, careful to place the grate back over the opening and using my magic, fixing the grate back onto the vent; leaving as little evidence as possible. I stayed near the grate and held my breath as the other guards came into the kitchen. They had their guns at the ready and didn't look happy.
"But-But I heard a large commotion," One scratched his head.
"Me too," Another sighed.
"Natasha was in here," The one I spoke to earlier spoke, "But it looks like she's gone. Maybe she's in the dorms?"
"Yeah Natasha's such an addict!" The others chuckled.
"Let's find her," The first one sighed as they walked off.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I heard the last of their footsteps fade away. That was a close one. I then got out my yo-yo and looked at the map. I had to head down until I reached the fourth exit. Sighing I turned around, this might actually take longer than expected...
Alya
I groggily rubbed my head as I woke up. It was pounding after the room change and I had a feeling that Mr Damocles did that on purpose. Stupid old bastard. Nino was with me and we were in some snowy location, it looked a lot like a mountain. It looked like no-one was there and it seemed quite calm. Nino then rose to his feet and immediately pushed me back down and dropped to his stomach. I groaned at the impact and felt the cold through my suit.
"Hey!" I growled annoyed, "What was that for?!"
"Shh!" He covered my mouth as I yelled in protest. He kept his hand over my mouth as I looked upwards. Two guards passed by, just a few feet away. They were dressed in the Moth clan's colours and didn't look like they were going to entertain trespassing eighteen year olds. They both carried guns, tasers and even knives. This wasn't looking good.
"This is the last test," He whispered watching the guards, "It'll be the hardest and my guess is we've gotta infiltrate the base and find Mari and Adrien."
"Great," I whisper-yell, "What next we go into the ocean!"
These tests seemed really unnecessary to me, but I still went through with them. The sooner I did this useless shit, the sooner I could go on the field. I sighed, "This is hopless."
"Well we have these supplies," He looked upset as pulled out a map, coded instructions and some uniforms. I grabbed the instructions and understood them immediately. It was in Fox Rune, a rune made entirely by my clan and spoken by all Foxes. Oh this might get even easier! Field missions here I come!
"Ok so we gotta meet in a sealed off room in there. Apparently the easiest route is through there," I said looking at the base and gulping. It was large and loomed over the forest hiding both me and Nino from all of the guards view and also looked as if Hawkmoth had spent a lot of money on weapons defence. If not to make it harder to enter, there were a ton of guards all over and I suddenly felt the pressure of the situation take over. My legs shook as I watched how the guards all shot a bird that landed in the perimeter. This might be a little harder than I initially thought...
A/N: Oh new chapter! And I left it on a cliffhanger! Hope you guys enjoyed! Don't forget to read and review...
Hope you enjoyed!
D.L.D