A/N: Sorry this took a while guys! I had a lot to do this weekend and just about managed to squeeze this in! I'll probably put a schedule for the days I'll update my stories on my profile, that way it'll be easier to keep track!
Anyway, Hope you all enjoy!
Marinette went into the town centre to hear the gossip of the townspeople. Whispers danced along the streets as the bluenette traveled towards the fountain that sat in the town's square.
Alya and Nino had told her to meet them there that morning, via a budgie they used for messaging each other. From the writing she could tell that they had an urgent issue to discuss, so she had no hesitation. Marinette had slipped out before her parents could ask her to help out in the bakery and was now walking along the streets in her town.
"Did you hear?" A woman spoke.
"No? What?" Came the reply.
"Well, basically-"
It was often like that when there was news in the town. News spread like a wildfire and it wasn't long until everyone knew what the gossip was about, well unless it was about you. Marinette sighed. Hopefully the gossip wasn't about her, as it seemed she was the only one who didn't know what was going on.
"Mari!" Alya tackled her in a hug.
"Hey, Alya," She replied, "Hi, Nino."
"Hey," He smiled, "Um...Alya, I think you're crushing Mari."
"Sorry," The brunette blushed, "I just thought that you'd gotten caught in the fire at Mr Fu's house. I can't believe they set it alight!"
"Me neither," Marinette shook her head, "The kwamis didn't do anything."
"But you know how it goes," Nino sighed, "If someone's single, too suspicious or just isn't trustworthy-"
"They're a witch," All three spoke.
"We know Nino," Alya crossed her arms, "Why do you think we all tread carefully in this delusional society? Speaking of which, didn't you hear the news?"
"No, I had to sneak out early again," The bluenette yawned as she took out a croissant.
"Wow, I thought you'd hear it on the way," Alya blinked, "Anyway, it's about the fire. It's crazy really."
"Just cut to the chase, Als," Nino sighed.
"Fine," She huffed, "Basically, they found no bodies."
"They found no bodies?!" Marinette's eyes widened.
"None," Both teens nodded.
"That's crazy!" The bluenette gripped her hair, "That means they are witches..."
"Or that they're alive," Alya hinted, "Mr Fu's been suspected of witchcraft for years, so he must have had an emergency plan."
"But everything seemed normal when I went," Marinette replied.
"That doesn't mean he wasn't prepared," Alya tutted, "I thought you were smarter Mari."
"Whatever!" She blushed.
The two other teens laughed.
"Anyway, we're going to search for them," Nino smiled, "We need your help."
"Where do you want me to search?" The bluenette asked.
"The woods," Both replied.
...0o0...
"Of course," Marinette cursed as she stood at the fork in the road. She hadn't paused by here in years, learning her lesson after getting lost the first time. She always took the way to the left. It was ironic because the mayor always said that 'right was right'.
She stared at the path. It was a dirt track lined with grass and trees, just like the other side. The crystal skies were above, pale clouds gliding across it. Nothing seemed dangerous. So why was she so nervous?
The bluenette stepped forwards, closing her eyes as she expected a punishment. Nothing happened. She sighed before adjusting her riding hood. If her parents knew she went into the woods, she would never see the light of day again.
...0o0...
Marinette traveled in silence, the sound of her boots echoing around her. She was taken back to when she was first lost in the woods. When she was scared and alone, fearing that the wolves would find her before her parents did. The teen shivered. Even though it was years ago, it still made her feel the same.
She could imagine their sharp teeth and slobbery tongues, their jagged claws and dreaded howl. It didn't help that Kim, Ivan and Nathaniel always boasted about killing the beasts always adding in the gruesome details. How did girls find that attractive?
Trying to distract herself, the bluenette began to hum. The tune was soft and melodious, giving her a sense of safety. She could imagine a river flowing through a lush green meadow. Flowers blooming under the warm sun and a clear blue sky. She closed her eyes and breathed in. She could smell the scent of the flowers and could hear the sound of the water. It was as if she was actually there...Marinette raised a brow.
Her eyes fluttered open and she looked about her. She was in a meadow. Flowers were around her and there was a river. It was exactly as she imagined.
"Huh?" Her expression was perplexed, "What happened to the woods?"
She heard a giggle. It sounded extremely familiar, like a certain playful girl she knew.
"Trixx?" She called out.
Two giggles sounded. The second was cute and bubbly, a lot like Tikki's.
"Are you two playing a trick on me?" The teen placed her hands on her hips.
The meadow melted away into the woods and she spotted two smiling girls.
"You caught us!" Trixx laughed, "But it was good, right?"
"Excellent," The bluenette smiled.
"I told Trixx it would be a good idea," Tikki smiled, "You seemed so scared and nervous and you always told me that flowers calmed you."
"Thank you, Tikki," The teen hugged the two girls, "And you too Trixx."
"No problem!" Trixx smiled, "But the Master wants to see you. Come on!"
"Mr Fu?" Marinette stood still as the two girls tugged at her sleeve.
"We don't have all day, Marinette!" Tikki panted, "We need to see the Master now!"
"But what about Alya and Nino?" Marinette raised a brow, "They know you guys too."
"But this is different," Trixx sighed.
"We can't explain right now, but you'll see," Tikki clarified.
"Ok, but I'm trusting you both," The bluenette smiled.
"We wouldn't have it any other way!" Both girls chirped.
