Marinette was in a hurry, as was the custom for the young Parisian. It had been a stressful day.
In the morning she had risen early to go to school, for once she managed to arrive early. Both she and Chloe had gone to speak with Ms. Mendeleiv to report their absence and how they would keep up with the classes. Both had lost faith in Ms. Bustier after the incident of Marinette's expulsion. Professor Mendeleiv was strict but fair and was not fooled by Lila Rossi's tricks, that gave her a lot of points with Marinette and Chloe.
Ms. Mendeleiv had given them homework for all their subjects that would be sufficient enough to cover any tests they might have for the month and a half. If Ms. Bustier didn't accept the assignment then she would take the opportunity to transfer Marinette and Chloe to her own class.
Ms. Mendeleiv had recommended that they have the essays ready to deliver to Ms. Bustier on Friday in the last period of class so Caline wouldn't have the opportunity to try to dissuade them from going. Both had informed Director Damocles about the trip, of course with a slight threat from Chloe.
So they had homework.
Then, hell had begun.
Both entered the classroom and went directly to their seats in the back. They tried to ignore the looks full of poison they received from their peers.
However, not everything was so bad.
Nathaniel had gone to rest in the girls' seats while they waited for classes to start.
The others were so engrossed listening to Lila's stories that they didn't even notice the redhead's absence.
"So, how did it go?"
"We have to do 5 different essays." Chloe complained, "My poor fingers are going to go numb from so much writing."
"What do you prefer? Numb fingers or being trapped here?" Marinette replied to the whining of Chloe. "Ms. Mendeleiv is at least giving us an alternative. Think about it Chloe, a month and a half without having to listen to Lila's lies. I think it's worth the 5 essays."
"You have a point there Maribug."
"Good for you." Nathaniel said, whining. "I will be trapped here during that time. My neurons will begin to die, slowly and painfully, don't you feel sorry for me?"
"Don't start whining Nathaniel." Chloe complained while filing her nails. "You sound pathetic, utterly pathetic."
"Mari, Chloe is bothering me."
Marinette smiled at the interaction between the two. Since Nathaniel had obtained his Miraculous his confidence had risen as well. If we add to that his friendship with Marc Anciel and the fact that his comic was succeeding on the internet, the result was that Nathaniel was increasingly confident in himself and his abilities.
"Chloe, don't bother Nathaniel. Nathaniel, don't tease her."
"She started it."
"He started it."
Marinette smiled to see the interaction of the two of them, after all, it was a little curious to see how two people who recently hated each other were now close enough to have friendly discussions.
So she did something she shouldn't have, she laughed.
And then hell broke loose.
Lila, hearing Marinette's laugh, knew she was having fun, which she couldn't afford.
"Marinette, what a surprise, you're early in class!" she said in an extremely mellow voice. "I guess I didn't hear you say hello when you entered, forgive me."
Everyone turned to her with angry and poison-filled looks.
"How rude Marinette!"
"That was rude!"
Nathaniel, seeing the direction things were taking, decided to intervene. Smiling he said, "But Lila, you were talking about something sooo interesting. It would have been more impolite to interrupt you." He said with an innocent smile, "That's why I decided to come greet Marinette on my own."
"I'm not blaming you, Nathaniel." she said, a little jaded but without losing her smile. "If you prefer to talk to Marinette than with me…"
"Are you going to make me choose?" He asked with fake tears while Marinette thought that, if the comic didn't work out for him, Nathaniel would be a great actor.
"Don't think too much about it Lila," Alix said, troubled to see her friend in that situation, and then whispered, "Marinette was Nath's first crush. I think he just wants to keep her close."
"I see…" said the little liar, not resigning herself to losing the battle. "But don't you think Marinette can turn him against me? After all, she doesn't like me."
"Don't worry Lila!" Alix said, smiling. "Nath and I have a deal."
Lila realized that she could not get more out of that battle, so she resigned herself and told one of her fantastic stories again. She didn't trust Nathaniel. Although at first he had been easily fooled by her stories, lately Lila felt he didn't believe her at all.
The only reason she had not attacked Nathaniel is because he had not tried to expose her openly as Marinette had done and therefore was not a threat. That and because Alix was extremely protective of Nathaniel. With them being friends for a longer time, she wasn't sure who Alix would choose if she had to.
Nathaniel, on the other hand, had discovered the truth two years ago. Although he had first fallen for Lila's lies, he had stumbled upon her words on an occasion where the redhead could not ignore it.
He had felt so sorry that he had gone straight to Marinette's house to apologize to her. At 2:00 AM.
Marinette had thanked him for his sincerity and had forgiven him, reminding Nathaniel why he had fallen in love with her for some time.
They had discussed what to do and, after many complaints from the redhead, he had agreed not to expose Lila. Yet.
Shortly afterward, he obtained the Miraculous of the fox. He and Trixx had immediately got along together.
Trixx told him that his soul, full of imagination and creativity, combined well with the skills of the fox.
That's how Feu Fox was born.
And when Trixx had learned that Lila Rossi had dared to proclaim herself a user of his Miraculous, well, that had been funny and a little scary.
Trixx had been disappointed that Alya had fallen into the liar's web. Then, when Nathaniel asked Trixx why his dislike for Lila was greater than even Marinette's, he replied:
"As silly as her lies are, that girl has the charisma to make people believe her." he had said with an expression like someone who swallowed something bitter. "She uses her gifts for evil, but deep down she is a vixen. The foxes are usually territorial, so since you are in tune with me you feel irritated with her presence."
Not only her presence, but it was also the fact that Alix believed Lila that got Nathaniel in trouble and sometimes had to suppress his instincts that only asked him to expose Lila and keep her from his friends.
"I'm just worried." Lila said with a false look of concern, bringing Nathaniel back. "He is your best friend Alix, I wouldn't want to see you both separated."
Nathaniel was about to answer in an unkind way to Lila's disguised threat when Chloe's voice interrupted him.
"Wow, Rossi! I'd never seen you as that kind of person."
"What do you mean Chloe?" Lila asked, innocently.
"You know, the kind of person who likes to get into other people's business when it doesn't even involve them."
"How cruel Chloe, that wasn't my intention. I just care about my friends!" said Lila with crocodile tears.
"Chloe, back off! Lila is not like you." Alya said, furiously.
"Of course she is not." she said while looking at her nails. "It would be ridiculous, utterly ridiculous, to assume that this girl would even reach my heels. Liar." she said, whispering the last word.
"Please, you have always believed you're a big deal."
"Oh, dear Kubdel, I don't believe I'm a big deal. I am a big deal."
"Yes, of course."
"Just go away, Chloe."
"Well, at least I was not the one that got kicked out of a fashion show for cheating and trying to hurt another model."
"How cruel Chloe! You know that wasn't my intention either!"
"True, everyone knows that you blamed Lila!"
"Besides, all that was a facade so that you could use your mother's influence and become a model, something that Lila already was."
"Are you really going to resort to that, Cesaire? Because I'll remind you that your little friend Lila is always bragging about her supposed influences."
"What do you mean by 'supposed influences'?" Alya demanded. "Lila's influences are very real."
"So, what? Is my mother an imaginary woman, do you not consider her real?"
"What Alya was trying to say, Chloe, is that we can't compare your mother with, for example, Prince Ali. After all, your mom is only a supposed influence in the fashion world and not-"
"I beg your pardon?"
Everyone felt a chill at Chloe's voice. It was not the squeaky and capricious voice of before, it had a certain elegance and overflowed with a cold fury. Lila paled immediately.
"I sincerely hope, Rossi, you are not suggesting that my mother is not an influence in the fashion world." Chloe said with a regal tone and ice in her eyes, enough to make those present tremble.
Except, of course, Nathaniel and Marinette who only thought.
'She is in Empress mode'
"I didn't say-"
"Well, you are right. MY MOTHER is not an influence in the fashion world…" she said, before adding with a proud smile, "She is THE GREATEST influence in the fashion world. The Queen Of Style. So be careful what you say, after all, you are part of that world by being a model. It is not very wise for you to anger your queen." Seeing that Alya was about to open her mouth, she added, "And no, that is not a threat, it is a warning."
The whole room went silent.
Lila knew that it wasn't smart for her to continue the battle. As much as Gabriel needed her, she wasn't foolish enough to believe she would have priority over Audrey Bourgeois's opinion.
Just then, Ms. Bustier entered the room. Ignorant of what had happened a few minutes ago, she decided to start class.
Classes passed without further ado, Marinette and company receiving the usual looks of contempt until school ended.
Marinette and her friends ran to the bakery, Luka and Kagami were already outside waiting for them.
"Mom, I'm back, we'll be in my room!"
"Okay sweetheart." Sabine said from the counter, watching as her daughter and her friends got food and headed up to her room.
Sabine wiped the smile from her face and walked to where her husband was working. Tom, noticing his wife's gaze, left what he was doing to hug her.
"Is something wrong, honey?"
"I'm worried Tom."
"Is it about Marinette's trip? You know it will be fine, any criminal who tries to touch the girls is going to have to go through Tomoe."
"It's not that..."
"So what's the matter?"
Sabine stopped for a moment to think about her next words. Sighing, she looked at her husband in the eye and let her thoughts out.
"Marinette was making that fake smile again."
Tom looked at his beloved wife with concern, then turned the same look to the second floor.
"My poor girl."
Both Sabine and Tom had noticed how their beloved daughter was gradually being consumed. They knew it was Lila Rossi's fault and the harassment that Marinette suffered at school. They had tried to get Marinette out of that environment but she had firmly refused. She didn't want any of her friends to be left behind.
That, added to the stress that came with being MDC, even at 17… it was consuming her. And now her parents were letting her go to the city of crime.
"Do you think it's a good idea?"
Sabine sighed.
The question was valid, they were sending their daughter to the most crime-ridden city in the world. And yet, she felt that was the right thing to do.
Sighing, she looked at her husband and said, "Tom, Mari is not a baby girl anymore. She has grown. And I think new horizons could be useful." She closed her eyes tightly and added, "I don't want to send her away. But if that returns a little of the spark that our girl had before that little girl arrived, then I am willing to let her go." Opening her eyes, she turned back to her husband with a teary look in her eyes. "You have no idea how happy it made me see that spark in her eyes when she asked my permission to go with Kagami and Chloe to that championship."
"I understand honey. If it's the best for Marinette then it will be fine."
"It's just that I, ugh, can't stand that fake smile. The one she uses to make me think that everything will be fine."
"I wonder, when was the last time we saw her smile sincerely."
The couple merged into a hug as they prayed that any adventure awaiting their precious daughter in Gotham city would return the spark that was still in her.
Sabine had no idea...
Meanwhile, in Marinette's room, she had an important discussion with her friends.
"So why are they called guinea pigs if they're not from Guinea and they're not pigs?"
"That is a good question."
"Do any of you think before you speak? Ugh, boys."
"I don't know Chloe, look at Mari-hime."
"Maribug!"
"I'm sorry!" Marinette complained, and then whispered, "but it is a good question."
"Fantastic, this is because of your nonsense."
"Can we get back to the main topic?"
"Kagami is right." Marinette said. "We are not here to talk about guinea pigs. It's about whether or not we include Marc Anciel in the team."
Everyone went silent, it was a serious matter because it implied entrusting their identities and the power of a miraculous to someone.
"Tell me one thing, did you do that weird guardian thing to decide which miraculous?" Nathaniel asked. "When you do that, it scares me."
"If she hadn't done that 'weird guardian thing' you wouldn't have Trixx."
"Calm down little bee!"
"Don't call me little bee!"
"Calm down both of you, and yes Nath, I did get in tune with the universe to find out which Miraculous suits Marc."
Everyone looked at her expectantly. It was 5 minutes until Kagami broke the silence.
"So? What happened?"
"There is a problem."
"Isn't there any kwami compatible with Marc?" Nathaniel asked. "You said you felt he was a true holder."
"No one will blame you if you made a mistake Marinette." Luka assured her in a calm voice.
"That's not it."
"So what happened Mari-hime? Do you think he is not ready for the challenge?"
The young guardian shook her head.
"Marc is a noble soul, he loves to help others, as a civilian he has shown that he has the necessary attitude."
"So… we're not giving him a miraculous because?"
"He's a boy who is in tune with his emotions and those of others, so I know with certainty which kwami would be in perfect tune with him."
"Stop confusing us Maribug, which kwami?"
"Duusu."
That was enough for everyone to remain silent. Marinette had achieved, during her training as a guardian, certain things that even Fu could not dream of. One of them was to communicate with Duusu and Nooro on an astral plane. Marinette felt Duusu's pain in particular when she had her miraculous damaged and hurt her wielders.
So that was a thorny issue.
"Soo…" said Chloe, desperate to break the silence. "What do we do? Do we give him a different miraculous? Because we need all the help we can get, maybe Wayzz could."
"In fact, I have an idea." Seeing that she had the attention of her team, she continued, "As everyone knows, Ladybug needs a Black Cat…"
"You're not thinking of giving Plagg to him, right?"
"Nope," Plagg replied instead of Marinette, "the boy is good but he doesn't have a little destruction in his soul, it wouldn't work."
"So what is your plan, Mari?"
Nathaniel was confused and Chloe seemed to be too. On the other hand, Luka and Kagami seemed to understand what Mari implied.
"As you know, Kagami has some compatibility with Tikki and Luka with Plagg. However, this compatibility is not as strong as the one they have with Loong and Sass respectively. Plagg's power can be intoxicating if you're not his true wielder, so I think the best option would be to prepare Marc as a kind of wild card. Someone who uses Loong when Kagami is using Tikki, and Sass when Luka is using Plagg"
"Sounds like a good plan."
"That also means that Rock Linx and Lady Tentochu should make more appearances. Therefore, Luka, Kagami, you two should practice with Plagg and Tikki."
"Understood, Mari."
"You can count on us, Mari-hime."
"At the moment, Marc will be in the testing period, he will have to return the miraculous and he will not know our identities."
"Sounds good!" Nathaniel said, happy that Marc could be part of the team. "When do we tell him?"
"Tonight, after patrol. Just remember that we cannot force him to be part of this, and yes Kagami, showing him your katana DOES count as forcing him."
"Whatever you say, Mari-hime."
After finishing the serious conversation, it had become more relaxing and enjoyable.
Until an Akuma alert sounded.
The team mobilized and finished the battle. This Akuma had been a bit simpler although, in the end, Marinette had ended up with a few bruises that the miraculous cure had failed to heal.
After a moment of talking with her friends, they had left and Marinette was about to lie down on her bed for a well-deserved rest when...
"Marinette, Nadja and Manon are here!"
Marinette whined a little while she stood and opened the closet she used for her already finished orders.
When she was about to go down she was hit by a ball of energy.
"Marinette! I missed you!"
"We met only three days ago Manon!" Marinette said with a smile as she patted the little girl's hair.
Manon was now 9 years old and even more hyperactive than before, but Marinette loved that little ball of energy and smiles.
"I'm so sorry, Marinette! Manon always gets excited when it comes to you. She loves you very much."
"No problem, Nadja." she said while looking at the little girl. "I love you too, Manon."
At this, Manon smiled happily while hugging Marinette.
"I imagine you're here for your orders, right?"
"Sorry for the inconvenience," said Nadja. "I know it was short notice. I didn't expect to be invited to London for the Reporters Gala."
"No problem!" Marinette said smiling. "I enjoyed making your dresses. When do you leave?"
"Tonight."
"I'm going to miss you, Marinette."
"I'm going to miss you too, Manon." said the young designer while stroking Manon's brown hair. "Well, getting back to business, your dresses are ready."
Both Nadja and Manon were excited while Marinette showed them her gala dresses.
Nadja's dress was navy blue, with double straps and an opening at the bottom. Meanwhile, Manon's was a lovely pink dress, with a jewel neckline, skirt with pins and flower detail at the waist.
"They are beautiful Marinette!"
"I'm going to look like a princess!"
"I'm glad you like them!" she said as she handed them the dresses. "Now, for your other order…"
Nadja had asked Marinette to, if possible, make them a couple of matching sets to wear on the way to London.
"There we have it."
The outfits consisted of a pair of black, leather skirts, tight to the body for Nadja and flared for Manon, and a pair of red, plaid shirts.
"I love them Marinette! They look so cool!"
"Thank you very much, Marinette. I already deposited the payment into your account, plus extra."
"That wasn't necessary Nadja! I did it with pleasure."
"I know you did," Nadja said, smiling affectionately, "but remember, this was not a favor to a friend. It was a commission to MDC. That is YOUR brand, you have the right and the duty to get the payment you deserve."
Marinette smiled upon receiving Nadja's sincere words and Manon's hug.
After making the last arrangements to the mother and daughter dresses, they rushed out to the train station for their trip to London.
Marinette decided to start the essays, as well as planning a pair of outfits for Jagged and Clara. Until patrol time came, and with it, the time to recruit Marc.
"Alright, let's do this."
