(A/N Just a bit of clarification since I've been asked…This is not a sequel, It's just my take on where our heroes might be years after defeating Gabriel. It's been announced that Gabriel's new villain name for season 5 is Monarch, so I went with that instead of Hawkmoth/Shadowmoth since this story takes place years after the show. Hope that clears it all up! Happy reading!)

"And you're saying that you know Ladybug? That you've known her and her secret identity for years?" Nadja Chamack asked to confirm, leaning forward a bit in her seat.

"Oh yes." Lila Rossi answered as she adjusted her skirt. "Ladybug and I used to be such good friends. It's a shame to see where she's ended up now."

"Recently you've been seen attending Anti-Bug rallies. In fact, some people are convinced you are the leader of these rallies. What can you tell me about that?"

"I'm not sure where that rumor started." Lila giggled as she glanced at the studio audience out of the corner of her eye. "I have been attending some of the rallies, but I certainly don't have the talent and organizational skills it would take to organize and mobilize such a thing. I simply agree with their cause and I am there to observe."

"So you agree that Ladybug should be stripped of her powers? Even though Ladybug was once a great friend?"

"Oh yes. There are no exceptions to morality. Killing is wrong and it's so so sad that Team Miraculous has continued to stand up for her for so long. Ladybug has become a true heathen to society and I-"

"Okay! We're done with that." Tom announced, clicking the power button on the remote to turn off the television. "What a load of bull that was."

"I ought to march down to that tv station and show her exactly how much of a heathen one can be!" Sabine exclaimed, standing up from the couch in anger.

"Papa! Maman! You're getting too worked up." Marinette lovingly scolded from her spot in the floor. She glanced up from her sketch book long enough to give them both an assuring glance. "It doesn't bother me like it used to in collège. She's just attention seeking because the reviews about her vocals in the last season of Preternatural were bad."

"Marinette, it's not right what she's doing to you. It's..it's slander!" Sabine accused, hands already on her hips.

"But it's not me. It's Ladybug. And while some of the city might not agree, the majority stands behind its heroes. Sure, I try not to do interviews anymore and I constantly have to defend myself when I do…but it's a small price to pay for living relatively peacefully as Marinette. Even if that peace might be over now."

"We saw coverage of the attack. Are you worried that there's a new butterfly villain?" Tom asked his daughter, placing the remote back on the end table.

"My team can handle it."

"Even with some of you missing or pulled out of action? Is there any way you could call in some more reinforcements?" Sabine asked, reaching for any way to help her daughter.

"No, I don't have anyone else. That would be-" Marinette glanced at her phone where it lay on the coffee table. Shaking her head, Marinette dismissed her thoughts. "That would be impossible. We're using every miraculous in our possession as it is."

———

"We're so excited to see you!" Rose squealed as she tackled Kagami the second the taller girl stepped into the airport lobby.

"How was your flight?" Marinette asked as the whole team began hugging and greeting Kagami.

"It was long!" Kagami laughed at their over enthusiasm and hugged each of them awkwardly. "But I am glad to be here for the wedding this evening." Kagami glanced around, eyes landing on Adrien. "I would like to talk to you for a moment if you don't mind, about private matters."

"Oh, sure, Kagami." Adrien and Kagami stepped to the side, just out of earshot, and Marinette tried her best to cover up her staring.

"Getting jealous yet?" Luka's firm tone startled Marinette and she jumped, yelping when her foot slipped. She hit the floor with a thud.

"Marinette?! You okay?" Adrien's voice called from further away. Looking up to meet his eyes with a small smile, she nodded slowly, taking Luka's hand to help her up. Turning to the one who had scared her, her smile turned upside down.

"Why would you do that!"

"Did you see the way his attention immediately came to you? Funny how that works."

"You scared me on purpose?" Marinette accused with fake hurt in her voice. "How could you?"

"Eh, hush. I didn't really mean to scare you. I was just making an observation." Luka leaned back against a pillar and Marinette shook her head, arms crossing.

"I'm not jealous. He can talk to Kagami if he wants to."

"But you wish he was talking to you. You're jealous."

"I am not!" Marinette stomped her foot like a child and Luka laughed.

"You so are. We all heard whatever happened on comms last night. Was that a kiss?" Luka mimed an overly eager make-out and Marinette rolled her eyes, looking anywhere but his face as her cheeks exploded in blush.

"It was on the cheek, you nosy serpent. It was nothing."

———

"How are you and Marinette doing?" Kagami asked with a concerned tone, a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "The team filled me in that something had happened last night after the battle, but none of them were sure-"

"She kissed me on the cheek. It was so quick and so small, but…Kagami, that kiss was everything."

———

"Are you sure you can do this, Marinette? I don't want to push you." Alya assured as they hurried to finish their hair and makeup.

"Alya, I'm not going to desert you now. I'm..committed." Marinette ground out the last word and then cleared her throat, turning to Alix. "Could you help me with my makeup? I can't seem to get it right."

"No problem." Alix started work on Marinette's face as Myléne helped Alya with her hair.

"It's go time!" Chloé's voice called from the hall. "If I don't see you all in this hallway in under five minutes I'm going to lose it!"

"I don't even know if I can get to the hallway in five minutes." Alix grumbled as she began putting makeup supplies away. "You're done. I'm gonna go wobble my way to our entrance." Alix disappeared out the changing room door and Alya turned to look at her Marinette and Myléne with an anxious smile on her face.

"Does everything look okay? I'm feeling jittery."

"Alya, you look beautiful." Marinette assured, gently hugging her friend as best she could around her giant wedding dress.

"You really do, Alya." Myléne agreed. "I'm just so happy for you!" Tears began to well up in her eyes and Myléne laughed as she wiped them away. "I'm so glad we got waterproof makeup; I always cry at weddings."

"Aw, Myléne! Now I'm going to cry!" Alya hugged her other friend tightly, the moment quickly being ruined by Chloé's shrill yell.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng! Alya Césaire! If I don't see you both in this hallway in five seconds so help me, Kwami, I will-"

"Coming!" Alya called, gathering up her dress and heading out the door. Marinette started to follow, only stopping when Myléne's hand touched her arm.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I can do this."

———

Marinette watched as the other couples made their way down the aisle. They found their spots up front as Marinette took a breath to steady herself. Slowly, she felt Adrien's arm on hers, locking them together.

"Ready?" He whispered, his voice achingly gentle as he pulled her closer to his side.

"As I'll ever be." Marinette acquiesced, grip on his arm tightening as they took their first steps.

"Breathe, M'Lady." He instructed halfway down when her grip on his arm had become painful. "Its not like I'm going to bite you."

"I don't think you could catch me if you tried." Marinette huffed without thinking, causing Adrien to muffle a laugh as they made it to the end of the aisle.

"There's my girl." Adrien stepped to his side and she found her spot next to Alix almost as quickly. Etta and Ella came down the aisle, gracefully tossing petals along the way.

And then, there was Alya.

She was beautiful. She was happy. She was holding Nino's hands. They were pledging their lives together. And Marinette was paying attention, she was. She wouldn't dare to miss this moment with two of her best friends.

But still…in the back of her mind the words replayed again and again.

'There's my girl.'

His girl? What could he mean by that? Surely he hated her after everything that had happened. The flirting had been nonexistent since..

"You may now kiss the bride." The officiant announced, watching with joy as Nino dipped his wife and kissed her solidly. They came up for air and were instantly greeted with cheers.

And then screams.

"Akuma! There's an Akuma in the building!"