Chapter | Thirty-Three

The seasons changed as fast as they came, at least that's how it felt in New York. In a blink of an eye five months had past since what the media named the blip. Life was different now, not as fast, not as busy. There was a weird normal, a calm that hadn't been there before. Chloe watched it all happened with her friends, felt it herself, watched it happen all unfold in the new normalcy the public was trying to balance.

Yet the one person Chloe was the most worried about had surprised her. Marinette was trying her best, in the past five months she definitely had her highs and her lows. Some days she would be okay, happy. Others you wouldn't be able to get her to eat a single bite of food. Yet she was trying, and that was all she could really do.

Chloe would never know what caused the change, but Plagg and some of the other kwamis had been more there. They kept Marinette company when she decided that she would live at the Parker residence, Luka also moving in with her despite Marinette wanting to be alone. It took only a few weeks for Chloe to just cancel her lease, since a lot of apartments were letting tenants go out of contract due to the blip and understanding that people were just trying to get life back together.

It made it easier for Marinette and the kwami's to be out fully, and she had dived head first into the books from the Sanctum and what was left by Master Fu. Chloe often watched with Nino, Luka and Adrien as the kwami's buzzed around Marinette, probably not even noticing the comfort they gave her while she read in Peter's room. It had been decided that Chloe would stay in May's room, with an air mattress for Adrien on the floor, and Luka with Nino slept in the living room where they bought a pull out bed and crashed there.

Adrien had wanted Marinette to have her privacy, but they all knew the blonde was worried about her. Especially on the days it got bad where she would lay in the dark curled up on Peter's bed. Adrien got to see Marinette fall in love, got to see her at her best points in life and was currently helping her through hers. The roughest one had been graduation day, Adrien been the chosen one to go check on her when she hadn't gotten up to get ready. They had known it was coming when her energy started to get low, they had learned as a collective group to read Marinette like a book now that she wasn't pushing people away.

It's why it was today was a particular day that caused worry when Marinette didn't leave her room. Chloe and Luka were ready to go talk to her, but ultimately Adrien was the one who knocked softly on the door just to receive no response.

"Hey Mari." Adrien knocked on Peter's door softly once again, nudging it open slowly. The room was dark with bits of sunshine coming through the closed curtains. No one really came into this room, it was her last piece of Peter. Like something sacred for Marinette, and out of respect no one entered.

Yet Adrien noticed the dust collecting and how certain things remained untouched. Things that were probably the last items Peter ever touched, and it broke Adrien's heart for his friend who was currently trying to muffle her sobs in a way he used to with his father. Her face buried into a pillow, body curling into a fetal position. A emotional position Adrien would never wish on anyone.

Adrien didn't care then about slow movements, because he remembered wanting to be comforted. To want a hug and told everything would be okay, even when the world was falling apart around him. Today was one of those low days, where everything was feeling like it was falling apart and it was never going to get better for her.

Sitting on the bed, Adrien let her be for a few moments before bumping her elbow with his. It was their thing they did, she did it back to him when he was having a bad day too. He looked around for a second, green eyes landing of a framed photo of Peter and Marinette smiling in the Avenger's tower.

He hadn't seen that same smile in the months since the blimp, and he wondered if he ever would again. Sure he was her black cat to her ladybug, the yin to her yang. Peter... he had been her soulmate in every terms. She seemed complete, and so uncaringly happy despite the loss she had faced. Peter had brought Marinette out of her Ladybug shell, but now she was in a shell no one had experienced from her before.

''Today is the day. You're gonna walk that stage and get that diploma." Adrien was proud of her, because despite all things, Marinette had worked hard to pass her classes. There had been nights of tears as she did science homework, the urge to give up, but she never did.

"I can't." Marinette choked out in a broken whisper, turning around to face the blonde. Her blue eyes were red where the white was from her crying. Part of her face was still hidden by the pillow, but it was enough.

Adrien cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb over her cheek bone, "Yes you can. You worked hard to do this, and it wasn't even all for yourself."

She had made promises to Peter, promises that she would experience normal experiences like prom, driving and graduation. Prom had been an experience, one where someone had spiked the punch and well Marinette had a grand time until the water works of emotions and being picked up by Tony. He had asked her not to go down that path, not to drown her sorrows when she admitted the numbness was kind of nice. Happy had been the one to teach them all to legally drive, even taking them to the DMV. Which was why she made good on her promise to live some normalcy, even if her heart ached the whole time as she did them without Peter.

"He was supposed to be here with me." It was the loss in her tone that broke his heart, because no matter how hard he or Luka tried to be there for Marinette they could never compare to Peter. "We were supposed to walk that stage together. I went to that school just for him, to do things with him. Together, and now what's the point? He's gone."

The haunted look in her eyes told him that she was remembering the day he was blimped. It was something he wished he could take away, despite himself seeing people float away as dust particles. He had been lucky that not someone he truly cared about was dusted, or he would probably be this upset too. Yet he knew she needed to feel all of this, it was a path to heal. It was vital for Marinette to go through these motions, to feel and understand what she felt. It was the unlucky side effect that she knew how to hide her emotions too well.

Adrien turned her cheek slightly to rejust her gaze since she looked away, leaning forward and pressing his forehead against hers. "He would have been proud of you today. That's why you're going to get up, get ready and walk down that stage like he is watching. Because he is, somewhere, somehow."

It was what Adrien liked to personally believe when it came to his mom, that somehow she was watching over him. It gave him some peace of mind, it was all he had of her left truly. Yet somehow those were the words that jolted Marinette out of her funk. Despite still seeing some of the reminisce of her sadness in those blue eyes, Adrien was greeted with the world's smallest wobbly unsure smile.

"Okay." Was all Marinette said, sitting up and looking at the wall. Her blue eyes glanced to the side, where the photo was at. "I can't bring myself to clean, knowing it will take whatever is left of Peter away. I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry Bug?" Adrien frowned, there was nothing to apologize for.

Marinette shrugged like a little kid, "I feel like I disregard you and the others emotions, because you guys have gone through things too...but I don't know."

"Your parents were murdered, then you were kidnapped, lost Tikki, literally was mind controlled then watched the boy you fell in love with float away in dust particles while being in outer space." Adrien was sitting up right next to her, hand on hers. "You have nothing to apologize for, not when you're human. You have every right to feel emotions, to have good days and bad days. You are more than your duty, more than being a Guardian. You have to enjoy your life, good and bad. Promise me one thing Marinette, please."

Marinette's eyes were glassy as she looked into Adrien's green eyes, her heart swelling with love for her alley cat at his reassuring words, "What is it?"

"Anything you need to talk about, you come to me. Any time, I am always here for you." Adrien bumped her shoulder softly, "We aren't in Paris anymore, you don't have to burden yourself with everything. Not ever again."

Marinette nodded, "Okay you mangey cat, I promise."

Luka had taken up the training within the Mystic Arts, which he was a natural at. It was a nice distraction, giving him a purpose in a way. He was impressing Wong, who had taken both him and Nino under his wing. Nino would read the grimoires at a slower pace, which was why Wong didn't really worry about him. Luka read fast though, almost keeping up with Marinette. Luka had been a quick learner, his mind absorbed information like a sponge. Wong would say he was a natural, but Luka would comment that it was because he was calm and welcomed the energy in.

It gave him a new understanding on Marinette, he watched as she would struggle to contain her emotions with Wong. Sometimes things were said, and it wasn't easy to hear. According to Wong, Marinette was Stephen's pupil. She was the one student Stephen held dear, and it was always difficult for Wong to understand. She didn't just know the ways of the Mystic Arts, she had raw power of Creation. More a witch than a wizard, or whatever it was they were. Luka was still trying to understand all the terminology.

"We also have a duty to keep her powers in line." Wong had told both him and Nino, "She may be the Guardian of the Miraculous, wielding the powers of creation as a whole. She could be seen by enemies as a witch, people who would seek her out to cause harm or use her power."

Luka had looked up at Wong, the same time as Nino. Yet it was Nino who spoke. "What if she can't come back from this? Peter, he was her lifeline and I'm sure Stephen was like her second father figure. Sometimes she can't control the magic. We've watched her struggle."

"And you fear for her safety, and yours." Wong could hear the concern for the girl. It was the same one he had after she lost her parents, once she was combined with creation magic forever. Creation magic being was too close to chaos magic. The mere difference of creation magic being the one more controlled magic of the two. "Just because someone stumbles, or loses their way doesn't mean they're lost forever."

Wong looked both young men in the eyes, two men who will leave their marks on this world. "Sometimes we all need a little help. It's the greatest gift we have, to bear their pain without breaking. And it's born out the most pure of heart, hope."

"What if she doesn't let herself share that pain?" Nino asks, because he knew Marinette. Yet so did Wong.

"Marinette is stubborn, but this time will be different." Wong would never know what Stephen saw in his vision before Bruce Banner arrived with news about Thanos. What he did remember was that Stephen had spoken to Marinette in private, and she left upset. When he asked why, Stephen only told him that she had a part to play in this world, and he clued her in.

"So we just trust in your words?" Luka questions, eyebrow raised slightly.

Wong merely shook his head, "We are protectors of this world, of this reality. We have a duty to fulfill, a reason to exist. We are the line of defense when people like Thanos comes and threatens our reality. We failed, yes, but it changes nothing of why we are here."

"If we need to subdue Mari, you mean." Nino corrected.

"No." Wong shook is head, "Stephen and Marinette were deep in their training, she has a good grip on her powers. It's her heart that is broken, that needs mending. Once her heart is mended, the control will be easier."

Luka also knew it didn't help that before they'd have to suppress their emotions in Paris. It didn't help that when Marinette let herself feel, she had to reteach herself limits. It wasn't fair to her to lose, and not only that but also lose a grip on those emotions after all these years. She deserved to feel it all, just like everyone else did that caused them to be akumatized. Luka had a deep respect for Marinette, the girl who went so long without feeling.

Luka and Nino met eyes in the same moment, almost thinking the same thing. "We can ask her to spare."

It was a mutual way for them to train, and in return for Marinette to release pent up energies. It was one of the safest outlets for their friend, and the general public.

Three Years Later

July 9th had become a rough day for Marinette, a day where she used to celebrate her existence with people she loved. The past three years had been harder for her to find joy in simply existing. There was still nights she would drown in her nightmare, night she wanted it all over. The difference now is that she found new reasons to keep going that didn't heavily rely on the pure reason she was the Guardian.

The day Morgan Stark was born, there was a shift in the world and in Marinette. Marinette had been at the small wall of the Vanished in New York when her phone buzzed with a text from Luka- telling her that Pepper had gone into labor. Her finger traced Peter's name, blue eyes unblinking. There were no tears, no whispers. She leaned forward slowly, pressing a kiss to the name that suffocated her heart at times and turned around to leave. It had only taken her an hour to get to the hospital Tony said that Pepper would be at.

By the time she did get there, Tony and Pepper were proud parents of a baby girl. She had walked into their room, the two older adults with tears in their eyes as they looked over the tiny bundle in Pepper's arms looking proud. Her heart swelled at the sight, emotions overwhelming when Pepper beckoned her over with a gleaming smile.

"Marinette, meet Morgan Stark." Pepper smiled, then lowered her tone as she whispered to the baby, "Morgan, meet your big sister Marinette."

Marinette felt the tears come to her eyes again, "Sister?"

Tony had come around, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "I know you were Stephen's to claim, but now you're mine to claim with Pepper. I would love to have you in Morgan's life, we both would."

Marinette was at a loss for words, but she nodded her head with ugly tears running down her face. She was more than honored, and when her eyes fell on that little pink bundle in Pepper's arms she swore that she would protect that little girl. Morgan Stark would never know any pain, not if Marinette could help it. She would protect her like Peter would have, protect her how Marinette wished she protected everyone else.

That day a weight was taken off Marinette's shoulders. Plagg believed because the need to protect something, someone had now been fulfilled and balanced out. The little girl was the new anchor for Marinette and ever since then Marinette had been more level headed and was focused and moving on little by little with no draw backs.

Morgan Stark was only two and a half years old, she had a whole life to grow in. Marinette had held that little girl and promised she would protect her like Peter would have. She would be the sister that would protect Morgan from the evil in the world. When Morgan was born, a weight had been lifted off Marinette suddenly.

That was why birthday number four without her parents, without her grandma, or Peter or Aunt May had been more bearable than the last three. When Chloe called to ask Marinette what she wanted to do for her special day, Marinette surprised Chloe with an actual answer.

"Brunch."

"Brunch?" Chloe sounded surprised at getting an actual answer this year. In the past three years Marinette had wanted nothing to do, always leaving it up to Chloe to plan where she would be dragged the whole day in name of celebration. Marinette had in fact,. never wanted to do anything for her birthday since she left Paris but this whole year had been different.

It was the first time that the summer air was warm and pleasant, where the world didn't seem too bad. It had taken a few years, but Marinette had accepted how life was. She could only live for the future, look ahead and live for the ones she lost. She knew it was something Peter would have wanted for her to do, to continue on.

In fact, she had started to design again. Not on the sense of fashion, as much as she had loved fashion, that was something of the past. Now she help design suits for Stark Industries, having learned the science and engineering the best she could. Adrien was the one who helped her more for the science aspect. The had recreated a suit in honor of Peter, one that was placed on display for fallen heroes. It had been a tougher project, but he deserved to be known for what he sacrificed.

Her heart wasn't suffocating anymore, she was okay that the world may never return to the way it was. She had Steve to thank for inviting her to the support group he started, it helped her connect with others who had lost too, to connect and grieve with others. In a weird way, it was therapeutic and it just simply helped her move day by day.

Tony had decided to move out of the city with Pepper and Morgan, even offered Marinette to come, but she declined. She was instant on staying in the Parker apartment, but the day had come when she looked at Peter's room to see how dirty it was. Grabbing a cloth, she gently moved items around for the first time to dust them and dust the area they sat on. Finally wiping away the last things Peter had touched, but in attempts to finally preserve the items that were once his.

Yet the day had passed rather quickly after brunch and doing errands with Morgan that involved going to build-a-bear with Pepper. There's nothing more that Marinette could ask for. The day ended with a birthday dinner with Chloe, Adrien, Luka and Nino. They shared stories, memories of all spectrums. Even the kwami's pitch in stories, seeing that it had only been their group in the park enjoying as the sun set in the west.

Marinette came home alone that night, getting dropped off by Chloe seeing as the other insisted on going out a little later. Luka didn't, but Marinette insisted he go flirt with girls and guys. She was personally just tired, just wanting a shower and sleep before work tomorrow seeing as it was a Tuesday. Everything had almost been normal, almost.

That was until she sensed something off inside the apartment as she kicked the door closed behind her. It was the similar feeling of her magic, but something darker. She made no indication that she knew there was an intruder in her home, and it slightly pissed her off that this person dared enter Peter's home without an invitation. Yet she decided to make it known she knew that the person was there before the intruder believed they had the upper hand here.

"So are you just going to stay in the shadows or come out and say hello?" Marinette asked, raising her eyebrow with her question as she hung her purse up.

She felt the aura of the person move closer, an aura so hauntingly familiar like a memory. Her blue eyes closed softly, focused in on the energy moving from the kitchen area towards her. It took a few moments for her brain to wreck through her memories, this aura was shoved down from her time with Lucas. She was glad he was dead, and now she could admit that without guilt. Slowly her blue eyes opened back up, and without turning back towards the person, Marinette kept walking to toss her keys into the tray on the table.

"Hello Agatha." Marinette chirped, finally turning to look at the dark haired woman.

"You remember me." It wasn't a question, more of an observation coming from Agatha. "Color me impressed my dear, since last we met you weren't quite yourself."

Marinette's lips curled into a small mirthful smile, the memories flashing during her time with Lucas once again. "No, I wasn't. I also don't mean to be rude, but why are you here?"

Agatha's smile she wore held no hidden intentions, none that Marinette could see. Wong had warned her of the dark witch who was known over the centuries of stealing magic, and Marinette knew the only one who it could be was the woman before her. Agatha leaked dark magic, reeked with it, and it made her creation magic flutter in reaction.

"I'm not here for you or your powers, if I was then I would have made my life easier and took them back then. I only take from the undeserving." She took a step forward, her eyes meeting Marinette's. "I haven't met many who are deserving, which is why you're interesting."

"So you've been watching me?" Marinette raised a perfect eyebrow, curious now, "What does make me deserving?" The quotation with her fingers was just a habit, but it help emphasize her question.

Agatha offered a wicked smile, "You're a witch of creation, not truly meant for the Mystic Arts. You, my dear, have untapped potential."

"A witch?" A laugh almost left Marinette's lips, because it was almost laughable. She gotten her magic solely because of Tikki, but then again Wanda had gotten hers from the Mind Stone. Maybe there wasn't much of a difference, but was Wanda considered a witch then?

Agatha wagged her finger in the air, "You're interesting, because you come from a sense of duty. What makes you deserving is what you stand for, balance. Your whole purpose for breathing is to make sure the chaos magic in this world stays balanced. The world will need that, especially if legends are true about the Scarlet Witch."

"The Scarlet Witch?" Marinette frowned at the thought of another enemy, "Who?"

No answer was given, only Agatha waving a hand in the air and summoning a book. A book that reeked of dark magic that nearly made Marinette sick when it appeared, a book that was surely to tip any shred of balance.

"The Dark Hold." Marinette breathed, eyes widening slightly. This was the book that was missing from the Sanctum, why did Agatha have it? Maybe she had been too quick to judge almost in favor of this older woman.

"The Dark Hold, yes my dear." Agatha simply confirms it, causing Marinette's frown to deepen.

"The Dark Hold corrupts anyone who reads it, it's the book of the damned." Marinette reminded the woman, who happened to be a witch in dark magic. "Why are you even here? I have no interest in anything in that damned book or what it may offer."

Agatha arches a perfect eyebrow, "Are you sure? Even if it may have answers of bringing people back? Of theories of the multiverse, where anything is possible? What if to have a better grasp on magic, seeing as your two teachers are nothing more than dust particles with your boyfriend. Whoops that was a little harsh, wasn't sweetheart?"

She was uttering out promises of things that could never happen, no matter the temptations they held for Marinette while dissing her. Astonishing really, Marinette was trying to keep up with the whiplash emotions and what Agatha was sputtering. Of course she would do anything to bring back Peter, or Stephen, and anyone else. The multiverse was a theory, a mere thought of concept- the idea that there were different realities with different versions of themselves leading different lives. The offer to learn more magic, like Wanda was teaching- it was music to her ears. Not this type of magic that whispered to her, like the darkest temptation to drown herself in it's knowledge.

All these things would throw off the natural balance of this world, and Tikki had asked her to do right by this world. That had been her last wish, one that Marinette held onto so dearly because without Tikki- well Marinette wouldn't be here today. Anything to do with the Dark Hold would be a slap in Tikki's face, almost as taboo as combining the Cat Miraculous with the Ladybug miraculous. Not that was really an option for anyone anymore.

"And then what? All magic comes with a price to pay." Marinette's blue eyes narrowed on the book, "And whatever price has to be paid for that book, isn't worth it. It will throw off any natural order."

"Like Thanos snapping held any natural order. Come on Marinette." Agatha took a step forward, watching as Marinette's eyes flashed gold in warning.

"I need you to leave." Marinette tells her, "Leave and leave me alone. This magic, it's not something I want to be associated with."

Agatha went to say something else, then closed her mouth a nodded as she looked Marinette over again. Understanding in a way, "Watch out for the Scarlet Witch. Chaos always will throw off the balance."

With a sweep of her hand, a magic engulfed Agatha, leaving a jewelry box in her wake. Curious and sensing no dark magic around the box, Marinette picked it up and opened it gently. In it a ring was placed, an oval ring with three woman almost popping out.

Almost like a crest.

"Weird." Marinette muttered, shaking her head and waiting a moment to see if she could sense Agatha again. When she didn't, Marinette made her way back into Peter's old room to check on the remaining kwami's in her care. They were all back in. the box for now, at least the ones not in use. Every now and then Marinette would wear different ones to bring them outside safely.

"Happy birthday to me I guess."

With that, she tossed that small jewelry box into a drawer without a second thought.

I'm alive, helllooooo!

Sorry for such a delay in an update, writers block is a thing! I think this story is heading towards it end, but I have been debating if I should do a sequel featuring No Way Home, Wandavision, and basically the phase after the Infinity War Saga. That is if this story still have attention and readers who's like me to continue with a sequel ❤️😊

Thank you for the love for this story, I will try to update soon!