Chapter One
Ever since Lila's arrival, things couldn't have been more different than the way that they were before. Once again, Marinette is drained from all her energy as she begins the lonely walk home from a long day of school, her only reprieve is that it's a Friday. She drags her feet across the pale pavement, thinking about all that had changed.
To start with, the seat chart. This was constantly altered to suit Lila's fabricated needs and although this was a battle that Marinette had stopped fighting, it still saddened her to see her classmates and ex-favourite teacher strung along in such a fashion. The rest of the class were unaffected as their chosen seats were never trifled with because Lila was too smart for that and knew she would lose followers if they were unsatisfied. No, it was just Marinette forced to move to the from the front to the back again and again like a puppet, and you can guess who is holding the strings. She can't, for the life of her, figure out how Lila has such a grasp on everyone…even Adrien.
Oh, Adrien. It seems like just yesterday that he had held her shoulder, looked at her with those piercing green eyes and said that Lila doesn't matter, that she wasn't hurting anyone, that she was irrelevant because they were both in this together. All they had to do was take the high road at someday, karma would rear its head and that sausage-haired vixen would get what she deserves. Marinette had started to give up on that dream when she got expelled, and it shrivelled up and died altogether when she walked into the classroom one day to find Adrien, sitting at the back, next to her bully without a care in the world. That is how the seating chart issue was "fixed", for the time being. As long as Lila was next to Adrien, she caused less trouble, that didn't make Marinette any happier, though.
Her shoulders slump as she recalls the events of last period. It was supposed to be a study period, as they were facing their end of the year exams soon but as Marinette's grades were good and she had her heart set on design colleges in here in Paris (fingers crossed for Parsons) she spent her free time and study periods was sketching. She was trying to work on her latest design for Jagged Stone; this time he wanted a "rock'n'roll" hat. It was hard to balance it all – class president, commissions, her social life and of course, being Ladybug. The poor girl used to get burnt out every other day with no one to help her, then she realised she had little gods literally in her pocket. So, with the help of Fluff, she set up her online brand MDC and let her take care of managing schedules. This left Marinette a little less stressed, and was able to relaxing moments like this.
Unfortunately, the peaceful atmosphere was not to last. There are days or periods were Adrien is absent from the class due to his commitments as a model, and unfortunately today was one of those days. Lila would, more often than not, be called out of class as well, sending a smirk to Marinette on the way past. But it would seem that ladybugs are not as lucky as they were perceived, or maybe, her luck has taken a turn for the worst due to a certain black cat she knows because today, Adrien was gone and Lila stayed.
Chaos ensued.
Lila, not being able to handle not being the centre of attention for one damn second, shouted out to Miss Bustier in that shrill voice of hers, that her "tinnitus is flaring up again" and that "surely the class president isn't selfish enough to not cater towards students with a disability". As usual, all eyes turned to the class president in question, and when seeing her hesitation, reprimanded her. No one defended her, not even her best friend Alya. She was forced to switched seats. Again. Alone at the back. Again. With everyone in the room believing that she is the bully and not the victim. Again. It is so hard to deal with. Needless to say, when the bell rang, Marinette couldn't get out of there fast enough.
The blue haired girl bit her lip as she enters the bakery before quickly flashing a fake smile to her parents and practically running to her room for some reprieve. It's a good thing that the bakery has been busier than ever, with several celebrities spotted visiting, even Chat Noir. They didn't have time for her anymore. She fiercely shook her head of those negative thoughts, she was so proud of her parents, they are the people that inspire her to be the best Ladybug she can be, and the best Marinette.
She slides into her office chair, staring at the walls. The many different pictures of Adrien's smiling face state right back at her. Her cheeks puff as her face pulls into a grimace. She knows all the smiles are fake, Adrien's real smile has been engraved in her mind after all. The smile he gave her when he handed her his umbrella, and stole her heart. This smile pales in comparison and it makes her almost angry to look at, but it all she has of him now. She knows modelling is not even something he wants to do. She sighs. That issue she has reluctantly (with the help of Tikki) accepted that she can do nothing about, and decided to instead, make his life a little easier by talking to him more, being friendly and as helpful as she can. He's paid her back by ignoring her, replacing her for Lila.
Just like everyone else.
Tears prick in her eyes as she continues staring at the posters of Adrien. She really should just bring them down, replace them even. But she just can't bring herself to. She drags an arm over her eyes, not wanting to get overwhelmed with negative thoughts, she could really use a distraction.
As if on cue, Tikki and the rest of the kwami fly out their hiding places, and start to swarm to greet her. They pause, seeing her sad face and fall over themselves trying to comfort her. The wiser kwami, Tikki, Sass and Wazz, do their best to hold them off. Marinette snaps out of her stupor, giggling a little at them.
"Isss everything alright, Guardian" Sass inquires after the rabble of kwamis have calmed down a bit.
"Yes Sass, I'm alright" she casts one last glance over the posters before giving the kwamis her full focus "and I've told you before, you can call me Marinette!"
"I-it would be most improper to-" Wazz splutters before she waves her hand, cutting him off.
"I have been thinking, have I really been the best Ladybug I can be?" she asks, cocking her head.
"Of course!" "Yes!" "Obviously!" the kwami, yet again call over each other and Marinette gives them a look and they fall silent.
"Listen, I know the Order of the Guardians don't usually come to kwamis for advice, I know this is improper but I think of you guys as my friends, not just tools, I want all of you to be honest with me with no bias from now on".
They all exchange looks, a bit reluctant at first. Tikki is the first one to speak, flying over to nuzzle the cheek of her holder.
"Well I think that's a wonderful idea, truly inspired!" the other kwamis smile at this and eagerly "What's on your mind Marinette?"
"With all the terror that Lila has been causing, I've had a lot of time to myself, I've been basically forced to look inward at my own mistakes...which I regret to say is something I may not have done otherwise" she gets up from her chair, pacing across her pink room.
"Think about it, first off, I haven't been too lenient when it comes to picking out people to wield a miraculous, as well as the fact that picking them out solely from my class is very dangerous!"
This time Trixx pipes up, smiling mischievously "does this mean that our previous holders are no longer worthy Marinette? I can come up of a list of punishments for them if you would like?"
The teen in question giggles at this, pausing in thought before grabbing a piece of paper and pen from her desk.
"I don't think that will be necessary, not yet anyway. For now, we will write down fundamental criteria that one needs for their character to be a miraculous. We will refer to this sheet and pick someone truly worthy when we need a new miraculous. When they become holders, this goes for the current holders too, if they can't live up to this criteria, as heroes or in their civilian lives...we will take action and strip them of that privilege. Any questions?".
The kwamis eyes widen, seeing Marinette's determined face, before erupting into cheers and making suggestions for the necessary criteria.
"They should be kind! To people and kwami alike! Oh and creative! Like you, Marinette" Tikki says
"Also brave and tough!" Wazz chimes in.
"But not afraid to be kind and stand up for others!" Fluff adds.
"And smart! And not easily manipulated!" Trixx supplies.
"They sssshould not take their responsibilities to lightly" Sass agrees "and also important-"
"They cannot let the power get to their heads" Queenie finishes with a dark look in her eye.
This continues late into the night until they are all satisfied.
"Alright!" Marinette declares, popping the sheet of paper in the miracle box, putting it back in its hiding place, then grins at each of the kwamis "let's put the holders to test, shall we?"
They agree, saying goodnight one by one and flying back into the hidden box until only Tikki remains.
"I'm really proud of you, it isn't easy to identify your flaws and make a change, you really are the best Ladybug ever!" she flies over giving Marinette the best hug she can.
"Thank you Tikki" she says as she pats the little red mouse-bug on the head.
"Now let's get some rest, you need to finish your commission tomorrow!" Tikki starts to fly over to her spot on the bed.
"Oh, not yet Tikki" the kwami stops, looking over at Marinette curiously. Her blue eyes are set and a slow smile makes its way onto her face, her Ladybug side truly showing in this moment.
Marinette pulls out her secret sketchbook, at first using it to design herself a suit she can wear come winter, and a hat and scarf for Chat too. Now, she realises she can use it for so much more.
"What do you think about a new suit for Ladybug?"