oOoOo
Forget me not (because I will)
("Sometimes you just have to jump. Regardless of the consequences. Regardless of who you might hurt.")
oOoOo
Marinette had never been to Kagami's home before – they had only ever met in cafes, but she knew it must have been a lavish mansion, not unlike Adrien's.
She had been wrong. While Kagami's home might have been a mansion, it looked more modern than the Agreste residence.
Modern and minimalist.
It fit her perfectly.
Marinette hadn't teleported into Kagami's room directly – it had seemed rude. And wrong – she didn't want to violate her privacy – but she had to make sure she wasn't seen either. Luckily, the Tsurugi's gardens were in full bloom and gave plenty of opportunities for her to sneak through a portal unnoticed.
She texted Kagami to let her know to open her window – she didn't know where her room was – and after five minutes or less Marinette catapulted herself into a vast room – she didn't look at Kagami. She didn't say anything either.
This was it.
She was going to do it.
Dividing Tikki and Kaalki, Marinette took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Letting go of the horse, she was already rummaged through her bag before the transformation had fully vanished.
"Your snack, Kaalki – eat up, we'll have to leave soon."
Kaalki nodded – for once not saying anything. Kaalki may have been self-centered, but even she realized this was o time for that.
Finally, after watching Kaalki float away, she turned to Kagami, facing the fencer with a stern look – just to be met with the same expression.
Of course, Kagami wouldn't be surprised. Kagami never was surprised – she was determined and fierce and anything a Ladybug needed to be.
"Marinette."
"Kagami."
"What brings you to my room in the middle of the night?"
Marinette winced at that – it was late evening that much was true – but she had hoped Chat may stop by.
Really, really hoped.
He hadn't.
And then she had needed to make sure her parents had gone to sleep and that no one was watching her and – anyway.
She had a reason.
"Kagami, I – I need to ask a favor of you."
She had always admired Kagami – had felt inadequate at times, even. She was everything Marinette aspired to be, everything people thought Ladybug to be. Strong. Confident. Self-assured and an expert fighter.
To top it all off, she even looked a bit like her.
Kagami was the perfect choice. Even Chat Noir had liked her! Had flirted with her! She'd be fine and he – he'd be fine, too.
And she – she wouldn't remember, so she didn't really matter, did she?
"Kagami I – I need you to become the next Ladybug."
.o.O.o.
Marinette had chosen an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Paris as their training grounds – far away from anyone, should things go awry. She was carrying three different Miraculous after all – the Ladybug, the Horse and the Turtle. Kagami would use the Ladybug Miraculous and Marinette would use the Turtle Miraculous. She wanted to train Kagami slowly – and using a mostly defensive Miraculous seemed to be the best option she currently had.
Marinette divided a second time that day, solemnly, unwillingly.
It felt final. It all felt so, so final.
With a nod, Kaalki disappeared into some silent corner to rest. She'd have to use her ability two more times before she was done for the time – the Kwami needed as much rest as possible if Marinette wanted to get Kagami and her back unnoticed.
"I've chosen this secrecy to stop Hawkmoth from finding out your identity", she explained:"You've seen what he does once he knows. I'd never wish anything like it onto you."
Marinette smiled sadly – a gesture reciprocated by Kagami, though it looked awkward and forced.
For all her faults, no one could ever blame Kagami for not trying.
"Thanks again for joining me – I know it's late, but – this is important."
"It's my pleasure, Marinette – or Ladybug? Anything for a friend – anything for this city."
Everything for the city.
Paris was more important than anything else.
"That's why I've called you here – I – I cannot be Ladybug anymore. Hawkmoth knows who I am. He can target me and he does and-"
Marinette closed her eyes for a few seconds, trying to regain her calm – she had written this speech out, had rehearsed it, because the last thing she needed were her pesky emotions to get into the way and yet, here they were.
She had wallowed in self-pity enough. She had a plan – now all she needed to do was properly execute it.
"I have chosen you for your skills and trustworthiness. You do not need to accept, however I want you to take over my role as Ladybug – and Guardian. To ensure no one knows her identity anymore."
Kagami nodded, then her eyes narrowed.
"Won't people suspect me? They will recognize any other girl being Ladybug and Hawkmoth knows that we're friends."
Marinette faltered in her steps, the echo vanishing at once.
They did. But Marinette couldn't trust anyone else. And she had planned for this already – plus, the quantum masking might throw people off-guard.
"You can ask Tikki to style your hair in pigtails."
Marinette whirled around, when she realized what that sounded like.
"N-Not that anything is wrong with the way you're styling it right now! Or with your taste in clothes! But-If we keep the suit design and hairstyle for now, adding the Miraculous Glamour on top, hardly anyone will notice there's a new Ladybug in town – and we have to keep it like that for some time. And you can use the Fox Miraculous to create illusions to throw people off-guard and use the Horse Miraculous to get to different places! Well – sometimes..."
Marinette averted her gaze, before huffing and sitting down, patting the space next to her. Without hesitation, Kagami followed the gesture and sat down next to her, watching her expectantly.
"Spots off", Marinette murmured resigned. Saying it now felt...sort of final. She was on a counter now – a month, maybe two, and she would say it for the last time.
But that time wasn't yet and she had to concentrate on the present.
"This is your Kwami, Marinette?", Kagami asked, as her friend was opening up some files on her phone.
"Yeah, yeah, she's called Tikki...", Marinette said, her tongue poking out of her mouth. She had always been bad with passwords and this information could under no circumstances leave this building.
"I am honored to meet you, Tikki. May I ask what kind of food you require? Longg liked Watermelon."
Tikki glanced at Marinette for a second, a question in her gaze, before shaking her head and sweetly smiling at Kagami.
"Cookies. I like cookies – especially chocolate cookies. Macarons, but anything sweet will do. I'm looking forward to working with you!"
Kagami tilted her head in agreement, before focusing on Marinette again, who triumphantly exclaimed:"Aha!"
She turned to face Kagami and smiled brightly, tilting her phone so that Kagami could see it.
"As an additional layer of protection I have searched Instagram, looking for other girls that could pass as me – and here they are!"
She had scoured the entire internet for ten more girls that were around her age, looked a bit like her and, on a surface level, would make good candidates for Ladybug.
"We will use the Fox Miraculous to create some illusions – make them seem sketchy. Maybe show me – as an illusion – and them – also as an illusion – in the same area! Nothing too obvious, just to spread rumors. And then, two months after you started as Ladybug you can change your suit and style and just be yourself – well, maybe you should behave a bit differently – n-n-not that there's anything wrong with the way you act or anything! Y-You're amazing and my friend and..."
"...and that is why Hawkmoth might suspect me", Kagami interrupted her, smiling softly.
"I understand, Marinette. I am your friend and we cannot risk Hawkmoth finding out my identity because of our friendship. Don't worry. I can change the way I act. I even used acontractions just now!"
Kagami beamed at Marinette after that confession and Marinette stared at her in bewilderment.
She shouldn't make fun of Kagami. She was doing her a favor. The biggest favor anyone could do her – being Ladybug was a time-consuming responsibility at the best of times and a down-right burden at the worst.
But Kagami would do great. She'd thrive, even – perhaps, being able to rebel against her mother might help her out even, in the long run.
Putting her bag aside – holding food for the Kwami, for them and, of course, the last Miraculous – Marinette put her hands on her hips. It was time.
"Any more questions before we start practicing?"
"May I ask why you do not simply ask one of these girls?"
"Huh?"
"If they fulfill all the requirements needed to become a suitable Ladybug, then why risk choosing me? You are not affiliated with any of them – Hawkmoth would have no chance of figuring out their identities."
At that Marinette, fell silent.
Maybe it'd be safer. But she didn't know them – and quite frankly, she neither had time nor energy to get to know them. It didn't matter if they were a good Ladybug or not – but she had to make sure they'd care about Paris. About their role as hero.
About Ladybug.
Kagami may be a risky choice – but she was the right choice. For everyone.
Chat had flirted with her, after all. Marinette didn't like that she was jealous now – she didn't get to be jealous of anyone Chat liked, especially not now – but it meant he cared for her. It meant he – he'd be able to move on – if he didn't already have – it meant he wouldn't miss her forever-
-because Marinette really hoped he did, not because she wanted to hurt him but-but because she would miss him, even if she didn't remember-
-and it meant that, maybe – maybe he could forgive her – eventually – for what she had done?
"I can't trust them."
Kagami didn't need to know that.
"Any more questions?"
Her voice sounded shrill and teary and she was grateful for the cold professionalism Kagami displayed.
"What about eye color?"
Marinette frowned. She hadn't though of that.
"Tikki? Can you alter that too?"
"Uh? I don't think so? I may be able to put some more glamour on her eyes so no one notices though?"
"Hm, we'll have to try that – if it doesn't work, have you ever tried contact lenses?"
Kagami shook her head.
"No. But I will buy some and try them out, in case they are needed."
"Great – any more questions?"
"No."
"Well, then..."
Marinette got up, practically jumping to her feet as she reached to remove her earrings.
And faltered immediately. Nervous eyes fluttered from Tikki to Kagami who had followed her example and had gotten up as well. Any nervous excitement Marinette had felt earlier was gone at once.
This was real. They were doing this. In a month or two (or maybe three) – she wouldn't remember any of this.
It was a difficult thought to swallow. It made her shake and tremble – she didn't want to forget Tikki. Chat. Her time as Ladybug. She didn't want to have to give this up and it wasn't fair that because of one simple mistake her world had come crashing down.
It wasn't fair.
"Tikki. I renounce you."
With a proud smile, Tikki vanished from the air, into the Miraculous, and a shiver went through Marinette's entire body.
She tried to mask it by clapping her hands and commenting on how chilly it was in the abandoned warehouse.
"Lets get started, shall we?"
Kagami may have hesitated – Kagami! Hesitated! – but she had nodded. Hadn't said anything about the tears welling up in her eyes and Marinette was forever thankful for that.
Just letting everyone know that the next few chapters will be pretty short from here on out. Please leave a review if you enjoyed!