Chapter Nine
Alya sat in her room, feeling useless.
She knew she shouldn't be– ever since her sisters had been akumatized she had the opportunity to use a Miraculous– but Ladybug hadn't brought her the Fox Miraculous everytime. Just because she hadn't been a part of today's akuma fight didn't mean anything.
Except for Rena Rouge had been a part of every fight recently– especially since Blue Wing had first appeared. Seeing Ladybug out there fighting on her own, against three enemies... it had felt so wrong. She should have been there, fighting alongside Ladybug. She shouldn't have been alone, she should have been able to fight... but if Ladybug felt like she didn't need her help this time, then who was she to doubt?
This was Ladybug after all. This wasn't the first time she had faced an akuma with poor odds– but as Lady Luck there was nothing she couldn't handle. This hadn't been the first time she hadn't called on Rena Rouge, and it wouldn't be the last.
These thoughts didn't reassure her doubts, Alya feeling like she hadn't been able to help anyone today.
Marinette had come to school a mess– shaky and jumpy– and it was not like her normal stuttery-self. Something had happened– yet she couldn't get a word out of Marinette of what it had been. Her friend had just shook her head and seemed like she would cry if pushed– and so Alya hadn't pressed her despite wanting answers.
Her mind had tried to think of what could have happened– everything from forgetting homework to another Lila-scenario– but none of them added up. She had been ready to text Marinette's mother to see if she could get some answers as to what had happened, only to find a text from Sabine asking the same thing, and to look after her at school today.
So Alya had done her best to comfort her best friend, but seeing as how Marinette couldn't even look her in the eye she clearly hadn't been doing much. She had just wanted to take her best friend into her arms and whisk all her worries away– except for she didn't even know where to begin.
Alya picked up her phone, fingers tapping across the screen.
hey girl, just wondering how you're doing rn
if you still don't want to talk about it I understand. just want to let you know I'm here for you no matter what.
and if someone's bothering you or anything I'll fight them.
you know I will
sorry, I'm probably blowing up your phone with alerts when you might want to be alone.
just want you to know I'm thinking about you and I'm here for you. I love you, girl.
Alya put down her phone with a sigh, she really was rambling. She hoped that Marinette would see her texts at the very least, even if she didn't want to talk to anyone. Just so she knew that she was there for her.
A few minutes later Alya's phone dinged with a reply.
Thank you. I needed to hear that.
of course, girl! what are best friends for?
"Marinette," Tikki said softly. "We... we can't keep avoiding Master Fu. He needs to know what happened."
"...I know."
"This is hard," Tikki began. "And I understand that, but we can't ignore the fact that the Fox Miraculous is missing, the guardian has to know."
"Yeah," Marinette said weakly, opening up her vanity drawer, searching. "We can go right now, just give me a moment."
The kwami nuzzled her cheek, letting out a reassuring chime-like sound. "Don't worry, Marinette. I'll be right with you the whole time."
Marinette pulled out something from the drawer, mouth dry. "...No. You won't."
Tikki blinked in confusion, before pulling back. Her eyes widened when she saw what was in Marinette's hand, the small box worn and dusty. "Marinette–"
"Tikki, I renounce you," Marinette whispered, reaching a hand up towards her ear. Tikki darted forward, mouth open in protest, but the magic acted first. The small kwami was turned into a burst of pink light, being drawn in towards the earrings, black turning to red as she was pulled within.
Marinette had her eyes closed as she took out the second earring, looking down at the two studs in her hand, the Ladybug earrings looking just like the day she had first found them. She was shaking slightly as she carefully replaced them into the box, positioning them so they were exactly how they were on the day they had been given to her, before closing the box as her eyes stung.
It was time to go see Master Fu.
Marinette didn't say anything to her parents as she headed out, merely grabbing a few of Tikki's favorite cookies for her to have before she went off to a new holder. If Tikki would even want them, maybe they'd just leave a bitter taste with them being from a holder that had failed... but her parents would ask too many questions if she headed back into the bakery, so instead she made her way down the street.
Despite the warmer weather she was wearing a jacket, one with a pocket on the inside. It was there she put Tikki's Miraculous, her hand resting over it the entire trip to Master Fu's massage parlor. Where it couldn't fall out of her hands, where someone couldn't grab it from her, as safe as it could be until she could put it back into the hands of the Guardian– and hopefully into the hands of someone who was worthy to wield it.
Her throat felt tight by the time she found herself outside of the small shop, and she shakily made her way inside, wincing as the small bell rang to tell everyone that she was now here.
"One moment, please!" A voice called from the back room, and Marinette closed her eyes at the sound of Master Fu's voice.
She was so tempted to leave the Miraculous on the front counter and bolt, not wanting to see his face, his disappointment... but she had to do this. She had to face her mistakes, and she had to make sure Tikki was safe before she had to leave the world of magic behind. She tried to stand up tall, to keep her head high, but the panic had already settled into her heart– and so the best she could manage was what she hoped was a neutral expression.
"Marinette!" Master Fu beamed when he saw her, his face lighting up– still trusting her, even though that wouldn't be so for much longer. "I was worried about you, it's been several days."
"I'm sorry, sir," Marinette managed to whisper. A magenta shape appeared on the older man's shoulder, Roaar peering out at them.
Despite her best efforts, Fu seemed to sense her unease, and he gave her a small smile. "Why don't you come on back? I'll make us some tea."
"No thank you," Marinette said softly, and she reached into her pocket, pulling out the box that held Tikki's Miraculous. "I'm... I'm just here to give this back to you."
Master Fu held out his hand, clearly thinking it was the Fox inside, and Marinette felt like something inside of her was breaking as the Ladybug Miraculous was taken from her. She shook slightly, her heart aching in a horror she had not realized she was feeling before. Tears stung her eyes, and she suddenly hated herself for not properly saying goodbye to Tikki.
They didn't seem to notice her horror though, Master Fu having turned before the tears had hit, simply waving for her to follow as he headed into the back. Roaar had dove off of his shoulder, and had phased into her purse, and Marinette started to choke on air.
"I insist," Fu said, his back still towards her. "It's good to rest– something I don't think you get enough of."
Roaar phased out of Marinette's purse, hovering in front of her. "Where's Tikki...? Marinette? Marinette– what's wrong?!"
Fu turned at the sound of panic in his kwami's voice, eyes widening when he saw tears pouring down his student's face, her hands clutching the strap of her coin purse, trembling in silence. He hurried back towards her, hand going to her shoulder– but she flinched back from his touch.
"Marinette?" He asked softly. "Is everything okay?"
"I'm sorry!" Marinette blurted out, the sob she had been trying to hold back being torn from her throat. Her vision blurred, and she felt herself struggling to take in a breath between her words. "I'm– sorry– so sorry– I didn't– I couldn't– I'm sorry–!"
She found herself brought into a hug, and despite feeling that she did not deserve the comfort, she didn't pull away this time. This time no words escaped her, and Marinette began sobbing into Master Fu's shoulder. Roaar hovered nearby, worried, and clearly not sure what to do as the girl broke down.
"It's alright," Fu said softly. "Whatever it is, it will be alright."
"N-no–!" Marinette attempted to speak, trying– needing– to explain, but instead her voice was a rasp as she struggled to take in another breath. Master Fu kept holding her, and finally she gave in and just let the tears come, her sobs being ripped from her throat.
Those few minutes felt like an eternity, her sobs eventually slowing down to sniffles and her ragged breathing becoming a bit more controlled. The entire time Master Fu kept her in his embrace, calm and grandfatherly– but Marinette only felt guilt. She didn't deserve comfort, she didn't deserve this–!
"...Marinette?" Roaar asked softly, once she had quieted down. "Where are your earrings?"
Marinette tensed at these words, and swallowing back another sob, she forced herself to speak. "In the b-box."
Master Fu pulled back slightly, his brown eyes flickering between Marinette and the box she had given him. His gaze was unreadable, but still she looked away– wiping away her lingering tears on her sleeve.
"Marinette?" Fu said softly, and Marinette winced.
"I... I can't be Ladybug anymore," she whispered, eyes pressed shut. "I failed you, Master. I... I l-lost the Fox Miraculous. It's g-gone, and it's m-my fault."
Her heart thumped in her chest, and she didn't dare to look at Fu or Roaar. She waited for some response– anger, disappointment– she wasn't sure what it would be. She had been trusted with these valuable artifacts, and she had lost one. She had been lucky that it wasn't the Ladybug that had slipped out of her grasp, but even then... The Fox Miraculous was still gone. Trixx was gone. There was no excuse.
Master Fu took in a sharp breath, and Marinette winced– but his voice was nothing but calm as he spoke. "What happened?"
Marinette swallowed, but forced herself to speak. Her words came out in a rush, but she told Master Fu everything that had happened in the alleyway. From the water to how she and Tikki had so desperately searched again and again– but had found nothing. Of all the things the thief had grabbed, they had gotten the thing that could never be replaced, that could put the city into further danger.
"...I see."
Marinette risked opening her eyes, looking down at the older man, who was leaning back against the counter, looking weary. The box with the Ladybug Miraculous was on the counter, his hand on top of it, the other pressed against his temple. At his side Roaar was hovering there, devastation in her eyes– the same expression the kwamis got whenever Nooroo's and Duusu's fate was discussed.
"And they didn't see your identity?" Fu asked after a moment.
"I... I don't think so," Marinette whispered. "Tikki didn't think they did..."
"Tikki's probably right, she's been around since the very beginning, after all," he took in a deep breath, before picking up the Ladybug Miraculous. "I believe I told you in the instance if your identity was discovered you could no longer be Ladybug, but however that is not the case now, so..."
Marinette's eyes widened as he held out the box to her, and she took a step back.
"Wha– n-no, I can't. Master, I lost a Miraculous– how could you expect me to keep being Ladybug!"
"Well, I most certainly expect you to learn from this, and to be more cautious when it comes to detransforming in the future," he said slowly. "But I fail to see how there can be anyone in this city more fit to be Ladybug than you."
"Al-alya," Marinette stuttered out. "She's worn a Miraculous before, she loves heroes, and the city, she could be my replacement, I failed–"
"Hawk Moth hasn't won," Fu said sternly. "No one here has failed. Take the Miraculous, Marinette."
She covered her face. "N-no, a Miraculous is in the wrong hands because of me, Trixx is–"
"Trixx will be fine," Roaar said, though her voice sounded a bit stiff. "They're clever– this thief doesn't know what a kwami is, they don't know they have a Miraculous. Trixx will probably convince them that they're an evil spirit and now they're cursed or something– they'll find a way out of this, don't worry."
"And for the time being, you can bring another Miraculous to Rena Rouge," Fu said gently. "So you aren't fighting alone like in that last akuma fight."
"That doesn't change the fact that I lost him!" Marinette cried. "What if it happens again? What if I lose that Miraculous? What if it's Tikki this time? What if it's Hawk Moth that gets her? I can't take that risk, you can't take that risk! I lost a Miraculous! I'm just like the person in your story, Master, the one that lost the Butterfly and the Peacock! You can't trust me with–"
"Marinette," Fu said firmly, cutting her off as her panic began to spiral, and she peered at him. His gaze was serious once more, and almost unreadable. "I think it's time I told you more about how the Guardian Temple was destroyed."
"H-huh?" Marinette stuttered out, and Fu carefully pressed the box into her hands, which she clutched despite her mind telling her she wasn't worthy.
"Follow me," Master Fu said, turning and heading further into the parlor. "And I will tell you the full story about the day the temple was destroyed– the day I lost the Butterfly and the Peacock Miraculous."
"Nino, dear, is everything okay?"
Nino jumped slightly, looking up at his mother, who was watching him with a frown. She was standing in the kitchen, putting dishes away from the dishwasher, watching him as he inched through the apartment. He gave a small smile, before heading towards her, words feeling a bit too rushed as he spoke.
"I'm doing just fine," Nino told her. "Um, do you need some help? I can do that–"
He reached for the plates, the dishes clinging together as he stacked them on top of each other, placing them in the cupboard. He reached for the silverware, but his mother was still there, a concerned look in Lucie's eyes. Nino swallowed slightly, and she let out a long sigh.
"Nino, you've been out of it all week," Lucie said, while Nino stared down at the drawer as he put the silverware away. "I wasn't sure if I should say anything or not, but this isn't like you. Is everything going alright at school?"
"Yeah."
"Homework?"
"Yeah.
"Friends?"
"Y-yeah."
"Nino," Lucie said, her frown deepening– and Nino swallowed. He glanced at his mother, worried amber eyes not leaving him, and he swiftly looked away, adjusting his cap. "Nino, you can talk to me, you know."
"I... I messed up," Nino whispered, and he felt chills race down his back. "I messed up big time, and I don't know how to fix it."
A hand touched his shoulder. "What happened?"
"I have this friend," Nino said, hesitating as he tried to figure out how to put this all into words. "And he... he needs help. I wanted to help him, but... but I think I messed up things with another friend in the process, and I don't know how she'll ever forgive me for that." His hands fiddled with the bracelets on his wrist. "It turns out there's this whole thing going on with... their families? And he got caught in the middle of it, and I want to help him, but I think I shouldn't have gotten involved in the first place, but now it's too late, I feel like I'm in too deep, and I just can't leave him on his own and I don't know what to do and I– and I–"
He paused, catching his breath as he realized he hadn't even stopped for air. He closed his eyes, feeling tears threatening to fall, but fortunately they didn't come. Nino felt his mother wrap her arms around him, pulling him in close, and he found his voice once more.
"I just feel so guilty," Nino whispered. "And I don't know how to fix that."
"What's done is done," Lucie said softly, holding him close for a moment, before pulling back to look him in the eyes. "The most important thing is making sure that going forward you're doing the right thing, even if you can't change what you've already done."
"What if... the right thing isn't what everyone thinks it is?" Nino asked. "What if... What if I have more of the story than most people do? This friend of mine... he really needs help, Mom, and I'm afraid everyone's blaming him for what his father has done."
"Then you help him, dear," Lucie said, smiling. "If you feel that's the right thing to do, then don't doubt yourself. If people are blaming him for something he didn't do, then there's definitely a problem." She frowned. "Would you like me to talk to the school?"
"He doesn't go to my school," Nino said quickly. "I... I met him during an akuma attack, and we've... met up a few times since? Just talking, you know? But... but basically the family business isn't the best, but he has no choice but to help out his family... and yeah. It's just a big mess."
Lucie pressed her lips together. "I can see how that can be difficult, and the fact that you're being there for your friend is wonderful." She smiled at him. "Don't overthink things, Nino. Just keep doing what's right, and help your friend."
Nino closed his eyes. "That... that sounds good. Thanks, Mom... I think I needed someone to talk to."
The dishwasher was now empty, and Nino reached for the dishes in the sink, but Lucie shook her head. "I'll take care of this. It sounds like you have enough on your mind as it is."
"I can load up the dishwasher, Mom."
"So can I," she replied.
Nino gave a small smile, and headed out of the kitchen. He mulled over his mother's words as he headed towards his room, wishing it was as simple as she said. That he could have explained everything in full– but he couldn't. He had only been able to explain half truths, and draw his own conclusion from there.
Nino slipped into his room, leaning against the door as he shut it, sighing. His mother was right about a few things– he couldn't change what had already happened, and he was the only one supporting Papillon... Blue Wing.
"What a mess you've gotten yourself into, dude," Nino muttered to himself, walking across his room and pulling his schoolbag up onto a desk. "Too late to back out now, though."
He reached into a pocket, pulling out a small hexagonal box, covered with red symbols. Guilt gnawed at him as he stared at it, but what was done was done. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath– before opening it up to see the pendant inside.
He was met with a burst of golden light.