Author's Note: In celebration of this fanfic's one year anniversary, here is the next chapter early. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Tangled Or MLB. Those belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 8

Adrien and Marinette sat on a couple of boulders, a small fire now burning in front of them, drying their clothes and warming them up on this chilly evening.

"So, why does your hair glow?" Marinette asked as Adrien proceeded to wrap some of his hair around her hand, the raven-haired girl slightly wincing as the hair made contact with her cut.

"Sorry." Adrien apologized, gazing into Marinette's bluebell eyes with a frown. "You're about to find out. Just…don't freak out, okay?"

Marinette nodded, looking at the blonde boy in curiosity. Ticki perched on Marinette's shoulder, curious for what's about to happen as well.

Adrien took a deep breath, closed his eyes and gently began to sing.

"Feather gleam and glow,

Let your power fly,

Make the clock reverse,

Bring back what once was mine,"

As he sang, Adrien's hair began to glow again, spreading from strand to strand.

Marinette's eyes widened in awe at this display. She looked over at Plagg, who held up a paw. Marinette looked at her hand, the hair wrapped around it now glowing and giving off a warm, pleasant radiation.

"Heal what has been hurt,

Change the fate's design,

Save what has been lost,

Bring back what once was mine,

What once was mine."

As Adrien stopped singing, the hair dimmed back to its plain blonde color. Adrien opened his eyes, looking at Marinette in anticipation.

Marinette slowly unwrapped the hair from her hand, her mouth hanging open in shock to see her hand completely healed.

"Wow!" she managed to say, turning her hand over as she took in what just happened.

"You're not freaking out?" Adrien was sure that Marinette would find his ability bizarre. His mother always told him that no one would accept someone with powers like his.

"Are you kidding me? This is incredible!" Marinette gushed with an excited smile. "I always thought me and the others were the only ones with strange powers, but to see your hair do that, it's…" she paused and took a breath. "Sorry, it's just.. I didn't think I'd meet another person who has magical powers." She looked up at Adrien's bright green eyes. "And you have it so naturally. How long have you been doing this?"

"Uh, since forever really," Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. "My mother told me that when I was a kid, people wanted a piece of my power. She tried cutting off a small piece, but when she did," he pushed back his hair behind his ear to reveal a small strand of brown hair. "It turned brown, and my power was lost from it. A gift like mine needs to be protected." he rested his chin in his hand.

"So that's why you never left the tower." Marinette realized, putting the information together.

Adrien nodded.

"And you still want to go back." Marinette thought this out loud.

"No." Adrien abruptly replied. "Yes, I mean.." he sighed. "I don't know."

Plagg curled up near Adrien's feet, providing some comfort to his owner.

The two sat in silence for a little bit, neither sure what to say about the whole ordeal.

"So, Marinette." Adrien spoke up, changing the subject. "It's a pretty name."

"How did you-" Marinette started.

"I told him." Ticki admitted sheepishly.

Marinette sighed and gave a disapproving look at the ladybug kwami.

"It's not her fault. I needed to know who you were." Adrien explained. "Considering how you dropped by my tower uninvited and all."

A look of embarrassment crossed Marinette's face. "..Right." she replied meekly. "Sorry about that."

Adrien frowned. Why was she so timid now? She seemed so full of confidence as Ladybug.

"Do…can I ask how you two met?" he asked, gesturing to Ticki.

"It's a long story." Marinette said dismissively.

Adrien scooted closer to her and rested his chin on his fist. "We have time. Please, I want to hear it."

"Come on, Marinette," Ticki said encouragingly.

'Well… alright." Marinette relented, offering the blond boy a smile. "Back at the small village I grew up in, there was an old man who went by Master Fu. He would always tell me and the other children stories about these brave heroes who protected the kingdom with magical jewelry called the miraculouses." she pointed to her earrings. "He had this special box that contained all these unique pieces of jewelry. One day," she paused, unsure if she should continue sharing personal details.

She looked over to Ticki, who gave a reassuring nod.

"...I stole the earrings during one of the storytellings, hoping to exchange it for some money to help out my parents." she confessed, biting her lip at the memory. "I was curious though, if anything from the stories Master Fu told were true. So, I put them on,"

"And that's where I come in," Ticki said. "Marinette freaked out when she first saw me, asking a million questions. I explained to her that the earrings were the miraculous of the ladybug and that she was now my master."

"I thought it made no sense that the miraculous could have chosen an awkward, foolish girl like me." Marinette continued. "But when I transformed for the first time and tested out these new powers, it was...exhilarating. I felt like a whole other person."

"Is this where Ladybug comes in?" Adrien asked.

Marinette nodded. "I decided to take on a whole new identity as Ladybug: A mystery thief who stole from the rich and gave to the less fortunate." She smiled at Adrien, who was listening attentively, sparkles of excitement in his emerald green eyes. "I eventually came across Rena Rouge and Queen Bee, who were also miraculous thieves. Together, we became the "miraculous trouble trio", going on heists and spreading the riches to everyone, and ourselves." she clasped her hands together as she concluded her story.

"Wow," Adrien replied, "And you said you don't do backstories."

This got a giggle out of the blue-haired girl. "I guess you're the exception." her expression then turned serious as she added. "But you can't tell anyone about this. It will ruin my reputation."

Adrien chuckled and held up a pinky finger. "Sure thing, Marinette. I'll keep your secret." he offered her a sort of sly grin. "Or should I say Ladybug?"

She rolled her eyes. "Marinette is fine." She looked at the blonde boy in his emerald eyes. "Adrien."

The two continued to look at each other's eyes, both mesmerized by each other's gazes.

Ticki couldn't help but smirk as she looked back and forth between the two, getting an understanding of what was happening.

Then Plagg jumped into Marinette's lap, breaking their gaze. The black kitty rubbed his head against the blue-eyed girl's chest, purring loudly.

"I guess he likes you now." Adrien exclaimed.

"Well, you're not so bad yourself." Marinette said to the black feline, stroking his head. She looked over at the fire, which was running low on wood. She gently put Plagg down on the ground and stood up. "I should get some more firewood." she started walking away, Ticki following close behind.

"Wait." Adrien called.

Marinette paused and turned around, Ticki following suit.

"Between you and me, I like Marinette much better than Ladybug."

Marinette couldn't help but smile at that. "Thank you."

As the two disappeared into the woods, Adrien let out a sigh of content. What a day it has been. It's still hard to believe that in a matter of hours, he left the tower, sang and danced with a bunch of criminals in a pub, got chased by guards, nearly drowned in a cave flood, and had a heart-to-heart conversation with the kingdom's most wanted thief. He had always wondered when his life would begin, and Ladybug/Marinette has made it all possible.

"Well, I thought she'd never leave."

Adrien turned around with a gasp to see Mother Natalie standing a few feet away. "Mother?"

"Hello, darling." Mother Natalie greeted him with a smile.

Plagg hid behind a rock, tail between his legs.

"But-I thought you were.." Adrien struggled to speak as Mother Natalie pulled him into an awkward hug . "How did you find me?"

"Oh, it was quite easy," Mother Natalie started with a wave of her hand. "I just listened to the sound of complete and utter betrayal and followed that."

Adrien sighed. "Mother-"

"We're going home, Adrien," Mother Natalie stated. "Now."

"You don't understand," Adrien protested. "I've been on this amazing journey, where I've seen and learned so much," He smiled to himself as he added, "I even met someone."

"Yes, the wanted thief. I'm so proud." Mother Natalie cut in sarcastically, taking the blond boy by the arm. "Come on, Adrien."

"Mother, please." Adrien pulled her arm away. "She's not just a thief. She's honest and sweet and…I think she likes me."

Mother Natalie chuckled. "Likes you? Please Adrien, that's ridiculous."

"But Mother-" Adrien started.

"This is why you should have never left." Mother Natalie interrupted.

"Adrien, this whole romance that you invented,

just proves you are too naïve to be out here."

She ran a hand through Adrien's golden hair.

"Why would she like you? Come on now.

Messy hair, tattered clothes, look at you,

Do you really think she is impressed?"

Mother Natalie stood over the side, hands outstretched towards Adrien.

"Don't be a dummy,

Come with mummy,

Mother…"

"No!" Adrien shouted, refusing to follow orders for the first time in his life.

"No?" Mother Natalie's features darkened at his defiance.

"Oh, I see how it is.

Adrien knows best,

Adrien's so mature now,

Such a clever little man he is,

Adrien knows best,

Fine, if you're so sure now,

Go ahead and give her this!"

Mother Natalie pulled out the satchel and held it out towards Adrien.

Adrien's eyes widened. "What!? How did you…"

"This is why she's here,

Don't let her deceive you,"

Mother Natalie pulled out the crown and tossed it to the green-eyed boy.

"Give it to her and watch,

You'll see,"

"I will!" Adrien answered with determination.

"Trust me, my dear,

That's how fast she'll leave you,

I won't say I told you so!"

Mother Natalie threw her hands in the air dramatically.

"But no, Adrien knows best,

Well, if she is such a dreamboat,

Go ahead and put her to the test!"

"Mother, wait!" Adrien held up a hand in an attempt to stop her.

"If she's lying,

Don't come crying,

Mother knows best!"

With that, Mother Natale disappeared into the darkness, leaving Adrien to think about what she said.

"Hey!" He heard Marinette's voice in the distance.

Adrien quickly stuffed the crown back in the satchel and hid the satchel behind his back out of sight.

Marinette, now re-transformed into Ladybug, came closer, carrying a stack of branches in her arms. "Being Ladybug not only gives me magical powers, but also gives super strength to carry all this heavy wood." she explained with a confident grin. Her grin fell when she saw the torn look on Adrien's face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Adrien quickly wiped the frown off his face and offered the bug-themed girl smile. "Nothing, just...got lost in thought."

Plagg walked over to Adrien, rubbing his head against his leg and purring.

With that, Ladybug continued to boast about her miraculous's abilities, with Adrien momentarily forgetting about what just occurred with Mother Natalie as he listened.

(In some bushes nearby)

Alya, Chloe and Mother Natalie watched the scene unfold from their hiding place. Chloe got impatient and started walking forwards, but Mother Natalie held her back.

"Patience, girls." she said. "All good things come to those who wait."

End of Chapter 8

Author's Note: Hey, beautiful readers. Hope you enjoyed my take on Marinette/Ladybug's backstory. I originally had one for Alya/Rena Rouge and Chloe/Queen Bee, but cut it out to keep the focus on Adrien and Marinette/Ladybug. Can't wait to bring you the next chapter, where our main duo will join the kingdom's festivities and finally see the lights, which are my most favorite parts in the movie. Until then, leave reviews, live your dreams, and have a great weekend.