The next week seemed to fly by so fast yet time seemed to drag. Lila was practically torn apart in court. Along with Elena's parents, there were others from Italy, one being a student who was bullied by his ex-friends so badly, that he stepped out into traffic. He had survived but was now wheelchair bound. Another was a girl who was set up for plagiarism and had been banned from applying to universities, was attending to clear her name after years off her future had been taken. All these people were there to testify against Lila with statements and even by bullies who had realised their errors and set to make things right, even though they would have consequences themselves. In a way, Lila's lies brought everyone together to untie them…against her.
Of course, Lila had put on the tears, saying people had made it up to frame her, that Morgana had bribed them to say all these things. The judge saw right through that, especially when he saw Morgana's history as a model citizen. She didn't even need a lawyer, yet she had one and he tore Lila a new one. Marinette's lawyer had done the same. The akuma class had all given statements and all bar one had accepted their fates. Alya had tried to pin all of it on Lila, not taking any responsibility. In the end, everyone got their punishments.
Juleka, Rose, and Nathaniel had gotten 200 hours of community service along with paying fines which in turn paid for Marinette's lawyer and their debts that they owed the girl for baked goods and such. In all it wasn't too bad, and they weren't the worst, but it was still justice.
Alix, Mylene, Ivan, Kim, Max, and Sabrina had gotten 500 hours of community service with fines as well. Only difference with them was that they were served papers with verbal abuse, property damage and online abuse, which were added to their records. This would show up on any application they put in for education or work. Max was mortified about the napkin incident and thanks to the live stream, he had many messages about it. Most of the class had to delete their online media presence due to the comments. Kim had also gotten a physical abuse paper, so he had something extra to add to his record.
Alya was the worst off. She had her blog deleted by force since she refused too, obstructing the course of justice was an extra addition. Fines had to be paid while taking an anger management class along with 1,000 hours of community service. She also had a restraining order against Marinette and was also blacklisted from the media industry. Her career as a journalist was over. No one would ever hire her for it, especially for the lawsuits she got off celebrities. More fines came off them, it would take her forever to pay it back. Not even the lowest scum of the earth tabloids would go near her now.
The school board did a full investigation into the school and all the teachers. Most were clean but there was a minor few, including Miss Bustier and Damocles, who came under fire. They had their licences revoked, had been charged for mental abuse, neglect and even taking bribes from rich families. Well, that one only applied to Damocles. He would be going to prison for five years and would never teach again. Miss Bustier would never teach again and had fines to pay along with taking a course on bullying as well. Even though she didn't go to prison, not being able to teach practically broke her.
As for the little sunshine boy, he was getting a load thrown at him. He had to shut down his accounts online as while people were very sympathetic, he was criticized for not helping Marinette and enabling the lies. The fines were already paid, and he would be doing 500 hours of community service but thanks to Marinette, he faced no other charges. As well as moving to a private school on the other side of Paris, he was instructed by the court to speak to a therapist and go on a course to learn about bullying.
Finally, Lila Rossi? She had no community service. Why was this? She was considered too dangerous to be out in public. She was diagnosed to be a psychopath, as her lack of empathy or conscience was staggering for someone her age. The doctor was astonished by it, even going into full detail in court and some people had to leave the room. In diagnosis terms, she had antisocial personality disorder. A restraining order was placed on her for Marinette, Adrien and all the celebrities and families she had damaged. Greta herself had been depressed ever since the trial. Some people pitied the woman and others didn't know what to say. She was not fired from her job as she was in the dark about all of this. Herself and her husband would be moving out into the country for a while where they would work remotely, at least until Lila was settled. Aside from the fines she faced and the charges, she would be sent to a juvenile centre until she was eighteen, and then transferred to a women's correctional centre, at least until she was fifty. Only then would she be allowed to appeal but even then, it was more than likely she would never step out into the world again.
The akuma class were shocked at the sentence but after learning about her past crimes and the amount of people she had led to their deaths… they were sickened. She would be placed in this centre back in Italy as conspiring with a known terrorist was something that France didn't want to stain them.
Marinette was starting therapy now as well, due to the PTSD that had been given to her. She'd practically collapsed when they got home from the trial; the exhaustion from school and the trial all came down at once. She couldn't believe that she was finally free from Lila. After the trial, the parents of the class had come to apologise as they all knew Marinette could never do such things. While Sabine and Tom were hesitant to hear them out, Marinette knew that they were in the dark as much as Greta had been. Only Juleka had gotten in an apology, the rest had been sent away by Tom and those who chose not to listen were chased away by Sabine and a bread pan.
Kagami had wanted to throw a party to celebrate but Luka said it was far too soon, and that maybe when Marinette started school they could. All of her papers were sorted and she was set. Marinette had also sent Chloé a custom queen bee outfit and had refused payment since she played a massive role. Of course the blonde had secretly sent the money to Marinette's parents who put it in her MDC account.
Present time:
Ladybug was currently sitting on the tower, feeling relief for the first time in months as a hero. For some reason, there hadn't been much akumas since the trial, which was surprising since Hawkmoth could have akumatised so many people. It was odd. It was something she needed to investigate. Well, not now since she was starting her new school tomorrow. She heard the clang of metal and saw Chat Noir sitting next to her.
"Hey Kitty, how are you?" Ladybug asked.
"I've been better but I'm okay. So, I guess you saw the trial this week?" Chat asked.
"Sure did. Who knew she'd be working for Hawkmoth? Shame she didn't know who he really was. Guess he isn't that dumb to share his identity," Chat said with a chuckle.
"Yeah. Chat, I have some news. I'll be moving across Paris. Now I know it will be a bit of an inconvenience…" Ladybug said but to her surprise, her partner chuckled.
"Funny you said mention moving, I will be too. In fact, I was thinking about renouncing…" Chat said, making Ladybug gasp in horror.
"What? Chat, you're amazing, there's no need to renounce!" Ladybug protested. Granted, it warmed Chat's heart to hear her say this but still.
"You say that but as my civilian self… I've really messed up. I hurt a lot of people and…I didn't realise what was happening to me. I want to be a better person. With what I did… I don't think I'm worth wielding it," Chat confessed. There was a long pause.
"Chat… I don't think you should give up your ring. Being a hero, which is what you are, can really help your mindset. You learn more about what is right and wrong. You can help citizens with their own problems. If that was the case, I'd give up too," Ladybug told him.
"What?" Chat said in shock.
"I've wanted to give up lots of times. I didn't think I was worth it. But talking to people really puts things in perspective. So no, I don't think you should give up. But if you feel this strongly…then how about we give it a month. If you still feel the same… well then, we can think of something then," Ladybug said carefully.
"Yeah… that sounds okay. After all, how would you feel without my pawesome puns?" Chat teased. Ladybug held a hand over her chest with mock hurt.
"Oh, I think I'll find a way to stay pawsitive," she said. Chat looked even more shocked but, in the end, the pair burst out laughing. So, the healing began.
...
"I can't believe I'm starting here," Marinette said as she looked up at the school towering in front of her. Luka was standing next to her with a hand on her shoulder. Marinette had scrapped her old outfit, minus the purse, and was wearing a pale pink dress with her hair in a braid. New school, new look.
"I can. You're so talented," Luka said as he kissed the top of her head.
"But all of these people are so elite! What if they pick on me because I am in on a scholarship?" Marinette panicked.
"They won't, there's a high no bullying tolerance here," Luka said. Marinette was about to question something else until the five-minute warning bell. Luka gave her a gentle nudge and she gulped as she headed up the steps. As people poured in, Marinette was in awe. Not only was the courtyard filled with tables and space for leisure and learning, but the place radiated of education.
"Hey new girl!" a voice said. Marinette squeaked as she saw a blonde girl come over to her with brown eyes and a big smile.
"H-Hello!" Marinette said.
"My name is Kayla, Deputy Head Girl. On behalf of the school, I would like to welcome you. I would like to say, that we did see the live stream, but you are awesome for standing up to her like that. We won't talk about it unless you want to. It's not our business," Kayla said respectively.
"Huh?" Marinette said with a blink. In her old school, people wouldn't hesitate to ask something like this.
"Sorry, did I upset you?" Kayla asked in genuine concern.
"No! I mean, it's just that I didn't expect this," Marinette admitted.
"Understandable. I saw your old class," Kalya said. "Now, I have your class schedule here, would you like a tour? We have slated a little section before you start class," Kayla said. Marinette could only nod eagerly.
Twenty minutes later:
After the tour and seeing the fantastic rooms available, as well as the room she was going to be creating designs in, she arrived at her first class. Maths. Her least favourite. As she walked in, eyes fell on her. She flinched slightly but was surprised when greetings were thrown at her.
"Hey Marinette!"
"Nice to meet you!"
"Come sit with me!"
"No with me!"
"That is enough class!" a stern voice said. A woman walked in with her hair in a curly bun, wearing a high tailored black suit. "All of you sit!"
"Yes Mrs Reynolds!" the class said as they sat down quietly. Such discipline, Marinette thought.
"Good. Now Marinette, please introduce yourself," Mrs Reynolds said with a warm smile.
"Okay… my name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng and I love fashion and baking," Marinette said shyly. One boy stuck his hand up. Mrs Reynolds nodded her head for permission to speak.
"Is it true you designed for Jagged?" he asked.
"Yes," Marinette said. That made people whisper. The teacher clapped her hands and everyone went silent.
"Silence," she said as she then turned to Marinette. "If you have any issue with your work, then may come to me and I will help you. If you feel in any way overwhelmed here, please speak to me."
"T-Thank you," Marinette said, tears almost coming to her eyes. Now this was a real teacher. Marinette then made her way to a spare seat in the middle and pulled out a notebook, ready to start.
"Now before we begin, we have the morning announcement from the Head Girl," Mrs Reynolds said.
Again, with the whispers. Most people actually looked really excited. Marinette realised she never asked who the Head Girl was to Kayla. Imagine her shock and surprise when she saw none other than Morgana walking through the door. She looked different to say the least. Her ponytails, glitter and leather jacket were gone. Now her hair was down in waves, she wore a top with cherry blossoms on it with sleeves, neat jeans, and black heeled boots. This was a complete change. If Gabriel needed a new model, then geez!
"Thank you, Mrs Reynolds. The mathletes competition is being moved to a new day so please check the posting board. The sports department is organising a trip so those who wish to take part need to all contribute. As for our newcomer, well, there are no introductions needed," Morgana said. Marinette knew her true colours but the fact she spoke so confidently in class was strange to see.
"Thank you, Miss Rio," Mrs Reynolds said as Morgana turned on her heel and walked out.
...
At lunch time, after Marinette had helped herself to the wide selection of food, she managed to run into Morgana. It was an amazing morning, after Maths and History, she'd been in her fashion class. It was amazing. They went through the concept process and given certain materials to make quick crafts in a certain amount of time. It was her dream class!
"Hey Morgana! How come you never said you were Head Girl?" Marinette asked.
"I never saw it as important. I'm in charge of a lot around here," Morgana shrugged. "So how are you enjoying it?"
"I love it, I cannot thank you enough," Marinette said.
"No need to thank me. I just saw an opportunity to take down a liar," Morgana shrugged. Morgana then went to turn on her heel again, but Marinette held out a hand to stop her. The girl turned to Marinette, who now had a genuine look of curiosity on her face.
"Morgana… I know I'll never understand you, but I must ask. Why did you do it? Did you know Lila from years ago? Did someone do something similar to you?" Marinette asked. Morgana merely blinked.
"Fair question. I suppose you'd expect me to be a character with a tragic history where Lila wronged me, or my family and I wanted revenge. Or that I'm secretly a superhero with mind reading powers. Or that I was used for my mind. Truth is that I am none of those things. I'm just someone who saw something I didn't like. It is also something I wouldn't hesitate to do again," Morgana said, her eyes slowly trailing off Marinette… as if she was talking to someone who wasn't there.
"Are you talking to someone else too?" Marinette said as she looked around.
"Not at all," Morgana answered, with a slight smile. "And if I were you, I'd start on something new. Someone hasn't been trending for a while."
"You're right. I think I'll take on the main front for a while," Marinette said with a smile as the green-eyed girl walked off. Pulling out her phone, Marinette logged into her MDC account and started a new tweet with a new photo of a small doodle from her desk. Carefully edited so no one would realise where it was.
MDC_Official
Starting a new design line. Who's excited?
Marinette sent the tweet with a huge smile on her face. She was starting a new chapter in her life now. She was MDC and Ladybug but more importantly, she was Marinette. Now with a new lease on her life, now she could finally take the steps she wanted. With her friends and family by her side, nothing could stop her.
"I know I'm excited," Marinette said with a bright grin.
An epilogue is coming.
- Star