A/N Very short, and very late chapter. I apologize. My creative writing class required me to write creatively for the first time which sucked all the motivation out of me. Oops :3
That isn't what Gabriel and I agreed on... Lila's words were ringing in Marinette's head. What agreement? It sounded like the agreement was more than... Marinette felt something bump into her on her way up the stairs, causing her to trip, her chin hit the metal railing. She heard a crack. "Oops," Lila Rossi kept walking up the stairs, "I lost balance and must've bumped into you!" She laughed and walked away. Marinette's jaw hurt, it hurt a lot. I don't know if I broke a tooth or my jaw...
She grasped her mouth with one hand and went to the nurse's station. The nurse gasped and grabbed gauze to stop the bleeding. My jaw hurts really bad. I have surely broken something.
Adrien was completely unaware of the chaos that just happened. He just assumed that Lila needed to talk to Marinette about something. He went to class and took his seat next to Nino. The two chatted casually about one thing or another until class started. Marinette was nowhere in sight. Where is she?
It wasn't like Adrien could do anything. He had to attend class. He did, however, sneak his phone out when the opportunity arose and texted Marinette asking where she was. Once the period was over Adrien called her.
"Hello?" He heard Sabine's voice on the other line.
"Sabine? Where is Marinette?" Adrien started to panic. Why was she with Sabine?
"She busted her jaw on the way up the stairs. She is fine but she has to have her mouth wired shut so I am speaking for her." That is not good... for many reasons.
"Oh..." Adrien was panicking internally. Marinette needs to be able to speak... if she can't speak then she can't call out her lucky charm... or transform. "H-how long does she have to have her mouth wired shut?"
"The doctor estimates a month. She didn't break it too badly, but it needs some time. Don't you worry about her, Adrien, she will be fine." Adrien knew that she would be fine, he was more worried about Paris.
Marinette knew this was bad. How can she be Ladybug if she can't transform if she can't call out her lucky charm? This is all Lila Rossi's fault. She was unaware of how long she was in the hospital for but was glad to know that Adrien called. For a minute she thought that he had completely forgotten about her. The time spent in the cold empty hospital room was filled with thoughts about Lila. Marinette was angry, rightfully, but she was more concerned about Lila and Gabriel. Lila didn't say much, but it was enough. There was an agreement between the two and Marinette was sure that it was more than a modeling contract. Lila sounded too angry for it just to be modeling. She mentioned that she was supposed to end up with Adrien. Did Gabriel have some marriage pact between the two? Adrien obviously wasn't aware if so, or else he would've told her. Marinette needed to talk to Adrien, but she couldn't. Her mouth was wired shut. She had to text him, that was her only choice.
Marinette tried to text, but the drugs she was on made all her words turn to gibberish. I guess it can wait. Gabriel really stirred the pot. Why did he change his mind? Am I better for Adrien? Marinette smirked at the idea that Gabriel thought she was a better suitor for Adrien. He is an odd man, I am sure he has his reasons.
Adrien rushed to the hospital as soon as he could. Gabriel wouldn't allow him to go until he finished his Chinese class. As soon as the class ended he got into the car and went to meet Marinette. He finally arrived to see her in bed, writing. He looked at it... it was intelligible. Sabine looked at him and smiled, "she is on some heavy drugs, they're starting to wear off but... "
"I see," he laughed, her writing was adorable. It was like a kindergartener who just learned what writing was. She had bandages wrapped around her jaw, and gauze everywhere. She was intently trying to write, to the point that she hadn't noticed him. She looked up and jumped slightly at the sight of him. "Hi!" He waved sheepishly.
Marinette contemplated her thoughts for a moment, then started scribbling. She finished and put the notepad in front of his face. A cat? Adrien pointed at himself. She shook her head. She then drew some more. A... fox? "Alya?" She shook her head again, and scribbled more furiously, finishing and shoving it in his face. A fox... on stairs. "Marinette, I am sorry but I have no clue what you're trying to say? You tripped on a fox?" Marinette thought, then pointed at the fox, furiously pressing on the paper. I don't know what I am supposed to think... Marinette sighed, and then tried her best to write. He looked at it, and he could make out an "L" but the rest was not understandable. L... fox... stairs... LILA. "Lila?" Marinette nodded, and made a pushing motion. "Lila pushed you on the stairs!"
Sabine gasped, "Lila, the girl who accused you of stealing her necklace? Doesn't she have that rare disease?"
Adrien scoffed, "she has nothing wrong with her, she is just a liar."
"I am going to call the school!" Sabine walked out of the room. Tikki flew out of Marinette's bag and sat on Marinette's chest.
"This is bad, I am sure you two are aware of why." The two nodded. "I think it is best if Adrien takes the earrings again. We can't survive without Ladybug for a month."
I really hate what this means… "I don't want to make Luka Mister Noir for a month…" Tikki eyed him, "Alright…" he sighed.
Adrien removed his ring and put it in his bag, and then pulled Marinette's earrings off and put them on his ears. "Who am I going to flirt with when I am in battle now?" He smirked at Marinette, who scoffed at his jokes. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "I am just trying to keep it, light-hearted m'lady. I am sure everything will be fine…"
Everything was not fine. Mister Bug was panicking. They were fighting one of the strongest bosses they have ever faced, Lila Rossi. She was not taking being replaced very well, and she was a strong fighter. She had become a villain that was able to conjure up anything she wanted. All she had to do was say "I have a…" and it appeared in her left hand, covered in a black glove. She was constantly conjuring up swords, traps, and guards. She was tall and strong. Mister Bug could barely think straight. Mister Noir was struggling, for he had only been a superhero a handful of times.
Mister Bug dodged an attack from the villain, barely. "Lucky Charm!" he screamed, a camera falling into his hands. I see...
"Okay so you want to be a model Lila, why don't you model for me?" Mister Bug said with a smirk, holding the camera. Mister Noir looked at him with a confused face. Mister Bug's eyes nudged to the glove covering the hand that she could conjure from. He was sure that the akuma was in there. Mister Noir gave him a thumbs up, indicating that he understood what was wanted of him.
"It is Madam Fury, for your information," the villain said with disdain, "but I will happily pose for you." The villain started making poses, with Mister Bug snapping photos, shouting encouraging words. Mister Noir was slowly approaching her hand, trying to ensure that she wasn't aware of his presence. The villain made a peace sign, creating an opening for Mister Noir, who quickly cataclysmed her glove. The villain shrunk, leaving the form of the girl. Mister Bug didn't want to come to her aid, but it was the superhero thing to do. He started approaching her but was stopping in his tracks... Lila Rossi jumped up and touched the recently freed akuma, screaming "I want my powers back!" What is wrong with her?
Marinette hated being useless. They were going to release her from the hospital soon, and that was great, but she was useless, to Adrien, to Paris. She didn't have Tikki with her anymore, and it wasn't like she could rant to her mom about her worries. All she could do is sit and wait. Sabine tried to entertain her with playing cards, and Tom would tell jokes or stories, but nothing fully calmed her worried mind. Adrien and Luka were left to watch over Paris. It was a big ask, especially since Luka barely had the chance to learn to be a superhero before being thrown into the position of the cat miraculous holder. Marinette hated being useless.
The doctor came in and talked to Tom and Sabine, eventually clearing Marinette to go home. He informed them that she could only eat liquids, so smoothies, protein shakes, or blended food only. She shouldn't try to talk or make noises because even the slightest movement could impede her healing process. After a month she will have to attend a follow-up appointment to see if she had completely healed. This is going to be one long month...
The family made their way home and got Marinette situated in her room. She was in constant pain from her surgery to repair her bone, and the tightness of the wires holding her jaw shut did not help. Sabine gave her some pain meds along with a smoothie while she sat on her chaise. Marinette waved goodbye to her mother as she descended out of her room, leaving Marinette alone. It wasn't long before she got a text from Alya.
Sup girl! How are you feeling?
Fine... My jaw hurts a bit, but I am taking some pills to hopefully soothe it. I have to do this for a month.
That sucks! I hope it heals quickly :) In other news, have you seen the live news feed on the newest akuma battle?
No... I haven't. Marinette opened her news app and saw the footage of Mister Bug and Mister Noir battling a villain. Mister Noir cataclysmed the villain's glove and the akuma came out. I am glad everything is okay. All of a sudden, the camera panned in on Lila Rossi. Of course, it is her, she breaks my jaw and then throws a fit... if anyone should be akumatized it should be me. Marinette did not expect to see her reach for the akuma and reakumatize herself. This girl is straight-up evil.
Marinette's heart was beating a hundred miles per hour. Adrien and Luka would detransform any minute, and she can't do anything. She looked over at the miracle box. I don't know what I could do... I can't transform at all... Marinette reopened her text to Alya... I - I have to.
Hey, could you actually come over?
