Previously on In the End...

Chloe began to tear up for once. She sat on her knees and cried into her arms on Adrien's bed. "Why did you choose me after what I did to you?" the past had caught up to her. All of those times she had bullied Marinette so that she felt superior was just because she was insecure about herself.

She felt herself floating in an endless gray void. From the unseen, she heard singing and soft words spoken to her. She felt herself getting set free. As if someone had unlocked the invisible chains around her wrists and ankles. She didn't feel held back. And her weariness died down into nothing.

What was happening?

The singing grew louder.

She placed her hands over her ears. 'Too much..' she thought.

And it stopped.

She noticed the black of her skin peel off. It frightened her. As the black peeled off, streaks of light made the dull void become an endless white space. She wasn't falling. She didn't need to fearful.

So her friends really cared? She knew she was crying, but felt nothing. Eventually, she needed to forgive everyone before hatred took over her life. Then again, she needed time to recover. Yes, she'd talk with them or have a laugh or two.

Life never was about pain. Rather a journey. There's no destination really.

She closed her eyes. Her tears rising from her face.

She felt her back hit something soft.

She laid on a bed fit for a princess. The embroidery of the pillows reminded her of her mother's fancy pillows she stored away. And a few blankets which were a mix of white and pale pink stacked to ensure warmth.

She found herself in a light pink dress with her special designs of flowers near the ends of her dress which ended at her calves ever so slightly. The dress's straps fell over her shoulders. And the cloth itself was soft and silky. It was plain and simple. She smiled slightly. No shoes? She laughed. The feeling of no more pain. The freedom. Nothing could replace that.

The floating bed landed on soft green grass in a place she assumed was the afterlife. She didn't feel dead. The black was gone from her beautiful skin. She sat up and put her legs down to touch the grass.

Whatever this place was, it was calm. It was peaceful.

Around her, all of the kwamis appeared. They cheered, which startled the girl slightly. Their singing had worked and she was alive! Their little childish-sounding cheers died down as Tikki and Plagg floated forward.

Marinette smiled as she held out her hands for them to sit on.

Both politely accepted.

"Are all of you the reason why I'm still here?" she asked softly.

They all nodded. They gave her compliments which made her blush.

"You're beautiful!"

"It was so worth it saving her!"

"She's so nice!"

More cheers erupted from them.

Tikki hugged her cheek.

The bluenette giggled. "Thank you. Am I able to return to reality?" she kept holding Tikki and Plagg. They both nodded.

Together, they were the most powerful compared to the rest. All kwamis together could result in a major change in the world.

The black cat kwami and the ladybug kwami joined hands. The other kwamis faded as this occurred. Yin and Yang in their signature colors appeared. Both were going around each other.

Marinette watched in awe.

They floated from her hands and spun rapidly more and more. She felt her body getting sucked out of this world. She felt darkness surround her. She closed her eyes. Then an explosion and she was walking towards the light that returned her soul back to her body.

LBCNLBCN

Master Fu gasped at the lights shooting out of the cocoon Marinette was snuggled in. The protection broke like glass hitting a table, although no harm was ever done.

Other than Tikki and Plagg, the other kwamis returned.

It worked.

She was alive and well.

That beautiful light pink dress came with her. Her eyes still closed but fluttered open after a few moments. The princess had finally awoken. She sat up. Seeing Master Fu sitting next to her, she thanked him for saving her life. She had another chance.

The old guardian hugged her back. "We have somethings to discuss Ladybug. But that can wait. Chat Noir and the others are waiting for you in the dining room."

"Aren't you going to come?"

"Yes, but not at the moment."

She nodded and made her way down the grand stairs of the Agreste mansion. She followed the loud chatter and gently pushed the door open. She only walked a few steps until all eyes were on her.

Everyone sat there. Everyone who ever held a Miraculous or pretended to have one.

"Marinette.." Luka and Adrien had said in unison.

"You guys all held a miraculous at some point?"

"Yeah. And we just saved your life."

"Chloe.." the blond model looked over to his childhood friend.

"Oh, right. Sorry!"

Alya ran up to her. "Marinette," she said softly. The blogger wrapped her arms around her. She wasn't expecting to be hugged back. "You chose me to be Rena Rouge. I didn't know you had that kind of trust in me." her boyfriend came behind her and gave her a genuine smile.

"And me. After everything I ever did to you...you still chose me to wield a miraculous. Why?" Chloe looked down at her phone. She was afraid of the answer.

"You're not a bad person, Chloe." she walked over to the blonde and held her chin up with her hand. "Yes, you've made mistakes, but that's part of being human. I'm so happy you let me have this second chance." she placed her arms to her side.

Chloe downright hugged her and received one back

"I forgive you." she looked at everyone who had ever hurt her. She smiled at Luka and held his hand. "May I sit next to you?"

He nodded.

The others just slumped in their seats. None of them could wrap their minds around Marinette forgiving them. Especially Lila. She was frozen.

The blond narrowed his eyes. He took her other hand kissed the back of it with gentleness.

"A-Adrien!" she looked away. "I can sit with you both." she smiled.

LBCNLBCN

After a wonderful meal, the bluenette walked back to Adrien's room. She thanked the cook and him for everything. And Luka got a kiss on the cheek. "Master?" she knocked and let herself in.

"Hello Ladybug." he greeted her.

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"I've been doing a lot of thinking. When you turn sixteen, I'll be giving up my role as guardian and give it to you."

"That's...Master that's a big honor, but-"

"Everyone makes mistakes. There may be no need for Ladybug and Cat Noir, but the future can still hold evil." he bowed before her and left.

He managed to escape the reporters who were around.

Of course, they wanted to know what was going on with so many heroes appearing.

Ladybug decided to make an appearance. "The danger has passed. Paris is safe." she was bombarded with questions. "And no; I will not disclose the holders behind the miraculous. Maybe we'll meet again."

Behind her, the other heroes appeared. They understood her message. Amongst them, only they knew each other's identities except one.

Everyone knew who Queen Bee was.

They put their hands together and bowed before disappearing in different directions. The era of heroes and villains had just begun. The next chapter awaits, but that is up to them.