I Do Not Own Miraculous or Avatar.
Chapter Sixty-One: Nightmares and Daydreams.
Marinette's terrible and bizarre sleeping schedule was nothing compared to Aang's new no sleep policy. The poor airbender had been plagued by nightmares for nights. Honestly, Marinette had no idea how to comfort the Avatar.
They had arrived at the rendezvous point four days ahead of schedule despite all of Sokka's whining about the unnecessary side trips the team seemed to enjoy going on. She knew putting Adrien in charge of scheduling instead of Sokka was a great idea. The poor guy knew schedules more than anyone else in the group.
They had set up camp and all seemed a little excited and borderline nervous about the invasion. Marinette's plans usually worked out, and with Sokka's genius added to their amazing invasion plan, they were sure to win. Adrien Agreste and Avatar Aang, however, weren't just nervous. Both boys, though trusting in their Plan Guys' ideas, didn't seem confident in their own ability to see the plan through. Adrien handled the paranoia better than Aang. He constantly confided in is Lady about his fears.
"I just don't think I should go with you guys." He said, pacing through the fields with a distant look in his eyes, "Marinette, I already told you about the Jinx power… and what if… what if it follows us to the Fire Nation capital and we lose and our only chance of ending this war?"
"Don't be silly, Kitty, we can't do this without you."
"Sure you could. You and Sokka have been planning this invasion since before I joined Team Avatar. Surely you have a version of the plan without me in it? One where I stay behind?"
"Adrien, it will be fine. I know it's been difficult, and maybe there is some sort of bad luck following us around because of the Jinx, but that doesn't mean we don't need you. I'm lady luck herself! I can balance you out, no matter what. And if we do fail, it won't be because of bad luck. It will beon me, because I planned this whole thing with Sokka."
"Milady, I don't want you to think that-"
"Exactly, you don't want me to think that we can win because of something I did wrong. Now, stop being a hypocrite and blaming yourself for problems we aren't even facing yet and saying we won't win because you jinxed yourself. We're the Cat and Bug team, remember? We are all about making miracles happen." Marinette had scolded him. Adrien hung his head.
"I suppose you are right." He said with a small smile, "But… we need a contingency." Marinette cocked her head.
"Contingency?"
"Sometimes, a plan doesn't survive first contact. There are always complications. And if our Miraculous really are out of whack because of this war or the Jinx, we need a plan b."
"Well, yeah, Sokka and I have been discussing-"
"No, not your plan b. Mine." Adrien said quickly. She frowned, folding her arms.
"I'm listening."
"If something goes wrong… I think you should send me away for a little while until the issue is resolved, as an experiment." Adrien said.
"Cat…"
"I'm serious, Milady, I want this to work. I want to help our friends and I-"
"Ahh!" A cry erupted from the young Avatar as he sat up from his nightmare. Marinette scowled.
"This conversation isn't over, Agreste." Marinette snapped before returning to camp to help the Avatar out. Her mind was clouded with thoughts and concerns for Adrien. She knew his superstition concerning the Jinx and the Miraculous was only getting worse. She was horrified that he even suggested leaving. She didn't want to lose her partner again just because his hero complex had him blaming himself for everything that went wrong in that world. She would definitely have to discuss the issue with his father when the man arrived for the invasion.
"Fire Lord…" Aang moaned, hugging his knees in fear as Marinette approached. Marinette was pulled out of her thoughts. She would have to deal with Cat Noir later. Aang needed her first. She sat next to him, he didn't even seem to notice.
"Hey, Aang." She said softly, "You doing okay?" The Airbender flinched, looking up at Marinette with wide, scared grey eyes.
"M...marinette?" He asked carefully.
"Is something wrong Aang?" The Avatar jerked his gaze away from the Miraculou holder.
"I'm fine." He slurred, obviously exhausted from his lack of sleep.
"Aang, no you're not." Marinette said, "Come on, Aang, you can talk to me. It's me, Rin. Your friend." Aang flinched.
"I… I don't want to fight the firelord." He whispered. Marinette froze, not expecting that.
"And why is that?"
"I'm not ready. I can't Firebend, my Earthbend could be better, and I… I've never had to really… hurt anyone before. I'm a pacifist. I don't believe in war or violence, but here I am now… and I have to end it myself."
"Ending a war is a very pacifist thing to do, Aang." Marinette chuckled, "You'll be bringing this world into an era of peace and you'll restore as for the training… you've been preparing for this moment all year. I have faith in you."
"Yeah, I guess…" He said, fingering the folds of his robe.
"I'm guessing that's not all, is it?" Marinette asked.
"...No… Rin, I'm scared." He admitted, hugging himself tighter. Marinette's heart failure and for an instant, she saw him as he truly was. Aang had to be almost thirteen by that point. He was still just a little kid. Even though he paraded around as this brave, fearless Aavater who could solve the problems of the world, Marinette knew Aang was still just a terrified little kid who was doing a job he had never wanted in the first place.
"So much of the plan is resting on whether or not I beat Ozai… and, well… what if I can't? What if we lose? What if I do something wrong and I lose you guys? I don't want that to happen… not again. I already lost the Airbenders because I failed to be the perfect Avatar everyone wants. I already failed Ba Sing Se. The world depends on me, and I keep on fail it over and over." He said softly.
"Aang," Marinette said, "I get it. You are terrified and uncertain… but… do you remember the story I told you a long time ago about when I first became Ladybug?" Aang nodded his head weakly.
"Then you know I understand what you are going through. Your a little kid who has the weight of the world on your shoulders. You are terrified you are going to fail and you have to win or you could lose everything. You have to keep smiling and keep acting like you can do anything so that no one knows how scared you really are." Aang squeezed his eyes shut.
"Yes." He said, "That's exactly it."
"But Aang, do you remember what I told you kept me going through my years of protecting Paris? What encouraged me to keep fighting despite my fear?" Aang thought for a moment, looking over towards were Adrien paced.
"Cat Noir." He replied.
"Yes, my friends." Marinette said, "Cat and Alya and Nino and, sigh, even Chloe… they all reminded me that even though it was hard to get up every day to go and fight Akumas and win, even though I was terrified out of my mind everytime I put on the suit… I was never really alone. I had them to catch me when I fall. Ba Sing Se might have gone badly, be don't you remember? Katara was right there with you to save your life. And we will be there with you too, fighting by your side. I know you think that because you are the Avatar it is your destiny to hold the weight of the world on your shoulders, but Aang, it isn't. That burden isn't made to be shared by one person alone, no matter what everyone thinks. You have people here who care about you and will gladly lift you up when you fall. They'll even take some of that burden. It's the least we can do. You just mean so much to all of us."
Aang smiled sadly.
"Marinette, when did you get so wise?" He asked.
"Hanging out with the spirit of creation and talking down possible Akuma victims for two years does wonders to a person." Marinette replied, "But seriously, Aang, you aren't alone. We will always be there for you. Even if we fail tomorrow we'll get up and try again. That's just who we are. Don't be afraid to try just because your scared. Sometimes, having a little courage and having faith in those around you can be all it takes to succeed. You are one of the bravest kids I know. You got a lot of pressure on you, but you aren't alone." Aang nodded.
"...Thanks Marinette." He said, "I needed that. All of the other guys weren't exactly good with relieving stress."
"Try talking down and fighting Akuma's for a living." Marinette chuckled. Aang laughed before looking up to the stars, relaxing ever so slightly.
"Rin? Do you really think I'm brave?"
"One of the bravest." Marinette replied.
"...And do you think I'll ever find someone like Cat Noir? I mean… someone who has that… click… that you and Adrien have?" Marinette looked over at the sleeping Katara. Marinette knew exactly who Aang was referring to.
"I have no doubt." She replied. She looked back over to Aang, who snuggled against Appa happily.
"Thanks, Rin." He said with a yawn, already falling asleep now that his consciousness had been cleared of his nightmares. Marinette smiled but frowned upon looking back over towards Adrien, who still seemed as restless as ever. She signed.
"If only it were as easy to convince stubborn cats they have nothing to fear." She whispered so Aang couldn't hear, "I wish I could help him too, but I suppose his father might have better luck talking sense into him than I ever will… stupid cat."