CHAPTER EIGHT:
MARINETTE'S MISSION
It was just after sunset when the bride went missing. Again.
This time, Adrien didn't have to ask where she had gone.
Thankfully, this was the time of day when the city watch would leave and the night watch would take over. The shift change made it easier for Adrien to slip over the palace walls unnoticed.
Nostalgia crept up his spine as he scaled up the intertwining vines and branches. The last time he snuck away from home, he had been a young prince suffocating in the grip the law; begging for a taste of freedom. Funny enough, he had meet Marinette in the marketplace shortly after his daring escape.
Now, a year later, he was doing it all over again. Only he wasn't doing it for himself this time – he was doing it for the woman he loved.
Adrien reached the top of the wall, pausing to drink in the streaks of pink and orange that fell across the city. Then, he climbed down the mesh of vines on the other side.
No one recognised the Prince of Agreste as he casually walked by. The long, brown robe and matching hood that covered his head had been courtesy of Master Fu.
Some of the civilians were busy replacing the wedding decorations, which had been torn off during the elephant stampede.
Adrien sighed at that. Today was supposed to have been the happiest day of his life; his and Marinette's. The Forty Thieves had ruined that, and all because they wanted his mother's magic brooch.
Adrien still couldn't believe it. First Tikki's earrings, then Volpina's amulet, and now the brooch. Master Fu's jade bracelet had once been a Miraculous, but that was ages ago. How many more of them existed out there? Dozens? Hundreds? Adrien was pretty sure he didn't want to find out. He and Marinette would never be able to catch a break.
Speaking of the lovely lady...
Adrien finally reached his destination at the centre district of the city: Bug Bites Bakery: Quality Royal Delicacies.
And his beloved was right where he knew she'd be – leaning on the patio railing.
Adrien let himself inside, nodding respectfully to the friendly baker and asking if he could go upstairs. The baker winked and went straight back to kneading dough.
Everything was different now – the walls, the colour, the decorations – but it felt the same to Adrien's eyes. This was where he and Marinette first fell in love. How could it not be?
He climbed the staircase that led to the outdoor patio. His footsteps softened when he reached the top and he saw Marinette.
Even with her back to him, she was beautiful. Her hair was back in their twin ponytails, and the light of the setting sun danced off of them in strands of gold and green. The pink-and-white, off-the-shoulder top and matching pants were Marinette's favourite outfit, and they showed off her figure quite nicely. Her skin looked like it had been brushed with coppery dust in the fading sunlight.
Adrien shed his brown robe, revealing the black tunic with the white jacket, blue pants, and orange shoes. Then he spoke softly, "I almost miss the overhanging bar."
Marinette turned her head at his voice, and the corner of her mouth twitched. A good sign.
She didn't tell him to leave. Another good sign.
Adrien dumped the robe on the red-tiled floor and walked over to stand beside his bride. Leaning his arms on the railing, he gazed out towards the grand palace in the distance, pretending to admire the view.
Again, nostalgia flooded through him. This was the very spot where he and Marinette had been alone together for the first time. They had shared their first kiss right here, in the sunset. Adrien smiled at the memory.
Then, he felt Marinette's fingers slide into his hand. They felt cold.
Adrien looked at his bride. Her face was vacant, but her eyes told him that she was at war with herself. Twisting himself around to face her, Adrien asked, "Are you all right, Milady?"
Marinette let out a slow, gentle breath and straightened up. "When I came back here," she murmured, "I tried to see if I could recall any memories of my sister: a voice, a smile, a hug, a laugh..." She shook her head. "But no matter where I look, all I see are me and my parents."
Adrien stared at her sadly. "You were really young back then. You shouldn't blame yourself for not remembering anything."
Marinette looked up at him with sad, preaching eyes. "My parents think we should learn what happened to my sister, but... I'm not so sure," she admitted. "What kind of ten-year-old girl leaves behind her parents – and her baby sister – when they need her most?" Marinette stared back out into the distance, rubbing her arms. "Didn't she know Mama and Papa would worry? Didn't she want to get to know me?" Marinette stared down at the street below, squeezing her eyes shut. "Maybe I don't want to know what happened to her."
"Yes, you do," Adrien said, reaching over to touch her shoulder. "Call me optimistic, but I don't think that's exactly what happened."
Marinette sighed. "How do you know that?"
Adrien smiled. "Because I already know your sister," he replied.
Her eyes widened and she stared up at him with confusion.
"Because I know you," the prince finished, brushing his hand along her cheek. "I saw Bridgette's face in that vision just as easily as you did. You both have the same face, the same blood... How can you be any different from each other?"
A small laugh escaped Marinette, and she shook her head at him as if to say, Silly Kitty.
"Think about it," Adrien added on, his mouth curling up into a feline grin. "A girl dreaming of a better life without being judged by others; wishing she could be seen as someone more than just a baker's daughter. Ring any bells?"
Marinette giggled, though she was trying her very best to hide it.
"And that's not all," Adrien said as he gestured to the palace.
Though the sun was completely gone, the golden domes still shimmered with their own kind of light.
"I remember a boy who had been locked up like a bird inside a gilded cage," the prince continued. "That boy felt like he didn't belong anywhere. Then one day, this brave, beautiful girl appeared." He glanced down at Marinette and slid his arms around her, pulling her close.
Marinette's cheeks went pink, and he could feel her heartbeat pounding against his own chest... just like it had when he had kissed her here for the first time.
"I knew you were special, Milady, the moment you found me in the marketplace," Adrien said, his green eyes gleaming with utter devotion.
Her eyebrow quirked at that. "Saved you in the marketplace, you mean."
"Semantics. And when the guards came and you reached out your hand for mine, I knew right away that I was in love with you. I didn't care if my father would never let me marry you – I would find a way for us to be together. I would fight for you, because you gave me that sense of belonging I'd been wishing for."
Adrien brought Marinette's hand up and pressed his lips against it. "And when I looked past Volpina and saw you in that window above the throne room, I realized that you were willing to fight for me too, no matter the danger." Adrien shuddered at the memory of that battle, but he kept his smile. "I never thought a guy like me could ever deserve a girl like you, yet here you are."
Now Marinette was smiling genuinely. Her blue eyes were glistening like stars in a clear pool. She gripped his hand tighter. "Adrien..." she breathed.
The prince grinned. He had been practicing those lines for days. Since he didn't get the chance to say them at the wedding, he figured he'd say them now.
"People like you don't come out of thin air, Milady," Adrien concluded. "And if your sister is anything like you, then what do you have to fear? Don't you think you should take this opportunity to find out more before it's too late?"
At that moment, Marinette pulled him into a loving embrace, her head against his shoulder and her arms around his middle.
Adrien took that as a "Yes", and he returned the gesture.
Marinette felt Adrien's cheek nestling into her hair, and the warm breaths he sent down her neck. It reminded her of that warm night on Years' End, when they had danced together under the stars.
There was so much she wanted to tell Adrien now: that she never imagined she deserved to be with him either; that she was grateful to have had the chance to find true love in the most unexpected of places.
The thought almost made Marinette laugh. Bridgette had left to find a happy ending for her and her family, but Marinette had beaten her to it. I wonder what she'll think when I tell her.
And yes, she wanted to talk to her sister. She wanted see if there was some shred of her own goodness and courage thriving inside Bridgette. And maybe – just maybe – Bridgette would realize the mistake she had made and come home to find her greatest wish fulfilled: her family happy and content.
Marinette finally pulled away and smiled up at Adrien. "You're right," she said. "I have the chance to learn more about my sister. If I throw it away, I'll be living with regret for the rest of my life, just like my parents." Her face fell as a new thought dawned on her. "But... if that means I have to go away for a little while..."
Something like courage gleamed in Adrien's eyes. "I think a family reunion is worth delaying our wedding for a little while," he assured, "especially with the reconstruction of the pavilion underway. Besides, wouldn't it be great to have your sister see our wedding day?"
Marinette could almost see it: her father walking her down the aisle right past her mother, with Bridgette standing beside her, smiling like Marinette had seen her in Duusu's vision.
The future of your youngest daughter is threatened... by the return of your eldest daughter.
Marinette paused when Duusu's words came back to her.
What had the oracle kwami meant by that? Why would Bridgette want to ruin Marinette's future? She was her sister. Surely that alone would be enough to convince Bridgette to come back and make things right.
Marinette wasn't sure why Duusu had said that, but she refused to second-guess herself again. She and Adrien would always have a future – no worries there.
Adrien lifted Marinette's chin up, and their eyes met once again: deep-blue waves crashing onto fields of emerald green.
"If you do choose to go, I'll be right here waiting for you," Adrien vowed.
Marinette found herself surprised for the second time that night. "Really?" she asked. "You'd let me go on my own? No bodyguards or anything?"
"Oh, believe me, I'd send an entire army with you if that would keep you safe," the prince replied, "but I already know you can take care of yourself. This is your sister we're talking about. It should be your quest and yours alone."
Though Marinette's heart sank, she couldn't be more proud of Adrien. Being separated from Marinette for too long always made the prince anxious. No surprise, considering how many times they had been pulled apart by Volpina.
Now, Adrien was willing to letting Marinette go without him. He trusted her that much. That kind of trust was the greatest gift Marinette could ever ask for.
She embraced him again. "Thank you," she said, meaning it with all her heart.
This time, Adrien's arms were tender but unyielding. "I love you, Milady," he whispered into her ear. "So much."
She pulled away with a smile. He knew he was secretly saying, Please come back safely.
"And I love you," Marinette told her brave prince as she stroked his cheek. "Forever."
Their lips met, and a cool breeze urged them closer together.
Adrien kissed her deeper, like this was their first kiss again and he wanted to relive it. The passionate intensity of his lips set Marinette's veins on fire, and she curled her fingers through his golden hair as he lifted her into his arms.
The wind picked up, but the couple's intertwined heartbeats were enough to keep them both warm.
When Marinette and Adrien returned to the palace, they found everyone else already waiting for them on the grand balcony overlooking the city.
The smile and deep nod Marinette gave Tom and Sabine was enough to assure them of her final decision.
King Gabriel stood with the patience of a statue. Alya and Trixx huddled together. Nino and Wayzz shot Adrien an enquiring glance. Plagg came flying over to the prince's shoulder without a word.
Master Fu stepped up to Marinette with a smile and broke the silence. "Have you chosen your question?"
Marinette grinned. "I think you already know the answer," she said.
The Great Guardian chuckled and held out his hand. Inside it was the peacock brooch, which King Gabriel had entrusted to Master Fu for safekeeping. It was, after all, a Miraculous.
The blue and pink stones glistened even when there was no sunlight – a sure sign of the magic it held within and the kwami who rested inside it.
"Then ask," Master Fu said, extending the brooch to Marinette.
The girl took it without hesitation. The jewel felt cool against her skin.
Marinette cast one last look at her parents, who were smiling with immense gratitude and hope. Then, she stepped out into the open.
Everyone watched and waited with anticipating eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Marinette held the brooch out in front of her and spoke slowly and clearly, "Where is my sister?"
FLASH!
Once again, everyone reeled from the searing light, and a rush of wind curled around them.
Marinette felt the brooch float out of her hands, and she carefully opened her eyes.
A ball of blue light appeared out of the jewel before bursting open. Duusu came twirling out, her tail feathers fanning out behind her. She smiled down at Marinette – her pink-and-blue eyes serene and sensible – before waving her tiny hands.
Star-like sparkles converged together to form a small, thin object. It spun around before fanning out on one end, leaving a trail of blue sparkles in its wake. It didn't take long for Marinette to realize that the object was a soft, indigo feather.
"Take this magic feather," Duusu answered, her voice echoing across the sky. "Follow it to the lair of the Forty Thieves." Her next words became solemn. "Your sister is trapped within their world."
Marinette gasped, as did Sabine and Alya.
Trapped, she thought. As in... imprisoned?
"The Forty Thieves?" Tom breathed with newfound fear.
Marinette's heart dropped like a stone. More questions flooded out of her mouth before she could stop them: "Is Bridgette all right? How long has she been their prisoner?"
Duusu's eyes saddened. "I am sorry," she said as her figure faded back into a ball of light. "I can only answer one question."
The peafowl kwami vanished, and the ball of light shot back into the Miraculous like an arrow. There was a small clapping noise, and then the brooch floated back towards Marinette.
She caught the jewel in one hand while holding the magic feather in her other hand.
All the while, Marinette couldn't believe what she had just heard. Bridgette was trapped in the lair of the Forty Thieves? This was worse than Marinette imagined.
"Of course!" Plagg groaned, causing everyone to jump. "Leave it to Fate to send us venturing off into the most dangerous place in the seven deserts."
Marinette turned around, her face narrowed with determination. "I don't care if the Forty Thieves are at the ends of the earth, Plagg," she stated. "I'm going after them."
Sabine, who had a hand covering her mouth, lowered it briskly. "Marinette, you can't!" she rasped. "They're the Forty Thieves!"
"Not to mention the Evil Queen herself is with them," Alya noted scornfully.
"So is Bridgette," Marinette argued. "You heard Duusu – she's trapped in their lair!" She immediately shoved away the thought of her sister bound in chains, never seeing the light of day. "Don't you see? I have to go and get her out."
Tom's eyes hardened with steel. "Not alone you're not," he said, stepping forward.
Marinette offered him a sad smile. "Yes, I am. I can't save Bridgette while having to worry about you, Papa. Or Adrien, or Alya. I have to go alone."
"WHAT?!" Tom, Alya, Tikki, and Nino blurted out.
"That's preposterous!" King Gabriel declared, his stormy eyes narrow. "You can't hope to stand against the most notorious, dangerous thieves in the kingdom!"
Marinette gave her future father-in-law a hard look. "I defeated Volpina," she noted.
"Once," Alya noted back, "and she was still only one person! These guys outnumber you by a landslide!"
Marinette gave her best friend a sly smile. "That's why I'll stand a better chance if I go in alone. Forty thieves aren't going to get suspicious if one person slips under their noses; I'll be nothing more than a brush of wind. A whole group of people will definitely attract too much attention. I know it's risky, but it's the surest chance I have at not getting caught." Marinette folded her arms, glancing at Alya. "Go ahead. Tell me I'm wrong."
Alya grasped both sides of her head, her face contorting as though she was about to explode.
Nino snapped to Adrien. "Where's your voice in this?!" he cried, his voice cracking. "Talk to her!"
The prince looked expressionlessly at Marinette before walking up to her.
For a brief second, she was afraid he was going to change his mind and beg her to take him with her.
Then, he took her hand in his. "Take as long as you need," he said warmly.
Marinette smiled at him.
Nino let out a high-pitched, gurgling sound. Gabriel rubbed his temples like he was going to have a headache. Alya let out a groaning sigh and dropped her tense shoulders in defeat. Tom looked at Sabine, but his wife put on a brave face and nodded at him.
Tikki was rubbing her hands together nervously. Wayzz exchanged a knowing glance with Master Fu. Trixx and Plagg looked like they were making bets on how long Marinette's quest would take.
The sight of the black cat gave Marinette an idea, and she addressed everyone as she turned away from Adrien. "On second thought, I won't be going alone after all. Plagg's coming with me."
Plagg blinked, his pupils flattening into pins. "Me? Coming? To the lair of the Forty Thieves?!"
Adrien grinned. "I think it's a good idea," he said.
"Don't encourage her!" Plagg begged.
The prince shot him a dirty look. "Tikki needs to stay and handle the repairs," he explained, "and Trixx and Wayzz need to stay with Alya and Nino in case danger strikes."
"Besides," Marinette said perkily, "Plagg has a knack for not being seen when he doesn't want to be, and his chaotic magic could come in handy."
The black-cat's ears and whiskers drooped. "But... Can't I stay with Tikki? Manuel labour beats danger any day."
"Plagg, please." Adrien's face softened now, and he allowed his little buddy to fly into his awaiting hand. Then the prince gave Plagg a sweet, doey-eyed look. "I want my future wife to come back safe. Say that you'll go with her. For me?"
Plagg winced and tried to look away. "No, no, no... Not the kitten eyes. Anything but the kitten eyes!"
The kwami glanced at Marinette... and she made an adorable, pouty face just like Tikki's.
"AAH! Fine – I'll do it!" Plagg stated dejectedly. Then he glared up at Adrien and waved a paw at him. "But when I get back, I expect a lifetime's supply of camembert – so big, I can swim in it!"
"Deal," Adrien agreed.
Even Marinette's parents couldn't help but laugh.
The sky shifted from pink and purple to deep blue, and the stars appeared like specks of paint.
Marinette returned to the grand balcony in her new attire: navy-blue pants and a matching, gold-lined tunic that wrapped tightly around her middle. In addition, she had a mahogany-coloured poncho that was short in the front, long in the back, and complete with a small hood. It wasn't the best outfit Marinette had, but her mother had advised wearing dark colours only. Complete with leather boots and finger-less gloves, Marinette looked like a thief herself.
And of course, she never went anywhere without her lucky yo-yo, which was secured around her waist in addition to the leather belt.
Plagg hovered beside Marinette as they both strode further onto the balcony.
As promised, Alya had the magic carpet ready for take-off. She and Nino stood beside it as it hovered patiently above the floor. Adrien, Tom, Sabine, and the other kwamis watched from the sidelines.
King Gabriel and Master Fu had left earlier to set up defences in the royal treasury, where Duusu's Miraculous would be stored until the Great Guardian could find a proper place for it. Both men had wished Marinette the utmost luck on her quest.
Now, it was time for final farewells.
Alya smiled at her best friend and gestured to the magic carpet. "I've cast a spell to make it obey your commands," she said. "When you land, it'll fly alongside you unless you tell it otherwise."
Marinette pulled her friend into a hug. "Thanks, Aly."
"Just do me a favour... and try to bring it back in one piece," the redhead joked feebly.
Nino was next to say goodbye. Tikki gave Marinette a big kiss on the cheek. Trixx offered a small pat on the head, and Wayzz gave her a tiny hug.
Tom and Sabine held Marinette the longest.
"I'll bring her back," their youngest daughter promised them. "Then we'll be a real family again."
Her mother smiled through her tears. Then she looked up at Tom and nodded.
The head baker held up the gold-and-blue dagger in his large hand. "Take this," Tom said softly, "just in case."
Marinette hesitated for a moment, but then she accepted the dagger. "When I find Bridgette, I'll give it back to her," she vowed.
Sabine shook her head. "It was always yours, Marinette. You've earned it."
"If anything, we'll both feel more at ease knowing you're well-armed," Tom added.
Marinette bowed her head in thanks and strapped the scabbard to her belt.
She turned to Adrien just as he finished talking softly to Plagg, and the prince's eyes fell upon her.
Marinette didn't care that the others were watching when her prince pulled her in for another kiss. It was slower this time; more delicate, and more meaningful.
Adrien was reluctant to pull away, but he never once dropped his smile, however strained it was.
Marinette put on a brave smile for him. "I'll be back in time for our wedding," she said. "I promise."
She embraced him, and they breathed in each other's scent one last time.
I promise.
And Marinette never – ever – broke her promises.
MB: Lyrics from the song "Out of Thin Air" from Aladdin and the King of Thieves were used in this chapter. I don't own the song or the movie.