CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:

NEW HORIZONS

In the light of the soft candles behind the high altar...

In the light of the beautiful, fairy lights hovering above the crowd like rainbow stars...

In the eyes of every man, woman, and child in the city of Agreste – rich or poor, friend or stranger...

Master Fu finally declared Prince Adrien and Princess Marinette husband and wife.

Marinette stood up on her tiptoes, and Adrien leaned closer. And as they shared their first kiss as a married couple, Marinette's heart sang a cadenza of joy and love.

Waves of cheering swept through the royal pavilion. Hats and turbans were thrown into the air. Children danced and jumped around, creating a thundering applause of stomps.

The fairy lights transformed into miniature fireworks that rained sparkling dust upon the delighted onlookers.

Marinette let out a warm laugh as Adrien pulled her into his arms and held her close.

Then, still in each other's embrace, they turned and waved to the crowd.

Tikki tossed more fireworks into the air with a great squeal. Plagg and Wayzz high-fived each other. Trixx twirled around in her spot, her tail wrapping around her like a ribbon. Duusu clapped and giggled at all the excitement around her.

Nino whooped and pounded his fist into the air. In his other arm, Alya cheered and cried at the same time.

On the other side of the aisle stood King Gabriel, who looked younger and smiled brighter than he ever had his life. Nathalie was dabbing her eyes with a tissue and trying desperately to keep her composure. Tom was chanting "Yes! Yes!" and twirling around a delighted Sabine.

Marinette and Adrien took each other's hand and descended the altar steps together.

The king greeted them first, kissing Marinette on both cheeks and welcoming her into the royal family.

Then, Tom kissed his daughter before pulling his new son-in-law into a bone-crushing, bear hug.

Suddenly, Tikki zoomed over and burrowed herself into Marinette's cheek, making her giggle. Plagg landed on Adrien's head and rustled his hair until the prince shooed him off.

Trixx's eyes were leaking a bit, and she almost blew her nose in her tail. But then Duusu and Wayzz both offered her a tiny tissue, and the fox kwami smiled at them thoughtfully.

Then, Marinette and Adrien linked arms and proceeded down the aisle to the pavilion exit. The guests bowed or curtsied to their prince and newest princess as they walked by.

Marinette dipped her head in thanks every time, realizing suddenly how strange and wondrous the gesture was. No more pretending, and no more acting out. She was a princess now – a real princess. This was all really happening!

Gabriel kindly took Sabine's arm and followed the newlyweds. Then Tom and Nathalie came, followed by Alya and Nino, then Master Fu and the five kwamis. The rest of the procession filed out behind them little by little.

But before he crossed the threshold with his new bride, Adrien glanced over Marinette's head, grinned, and beckoned with his chin.

Marinette looked and saw a dark, female figure beyond the swarm of lit-up faces.

Bridgette was leaning against one of the surrounding columns, bathed only in the soft light of the full moon. Her smile was broad, her teeth flashing in the firelight as she stared at her younger sister.

Then, Bridgette offered a deep nod filled with respect, love, and the memory of the promise she had made earlier.

Marinette returned the gesture, quickly blowing her big sister a kiss.

Adrien nodded his own thanks to the Queen of Thieves as well.

Then, despite the sadness of watching her sister vanish from view, Marinette knew there was no reason to be melancholy on her special night.

For tonight was a night of eternal promises and new beginnings.

Bridgette slipped back into the shadows of the garden, watching her sister and her princely husband exit the pavilion and head towards the grand courtyard, where the final celebration was to take place.

As much as she wanted to stay and watch Marinette dance and laugh surrounded by friends and family and happiness, Bridgette knew she was already pushing her luck. Sneaking around the palace with all the guards and guests around would only increase the odds of getting caught. Again.

So Bridgette whispered goodbye into the evening breeze and retreated to the palace walls, checking to make sure that her grappling hook and rope was still secured over her shoulder.

Marinette will be all right, Bridgette reminded herself.

The sisters' reunion may have been brief – and it may not have been exactly what both of them had hoped for – but it had been quite an adventure.

Now, Marinette belonged to Adrien, and there would be many more adventures to come.

Not to mention the Queen of Thieves had an adventure of her own to pursue.

When she arrived at the rendezvous point, Bridgette gave a soft, bird-like whistle.

A tiny figure appeared on top of the massive wall, waving a covert hand-signal.

Bridgette pulled off her grappling hook, gave it a spin, and threw it up towards her partner.

She felt the rope jerk and tug, and then it settled.

Then, her partner waved a different signal: Good to go.

Bridgette smiled. Normally, she never needed a rope, but in this case, she could make an exception. She grasped the rope with both hands and ascended up the wall, her cape and long hair falling behind her.

The climb was quick and easy, and it wasn't long before the sky and the city opened up before her. For once, Bridgette enjoyed the glittering view.

Then, her partner's voice whispered beside her: "Out in the open? No hood? No mask?"

Bridgette grinned over at Alix.

Unlike the Queen, the speedster had decided to keep the suit Tikki had given her. If anything, the enchanted, wheeled boots made her move faster than ever, and that was a gift any thief in the seven deserts would kill for.

The moonlight glistened off Alix's pink hair as she shook her head. "That's pretty risky, if you ask me," she added as she pulled the rope up.

Bridgette glanced over her shoulder at the glowing palace. From this height, the swarm of guests moving into the grand courtyard were like finely-clothed beetles scurrying about. The world truly is a bigger place, Bridgette thought with a sigh.

Then, she finally addressed her lieutenant. "Even a wanted woman can risk a bit to see her own sister's wedding."

Alix shrugged, but Bridgette could tell was smiling. "Yeah, I suppose that's all right," she admitted as she tossed the end of the rope over the other side of the wall. "I'm really going to miss her, you know? Ladybug was definitely..."

"Stubborn?" Bridgette suggested.

"I was going to say "special" or "unexpected", but yeah – that works too."

Bridgette chuckled. Oh, yes. Marinette was undoubtedly all of the above. But the Queen of Thieves wouldn't have her sister any other way.

"We'll see her again some day," Bridgette assured as she grabbed the rope and prepared to descend. "And I highly doubt she's seen the last of us."

She heard Alix laugh as she slipped over the edge and lowered herself down towards the abandoned street below.

The crowd hushed as the musicians took up their instruments and played a long, orchestral note.

Then, the bride and groom made their way to the center of the circular, marble courtyard.

Everyone spread out and retreated to the edge, clapping for the royal couple as they did so.

Marinette inhaled giddily and squeezed Adrien's hand tighter.

The courtyard was set up beautifully: lanterns and hanging braziers orbited the marble slab; dining tables of food, refreshments, and flowers scattered about the lawn; and more fancy, fairy lights bobbed around in the air.

And when Marinette looked to see Adrien staring at her with those gorgeous, princely, emerald eyes, she felt magical and beautiful herself.

Adrien led his bride to the center before turning and placing his free hand around her waist while holding Marinette's hand with the other. Marinette stepped forward and placed her own free hand on his shoulder. Their bodies pressed together as they waited for their song to play.

Marinette couldn't stop smiling... but then her bluebell eyes became glossy.

Adrien blinked. "What is it, Milady?"

"I just realized something," she whispered so that only he could hear. "Everyone is going to be calling me "Princess" from now on."

He smiled. "And they should, unless you tell them otherwise, of course."

She stared up into those fields of green, and those waves of dark, untarnished gold. Once upon a time, on an ordinary day in the marketplace, the sight of them had set her heart on fire. Now, just being near her prince – knowing that they were together forever at long last – turned Marinette's heart into a shooting star soaring high above the earth.

"But what will you call me now?" Marinette asked. "Princess? Wife? Consort? Beloved?"

Adrien scrunched his lip to the side in thought, and then shook his head. "Those sound a little too formal," he said. Then, he leaned closer so that their foreheads touched. "But I could always call you my purr-incess."

Marinette giggled and glared up at him. "That's worse than "Bugaboo"!" she hissed playfully. "Why do I bother asking you serious questions if you're just going to make fun of me?"

Adrien grinned. "Because you love me so much?" he suggested with fake, babydoll eyes.

Marinette groaned and nudged his chin with her fist.

"But if you really want a serious answer," the prince continued, his voice carrying that natural, angelic tone, "I'll always call you "Milady", because that's how I knew you when I first met you, and that's how I want to know you for the rest of my days."

Marinette's cheeks burned, but a wonderful chill flowed down her spine.

She smiled teasingly at her husband. "Good, because I was worried I was going to have to call you "Hubby" or "Your Royal Felineness" from here on out."

He laughed so loud he had to pull her closer and muffle his mouth with her shoulder. That, of course, caused Marinette to laugh from the sudden, short breaths tickling down her neck.

Somewhere in the crowd, Marinette heard Plagg's annoyed groan of "Oh, please!"

When they looked back into each other's eyes, red-faced and utterly breathless, Marinette brushed some of Adrien's hair from his face.

"How about I just stick with "Kitty"?" she said, implying that there were no other exceptions. "Because no matter where we go or what we do, you'll never stop being Cat Noir in my eyes."

Adrien came so close, their lips brushed together. "I think that sounds meow-nificant," he purred.

She giggled again. Some things will never change, she figured.

At that moment, music filled the air: flutes, strings, cymbals, and drums – all flowing together into a romantic melody.

Marinette felt the eyes of everyone in the kingdom focused directly on her, but she didn't mind. The only eyes she cared about were Adrien's.

He moved to the rhythm as the singers started the first verse of their song, and she moved with him.

Soon, they were both lost in a sea of stars and lanterns and song, spinning and twirling together in perfect synchronization – every step, every breath, every lift, and every kiss.

And when the final chorus came, Marinette and Adrien sang it together as they danced:

"A whole new world,

A new fantastical point of view

No one to tell us no, or where to go,

Or say we're only dreaming.

A whole new world,

With new horizons to pursue

I'll chase them anywhere, there's time to spare,

Let me share this whole new world with you."

The music carried all the way into the night, humming through the air like a lullaby.

Bridgette couldn't help but hum along with it.

It must be really nice, she thought as she turned the corner of the royal stables, to have a love as strong and beautiful as Marinette and Adrien's.

Bridgette wondered if she would ever find someone to share her life with... even if that life was filled with death-defying danger and unexpected surprises. Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

"What's with the goofy grin?" Alix asked from beside the queen as they walked. "The music getting to your head?"

Bridgette shrugged. "Something like that."

"Well, reel it in, will ya? You look ridiculous."

Bridgette rolled her eyes.

Then, large shapes emerged from the shadows, cutting off the two thieves.

Bridgette stiffened, until she saw the welcoming faces of Ivan, Mylene, Kim, Rose, Juleka, and Max.

All of them were mounted on horses save for Kim and Juleka, who were both leading a different mare on each hand.

"So, Your Majesty," Juleka said with a sly grin, "come to say goodbye?"

Bridgette placed her hands on her hips, knowing that her master spy was toying with her. "Nah," she replied. "I've already said my goodbyes."

"Me too," said Alix. Then, her face fell. "Of course, the cat kwami had a cry and... that got me going." She sniffled and wiped her eyes.

Ivan stared at Bridgette curiously. "You're not going to stay at the palace?" he asked.

The Queen of Thieves accepted a horse from Kim and mounted it in one go. "With the newlyweds? Ugh..." she groaned playfully. "I'd never hear the end of it. I'd just as soon keep my will to live."

The thieves chuckled, and their horses snorted in agreement.

"C'mon, enough of this lovey-dovey stuff," Alix whined from atop her own steed. "Let's get this show on the road!"

The others filed in around Bridgette, awaiting orders like loyal, stalwart soldiers.

"So," Ivan piped up, "where to now? What sort of far-off land requires our special services?"

"A cryptic tomb?" Max offered.

"Or a mysterious jungle?" Rose asked.

"Or a crystal cave?" Mylene suggested.

"How about the lair of the Dragon King?" Kim stated. "I hear it's got more traps and riddles than Max can name."

The dark-skinned tactician hummed. "You'd be surprised."

Bridgette shrugged with a sigh. "I don't know where we're going, or what awaits us," she declared. She glanced over her seven trusted companions; her family. "But I'm more than glad to have all of you coming along for the ride."

Alix smiled and patted her friend's shoulder. "You're a good person, Bridgette..." Then she frowned and muttered, "... but not too good."

The Queen of Thieves grinned and kicked her horse's side as she laughed.

The beast reared back before speeding down the street. The rest of the thieves raced after her.

Once the celebration was over, Marinette took the begonia bouquet back from her mother and waved it above her head to show the crowd.

At once, several eligible, young ladies shoved their way to the front of the crowd, flapping their arms and jumping up and down like a flock of hungry seagulls.

Marinette rolled her eyes and casually tossed the bouquet.

It flew towards the screaming girls... and then stopped in mid-air.

Everyone gasped as a bubble of orange light caught the flowers and carried them off to the side.

Then, the light vanished, and the bouquet landed in the open arms of a certain, redheaded enchantress.

Alya turned away, her pendant simmering with fading light, and she smiled up innocently at Nino.

The captain smoothed his brown hair back and bobbed his eyebrows up and down at her.

Then, without warning, Nino scooped Alya into his arms and kissed her. The flowers got squished between them, but they didn't seem to notice.

Everyone burst out laughing... except for the jipped girls, of course.

Beside their young masters, Trixx and Wayzz winked at each other.

Then, Tikki and Plagg flew up ecstatically to the bride and groom.

"Ready?" the ladybug kwami asked.

Marinette nodded. "Tikki, spots on!"

At the same time, Adrien called, "Plagg, claws out!"

It wasn't long after that when Ladybug and Cat Noir went swinging together out the palace gates and into the open city.

Their friends, loved ones, and all the people of Agreste waved goodbye and cheered the couple on as they flew away.

They swooped and dove past buildings and over streets. Adrien held on to Marinette while she controlled the yo-yo.

They didn't stop until they reached the city limits, bungee-jumping all the way up to the top of the gated wall.

The full moon above was a ring of white majesty, and the expanse of starlight and sand lay sandwiched together before them. The horizon glowed in the distance, just waiting to be explored.

Marinette secured her yo-yo on her hip and stood up, drinking in the beauty of the night.

Adrien cozied up to her, his body and feline grin warm despite the evening chill.

In the distance, eight riders on horses were heading up a large hill towards the glowing horizon, leaving thin trails of dust in their wake.

But then, the head rider stopped at the top of the hill, and turned back to face the city.

Marinette and Adrien smiled and waved.

Bridgette waved back, rearing her horse back for dramatic effect. Her blue cape billowed out behind her, making her look more heroic.

Then, the Queen of Thieves trotted off to keep up with her friends, riding with the wind at her back.

Marinette sighed happily.

Then, she and Adrien turned to face each other, their hands wrapped around each other's middle.

"What are you thinking, Milady?" the prince asked softly, smiling at his beautiful bride and brushing her hair away from her red, polka-dotted mask.

Marinette reached up and tapped the golden bell on his collar. It gave a chime-like DING!

Still smiling, Marinette replied, "I'm thinking... that I have absolutely no idea where to go first for our honeymoon."

That feline smirk was her only warning.

Then, Adrien lowered Marinette into a low dip, her red, hair ribbons nearly touching the top of the wall and her feet nearly flying off it.

The action was so sudden, Marinette let out a tiny shriek before bursting into giggles.

Then Adrien – her Cat Noir, her prince, her husband – purred loudly before saying, "That's all right with me. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."

Marinette grinned and put a finger to his lips. "Shut up and kiss me, Kitty."

"As Milady wishes."

And as he did, Marinette truly did feel her feet leave the ground this time. She slid her fingers around Adrien's neck and pulled herself closer, taking him in deeper.

I love you.

And Princess Marinette – Ladybug, the baker's daughter – promised herself then that no matter who she was or what changes life would throw at her, she would never trade a moment like this for any treasure in the world.

And she never broke her promises.

THE END

MB: YAY! My crossover series is complete!

Thanks to all you readers for your feedback and support. While this wasn't as good as the last 2 Miraculaddins (the first two movies are my favourite), I still had fun writing it.

Once again, I DO NOT own any of the Aladdin movies or Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir or "A Whole New World".

One last thing: As of now, my new username is LadybugXP*. (*Updated May 2021)

I'll be back with more Miraculous and other crossovers. If any of you have any Disney, Once Upon a Time, or other ideas/suggestions you'd like to see, feel free to leave them in a review or message.

Salaam, worthy friends!

Spots off! ;)