I watch Cat run from the room, and as he does I feel a pain welling up in my chest, as if he's taken half of my heart with him. "Marinette?" I hear a voice far away, though in reality its probably close by, possibly even right next to me. The room is a long tunnel and at the end is a shimmering dazzling light that I walk towards before plunging into darkness…

I wake with heavy fabric draped over me and a strong smell fills the air. The smell isn't unpleasant, just strong. "How is she?" a high-pitched voice asks, and I can tell its a girl. "Hopefully she comes around soon. She's been asleep most of the day." I open my eyes fully and turn my head. "Felix?" I croak out. "Hey, welcome back. You passed out after Cat left, and Kagami and I brought you back to my place. I shift trying to look at Kagami, but my body is telling me not to move. "Kagami, I have missed you." "Likewise, Marinette." "Why did Cat react like that?"

The thoughts fall into place one by one, but this isn't a puzzle I want to finish. "The way I was talking, he probably thinks I was cheating on him. When in reality, I was only asking about you as Argos and the Peacock Miraculous." "And Ladybug. Why haven't you told him yet?" I shudder. "I'm not ready, especially after that happened. But I will, when I'm ready."

Suddenly, an image fills my mind. I'm standing on a high rooftop where no prying eyes can see, Cat standing across from me. My head is bowed, but I lift it. "I'm at last ready to tell you who I truly am," I smile and drop my transformation. My heart beats like a drum as the silence roars in my ears. When I lift my head Cat is gone.

"I'm cold," I whisper to Felix, but this isn't like a winter chill, no, its far deeper then that. My teeth start to chatter and tears well in my eyes. "I'm scared." "Here, Marinette, drink this," Kagami says, holding the cup to my lips. At first, I can't seem to sip any of the liquid, but the smell of apples calms me and the shudders stop slowly. The blackness pulls me under again, but this time is soft and warm.

"She's asleep again." "Let her sleep, she has a lot on her shoulders." I wake feeling refreshed, but half of my heart is still missing, and until Cat and I make up, I need to learn to deal with it. Easier said then done.

Kagami shows me the little greenhouse she's made, and I like the way the sunlight falls onto the greenery. "I've been growing herbs and spices to use in my cooking, but your could use them as medice as well." I gently touch some leaves, my ladybug senses saying I'll be needing leaves soon. The reason why is still unknown, but I don't ever question it. "May I take a few leaves?" "Of course. Here, take this," she walks over to a little table and hands over a small mortar and pedestal. "I just have the feeling you'll be needing these soon." I put everything in my backpack. "I should get going, but thank you for taking care of me. Both of you." I take both of their hands in mine, squeezing gently.

When I get home, I fall into a restless troubled sleep which I don't emerge from until morning. Buzz. Buzz. I don't want to talk to anyone, but maybe its my mother needing help. Its Gabriel, Adrien's dad. Alarm bells go off in my head. Is Adrien okay? I grab my the phone, hands already sweating.

"Hello, this is Marinette." "Marinette, its Gabriel. Have you thought about coming to work for me?" I flush thinking how angry Cat was, but without the Butterfly Miraculous he's powerless. "Er, I could come take a look?" I squeak. "Good. Someone will be by shortly." As soon as I click off the phone, my Ladybug senses kick in. The plants that Kagami gave me are still in my pack and I load it up with supplies, even slipping in a pair of sunglasses, but no ordinary sunglasses, its the Horse Miraculous.

A knock at the door makes me jump, and I hurry to the door. "This way, Marinette."

The car ride is silent, but its not like I'm in a chatty mood anyway. I clutch the gold-heart locket that Cat gave to me. Inside is a picture of us at the festival in the photo booth. He's kissing my cheek, while I'm looking into the camera and laughing. Its my favorite picture, and the thought of missing Cat causes me to brush a tear from my ear.

Steeling myself as we swing into the iron gates, I gaze up that the mansion. "Ah, Marinette, lovely to see you again!" The man Cat and I saw yesterday is in the grand foyer, and Gabriel stands at his side.

Though my mind is preoccupied, I try to keep in the presence. "Its good to see you again," I tell both of them. "Marinette, before we start the tour, I'd like to ask you a few questions in my office," Gabriel tells me. I gulp. "Okay."

Gabriel doesn't offer me a chair, but he doesn't sit either, but instead paces the room. "You do resemble Ladybug strongly, have you ever thought that?" Instantly, I'm on my guard. "Lots of girls admire her. Including myself." "Surely you were rescued by her at least once." "What's this about Gabriel?" I am strong, but there are chinks in my armor. "Do you know the whereabouts of Ladybug?" "No, and I am here for the tour! Not to answer questions!" Gabriel smiles, but I don't like that smile. "My, my, you do have a temper. It reminds me of someone." I grind my teeth. "Come, there's much to do."

We're walking up the staircase and the man Cat called the magician is following us. I hear a door open, and Adrien walks out. "Hey," I smile at him, cheeks slightly pink. "Father, we're are you taking her?"

Its like he hasn't seen me, or heard me. I stare closely at Adrien's face, but I wish I hadn't, because its empty and cold and devoid of feeling. Breaking away from the men, I walk the few steps towards him.

"Are you okay?" I whisper, touching his arm. "Why would I be okay, Marinette?" "Adrien," I gasp, as his voice is like ice. I stare into his green eyes and he stares back, boring into mine. I freeze, he's looks like...like...Cat Blanc, only his eyes are green not blue.

Adrien pushes past me, and I slowly turn back to follow the men. "That was quite chilly, Marinette. Are you feeling okay?" I shake my head. "I'm fine." The man pulls out a deck of cards and stops in front of me. "Though the future looks gray, things could be better. Do you want it to look like this?"

Reality fades away, and the bright sun has me shading my eyes. I hear high-pitched laughter nearby as I stroll up the beach. "Emma, Hugo, where's Daddy?" I ask, for Adrien was supposed to be watching the kids. "Right here, Milady," I look down to see Cat almost buried in sand, grinning. "Daddy, your not supposed to move!" Emma wails. "Its okay, love. I know a sure way to make sure your father stays still." I sit down in the powdery white sand, and begin to massage his ears, causing a loud purr…..

It feels so real, like I've gotten to the best part of the story. This could be my future, and everything seems okay….

"Now, Gabriel!" The Magician shouts and Gabriel grabs me from behind. "Let me go!" He ignores my pleas and we routine to ascend upwards. "Where are you taking me?" "Somewhere where you'll be useful."

We enter a space that is dark and musty smelling, and Gabriel tosses me to the floor. "When you are ready to talk, Dupain-Cheng, you'll know where to find me." The door slams shut, and I pound on floor, but its no use. I huddle up in a small ball, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the darkness.

I'm in Hawkmoth's lair, and someone he senses I'm close to Ladybug, or am Ladybug. Did seeing me with Cat tip him off? And the Magician, he trapped me by showing me illusions, illusions of my future….

"What do I do now, Nikki?" "Use the Horse Miraculous to get out of here, but you must find somewhere Hawkmoth cannot find you." "Tibet." The words leave my mouth as I dig for the glasses.

The door burst open and Adrien sat up, his face a hard mask. Long ago he had leaned to keep his emotions hidden from his father. "Where's Marinette?" Adrien asked, sitting up on his bed. "Taken care of. Now, get ready for dinner."

Adrien may have been angry at Marinette, but he still cared about her. As soon as he heard the door click shut, he called to Plagg. "He's done something with Marinette! Claws Out!"

Cat Noir ran down the stairs in a fury. "If you have hurt Marinette in any way you'll be Cataclysm!"

"Such temper from a cat in love. Perfect for my akuma." The magician held a glass jar in his hand, the purple and black butterfly making a rattling sound. "No, no, it can't be!" Cat's eyes were wide, his nightmare had become reality. Before Cat could take a step, the butterfly had flown into his bell, and Cat felt the darkness overwhelm him. "I won't hurt her!" But when he opened his eyes, a white cat with chilling blue eyes stared at him in the mirror. Before anyone could do anything, Cat was yanked through a portal, and toppled into the snow.