Before I get to the next chapter, I want to respond to a few awesome reviews!
ChimaTigon : I was thinking they're a little older than the show, probably about two years later.
Warmach1ne32 : your review was amazing first of all. So helpful, but also a little bit of a kick in the butt which is what I've needed lol. There's a difference in what infected Sabrina and what her "power" or attack was. So she was infected by the frog things, but her attack is meant to be quick. Kind of like how Ms. Bustier had an attack when she was a slug. Hope that makes some kind of sense. And fights aren't my writing forte, I've never written any kind of action stuff before so I'm sorry to everyone if the action scenes are lacking cause I don't really know what I'm doing hahahaha. After reading your review, I immediately created a skeleton and now have a straight plan with where I'm going for this. Thanks so much for the criticism and suggestions. You're the best!
FictionGirl11: love all the reviews, you're so cute and sweet, so thank you! Also love the suggestion for the villain :3
WolfMistwood: funny you mention Ladybug getting hurt and needing saving ;) I have some plans happening actually that involve an "in need of help" Ladybug but you'll have to wait and see ;) haha! And don't worry! This story will definitely be continuing and have a proper ending.
It was a new morning, and there was a rare feeling of peace among the campsite. A good nights rest helped everyone feel better, Marinette especially so no one suspected anything had happened to her. The only one on edge was Tikki, who stayed alert and anxious, but didn't actually feel any signs of anything wrong.
The day went by relatively fast. They ate delicious camp food, did some outdoor science projects, sang campfire songs, played games, relaxed, and before they knew it, it was already night time again.
"Goodnight Mari," Alya said as she placed her glasses beside her pillow and got comfortable beneath the blankets.
"Goodnight Al!" Marinette responded, faking a yawn.
Marinette waited for Alya to fall asleep. Once she heard her best friend's loud snores, she tip toed out of the bed and sneakily left the cabin. Her and Tikki snuck around the back.
"Tikki," Marinette whispered into the chill darkness, "Spots-"
"Mari!?" A familiar voice harshly whispered.
Marinette jumped a foot in the air, a surprised squeak escaping her throat, all the while Tikki flew into her chosen's pocket to hide. She spun around to face her partner, who looked equally concerned and amused at startling the girl.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded, hands on her hips, "You better not have been peeping on my friend and I!"
Chat raised an eyebrow, and then snickered to himself, "Princess your accusation wounds me. But I assure you I'm not doing any kind of peeping. Just patrolling around."
Marinette stared at him suspiciously, but couldn't help the small smile on her lips.
He looked at her curiously and then asked, "what about you, Marinette? It's not safe for a princess to be out of her castle at night, so what are you doing out?"
She laughed nervously, her voice going higher as she lied, "oh you know, just getting some fresh air! Hard to sleep, with everything that's been going on you know just nervous I guess!"
Doubt flashed his face for a moment, but then he turned away to stare at the bright moon above them. She watched his face fondly, he'd grown so handsome. The moonlight made his face to appear glowing, his bright green eyes dancing in the reflections of the stars. His hair was bouncing to the breeze and Marinette felt her heart swell with both pride and another feeling she couldn't quite identify. One of his ears twitched, and then Chat Noir turned to face her.
"Anyways, it's getting late Mari and it does worry me to have you out here alone," he gave her a caring smile, one hand on his staff and the other on his hip as he stood with his chest puffed out, "would the princess like me to escort her back to her castle?"
"Sure," she sighed, accepting his outstretched hand and together they walked back to the front of the cabin.
"Sweet dreams, darling," he said, kissing her hand and then leaping away into the night with a wink.
Marinette stood there for a moment in shock. Her face felt hot and her heart was pounding loudly. Darling?
"Excuse me, Marinette, Darling?" Tikki sneered up at the girls embarrassed face.
"Huh?" Marinette choked out.
Tikki giggled, "Aren't we going to go patrol?"
"Oh!" Marinette's face turned focused, but the blush remained on her cheeks as she said quietly, "Tikki, spots on!"
...
Ladybug found Chat Noir sitting at the edge of the dock over the lake. The moonlight reflected on the lake just as beautifully as it had the night her and her classmates had gone swimming, except this time it felt much more serene and peaceful with just her and Chat Noir. She quietly sat down beside her partner, waiting for him to break the silence.
"Nice of you to join me, my lady," he said flashing her a grin and gesturing towards the water below them, "care for a midnight swim?"
She pushed him playfully, pretending to try and push him in the lake, "I thought kitties hated water?"
He pushed her back with his head, nuzzling her face, "true but I'd be purr-fectly content swimming with you Ladybug."
Ladybug laughed and leaned away from him, "with the toad fiasco yesterday I think I'm watered out anyways."
Chat nodded his head in agreement and the two settled into a comfortable silence.
"You know," The cat superhero started after a few moments, "its STARtling to imagine what kind of MOONster we are going to face next.."
Ladybug's face deadpanned as she stared at her partner, "oh god, you were thinking of that this entire time weren't you?"
Chat Noir tipped his head back and let out a loud, joyful laugh. It was so happy and contagious that Ladybug couldn't stop herself from giggling beside him. Their laughter continued for a few minutes until they were both out of breathe and tired.
"We should patrol soon before it gets any later" Ladybug said as she laid back on the dock. Chat Noir joined her, the two breathing softly while looking at the stars.
"Aren't they beautiful," Ladybug sighed.
The stars were bright above them. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, just the vibrant blues of the night sparkled with tiny white stars. It truly was spectacular.
"She sure is," Chat Noir said dreamily. Ladybug turned to look at him and found him staring at her, his eyes glazed and face looking so in awe. Her eyes widened and she turned away quickly, a blush on her face. Her stomach fluttered almost uncomfortably and she wondered why she kept feeling like this around her partner.
Ladybug closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to calm her rapid beating heart. She heard Chat Noir get up from beside her, and after opening her eyes she saw his hand was outstretched towards her. Her hand reached up to grab his, and he helped lift her up from the dock.
They explored the surrounding woods of the campsite, and went towards the trail that had vanished on, on the first day. Unable to find anything unusual or eerie, after two hours they parted ways and returned (though both were unaware of it) to the same campsite.
Every night for the next few days they patrolled together, but each night the same as before. It was beginning to feel discouraging, and helplessly they searched for any signs of what had caused the transformations of Ms. Bustier and Sabrina. In the day time, the class was relaxing more and more and seemed to lose interest and fear of any other strange animal take overs.
...
It'd been a week now since the class had arrived at the campsite. At this point, the worry of scary animal transformations was long gone from everyone except of course Adrien and Marinette. The two still patrolled together every night in their superhero identities.
Ms. Bustier gave everyone packing lists and hurried them to get ready, "today we are going on a day long hike! It's going to be pretty relaxing, nothing too intense but it will be long so don't forget to pack lots of water and your travel sleeping bags as it'll still get chilly at night. Oh! And everyone is in charge of making their own sandwiches for lunch today! The plan is we will head back to the campsite tomorrow morning. Anyone have any questions?"
Chloe raised her hand, she'd taken a rare break from wearing so much makeup as the camping trip progressed but she still groomed herself daily, "will there be showers at the top of the hike?"
Ms. Bustier smiled gently, holding her checklist close to her chest, "Oh Chloe dear, it's a hike. No showers until you get back. But it's only a day," she added after seeing Chloe's visible stress, "You'll be able to shower tomorrow night when we get back if you so desire."
The students scattered to get ready. Alya groaned as she looked over the packing lists with Marinette, Nino, and Adrien.
"This is SO much stuff! We have to walk a days worth while carrying all of these things. My back is hurting just thinking about it," she complained.
The list consisted of:
- back pack
- Sleeping bag
- Water (lots of it!)
- First aid kit
- Pencil case
- Notebook
- Compass
- Watch
- Plastic bag for trash
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Extra clothes for the night
Marinette laughed, "Alya this isn't even that bad!"
"Maybe for you, baker" Nino retorted, "we've all seen how strong you are. Not saying I don't have some muscle but I have to admit my legs aren't excited for this either."
Adrien patted his friend on the back, "you'll do just fine Nino, and if you can't handle it I'll just carry you like the princess that you are."
Nino mocked offense while the other three laughed, "okay model boy I'll show you. By the end of the hike it's you who's going to need carrying."
The two bickered back and forth while the girls laughed and rolled their eyes. Half an hour later, everyone had their bags packed and they met up at the edge of the trail that Ms. Bustier had gone on the first day. She looked anxious to be going down it again, but she gave her students a reassuring smile and led them into the forest. Ms. Bustier passed around maps, one for every group of three to four to share. On her back she carried a large hiking backpack full of her belongings, as well as a wheeled suitcase like bag that contained food, cooking tools, and emergency supplies.
"Feel free to go on ahead if you feel the energy, " Ms. Bustier said, "I'll stay at the back to make sure no one gets left behind. Always stay on the trails, use your maps, and always, ALWAYS have a buddy with you!"
With that, the class was off and eager (though most were eager for it to be over with). Alix and Kim ran ahead, "racing each other to the top."
"How are you feeling about the hike, Mari?" Adrien said as he and Marinette walked behind Alya and Nino who were holding hands sweetly.
"Good!" She responded, "I-I haven't gone on a hike for a long time though so I'm hoping I'm in shape for a days worth of walking!"
He nodded his head, "I've never even been on a hike before, so I'm unsure of what to expect. Any tree-mendous tips for a newbie like me?" Adrien asked with a wink.
Marinette snorted, hiding a blush behind her hand, "if I think of any, I'll let you know. But tip number one is lose the tree puns."
"Okay, okay," Adrien laughed, "just promise me the hike won't get too inTENTS?"
Marinette gave him a ladybug worthy glare, but smiled fondly at the sound of the laughter escaping Adrien's throat, "I had no idea you were such a dork, Agreste."
He put in arm around her shoulder, "Dork? I assure you I'm the coolest cat around!"
The phrase was familiar and Marinette stared at him in wonder for a moment. But she pushed the questions of out her head, instead focusing on the fact that they were now walking very close together. Adrien kept his arm around Mari, the two talking comfortably and Marinette felt like she was on cloud nine.
Here's some much deserved fluff for you all! I promise the next chapter will be even more fluffy ;). So I've planned out the rest of this story, and there's going to be 15 chapters in total. See you guys soon! Feed me with your reviews, you wonderful beautiful readers!