Chapter Four

A Ladybug Princess

Marinette had taken the earrings home and succeeded in hiding them from her father's view – and his questions. She felt as if there was something mysterious about these earrings, and she wanted to find out what that mystery was all by herself.

The earrings looked normal, sitting in their dark velvet bedding, and yet still had something mystic about them; Marinette couldn't help herself but take the jewels out of their case, and carefully put them in her ears, replacing the rings her father had had her made with the ladybug earrings.

Marinette looked at the earrings in her old, faded mirror; she thought she was seeing things when all the red stones that were present in the earrings turned black.

"What the-?" Marinette mumbled, inspecting the earrings more closely. She was just about to take one of them out to see what had happened, when she was startled by the sound of a female voice coming from behind her.

"Do you like them? They suit you."

Marinette let out a small yelp as she turned, too quickly, tripping over her own feet and falling to the ground.

"Oh, my," the voice said, "I didn't mean to startle you."

Marinette scrambled to get to her feet, trying to get a glimpse of the feminine intruder as she got up; the first thing Marinette noticed that the woman – or at least, she assumed it was a woman – who had startled her, appeared to be floating.

"You alright, dear?"

Marinette, back on her feet, took her time to take in the figure in front of her; the lady's skin was fair with a few dark birthmarks scattered over her legs and arms, and her clothes different shades of red; the balloon skirt of the lady's dress looked reminiscent of a ladybug shield. Her hair was short and poppy red, and the headdress she wore on top of it made it look as if she had antennae.

Was it really a headdress? Marinette couldn't tell.

"Who – who are you?" Marinette mumbled. "How – how did you get in here?"

The mysterious lady smiled. "My name is Tikki," she said, "and I'm here to help you, my sweet Marinette. It is truly a pleasure to meet you...

"One look at you, and I already know you're the right lady for the job. Master fu has chosen wisely."

Marinette's mouth sank open. "I beg your pardon?"

Tikki smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself more properly," she said, "as my presence does require a further explanation than just a name and a hello.

"You could see me as your Fairy Godmother, the one who will help you make it to the ball you've been invited to."

"Wait-" Marinette mumbled. "Fairy Godmother? Is this about those earrings?"

Tikki nodded. "It is," she said. "I figured you might be worried about what to wear to the ball, so I figured I should help you with that."

Marinette tilted her head in confusion. "I don't... get it. Are you magic?"

Tikki smiled and chuckled, obviously amused with the girl's confusion. "Yes. I am a Kwami, and my energy is connected to your earrings. Legend says that combining certain pieces of Miraculous Kwami Jewelry gives their wearer godlike strength."

Marinette touched one of her earrings for a brief moment, waiting for Tikki to continue her story.

"Now, there is a man, known as the Hawk Moth... he's managed to capture a Kwami... and I believe he intends to use her to capture the others." She paused. "Marinette, I need your help."

"But what can I do?" Marinette asked. "I'm just a normal girl, with a normal life."

Tikki smirked. "But there's something about you that no one knows yet... not even you.

"Don't worry. You won't have to face the Moth alone. Kwamis always work in pairs, and my friend will be waiting for you at the ball. Both your identities will be kept secret."

"But why – why me? The ball?"

Tikki shrugged. "Master Fu chose you. He deems you fit. As for the ball... the theme is a masquerade, and thus perfect for the Moth to hide behind a mask. We believe that he has connections to the Royal Family, making it easy for him to attend the ball unnoticed.

"He might attempt to kidnap someone of the royal family to ransom the Miraculouses from their holders."

Marinette swallowed. This sounded serious; she wasn't sure whether or not she'd be up to the task. "You want me – and this other person – to stop him?"

Tikki nodded gravely. "Yes, please. Liberate my friend from the Moth's evil clutches, and he will be left without power. Then, all will go back to normal.

"Do you think you can do it?"

Marinette bit her lip. "I... think?" she said. "I will try to help your friend. But I can't promise that I'll make it."

Tikki smiled and curtsied. "Thank you, Marinette," she said. "The ball commences in three days – I'll see you that night to discuss the final details – and send you off to the best night of your life."

Just as soon as she'd appeared, Tikki vanished, leaving Marinette in her room, completely stunned.

The days before the ball passed by quickly, and with every day that passed, Adrien grew more nervous. The fact that Plagg had basically not said another word since he explained what Adrien had to do on the night of the ball, didn't make things easier for the young Prince.

The King spent most of his time in his private chambers in the three days that led up to the ball – even more so than usual. It wasn't as if anyone in the castle cared – the King was known for being reserved. He didn't show his face often in the castle, unless it was in the throne room.

Even on the night of the ball, the King didn't show up all day, allowing Adrien and Plagg to prepare for the ball without being bothered by anyone.

Plagg told Adrien the basic plan he and is 'partner' had come up with – Adrien, disguised by Plagg's power, would mingle with the ball attendants and find Tikki's Chosen One – Plagg promised Adrien she'd be easy to find, though Adrien doubted the Kwami was actually right.

The Prince did feel excited to finally be able to act as if he wasn't a Prince with a list of responsibilities the length of the Champs-Élysees.

"It's almost time, Kid," Plagg said, watching the sunset. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," Adrien said. "I'm ready alright."

Plagg turned away from the window, grinning when he saw the confident smirk on Adrien's face. "You know what to do. But remember - my powers will fade at midnight. After the clock strikes twelve, you're on your own."

Adrien nodded, took a deep breath, and bellowed,

"Plagg, transforme-moi!"

For a brief moment, a bright flash of green filled the chamber – and the Prince was no more. In his place stood a boy with slightly messy (yet still stylish enough for a ball) blond hair and sparkling green eyes that were reminiscent of a cat's hiding underneath a dark mask.

His attire did make him appear as though he was someone of high standards, shiny leather boots and an expensive black coat, to make sure the boy wouldn't fall out of place amongst the other ball attendants. Plagg had disappeared – when his powers were being used by the Miraculous, he could not be present physically – but that didn't seem bother Adrien any longer. It was as if this new suit gave him confidence – a feeling he'd never experienced. And he liked it.

"Now let's get to the party," Adrien told himself, "and find that Ladybug Princess."

"The sun is setting, Marinette. It's time to go the ball."

"But how?" Marinette mumbled. "I don't have a carriage... and it's too far to walk..."

Tikki smiled. "I believe your father took care of that," she said, trying hard to suppress a chuckle. "Your mother found the invitation. Strictly ordered your father to keep quiet until tonight."

Marinette raised an eyebrow. "Please tell me they didn't overspend on a dress."

Tikki shrugged. "You make clothes, don't you? They probably think you'd make one of your own." Marinette couldn't help but agree with that.

"Now, about that dress... simply ask me to transform you, and the Miraculous's Magic will do the rest.

"But remember: once the clock strikes midnight, you'll become a normal girl once again."

Marinette nodded, slightly doubtful, but still opened her mouth.

"Tikki, transforme... moi?"

A bright, pink light filled Marinette's small bedroom, causing a few passing citizens on the street to turn their head towards the small cottage behind the bakery. When the light extinguished, they shrugged and moved along with their evening, pretending nothing had happened.

Marinette couldn't believe what she saw when she looked in the mirror. She was no longer a baker's girl; she was dressed in a long ballroom gown. The skirt was black, that shimmered and glittered in the light. The bodice and the elbow-length gloves had a similar design; red, with black spots on the top end. Her shoulders were partially covered by a dark bertha which was similar to the dress's skirt; a ladybug-shell brooch held the two ends together on her chest.

Marinette's identity became a secret thanks to the mask on her face; it had a ladybug pattern. She was a Ladybug Princess.

The girl truly liked what Tikki had done with her hair; it was tied half up and half down, still allowing her bangs to fall free. Marinette had no idea she could look like that.

"Wow... Tikki, thank you!"

Marinette turned around, searching for Tikki, but there was no sign of her. "Oh, well," she mumbled, "guess I'm on my own from here on, then."

She made her way down the stairs, careful not to step on her hem and fall.

When she arrived downstairs, Marinette found her parents waiting by the door, smiling excitedly.

"Oh, just look how pretty she looks, Tom," Marinette's mother said. "Invited to a ball!"

"You look beautiful," her father said. "I- er- we couldn't help ourselves. We hired you a carriage to take you to the castle."

Marinette smiled. "Thank you father, thank you mother," she said. "I'm very grateful."

She hugged her parents and left, walking to the carriage that waited outside. It all felt so unreal. Was she truly going to a ball?

She guessed she was.

Marinette knew she mustn't forget the promise she'd made to Tikki; she had to find the boy dressed as a cat, carrying the Miraculous that belonged to Tikki's partner. Then, they could find and stop Hawk Moth together.

For tonight, she wasn't just a Princess, she was a badass.