Part 3
How could her home, her husband, and her love, just all be gone within a span of a minute?
Marinette sat on the cold forest floor, shivering in the night. She had called out to Adrien, begged him to come back, to no avail. He just left, and it was evident that he wasn't coming back.
"Tikki? Plagg?" she tried, but neither of the kwamis answered her call either. She was truly alone, all alone in this grand forest with nothing but a flimsy nightgown to cover herself.
No home, no food, no clothing, no husband...it was all gone in the blink of an eye. Her world started shifting, and before she knew it, she had emptied the rest of the contents of her stomach.
...
"Oh, Adrikins, I told you that mortals are all vile and distrustful creatures," AntiBug cooed, stroking her friend's golden locks. "You should have never gotten involved with her."
Chat Noir didn't say anything, opting instead to just lay on the plush bed in AntiBug's room. Surprisingly, she was okay with the whole affair that had transpired between himself and Marinette for the past month and a half.
In fact, one might say that she was even liked it.
The goddess was quick to offer him comfort and soothing words, not resisting to slide her fingers through his hair as she encouraged him that there were other women in the world.
He was briefly reminded of Marinette, and how she used to sift her fingers through his hair in the throes of passion. He was quick to dispel those thoughts, forcing himself to think of her betrayal again. The burn mark on his arm had long disappeared, as gods were gifted with fast healing. But nothing could heal the burn on his heart.
"I thought she loved me," he mumbled sadly.
"She never loved you," AntiBug stressed, frowning. "Mortals only care about looks, they could care less about a person's heart. Now do you see why I wanted her to live miserably? I knew she was nothing but a viper."
"Don't talk about her that way," he snapped, temper sparking. "She's still my wife."
"Your wife?!" AntiBug balked. "You never had a marriage ceremony, so she isn't really your wife. Adrien, listen to me, she's a bad woman who doesn't deserve you. Who better to know than another female?"
He turned away, frowning.
"She betrayed you. After all you've done for her she still had to see your face. Cheer up, you'll eventually forget about her."
Chat shook his head. He knew he could never forget about her, but didn't bother to voice his opinion. He just continued to sulk and bask in his friend's comfort and support.
...
Marinette, after days of walking, had finally made it back to her home. Her parents were overjoyed with her return, for Alya had told them of Marinette's predicament. This could only mean one thing!
"Did you kill the terrible beast?" Tom eagerly asked.
"She must have, if she's here," Sabine giggled. "Oh my darling, I'm so proud of you!"
She shrugged her shoulders as though she accomplished the task, yet it wasn't a big deal. She wasn't at all comfortable with sharing the information of who her husband really was. If they knew, they'd probably make her feel worse for her horrible mistake.
"I need to see Alya," Marinette quietly mumbled.
Her parents picked up on her somber mood, but now could link it to their daughter's desire to see her best friend again.
"Of course," Sabine agreed. "We'll have many pastries waiting for you," she promised with a wink. "Would you like an eclair for the trip?"
The blackette nodded, feeling a pang of hunger hit her when she mentioned the food. She took the offered treat and began walking to where her best friend currently lived. People on the streets had stared after her in wonder; they had heard about the Oracle's prediction so they were unsure as to why she was back.
She ignored them all, not breaking her determined stride to Alya's house. Along the way, she grew angrier and angrier.
Why did Alya have to plant that seed of doubt in her mind?
Why did Alya suggest her to use a single candle to see him, why not at least suggest one that had a metal bottom to catch the wax?
Why did Alya have to be so nosy about her husband in the first place. It was none of her business!
This was all her fault, hers!
She finally arrived at the small, modest house and didn't hesitate to bang her fist upon the door. A few seconds passed before she heard footsteps inside, and then Nino opened the door.
"Marinette? You're alive?" he asked, shock written across his face.
"I need to speak with Alya," the blackette growled, pushing past him in search of her. Nino had no clue what was going on, but he was perfectly aware of not to interrupt a woman on a mission.
"Upstairs, in the bedroom," he shakily responded. He returned to his work desk, finishing a song he was working on and staying out of the trouble brewing.
Marinette marched up the steps, to where she knew the master bedroom to be, and threw open the door. Alya jumped in her bed, startled, but a smile lit up her face at the sight of her best friend.
"Marinette! You escaped? How? Did you kill it?"
She frowned when the ravenette ignored her words, and stomped to the bed. Her blue eyes were alit in fury as she looked down at her.
"Marinette?" Alya questioned.
"My husband wasn't an 'it'," she hissed, budding anger lacing her words. "He was not a monster. He was the most loving, considerate, caring man I've ever known and I was lucky enough that he chose me to love. He was Chat Noir!"
Alya's hazel eyes enlarged in astonishment, her breath leaving her lungs in disbelief. "Chat Noir? You mean the god?"
"Yes!" Marinette fumed. "The most powerful god in existence! The only god without some type of scandal surrounding him. The only god ever known to have never taken a lover, until me." She pointed a finger at the pregnant woman. "This is all your fault!"
"B-But Mari," Alya stuttered, feeling horrible because she unknowingly ruined her friend's happiness. She was only worried of her safety, like any friend would be. "I thought-"
"Well you thought wrong!" Marinette shouted, enraged. "I should've never listened to you! I was the luckiest woman in the world to have him. He was everything I could ever dream for in a husband. And you took it all away!"
"M-Mari-"
"Shut up!" The scorned lover commanded. "It's not fair! It's not fair! I-I-"
Her shoulders hunched, hot tears trailed down her red cheeks. Her eyes squeezed shut and she collapsed to her knees in her grief.
"I love him."
The whisper was quiet and utterly broken. It was followed by the sounds of anguished sobbing, noises that only the most wounded animal would make.
Alya's eyes were moist at the heartbreaking noises. How could she suggest to Marinette to betray her husband like that? She had a husband who loved and treasured her, a man that gifted her with anything her heart desired. And it was beyond clear that Marinette loved every bit of him back.
And now that happiness was shattered beyond repair. All because of her.
She reached over the bed and gently prodded Marinette to sit beside her. The crying girl accepted and slipped under the covers, allowing Alya to rest her head atop her own in a comforting embrace.
"I'm so sorry, I really had no idea," Alya explained tearfully. What kind of best friend was she, to reduce Marinette to this former, crushed shell of herself? "I was worried he would hurt you. I'm so sorry, I know I'm a despicable person. I shouldn't have been so nosy, I shouldn't have interfered, I shouldn't-"
"No," Marinette whispered. "No. It's not your fault. I'm sorry for screaming at you, I shouldn't have done that. It is no one's fault but mine. I lit the candle, I accidentally dripped the wax on him. It's all my fault."
She ruefully chuckled. "My good ol' clumsiness struck again."
Alya gave an unlady-like snort and wrapped her arms around the ravenette. "Still, I'm sorry for making you doubt him. I shouldn't have asked so many questions about him."
"It's okay," Marinette insisted. "Anyone would be curious about their friend's husband. If it was the other way around, I would've been dying to know about Nino."
Alya shook her head with a half-grin. "Nah, he'd never hide his face from me. He thinks it's 'too good-looking to conceal'. His words, not mine."
The two girls laughed, with Marinette sniffing and wiping away her tears with her hand.
Until suddenly, the world began to sway again. Only this time, it was accompanied by black spots invading her vision.
"Marinette?" Alya called, feeling her start to sway in her arms. "Mari? Are you alright?"
The girl went limp.
"Nino!" Alya screamed at the top of her lungs in panic. "Run for a doctor!"
"No way! The baby's coming?!" His excited shout sounded from downstairs.
"Not yet, stupid! It's for Marinette. Hurry!"
...
"Miss Marinette? Miss Marinette, can you hear me?"
The girl in question let out a small groan and slowly opened her eyes. She winced at the harsh sunlight in the room, but after a few blinks her vision successfully adjusted to see Nino and Master Fu standing above her. Alya was laying in her bed by her side.
"Don't scare us like that again," Alya scolded, crossing her arms together.
"Yeah, I thought you were dead or something," Nino chuckled, scratching the back of his neck.
"What happened?" Marinette asked confusedly.
"I'm afraid you have fainted," Master Fu answered calmly, with that serene smile he always wore. "Are you feeling better?"
She pursed her lips distastefully. "A little thirsty, to be honest," she replied.
"I'll get you some water," Nino stated graciously, walking out of the room to complete the task. She didn't even have time to thank him before he left.
"But other than that I'm fine," she finished. "But what do you think caused me to faint?"
"Well, I've observed that there are a few reasons why," Fu murmured, staring critically at her upper body. "There are signs of fatigue and exhaustion on you. This was probably the most rest you've gotten in awhile, I suspect."
She bit her lip and nodded, her eyes flickering to the bedsheets below. She really hoped he didn't ask why she held those signs.
"You should take better care of yourself if you want your child to be healthy."
At this the blackette snapped her head up to look into his eyes, her mouth parted in puzzlement. Alya furrowed her eyebrows in misunderstanding.
"Child? What child?" Marinette questioned, although she had a sinking feeling that she already knew the answer.
"The child you carry, in here," Fu answered softly, bringing a hand over her stomach. "They haven't been there for very long, but they still need nourishment and care."
"I-I'm pregnant?" she breathed in amazement.
Alya's eyes almost popped out of her head. Her best friend was pregnant with Chat Noir's child. The most formidable god's baby was growing in her best friend's stomach. It almost seemed surreal.
"Yes," Fu confirmed, smiling. "Take care of yourself, Marinette, for I feel it is a rather special baby." He winked before turning on his heel and walking out of the room.
...
"It's been days," Chat Noir announced lowly.
"Yes, it has. I'm glad you are able to tell time," AntiBug tittered sarcastically, flipping her golden ponytail in front of her mirror. She puckered her lips, finding them a bit pale for her liking. As such, she brought out a tube of red lipstick.
"It's been days since I've seen her," he continued. "I've been thinking."
AntiBug craned her head away from her reflection, lipstick poised in midair, to gaze at the pondering handsome god sitting in her chair. His eyebrows were furrowed and a finger was on his chin.
"Thinking about what?" AntiBug asked suspiciously.
"It's been long enough," he answered determinedly. "Marinette was right. I should've revealed myself to her sooner. It's impossible to love a complete stranger."
"But you weren't a complete stranger, you were with her for over a month!" she screeched.
"I'm aware. But I lied to her and told her I was just a man. Love cannot exist where there are lies, Chloe." He turned away and frowned. "Do you think she'll take me back?"
AntiBug's eye twitched. No. No! This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to be angry and forsake his love for that wench, and that was when she'd swoop in and replace that foolish mortal!
Good thing she was always prepared.
She discreetly opened a drawer on her vanity, producing a single, blank playing card. Her lips curled upwards as she held it firmly in her fingertips and faced Chat Noir again.
"AntiBug says, sleep!"
Chat only had time to turn and look with wide eyes at the white projectile heading straight for him. It hit him squarely in the chest, causing the feline god to immediately collapse in a deep slumber.
AntiBug snickered and turned back to admire her reflection. She knew stealing one of Jackady's cards would pay off one day.
She knew he wouldn't sleep forever, but he would just long enough so that she could successfully convince him when he woke that Marinette had moved on from him. His heart would be broken, yes, but who better to repair it than herself?
Little did she know that the card's impact was gradually being destroyed at that very minute, so the effect wouldn't last as long compared to other gods.
...
"No one must know about this," Marinette shakily whispered to Alya. "No one."
"But why? You carry the child of a god!"
"I don't want any of the attention. Besides, I'm not technically married to Chat Noir. The child is a bastard," she solemnly explained. She covered her face with her hands.
"He hates me and now he's going to be permanently connected to me through this baby," she mumbled sorrowfully. "What have I done?"
"Um, didn't he have a hand in this?" Alya teased.
"Alya," Marinette growled through clenched teeth, removing her hands from her face to give her a hard look.
"And don't you think you're being hard on yourself? I mean, with all that you've told me, I highly doubt he hates you. Sure, he may be mad, but I don't think he hates you."
"He left me," Marinette stressed, her frustration growing. "I betrayed his trust. He has no reason to still love me."
"Then go out there and give him a reason!" Alya encouraged, grinning madly. "Go out and win him back. Prove to him that you're sorry for what you did and you'll do anything to gain his forgiveness."
Marinette's eyebrows creased. "Do you think it will work?"
"I know it will," she replied instantly. "He may be the god of destruction, but I haven't heard of him holding grudges for long. It's also been days since that night, I'm sure he's given it a lot of thought."
The seamstress nodded pensively. "You know what?" She looked into Alya's eyes with resolve in their blue depths. "I will do just that. But where do I start?"
"AntiBug is supposedly his best friend, and also the goddess of beauty, the same goddess people compared you to. I would go to one of her temples and pray, that way you can apologize for the people's slight on her and for yours on Chat Noir," she informed wisely.
Her best friend nodded. "You're right. I'll try at the closest temple for her. Thank you so much for your help."
"It's the least I can do after ruining everything," she mumbled, casting her eyes away from her. The guilt was still plaguing her heart.
"You didn't ruin everything, I did," Marinette reminded sternly, tacking on a half-smile at the end. "And now it's up to me to fix it."
...
Alya and Nino had made sure to supply Marinette with enough food and water to survive the long journey. Though Nino had no idea where his wife's friend was leaving to, he wished her luck all the same.
Marinette and Alya had both agreed to not reveal where Marinette was going, and why. It would crush her parents if they knew of her predicament.
And so, by the end of the day, the ravenette started her journey. She walked for two days, only stopping to eat and rest. Along her travels she whispered prayers to the gods, wishing for the safety for herself and for the growing child she carried. She didn't encounter any bandits or wild animals, so she assumed her prayers were granted.
When at long last she reached the temple, Marinette let out a long sigh of relief. Her food and water were beginning to dwindle, she probably wouldn't have lasted past two more days.
When she walked inside, she found it to be void of any people, and it looked to be that way for some time. Dust littered the place, along with wilted flowers and rotten food. It was obvious no one made an offering to the goddess in quite some time.
No god or goddess deserved this kind of treatment to their temple. And so, Marinette began to work on cleaning the place. She cleared the dust as best she could, and removed the rotted food and flowers. She stepped outside and picked fresh ones, then returned and placed them under the statue of AntiBug.
She knelt down in front of the statue's feet.
"Please, dear goddess, hear my prayer..."
...
AntiBug smirked wickedly as she observed the pathetic girl. She had to admit she was sort of useful, if her clean-up job of the temple was to show for anything.
She was now prattling on about her 'love' for Chat Noir, and how she was sorry that the people had dared to compare her beauty to that of a goddess. This only caused AntiBug to scoff in amusement.
"Hear that, Adrikins? She loves you!"
But the blond god said nothing, still trapped in his dreams. He lay peacefully in her bed, eyes closed and the corners of his mouth were turned down in a slight frown.
"Oh, I forgot, you can't speak just yet. Well," she sighed, "I might as well go down and make my grand appearance. I won't be too long." She walked over to press a kiss to the sleeping god's lips before she departed for the mortal world.
...
By the end of her prayer tears were starting return to the blackette's eyes. She hastily wiped them away with the back of her hand, knowing that she couldn't appear like a pathetic, blubbering food in front of AntiBug.
"So, you decide to finally show your face," she heard a mocking voice say. "And what a face it is, I don't see why he and the rest of the mortals like it so much."
In a flash of blinding yellow light appeared a slender woman wearing a black dress with red polka dots scattered all over the fabric. Her hair was up in a high ponytail with the curled ends touching the nape of her neck. Her body was perfect, Marinette could see curves that men would trip themselves over.
And then there was her face. Full, pouty lips curled into a vicious smirk. Long, black eyelashes that framed ice blue eyes and perfectly tanned skin. There was no doubt that this woman was the goddess of beauty herself.
Marinette, still kneeling, lowered her head to the ground in a sign of respect. "A-AntiBug..." she stammered.
"Yes, yes, I know, I'm perfect," AntiBug dismissed, waving a hand. "Now get your disgusting head off my temple floor."
Marinette tried not to let the comment affect her too much as she slowly rose into a stance.
"That's better. Now, how dare you hurt my Adrikins! All he wanted was the purest love and you practically spat on him. Look."
Marinette frowned when AntiBug produced a red-tinted bubble, showing the image of her husband sleeping in a bed somewhere unknown. With a flick of her wrist, the goddess willed the image away.
"He's so heartbroken that all he can is sleep," she chastised. "I don't know if he'll ever be the same again."
"I-I'm sorry," the girl stuttered, guilt hitting her heart like a sack of flour in her parents' bakery. "I didn't mean to-"
"Liar!" The blonde hissed. "You mortals are all conniving creatures, so don't believe for a second that I think you're really sorry."
"I love him!" Marinette shouted, angry tears filling her eyes. She tried to not let the words pierce her heart but the goddess's tongue was proving to be a formidable foe. "Please, please help me get him back! I'm sorry for what I did, I've learned my lesson. Please, at least let me talk-"
"You're not worthy of speaking to the all-powerful Chat Noir," AntiBug sneered. "All you were was an experimentory tryst. Nothing more. He wants a goddess, not an insignificant, fragile mortal."
Marinette felt her temper snap.
"That's not what he told me in the bedroom," she muttered darkly.
SMACK!
While the ravenette held her cheek with narrowed eyes, AntiBug looked about ready to burn her alive with her own glare.
"You dare speak to a goddess in that way? I was thinking of granting you some pity, but now I see that you're not worthy of it."
Marinette's anger melted away to be replaced by fear. How could she let her anger take over her mind? She should've thought before she spoke, because now she may never get to talk to Chat Noir again.
"No! Please, I'm sorry, you're right. It was an incredible offense to Your Greatness. I'm not as perfect as you are."
AntiBug crossed her arms and huffed, though a grin was playing upon her lips. "Well, that's most certainly true," she murmured.
She sighed. "Very well. I'll just see if you can prove yourself worthy of Chat Noir. It will be an amusing sight to see," she giggled. "Look down at your feet."
Marinette did as she was told, to find a large pile of seeds.
"Separate those seeds into piles of whatever plant they are. If you accomplish this, you will move on to the next task. If not, you will never have a chance with Chat Noir again. Do you understand?"
The girl nodded strongly, despite her worry inside. "Yes."
AntiBug smiled, yet there was no amount of kindness in it. "Alright. I'll be back in two hours. Good luck!"
With that she vanished into a bright yellow light. Marinette sat down in front of the pile, eyeing it with a frown on her lips. She was a baker and a seamstress, not a gardener or farmer. She had no clue which seeds were which. It didn't help that a lot of them looked very similar to each other.
"There's no way I can figure this out," Marinette sighed dejectedly. She'll never get to be with Adrien again, and all because of a pile of seeds.
Suddenly, in the corner of her eyes, Marinette spotted a long trail of ladybugs crawling to her. A bitter chuckle escaped past her lips.
"I know you guys are supposed to be lucky, but no amount of luck in the world can help me now."
The bugs ignored her statement, crawling straight to the pile of seeds. Just as Marinette was about to try to veer them away, the bugs starting picking them up and...sorting them?
Blue eyes blinked in wonder as the ladybugs picked up the seeds, threw them on their backs, and deposited them into tiny piles. Were these bugs really helping her?
Rest! A voice advised. Rest before she comes back!
"T-Tikki?!" Marinette gasped in bewilderment, having recognized the voice. She angled her head around, trying to find the little kwami, but there was no sign of her.
Rest, Marinette. You need it. My ladybugs will take care of the seeds.
She couldn't resist the urge for sleep, and so laid down on the stone floor and slept.
...
"What is this?!"
Marinette awoke to the jarring voice, her body snapping up and fully alert. She immediately locked eyes with AntiBug's freezing blue ones, who looked just about ready to freeze the mortal herself.
"How did you do this? Did you have help?" AntiBug snapped. "There is no way you could've accomplished this without help."
The blackette faltered in her answer, not knowing whether she should tell the truth or lie. Lying to a god or goddess could have severe consequences. And lying to a goddess that already can't stand you? She'd be instantly dead.
"I knew it," she hissed. "Fine, cheater. I have a task for you that I know no one can help you with."
Marinette shuddered, eyes slightly wider in growing nervousness.
AntiBug examined her flawless nails as she spoke. "There is a beast that lives on the other side of the Seine. She is Horrificator, do you know of her?"
The blue-eyed girl swallowed. Yes, everyone knew of the man-eating monster.
She grinned. "Good. I want you to get me some of the goo that comes off of her. It has beautifying qualities for a goddess like me."
Marinette blinked in astonishment. How could she get goo from a man-eating monster and not get eaten?!
"Good luck," the blonde simpered before disappearing again.
Marinette sighed and picked up her bag. She better come up with a plan before she arrived at the Seine, otherwise she'd be Horrificator-lunch.
...
Marinette had run out of food by the time she made it to the infamous river. She was tired, and most of all, hungry. And with the recent cramps she has been getting and morning sickness, she felt close to death.
Nevertheless she made it, but she still had no plan of how she was going to get the goo.
At the river she was able to spot a beastly creature of dark pink, and hurriedly hid behind a bush before the creature should see her. She heard it make a few guttural sounds before it stomped away.
With a tired grimace she crawled out of her hiding place to stand before the river's edge.
There was no hope for her to get that goo, not without making it back alive to tell the tale. She had the wrath of AntiBug on her hands, her husband was still furious and refused to see her, and she carried a growing baby from the same husband that had forsaken her.
She glanced down into the cool, blue water. The cool, blue, deep water.
All she would have to do is step in and never come out. And then this mess would be over.
No, Marinette, you mustn't! A voice she had never heard before cried out. Do not give up. This is hardly the end.
Despite hearing the strange voice, all Marinette did was laugh.
"I'd say it is. I'm tired, hungry, and have to collect goo from a man-eating beast. Not to mention at least two gods hate me. Yes, I'd say this is the end."
You must live, Marinette. Do not give up. If you die, Chat Noir will let the world know his fury.
"He hates me."
The Horrificator leaves goo behind wherever she walks. There is a bridge off to your right. Use it, and collect the goo for AntiBug.
"But-"
Good luck.
She huffed irritably. Why did these-kwamis?-want her to succeed so badly? She knew her husband, enough to know he wasn't vengeful. She highly doubted he'd destroy everything in his path should she perish. She wasn't all that important.
But she couldn't ignore that ray of hope in her heart that believed they could be together again, together and happy.
With a grunt, she rose and walked to where she was told the bridge to be.
...
"How?!"
Marinette flinched under AntiBug's screech.
"How is this possible? Did you have help again?" she snapped, completely incensed.
"I-"
"You're nothing but a dirty cheater," the blonde accused, growling and pointing at the poor mortal. "Chat Noir wants nothing to do with cheaters."
"But-!"
"Silence!" she commanded. "I'm giving you one more task, one I absolutely know you cannot accomplish on your own. I want you to go to the Underworld, and get me a box of Celine's beauty."
Marinette's mouth dropped. "What?! Go to the-"
"Yes, the Underworld, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
"But I have to be dead to go there!"
AntiBug shrugged and grinned. "I certainly wouldn't miss you."
"B-But, how-?"
"Better figure something out. Good luck," she tittered sarcastically, even adding a wave of her fingertips for good measure, before disappearing again.
Marinette groaned and buried her head in her hands. How was she going to complete this task?
A/N: Part 4 will be the last :)