Aqua Bug turns back into Ladybug and sits down on the rooftop that overlooks the Eiffel Tower. She sniffs as she watches the sunset, praying, more like wishing that Cat Noir will just appear and sit beside her. Then they can have their nightly chat about anything and everything. Maybe, end the night in each other's arms, gazing up at the stars. Planning their future together.
One where they got married, bought a cute little cottage in the country, grew plants and a vegetable garden. Cat Noir always wanted to become a gardener. He said it was relaxing and good for the soul. Avocado trees. He wants one or two of those. He doesn't even like Avocados, but he still wanted the trees. The teasing she gave him for it. Then they'd have a baby name her Emma. And she'd be perfect, like them. Tikki even said she may have special powers if conceived while transformed. Then 2 or 3 more kids, of course they'd need a bigger house or maybe just extensions. Let's not forget the hamster. Their life together would be perfect!
Ladybug's smile fades as the sound of reality returns her to her senses. Would have been perfect, would have been perfect. But now, now, she was alone. Alone in the world with no one left to care for. No one left to love or love her.
'I guess it was too perfect to be.' Ladybug pulled her knees up to her chest, and let a fresh wave of tears loose. She wondered if the tears would ever dry up, or if she'd drown in the pool of tears that seemed to be endless.
Ladybug could feel she was in someone's arms. Someone strong and warm, someone who loved her. Who held her with such tenderness and love. Maybe it was her Kitty Kat? Come back for her, come to protect her and love her as he always promised to do.
"… Kitty…" Ladybug mumbled into the person's chest. But, this person didn't have on a leather suit, they were wearing clothes. Maybe her Cat had turned into Adrien and was carrying her?
"I found her. She's alive!" A voice yelled. The voice was the person carrying her. That wasn't Adrien's or Cat Noir's voice. Maybe if she pretended for a little longer, it can be him.
"Thank goodness. Where was she?" A female voice yelled as it got closer.
"On their rooftop, curled up in a ball, crying. Something about Emma being a special little girl and how much mummy and daddy love her." The person holding her shrugged, as if confused by her words.
"Emma was the name she choose for her future daughter. The one she'd have with…" The female voice paused, but didn't finish.
Ladybug just buried herself deeper into the arms of 'Adrien'. Just as the darkness thankfully took her once more. She wasn't ready to see other people or talk to them just yet. She needed more time. She didn't know if it was her, or if from her weakened state after the battle caused the darkness. She didn't much care, she would have gladly stayed in the darkness for well ever. It didn't hurt there, and it was quiet.
"Marinette, Marinette. Please wake up. I'm scared. I don't know what to do without you. Please…" A voice called to her from some far off place. She couldn't remember who it was, and she was too weak to pull herself from the warm darkness that surrounded her.
'Maybe a lil longer won't hurt anyone. Yes, a lil longer.' She thought as the darkness enveloped her mind once more, and she heard no more.
Something cold and wet touched her face, rousing her from the darkness once more. This time, however, she felt she had the strength to pull away from the ever comforting darkness. Slowly but surely, she came back alive. She could feel that she was no longer in 'Adrien's' arms. But, in a soft, warm, cushy thing.
Her bed, maybe? Was she at home in her bedroom? How was she going to explain to her mother where she'd been this whole time? As quickly as the thought came, she pushed it away. She no longer cared about her identity, about Ladybug or the Miraculous. She'll call Su-han and send them home with him. They'll be safe at the Monastery and she won't have to see them every day. Reminding her of what she has lost, and will never get back.
She didn't hate the Kwarmi or the Miraculous. But she also didn't want them around anymore. She had fulfilled her end of the bargain with Nooroo. She got them out safely and protected them. She's done. She no longer wanted to be a Guardian. But the idea of losing her memories, losing the only thing she had left of Adrien, her Kitty. Was also too much to bear. No, if she sends them to Su-Han, he'll demand she give up the box as well.
Something cold and wet hit her face once more. Slowly, she struggles to open her eyes to see what it is. At first, she sure her eyes were open. Until she realises, it's dark outside. That's why she can't see. Looking up above her, her sky light was open and soft drops of rain were falling in from outside. That's what's hitting her in the face.
Oh, oh, how she misses her Kitty! A simple thing, as her skylight was enough to invoke memories of them together on her balcony. Closing her eyes for a moment, she's deciding to fight the urge to let the darkness consume her again or not. When a voice calls out from the dark to her.
"Marinette? Are you awake?!" A small female voice says, it sounds tired and sad.
"… Tikki?" Marinette opens her eyes again to see a red glowing creature fly straight at her face. Hitting it with full force, causing her to wince.
"Marinette! You're awake! You're alive!" Tikki says through sobs, as she clings to Marinette's face.
"How…" She can't finish the sentence. Does she want to know how much time has passed? Does it matter? Not like it would bring back Adrien or her Kitty.
"It's been almost a month! You were- we were in the cave for almost 2 weeks, and you've been unconscious for another 2 weeks. The doctor said you were perfectly healthy, physically. But, that the problem was your… mind. It… it didn't want to wake up. He said… he said… you'd either wake up... or… or…" Tikki's sob became too strong to get anymore words out.
Marinette wishes she could reach up to hug her, but she realises her arms won't move. The blankets and sheets were so tight around her, she could barely breathe, let alone move.
"Tikki… why can't I move?" Marinette mumbles, as she tries to get free.
"You… You kept trying to escape. Saying, you had to go find him. Go find him and tell him you loved him. Tell him you were sorry, sorry you never told him sooner. Sorry, you couldn't save him." Tikki's sobs begin again, as she helps Marinette loosen the surrounding blankets.
"Cat Noir…" Marinette whispers. She didn't remember doing any of that. But she's not surprised. She never got to tell Cat or Adrien she loved him. He knew, of course, but she never said the words. It makes sense that would be her biggest regret.
"I'm… I'm sorry… Tikki." Marinette frees her arms, and cups her hands around Tikki's little body. Suddenly she sits up straight in bed.
"Where's Cat's ring?!" She asks the frightened Kwarmi at her suddenly speed.
"Plagg has it. He won't let anyone near it." Tikki says, as she sits on the bed railing.
"Plagg, Plagg. Come here buddy, it's okay. You can keep the ring." Marinette could hear the sadness in Tikki's voice. She wasn't the only one suffering.
Out of the darkness floats over a ring. Once close enough, she can see it's Plagg carrying it. His eyes are hollow looking, and he looks as if he hasn't eaten in a month. Or slept. Plagg slowly lands on Marinette's outstretched hand. And holds up the ring for her.
Marinette takes the ring from him and hugs it, before picking up Plagg and hugging him as well. Then scooping up Tikki the hug to finish it.
"I'm so sorry Plagg, I'm so sorry." This time it's Marinette who can barely get her words out around her sobs. Two tiny sobs join in with Marinette's. The three of them sit there for what feels like hours as they sob and hug one another.
Marinette blinks and covers her eyes, as something bright shines in them. She opens her eyes and looks up at the skylight. The sun's out. It's morning. Looking down at the Kwarmi still in her hands, she sighs and snuggles closer to them.
'No, I could never send them away. Not now, they need me, as much as I need them.' She thinks as she watches them sleep, Plagg wrapped up in Tikki's arms.
"Marinette, are you… awake?" Her Mama's voice drifts up from behind the trapdoor.
How on an ordinary day, she'd yell back. She is awake and ready to start her day. But she's not sure she's ready to face another person just yet. But, if it has been a month. Her parents must be worried sick about her. Tucking the sleeping Kwarmi back into the drawer they sleep in.
"… Y… es…" She tries to choke out, not realising her dry her throat is. She hopes she heard her, but when she hears nothing. She figures it wasn't loud enough. Maybe, maybe she should text her?
Marinette's staring at her phone, wondering if she should text her, when her trap door opens slowly and her Mama pokes her head through slowly. "Marinette?"
"… Hey… Mama…" She says weakly, as she gives a lame little wave.
Her Mama's eyes swell with tears as she sees her daughter awake and sitting up, talking even. "Oh, Marinette. You're awake! You're awake!" She all but screams as she throws open the trapdoor and runs into the room.
"Y… es… M.. ama." She coughs, not remembering it being this hard to talk last night. But, then again, those were just whispers.
"Oh, oh. You need a drink. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere!" Her Mama gives her a stern look, before disappearing back down the trapdoor.
Marinette would have made a 'Where's she gonna go?' joke. But, after being gone and unconscious for a month, maybe now's not the time?
Setting a tray on Marinette's lap, her Mama hands her a cup with a straw. "Here sip slowly. You don't want to make yourself sick."
Marinette took the cup and slowly sipped on the water as it coated her throat and made her mouth feel less like a cactus and more like a mouth again.
"Thanks… Mama." She croaks out through sips.
"Oh, your friends are going to be so excited to know that you're okay now. I'm sure they'll be excited to see you." Mama says, as she takes the cup and hands her some toast, with butter and jam on it.
Not feeling hungry at all, but she knew if she didn't, her Mama would just force her. So she takes it and nibbles on the edges.
"Why would they be excited to see me?" Marinette asks, trying to eat as little toast as possible.
"When they see you at school tomorrow?" Mama says, as she sets the tray to the side.
Marinette almost chokes on the piece of toast she's nibbling on. "Tomorrow?! I just woke 20 minutes ago!"
"Of course, but you best get out there and get on with life!" Mama says as she reaches out to touch her face. She pauses, as Marinette's eyes suddenly turn cold and close.
"Get out…" Marinette whispers as she sets the toast down on the plate. No longer interested in playing along anymore.
"I'm… sorry?" Her Mama asks, confused by Marinette's sudden switch in demeanour.
"I said, get out!" Marinette screams, as she throws the tray across the room. "Get out!"
Sabine jumps out of her bed, horrified by her daughter's outburst, and slowly leaves the room. Closing the trapdoor behind her.
"How dare she! Telling you to get over Adrien that quickly?! Who does she think she is!" Plaggs' voice from beside her causes her to jump and turn to him.
"I completely agree Plagg, how dare she." Marinette's eyes swell with tears, as she collapses back into her bed. Wanting to get lost in her blackness again. Maybe this time forever.