Experiencing loss is a part of life;
Some people yearn for lost loved ones...
Some lose the harmony in relationships that- for them- lasted a lifetime...
Some people lose hope when their world begins to crumble...
Some lose patience when waiting is no longer an option...
Some lose their certainties in the people they call friends...
While others lose their soul when they believe there is nothing more left to lose...but it is those moments of true despair that our truest selves are revealed.
"There are three things need to be protected at all costs in no order; First, the Miracle Box- the device that holds all the Miraculous and Kwami's with limitless powers; Second, the grimoire- the tomb that is the key to unlocking every power that the Miraculous jewels are capable are wielding; Third, Master Fu who has to be protected at all costs-OW!" Ladybug remarked as he received a flick to his arm, causing Chat Noir to tense up at the sight. He looked between the two as they sat atop a rooftop garden under the cover of night. He sat across from the Master of the Miraculous while Ladybug stood next to his teacher with a serious expression on his face- but any seriousness he put forth was nullified by the turtle Kwami who was eating a macaroon on his head.
"That is wrong." Master Fu said firmly, crossing his arms. "The Miracle Box always comes first no matter what. If anyone were to discover the power it holds, they could become just as corrupted as Hawkmoth. The grimoire has three known copies, and two translated versions; the original is in the hands of Gabriel Agreste-" Chat Noir's ear twitched at the sound of his father's name being brought up. "I have one of the translated copies, and Ladybug is the only one who knows the location of the second one. Do you have any questions so far Chat Noir?"
Chat Noir lowered his head slightly, thinking to himself. "Uh- how exactly does that fashion guy have the Miraculous grimoire?" He asked hesitantly, feeling that he should be scolded for referring to his father as, "That fashion guy."
"As far as we know Gabriel Agreste is a collector of many artifacts and art pieces." Ladybug explained. "The grimoire itself was a relic that was lost over a century ago; it isn't out of the question for it to fall into the hands of a collector of all people."
"Okay, so then what exactly if you're taken out Master Fu? Knock on wood." Chat Noir quickly added as he knocked on the wooden bench he was sitting on, hoping that he wasn't asking a rude question. He noticed Ladybug tense up as Master Fu appeared to look sad for a moment.
"If I became unable to uphold my duties as the Guardian of the Miraculous then it would be passed along to my successor." Master Fu informed as he placed a hand on Ladybug's arm."But I hope that day will never come."
Chat Noir nodded. "What happens if both of you are taken out?" He asked, once again knocking on wood.
"If you're the last one standing in the event of a worst-case scenario, there's someone who will contact you first." Ladybug informed. "She lives outside of Hawkmoth's range and knows what to do in case of an emergency."
"Wow, you've really thought of everything." Chat Noir complimented. "But- and last question, what happens to you if Ladybug becomes the new Guardian of the Miracle box?"
Just before Master Fu could speak Ladybug immediately interjected. "I would never allow that to happen-OW!" Ladybug was once again pinched by his Master on his arm while Master Fu frowned at him.
"There is no telling what the future holds, however- Ladybug would only become Guardian if there was no other choice left." Master Fu informed. "Becoming a guardian is a terrible burden that I would never wish on another. It has always caused me to place the safety of the Miracle box first before anything else, and as a result, it becomes a path I've had to walk alone." Master Fu said with melancholy as he reminisced over sad memories. "However- I have full faith that should that day come, Ladybug will be fully capable so long as you're there with him." The Master added with a smile as Chat Noir could feel his face heat up.
"Chat Noir is fully capable Master, there's no one else I'd rather have as my partner." Ladybug said without missing a beat, effectively worsening Chat Noir's condition as he feared his heart would burst from his chest.
After parting from Master Fu the two stood on the roofs of the city, taking in the city of lights in her full glory. Chat Noir sighed heavily as he hadn't realized how tense he was during the whole affair. Ladybug was the one who had called him to meet up, and at first, he was both nervous and excited to be involved in a meeting of the Master of the Miraculous- but not he was surprised to see how their relationship really was.
"You and Master Fu seem really close." Chat Noir said as he strolled next to his partner under the moonlight. He saw Ladybug tense up, and then flash him a guilty expression as he ruffled the back of his hair.
"Sorry, I should have introduced him to you sooner." Ladybug said apologetically as Chat Noir felt his stomach sink.
"No no! That's not- I mean, you were trying to keep him and me safe, I know that now!" Chat Noir exclaimed as he stumbled through his words while also childing his past self for resenting Ladybug's actions. "Yeah- I mean, I was upset, but I only thought that it was because you didn't trust me. Looking back now, I was being pretty selfish, it never really hit me that you were just being protective of Master Fu and the Kwami's. So sorry for that."
Ladybug nodded as he accepted Chat Noir's reasoning. "Yeah...I was never that great at communication, but- moving forward I'm going to try to do better by you. " Ladybug promised to place a hand on his chest as Chat Noir's tail twitched again.
"Did you uh- did you really mean what you said to the Master back there?" Chat Noir asked as he turned his head away sheepishly. "About me being your partner?"
"Of course." Ladybug said sincerely. "I couldn't be Ladybug if you weren't Chat Noir."
"J-Just so you know, it goes the same way for me too!" Chat Noir said as he looked the other way."I really love- being your partner! He quickly corrected as he felt his face burn but as he turned around he realized that his partner had already left, and he was standing atop the roof alone. "...Ah." He sighed with a heavy heart as his ears flattened.
"So, how is everyone else handling the missing hole in their lives fancy boy?" Alix asked as she saw that her friend was wearing his shop uniform.
Marin chuckled as he finished off packing the macarons in their boxes, wrapping them together with a ribbon. "You haven't been gone that lone Alix. But yes, we are all very distraught in your absence." He said, turning on on the face-cam on his phone, revealing his friend on the other end of the world.
"I can't wait to come back, Cairo is cool n'all, but I can't really skate around without finding some kind of surprise in my shoes." She admitted sighing heavily.
"Better you than me. We'll all definitely get ice cream together when you get back."
"Definitely, I could eat the whole shop! See you soon!"
"Bye." Marin said with a smile, placing his phone into his back pocket.
Marin wrapped his ladybug printed tie around the hook of the black pants of his uniform as he finished packing up the last of the macarons in boxes that had his family bakery's printed logo. He chuckled as Tikki hovered by, hoping for a quick snack but he quickly shoed her away.
"None for you sugarcube, these are special orders for the Bourgeois anniversary party."
"Oh please Marin, could I just have one? They smell so good!" Tikki pleaded.
Marin smiled at his Kwami just before walking out of the bakery. "I'll try to sneak you one midway through the party. Now hide." He asked as she flew into his messenger bag. He used his back to open the door but as a result, he accidentally tripped over the door hinge and was sure that the boxes would topple.
Luckily, they were steadied as he felt someone catch him. "Wh- Luka!" He exclaimed in surprise as he turned towards his friend- not expecting to see him at all today. "What are you doing here? Did we have plans?!" He added in a panic, wondering if he forgot, but Luka shook his head with an amused expression.
"No, I wanted to see you." Luka said as he took out his guitar. "I've been thinking of you actually, and I'm pretty sure I found your melody at last. A tune that matches you completely. Wanna hear it?"
Marin was stunned for a moment but then nodded not sure what to expect. What he heard however- was a soothing melody, one that made him feel at ease after his recent rush of excitement. After Luka had stopped playing Marin found himself wishing the song was longer.
"What do you think?" Luka asked.
"It's..." Marin stopped to try and come up with the right words but ended up blushing as he recalled how he was the inspiration. "It's a little inaccurate when it comes to me. You forgot to add all the random string plucks and a guitar string snapping midway through." He chuckled as Luka rested his arms on his guitar, looking at him thoughtfully.
"I think it would only make it better. There is a unique beauty in unpredictability, something that is unable to be caught." Luka said wistfully as he looked directly at his friend, who reflexively looked behind him, seeing that there was no one there and then felt his face burn as he realized he was the one being referred to.
"That's uh- that's the most cordial way of saying clumsy." Marin chuckled as he felt flustered under Luka's gaze.
Luka hummed to himself as he placed his guitar back into his basket. "Mm, it's still not quite right. I'm sure I can refine it better. Are you going somewhere?"
"Yeah- I'm on my way to the Grand Hotel." Marin said.
"Do you want a lift?" Luka offered, holding out a extra helmet.
Marin hesitated for a moment as he felt nervous all of a sudden. "Are you sure?"
"Of course, it's no trouble." Luka remarked, smiling in a way that eased the tension Marin felt as he smiled shyly.
"Thank you Luka. Now I'll have time to help set up." Marin said gratefully as he removed the boxes from the back seat.
"It's no problem, I was finished with my deliveries anyhow." Luka said as Marin handed back his helmet."
"If I can return the favor just let me know."
"Do you always do stuff like that?"
"Huh?"
"You don't always have to return favors. I like you, so I helped you out. But I would like to invite to get some ice cream sometime."
"Oh- sure, I'd like that a lot!" Marin rambled,
Marin stepped off the elevator on the top floor of the hotel in the same area where Chloe had her party. He saw a crowd slowly forming as he spotted both Adrien and Kagame sitting with their respective guardian. They hadn't spotted him yet, but Marin could feel his stomach sinking as he saw the two laughing together- smiling fondly at each other."
He knew he no right to feel envious, heck- both Adrien and Kagami had more in common, their families were already acquainted, and they did a number of after school activists together. All he and Adrien had in common was their friend group, enjoying the treats from his family bakery, and playing video games together.
Kagami on the other hand...was the perfect match.
Marin placed the boxes on the table and began placing them on a display cone while his parents had just finished setting up.
["I'll finish this, why don't you start passing out appetizers?"] His mother said, having him a circular tray while winking.
["Don't you need help?"] Marin asked, holding the tray that had an assortment of golden, black, and while macaroons- the color theme of the party.
["No no, we'll be okay. Go on now."] His mother insisted as he brushed off the feeling of confusion.
Adrien sat next to Kagami near where the main ceremony was intended to begin. He was in attendance due his father and Chloe being the ones to present the gift that they had made together. It was a little surprising to him, since it was his mother that Chloe had always been close to rather than his father- but perhaps they had a better relationship than he originally thought.
He was then snapped out of his thoughts as Kagami jabbed his side. Adrien looked at her first and then followed her line of sight as he saw Marin secretly giving treats to Fang the crocodile- thinking that he was unnoticed.
Both he and Kagami chucked as the same through crossed their mind.
"Can I go get some snacks, I'm really hungry." Adrien asked his bodyguard who could see that the table was in sight: and then promptly nodded.
"Mother I am quite famished, may I join him as well?" Kagami asked politely as her mother nodded her head.
Both Adrien and Kagami smiled victoriously as they be-lined towards their friend who was quickly falling prey to Fang rolling onto his back in a desperate attempt to garner more sweets.
"Is there only one guest at this party?" Adrien asked playfully.
"It appears reptiles have placed as the hugest priority guest." Kagami added while Marin turned towards with with a sheepish grin. "How unprofessional."
"Indeed- I dare say that we will have to inform your employers and have you fired immediately."
"Well- you could probably try." Marin said supportively to his friends, and a little fearful of where their plan might go.
"Miss Cheng-ma'am." Adrien said as he approached the table where both of Marin's parents were. "We both are lodging complaints and demand that this- server of yours be fired." Adrien said as Marins mother looked at him with an amused grin.
"Oh dear I am quite sorry your had to go through such an ordeal, however we cannot fire him." Sabine said, playing along while her husband began laughing behind her while he was still setting up the buffet table.
Both Adrien and Kagami exchanged a stunned expression as their plans were stuffled slightly.
"Could you fire him for say- an hour or so?" Kagami offered.
"Please?" Adrien pleaded, widening his eyes to perhaps sway her.
Sabine in turn glanced at her son, saying something quickly in manderin too fast for Adrien to pick up on but noticed that his friend looked embarrassed in responding quickly.
"If you can bring some drink umbrellas from kitchen and clear some of the empty trays, then you may steal him for around an hour or so." Sabine said as the three picked up the trays nearby.
"Cool, we got you fired!" Adrien said cheerfully as they walked towards the kitchen together.
Inside, Adiren and KAgami broke away, practicing their fencing skills with soup ladles while Marin was looking around for the box his father talked about. He immediately smiled when he saw them, but just as he was about to taken them out he saw Adrien's bodyguard approaching through the window.
"Duck!" He harshly whispered, waving his arm just as the door opened, while Adrien and Kagami dove under cover. "-s, huh? Very cute." Marin laughed as he scratched the back of his head while the bodyguard looked around.
"I'm pretty sure I heard Adriend and Kagami say that they were going downstairs to explore!" He mentioned, terrified for a split second that his lie would be seen through. But then the bodyguard grumbled as he left and Marin let out a breath of relief.
"Thanks!" Adrien said as Marin turned to see his friends pop out from behind the counter. "That was close."
"Well- that was terrifying, see you later-" Marin said but then heard Kagami's voice.
"No wait!" Kagami called out, as the two still were partially hidden. "Come escape with us."
"What?" Marin asked in disbelief. "I can't just go I have work to do."
"But we got you fired! Doesn't that mean anything to you?" Adrien asked in disbelief.
"Please come with us, I never get to spend time with my only friends." Kagami said, fully guilt-tripping Marin as Kagami was fully aware he always had a soft spot for his friends.
Marin clutched the box in his hands, his instincts telling him that this was a bad idea. He already knew how much Kagami and Adrien liked each other- heck, even their families were close- whereas they were just friends. He'd be remiss to go with them, yet…
"Just let me drop this off to my dad and I'll meet you on the staircase." Marin said with a smile as he threw logic out the window- not wanting to think about the consequences for once while his friends beamed happily.
After handing his father the box, Marin glanced at the stage, seeing that Chloe was off to the side holding a present, but what caught his attention was the look of nervousness on her face.
Marin felt a pit in his stomach grow, but even though he wanted to directly go to meet his friends he couldn't help but make a quick detour.
"Chloe?" He aksed as she snapped to attention, but then immediately scowled as she saw him.
"It's just you Dupain-Chengue." She sneered, as per usual.
"Are you alright?" He asked, but then grew defensive since it was Chloe he was talking to. "I- mean, it's your parents anniversary and you look like you're in trouble or something."
"Hmph- well I wouldn't expect you of all people to understand but for your information I'm the one in charge of gifting my parents this beautiful gift sewn by yours truly!" She remarked with some pride in her voice as Marin looked at her in disbelief. But before he could retort he looked at her hands, seeing that they were covered in bandages- evidence of a first time seamstress.
Marin then felt a pang of sympathy as he looked to the stage, seeing her parents bickering in front of a crowd of people. "Do you want to sneak away?"
Chloe looked at him in surprise as he himself had no idea why he asked that.
For a moment, he saw that Chloe was actually considering his words, clutching the box tightly as if it were a life preserver. But then she shook her head as her usual- bitter personality surfaces once again.
"Thanks but no thanks Dupain-Chengue. I am the daughter of the mayor of Paris and the most renown fashionisha in New York; if their only child isn't present to pass along a high quality gift then it will reflect badly- and mother's image is everything."
"Well- you know. If you're so proud of the gift that you've made then I'm sure your parents will love it." Marin said.
"Thanks." Chloe said in a calmer tone as her expression fell into one of worry while Marin nodded at her, feeling a foreboding sense of calamity in his chest as he walked away.
Marin chose to walk up the stairs after receiving a text from Adrien to do, feeling like he needed some time on his own. As he walked up Tikki popped out of his messenger bag.
"Why the long look? You're spending time with your friends." Tikki pointed out.
"I know- and I'm pretty sure this is what I want but, I don't know I'm worried about Chloe."
"You have a good heart Marin, but even if Chloe has once and a while been nice she's always been mean to you." Tikki pointed out.
"Yeah, but she wasn't always like that." Marin said as he thought back to when they were much younger. "I don't know- somehow I guess she became much worse in the past year- but I can't think of anything that would have made her act worse. Before she made fun of everyone, but it was nothing like what happened this year."
"It doesn't matter, if she doesn't feel bad for what she's done, then there's nothing to be done except avoid her."
"...Maybe." Marin muttered as he stepped out onto the roof of the building, and then was immediately met with plastic balls hitting his face.
For a second he was stunned, until he heard laughter and saw that Adrien and Kagami took cover behind some tables, both of them holding the plastic balls from the pool in their hands. A smile broke out on Marin's face as he picked up the fallen balls, throwing them back at them as he jumped over the railing and landed on the pool deck.
Sneaking around, he closed his eye for a moment, hearing the sounds of shoes stepping against the pool deck. In response Marin immediately revealed himself, throwing the two plastic balls he had on him- directly hitting both of his friends. But when he was driving for cover again, Adrien tackled him into the pool of plastic balls quickly followed by Kagami who jumped in after them.
The three of them laughed happily, hurling their now endless ammunition at each other. Marin felt elated for the first time in months- no longer feeling the weight of being a hero, or worrying about the resident villain. But then-
"Hey- your eyepatch." Kagami pointed out as Marin immediately tensed up, covering his face as he looked through the ball pit in a rush- he let out a sigh of relief as he lifted himself from the plastic ball-filled pool- placing it back on his face.
"Are you still hurt?" Adrien asked, looking concerned for his friend.
"No- no, it's just- it's nothing." Marin said, brushing it off and hoped that his friends wouldn't delve too deeply into it. He then clapped his hands together as a sudden idea came to mind. "Oh- there's a really good crepe stand nearby, we should try it before my break ends."
"That sounds good to me." Adrien remarked, turning towards Kagami who nodded.
"I've never really tried them before." She informed as Marin helped her out of the pool while Adrien lifted himself out. And then the two walked ahead while Marin adjusted the eye-patch on his face, feeling a sinking feeling as he ran to catch up with his friends.
Together they escaped the hotel, avoiding Adrien's bodyguard and then sat on a bench to catch their breaths.
"Aren't you two worried about getting in trouble?" Marin asked as he grew wary of being so far when his family may need his assistance.
"Trust me- it we were still there we'd just be sitting around being miserable together." Adrien informed as he turned to Kagami- both of them laughing aloud at their shared experience while Marin started to feel left out. But then he knew his day was only going to get worse from there as they heard a familiar tune and on the bridge was a familiar face.
"Hey! Let's get some ice cream from André!" Adrien said excitedly, running on ahead while Kagami looked at Marin in confusion.
"André is a sweethearts' ice cream maker. The legend says that whoever shares his ice cream together will be in love forever." Marin said with a bittersweet taste in his mouth.
"I don't believe in those kinds of myths, but I do believe in tasty ice cream." Kagami said as she grabbed Marin's hand as they followed Adrien onto the bridge.
"Which flavors for these two?" André asked aloud as he pointed his scooper at Adrien and Kagami. "Orange and peppermint, a perfect pairing that's always a success; nothing can turn it into a mess. And for you two-"
"Orange and Peppermint is just fine." Marin said immediately, intercutting the ice cream man with a smile as he turned to his friends- ignoring the negativity that was growing within him.
"Huh?" All eyes were on him in confusion
"Orange and peppermint just makes the most sense." Marin pointed out. "It's your favorite flavor- for some reason Adrien, and you like subtly sweet things Kagami."
"I suppose so." Kagami remarked, thinking it over for a moment.
"But what will you get Marin? Shouldn't we get a blend for all three of us?" Adrien asked as he turned to André.
"I can, but too many flavors mixed together may throw off the delicate balance." The ice cream man said.
"I doubt I could even finish it." Marin chuckled, as he hoped desperately that his friends wouldn't be able to notice how difficult it was for him to speak. "Besides- I really can't stand Adrien's flavor palette. I think he'd even eat Camembert if it was a flavor." He joked while Kagami chuckled as well at the thought.
"That's ridiculous!" Adrien shot back. "I wouldn't eat cheese ice cream!"
"It is true that you love camembert though." Kagami pointed out. "If you didn't wear the fragrance then the stench would always be unbearable."
Adrien opened his mouth again to speak, but then quickly realized he couldn't exactly retort that claim. Since there was basically no one who could enjoy the smell of cheese, well except-
"Well don't keep Kagami waiting." Marin pointed out as he prodded Adrien forward towards the ice cream maker. "This is her first time eating magic ice cream, and here you are arguing about cheese ice cream."
Adrien scoffed at his friends, but then half-heartedly chuckled in agreement as André prepared the ice cream.
Marin then walked with Kagami off of the bridge as he pointed out a scenic spot near the water. "That's the best spot to watch the water, this time of day the reflection basically glistens off the waves." He said as Kagami looked back at him.
"Are you leaving already?" She asked, to which he nodded.
"Kind of have to, even if my parents don't need help serving, there's always something to be done. Besides," He then lowered his voice, whispering into her ear. "I wouldn't want to ruin your romantic moment." He said, portraying the expression of a supportive friend while it felt like he was dying inside. But felt some amusement as he saw Kagami blush slightly, quickly he patted her shoulder and then ran away- any semblance of a smile quickly fading as he pushed back his tears.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Tikki exclaimed as Marin had ducked into a narrow alleyway, far from the sight of anyone on the streets. The Kwami had immediately erupted from Marin's messenger bag, fully outraged while Marin didn't try to calm her down. "You're the one who's worked so hard to become Adrien's friend! You're the one who likes him! Why aren't you even trying?!"
But even in a moment where he felt like he should be just as outraged as Tikki he still smiled. "Because they like each other." He said folding his fingers together, looking down at his hands. "They can be together more frequently, their families are closer with each other, and they have the most in common." Marin began reasoning but Tikki then yelled at him again.
"That doesn't mean anything!" She exclaimed now fully frustrated. "Love isn't supposed to always be reasonable or pragmatic or safe! You never even asked how Adrien feels about you!"
"And I don't want to." Marin said more sternly. "I already know he sees me as a close friend. Kagami does as well, and I don't want to hurt either of them by putting myself in a place where I don't need to belong. They're lucky to have each other." He said, feeling bile in his words while Tikki sighed heavily in disappointment.
Marin tried to console his Kwami but for the first time, she refuted his touch and instead flew back into his back, now fully upset while Marin sighed heavily- feeling pain in his chest. However, he immediately snapped out of it as he heard a voice.
"Stop in the name of the law-ah!"
Marin ran to the entrance of the alleyway, seeing a large Akumatized monster with two familiar faces.
"This love of the city is so delectable!"
"And these lovebirds, what a treat!"
The two heads said together as Marin watched them targeting couples. His eyes immediately widened in the realization that his friends could be next and immediately opened his bag to see Tikki still upset.
"There's no time to waste. Tikki, spots on!"
Ladybug ran across the rooftops as he evaded the beams of the twin villains on his tail.
"I cannot wait, Ladybug!" One of them said as they switched to the other side.
"Your love for the people of Paris is renown! And now your love will make a delicious meal!"
Hearing those words caused his temper to flare in his chest as he took out his yo-yo. Spinning it, he ran directly towards a brick chimney just as the Hearthunter shot another beam. Ladybug evaded it by scaling up the walk, flipping off it and then binding the monster altogether.
"Do you two even hear how ridiculous you sound?!" Ladybug asked, spitting venom as he stood on their head, away from their attacks. He closed his eyes, trying to sense the Akuma, however, once he closed his eyes nothing came to mind as he was then shaken off onto another roof.
As he looked up, he saw the blast of Heart Hunter but as he was hit with the attack, he quickly realized that he was still there- rather than being reformed into a heart.
"What?! How?!" The Heart Hunter exclaimed in disbelief.
"...Oh please." He chided to himself, as he quickly realized the implication of the situation. "Looks like you're trying to blast the one person in the City of Love that doesn't believe in it." He remarked as the Heart Hunter only grew more angry, this time trying to suck him into their mouth.
Ladybug used his yo-yo to break away part of a chimney, kicking the pieces into Heart Hunter's mouth. The distraction gave him the time to jump off of the roof and towards a nearby subway, a place where the Akumatized Villain wouldn't be able to fit.
The hero closed his eyes again, focusing on his breathing rather than his emotions. But as he tried to sense the Akuma once more it was no use. He gritted his teeth in frustration as he punched a wall nearby.
"What is wrong with me today?" He asked himself aloud as his abilities were failing him now that they were clouded. He took out his yo-yo, activating his bug phone, trying once again to call his partner but there was no response. "Where are you Chat Noir?" Ladybug asked, feeling some sadness surface, sending him a quick text and then throwing up his yo-yo.
"Lucky Charm!" He exclaimed, and from it fell a ladybug printed token. Looking it over, he saw that it had a merry-go-round on it.
Ladybug's feet hit the rooftops, once again trying to reach his partner, but failing. He wondered what had Chat Noir preoccupied, but then heard a familiar voice.
"Bring me my Miraculous, Ladybug! I'm waiting for you!" He turned to see Chloe yelling out towards him, but then he realized why Heart Hunter appeared so familiar. He quickly used his yo-yo to turn around, landing on the roof of the Grand Hotel right near where Chloe was standing. "Chloe- were your parents akumatized?" He asked as she nodded immediately.
"Yes! I need my Miraculous now more than ever! I have to save my parents!" She insisted, but then Ladybug took notice of her smeared make up.
"Chloe- do you know how exactly they were akumatized?" Ladybug asked.
"I- I don't-: Chloe stammered as she grasped her arm. "I think it was the heart-shaped broach on the...the gift they got."
"Broach?" Ladybug said to himself, thinking for a moment and then recalling that the Heart Hunter had heart-shaped earrings.
"Ladybug- what about my Miraculous?!" Chloe then demanded but Ladybug shook his head.
"I'm sorry Chloe, your identity as Queen Bee is known to the public. If I continue to give you a Miraculous then you'll be in harms way." Ladybug explained as Chloe's expression fell. He placed a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her. "I promise, I'll save your parents. Don't worry." He said, but didn't wait to hear Chloe's response as he had to hurry.
Ladybug heard his Miraculous beep once again for the second to final time as he reached the park area. Unable to risk anymore time he used his yo-yo to swing into the center of the carousel.
"Master-" He said as he shocked Master Fu, who was unprepared for a Ladybug to appear. De-transforming just as he entered the attendant's booth. "My sensing ability is dulled and Chat Noir isn't responding!" He quickly explained as Master Fu nodded.
Marin gave Tikki a cookie to munch on just as Master Fu took out the Miracle Box from the cooler.
"Marinus Dupain-Cheung, choose an ally you can trust to fight alongside you in this mission. Once the mission is over, you must retrieve the Miraculous from them and bring it back to me."
Instinctively, Marin's hand hovered over the Bee Miraculous, but then hesitated as the villain they were facing off against was agile and could prove to be more than a new Miraculous holder could handle. His second choice was the Fox Miraculous, but he had no idea where Alya could be as she and Nino could have been eaten by Heart Hunter.
"Ready!" Tikki said.
Marin looked at his Kwami hovering before him and transformed again. He took a moment to think as he reached for the Bee Miraculous, trusting his first instinct.
"Are you sure about the Bee Miraculous?" Master Fu asked as Ladybug nodded, pulling back his hand.
"We'll need Chloe to-"
Suddenly a blast sent everyone flying.
Ladybug hit the ground hard as under the cloud of dust appeared a giant moth hovering over them, and much to his horror- he saw that the Miracle box was unattended. Master Fu was badly hurt as he clutched his arm but even he was shocked as they watched the Miracle Box being picked up by a terrifying figure who smiled victoriously.
Ladybug could feel his entire body go into shock as standing before him, was Hawkmoth himself along with Mayura and a powerful Sentimonster.
"Your era of Heroes has ended, Guardian." Hawkmoth remarked. "Now watch as your prized pupils will know true defeat!" He announced victoriously, pointing his cane at them while Ladybug gripped his yo-yo.
Ladybug had dreamed of his day for a long time, that Hawkmoth would have the Miracle box in hand, that the Master would be discovered- that everything they had worked hard to protect would be placed into jeopardy. But somehow, this was far worse- as his partner wasn't by his side.
Notes:
-Ya'll like Chat Blanc? Well- this is gonna be like a Chat Blanc Trilogy
- There will be three characters given more focus, this one was Marin.
-Since I won't be updating this Miraculous Fic until the next few seasons after writing the Miraculous Specials chapters- I would like to know ya'll opinion: Should I make an ask-tumblr blog for fun? Where I'd post extra concept arts and doodles of the characters.
- the- angst -lord. tumblr com /post/657620835661660160 (If it isn't working, check on the archive post please)
- Thanks for the support!