Too Far
Marinette struggled against the binds that held her wrists and ankles together and the duct tape over her mouth. Some students from the Art teachers' class had taken it upon themselves to 'avenge' Lila and 'punish' Marinette for 'working with Hawkmoth'. Especially after the Italian had lost her hold over Marinette's class. Marinette heard the students muttering, before one approached her from behind. He didn't say anything, but he grabbed Marinette's jeans and pulled them down.
Marinette froze, what he was planning was abundantly clear. Tears welled in Marinette's eyes, as he grabbed her shirt and took a pair of scissors to it.
TF
Chat ducked as the Akuma swung their arm out. Pegasus and Vesperia were waiting for their Miraculous to recharge. Rena Furtive had told Chat she knew who everyone was. Chat was more than a little betrayed by the fact that Ladybug didn't trust him, despite Rena pointing out that if he became a Guardian, like Ladybug, he'd be a risk of losing his memories.
Chat opted to take it up with Ladybug when she appeared, which she hadn't. There was a splintering sound as Chat's staff hit the Akuma's object and caused it to shatter. Rena caught the fleeing Akuma in a jar.
"There," Said Rena, screwing the lid tight on the jar, "all we need to do is to get this to Ladybug."
Chat glanced around, obviously looking for her, "Not to seem rude, but where is she?"
Rena frowned before grabbing her flute and looking at her comm, "I have no idea, but great leadership, Chat."
Chat felt oddly proud at the complement, before scanning for Ladybug again, "Seriously though, she doesn't miss Akumas, it's not like her."
A small red blob shot towards the group, Chat and Rena openly gaped as Tikki flittered around in a panic.
"Chat Noir, something's happened, something bad. Ladybug's in danger and can transform, they have her tied up and gagged! You have to save her, quick follow me!" Tikki shot off again.
"But, I thought we weren't supposed to know each other's identities?" Called Chat, making Tikki zoom back towards him.
"Yes, you're not, but I don't think that's important right now, because they're going to rape her!" Shrieked the Kwami, making the four heroes' freeze.
"Tikki, lead the way." Said Chat, his voice firm.
Tikki shot off, this time with the heroes following her. The Kwami just hoped that they got there in time.
TF
Marinette let out a muffled wail as a third one finished with her. A hand smacked against her face, as another one pushed himself inside her. A hand snaked around her throat and tighten itself.
"Stop making noise, bitch." Snarled a voice in her ear, "This is your own fault anyway."
Marinette struggled to breathe, before the door splintered in half. Marinette heard a snarl, before the one that had just started with her was dragged away, while the rest were subdued.
"What the fuck were you just doing?" Snarled Chat's voice, while Rena's feet appeared in front of Marinette. The heroine quickly crouched down and gently started undoing Marinette's binds. As soon as Rena had freed Marinette and removed her gag, Marinette clung onto her like she was a lifeline.
"Punishing Hawkmoth's ally." Came the smug response, before there was a bloody crunch.
"Chat," Said Rena, making Chat look at her as Marinette sobbed, "We need to get her help."
Chat froze as the sight of Marinette shaking as she sobbed, before he swallowed and nodded. He knocked the guy out, before leaving to find a teacher or another adult. Rena looked at Vesperia and Pegasus and jerked her head towards the door, silently commanding them to stand guard.
The two followed through with the ordered, just as Chat returned with Ms. Mendeleiev. The stern teacher caught sight of Marinette, before pulling her phone from her pocket and calling the emergency services.
Chat nervously reached to Marinette, his hand gently touching her arm. Marinette tensed before she latched herself onto Chat, releasing Rena from her grip. Chat's eyes wandered down, before snapping back up and locked onto a patch on the wall. Marinette didn't need him trying to sneak a peek at her, especially after what she'd been through. Rena had gone off to recharge, and probably inform Marinette's parents. Chat heard a scuffle outside the door, before he heard Chloé demand to know what was going on. Chat's stomach dropped when he realised that his and Marinette's class were in this room during this period. Chat turned his head in time to see Alix slip into the room. Chat glared at the pink-haired girl, before she quietly slipped back out.
"We can't use this room," Chat heard Alix say, "there's a massive, dead rat in there."
There were some terrified squeals from some of the other girls and Kim, before Chat heard them run away. Ms. Mendeleiev entered the room with a couple of Paramedics and a Police Officer.
"I assume the culprits are in a secure room?" Questioned the Officer, making Mendeleiev nod once. One of the Paramedics reached out to Marinette, making the girl flinch towards Chat.
"Princess," Murmured Chat, "They're not going to hurt you. They just want to help you feel better."
Marinette hiccupped, before allowing the Paramedic to examine the bruises she got from the group of boys. Particularly the ones on her face. Chat was faintly aware of Marinette's parents arriving and the next thing he knew, he was detransformed and waiting for Gorilla to pick him up.
'Where's the day gone?' Thought Adrien, as the car pulled up to the curb.
Adrien opened the door and froze when he saw his father sitting in the car.
"Adrien, get in the car, it's the middle of winter." Said Gabriel, his face set in its usual stoic expression.
Adrien clambered in, quickly closing the door behind him. He'd already guessed why his father was here.
"You heard what happened to Marinette." Stated Adrien, flatly.
"I did." Confirmed Gabriel, as Adrien scowled.
"I don't know what Lila said, but Marinette didn't bring this on herself," Said Adrien, his scowl making him look older, "no one who's raped brings it on themselves. Lila's nothing but a liar and a manipulator, I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up working with Hawkmoth."
Gabriel sat there, only blinking, before he took a breath, "Well, your strong opinions aside, I think it would be best if I withdrew you from public school."
"Why?!" Demanded Adrien, his temper rising.
"The culprits are in your fencing club, and they told the Police that you knew and approved of their attack." Snapped Gabriel, making Adrien freeze, "The Police plan on questioning you tomorrow, hopefully Mr Hayworth will be able to convince them of your innocence in this matter."
Adrien's shoulders slumped as he processed what his father had just told him.
"I have also offered to pay for any counselling sessions your… friend may require." Finished Gabriel, silently cursing. He didn't try to explain how Nooroo told him he couldn't release any Akumas until the girl had healed, which could take years. Something about her soul lashing out any anyone or thing that could harm her.
The ride to the mansion was made in silence, with Adrien staring out the window for the entirety of the drive.
TF
Sabine's heart hurt when she saw Marinette flinching away from the medical staff. The Psychiatrist had said that it would be likely that Marinette wouldn't be able to recover fully, but they also said that there was the chance that Marinette, with the right help, would bounce back to her old self. Sabine had doubted it, not when Marinette constantly woke up screaming every night. It'd been a fortnight since the incident had occurred.
Sabine internally scoffed, incident, as if being raped in a place Marinette was supposed to be classed as an incident. The culprit's father had tried to spin the tale that Marinette made the entire rape 'incident' up. That, of course, was completely derailed when said culprit had gloated to his friends about how Marinette had screamed and begged him to stop.
Needless to say, the father's claims were thrown out. Sabine heard a shuffling sound, making her look towards the door. Roland was shuffling in, carrying a carboard box with holes in it. Personally, Sabine found that trying to reach Roland was like trying to speak to the dead.
"Marinette hasn't improved." Said Sabine, her voice hoarse.
Roland frowned, before adjusting the box, "I read that these are supposed to help."
Sabine frowned as Roland reached into the box and produced a puppy, held by the scruff of the neck. It was a beautiful red Labrador, its tongue sticking out as it tried to lick Roland's hand.
"There's a cat in there as well." Grumbled Roland, as the puppy barked.
Sabine looked into Marinette's room, the girl was looking towards the door, while the nurse left to investigate the noise. The nurse paused at the sight of Roland holding a puppy above a box.
"Sir, I'm afraid that we do not allow pets on this floor." Said the Nurse, sounding exhausted.
"Relax, they're for my Grand-Daughter." Dismissed Roland, putting the dog back in the box.
The Nurse sighed, before walking over to the phone, "Could Dr. Bates please come to the Trauma Ward, floor six."
An hour later, Marinette was introduced to the box and the two small animals inside.
TF
Adrien tried not to squirm as Bridgette lied across his lap. Felix was sleeping on Marinette's chest, while the girl herself was absently scratching the cat behind the ears. Marinette had gotten the animals the previous week and she'd just been allowed to go home. Since the incident three weeks ago, Marinette had received counselling over the event, with Bridgette and Felix helping her along in her recovery. Adrien had been quickly charged of all charges relating to the incident.
"Do you think D'Argencourt will actually get the charges against Ethan and his gang overturned just so the school can win a fencing competition?" Asked Alya, making Adrien and Marinette jump, suddenly remembering that the creole girl was there. Nino was listening to music with Wayzz, Luka was fiddling with his guitar with Sass peeking out of the collar of his shirt, Kagami was reading a book with Longg on top of her head and Trixx was curled up on Alya's shoulder.
"I hope not," Replied Adrien, as Marinette slowly made her way towards the rest of the group, "But, he's proven to positively medieval in his attitude and judgement."
Marinette no longer flinched when any of the boys spoke, but all of them had experienced Marinette waking them up by screaming in her sleep.
"You know what's really weird?" Asked Luka, looking up from his guitar, "Hawkmoth hasn't attacked in three weeks."
Across the city, Hawkmoth released an Akuma, which promptly purified itself as soon as it was out of the window.
"Be patient, Gabriel, she'll recover enough soon." Grumbled Hawkmoth, deciding to give up for the day.