Too Bad
"I can't see why you can't get the charges overturned." Said D'Argencourt, frowning at Damocles.
"Maybe because a student was raped on school grounds." Snarled Mendeleiev, glaring at the other teacher.
"I hardly believe the word of a little whore trying to garner sympathy. Those three are some of my best students." Dismissed D'Argencourt, shocking the room.
"That's what this is about? A stupid competition?" Demanded Mendeleiev, her voice growing louder.
"If we are to stand a chance at this tournament, we need every advantage we can get." Retorted D'Argencourt, as Damocles frowned.
"They would provide an advantage." Mused Damocles, before looking at Bustier, "Caline, Ms. Dupain-Cheng is…active in that area, is she not?"
Ms. Bustier froze, her boss was telling her to lie? She looked around and saw everyone staring at her.
"I… I am not aware, Mr. Damocles." Stammered Bustier, glancing around the room, "I… I don't believe she is."
Damocles leaned forward, "Caline, I need you to think carefully, Ms. Dupain-Cheng is active in that area, isn't she?"
"Sir, she was raped under our care and even if you got the charges overturned, the culprits wouldn't be allowed to participate in the tournament, due to the allegations against them." Said Bustier, dread lining her stomach.
"Caline," Said Damocles, slowly, "You're fired, get out of my school."
"Sir-"
"OUT!" Bellowed Damocles, prompting Caline to get out of her seat and leave the room at a fast walk.
The rest of the staff looked at each other. Another teacher got up and walked out of the room, followed by another teacher, and another, and another, until it was just Damocles, D'Argencourt and Mendeleiev.
"Since your opinion of the matter is clear, sir, you can expect my resignation in the post." Sneered Mendeleiev, before stalking out of the room.
Almost all of the cars in the teacher's carpark were gone, Mendeleiev frowned, before walking over to Caline's car. She found the young woman gripping the steering wheel, staring straight ahead of herself, her breath coming out a short, fast gasps. Mendeleiev looked around Caline's car, trying to find Caline's inhaler but couldn't find it.
"Caline," Said Mendeleiev, opening the passenger door, and climbing in next to Bustier, "listen to me, in through the nose and out through the mouth."
Bustier took a deep breath in through her nose, before releasing a breath through her mouth.
"That's it, breathe." Soothed Mendeleiev, as Bustier repeated the process, her breathing evening out as she did.
"What am I going to do?" Gasped Bustier, her voice breaking, "I-I can't afford to lose my job, I-I-I can't. I-I have a baby coming, m-my rent is due, I-I'm behind with my bills a-and I-I-I can't lose my job."
Bustier dissolved into tears, her forehead dropping against the steering wheel. Mendeleiev frowned, before unbuckling Bustier's seat belt and guiding her out of her car, "Come on, Caline, I'll take you home."
"B-b-but my car." Sobbed Bustier, as Mendeleiev guided Bustier away her car and towards her own.
"Can be picked up tomorrow morning." Said Mendeleiev, as she opened the door for Bustier.
"O-okay." Whimpered Bustier, as Mendeleiev guided her into the passenger seat.
TB
Bridgette sat under the table with her chin resting on Sabine's lap, while Marinette sat curled up on the sofa with a blanket wrapped around her and Felix purring away on her chest. Marinette had been waking up from nightmares of the attack on her. The pets Roland had gotten her, while a cleaning nightmare, had been a great help. Sabine checked her phone, Michael's plane had landed an hour ago, Toby and Skye would be arriving at the end of the week, as they had to explain to their bosses why they had to fly across the world.
The sound of the door to the apartment got everyone's attention, Bridgette was at the door, barking her head off as a tall man with black hair, blue eyes and a semi-permanent scowl burst through.
"I need names and addresses!" Shouted Michael, tripping over the dog, "Fuck!"
Michael scrambled to his feet, his wolf's head necklace coming out from under his shirt.
"Hunting and killing those boys isn't going to help Marinette." Chastised Sabine, glaring at her eldest, "What did you tell your boss?"
"I listed a family emergency and that I wanted to get a view of my new stomping ground." Responded Michael, dropping a bag, "How is she?"
"She's been better, she's waking up with nightmares every other day." Answered Sabine, glancing into the flat before frowning, "What do you mean 'new stomping ground'?"
"I've gotten a job at the school as an IT technician." Grinned Michael, as his mother frowned.
"I thought you worked with the Police. Though I'm not sure if you heard," Started Sabine, "but all of the teachers resigned last night."
Michael's grin dropped, "Great, so I may not be needed."
"The principle fired one of Marinette's teachers because she refused to lie about Marinette." Said Sabine, as Michael froze, "Caline was in a terrible state because of it. They had her car towed to be destroyed this morning."
"How's the media taking it?" Groaned Michael, rubbing his face.
"They've actually been very supportive of Marinette," Informed Sabine, as Michael pinched the bridge of his nose, "They're calling for Damocles and D'Argencourt to resign."
Michael frowned at the floor, "I'm going to check on Caline tonight, make sure she's alright."
Sabine nodded, before Michael entered the living room and walked over to Marinette and crouched in front of her.
TB
Michael ran his hand down his face, he'd just pulled up in front the block of flats that Caline lived in. He shut off the car engine and got out. He'd seen the news about the mass exodus from Dupont. Several Celebrities had condemned the principle and the PE teacher.
Michael entered the building and found Caline pleading with the Landlord.
"Please, I just need more time." Begged Caline, as Michael frowned.
"No, the agreement clearly states that you must pay the full rent when it's due." Sneered the man, as Michael coughed.
"What's going on?" Asked Michael, as Caline quietly stepped to the side.
"Nothing that concerns you." Snarled the man, before looking back at Caline, "You have a day to empty the apartment."
"That's not enough time to remove all the furniture and any other belonging she might own." Interjected Michael, his eyes turning cold, "You work for the Ricca family, correct?"
The man nodded.
"I happen to know the Ricca family rather well," Snarled Michael, the air turning cold, "I wonder what their response would be if you threw out a pregnant woman because her job went tits up?"
The man paled, as Michael straightened up, "Now, how much is the rent?"
"3-300 euros a month." Stuttered the man, as Michael removed double the amount from his wallet.
"Here, a month for her and a month for me," Stated Michael, before leaning forwards, "I'd advise that you revise the charging rate, if I were you."
The man nodded frantically, before Michael ushered Caline to the lift. Once the two were in private, Michael turned to Caline, "Maman told me what happened."
Caline swallowed, before looking at her feet.
"Mendeleiev also told me about your reaction to Marinette getting raped." Continued Michael, gently placing his hands on Caline's shoulder, "How you're jumpy around D'Argen-whatever."
Caline bit her lip, making Michael pull her close, "Nothing was your fault, Cal, not Marinette and not you."
Caline broke down, burying her face into Michael's shoulder.
"How – how did you know?" Sobbed Caline, as Michael tightened his arms around her.
"I'm a Police Officer, Cal, I may not be on active duty and working as an IT technician, but I've seen enough victims to recognise one." Murmured Michael, inhaling Caline's scent, "Damocles and D'Argencourt are going to be arrested tomorrow. The old Polar Bear's going to taking over again."
Caline just sniffled into his shoulder; Michael was glad it was the opposite one to his bullet wound.
TB
"I will not step down because some mongrel whore decided to lie!" Bellowed D'Argencourt, while Damocles nervously wringed his hands.
"You're not getting a choice in the matter." Snapped Bonaventure, glaring at the man over her glasses, "You will either leave willingly or the Police will escort you off the premises."
D'Argencourt snarled and drew a sabre on them.
"That's illegal." Said a Police Officer, upon seeing the sharpened tip.
Another Officer withdrew his firearm from the holster on his hip, "Put the weapon down, now."
D'Argencourt only sneered and went to lunge, only for a basketball to smack him in the face. Michael stalked into the room, went straight up to D'Argencourt and punched him full force in the face. D'Argencourt dropped the sabre and cradled his newly broken nose.
"That was for calling my sister a whore," Snarled Michael, before punching D'Argencourt again, "that, was for Caline," Michael punched him a third time, "and that was for being an obnoxious, medieval cunt."
D'Argencourt gave a pitiful whine, as two Police officers hauled him to his feet.
"We really should be arresting you too," A female Police Officer said to Michael, "However, given the complex nature of this case, I'm going to let you off with a verbal warning."
"I won't punch anyone else in the future, guv." Grinned Michael, getting a huff from the Officer.
"W-well, perhaps we can perform s-some damage control." Started Damocles, making Bonaventure glower at him.
"Which is what your removal is, Hector." Snarled the woman, stalking up to him, "Get out of my school."
Damocles withered, now understanding why everyone called Bonaventure the 'Old Polar Bear'. She was a heavy-set woman, with sharp features and cold eyes behind square rimmed glasses, her hair was a silvery grey and the wrinkles on her face only added to her fearsome appearance.
Damocles did nothing and the Police guided him away. Bonaventure waited until Damocles was out of sight, before turning to Michael, "I want you to assess the computer network here, I want everything to be up-to-date and primed for use by Monday."
Michael whistles, "It'll be tight, but I should be able to do it if I work over the weekend."
"Do it." Ordered Bonaventure, before heading to her office, "I'll be informing the staff of the change of administration here and, hopefully, getting all our staff back."
"Some of them may ask for a raise." Called Michael, before looking at a server rack on the wall in front of him, "This should be fun."
TB
Marinette gripped onto Bridgette as she walked into the school. The memories of her ordeal rearing their heads as she walked past the computer room. The room where it happened. Marinette's breaths were coming out in short gasps. Before she knew it, she was curled up in a ball in a corner, holding Bridgette to her chest and sobbing uncontrollably.
Bridgette whined and licked her face, before barking. Marinette's vision was blurred, so when a pair of booted feet appeared in front of her, she screamed. Surprisingly gentle hands gripped her biceps and carefully pulled her to her feet. The hands gently guided her to the principal's office, and gently settling her in a soft chair.
"Marinette?" Said an old, gentle voice, "I'm Belladonna Bonaventure. I'm replacing Mr. Damocles as Principle here."
Marinette hiccupped, trying to stop herself from crying.
"Little one," Came the gruff voice of her brother, "You're safe, they can't hurt you."
Marinette tried to nod, but found herself unable to move.
"Marinette," Said Bonaventure, "Why don't you head home today? I'll make sure that your classmates bring you all the materials."
Marinette couldn't respond, but when she calmed down, she found herself back in her room, with Felix and Bridgette curled up with her. Marinette caught sight of her clock, her eyes widened when she saw the time. She'd been near catatonic for almost three hours.
Marinette felt something on her arm and tensed. The thing moved off her arm and into her line of sight. Tikki looked at her chosen sadly, before floating down and landing on Marinette's chest. A few moments later all the Kwami's had joined Tikki. Marinette felt her eye lids become heavy, before she fell asleep.
TB
Marinette looked around her, she'd had this nightmare before, but everything wasn't as bright in the last one. Marinette slowly made her way towards the computer room and slowly pushed the door open. Marinette was greeted with the sight of Chat, Adrien, beating someone. Chat had hit the person so much and so hard that he had blood decorating his fists.
"If you ever touch her again, I will tear you limb from limb." Snarled Chat, before defenestrating the person. Chat turned around and saw Marinette.
"You need to be resting." Worried Chat, advancing towards her and losing all traces of rage.
Marinette tensed slightly when Chat hugged her, before she slowly returned the hug.
TB
Hawkmoth smirked at he watched Nathalie work. A dream altering Akuma that operated from his lair. Sure, giving people good dreams and manipulating their nightmares so that they would feel protected wasn't a particularly good strategy for getting the miraculous, but he'd take what he could get.
He just needed a few more of these Akuma's to help Mlle Dupain-Cheng recover from her ordeal. Gabriel felt strangely good over helping people. He suddenly remembered that he needed to spend time with Adrien. The boy may be his son, but he knew nearly nothing about him. He had a feeling that Emilie would send him to his grave for neglecting their son.
What was his favourite flavour again?
TB
Marinette slowly made her way through the school, breathing slowly so she didn't start panicking. Her nightmares of the incident had changed to her friends beating the snot out of culprits. She'd also met with a therapist, a man called Giles who had a husband and two children, Marinette felt that Giles was picked because he was gay and had the highest success rate for rape victims. Marinette stopped as she drew level with the computer room. Taking a deep breath, Marinette pushed the door open.
"Kim, I don't understand how you managed to get seventeen serious viruses by opening one advert." Said Max, looking at a laptop.
"It was a Nigerian General who had €170000 to put in my bank account." Defended Kim, before looking over the laptop, "My Maman is going to kill me."
"Why, it's not her computer, is it?" Asked Marinette, her voice scratchy.
Both Kim and Max froze, before slowly looking at Marinette. Before she knew it, Kim had his arms wrapped around her and was holding her protectively.
Marinette couldn't explain it, by whenever she was with her friends, she felt safe.
"D'Argencourt tried to get the charges overturned, which got him a sentence for acting in conspiracy to…well, you know." Said Max, scratching the back of his head.
"Yeah, did you hear about what he did to Mdm. Bustier?" Asked Kim, pulling away from Marinette, "He admitted to raping her regularly until she was pregnant."
Marinette swallowed thickly, shocked that Mdm. Bustier was going through that and continued to be positive.
"Lila was fired from her modelling job, after M. Agreste heard her mocking you, Adrien was almost suspended because he knocked her front teeth out." Max informed her, just as the door opened.
"Max, I think the code on my blog died again." Said Alya, before seeing Marinette.
Alya put the laptop on a table and rushed to Marinette and enveloped her in in a hug.
"I missed you so much." Mumbled Alya, her face buried in Marinette's neck.
One by one, each member of her classed entered the room, all looking for Max, spotting Marinette and dropping everything they were doing so that they could hug Marinette. As more of them turned up, the safer Marinette found herself feeling.
"You all know that this room is still supposed to be locked, right?" Called Alix, from her place in the doorway.
Everyone froze, before looking at Max.
"The Wi-Fi was strongest in here?" Justified the boy.
TB
Lila nervously looked up at Mdm. Bonaventure and Officer Raincomprix, the detective was quietly talking to her mother behind her.
"We know for certain that your daughter knew nothing of the attack, despite being the provocation for it." Said the detective, her voice gruff, "However, she'll need to attend court to answer for her truancy, false charity collections and the alleged spying on a fellow student for his father."
"Thank you for not expelling her," Said Mdm. Rossi, "I wouldn't want her to be placed in a new environment and start the process all over again."
"You shouldn't be thanking me," Stated Bonaventure, "Your daughters liberties will be severely limited, she'll be excluded from all non-educational fieldtrips, and she will have additional classes to help her catch up as well as a course to make her understand just how dangerous her lying was."
Lila couldn't help but fear the new principle. She found she couldn't manipulate her like she could Damocles.
TB
The judge frowned at the man and three boys in front of him, "Let me get this straight, you wish all charges to be dropped, upon the accusation that the victim," He glared as D'Argencourt scoffed, "was, ahem, 'promiscuous' and 'an ally of Hawkmoth'."
"That is correct." Confirmed D'Argencourt, the Judge glared again.
"Despite there being multiple statements to the contrary." Remarked the Judge, "As well as evidence obtained by the Police."
D'Argencourt went red.
"I have no issued with dismissing this motion, any justifications for these actions are rendered void by the act itself," Said the Judge, glaring down at the group, "All of you will held in custody until the date of your trial."
With a slam of the gavel, the Judge ended the hearing.