Tikki had Marinette up giggling, but luckily they didn't stay up to late. Tikki had many fascinating stories of past Ladybugs, and Marinette couldn't get enough of her stories. However, it did make her feel plain and ordinary. But Hesperia wouldn't have choose her, if he thought she wasn't up for the job.
"So, is Claw Noir your boyfriend?" Her Kwami asked, and Marinette sighed. "More like I'm torn," she confessed, grabbing her pillow. "I like Adrien Agreste too. And besides, we're still getting to know each other."
But why then did her heart bump around in her chest as she entered the art room, and found Adrien staring at her. Despite her jangled nerves, she was happy to be surrounded by paints and brushes, ready to be turned into beautiful works of art.
"So, did you pass the test?" Adrien asked, and Marinette turned, gasping. Adrien was in a halo of sunlight, the sunbeams falling on the model perfectly. Marinette had to blink rapidly, rubbing at her eyes. "Are you some kind of angel?" she asked her own question instead, instead of answering Adrien's. Adrien's lips moved, then he laughed. "No, I'm no angel, but the lighting does make me look angelic."
"Yes, to answer your earlier question," Marinette dipped her brush into the yellow jar. "And don't move, I'm going to paint you as an angel." She told Adrien about the test, as they were the only ones in the classroom. "Can I see the earrings?" Adrien asked. Marinette nodded, unfastening them from her ears. "Huh, they were cameo just a second ago?" Marinette's voice rose in question, now the famous five black dots swimming in a sea of red sat in Adrien's palm. "There beautiful," Adrien whispered.
Marinette shuddered lightly, taking them back and fastening them to her ears. "How can one-" But the bell rang, and Adrien sighed. Perhaps his Princess would tell them later, as there teacher stepped to the front and clapped his hands.
"Alright, everyone! We're going to be doing something a little different today, but I know you will enjoy it. Class trip to the craft store!" Marinette cheered, it had been one of her first stops on her wanderings about Paris. "Find a partner, then line up by the door."
"Adrkins!" Chloe reminded Marinette of a tiger as she pounced, but Adrien shook her off gracefully. "Thanks, but I already have a partner," Adrien walked over to Marinette. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his hand. Marinette smiled shyly, slipping her hand into his.
"Look Marinette, its your favorite place in the world!" Adrien joked as they walked past a Starbucks and Marinette laughed. "Come on, that's only one of my favorite places. My balcony with my flower garden is my secret paradise. I do hope the seeds start sprouting soon," she sighed.
Marinette perked up as they entered the craft store, and the instructions were simple. Find things in nature that you could make it into art. "Yes!" Marinette punched the air. "We can get beads and make lucky charm bracelets!"
Adrien and Marinette giggled as they pawed through the beads, some beautiful, some hideous like a fly. They picked out all the beads they needed, then headed over to the bracelet strings to measure and cut the right length.
"Its a perfect fit," Adrien's touch was warm as he fitted Marinette's bracelet then drew a red shimmering ladybug bead from the basket. "Your my brand of Ladybug," he whispered, and Marinette felt hot, her cheeks darkening with color. Adrien's eyes were darker too, and without warning, she wanted Adrien to kiss her.
Could he read the messages in her eyes? Or did he want a kiss as badly as his Princess, as he kissed Marinette gently. Marinette's nerves melted away, and Adrien he loved this girl.
Was it accidental that they brushed each other's arms while helping to make their bracelets or the sudden giggle attacks that sent tears down their cheeks?
"See you soon, Marinette," Adrien wrapped in a hug, catching a whiff of honey and strawberries. However, there was a dark cloud in the room, and Chloe hadn't forgiven Marinette for taking her "Adrikins" away.
"Marinette," she asked, walking over holding a bucket of paint, "could help me-oops!" Marinette gasped in horror as blue paint covered her outfit, a gift from her Ya-Ya. "You!" she spluttered. "Why do you have to be so mean? Adrien clearly doesn't want to be your friend, so stop blaming me for it!"
Marinette's anger bubbled to the surface as she walked away, hot tears stinging her eyes. Little did she know a man was watching, a man who wanted her earrings.
He was concealed in the shadows, wearing a black cloak and hood as he removed the black and purple butterfly, sending it towards the newly hatched and right now distressed Ladybug.
Marinette wiped her eyes, what would she tell her mother? She was so distracted, she didn't see the akuma heading towards her.
However, Adrien heard the rush of wings and immediately he ducked behind the pillar. "Plagg, Daggers Out!"
Just before the akuma could make a home in her earring, Claw bowled Marinette over just in time. "Cataclysm," he hissed, using his destructive power to crumble the wicked insect into dust.
Marinette's heart pounded and she fought to catch her breath from the impact. "Claw? What was that?" "A akuma," he lifted her into his arms. "Brought on by a negative emotion, and no doubt sent out by the Supreme."
"He's here?!" Marinette's voice rose, even in a whisper. "We should after him!" "No, Princess! Not without proper training!" he held her as she struggled in his arms. "Come on, let's get you home." "Wait," Marinette touched his cheek. "Not without thanking you for saving my life," she told him, kissing him on the cheek. "You have Adrien to thank too. If he hadn't alerted me.."
Marinette cried as she showed her mother her ruined outfit, even with Claw sitting on the couch. He hated to see his Princess crying, but the more he looked he wondered if his father could fix this.
"Princess?" Claw cleared his throat softly. "I have an idea, if you'd let me have the shirt overnight." Marinette wiped at her eyes. "Okay. I'll go change."
Marinette headed upstairs, heart now heavy after such a fun day. She changed, but she wandered up to her balcony, checking on her garden.
Being in the cool fresh evening air made her feel a bit calmer, and she heard a humming sound. She turned and looked up to find Grandma Hyssop watering her own flowers on her balcony. "Marinette! Have you been crying?" Marinette nodded, not trusting herself to speak. "I could really use a friend right now," she whispered.
"Come here, my child," she said, tenderly. "I'll be right over," Marinette called, and Hyssop watched the young ladybug disappear.
"Grandma invited me over," Marinette told Claw as he stood up. "I'll walk you to school tomorrow," Claw said, giving her a hug.
"Claw?" her voice was soft as she looked up at him. "I love you." Claw wasn't sure what to respond, he only smiled fondly at her, touching her cheek then was gone.
Marinette was glad for Grandma Hyssop's hug, her dress smelling of flowers and good kitchen smells. Everything from this morning, to being Ladybug, even Tikki made an appearance.
"Good to see you again, little one!" Grandma brought out her famous honey cake, and Marinette looked between the two of them. "You two know each other?" "Its only natural, Marinette, for I am one of the Guardians of The Miraculous."
"Hesperia told me I'd be getting some training. Did he mean with you?" "Goodness, no, my child. I'm to old and creaky for that now. No, you'll be sent to Tibet as soon as Hesperia gets the papers in orders."
"Claw saved me from a akuma today," Marinette sipped her warm tea, warming her belly. "What did you say?" Grandma asked, sharply. "Claw saved me from something he called a akuma…."
Marinette's voice trailed off as Grandma grabbed a black cloak and tossed one to Marinette. "Finish your cake, and put this on. If there's a akuma around, that means the Supreme must be close by."
"You know Hesperia too?" Marinette asked as she followed Grandma Hyssop through the twilight. "Yes, child. Now, save your questions."
Marinette nodded, pulling her hood up over her hair, following Grandma into the darkening night.
From the shadows, the Supreme watched the young girl and the old Grandma pass by his hiding spot. So, they were to warn Hesperia, eh? Not on his watch. It was easy to make a portal, covering millions of miles in a single step.
It was chilly here on the mountain, but this remote spot was exactly what the Supreme was looking for as he pinned the Peacock Miraculous to his chest. Though it seemed like little effort, sweat beads soon dotted his forehead, as he created his perfect masterpiece. Cat Blanc.
Almost identical looking to Claw Noir, the Supreme smiled. Only this cat was pure white, like the fresh mountain snow. Eyes so blue you could lose yourself in them, until a blast of light snuffed you out.
"Your mission is to destroy any boulders that come in your path," The Supreme instructed. "Once you have a handle on your power, you are to go into hiding. If Claw Noir or Ladybug are sighted, destroy them. But bring their Miraculous, I want what is rightfully mine."
Cat nodded, leaping with feline grace and disappeared into the white snow. It wouldn't be long before Marinette and Claw came for training at the nearby Guardian's Temple.
Let them think they were winning, when he would be watching and hiding, waiting to make his move. If Cat Blanc didn't find them first.
Their had been a brief struggle with Hesperia, only time to send out one akuma, and the Supreme had fled the scene.
The Underground Hideout was now abandoned, as Marinette and Hyssop were about to discover.