Hey guys! Here we are again for another chapter! This one is another mixed chapter, so expect some in person interactions. It's time for details to be shared and connections to be shown. Things are about to get interesting.
Before that, however, let's answer some reviews... Huh. No reviews this time around. That's a little awkward.
Well then let's go ahead with the chapter. I don't own Miraculous, Danny Phantom, Marvel, or DC. I do own any original characters, concepts, creatures, and places that work their way into the story unless stated otherwise.
Mousegirl15- Marinette (Mouse)
Crashnebula- Danny (Crash)
Nightwing- Dick (Nightwing)
Paris, France
Marinette smiled as she looked over her most recent project. She was making a new jacket for Jagged Stone after Lie-la's whole escapade. The liar had mentioned making the jacket for the famous star, thus stringing him along in her web of disaster. The new jacket was her way of helping her honorary uncle after he gave his own testimony to her credibility. Tiki flew up to her cheek as she giggled.
"You're in such a better mood lately Marinette." Stated the red being. "I'm so proud of you. Crash and Nightwing have been a good influence." The bluenette smiled as she shook her head.
"It's just nice having someone who actually listens without constantly living with me, no offense." The Kwami shook her head in response, showing no offense in her movements. "Maybe I can get their addresses and make some custom outfits for them. I think Crash said something about his high school having a raven as their mascot." Marinette quickly got to work as she powered on her computer, hoping to search some details on the aforementioned school.
Her eyes bulged as she saw multiple Chatty messages from some of her old classmates. Everyone was there, save for those who were grounded from the web until the school year started back. Marinette felt a familiar pain in her chest return as she looked over parts of the messages. Most of them cut off after the person explained they wanted to talk, a prospect that terrified the girl more. She breathed heavily as she sat back in her chair. She immediately felt a soothing rub on the back of her neck as the tiny immortal that called her place home tried to calm her.
"It's okay Marinette! Breathe! I'm sure everything is going to be fine! They probably just want to apologize or check on how you're feeling." The Miraculous Wielder shook her head in denial.
"I can't go through this again Tiki! What if they all hate me for what happened to Alya. For all they know Lila's left because she said I bullied her and Alya's got everyone thinking…" Tiki quickly moved to hold Marinette's lips together, keeping her from going on.
"Calm down Marinette! Your parents have already talked with you about this. You just have to give them a chance." Marinette sighed as she looked to her lap. In her mind it wasn't as simple as the being was making it out to be.
It was hard for her to open up again after everything that happened. She didn't know who was on her side from the old class. Tiki hummed as she sat on top of the computer. "If that doesn't convince you, there are two other friends who can help out." The bluenette's eyes widened in response to her little companion's point.
"The guild! You're right Tiki!" Marinette quickly ignored the message notification as she moved to the server room. She hovered over the Doomed Chat only to notice the Support Group section. She sighed as she shook her head, realizing she was going to get the first real use out of the specific chat room.
Support Group, Miraculous Gamer Guild Server, Chatty
Mousegirl15 has logged on.
Mousegirl15: Total emergency guys!
Need advice and encouragement!
Crashnebula has logged on.
Nightwing has logged on.
Crashnebula: Made it!
Just got home and wasn't expecting the urgent message.
Nightwing: Looks like we're both right on time. What's going on Mouse?
Remember that getting things off your chest and asking for help is what this chat was made for.
Mousegirl15: I didn't want to be the first one asking for advice here, but I need help.
Some of my friends from class have recently tried to message me.
I didn't read the whole messages because I'm still hesitant to talk with anyone.
My parents tell me to give them a chance, but I'm nervous about letting them back in!
Crashnebula: Just calm down Mouse!
Give us time to read what you post.
Mousegirl15: Sorry.
Nightwing: Looks like your friends want to try and reconnect.
I say go for it.
Mousegirl15: It's not that simple Nightwing.
I'm still not sure who was on Lila's side and who wasn't.
I hate not knowing, but I also hate leaving them hanging.
I was the class president, the one in charge of setting things up and helping my classmates in their tough times.
Crashnebula: Whoa there!
You mean Class Representative right?
Class Presidents are just supposed to solve problems of the classmates.
They also communicate the thoughts of the class with school leaders and the student council.
Nightwing: … And you're supposed to not be good at school.
Crashnebula: I looked it up just in case I wanted the spot of Class Representative.
Glad I didn't go with either.
Mousegirl15: Suddenly I don't feel confident I'll be seeing one of my teachers in school this semester.
Nightwing: Back to the topic at hand, I still say you should give them a chance.
A long time ago I got into an argument with my legal guardian and we stopped talking.
Eventually he started reaching out trying to talk, but I ended up ignoring him.
It took my friends dragging me to him in order for us to finally talk things out.
If I had let him talk to me sooner, I would have not put our relationship at risk.
Point is, if you give them a chance you'll save yourself from hardening your heart and becoming someone, you don't want to be.
Crashnebula: Dude… That's deep.
Mousegirl15: Gosh.
I guess I was so hurt I never thought of that.
I'll give them another chance. Thanks guys!
Crashnebula: No problem!
Nightwing: We're here for ya Mouse. If they still give you trouble we'll be here for you.
Crashnebula: Ooh! We'll break their legs!
Mousegirl15: Seriously with that reference Crash.
Well, no time like the present. Wish me luck guys.
Nightwing: Knock 'em dead Mouse!
Mousegirl15 has logged off.
Crashnebula: So just to be clear we'll actually break their legs if they're as bad as that Lila girl right?
That wasn't just a reference.
Nightwing: Crash!
No one plans violence behind their friend's back in open chat!
Besides, bodily harm is reserved for if Lila tries to pull her crap again.
Crashnebula: Right! Gotcha!
Marinette took a deep breath as she held her hands to her mouth. This would be the first time she communicated with her classmates since what happened a few weeks ago. Was she ready for this? She breathed again as she held her hands in her lap. She looked to the unopened tab as she steeled her nerves.
"Nightwing's right." Stated the girl. "I have to give them a second chance. Otherwise, I really have lost them to Lila." Tiki rubbed the top of her head, trying to encourage her on. With one final deep breath, she clicked on the tab.
It took a bit to load, the girl still having a hard time processing that she was actually doing this. She wondered if she should still back out of the window. It was too late now, however, as she saw the first window pop up. It was now or never. She read it over as she felt her breath hitch.
MonkeyKid16: Mari! Please message back! I talked with my folks and realized that I should have done something sooner.
You were, and hopefully still are, my friend and I shouldn't have let Lila trick me after everything you went through for us.
Seriously, what school lets a class president do most of the work for them!?
Please forgive me! I'll let you punch me anywhere you want but ask if I have a date with Ondyne before going for the face.
Marinette couldn't help but chuckle at Kim's apology. It may have seemed a little reachy, but she knew the jock wasn't good with apologies. If he said something in a situation like this, he meant it. It was nice to see the first message was friendly in nature. She clicked on the next one, hoping to continue the streak.
LadyTigress16: Hey Mari. I know I haven't messaged since what happened, but I wanted to apologize for not messaging sooner.
Rose and I didn't stick around to make sure you were alright, but we really should have.
Maybe then we could have both told you how sorry we are for letting things get this bad.
Last I heard from Rose she was being grounded from communications, but she really wanted to tell you she was sorry herself.
She should be ungrounded soon, so hopefully we can all talk again and maybe we could still be friends.
Either way, I hope you feel better soon.
Super Hug Gif
Marinette nearly replied back that moment, but that would have alerted everyone in the chat that she was online. She didn't want to do that unless all of the messages were positive. Still it warmed her heart that Juleka and Rose still worried about her. She moved to the next message once again. Her smile turned to one of confusion as she saw a name she never thought she'd see messaging her.
QueenBee17: Look Marinette, it's not like I'm messaging you to apologize or anything. I responded just as fast as Adrikins did.
Still, he thinks I need to apologize for the way I treated you, even when the lying brat wasn't here.
Marinette rolled her eyes at that one. This could only be Chloe, the one bratty girl in school that everyone knew had a mean streak. It was the fact that she tolerated the blonde more than Lila that she attempted to read this message. She read over the words a little more, expecting some form of insult. Her face softened as she found something else.
In the end, I guess he's right.
I won't apologize for being defensive of you being around him.
He's my only friend and we both know my reputation would leave me without anyone I could really have a relationship with.
After everything you did for us, even for me, I should have TRIED to be… nicer.
How do you people do this!? Look, I don't care if you never message back.
If you do want to… give us being friends a try… just remember the moment Adrien's on the market he's mine!
Marinette would never admit it out loud, but she was honestly impressed with the blonde bully. She could tell her old rival was actually reaching out, though she questioned whether Adrien was really involved or not. She continued to read through the messages, smiling as each one had their own form of apology or plead to reach out. There were some who's messages were not present, such as Adrien's or the obvious Alya's, but once again most of those were due to groundings. Feeling bold, she began to type swiftly on the keyboard. She had a lot of replies to write, and a Kwami to feed cookies soon after.
Two Hours Later
General, GhostWatchers Server, Chatty
GothQueen has logged on.
TooFineTuck has logged on.
GothQueen: Danny I see you online!
We haven't been able to talk much outside of class with all of the ghost hunts recently and you've been out of contact range!
Where have you been!?
TooFineTuck: Please hop on soon man!
If I have to keep listening to her complain about you "being in trouble" then I'll rip off my ears!
Crashnebula has logged on.
Crashnebula: Oh geeze!
It has been a while hasn't it!?
Sorry guys! I've been busy lately.
GothQueen: Is it a ghost?
You know we're supposed to be a team right?
You can always count on us!
Crashnebula: Thanks Sam.
It's more of a friend group I joined recently.
One of them has been going through some tough times and needed someone outside the situation.
Me and the other guy became that someone.
TooFineTuck: Sounds serious dude.
GothQueen: Do you know if they're telling the truth? It's easier to lie over chat.
Crashnebula: Actually, she had a bad run in with a liar who turned her best friend against her.
GothQueen: Her?
TooFineTuck: Oh boy. Here we go.
Crashnebula: Yeah. She goes by Mousegirl15 and she's from France.
Anyway, I don't feel like she's lying. It'd have to be a pretty elaborate.
GothQueen: Unless you can provide a name I can't believe someone I've never met.
Crashnebula: Oh no!
You're not doing that thing where you question someone who's having a hard time to the point where they leave.
GothQueen: It's not a thing!
Crashnebula: Is too!
GothQueen: Is not!
Crashnebula: Is too!
TooFineTuck: Guys!
Just get on with it!
GothQueen: I'll let it go as soon as he can give me proof this is actually happening.
Crashnebula: Fine!
Keep an eye and ear out for a Lila Rossi when you're on the net.
If she's added to a group chat get her out.
GothQueen: Wizard of Oz!
Darn it Lancer! Book titles have invaded the autocorrect now!
Not the point.
Danny, where the heck did you hear that cursed name!?
TooFineTuck: Wait! A name was able to sway you!?
Crashnebula: Not now Tucker!
GothQueen: Not now Tucker!
Crashnebula: To answer your question Sam, Lila is the one who made the past few months the Ghost Zone for Mousegirl.
How do you know that name?
GothQueen: Being the daughter of rich parents, you meet a lot of rich families.
Specifically, their kids.
Lila Rossi was the most despicable and shallow person I'd ever met, even more than the adults.
She rode her mother's name as an Italian ambassador for power.
When that didn't work she moved on to telling tall tales. Anyone who proved her wrong got hurt in the end.
Crashnebula: Well Mouse, as we call her, was hurt pretty bad when her best friend ended up slapping her.
AFTER ousting her for a crush on her close friend.
It hurt her in a way I wouldn't wish on anyone, alive or ghost.
GothQueen: I hate that witch.
Can't help but feel bad for that girl.
Do you guys need more support?
TooFineTuck: Yeah!
We can play Doomed and Mecha Ultra Strike III together!
Crashnebula: I would like to have this one ghost dealt with before I take any eyes off of Amity Park.
I think they'd like you guys, as long as no one plays inquisitor.
GothQueen: It is not a thing!
Crashnebula: It is too!
TooFineTuck: Would you two get a different chat room for this?
You're using up the space on my PDA.
GothQueen: SHUT UP TUCKER!
Gotham City
Lightning flashed through the sky as a storm cloud covered the city. Any other city would see people complaining about the dreary weather, but rain wasn't the worst thing that plagued the life of the residents. Gotham was known for the highest crime rates in the US, even more so than New York City. The Joker, the Riddler, and the Penguin just to name a few of the worst the city had to offer. Thankfully even days like these were watched over by the city's protector: Batman, the Dark Knight.
Moving back on track, a lone mansion sat away from the city on a hill. This was Wayne Manor, home of the CEO and owner of Wayne Tech: Bruce Wayne. Many pictures of the man when he was younger and as he is now lined the walls. One outside a particular room depicted him with a young boy smiling softly towards the camera. Said young boy, now a young teen, sat in the room next to the picture.
Dick Grayson, known as Nightwing online, was a young Romanian boy with black hair and blue eyes. He currently wore a grey t-shirt, black pajama pants, and blue slippers. He sighed as he looked over the screen from the recent chat held amongst the Miraculous Gamer Guild. He wouldn't know until tomorrow if Mouse actually made up with her friends or if he would need to fly over to Paris and prank everyone on her old friends list. He would have to apologize to her later for hacking her friends list.
"Gaming before patrols again Master Richard?" asked a voice. Dick turned around to see the butler of the Wayne family, Alfred Pennyworth. He was a tall man who was balding on top with blue eyes. He wore the standard butler's attire alongside a smile reserved for his masters and close friends. Dick smiled as he shook his head.
"Not tonight Alfred." Stated the boy. "I'm trying to support a friend I made online. Make a note for Bruce. Put one Lila Rossi on the no admittance list to any charity events or parties he holds. I'll tell him the details later."
"I shall commit it to memory and report it to Master Bruce by the hour. I hope everything works out for your friend Master Richard." Alfred began to turn away, only to notice the sad expression on the boy's face. "May I inquire what's wrong young master?" Dick sighed as he looked to the screen.
"I just don't know if I'm doing a good job Alfred. I still haven't entirely gotten over what happened to my folks. Am I even qualified to help these two with their problems when I still struggle with my own grief. I can't even…" He sighed as he brought a picture over from the side of his computer.
In the photo was his family, the last moment they shared before that rope snapped. How he wished they could have been there to see him bring the one responsible for tearing them apart to justice. Every moment he thought of them made him question whether he was cut out for his nightly duties or helping Mouse and Crash. He felt a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to try and dry the tears that threatened to spill. He looked back to see Alfred smiling.
"From what I see of your messages you have been rather helpful Master Richard, but I should deter you from hacking innocent computers." Dick chuckled as he felt a smile creep on his face. "The fact that you are even offering to be a shoulder for two strangers you don't even know tells me you're on the right track. I know you've made your parents very proud. Master Bruce seemed rather proud after you told him that first day."
Dick couldn't help but smile at seeing his guardian and mentor smile at him. It wasn't a face he often got to see under the circumstances they were in. Alfred hummed as he looked to an advanced watch on his wrist. "Ah! A message from Master Bruce."
The butler read over the message, his smile still present on his face. "He wishes for you to sleep tonight for your trip back to Jump City. These past few nights Batman and Robin have seen action were a lot on everyone." Dick chuckled at the reference made by his butler. He nodded his head as he yawned.
"They sure have. He's probably right though. Goodnight Alfred." The boy turned away from Alfred to turn off his computer. The old butler said nothing as he shut the door behind him.
Dick soon did a backflip onto his bed, landing gracefully. His years in the circus sure were a boon in his life. He rolled up under the covers, taking one last look at his family picture. He closed his eyes as his mind went back to earlier years. A time of just him, his parents…
and his siblings.
Bam! Chapter 3 down and out! We get a good look at Dick and his struggle to try and support the group. Also, a light tease at him being Robin by way of Alfred poking fun. Plus, to top it off, a bit of foreshadowing that goes along with past examples.
What does it all mean? Well, you'll have to stick around to find out if you haven't gotten it yet. Rest assured I will try to have an even balance of all three kinds of chapters you see here, but there will be times where one kind of chapter overtakes the others. Even then, more times out of that will be the full or mostly real-life moments. I still hope you guys can enjoy this either way.
So, what did you think? Did you like the chapter? Did you like how the chapter balanced chat with in person? Who will be on Dick's revenge list? Did you like Danny and Sam arguing like an old married couple? Let me know what you think down below and I'll try to get back to you ASAP. This is Inkaliber, signing out.