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[liquid-luck-00]

Red Binding 6

Maribat March Day 6: Bad Luck

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This isn’t right. Marinette complained for the millionth time. No matter what she did or what plan she concocted, there was no way to get Jason out of the League without inciting an incident.

I know and we hate it too.

The only option is for us to leave on our own.

It was still weird having him in her mind. Passing through the celestial realm opened a gate that let them speak to one another like they do their Kwamii, but it’s taking some time to get used to it. But when they do, the two of them could talk for hours about their lives after meeting Plagg and Tikki. But never the time before.

But can’t we do something? She started to run scenarios again.

We can’t, pixie, not without you being caught, or revealing that I am the Vicis. It’s just bad luck and our hands are tied.

But that shouldn’t mean you have to suffer, there, now.

Bluebell, it’s best if we don’t involve either of you in our escape.

She means well, Plagg.

I know Sugar Cube, but the facts stand. We can’t have you help us without war being incited by either side.

I have to agree with Plagg. Tikki resonated the sentiment. And it will always be a cold day in hell when that happens.

Hey! I’m smart, and can see reason.

When you aren’t hungry, you glutton.

The two started bickering. Meaning they left them alone for a moment.

You are leaving in the morning. The ritual is done, and no one is the wiser of what you learned. Jason tried to make her feel better, but the knot in her stomach was growing.

But it doesn’t feel right.

I know it doesn’t. But I’ve survived worse, unfortunately. His tone was bitter, and she figures his life was never easy. She just wants to be there for him, she wants to be his friend, and friends protect one another. Right?

Promise me you’ll try and find me when you get out. Her voice was soft, broken from her irritation. She was on the verge of tears in her room.

I promise. His voice was strong, resolute. And that seemed to give her a bit of courage too.

We are going to have to figure out a way to keep in touch, if we want to find each other after this. She started to joke. She felt him laugh on the other side of their connection.

Well, we’re gonna have to figure that one out.

There isn’t a question in that. I’ll be waiting Jay Jay.

So will I Pixie Pop.

They both dropped their conversation as they both drifted off to sleep.

•••

It was a few hours later she felt someone about to knock on her door and she woke up, quickly getting dressed. An uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. She got up and opened it, seeing one of the commanders arrive to escort her. "Are you ready for your departure?"

"Just give me one second." She closed the door again. Went to grab her bag, then stepped back towards the door and removed the final wards, she still had in place.

She opened the door and nodded, following the ninja that was supposed to escort her. Out in the courtyard she was met with Guardian Shun’itsu and Ryuku, along with two other commanders and the woman, who she later found out was Talia Al Ghul.

"Now that we are all here we can begin our way down, to get all of you back to your temple." Thalia spoke, her tone even, but she knows better. She’s been around them plenty these past few weeks, that something is telling her, something is very wrong.

They made their way down, when they arrived at the village, and when she thought that at least two of them would leave, she was very wrong. Four ninja, assassins, joined them in the car. Two in front, two behind them, and she, the Guardian, and his student sat in the middle. When they arrived to an airfield, alarms began ringing in her mind. She doesn’t know if the other two thought the same, but she started to slowly weave a spell around them.

There wasn’t a signal, not even a sound. They attacked.

"Merdé" She used Tikki’s creation magic, and a bow staff fell into her hand.

The three of them never let them watch as they trained, while they were in the compound. So none of them knew exactly how proficient they were with any weapon. But that didn’t stop them from attacking. The spell she wove, only softened any impact, that doesn’t mean she couldn’t get hurt still. She redirected a blade that was aimed at her head, and it sliced right through her cheek. She didn’t have the time, or even luxury, to check in see how her two companions for doing. She was able to take down one of the assassins. Pinning him to the ground, before knocking him unconscious.

She jumped off of him as a second assailant launched towards her. He was just as well trained, and seem to have not joined in the fight until now. Which was bad luck for her, he was fresh, where she just took down someone who is three times her size, and more than likely a whole different weight class. But she kept fighting, she glanced to her side for a brief second, and saw Ryuko fighting the third commander, while Guardian Shun’itsu was holding off attacks from Thalia.

Her brief distraction allowed the assassin to land a hit on her, making her fly backwards, a good three meters, knocking her into some sort of metal structure. She’s trying to shake her head as she stood, to get rid of the dizziness, but her world only span faster.

She looked up and saw Lord Doreiku frozen still.

And then she saw her, Talia, step back, pulling a bloody knife out of his chest.

She heard Ryuko scream.

In a flash of red light, and there floating in the air was a Kwamii. They were bright red with black tipped horns, Longg.

They looked down in utter shock. As the air around them rippled. Lightning, rain, and wind whipped around them. And then she screamed, her emotions getting the best of her, and the emotions that Longg conjured the storm with, rammed at her very being.

Marinette calm down. She faintly heard Tikki, but she couldn’t stop it.

As the water touched her skin, it morphed.

She saw Ryuko, fall over Lord Doreiku's body, while Thalia walked towards Longg.

"No." She growled and the liquid flew towards the woman.

Acid covered her gloved hand eating away at the fabric, as she quickly removed it before it was able to damage her skin.

Marinette stalked forward. Putting herself between the woman and the kwamii floating above her companions.

"Think very carefully about your next move. I am the Ladybug. I am the personification of creation, and creation is not always kind." Thalia looked as if she was going to laugh, but something made her stop and actually look at her.

Marinette, is not an imposing, nor intimidating figure, of any kind. But the power she wields is not meant to be taken lightly. "If you mistake my words for bluff, I cannot guarantee that any of you will leave this area alive."

"So you are to make an enemy of the League of Assassins?" The woman rose a brow, challenging her.

"You were the ones who attacked us first, we were acting out of self-defense, and you were the one to take a life. Don’t forget, the reason you can use the pits of Lazarus again is not only because of the order, but because of me. Who knows, if you continue to use the wells of destruction as you do. Perhaps the League would destroy itself." She knows it is true, Ra’s keeps order, but it is out of fear not respect.

"You know nothing of this world, you’re a child."

"I might just be a child, but I can promise you this." That was when the winds and water stopped falling onto the ground, Ahe acid dissolved spots into the pavement in the middle around them. "I will never perform this ritual again, so long as you or Ra’s controls the league."

This time Thalia laughed.

"Let us see how long that promise can actually keep." She quickly jerked her head to the side, and the three shadows (two shadows and the third hung limply between the two) started to walk away.

Mari. Tikki whispered by their connection.

"We have to get him home." She looked behind her, Ryuko spoke with tears streaming down her face.

"How?"

"Allow us." Longg and Tikki were both now physically present.

"Are you sure?'

"We were bound for a very long time." Longg descended. "It is the least I can do for him."

"Let’s get home." She extended her hand to the other girl, pulling her to her feet. "We have a long way to go."

"Okay." The girl’s voice was broken with that single word, and a little piece of her broke.

After all the good luck she had, of course the bad luck would have to be this bad to balance it out. She sighed as they made their way out of this airfield and towards the town a few miles over. Let’s just hope her bad luck ends here.

It didn’t.

In fact they got to the station three minutes after the train departed and were stranded until the next one would pass through, in five days. Or they could take a series of trains to reach the one they missed, but they would leave by the end of the day. Take a guess which one they chose.

It wasn’t easy, but eventually they made it home, but they had to recall the events that led them there to Su-Han and it still hurt.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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Red Binding 5

Maribat March Day 5: Anarchist

Accidentally wrote day 6 for day 5 whoops

Is it more chaos or general agrivation more than anarchy, yes. Do I love it all the same, also yes.

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"What is that!?!" Jason shouted, as a siren blared through the tunnels of the complex.

"You don’t know?" The girl, Marinette, shouted as she held her hands to her ears.

He could barely hear her but he shook his head regardless. Plagg flew up, his little paws holding his ears flat to his head.

I’ll go see what’s going on. He heard a light cheery voice in his mind. And then the little red bug kwamii disappeared. It wasn’t too long after that the Kwamii, Tikki his mind supplied, returned. The alarm started to quiet and became a constant hum.

"They found out you aren’t in your room." Her cheery voice supplied.

"Merde." Marinette cursed. "Are they going into lockdown or just high alert?"

"They are in high alert, but you need to get back without being seen."

"Okay." She got a look on her face and her attention snapped to him. "That might work."

"Mari what are you planning."

"They are looking for me, right?"

"Yes."

"But not him, right?"

"That’s the point, bluebell." Plagg huffed from on top of his head.

"Then all he has to do is get to my room and we can open a rift."

"That wasn’t the intended purpose of the spell, Marinette." Tikki scolded the girl.

"I’m sorry what are you talking about."

"A rift, is the byproduct of a spell. Items are able to traverse space and time instantly."

"So it can teleport things?"

"It acts more like a gate." Tikki supplied worry furrowing her tiny brow.

"So what’s special about it, people warp all the time."

"That isn’t the issue kid." Plagg flew forward. "It’s the fact that you will both need to pass through the celestial realm."

"It’s not impossible, right."

"Theoretically it’s not, it’s just no living being has tried before."

"But if this works we might avoid a civil conflict."

"We just don’t know the ramifications."

"Just lay it on us, what’s the worst that could happen?" Jason asked tentatively.

"That’s the thing we have no idea."

"You could walk out of this without injury, or worse your souls could be permanently erased."

"Well we have to try." Marinette squared her shoulders. "I can’t go out there without it becoming an incident. Please, Jason. I know this is a lot to ask, but please at least try."

He looked between her and the Kwamii. They looked worried , but ultimately didn’t stop her from asking. While she pleaded him to try. "Fine. Where is your room?"

"Um…" She thought for a moment before giving directions, she took a while as she recounted her steps.

"Since it seems like you are actually going to do this, you need to jump through at the same time, or else the rift could close. Understood."

"Yes." They chorused as he slipped out of his room leaving the girl, Marinette, there alone.

This doesn’t seem like you kitten. Plagg questioned as he made his way through the complex. Do you have a crush or something.

He didn’t answer, just kept walking.

You do! Plagg cackled.

It’s not like that! Jason shot back. I just don’t want to see her get hurt.

Hm. Plagg hummed, but ultimately kept quiet the rest of the way.

He was able to make it to her room without being stopped, and hopefully spotted.

Wait. Plagg popped out and floated to the door, pressing a paw to the surface. Pink light simmered before fading. She’s cautious. Go ahead.

He slipped inside and closed the door. Ready. What’s the spell?

Channel the magic about a foot in front of you, that’s where the rift will open. Repeat after me.

Okay.

དོ་མཉམ་གཏོར་བཤིག་དང་གསར་སྐྲུན་གྱི་སྟོབས་ཤུགས་ལ་བརྟེན་ནས་ང་ཚོས་ལྟ་སྲུང་瓢་འབུ་དང་བྱི་ལ་ནག་པོའི་མིའི་བར་དུ་གས་སྲུབས་ཤིག་ཕྱེས་ཡོད། དེའི་ནང་དུ་ཞུགས་པ།

(To bring balance the powers of destruction and creation, we open a rift between those who guard the ladybug and black cat. Accessium.)

The entire time he was seeing a light grow until it formed a glowing teal oval big enough to fit into. Tikki popped out of the portal. "Ready!" She chirped. "Plagg go through, On the count of three."

"On it, in two shakes of the tail." Plagg flew through.

"I hope this works, for all our sakes." Tikki sighed but he couldn’t focus on that. As she started to count. "One, two, three."

She gave him a nudge and he ran at the light.

He shut his eyes and it was cold, colder than it had any right to be but he didn’t stop. He felt something warm pass him so he opened his eyes for a second. All he saw was her bluebell eyes before they each continued in opposite directions. The second he made it back he promptly fell onto his bed. Exhaustion over taking him.

How do you feel, kid.

Like I was just pummeled by Fayez again.

Well nothing seemed to change physically, at least.

I can’t feel my face, Plagg.

I told you you need to train your magic more. He laughed at him.

Yeah well I did that.

Good job, kitten.

•••

Marinette just stepped out and watched as the rift closed slowly behind her, so she also released the magic that she was holding the other gate open.

Can you go check that Jason is okay, please Tikki?

I’ll be back. Tikki hugged her cheek. Don’t do anything reckless while I’m gone.

I make no promises.

Tikki sighed at her antics like every time before. Someone’s coming.

Mari nodded and Tikki zipped off to check on the other two.

She then realized that the wards at the door were removed, and she guesses it must have been Plagg who did so. But she feels someone approaching. So she does something.

She sat on the ground and started to meditate. But while she did that she concentrated her magic and created a veil around her to refract and reflect light. Thus making her invisible, at least while she stayed still, she closed her eyes to immerse herself in the magic. She continued to weave her spell as no one had entered her room. A bit of chatter was outside but she wasn’t focused on it. But that was when the door slammed against the wall making her jump, breaking her concentration on the spell. It started to break, the light becoming visible as it shattered, before completely disappearing.

"What were you doing?" She saw the demons head stalking towards her, his very being dripping venom and anger, so she stood up.

"At this moment wondering why you so rudely slammed the door open and are so rudely yelling at me."

She held her voice level, impassive, watching him.

"That is not what I meant, so answer."

He towered over her, glaring at her, and frankly she felt he wanted to kill her.

"Didn’t your commander give you the itinerary?" She asked, making her eyes bigger, innocent, and he took a step back.

"I believe the time would be close to 18:00 thus it would be our allotted time for our meditation."

"That doesn’t answer the question, you are only evading it." He was starting to get angry, barely contained, but they both know the implication if either were to strike.

"I was practicing light manipulation today as my meditation exercise. That is why you couldn’t see me when you first barged in."

He narrowed his eyes, calculating his next words carefully. "And what of your door?"

So there was something on the door, that probably made them realize.

"What do you mean by that?" She didn’t want to give him any information that could lead to her suspicion.

"Why was it open?" He was annoyed that he seemed to have to spell it out.

"I must not have closed it, when I handed in the itinerary." She was just rolling with it at this point.

"After all no one actually entered my quarters, or else we wouldn’t be having this call conversation, correct?" She knows no one did, if Plagg really was the one to break through her wards.

"Do not do this again." He growled, restraining himself greatly.

"I’m sorry but I meditate twice daily. So I will unfortunately not be able to abide by that particular wish."

"The man turned on his heel, his cape billowing behind him, but that didn’t hide the fact that he left with his tail between his legs."

He might have years on her, but she has the knowledge to back her claims. That and she has a newfound reason to spite the man. Everyone left the hall and her room. She closed the door and immediately put back her wards.

"That was rash, Mari." Tikki scolded her.

"But it worked didn’t it."

"You were playing with fire. The only reason he was so lenient was because the Pits of Lazarus are in such deplorable condition."

"You need to be more cautious, this recklessness will be your undoing."

"I’m sorry I worried you Tikki." The kwamii sat back on one of the pillows piled on the bed. "I’ll try and be better at it."

Tikki smiled and she knows she has to put in effort, but she really does need to think this all through. Mari climbed into the bed exhausted, next to Tikki.

Both of them are fine, and it seems you are too.

That’s good. Mari closed her eyes drifting easily to sleep.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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Red Binding 4

Maribat March Day 4: Siren

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~~~~~~~~~~

In the end, Marinette was accompanied by Guardian Shun’itsu and their protégé, a girl roughly her age. She had trained with the two of them for almost three weeks before they had to leave. Apparently they used to do this trip on horseback, but not anymore. Now they would climb down the mountain to a village at the base, where they would board a train. That is until they reach a stop that an agent would escort them the rest of the way.

So yes she did have to carry a pitcher of water, in a sense.

This ritual would apparently work best and easiest of both the ladybug and black cat were alive and were doing it simultaneously. Each of them would be at their counterpart, creation at the pits of Lazarus while destruction at the pool of Ambrosia. But this was only her so it would be harder and it would take more time.

She stared out of the window of the car they were currently in. A Shadow had showed up at the station and led them to the car. She just watched the forest thin and thicken as they wound up the mountain. They stopped at a small village, similar to the one at home. Where they started to ascend the rest of the way.

Marinette didn’t know what she expected, but it wasn’t this.

The base was similar to a that of the temple, only for the fact that they were built and carved into the giant mountains that oversaw the valley. But the similarities ended there. Where the temple spired through the mountains organically, this seemed to be carved from the face of the mountain itself.

"Hello, and welcome to Nanda Parbat." A woman stood in front of the gates. "Which one of you is the Ladybug?"

Her eyes passed over them, seemingly bored, but she knows better. This woman was analyzing them, their weaknesses, their strengths, and most importantly judging if they would be a liability.

"I am the Guardian Yùnqì." She stepped forward, her words slightly accented, but clear in Arabic. She paid attention to where they were and she figured that would be the language best used in this region.

It seemed to surprise the woman, but it really shouldn’t. The Order was just as well kept and as expansive as the League, if all her research was correct.

"Very well, the Demon’s Head is waiting for an audience with you."

She turned and the gates behind her opened to a large courtyard. As the woman walked they did as well, keeping fifteen paces behind her in case of any possible attacks. None such happened but something was off.

Something told her there was more here than they originally thought.

Do you feel that Tikki?

Yes, but it might be nothing. The kwamii was unsure, yet continued. But maybe…

What is the maybe?

It could just be nothing. Tikki seemed to try and dismiss the idea, but Mari knows that feeling. And if her life has taught her anything, it’s to trust that feeling.

It’s not nothing, and you know it, so what could this be. She put her foot down. They had continued to walk further into the base, it wasn’t until the next threshold that Tikki responded.

Plagg’s wielder is here. The goddess sighed, her constant presence sending a shock of annoyance through her mind.

And what about Plagg? Can you tell?

Maybe? But that might just be the Well of Destruction. Tikki sighed.

Well it’s a start. She responded back, as their little party came to a stop in front of ornate metal doors.

"The two of you will hold back as the Ladybug enters."

"We all enter or else we shall leave." Guardian Shun’itsu challenged the woman, who thankfully didn’t call their bluff. Because yes they could leave, but if they did and the Well of destruction continued being used unchecked, devastation would truly follow.

So they all entered together Marinette took the point while Guardian Shun’itsu flanked her on the right, and her protégé (Ryuko) was on her left. The woman continued in front of them. When she stopped a couple of meters away from a throne, she dropped to one knee. A man in emerald green and pitch black armor sat on what was clearly a throne of sorts. The man waved a hand and the woman stood before taking her place behind him on his right.

"So you are the latest child of creation." The man’s voice was odd. It was accented by a language she has heard before, but also is sure she hasn’t. There was no emotion in his voice , while his eyes swept over her, judging and analyzing her very being.

"I am." She stood straight, and watched him in turn.

Neither of them broke the eye contact, as by this point it was a battle of wills.

"Very well." He nodded ever so slightly, raising a hand and three people stepped into the room. "No harm will come to you so long as you are accompanied by one of my officers."

One of the shadows stood right behind her and it sent chills down her spine. She wanted to shift and fidget to get rid of the feeling, but she knows that wouldn’t be a good idea. In fact it would probably be considered a show of weakness that she doesn’t want to show.

"You will be shown to your rooms and know your itinerary here for the next two weeks." He spoke with such distain, that she did not wanna be here anymore. Granted she didn’t actually want to come because she was going to be surrounded by assassins, now she really doesn’t wanna be here. But she spoke up, because she is the highest ranking of the three.

"If that is your command, we shall abide by them, but you, too shall learn that we have our own itinerary. We must follow as well."

"Guardian Yùnqì, This would be best discussed after we have settled in."

"That is very true Guardian Shun’itsu." She slightly turned her cheek, so she could see Lord Doreiku, yet ensure that the man sitting in front, wouldn’t think she was ignoring him. She turned back to fully face him. "I shall write up our daily proceedings, as well as the rights that need to be accomplished during the ritual. So that both your men and yourself may know what to expect. As I do not want to make a mockery of our alliance, as I also do not wish to anger you unnecessarily."

Her head was high. Her voice was calm, and she noticed the man started to scowl ever so slightly. She got under his skin, and all she could think of was good, there was an understanding neither one wanted the other here, but they needed one another.

And she wasn’t foolish enough to allow herself nor her two companions to be caught in the crossfire, if he wanted a fight.

The three of them bowed shallowly, turned to follow the three shadows, and went on their way quietly. She was showed her room smaller than the one she has at the temple, but it would be fine for what they needed it for.

Quietly she made sure to search the room, fully, because they knew they were coming, they knew which ones to set them in, she wouldn’t have been surprised if they had but the rooms were bugged, so she didn’t do anything until she knew she was secure.

She started putting up wards around the room, that way no one can enter without her permission, and no one can hear into it.

Tikki had just flown out, and made herself comfortably a bed in the back of her robes. Marinette opened the door, and as she did, the ninja appeared.

"This is the itinerary, if you would be so kind as to deliver it to the demons head." She smiled and tilted her head slightly, that portrayed an innocence which her stature provided. The ninja, because that’s the only way she can describe them from now on, because calling them assassins would put her to far on edge, took the letters, bowed and left.

Mari acted as if she was going to close the door, but in reality, it was still open. She’s assuming that the doors probably have a mechanism or alarm set into them whenever they are opened or closed, to make sure they are where they are meant to be. She slipped out of the room and leaving the door slightly ajar, that it looked closed, she crept down the halls.

Mari what are you doing? She felt Tikki’s small weight, disappear, and her voice hissed through her mind.

You know what, and so do I. If the Holder, the Black cat is here, if Plagg is here, he might be suffering.

You don’t know that Marinette. Tikki’s voice was small, but hopefulness swam through it.

And we don’t know otherwise.

She followed at the pull she felt until Mari reached another door. She was about to raise her hand and knock when it’s swung open.

A boy, slightly older than her, with pitch, black hair and turquoise eyes opened up to her. She doesn’t know what to say, and it seems like he didn’t either. They stood like that for a moment, before something slipped out of the boys hair.

"Get inside." A nasally voice huffed behind her shoving her into the room.

"Plagg what are you doing?" The boy hissed at the Kwamii in front of them now.

"If you two were caught like that, what do you think would happen kitten?"

The boys stayed silent, but this solidified what he was. He was the guardian of the black cat.

"I’m sorry let me introduce myself." The ease in which she switched to English, as Plagg and the boy was just speaking it.

"I am the Guardian Yùnqì, my name is Marinette'.' At that moment Tikki reappeared in this dimension, floated for a moment beside her before sitting on her shoulder. "And this is Tikki, the Kwamii of Creation."

"Hi there, Sugar Cube!" Plagg flew up to Tikki who was still on her shoulder.

"Stinky Sock." She grumbled, but Marinette heard the fondness in her voice all the same.

"Name is Plagg Kwamii of Destruction." The small black cat like creature floated up and gave his head a bow to her. "And this is my kitten."

He flew back to the boy and landed in his hair.

"Why are you here?" Was the first thing the boy ever said to her, as he was glaring at her the entire time.

"Because I have to do a stupid ritual, I can’t sit still, and stay somewhere I’m supposed to be, there’s more here than just the wells of destruction, I didn’t know that the miraculous of the black cat was active." Sarcasm rung through her voice, and it felt as if she hadn’t used it in so long.

She leaned back against the door, finally dropping the act of perfect guardian that she needed to uphold.

"You’re just a kid."

"And so are you." She shot back at him. "Who still hasn’t given me their name."

"Jason."

"It’s nice to meet you, Jason." She lifted her hand and it seemed like he might’ve taken it, if a siren didn’t start blasting.

"Shit."

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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Red Binding 3

Maribat March Day 3: Butterfly

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There was never a day to relax. Everyday brought on more and more studies, text, incantations, and even bruises. Yet she was happier than she could ever remember. She had started to learn the language used in the Order, which greatly improved her relationship with Su-Han, who was appointed her mentor. But that wasn’t the only language she had learned. Those chosen by Kwamii, were of any and every race and culture. So she picked up other languages, ranging from English and Spanish to Arabic and Swahili. Overall she learned about a dozen languages over the six months she was here.

"Guardian Yùnqì." The familiar voice of Su-Han caught her attention in the quiet library.

"Guardian Kuí." She turned towards her teacher, with a slight bow of her head. "I hope the day has been well to you."

"It has." Was his response, yet Marinette noticed his shift in his mood. His usual calm stoicism was replaced by a simmering anger just under the surface.

"Su-Han." She whispered breaking him from his growing stupor.

"I do not know how this happened, yet it has been decreed." His usually intimidating posture sagged slightly. "As of today, you shall begin to prepare for the Renewal Ceremony."

"Is that a bad thing?" Her genuine curiosity on display.

"Follow me."

She stood, leaving the books on a cart, so they would be returned to their place, and followed behind her teacher.

They took a passage that led close to the Supreme’s chamber but took a turn, one she never had reason to go down. They continued down, further and further, to a point that she wondered just how deep they were in the mountian. Soon after they came to a stop. There was a a door, no taller than three meters, and carved into the wood was a symbol she has seen countless times.

A Yin and Yang.

Inside the room was a pool of steaming water, she watched as the pool ebbed and flowed with its own tide. The crystaline torches provided such clear light that rainbows danced around the room, splitting farther on each crystal it touched. But her focus was once again on the pool of water. The water itself was such a deep blue it was a true Indigo. But the water glowed unnaturally a purple that seem to distort the cavern. It made her skin crawl, it wasn't a dark purple like Lavender, or even a soft purple like Wisteria. No this was closer to a Nightshade.

Reflexively she took a step back from the water and it's rising steam.

"You do well to be cautious." Su-Han nodded.

"What is this?" She asked, stating the obvious. "There is a heavy concentration of Magic."

"Very good, this is the Spring of Creation, also known as the Pool of Ambrosia."

"Like the elixir of the gods?"

At this Su-Han laughed, well it was more of a chuckle.

"This pool is where that name originated from. You see anyone who either drinks or bathes in the waters will have an extended life. However all magic has its cost. This pool belongs to Tikki, the Kwamii who has chosen you as its guardian."

"What does this have to do with the ceremony?"

Marinette asked watching her teacher closely.

"The ceremony is simple, whenever there is a chosen of the jewels of either creation or destruction, that chosen will perform a ritual. Water from both pools will be poured into one another revitalizing and balancing both."

"Why would they need to be balanced?" She couldn't help and ask.

At the Su-Han simply placed his hand on top of her head.

"For destruction cannot exist without creation, and creation cannot exist without destruction. You are to help balance them, ensuring that if any magic is used, it would be restored." At this he seemed more apprehensive. "You my child are still young, you should not be burdened with having to do this."

"Well it doesn’t seem that hard." She shrugged, because it didn’t.

Carrying maybe a pitcher of water from one location to another wasn’t that difficult at all. So why is he making it seem like she’s walking into a trap.

"You’re right. The ritual itself is quite simple, however the location of the Well of Destruction, is… "

"It can’t be that bad." She crossed her arms, making herself look more confident, and made a joke. "It’s not like they’re in hell."

"They might as well be." She blinked to his response not knowing if he was joking or not, yet the man never joked.

"In sending you there, I have all but signed your life to death. The Pits of Lazarus are held in the inner sanctuary of the League of Shadows, whoane move commonly known as the League of Assassins."

"I’m sorry what?" She took a step back, almost reflexively.

"There is actually a group of people who call themselves the League of Assassins?" That act was both incredulous and absurd at the same time.

"There is, and unfortunately the head of the organization is not only a very cruel man, but he also knows of your existence, Marinette."

That wasn’t exactly what she was expecting.

First off why would someone so evil be the ones who are tasked with guarding such a place. Secondly, how is it that they know of her? The third reason however was what stuck to the most, the fact that Su-Han referred to her by her name, not her title, not as his apprentice, not the most endearing term he ever gives her of my child, no he referred to baher given name. This is the first time he had done so , which put a new kind of weight on her shoulders.

"can the ceremony be postpond? And if not how much time do I have to prepare?"

"You will be expected to arrive the night before the next new moon. You shall be accompanied by an instructor, and will be there for day over a fortnight."

"Are you saying I have to stay there for two weeks, 14 days, in a place filled to the brim with assassins?"

"That is correct." It was the first time she ever saw him expresses any sort of emotion, the first time she ever saw him shed a tear.

And she was absolutely mortified.

The silence mi's had streaked too long, as Tikki's voice chimed into mind urging her. Marinette, you need to answer.

She dug her heels in, straightened her posture, and took a breath, grounding her self removing everything except for what she needed to do from her mind. "If it has to be done, it’s my duty as the Guardian Yùnqì."

"I do not know if your determination is a result of you finally coming into your own, or if it is simply a façade at the moment. I can still see you as the small child who fell into the courtyard, now your wings only begin to show. I feel your metamorphosis may be close my little caterpillar. Now." He stiffened and went back to his usual self, his momentary lapse in emotion buried yet again. "Tikki would be best to guide you, as she knows where the tomes are for the ceremony."

"I don’t think I can do this Tikki." Marinette ran her

hands down her face as soon as he left the cavern.

If anyone can, you can, comeon Marinette."

Tikki floated around her before floaty at her eye level.

"I’m going to be with people who think it’s drag to kill. I’m either going to be walking on egg shells or under constant supervision, more than likely both. Mari started to pace getting further from the magical water.

"And so long as you can harness my magic, no shadow can touch you. You hold so much power, you have yet to even comprehend. You are going to be the next Grand Guardian."

"That’s if I survive this!"

"Not if, when."

"They can snuff me out if they want it. No harder than it would be to blow out a candle."

"Yes, but just like the Kuì said, you have changed so much. Mari, you have knowledge that took others decades to learn and even master. The progress gained in your studies: language, spells, rituals, defensive combat and magics. You are a child of miraculous, you are creation."

"I don’t know if I can ever truly be the grand Guardian Tikki." She all but dismissed.

Marinette extended her hand towards the Kwamii who sat in her palm.

"I am not brave, and I’m not a good fighter, and my magic is more aligned with healing."

"You are so much more." Tikki flew up to cup her cheek, giving her a hug. "You are perfect Marinette, you just lack a bit of confidence."

"It’s not like I can manifest it overnight Tikki." A small joke made its way to her lips.

"No you can’t my- little bug, but once you do, you will be an unstoppable once my little bug, but once you do you will be a butterfly."

"Everyone expects so much of me, and I don’t see it."

"It doesn’t matter if you’re walking into a room filled with guardians in training, or mountain full of assassins, remember creation did n't simply make flowers, creation also created the poisons that bloom from them." Sometimes she forgets, Tikki may be kind and gentle 98% of the time, but she is also terrifying.

"Destruction can’t exist without creation." She repeated those words, they were having a bit more understanding of them.

She took a deep breath and started to plan. A mental list formed of things that need to be done before she had to set off towards this mountain full of shadows.

"Let’s go get the to me, we can study it in the room, but before that I think it’s time to start training with the guardian Shun’itsu."

the little goddess smiled at her before disappearing from this plane once more.

You’re on the right track bug.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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Red Binding 2

Maribat March Day 2: Signals

@maribat-calendar-events @maribatserver

First *** Next

~~~~~~~~~~

He hated this!

He hated the fact that he woke up, by being dumped into a burning liquid. Hated that he was wrapped and bound so he had to claw himself out. Hated how the water forced itself into his lungs as he tried to break the waters surface.

Why does this all keep happening to him?

He hasn’t seen or even heard Plagg since the cemetery. And now he was coughing up acid green liquid, as every inch of him burned.

Someone charged at him and he attacked on instinct. He was able to take the knife from his attacker, and he stabbed them. He made sure that they couldn’t get back up, but he didn’t kill them. No they were alive, severely wounded, but alive.

Behind you, duck.

He did as he was told and a second assailant flew over him. He never saw them, but trusted Plagg’s words. Once he did have eyes on them, he quickly defeated them.

Step right. Turn.

Again he trusted Plagg’s instructions and a pair of people emerged this time. They continued to fight, Plagg’s warnings and signals aiding him. He wasn’t perfect, as the kick to his ribs, and the blade that dug into his arm, proved, but he was good enough to stay standing.

He fought for what felt like hours, bodies strewn all over the floor, but he hadn’t taken a life. The knife in his hand started to slip, as it did he flicked it back firmly in his palm.

"We must work on your inability to kill, but overall." A woman, the same voice he heard before, stepped out of the shadows. "You have potential."

Jason watched her. She didn’t approach further, she didn’t look like she would attack him, she stood there waiting.

Lazarus. Plagg's normal drawl was replaced with a hissing growl was terrifying it nearly scared him enough that he would have flinched, but he faced the woman. She is an Al Ghul.

"Al Ghul." He whispered, his voice hoarse from coughing up the water, and maybe even from the beating he took from Joker. The woman smiled, an evil glint in her dark brown eyes.

"Now how do you know that name?" She waited for him to answer, but he wasn’t about to tell her. "No matter follow me."The momentary astonishment gone, replaced by nothing.

The woman turned on her heels and started to walk away, a small motion with her hand the only indication she wanted him to follow her. But she’s given him no reason to trust her so he just stared at her not moving an inch. Plagg’s tone still rang in his head, although he’s begging him to say something, he staying quiet. He wishes that Plagg would say some thing, any thing. To give hima signal of whether he could trust this woman, but now he’s quiet. The woman turned around having not heard him follow, quick even steps walked up to him.

"I promise you, you will not die tonight. They have already let you die once, but I was there to help you." Her voice and words were sweet, but they didn't sit well with him.

"That doesn’t mean you won’t kill me." His temper was beginning to flair, his words pointed at her. Jason looked up at her, staring right at her gripping the knife, challenging her. But she did something unexpected, she laughed.

"You are more interesting than I originally thought. You will do well to serve as a shadow."

"Why did you bring me here? Why go through all this trouble? What is this place?" It pissed him off, like she could know what will happen and he can't do anything about it. The woman slightly crouched forward to look at him straight in the eye.

"You are with the league of shadows, I will make you into a shadow that will rival even the Batman himself. I can make it so that no one can hurt you ever again." The woman’s voice was sweet,luring him into a sense of safety, Plagg’s warning still echoed in his mind getting softer, as she placed a light hand on his shoulder. "I can make it so no one can ever abandon you again."

He wants to believe her, her words make total sense, except they don’t.

He was never abandoned, at least not by those he cared enough to let into his life. Bruce didn’t abandon him, he was the one who took him off of the streets. Alfred never abandoned him, in fact when Jason arrived at the manor he made sure that Jason was welcomed. Dick never abandon him either, Dick accepted Jason not only has his little brother, but evenas Robin. They didn’t abandon him, he ran away, he abandoned them. He ran away, and he died, and now this giant separation makes him feel guilty. He knows he survived Joker, Plagg made sure he survived the bomb, after that. But after the bomb, before the coffin he has no memory of anything.

Yet this woman claims she had a hand in it.

"Even if I were to believe you." He spoke up looking past her, to where he knows the exit, to where he can run free himself. "How did I survive all that?" He tried to stall, to make a plan.

He knows it’s a longshot, but it’s one he’s willing to take right now.

The woman sighed and stood back up. "It was a gamble, one that did pay off, it was the waters of the Lazarus pit that were able to heal you, I’m sure you were close to death. The waters making it appear so, that way no one would question the funeral. Yet you were still alive, still healing, and all we had to do was wait."

"So what if the Joker beat up another kid and you would’ve taken them?"

"This is neither the time nor place to discuss this." She grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt collar and started dragging him out of the cave. He dug in his heels, but she was stronger than she looked. "To answer your question, no, you were the target."

He stopped fighting in that moment.

Why me why go after me? Was it for the money, are they after Bruce? No Robin, they went after me as Robin. So they are after Batman?

You need to ask the right questions, kitten. Plagg then decided to start talking once again. If you are where I think you are, you have to be ready to fight like your life depends on it.

But…

No buts. Plagg’s voice absolute in his mind. Learn what you can, and use that to make your escape.

"This will be your room." The woman opened the door, and let him inside. The room is small with a bed tucked into the corner, a dresser was next to it with a single lamp on top of it. "Tomorrow you will meet your teachers, they are the ones responsible for your training, but it will be your own prerogative to stay alive."

The woman promptly closed the door behind her and left on silent steps.

Jason wanted so badly to fall asleep, but question just kept swimming in his mind.

"Plagg, I’m scared." He was barely able to whisper, as tears started to burn his eyes. He’s not sure if it’s because he was just uprooted from the only place he knew, the fact of his death finally catching up to him, or the fact that he knows everyone who cared for him thinks he’s dead.

You have every right to be scared kitten, I get it, this place can kill you if you show emotions, if you show any weaknesses. Plagg floated in front of him, his paws resting on the tip of his nose. This place might not have been ideal, but it might be possible to get you to the order from here.

"Order? Like the one from the story?"

The same one kitten. If there is ever any chance that I can get you there, I'll take it, you just need to follow my signals.

Jason climbed into the bed, sleep already overtaking him. "Plagg, promise me you’ll never leave me alone, that you will help me."

You are my kitten. I'll be here for you.

"I like to know that you’re with me Plagg, I trust you." Jason mumbled, his eyes were already closed and sleep was quickly taking over him.

Plagg curled up next to the boy, every fiber of his being telling him he was doing the right thing. That this child, no his chosen, will live. He will make it through this hellhole and will escape.

"Not even the Supreme themselves can take me away from you." He promised as he watched his kritten fall fitfully into sleep.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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Red Binding 1

Maribat March Day 1: Origins

@maribat-calendar-events @maribatserver

Next

Trigger for implied neglect, blood, and violence towards a minor

~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette was, what most would consider a normal, happy, child. But that was far from the truth.

She was ten when she finally noticed something was off.

Her parents as much as she loved them and they said that they loved her. Never made time for her. Never asked more than how was her day, so she would ramble about anything and everything. She never had a curfew and her parents never seemed to worry. That's when the bullying began.

She was eleven when she recognized that the bakery was the top priority and not her.

Her school life was in shambles. Her friendships were strung by a thread, with even a whisper from Chloé, they would abandon her.

So when a small box appeared in her room, at the age of twelve, and from it a small red creature asked her to leave with them she agreed. They talked for hours, extending for days (a bit over a week in total), before she was truly good and ready to leave Paris. They spoke about their lives (existence in Tikki’s case), the powers and responsibilities that would be placed upon Marinette, but most of that time they enjoyed one another’s presence.

The creature listened to her, actually listened to what she had to say, gave her a choice, so she agreed to follow the creature.

In the middle of the night she packed a small bag and stood in the center of her room. "Are you ready, Marinette?" The creature, Tikki they called themselves, chirped. "As much as I can be." She looked the creature in the eyes and everything spun. It felt as if she was floating, or not, as she slammed onto the stone floor.

When she stood up, she dusted herself off and looked around. She was in a well kept garden, the air was thin, but the moon was bright over head.

"ལགས་སོ། ཁྱེད་རང་ཕེབས་བྱུང་།" A voice startled her as she jumped from the sound.

"Who are you?" She questioned. "Where am I?"

The man was still, he didn't seem to hear her, or maybe he didn't understand.

"ང་དང་མཉམ་དུ་ཤོག" The man turned and walked into a building that looked like some sort of temple. She stood there staring where the man used to be before he turned back. His even strides carried him right to her. "ངས་རང་ཉིད་ལ་བསྐྱར་ཟློས་མི་བྱེད།" The man's tone surprised her, she jumped to her feet, following him at a brisk pace.

Lanterns lit the walls of the hall, no doors or even windows could be seen. The two of them walked in silence for what seemed a half hour, but she couldn't tell. She tried to remember the path, but there were too many turns and steps to remember.

They stopped at an ornate circular red door, that was roughly twelve meters in diameter. Golden knots were carved expertly into the wood.

He stepped aside as if she was supposed to do something, but she didn't know what. So Marinette stepped forward and placed a hand on a golden vein.

A flash of golden light erupted from where her hand touched the wood, as it swung open on silent hinges.

She had turned away, in an attempt to shield her eyes.

"Welcome, child." A voice from inside was warm and she stepped forward.

She wanted to say something but thought better. Yes she understood this new voice, but the man before she still has no idea what he said. She just followed him and he led her here.

"Do not fear to speak child." The voice came from everywhere, echoing through the large cavern. What looked like an island garden sat in the middle. A giant oak tree with flowers blooming in complete darkness sat at this center. Chimes rang thought the branches without any wind.

"Who are you?" She finally asked, voice small, as she looked around. "Where am I?"

Chimes rang almost resembling laughter. "I am known as the supreme. As to where you are, you are with the Order of Miraculii, my child of creation."

"Order? Creation? Where is Tikki?" She started rambling questions in the hopes of at least one being answered.

"All will be answered in time." Chimes once again filled the cavern.

"སུའུ་晗་ང་ཚོའི་ན་གཞོན་སྲུང་མཁན་ལ་བཀའ་སློབ་གནང་རོགས།"

"ཁྱོད་ཀྱིས་བཀའ་གསུང་གནང་བ་བཞིན་དུ་ངའི་བླ་ན་མེད་" The man spoke with a bow, before placing a hand on her shoulder and leading her out of the cavern.

He led her to a room that was somewhere deep in the temple, at least she assumes it is. The room was simple, a four poster bed sat against the far wall. A desk was set next to it with a bookshelf that was carved into the wall above it. A dresser was next to the door, and a thick rug was spread underfoot.

"Tikki."

"Yes." The little god appeared in front of her with a poof.

"What’s going to happen now?"

"There is a lot for you to learn, but for now rest. The morning will come soon."

•••

Jason didn’t know why he left that night.

Scratch that he knew exactly why.

Bruce and Dick were arguing again, and no matter where he was at the manor he still heard them. But it wasn’t them it was Cathrine and Willis fighting for the uptenth time. So he did what he always did, he snuck out.

He was running roof tops trying and failing to get the voices out of his head. The weather was starting to change and a sludge of rain and snow fell around him. If only…

He shot out to grapple to the next building but with the semi frozen and slick exteriors the hook slipped. He began to free fall, as the line retracted, and everything was quiet. He heard his heart flutter then a sharp click. The line was back and he shot it again, this time it landed. He was yanked and thrown into a graceful arc before landing on another roof.

He stood in the middle of the high rise roof. Completely soaked but he didn’t care, he just wanted to stay in this quiet for a little while longer. He sneezed, breaking him from his stupor, sure the suit helped keep him relatively dry, but it didn’t do much for the cold, less still for his head that was completely out to the elements.

He kicked a few rocks that were strewn in the roof in an attempt to warm up, but stopped when some sort of metal glinted underfoot.

He reached down and found a ring, and when his fingers wrapped around the metal a flash of green illuminated the rooftop.

"Finally!" A nasally voice echoed around him. "I thought you were never going to notice it."

"Who are you?" He half whispered half yelped. "Show yourself." He reached for a batarang.

"No need kitten." A tiny cat like creature floated up to his eye level. "Names Plagg, and you are?"

He didn’t answer, he’ll he didn’t know if this was real or if he might actually be asleep. He gripped the batarang, feeling as it sliced through his glove straight to his hand.

"Not asleep." He whispered to himself. "So what are you?" He attempted to poke the creature with his finger, but it easily evaded him. It took hold of the ring and dropped it on to his finger.

"I am a kwamii, specifically of chaos and destruction." They puffed their chest, watching as the ring emanated a soft glow before it stopped. "And you are my kitten."

"I’m not your anything." He didn’t want to be involved with magic, it only seemed to cause problems, if the reports Bruce had was anything. "It started with that ring, right?"

"Yes an…" He didn’t let him finish speaking, he tried to pull the ring off, but it was gone.

"What did you do?" His attention snapped to the supposed god, or whatever it was.

It was about to say something when his vision started to blur. Something heavy slammed into his head. He felt himself starting to crumple forward, laughter ringing behind him.

When he woke up, Jason was tied and laying face first in a dingy old storeroom or maybe a warehouse. There wasn’t much light except for three industrial lights towards the center of the room. And under the furthest one was the silhouette of a person.

"Is the birdie awake?" The voice was tinged with laughter, it sent chills down his spine. He knows who that voice belongs to.

I’m sorry.

"Let’s have some fun now!" Joker came into his view and then he noticed the item in his hand, but he couldn’t stop him. The crowbar swung down and it connected with his upper arm. He was thrown into a box to his right. The next hit was to his stomach, as he coughed up blood.

I’m sorry. He heard again, but Joker didn’t react to it. So he knows Plagg is in his mind.

Stop apologizing and talk. He thought, and he did.

Plagg told him a story. He tuned out best he could, but it was difficult whenever he would be thrown around. It even felt like Plagg was holding his breath at times, waiting for his attention to continue.

"Well it’s been fun, Boy Blunder, but you should go to bed. Don’t forget to brush your teeth and say hello to the Big Bad Bat." He left him there in a heap on the floor, a ringing his ears silenced everything except for Plagg.

"Come on, get up! Please!" He saw Plagg flying in frantic circles over a box.

"There is a bomb, and…" Plagg placed two paws on his forehead before flying back, to where the bomb must be. "You will live, Kitten, I swear it."

A flash of green and black rolled over him, yet the blast of air did however destroy the building they were in. But he saw Plagg fly back to him. He felt him curl into his hair, his purring rhythmic, as he began to loose consciousness.

"What a waste." He felt someone turn him over. Changing the path of the blood on his face to stream into his mouth. It tasted like iron, and dirt, and it burned his throat. "I will see you when you awaken."

His world went black, Plagg’s put was a constant rumble. The next time he opened his eyes it was dark, Plagg was on his chest staring at him, his green eyes glowing in the dark.

Steady breaths kitten. Plagg’s voice echoed in his mind, as he tried to explain what was happening. You’re in a coffin.

"How!?" He began to panic, but Plagg began purring which calmed him.

You need to stay calm, you can get out. Focus my power.

I don’t know how. He thought, not risking wasting the little air he had.

The ring on your finger is a focus for power. Do you feel the space my presence takes up within your mind?

He searched concentrating on Plagg’s voice and presence in his mind. Yes.

Good. Now pull that towards the ring. He pulled at it but there was a resistance, like a rubber band being stretched too far.

Slowly. He made the connection and his palm glowed with a faint black and green light. Now touch the area in front of you.

He did and as soon as he did the rubber band snapped back. But a hole big enough for him to pass though was above him, along with a foot of dirt above it. He was tired but he tried again. It was harder this time, but he managed. He touched the top of the dome, but only a few inches disappeared this time. He was about to try again when Plagg stopped him.

Don’t kid! You’re exhausted. Channeling magic requires energy along with training it, like any other muscle. We have to dig the rest of the way.

Fine. He huffed.

The ground was wet and soft from all the rain. But he knew if he didn’t hurry that would be an obstacle. It was starting to freeze. That’s how he knew he was getting close to the surface. Plagg had been moving the dirt into the casket, allowing him to stand. Yet he flew up to him this time with a broken piece of wood, and he knew just what he needed it for. He finally broke through the surface and pulled himself up. He laid back, legs still in the hole, but he stared at the cloudy sky, taking giant gulps of air.

"I knew you could do it, Kitten." Plagg stiffened and his hackles rose before disappearing. Guard yourself.

What do you mean?

"You were quicker than I thought." A feminine voice carried through the cemetery. He stiffened, knowing what Plagg was warning him of. "Now let us be off."

Someone grabbed him and he tried to fight them, but he was exhausted and they weren’t.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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Marks of Magic

Day 10 Mask of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous

Language and cursing is used

2,090 Words

Guess who isn’t dead

~~~~~~~~~~

The second after they agreed and he shook her hand, the air rippled again. They were in someone’s apartment, lair, workroom might be a closer word to it. The room was small but seemed to also be endless. On one wall was a kitchenette, while two of the other three walls were covered with pinboards, sketches, and a wall of fabrics. A giant table was in the center of the room, and a door with two giant windows on either side occupied the last wall.

"Where are we?" Jason knows that the question of how is magic, so where is the next.

"A pocket dimension of mine." She shrugged and walked up to the table.

"So who are you, really?"

She gave him that stupid smirk again and he wanted to hit her and protect her at the same time. "You know my face but I don’t know yours, and you still ask me that."

"I don’t trust you."

"I don’t actually know you either, much less actually trust you. But since you are helping me you can just call me Mira."

"Fair enough." He walked up next to her. "So what’s the plan?"

"Bats is preoccupied, so we have maybe an hour, and if my hunch is correct we can’t leave a speck of evidence."

"And how would you know that."

"Let’s just say I’ve got a good feeling." A knowing smile and a glint in her eyes, almost made him ask but thought better of it.

He watched her suspiciously as she set out several blueprints of various Joker hideouts, Jason was actually a bit impressed with it.

He doesn’t get her, hell he doesn’t even know why he actually agreed to this. They got to work quickly devising a plan and ten minutes later they were ready.

"You might need a mask." He pointed out, in this light he finally saw her.

She was close to his age, probably around 5’4”. Her hair was a black almost blue color and the underside was a bright crimson. Bluebell eyes and freckles splashed her nose and cheek bones.

"You’re probably right." Mira did it again, she waved her hand and the air rippled around her.

The next second she was dressed completely different. A long red jacket that was accented with gold and black straps, was over a black dress and a belt around her waist. Red boots that came up to just under her knees, over black leggings. Her hair turned a powdery blue almost white while the hair framing her face was such a dark black it looked like ink. Even her eyes changed to a dark red all while a half gas mask covered the bottom half of her face.

"Is this better for you."

He almost wouldn’t have believed that the person in front of him was the same person he met on a rooftop not even a half hour before, but it was. Damn magic.

"Okay let’s go." They nodded and she teleported them again.

"Now you find…" He started but was cut off.

Maniacal laughter was heard not even two buildings away from where they appeared.

Damn this girl is lucky.

So, they made their way over and he was going to say something but she was already ahead of him.

"Ten thugs and the Joker no one else." She whispered at his side not even looking in. This girl is starting to scare him. "But we only need Joker."

"You’re planning on using that pocket dimension aren’t you?"

"Yes, it’ll give us more time, than if we did it here."

"Okay, knock out the others and we’ll grab the trash pile."

She jumped in and he followed right after. They each attacked and the goons quickly fell, he looked over his shoulder, and saw her, the second she touched any of them they seemed to freeze in place. She danced around them, easily avoiding the bullets that flew towards her. She was trained, and trained well, a pit grew in his stomach at the realization. Who is she?

"Red Hood, now that’s interesting." Joker’s cackling voice drew their attention towards him. "Last I checked that name was mine."

"Well let’s call it a down payment." He was focused on the clown, Mira was capable of taking out the others. "After all you took something from me and made me this."

"And how would that work, hm?"

"You killed me."

"You're going to have to be more specific now. I've killed quite a few people, as have you." He mocked, trying to elicit a reaction. "Be honest, are the faces starting to blur for you yet. Because I can't remember them any more." A chilling smile overtook the Joker's features. "Actually I do remember one. It wasn't far from here. God I wish I could have seen that Blunder's face when my bomb went off."

"Fucking bastard!" He growled, his helmet amplifying the sound. The edges of his sight began to turn green, the madness began to settle.

"Well, well, if it isn’t the little boy blunder back from the dead, does this make me your father?"

The words Joker spoke made him fall further and further into madness, until he let it consume him.

•••

"Well, well, it it isn’t the little boy blunder back from the dead, does this make me your father?"

What?!?! Marinette froze, the words swimming in her head, that night replaying in her head.

"Well this was fun, wasn’t it, boy blunder?" When he didn’t get an answer he continued. "Well it was for me make sure to finish your homework and be in bed by nine. And hey, make sure to tell the big bad bat I said hello."

Jay, she watched Red Hood, and he attacked, but it was different. His movements and aura shifted, inhuman is the only way she would describe it.

They fought like rabid dogs, not caring if they took a life or died themselves in the process. He didn’t care if he got hit, or shot and it terrified her to see it, now that she placed the man in front of her with the boy she knew, she couldn’t move. But she had to, he could kill himself in this state. And she wasn’t going to lose him again.

She called on Pollen’s venom and jumped between them. A fist collided with both of them and they went still. She shoved each of them into a separate room in her pocket dimension before following herself. She secured the Joker in one room, then went to check on Red Hood, no that was Jay, her Jay was alive.

She went into the room and she could feel the anger and hurt that rolled off of him. Marinette approached, as if he were a wild animal.

"I just want to help…"

Hood turned to her, the helmet having broken in the fight, peices dug themselves into his skin, while his eyes were still covered by a domino mask. He trained a gun on her, silently telling her to stop, so she did. They stood there a minute, then two, then five, the minutes ticked on until she thinks he may have calmed down a bit.

Then she recognized it. Stories she read in the grimore, places that were overflowing with magic, from a single Kwamii. And this felt like Plagg, destruction and death, the pits of Lazarus.

She unclasped the chain she always wore from her neck, pulling it forward, a ring was threaded through which she let fall into her palm. The ring of the black cat. He stared at it in her hand a moment before she closed her fingers around it.

"Who are you?" His voice was labored, either from the exertion earlier, or he was still fighting off the madness, she couldn’t be sure.

"Hi, Jay…" She dropped the glamor spell from earlier. Tears stinging her eyes but didn’t care as they fell down her cheeks. "It’s Nettie."

He blinked at her. Not saying a word but she stepped forward. He stood still, watching her. She reached down to take his hand, but he moved it away, so she looked up at him, he was taller than her now. She held out her hand until he took it. When he did she dropped the ring in his hand and a green light emanated from him.

"Better?"

"How?" He asked in return.

"The Lazarus pits are Plagg’s domain, and you are one of his, so now that you’ve been recognized the pits can’t control you."

"How did… I told you… why did you come back?" He finally finished a question.

"I couldn’t live knowing that stupid clown was still alive, I just…" She choked out her answer with just as much difficulty. Tears stung her eyes as she desperately tried not to cry. "I didn’t plan on this happening. I never thought I’d actually…"

"Let’s end this." Jay reached out and combed his fingers through her hair, stopping at the red.

"Let’s!" In a flash her glamour returned and she led him to where she had the Joker.

The monster held inside had regained consciousness in the time they were, sorting their own issues. He watched them, as if he could actually escape them.

"So what’s the plan, Mira?" Jay, Red Hood, asked her casually leaning on the door they came through.

"Physical and emotional transmission."

"Aw the girly doesn’t actually want to hurt anyone?" Joker cackled as if he had won.

"Wrong." She stated coldly. "You’re going to be trapped feeling the pain you emotionally and physically inflicked, until you beg us to kill you, or you kill yourself in the madness."

"Your bluffing sweetheart."

She put a hand on each side of his temple and a scream was immediate.

She hated this spell, and she couldn’t believe the pain that Nooroo and Duusu had to feel for this to become reality. But if it meant that this maniac could feel what he’s done that’s fine with her. The silence that immediately followed sent chills down her spine. The Joker was trapped in his own mind and body, being tortured by what he did to himself, essentially comatose.

They walked out of the room, back to her studio, and Jay finally talked. "How long?"

He wrapped his hand around her wrist, making her stop and face him.

"Jay…" She dropped her glamour again, reached up, he nodded and she removed his mask. "Planning this, maybe a few hours. Knowing your alive and…" She started to tear again but he watched her, not saying a thing again. So she huffed looking him over and pulled him to yet another room. She sat him down and started tending to his now various wounds.

"Why do you still care, I’m not the same person I was?" A desperation crept into his voice, steeling himself from her. He held her away from him by her shoulders.

"I wouldn’t expect you to, I’m not the same either." She shook herself free and fluttered around the room, plopping Jay in a seat in the process.

"Aren’t you mad at me! I left and didn’t even bother trying to find you."

"Yeah I’m mad!" She dabbed the iodine soaked cotton on the laceration on his arm. He winced, if it stung or the fact her temper flared she isn’t sure, she took a breath to calm slightly. "I’m mad at Joker, at Bruce and Alfred for never telling me you died, mad that I couldn’t get you out! But you had no control over what happened to you."

She tried to get him to make eye contact but he looked away. When he finally spoke his voice was cold. "I'm not a good person, so stay away, put me back in Gotham and forget about me!"

"When will it get through your oh so thick fucking skull!" She grabbed his face forcing him to look at her, then flicked him on the forehead. "I don’t give a flying fuck what people think, and I will stand beside those I care about, which includes you. Idiot." She huffed.

"Nettie, you were… you are, my best friend. I don’t want you to hate me." Fear snuck into his voice, it was small, so different from the imposing figure in front of her. Yet so reminiscent of the boy she knew so long ago.

She stood up and offered him her hand. "You’re my best friend, Jay, and no mask, magic, or maniac is going to change that."

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

@jennifer-rose123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @joydone07 @mizzy-pop @starling218 @crystalqueertea

[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 9 Witch of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

1600 Words

~~~~~~~~~~

Mari didn’t have a clue where she was going to land but she didn’t care. And if her suspicions are correct, she isn’t about to be interrupted, by one of the few people she would rather slap across the face, than talk to. Her coat was warm enough, but she summoned a scarf that she wrapped around her neck, covering her up to her nose. She didn’t know why she actually left, just that something, or someone (the kwamii), wanted her to be somewhere.

She walked through Gotham’s streets and of course she would notice them.

Street kids darted through the alleys and it hurt her heart. There was a reason why she helped Prince Ali often, she loved making the kids smile, she loved them since they reminded her of him. So she went into a dinner and ordered a giant pot of chicken soup, with chopped vegetables. Lugged it back to where she saw one of the braver kids, who was the look out as Jay pointed out to her so long ago.

“Go get the others.” She smiled at him but he just watched her suspiciously. She sighed and set the huge container on a sturdy looking box. "It’s only a little thing but…" She scooped out a serving and handed it to him. "I want to help if I can."

The boy tentatively took the cup of soup, but asked her, probably because of her accent she assumes. "Why do you care, you aren’t from around here?"

"A friend of mine was from here and he…" She doesn’t know how to say it. "He got out, he talked about it a lot, so if I can help in some small way."

"They already know." The boy said and just as he did several children walked out of the shadows. She started handing out cups and the smiles and rosy cheeks that the soup warmed made her smile.

The soup should have run out a long time ago but every child received seconds even thirds in some cases.

She kept pouring Mullo’s magic into it, multiplying its contents, and added a bit of heat to it as well, making sure they were all full.

"Miss?" A little girl, she was tiny and couldn’t be more than 6, tugged at her jacket. "Are you a witch?"

"No, I’m not." She lightly brushed the hair from the girls face.

"But that doesn’t make sense. You have to be."

"And why would that be?" She asked in return, not truly expecting the girls response.

"The soup hasn’t finished and it’s still hot."

Mari blinked. She hadn’t thought it through, sure it was a spur of the moment thing, but she didn’t expect them to notice. But she should have expected it, Jay was always more observant of the world around him them than she was. Maybe it was a street kid thing. They had to constantly be on the lookout, constantly on edge, and no child should have to be in that situation.

She smiled and then whispered to the child. "Yeah, I’m a witch."

The little girl’s eyes went wide before she squealed in joy. "What magic…" She stopped mid sentence and paled.

Mari couldn’t hear the children anymore the little girl beside her seems to be the last one. The others left her behind.

"What do you think you’re up to?" A voice to her left, blocking her into the alley, demanded.

She turned towards the voice slowly, pushing the little girl behind her. "I was only trying to help…"

But she was interrupted. "Bullshit. What are you’re really doing?"

The person stepped into the light. Red Hood, from what she recalled, while she was updating herself on the rogues, stepped forward a gun trained on her. She might be able to get away, but she can’t risk the girl.

She slowly pulled the scarf off behind her, placing it around the little girl, bleeding some of her luck into the cloth.

"Run!" She pulled the little girl onto her back charging at the rogue, who acted almost immediately. So she feigned a right, but at the last second dove to her left springing off the wall.

"Shit!" She heard him collide either with the other wall or the ground she couldn’t tell, but didn’t look back. So she ran as far as she could. Sure she noticed that Red Hood seemed to have a soft spot for kids but she didn’t want to chance it.

She stopped when she found a good place to hide the little girl. She tugged the scarf around the child to warm her a bit better. "Hide. And when you think it’s safe go and find the others. You’ll be okay."

"But what about you? He’s a rogue and… "

"Don’t forget." She tapped the child’s nose. "I’m a witch."

She heard heavy footfalls from somewhere above her. And started to run again. She just has to disappear, and what better way that from up high, so she ascended the first fire escape she found. Then a thought occurred to her.

Maybe… just maybe.

•••

All the kids were running off somewhere and he didn’t like it. Something felt weird and it didn’t sit well with him. So he followed behind a few of them until he spotted them.

A group of kids, there were maybe twenty to thirty kids were in an alley and a woman was with them. She seemed friendly enough but he knows no one is nice without a reason, especially towards street kids; even more so in Gotham.

He moved closer, the woman seemed oblivious he was there, and Mary, he recognized came up to her.

"Miss?" Mary tugged at the woman’s jacket. "Are you a witch?"

"No, I’m not." The woman brushed the hair from Mary’s face.

"But that doesn’t make sense. You have to be."

"And why would that be?"

"The soup hasn’t finished and it’s still hot."

The woman smiled and then whispered, Jason was barely able to hear. "Yeah, I’m a witch."

Jason then took action, it didn’t matter how nice she seemed, she just became a danger to these kids.

"What do you think you’re up to?" He stepped forward and most of the kids scurried away. He pulled out a gun and trained it on her.

The woman turned towards him slowly, pushing Mary behind her. "I was only trying to help…"

But he didn’t let her finish. "Bullshit. What are you’re really doing?" He stepped into the light his gun still trained on her. She seemed to freeze.

Good. She should be scared, for what she was going to do.

"Run!" She shouted as she pulled Mary onto her back charging at him. She ran to his left side, and he tried to get Mary away from her, but she dove to his right springing off the wall.

"Shit!" He crashed into the wall, since he over stepped, without having the extra weight and momentum to spin back.

She was gone, but he had to get the kid back safe. He took to the roof tops to get a better vantage point and that was when he saw her duck into another alley. He was going to jump down, but she had climbed up. He could still see Mary clinging to the woman, but they still ran.

The woman, he has to admit must be agile and in good shape. She has kept the same distance between them and doesn’t slow even when jumping between the roof tops. She’s done this before, and that makes this so much worse.

Then she turned, stopping in the middle of a roof. He looked around and noticed all the warehouses, so they were alone. He pulled out both guns, when the air around her rippled. Mary was gone.

"Where’s the girl?!" He barked, at the unknown woman.

"Safe." She smiled, cocky.

Was she going to go back to where she stashed her.

"You’re not as bad as they say." She hummed.

"And what do they say?" He retorted.

"That you’re bloodthirsty, and will tear anyone to shreds."

"And what if they are right?"

She shrugged, stepping forward. "But you care about the kids. And I know that anyone who does at least has some of their humanity."

"At least you can die, with that idea of me." He cocked the gun still in his hand.

"Before you do, I have a favor."

"And why would I do anything for you?"

She grinned, and for a second he remembered Marinette and her ludicrous ideas that always succeeded, but always started with a similar grin. "I want you to help me kill the stupid fucking clown."

"That’s a bit broad isn’t it?" He hasn’t made it known, his personal grudge against the Joker, so why choose him. It couldn’t be just because of his reputation or even this little test she pulled. No there was something else.

"Fine, Joker, narrow enough for you?" She quirked a brow and he lowered his gun slightly.

"What, you have a personal vendetta against him? You, ain’t from Gotham, Pixie."

"I’m not but a good friend of mine was, and Joker killed him in front of me. So yeah it’s personal." She didn’t back down from him, in fact she stepped forward, stopping just in front of him, extending a hand to him.

"You have to be a witch." He holstered his guns, not shaking her hand just yet.

"Yeah I’m a W.I.T.C.H." Her eyes sparked, reminding him of his old friend. "A Woman In Total Control of Herself."

That grin was back on her face, but with that Jason couldn’t help but trust her.

"Fine I’m in."

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

@jennifer-rose123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @joydone07 @mizzy-pop @starling218

[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 8 Familiar of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

2230 Words

~~~~~~~~~~

Six years had passed and Marinette decided it was time to go back to Gotham.

She was taking a break from her designs for a bit and Luka and Jagged asked if she wanted to tour with them for a bit.

And who was she to say no. She loved them both, one was her boyfriend, while the other was his dad (and her pseudo crazy uncle). Gotham was Jagged’s hometown so it made sense for him to stop there on his North American Tour.

So here she was after six years, the cold autumn air was chilly but not too cold yet. The sky just starting to shift into dusk, casting more shadows than usual. She and Luka were walking hand in hand under the giant white oak when she noticed it. The stage, the cannons, the man standing in that horridly tacky green and purple three piece suit.

“Well that’s a familiar sight.” She sighed watching the progression make its way to the park entrance. “Come on. From what I’ve seen the Riddler has toned it down a lot ever since that new guy came in.”

“And how are we to help?” He grinned at her knowingly.

“Please riddles are child’s play.” She waved pulling him along.

“Let’s see, let’s see. You their black and red dye. Answer 3 riddles and the city goes free.”

“Why not.” She shrugged at the rogue.

“Why do zombies never win…”

“At poker?” She finished the riddle. “It’s because they have a tell-tale heart.”

She grinned remembering the grin that was erased from this timeline.

“How did you?” He looked at her quizzically. “Never mind. Walk on the living, they don't even mumble, step on the dead…”

“They mutter and grumble.” She finished again, the familiarity of the situation making her smile. “Leaves, of course. So are you going to give out some new riddles or at least cut the theatrics.”

“You’re a meta aren’t you.” He accused.

“Nope. I’ve just heard them before.” She popped the ‘p’ while tilting her head to the side.

“Here’s the next one.” He started but didn’t get to start it before she interrupted him.

“While some spring forward, I choose to fall back. Come and join me while you sit on a haystack. I may show a movie with a crazed maniac, I will for sure host a festival to give you a heart attack.” She started to laugh as the rogue stood shocked. “Do you only have a limited autumn library, or did I just get the only repeat performance.”

“You’re that little girl.” He stood shocked at this little revelation.

“And I can knock you on your ass again if you’d like.” She smiled.

“It’s not nice to tease him, he is a villain after all.” Luka murmured hugging her.

“Please if I knock him down it would be far softer than if it was the bat.” She pouted loud enough for those who gathered could hear.

“Want to test that theory?” Speak of the devil and he shall appear, Batman.

She tensed slightly, resisting the urge to glare at the ‘hero’ that stood just behind the Riddler. “I wouldn’t want to overstep.”

“Besides we have somewhere to be, Melody, we wouldn’t want to show up after a fight do we.”

She crossed her arms and pouted, puffing out her cheeks.

“I don’t care, but your dad does…” She huffed.

“Are you really that girl?” Riddler still gawked at the two of them, before seeming to make up his mind.

Just like all those years ago he charged her. And just like before she punched him in the nose. Luka let her go and jumped back, knowing she was going to throw him over her shoulder.

“Yup…” The riddler breathed out. “You’re that same girl. But you’re right softer than Bats.”

He laid on his back, not even trying to move.

“Wow!” A new voice shouted from behind her. “You’re tiny! I didn’t think you could actually do it.”

She turned and saw a young boy, maybe 14 or 15. He was in a mask, in a variation of the classic boy wonder suit, a new Robin. Her breath caught and she doesn’t remember how to breathe for a moment.

How could he?!

How could Batman let another child take up the mantle.

She couldn’t believe it, she was horrified, but more so she was livid. She wanted to march up to him and slap him. She turned and there was a tug on her wrist.

“He isn’t worth your anger, love.” Luka hummed, calming her enough that she remembered to breathe.

“Your right.” She shrugged. “Besides if I ever get arrested it isn’t going to be for this.”

She laughed, which he joined into.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we need a quick statement.” A gentleman, drew their attention, the coat, glasses, and the now salted chestnut hair.

“Commissioner Gordon, right?” She smiled at the officer. Sure she ran into him once but that day is in the forefront of her mind at the moment.

“Yes. How did you know?” He blinked.

“An event eerily similar to this one, a few years ago. You drove…” Her eyes started to tear, but she blinked them away quickly.“Jay and I home after.”

A light seemed to blink on and she thinks he recognized her, just as quickly his eyes turned somber.

“You’ve gotten big.” He seemed to sniffle, but she isn’t sure if it was because of the cold or if he knows what happened to Jay. But he shook his head before getting back to his duty. “Right, a statement…”

They gave a statement before turning, well Luka turned her, she assumes it’s because of Batman. She feels his stare on her and it really was starting to fucking piss her off.

•••

“You don’t have to go, Marinette. “

“I know I don’t have to, but it’s important to Jagged.” She sighed before waving a hand. “Besides I only met them once, I doubt they remember.”

“If your sure.” Luka asked her again, to which she nodded.

They grabbed their jackets and walked down to the lobby of their hotel.

“You ready to meet and old friend of mine, you two?” Jagged slung an arm around each of their necks the moment they stepped off the elevator.

“As much as we can be.” She smiled as she and Luka linked their hands, while Penny ushered them outside.

“So how are you liking Gotham, Mari?” Jagged asked her after she was staring out of the window a while.

“I’ve been here before. Everything is familiar but different, you know.” She sighed.

“I get it it’s been too long since I was back here.” Jagged tried to get her to talk but dropped it soon enough.

She never forgot her promise and she is living it. She became one of the newest and popular fashion houses in not just Paris but was starting to gain even more traction internationally. Her personal client list was populated by some of the biggest A-listers including Jagged Stone, Clara Nightingale, Prince Ali, the Tsurugi Family, the Graham de Vanily family, and even the Queen family. She travelled the world to find inspiration, and if she helped s few people with her magical abilities she smiled at their faces. Hell she was named one of the twenty under twenty, the year before for her work with environmental textiles.

Before she knew it the gates of Wayne manor were opening before them. The same intricate iron work she remembered opened into perfectly manicured lawns on either side of the long driveway.

“Jared it’s good to see you.” A cheerful voice called from the doorway, Bruce Wayne.

“Brucie! Ah, your right mate!” Jagged slung an arm around his old friend.

“These must be your boys!”

“This is Dick and Tim.” Bruce smiled placing a hand on each of the two he mentioned. “And are they yours, Jared?”

“My son, Luka, and his sweetheart and my future daughter in law, Marinette.” He waved towards both of them.

“Jagged!” She yelped in embarrassment, but it fell on deaf ears.

“Alfred good to see ya!” Jagged bounce right past the two men and child, towards the eldest gentleman.

Marinette however could feel three sets of eyes on her, and she wanted to scream. Luka tugged on her hand and squeezed, centering her.

“Dinner is ready.” Alfred commanded everyone’s attention, so they made their way to the dining room. They sat down and she tried to avoid eye contact, not really paying attention to the conversation. That is until…

“You look so familiar, we must have met before. Now I remember, Nettie!” Her head snapped up and directly at Dick. “So what have you been up to, Nettie.”

“Please… Please don’t call me that.” She tried to keep her voice level but she knows it is shaking. Her knuckles were turning white as she gripped the napkin in her lap.

“Why not? It’s cute.” The younger boy, Tim, she recalled answered trying to break the tension.

“Because the only person who can call me that is dead.” She got up and started walking out of the room.

“Give her space.” She heard Luka say, probably to Jagged or maybe even the Wayne’s, she isn’t sure.

She was originally going to walk out side but at the last minute she decided to climb the stairs. She only walked this way twice, once when she dumped half of her life’s trauma on this family and the second the morning after.

She turned the handle and it was as if time had frozen. Books piled on the bedside tables. A backpack thrown haphazardly on the desk, notebooks had spilled from it onto the floor. She walked in and sat at the foot of the bed. Model cars, motorcycles, and even engine parts littered the bookshelves. She knows dinner has probably ended but she didn’t move, she wanted to cry, but that feels as if it might be insulting at the moment.

Knock.

Her head snapped from the window, a crescent moon floated low over the trees, towards the door. She doesn’t know who she expected, but it wasn’t Dick, maybe Alfred if she’s honest.

“Room for one more?” He asked quietly. She nodded and walked in, instead of sitting next to her he sat on the ground in front of her. “Im sorry. How? How did you know?”

“It wasn’t like him.” She sighed. “Did you know?”

“Yeah.” He leaned back. “I was so angry with Bruce, he didn’t even tell me I had to find out through the paper.”

She stared at him now. “His death wasn’t in the paper, I was looking for it but it never came. Oh kwamii, please no.”

She covered her mouth, Robin’s death was made public not Jason’s. So if she knows and he knows, the two of them stared at one another.

“Marinette?”

“If Jay was… are you… were you… that means Tim is… so is Bruce… no never mind don’t answer that.” She stood. “Nope. Nope. Nuh-uh!”

She looked at him and he was just staring at her.

“Marinette, how do you know?” He stood and placed a hand on each of her shoulders stopping her from pacing.

“I was there.” Her voice was resolute, staring right at the person who called himself Jay’s brother.

“You saw…” He couldn’t finish his sentence.

“I was angry at you for not telling me, but you didn’t know.”

“Two months, Bruce wouldn’t tell me for two months, and then I snapped.” His eyes turned dark.

“Live.”

“What?” He watched her, pleadingly, as she seemed to pull him from his dark thoughts.

“Live. That was the last thing he said. We were trapped in that warehouse, the bomb, once we noticed it was almost over.” He listened, his grip on her shoulders lessening. “I tried to get us out but the door was stuck, I held him until it exploded. The next second I was back in my apartment before I passed out. I didn’t have enough magic to save us both.”

Tears finally flowed from her, Dick was also crying at this point. They just cried for a while, that is until everyone decided to try and find them. Luka and Alfred were the ones who did.

“I didn’t know.” Dick finally spoke, his voice hoarse, from his tears.

“How could you?” She wiped the last of her tears away.

“We should have said something to you. You were his only friend.”

“Master Dick.” Alfred handed him a handkerchief.

“You truly a Paon, Alfred.” She smiled.

“Tell Jagged I’ll meet you guys back at the hotel, Luka.”

“You better not be planning anything.”

“Me.” She smiled, a glimmer in her eyes. “Never.”

•••

A portal appeared under her and she disappeared.

“Melody.” He called out but he knew she didn’t hear, so he shook his head, a laugh that turned into a grumble. “I better not read about this tomorrow.”

The two others looked at him as if he could explain, but really he doesn’t think he should.

The fact that this man has a miraculous means he can be trusted, but with what he knows he is wary.

She seems to trust both if her song was any indication and they don’t mean to hurt her. But it’s not his secret to tell.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

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[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 7 Red of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

1650 Words

⚠️Character Death

~~~~~~~~~~

Jay and her had been inseparable the next day, and then Friday came around.

Again he was missing from school and a sinking feeling started growing in the pit of her stomach. And then Saturday rolled in and it was quiet, no rogues and burglaries, just quiet. Something was making the hair on the back of her neck stand and she did not like it one bit.

She was sitting in her apartment but she couldn’t sit still. The snow came early as there was white powder starting to line the streets. She grabbed a warm jacket and snuck out through the fire escape.

She didn’t know where she was going just that she needed to get somewhere.

Marinette picked up the pace to the point she was sprinting through the warehouse district. She wasn’t paying attention so of course she fell flat on her face, not noticing or caring she split open her lip.

"Meow." A black cat was sitting inches in front of her. It’s green eyes watching before walking a few steps and looking back at her. She took it in for a moment before a little red bug appeared and landed on its nose. It shouldn’t be possible, unless. The two creatures faced her, as if they wanted her to follow.

She stood and then, the cat started running and she followed. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and the cold night air stung her lungs. She could taste blood from her split lip, but she didn’t loose track of the cat and the little ladybug.

Then she heard it.

Crack.

The sound made her stomach somersault. Again and again, she had to stop, bile rising because she recognizes that sound. It would be hard, not to as it appeared in her dreams and waking for years now. A blunt object making contact with flesh. She stumbled on something she shouldn’t have. Mari knew she shouldn’t be here. She should be home asleep under a pile of blankets, but her feet didn’t move.

Then the laughter started. It was chilling, pure glee that’s sent shivers down her spine. And she knows just who was inside that warehouse. Footsteps approached the door.

She dove behind a few boxes, even covered herself with a painters tarp to hide some more. The door opened revealing the Joker putting on a coat.

"Well this was fun, wasn’t it, boy blunder?" When he didn’t get an answer he continued. "Well it was for me make sure to finish your homework and be in bed by nine. And hey, make sure to tell the big bad bat I said hello."

She held her breath as the Joker laughed shutting the door behind him and in the opposite direction.

It took a moment for her to remember how to breathe before everything caught up in her mind.

She rushed out of the hiding spot and ran to the door. It was locked and she doesn’t know what she could do. The lock was smashed and was probably jammed or frozen at this point.

Kaalki.

She thought and the next moment she was inside. Robin was beaten, but he was on his feet. Unfortunately not for long as he started falling forward. She rushed forward catching him.

"Are you okay? What am I saying of purse you aren’t!" Her mind was panicking knowing that she had to get him to a doctor.

"Nettie."

"What?!" That snapped her from her thoughts, staring at the boy wonder. "Jay?" She whispered horrified. This couldn’t be true. She wiped the blood that was flowing into his eyes.

"Go!" He coughed, red blood spluttered from his lips soaking her jacket. But she couldn’t care.

She pulled him onto her back and dragged him towards the door, oh how she wished for her transformation and the strength it gave her. The door however was locked and unfortunately there was no way to unlock the door.

"Please Nettie, just go." He whispered begging her to save herself.

"Not without you." She grit her teeth and started looking for anything.

That’s when they finally heard it, the ticking.

0:05

A bomb was sitting almost peacefully on a crate on the other side of the room.

0:04

Jay pushed himself off of her. Falling to the ground. She dropped down trying to pick him up again but she was tired.

0:03

"Please live." He begged her, his red blood pooling around him. Clutching her hand in his.

0:02

Tears started flowing down her cheeks but she didn’t notice them.

0:01

"Live." Me mouthed as his voice gave out. His eyes pleading her.

0:00

She closed both her hands around his. The blood warm in her hands as she closed her eyes. A flash of light and heat exploded around her.

Then nothing.

She didn’t feel anything. Not the cold air that was biting her. Not Jay’s hands in hers.

Her eyes snapped open.

She wasn’t in the warehouse, much less the warehouse district. Marinette was back in her apartment in Gotham. Kneeling in the floor. In the dim light she saw and felt the sticky red blood that was starting to dry on her hands. Her jacket was soaked, yet she didn’t care about it or the giant stains it would leave.

Kaalki must have teleported her, but why not him with her. She felt the tears drip into her lap. There wasn’t a cure to bring him back, if only she could have teleported him with her, but she didn’t. She was so tired that she could swear the cat and ladybug were sitting in her window before she passed out.

She didn’t wake up until it was well into the afternoon. The next day.

She woke up on the floor. Blood caked on her hands but she could barely get up and go to the bathroom.

She didn’t bother looking in the mirror, yet she knows what she would see. A broken child who couldn’t save her best friend. He died in front of her, he was a hero, he shouldn’t be dead. They were laughing not even three days ago and now.

Now…

She stepped into the shower, the hot water pricked her skin but she could feel it. That is what she clung to. That she could feel, so she cried, the blood started to wash off of her but she could only stand there, mourning the person who had been a light in her life.

Then she got angry.

Angry at the Joker for taking him from her. Towards Bruce, because if he knew why would he let him be Robin, and if he didn’t why didn’t he pay attention to him more. The same thoughts flashed for Alfred and even Dick. She trusted them with her secret and they couldn’t protect him. Then Batman, why would he let a child fight these maniacs. Sure she didn’t have room to talk, but she had the cure, she had powers, Jason didn’t, and now…

She changed into pajamas and crawled under the blankets on her bed.

"Tikki, I wish you were here." She whispered before she fell asleep again.

•••

"I am here." Tikki’s little voice popped in her mind. She snapped her eyes open.

"How?" She lifted her hands so the kwamii could sit in them.

"Your asleep." The little god answered. "Magic has a price and you are exhausted, little bug." After a second Tikki continued. "I’m sorry about your friend, Mari, we liked him."

"Why couldn’t I bring him with me?" She asked, almost knowing the answer.

"You barely had enough energy to get yourself out, we wanted to but it would have killed you. And there was a chance he wasn’t going to make it."

"But the cure?"

"Only affects events affected by the miraculous." Tikki shook her head.

"Tikki… I miss all of you."

"And we miss you our guardian." She nuzzled Marinette’s cheek. "Grow into your magic, and make sure those you love are safe."

•••

October, November, and even December came and went.

The news broadcast the death of Robin, and she assumes out of fear or some twisted form of respect, the rogues were quiet. The teachers didn’t acknowledge Jason’s absence. She didn’t hear anything from Bruce Wayne or even Alfred, and that made her blood boil.

She finished her exchange program and went back to Paris. Yes she talked to her parents every week and Saturday. Yes she was constantly texting both Kagami and especially Luka regularly. Yet she didn’t realize how on edge or lack of, Parisians fell into. She couldn’t blame them they didn’t know, but what she didn’t expect was the Ladybug Deserter flyers that littered the walls and streets. She went home and laid in her own bed, if Paris thought she deserted them fine, their opinion of her doesn’t matter.

The next day she stopped at the store before heading over to Luka’s.

"You’ve been awfully quiet." Luka hummed as soon as he saw her.

"Can you blame me." She fell into him, mumbling her response.

"It’s understandable melody."

"Can you help me with something?" She pulled away from him to measure his reaction.

"Depends."

She stuck her hand into her bag pack and pulled out a box of red hair dye. "I think I need a change."

"That I can do."

The both of them smiled and got to work.

She settled on the top half of her hair being her natural black blue, but the underside was a bright red, reminiscent of her Ladybug suit and Jason’s Robin uniform. She may have left the last part out when she told Luka.

When she started at Françoise DuPont again she couldn’t bring herself to care about her classmates who gossiped behind her back, who tried to make her miserable. But it rolled off her back. The only thing on her mind is making sure she lives without regretting a moment.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

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[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 6 Cat of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

1600 Words

~~~~~~~~~~

Well shit.

"Miss Marinette how do you know of the kwamii, especially those two?" Alfred questioned and she curled a bit under his gaze.

"I… Paon." She looked up at him, but averted her eyes towards Jay, but he was staring at both herself and Alfred. "August 24th 1944."

She looked up, the words she was speaking didn’t seem like her own. But she knew them all the same. Alfred seemed to pale.

"How do you know that?" He staggered slightly, catching himself on the back of a couch.

"It’s when they were lost." She shrugged, the story that Fu passed to her easily came to her mind, because it wasn’t her memory but Fu’s. (Guardians pass memories along to the next so they wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes.)

"I am so lost, Alfie?" Dick rose and tried to get the older man to talk.

"You are much to young."

"Ha." She snorted. "And you think I didn’t tell Fu that."

She crossed her arms.

"Where are they? You said they were lost, how? I can’t seem to remember." Dick had gotten him to sit down but his every question sent pangs through her heart.

"They have been found, and are safe." She was still fiddling with her ring.

"The miraculous of the black cat." Alfred spoke so certainly that it forced her to look up, away from the the kwamii she had drawn. "Where is he? He can come out, we…"

He looked around at the boys but stopped when his eyes landed on her. Silent tears rushed her face, all the words she has been wanting to share choked her.

Tikki, she wishes she was still here but that will never happen. Plagg, she didn’t meet often but he really did care about her, the other kwamii, and especially Chat Noir. Chat Noir has it worse she has told herself constantly. More than likely Plagg was his friend too and then overnight without warning he was gone, no way to contact her, and not knowing why.

"Nettie…" Jay stepped towards her, quickly glancing between her and Alfred, stopping in his tracks. "What’s going on?"

"They’re gone." She finally choked out. "I got the grimore, Nooroo, and even Dusuu back, but… I miss them."

"What did you do?" Alfred dropped down onto the floor and lifted her chin.

"I won the war in Paris."

"What war?" Dick she thinks spoke but her eyes were on Alfred, his aura calming her.

She pulled out her phone and quickly searched it, turning the device towards the others.

"What is this!" A voice she wasn’t expecting practically growled, Bruce was standing in the room, reading over Dick’s shoulder.

"You made a wish?"

The question wasn’t accusatory, but she flinched. "No, but it might have hurt less if I did." She finally looked away from the group.

"Marinette, who are you?" Alfred asked her, she looked up and something clicked a flash of dark blue light emulated from him. Pinned on his lapel was none other than the miraculous of the peacock. The man tenderly touched the broach as if it was going to disappear forever, she knew she could trust him, so with that she took a breath.

"I am, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Holder of the miraculous of the ladybug, the heroine of Paris, Ladybug, and the guardian of the Chinese zodiac Box of Miracles." She addressed resolutely, her conviction and pride fueled every word, while understanding seemed to flood Alfred’s features.

"If I had known… " Alfred whispered, looking at her like the pieces fell into place.

"Are you saying this happened, that children fought this maniac. Why not ask for help, there are other heroes in Paris, even the Justice League could have sent reinforcements." Bruce seemed to seethe.

"It’s not like I was given a choice, the other heroes left or quit, besides the Justice League knew about it and did nothing." She became defensive, even if she felt she could trust them, Bruce’s tone rubbed her the wrong way. She started this fight at the tender age of 11. Fought a magical war while trying to not feel anything for 3 years. Endured bullying and heartbreak for just as long, but couldn’t let herself feel it. So yes she is angry when someone she barely knows is offering ‘solutions’ when she had exhausted them long ago.

She didn’t even notice how quiet the room had gotten, but was staring at the man who offended her character. She was a child when all this started, of course she tried, but why, why would he be so mad. That is what she didn’t understand.

"Master Bruce calm yourself!" Alfred scolded the other adult in the room. (Who was making a straight beeline towards the grandfather clock to his right.)

"It doesn’t matter anymore, it’s over." She sighed finally deflating, knowing that anything done now won’t change anything.

"Miss Marinette, that is not nothing." Alfred stood and faced her.

"That is not something you should have had to do alone."

"I wasn’t, I had a partner." She mumbled as if it would change the minds of the adults.

"You said you were the holder of the ladybug miraculous, but you are wearing the miraculous of the black cat. Did you wield both?" She was asked by Alfred who seemed to know the most.

"I did a few times, but I wasn’t Plagg’s cat, I was Tikki’s. My partner was Chat Noir, he was the holder of the black cat."

"What happened to him?"

"I don’t know?" She shrugged. She took off the ring and started tracing the face of the ring. "Probably worried, Hawkmoth, Plagg, Ladybug, and Chat Noir disappeared without warning from his life. Black cats really are bad luck."

"Nettie, you’re a hero". Jay was now right in front of her, tentatively he reached out and took her hands.

"Was… the kwamii don’t exist in this universe, not anymore."

"My dear." Alfred placed a hand on the top of her head. "This proves they still can. That they are more of the metaphysical than before."

He tapped the broach before pointing to the ring in her hands before noticing her earrings.

"Why don’t you both go to bed, it’s getting late, and it’s a school night." Bruce finally spoke again. He was still angry, yet she could tell his anger wasn’t towards her. Actually she couldn’t tell who he was angry at, but she knows he is.

"Okay." Mari palmed the last tears from her eyes as Jay stood up and pulled her from the room.

•••

"Alfred tell us all you can." Master Bruce marched down the steps into the cave.

Master Dick and himself followed. "I don’t know what exactly happened to her, but the miraculous, I may be able to shed some light on."

"If my math is correct she was eleven when all of that started. B she was a child." Master Dick was horrified.

Although he went through similar event he was older, the boy was only 13 at the time of his parents accident after all. Master Bruce was also young during his parents death, and although he became the Bat it wasn’t until he was and adult.

"Why did no one take it seriously?" He was scanning all calls to the Justice league, until a call log from Paris showed on the screen marked from two and a half years ago.

‘You’ve reached the Justice League, how can we help?’ A bored voice, the log said Booster Gold, answered the phone with a yawn.

‘Hello! Please Paris needs adult heroes, all the older heroes left and we can’t keep this up!’ A young female voice started to rush their words.

‘I’ve told you before, kid, nothing has happened in Paris. Stop prank calling. This line is only for actual emergencies that require actual heroes.’ Booster Gold seemed to wave the girl off. ‘Don’t call again.’

They continued through the log, some earlier calls were looked into but since nothing seemed to be proven they dropped the inquiry. If what they saw from the site the Ladyblog it was no wonder. All damage all lives taken were brought back in pristine condition. Ladybug, Marinette, and who she called Chat Noir were the primary heroes for the past three years. Few other heroes would aid them, which he recognized the miraculous that they used.

"We can’t do anything about this can we." Master Jason had come down into the cave. "She’s asleep."

"The past is past, unfortunately." Master Bruce dragged his hands down his face. "Besides these children are practically meta, or even magic users, right?"

"Yes. But don’t forget these children grew into child soldiers and more than likely they could not trust anyone with this pressure. If Miss Marinette’s emotional collapse is any indication." Alfred supplied.

"Jay go to bed Dick and I will go on patrol."

"But."

"Jason." Bruce snapped at the boy.

"Fine…" The child surrendered, all his fight leaving him at Bruce’s words. The boy trudged up the steps.

"Bruce he’s worried for his friend! Can’t you see that." Master Dick slammed his hands on the desk in front of him.

"She’s a meta Dick."

"She is a child."

"That doesn’t change facts." Bruce spun around to face his elder ward.

"You work with aliens, metas, even magic users, and so do I. Our teams are made up by them, so what’s the difference." Master Bruce didn’t say anything, making the young man even angrier. "Figure it out Bruce." Dick started to walk away, before turning back. "Don’t call until you do."

He left without another word.

"Master Bruce."

Silence.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

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[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 5 Pumpkins of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

1540 Words

~~~~~~~~~~

It wasn’t until Wednesday that she was able to talk with Jason again. The teachers told her he was out sick but she didn’t believe it. Every call, every text she sent was ignored. She doesn’t know why he was ignoring her but something was weighing on her.

She walked into home room and there he was like normal, but he didn’t look up and give her a nod or even acknowledgement. Even as she put her things down, he turned away. So she sat down not saying anything but put the journal down between them, like any other day.

Neither of them moved to write, much less actually spoke, and their silence continued, one class, then two, three, by the time lunch came around she had enough. Whenever the bell would ring he would practically run out of the class. And in the next class he would ignore her again. So, before fourth period would end she grabbed the back of his school blazer. The bell ring and she held tight. He got up but was forced to pop back into his seat.

"If you hate me and never want to talk to me again…" She choked out. "It’s fine, but just tell me so I can get over it."

Tears began to sting her eyes, she was staring at Jay’s back, her hand now falling back into her lap.

"Why?… Why would I hate you?" He turned towards her, and she finally got a good look at his face for the first time that day. His eyes were puffy, one looks like it had been swollen shut.

"Because I was stupid, and cocky, and could have easily gotten both of us killed." Tears now flowed down her cheeks as she tried to palm them dry.

"I don’t hate you." He reached up to her face, hesitating for a moment before trying to dry her tears as well. "I hate that I didn’t do anything. That I just stood there while you could have been killed."

That’s when she finally looked at him. His words were so sincere, that she stopped crying to look at him. And then she finally seemed to notice, his left eye it had been swollen shut recently. She could she the expertly blended foundation and undertones to cover the bruises underneath, but she could tell.

She lifted a hand and her fingers ghosted over the injury. "What happened?!"

"I was stupid." He grumbled, turning to the left so she couldn’t see his eye. "I snuck out and got in a fight."

"Jay." She wanted to make it better, but there isn’t a cure anymore.

"They want to meet you." He dropped after a few seconds of silence, finally looking at her again.

"Who?"

"B and Alfred. They think your a good influence or something."

"Oh, and why would they think that?" She stood up pulling her with him. "Come on let’s go eat."

"Fine." He scooped up his bag and followed her.

"So I looked into that Halloween thing."

"Serious."

'Yeah and I’ve decided I want to make that one thing from a pumpkin."

"A Jack-O-Lantern."

"Yeah that."

"You want to do it tonight."

"Really!" She beamed only bringing it up as a distraction, but now they might actually do it.

"I’ll ask Alfred if we can grab some today before we head home."

"So I’m going to meet them today!" Her mind finally catching up to the conversation.

"Why not?"

"Sure! Why not!" She grinned.

•••

"You must be Miss Dupain-Cheng." And older man waited for them by a town car.

"Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you." She gave a small curtsy.

"I assure you it is all mine, I am Alfred Pennyworth." The man ushered them into the car before sitting behind the wheel. "Would you like to retrieve an over night bag, as it may be late after you finish your activity and school work."

It never crossed her mind as she wasn’t planning on staying the night. "I wouldn’t want to impose."

"It would not be, seeing as I drop Master Jason at school in the morning as well."

"That would be great, thank you."

So they stopped by her apartment building, she grabbed a quick overnight bag and ran back outside. And got back in the car. She seemed at ease casually talking with Alfred, as he insisted she call him, and Jay. Soon enough they arrived at a manor and she watched the perfectly scaped lawns and flower beds roll into the imposing manor.

"You must be Marinette." A man smiled at her as they got out of the car. "Bruce Wayne a pleasure to meet you." He extended a hand and she took it.

"Like wise." She smiled. The comment from a few nights before finally making sense.

"Your home early." Jay commented as he pulled her inside past him.

"Jason!"

She looked back quickly.

"Give him time Master Bruce." Alfred placed a hand on the other man’s shoulder, who instantly deflated a bit. Then called out to them. "Pumpkins are in the dining room."

"Thanks Alfred." Jay called cheerfully over his shoulder. "We can do our homework there too."

"Sounds like a plan."

Home work was simple and they got through it pretty fast, but not before Alfred called them for dinner. Which brought yet another new face.

"Seriously Bruce, another kid!" A man not much older, maybe 18 or 19 if she had to guess, came into the room.

"Master Richard, this is Marinette." Alfred cut in, since Bruce was pursing his lips into a tight line.

"Hi! I’m Jason’s friend." She waved at him.

"Oh baby bird you made a friend!" She thinks he may have jump across the table if Alfred wasn’t still standing next to him.

"When did you get back, Dick?" Jay asked from beside her.

"Jay!" She yelped, smacking him on the shoulder. "That was so rude!"

'It’s fine." Richard laughed. "I prefer to go by Dick."

"Oh." She hummed.

"I just got back, Jason." Bruce stood up and walked out of the room. "What’s with him?" Dick looked towards Alfred as if he had the answer but the man simply shook his head. "Noted. So what’s with the pumpkins?"

"We are carving them, that’s how you say it right?" She bounced excitedly, turning towards Jason for confirmation.

"Your right, Nettie."

"Then there’s only one thing to watch while carving…." They turned towards Dick. "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."

"Is that a Halloween movie?" She asked.

"More fall, than Halloween." Jay responded.

"I will set up the living room then." Alfred left the room.

They finished the meal and she was genuinely so surprised just how lively both of them were. She missed having dinner with others, her parents especially.

It was nice, nothing like the cafeteria at Gotham Academy.

They moved to the living room after and here came the hard part. What to carve?

Jay had immediately stabbed a knife through the top and pulled the stem off like it was a handle of a lid on a pot.

"We forgot a bin for the guts." He mumbled before getting up, and leaving calling out to them. "I’ll go grab one from the kitchen."

She just stared at the pumpkin.

"Thank you."

"Huh." She looked up at Dick.

"You’re a good friend to him Marinette. I’m not here often and Bruce isn’t the most open person emotionally, so thank you for being Jason’s friend."

"I could say the same thing. I’m only going to be here a few months, but even back home I didn’t have many friends, so I’m glad I met him." She copied what Jason had done and began to cut out the top of the gourd.

"He might not be my brother in blood, but he is my little brother." He sighed, staring out the window as the moon rose in the sky. "That probably doesn’t make much sense."

"It does, the blood of the covenant and water of the womb, and whatever else is in that saying."

"He started to rub off on you, huh." He jabbed at her.

"A bit I guess."

She laughed as Jay barreled into the room. "Okay let’s do this."

Dick and Jay argued on whether the jack o lanterns should be scary or cute and she just sat back and listened. She had grabbed a marker and debated herself on what to draw before inspiration hit. Maybe it’s because of everything that had happen recently, but when she recapped the marker two figures were on her pumpkin. Tikki and Plagg were in the center of the pumpkin circling as if forming a Yin and Yang. She knows she shouldn’t cry but tears threatened to fall regardless.

"That is so cute Mari!" Dick exclaimed over her shoulder.

"What are they pixies?" Jay asked as Dick’s squeal got his attention.

"In a sense, I guess."

"Miss Marinette!" She hadn’t noticed that Alfred had come back into the room. "How do you know of these creatures?"

He knows of the kwamii! How? It shouldn’t be possible but…

She started fiddling with the ring she couldn’t bear taking off.

"Why wouldn’t I after what happened in Paris, you’ve seen then too haven’t you?"

She tried to dodge the question but that only arose more suspicion from the man.

Well shit.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

@jennifer-rose123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @joydone07

[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 4 Leaves of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

1540 Words

~~~~~~~~~~

She’s been at Gotham Academy for a little over a month and the seasons were starting to turn. She was sitting in Gotham Park under a giant white oak in the middle of the park.

Sure she had to deal with an odd rogue here and there but this was peaceful.

"You know you shouldn’t be alone." She looked up from her book and saw Jason standing above her.

"I haven’t been here that long." She put away the sketchbook in her bag as she got up.

"Really?" He reached above her and plucked something from her hat. "It seems you’ve been here long enough to start growing leaves, Nettie."

"I wouldn’t have if you actually got here when you said you would." She pouted at being called out, mostly because she did loose track of everything that happened around her. More than likely she was under that tree for an hour or two.

"B was being a pain, Alfred’s been watching me like a hawk, and…" He trailed off, he looked down kicking the ground.

"Jay." She grabbed his hands, they were cold but he didn’t seem to notice, pulling them up as his eyes followed the motion. "What happened?"

"It’s nothing." He grumbled looking away from her. So she grabbed his shoulder and squeeze them.

"Jason Peter Todd, Wayzz help me, for fucks sake something is bothering you so spill before I make you." She pulled him up slightly so they were eye level with each other. She was taller by a few centimeters but still.

"It’s nothing, really."

"It’s not nothing." She let him go. "You don't have to tell me, but if you want to I'll listen."

"I… not yet."

"Okay." She didn’t pry but knows her friend needs a distraction. "So why are there skeletons and spider webs going up everywhere?"

"What do you mean, it’s October."

"Yes and?" She tilted her head to the side, wondering why the month made a difference.

"Halloween!"

"What?"

"Have you never had Halloween?!"

"Sorry can’t say I have."

"Is it not a thing in Paris?" She shook her head in response. "Everyone gets dressed up and there is a huge festival here in the park. We would…" He would have kept talking but seemed to catch himself.

Fall she understood, granted back home it would be winding down from tourist season which meant a few final fairs would pop up. But there wouldn’t be much to note.

But this! This seemed like so much fun she had to try it.

"Dressed up, in costume?"

"Yeah! Heroes and demons, angels and monsters. Anything really."

She thought of elegant suits and dresses, masquerade was what she pictured. Not what Jay was describing at all.

"This is flying over your head, huh?"

"A bit."

"So what do you want to do?"

"It’s getting late, maybe grab a bite?"

"There’s a pretty good hotdog cart near by." Jason jabbed his thumb behind him.

"Lead the way."

Granted they weren’t even out of the park when they noticed. However in their defense they were pretty much in their own little world. It got eerily quiet, but just as fast everything came into hyper focus.

"Now which one of you was lucky number 13 to leave and set off the area?" Mari quickly looked around before her eyes focused on a stage of sorts and a man in a tacky three piece green suit with purple question marks all over it. She should probably keep more of an eye on rogue locations and incarcerations, but she just turned 14 and this should not be on her to do list.

"Well why don’t the two of you participate together, then." The Riddler practically giggled as a few henchmen shoved them into the center of this makeshift square.

Police cruisers blocked the street in order to stop traffic. The Riddler was standing on the bed of a semi truck with canons on either side of him, and what she assumes is a detonator in his hand.

"Three riddles, three detonators set up around the park. For each wrong answer I push a button, but if you’re right I won’t touch it."

"And how do we know you’ll actually keep your word?" Jason shouted at the villain.

"Quick on the suspicion, aren’t we! Where’s the fun if there’s no trust. Now!"

Mari was planning, she knows he wouldn’t actually let them go if they were right so she had to think. Two must be duds so... even if they answer right he could toss them, only one switch works so which is it?

"Let’s start simple and festive, shall we? Why do zombies never win at poker?"

She looked at Jason since she had no idea, yet he had a shit eating grin on his face.

"Because they have a tell-tale heart." Of course an Edgar Allen Poe reference, that explains his grin.

"One down two to go, kiddies." He dropped a remote, almost as if to prove it was in good faith, two remotes, it’s a 50 / 50 shot.

"Walk on the living, they don't even mumble, step on the dead, they mutter and grumble."

She blinked, the answer was simple. "Leaves."

"And the little miss speaks, correct". He drops one more remote, but this time he pulls a cane from behind him. Two henchmen come and grab each of them. The cane pointing at her, and she noticed the hollow barrel, a gun in the cane.

"Last one." Should she have been more surprised maybe, but who knows at this point. "While some spring forward, I choose to fall back. Come and join me while you sit on a haystack. I may show a movie with a crazed maniac, I will for sure host a festival to give you a heart attack."

Jay was staring livid, too angry to say a word, as he grit his teeth. This was not how she was going to die.

Sass.

Was all she thought when she closed her eyes, the riddle ringing in her mind, but no answer came. Then she opened them.

"There’s a pretty good hotdog cart near by." Jason jabbed his thumb behind him.

She looked at him puzzled, there was no way that happened, but it was so vivid in her mind, could it have actually happened, and how did she come back to this moment.

"Hey earth to Nettie is anyone home in there."

She felt a flick on her forehead, as her attention was drawn to Jay.

"Sorry I got the strangest feeling of deja-vu. This might be off the wall but… " She took a breath and recited. "While some spring forward, I choose to fall back. Come and join me while you sit on a haystack. I may show a movie with a crazed maniac, I will for sure host a festival to give you a heart attack."

"A riddle really?"

"I know it silly but it’s stuck in my head." She shrugged trying to play it off.

"October." They were walking now. "That’s the answer."

"Oh."

And then it happened, the Riddler, his speech, the suspicion from Jason, and it clicked, she called on Sass’s power, she turned back time.

"Now! Let’s start simple and festive, shall we? Why do zombies… "

She didn’t let him finish before she answered. "Because they have a tell-tale heart."

He was surprised and dropped a remote like before. "Walk on… "

"Leaves."

"While…" He stalked towards her.

"October." Things had changed, but she crossed her arms, a sense of confidence and lack of fear, made her ask. "Can you cut the theatrics now?"

"Why you little brat." He lunged at her and she pulled her fist back and caught him square in the nose before flipping him on his back.

She debated on answering him but she didn’t have to as Batman flew onto the scene.

"How? You? Nette?" Jay stumbled through his words.

"I’m from Paris, why wouldn’t I know how to do this?" She shrugged.

"I have more questions."

"Which can wait." An officer came out from the police line. "May we get a statement."

She looked over at Jason who was again staring at his shoes as if they were the most fascinating thing in the world, a feeling that someone was watching them, prickled down her spine.

"Yes, but do you mind driving us home after, it’s getting late." She tried to sound a bit shaken at the events and the officer smiled at her. He seemed honest enough.

"Of course I can, what’s your name."

"Marinette."

"I’m commissioner Gordon, and your Jason, right." She looked between the two, he nodded but Jay still avoided everyone’s eyes. "Alright let’s go."

The commissioner guided them away from the scene.

They gave a short statement before they were driven home.

She was the first one to be dropped off, and Jason tugged on her sleeve as she was getting out.

"Can…" He whispered but stopped. "Good night."

"Night Jay." She smiled as he let go, but she knows something is wrong. But she can’t do anything if he won’t tell her so she’ll wait.

"Come on Wayne." She heard as the door closed, and she blinked.

Did she hear that right. No it can’t be… can it.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

@jennifer-rose123 @toodaloo-kangaroo

[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 3 Curse of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

1470 words

~~~~~~~~~~

On one hand her parents were supportive and agreed that her taking time away from Paris would be good for her. So they helped her pack on Saturday night, seeing as she was leaving very early on Monday morning.

She didn't hear anything about Gabriel Agreste, but there were whispers wondering why Hawkmoth was quiet.

No she hasn't said anything, except to Luka, no one else knows that the war in Paris is over. There was no way she could after all. She couldn't become Ladybug, and she couldn't do it as Mari without her life turning upside down. Hopefully the people of Paris will believe the miraculous went dormant.

Hopefully.

Sunday she tried to adjust to E.S.T. so she wouldn't be too jet lagged on Monday. And it worked to an extent, mostly she got some much needed sleep and was able to make it through with a cup of coffee.

There was only enough time for her to set her things in the apartment, that was provided with the transfer program, and change into the uniform before leaving again.

She grabbed her backpack and left for the Academy, which was less than a block away.

She arrived a bit early and made her way to the office.

"Hello?" She called out to the empty office.

"Oh! Hi there." A woman popped her head out of an adjoining room. "How can I help you?"

"I��m here to pick up my schedule."

"Oh the new transfer student."

"That would be me." She smiled at the woman who had moved to the desk by the door.

"Your name please, hun."

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"And here we go, and you’ll need this too." She printed out a paper and pulled a second from a cabinet. She grabbed a pen from a cup and started marking a map she had pulled out. "Here we go, sweetie."

"Thank you, madame."

She called as she left the office and stepped into the hall.

She easily found her home room class, the door was slightly ajar. Inside the teacher was at his desk and a single student was in the classroom, the others she passed in the courtyard and hallways.

"Hello Mr. Argyle."

The teacher looked up. "You’re the new student?"

"Yes sir."

"Only desk open is next to Mr. Todd." He pointed at the boy who was currently reading. Before promptly ignoring her and continued reading over the papers in front of him.

So she started walking towards the boy, Todd she recalled he was called.

"Hello." She smiled at him as she was about to put her bag down.

"Fuck off." He responded without even looking at her.

She blinked, and before she could think her mouth moved before her brain could process wether it would be an appropriate response.

"Well aren’t you charming." She set her things down and pulled out her sketch book. "And for the record, this is apparently the only open seat."

"You’re new, aren’t you?"

"Really! What gave it away?" She snorted, before looking over. He was staring at her as if she were a puzzle. Once the silence between them stretch a bit to long she quirked a brow, which broke him from his daze.

"Sorry about that, habit'.'

He rubbed the back of his neck. His black hair was messy, styled up out of his face. His eyes a blue, lighter than her own, with flecks of green. A small scar ran through his upper lip, as of he had been in a fight.

"It’s fine, I wasn’t much better after all." Her lips flicked in a small short smile. "Marinette."

"Jason."

They each turned towards their silent time occupants, until the bell rang a few minutes later. Their classmates started to file in and take their seats, where Mari was instantly pounced on, a group of students flocked the table to ask questions.

"Class is about to start, so sit down."

"No one was talking to you." A red haired girl with green eyes snapped at Jason, Alice she introduced herself as.

"You don’t want to rub off on the poor girl." A boy with blonde hair and grey eyes followed.

"Why are you talking to him like that?" She had to ask.

"He’s cursed no one can stand sitting at the same desk everyone has to transfer to another class within a week." Alice explained as if she was stupid.

"He’s a street rat and doesn’t belong. That’s all there is to it." Mathew, the boy sneered.

Great they really are everywhere. Now that is a real curse not whatever they think this is.

She looked behind her towards Jason. When she did he jumped out of his seat, hands balled into fists.

"I’ll show you what a street rat can do to you, a pansy rich kid." Jason snarled.

"Just cause you were adopted by someone in our circle." He motioned towards the rest of the room. "Doesn’t mean you have class."

Jason was pulling back as of to throw a punch, but she was unfortunately between both boys at the moment.

"Then why don’t you lead by example." That took everyone by surprise, so much Jason froze mid swing.

"Boys!" The teacher finally decided to intervene. "Everyone in your seats now!"

There was some grumbling among the students but she learned quite a bit from that.

One, there was a hierarchy, just like DuPont, but here it was measured by wealth than by achievement.

Two, Alice and Mathew were the queen and king, no one else tried to stop or say a thing.

Three, the teachers might actually do something, but only if things were getting out of control.

Well it’s a start, she took a breath as Mr. Argyle took attendance. Home room is just quiet time slash study hall after all so she looked down at her sketch book. She pulled her new journa from her bag and flipped to the first empty page. Which she placed between the two of them.

M. They are just assholes, don’t let it get under your skin.

Jason glanced at the words before stealing a glance at her.

J. They aren’t wrong.

M. That doesn’t mean they have to tear you down.

He lifted the pen almost going to write but stopped. She almost thought to write more when he did.

J. It doesn’t matter, you aren’t going to be her long anyways.

He turned to the book in front of him ignoring her completely. She doesn’t know why those words stung as hard as they did. She is only here for a semester, and in the long run that’s not long at all. Maybe it's because he might believe he is cursed. But she could guess why if the snippets of gossip the two shared was actually true.

Everyone ostracized him because of his early upbringing, thinking he is lesser, but she has a feeling that’s not the case.

Homeroom was coming to a close so she pulled out her map and schedule to see what was next. Ancient history to the 16th century, at least she wasn’t studying American history, that would kill her.

The bell rang and she started gathering her things.

"I can take you."

"I’m sorry?"

She looked at Jason. "History I’ve got it next too."

"Oh. That would be great." She smiled grateful he was at least talking to her.

"Seriously girl, you don’t want to become a social pariah on your first day, do you?" She heard Alice sneer, those words pulled memories from Paris that she really didn't want brought up right now.

Resulting in her sassing off like she was talking to her ex-friends in Paris. "If the alternative is kissing up to you I’ll pass, let’s go."

She practically marched out of the room, pulling Jason out of the room by his sleeve cuff.

"She’s right you know."

"People like her are insufferable. Why are there bullies everywhere I go! I swear I’m cursed to cross paths with them." She walked beside him, pouting as he led the way.

"Let me see your schedule." She handed him the page, and soon she heard him laughing.

"What’s so funny?"

"We have the same class schedule, which means you’ll have three more classes with her."

"Ugh." She deflated, then a thought occurred to her. "That means you’ll be there too, and you are so far the least insufferable person I’ve met so far." She smirked at him.

"Oh well that has to change." A smirk on his lips flashed as well. "I can be plenty insufferable."

Well this isn't going to be half as boring as she feared. In fact its shaping up to be a blast. Who cares what some stuck up rich kids think about her anyways. She is the savior of Paris and she decides how her life will unfold.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Tag list:

@jennifer-rose123

[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 2 Vampire

Maribat Spooktober 2023

Previous *** Next

I didn’t mean for this to become a song fic but that’s where it ended up (Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo)

Language and cursing is used

1790 words

~~~~~~~~~~

She woke up the next morning, and it was so peaceful. She didn’t have to worry about Hawkmoth, she didn’t have to worry what her classmates thought of her. That just gave her so much freedom in fact she smiled, taking a breath of air for the first time in what seemed like years.

She bounced downstairs, earlier than her normal on a Saturday morning.

"some one is in good spirits today." Her Maman smiled as she came into the kitchen.

"Of course I am!" She tackled her mom in a hug.

"Did something happen at school?" Her Maman hugged her back. A second later her face turned somber, knowingly she asked. "Did Lila do something?... Alya?"

"Yes and no. I'll tell you and Papa at dinner."

"Okay Baio Bai." She flicked her on the nose. "For now help me get your father to eat something." She held a tray of berries, yogurt, granola, and coffee up for her to take down.

"Well isn’t this a surprise." Her papa smiled as she walked in to the bakery kitchen.

"Well it’s too nice to be crammed in my room." She offered.

"So what did your mother send?" He clapped his hands as flour clouded in the kitchen.

"A few staples." She started mixing granola into the yogurt, and tossing in a few of her papa’s favorite berries, before handing him the bowl.

"Any plans princess?"

"Don’t know." She shrugged. "Maybe walk around and sketch. I was also thinking about dropping by the Couffaine’s."

"Does he treat you right?"

"Papa!!" She blushed, covering her face with her hands. "He’s a good friend, nothing else."

She finally muttered when she found her voice again.

"He is a good kid Mari. Besides if he doesn’t he has to go through me."

She could only laugh before excusing herself.

She never thought of it before, never let herself truly think she could be in a relationship, but…

Luka knows who she is, was, damn that punched her in the gut. But he knows, and she made sure he was the only one that actually remembered that particular secret of hers. Sass had even been with him until a week ago, but could she actually let herself say it to him.

Without realizing she was coming up on the dock.

"How are ya lassie, come aboard." She heard Mdm. Couffaine call out to her.

"Thank you. How have you been?" She asked easily to the sweet pirate of a woman.

"All is good. He’s down in his cabin."

"Thank you." She walked down and approached the door, strums of a guitar floated through the hall. She lifted a hand up to knock, but the door swung open. She hadn’t noticed it had stopped.

"Marinette."

"Luka…" The words died in her throat, her eyes began to sting.

"It’s okay, my melody."

Yes she was relieved that everything was over but that couldn’t last. She lost her best friend, Tikki had become such a huge piece of her and now she was gone. She guarded the kwamii, learned what made each one special. Barkk's loyalty and obsession with the knight's order. Wayzz's fondness of the other's antics and his calmness. She finally let her emotions rage through her without fearing repercussions.

"Marinette!" Luka’s usual calm melted into panic as she broke down.

"It's..." She choked on her words, everything from the night before crashed against her closed eyes.

Luka started to hum, pulling her into a hug. His steady heartbeat combined with his peaceful humming calmed some small part of her. "He's gone." He leaned back, a silent question in his gaze, 'who'. "Hawkmoth." She whispered before emotion overtook her once again.

They stayed like that for a while. Luka didn't pry, didn't try to stop her from feeling everything. At some point they ended up sitting on the bed, Luka started playing his guitar.

"You know you don't have to tell me." Luka finally spoke, not missing a note. "But if you want to I'll listen."

"I..." She pursed her lips, she was about to say more when the door swung open.

"Oh!" Juleka stood in the door, surprised to see the two of them. Her emotions then schooled themselves, ignoring Marinette, and turned towards Luka. "Everyone's here." The quiet girl turned and left.

"Come on." Luka extended his hand. "You need a distraction."

She took it and let him pull her through the house boat. There on the deck was almost half the class. Kitty Section (which included Rose, Ivan, and Juleka), Mylene, Adrien, Alix, Alya and Nino who were sitting next to Lila. Everyone turned and once they saw her scowled.

"Why are you here?" Alex voiced what everyone must have been thinking,

"Well... I..." she didn't know why, just that it felt right, even as Luka dragged her on the stage.

"Come on, just try." Luka placed the microphone in her hand as he plugged his guitar into the amp.

"But I don't..." She bit her lip unsure. Luka started strumming the song only he could hear. She just had to put lyrics to it. "Okay."

She let every thing pour int her words. Her sadness, joy, anger, everything she attempted and failed to tell Luka. Her eyes steeled as she became more confident with every note. Her first target was Alya.

'Hate to give the satisfaction, asking how you're doing now

How's the castle built off people you pretend to care about?

Just what you wanted

Look at you, cool guy, you got it'

Her eyes turned and caught Adrien's as the words formed in her mind mere moments before they crossed her lips.

'I see the parties and the diamonds sometimes when I close my eyes

Six months of torture you sold as some forbidden paradise

I loved you truly

Gotta laugh at the stupidity'

Without hesitating she stared at Lila.

'Cause I've made some real big mistakes

But you make the worst one look fine

I should've known it was strange

You only come out at night

I used to think I was smart

But you made me look so naive

The way you sold me for parts

As you sunk your teeth into me, oh

Bloodsucker, famefucker

Bleedin' me dry, like a goddamn vampire'

She took a short breath before continuing.. now catching Nino's attention.

'And every girl I ever talked to told me you were bad, bad news

You called them crazy, God, I hate the way I called them crazy too

You're so convincing

How do you lie without flinching?

(How do you lie, how do you lie, how do you lie?)'

Her eyes swept her 'friends' before landing on Alix.

'Ooh, what a mesmerizing, paralyzing, fucked-up little thrill

Can't figure out just how you do it, and God knows I never will

Went for me, and not her

'Cause girls your age know better'

As she began the chorus again she closed her eyes and stepped back, furthering herself from those on the deck.

'I've made some real big mistakes

But you make the worst one look fine

I should've known it was strange

You only come out at night

I used to think I was smart

But you've made me look so naive

The way you sold me for parts

As you sunk your teeth into me, oh

Bloodsucker, famefucker

Bleedin' me dry, like a goddamn vampire'

She picked up the pace and tried to catch everyone's eyes, but they seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

'You said it was true love, but wouldn't that be hard?

You can't love anyone, 'cause that would mean you had a heart

I tried you help you out, now I know that I can't

'Cause how you think's the kind of thing I'll never understand

I've made some real big mistakes

But you make the worst one look fine

I should've known it was strange

You only come out at night

I used to think I was smart

But you made me look so naive

The way you sold me for parts

As you sunk your teeth into me, oh

Bloodsucker, famefucker

Bleedin' me dry, like a goddamn vampire'

She took a gulp of air, now standing next to Luka. His, and everyone's, attention on her as he continued before cutting abruptly. "Better?"

she never thought it would actually be so releiving, but it was. she giggled at thats, a light smile entwined in the laughter. Such a contrast to what had come out of her heart seconds ago. "Yeah. So much fucking better."

He smiled at her, a small grin, but his eyes were bright, knowing. Her heart skipped as she felt her cheeks heat up.

"Gurl! You can't just show up and diss us like nothing!" Alya shouted nearly jumping up at her.

"Good thing I didn't plan it." she grumbled at the bespekled girl.

"Bull!" Alix jumped in. "We all heard that."

"Then consider it my good bye." She replaced the microphone and started down the steps. Luka catching up to her, he took her hand and their fingers intertwined, almost like second nature.

"Don't." Juleka grabbed Luka's shoulder turning him, and her in turn. "Please." She pleaded.

"I'm dissapointed." He took a step back and

squeezed her hand. "In all of you."

He pulled her and they walked off the boat.

"They're gone." she breathed after they walked a mile or two through the city,

"Hawkmoth?" He asked.

"Yes. But..." she finally stopped. "I released them."

"Who?"

"The kwamii." Her gaze was solely on her shoes and the pavement below.

"Oh." He lifted her chin. "Are you okay with that?"

She spilled. Everything that happend the night before. Everything that led up to her outburst yesterday and earlier. All the things she avoided telling him before. Once she finished she watched his reaction, hoping he wouldn't hate her, hoping that he could forgive her. Because she is why he will never see Sass again, never getting to be a hero again.

"Are they happy?"

The question caught her off guard. "I think so."

"Then you did the right thing."

she rose up on her toes and placed a small kiss on his cheek. "Thank you,"

A flash of teal exploded in front of her, but it lasted only a second when it was gone she was about to ask what happened, but the questioned died on her lips. There on Luka's wrist sat the miraculous of the snake.

"I guess they are still watching out for us."

"They said as much." She smiled, before adding. "They also said if I needed their power they'd lend it."

"Let's not test it so soon." He pressed a kiss to her forehead before they started walking again. "So Gotham."

Next

[liquid-luck-00]

Marks of Magic

Day 1 Moon

Maribat Spooktober 2023

Next

I don’t know if this is going to be a stand alone or a short part story or if it will be the whole month.

Let’s see where it takes us.

I’m restarting my permanent taglist since I’ve been inactive for so long. Sorry!!!

Language and cursing is used

1500 words

~~~~~~~~~~

Three years.

THREE YEARS!!

she has dealt with this stupid Moth's reign of emotional terror. And she is done.

She is done with Chat's dumb jokes and worse, his unwanted advances. she is done with having no one she can trust. she tried giving second chances to Alya, Nino, and even Chloe. But each time she did they broke her trust again and again. She stopped calling on other holders.

She is done with fighting this war alone. She reached out to the Justice League but they laughed in her face. So she stopped asking for help.

The Akumas would target the non-holders group of heroes so often and defeat them or worse until the cure would be cast. that they either left the city or gave up.

she is done being alone and fighting this uphill battle alone.

She doesn't know when the change happened but it did. Her suit darkened and changed, to a point where most was a pitch black. Accents of red and black spots littered the suit, but it darkened.

She couldn’t stand it anymore, her hero life is suffering because she had no one to turn to. That leaked into her personal life as well, she couldn’t trust her friends, so as the guardian, she wiped their memories of ever being a holder, and in Alya’s case the fact she is Ladybug. On top of that Lila held on to her threat, and it came to pass, the class turned on her, as they iced her out of their lives she did the same. She focused herself into her brand and grew her client list.

•••

"Seriously Gurl!" she heard Alya starting to stomp up the steps towards her. Marinette didn't look up from the tablet she was currently reviewing before class started.

"You could at least look at me!" Her hands slammed down on the desk infront of her.

"Alya." She responded, making a note on the document. "What can I do for you?"

"Cut the Snark, Marinette, we all know what you did."

"Oh really." A smirk played on her lips. she looked up at her ex-friend. "Do tell, what did I do?"

"Lila can't even stand being in class since your here."

"And.."

"You really are a bully, Mari, how can you not even show remorse for what you did."

"Your right, I don't." Marinette stood up. "Granted you haven't told me what I did yet." she crossed her arms, watching the other girl get madder at her 'attitude'.

Alya was about to respond when in walked Lila, but with one big difference. Gone was her long hair and stupid sausage pigtails that framed her face. Now it was cut short, a Pixie cut that now showed off her high cheekbones and her eyes, that were Puffy and rimmed in red from what she assumes were tears. The girl looked at her quickly before averting her gaze and dove into her seat. Mari didn't say anything. It was shocking to see her this way, so much she almost dropped her defensive posture. Luckily she didn't say anything as Mdm. Bustier walked in to start the class.

Mari quickly sat down as Alya flew down the steps to console the Italian.

The class period seemed to stretch out longer than normal, but that only caused her mind to race more with every tick of the clock.

All to soon Mdm. Bustier clapped her hands, pulling her from her stupor. "I would like to congratulate Marinette for being our lucky winner to spend the next semester at our sister school, Gotham Academy."

Every one turned towards her, if she looked closely their smiles were forced, almost sneers.

She never applied for it.

Her eyes travelled to her ex-friend, Alya who looked triumphant.

But jokes on them. She was glad. Glad she wouldn't have to deal with them for almost six months now.

So she smiled.

Not one of her strained smiles that had become so common place, but a true genuine smile.

The rest of her day went by in almost a blur. Teachers and other classmates would congratulate her but it didn't register fully. A plan forming in her mind.

•••

She was glad that there was no akuma today. As soon as school let out she got to work.

Through the photos she took of the grimore she learned, during dire situations, the butterfly could embue its own holder as a champion. Gabriel Agreste, then came back into the forefront of her suspects.

She didn't suspect to act on it, but while outside she saw him. Gabriel moved to a subterranian green house, where she then saw a kwamii.

She didn't think and acted on pure instinct.

she dove through the window, Agreate turned and before he could say anything she charged at him.

The yoyo in her hands extended into a weighted bo staff. Agreste getting over his shock called on his transformation. The two of them danced circles around the other as their weapons clashed in the underground room.

"How?!?!" she heard him snarl at her, but she didn't answer.

She was tired of this bull shit.

Tired that this peice of crap of a man made her life a living hell for three years.

Until ...

A flash of light enveloped the room. There Gabriel Agreste knelt on a knee, his hands balled into fists as he glared up at her. The butterfly Miraculous clutched in her hand.

A spark eminated and from it out came the kwamii of transmission, Nooroo.

"Ladybug... I..." The kwamii tried and failed to speak.

"Please go and retrieve the Peacock and the Grimore." She said never taking her eyes off of Agreste.

When he returned she placed both Miraculi in her yo-yo and finally spoke again. "Why?"

"I don't need to explain myself to you." He practicaly spat.

"No you don't, but I want to know the reason before I deal out a verdict." she hummed.

"And why would you be doing something like that, Ladybug." He tried to stand but fell back, too tired or too hurt, she doesn't know. She lowered down to meet his eyes, but didn't say a word.

In that moment he was so defeated, he finally collapsed to the ground barely able to lift his head to speak. "No use telling you now. You’ve already won."

He attention pulled towards the large window, seeing the full moon overhead illuminating their conversation.

"I guess that’s true. But why wouldn't I want to know why. Why I fucking fought for three years against you for so long. I need to know why." She stared up at the moon not sparing the man a glance.

"For her." There was a silence but she didn’t look at him, not yet. "All she wanted was a child, but in order for him to grow, she had to..." He didn't finish his thought.

She looked back at Agreste, she took in his battered spirit and body before standing again. She looked around the room until her eyes landed on it, a cyro chamber with who she assumes is Emily Agreste. "No matter what, there’s always a price for a wish. to bring her back something else must be taken from you."

"Please. Please just do what you have to."

"No. You have to live with the fact that your decisions ensured she would never wake up. That she was wrong to place her faith and love in you." She pulled out her Yoyo and flew out of the room, back home. The moon's light guideing her.

She fell onto her bed dropping her transformation as she thumbed through the grimoire until it landed on a page of spells.

She doesn’t know if it’ll work or not, but it’s worth a shot.

"As the guardian of the miracle box I, Ladybug, call upon the powers of the Kwamii held in my protection."

She closed her eyes and continued to recite the word she’s read over and over for the past few months.

"For my conviction is absolute and I release the Kwamii from their jewels, never to be used again by mortal beings."

Several voices were heard in front of her now, all the Kwamii she’s met floated in front of her in between her self and the moon. She doesn’t know how but even Plagg was among the others.

"Is this truly your wish guardian?" Was spoken by both Tikki and Plagg.

"Yes." That’s single word rang resolute within the empty room.

One by one each kwamii approached her, said a goodbye and thanks before disappearing.

Plagg came towards her and was the first to place his miraculous in her hand.

"Your one hell of a kid, Pigtails. Be unappoligetic. If you ever need to." He held up a paw. "Just give me a shout."

"Plagg!" Tikki exclaimed.

"I said what I said." He cackled before dissapearing.

She heard Tikki sigh before hugging her cheek. "You've grown so much, my little bug. "She pressed a flipper to her earring." Plagg's right though. If you ever need to. Call upon our power and we will lend it to you."

"Thank you Tikki." she felt tears beginnig to sting her eyes. Tikki dissapeared. "Thank you. All of you."

~~~~~~~~~~

Next

[liquid-luck-00]

Maribat Spooktober 2023

Did I fall of the face of the earth? Yes.

Do I want to get back into it? Yes.

So what better way than this! If anyone else wants to join in go for it. If not hold me accountable please.