#maribat march 2024

[kawaii-queen-kaiju]

Lies

Maribat March - Prompt 10

~

"He gave me a diamond the size of my fist! You can't tell anyone though; the paparazzi would be all over us." Lila loudly proclaimed from across the cafeteria. Marinette scoffed, throwing a disgusted sneer over her shoulder at the Italian. This was the fifth celebrity engagement story. She wondered just how she got unfortunate enough to be surrounded by these idiots. She could kill everyone in this room in two minutes flat, and yet, she had to restrain herself for the sake of the mission. Keep playing the role of meek little 'Mari', keep pretending she wasn't one of the most skilled assassins in the world. Stupid Hawkmoth. Because of some random ass dude, she was stuck among these sheeple.

She quickly left the cafeteria, exiting the school and heading to the bakery. She greeted Sabine - a member of the Order of the Miraculous and one of her old handlers - and climbed the stairs to her room. Just a little longer. She was so close to finding the man who had enough audacity to steal from the Order. And Hawkmoth, him too.

Her phone rang, startling her out of her inner monologue. It was Damian, her betrothed. She happily answered, the smile on her face genuine for once. 'Habibti. How was your day?' He asked, an odd whirring echoing in the background. 'Have you stabbed the harlot yet?'

She rolled her eyes, the smile on her face persisting. "It was fine. And no, I have not stabbed Lila, as much as I may want to. It's annoying, but it's helping my cover. She keeps the idiots from following me around, and it makes easier to search Paris for the lousy fake-Guardian and whatever asshat he let take the Butterfly." 

'And you're still sure you would not like me to join you and help?'

She sighed, the conversation a common one since she was sent to Paris. "I've got this, Dami. Besides, you wouldn't last five minutes here. I love you, but you are very temperamental."

He squawked angrily, and she could picture the offended look on his face, his jade green eyes crinkling adorably. 'I am not temperamental! You seem to be forgetting just how many of our trainers you sent to the infirmary.'

She rolled her eyes. "They were misogynistic pricks, and you know it."

'I was not arguing that they weren't, Habibti, merely stating that you extensively hurt each of them. In fact, I am quite glad for what you did. Had you not, Mother never would have seen fit to have us betrothed.'

Marinette smiled happily at the memory, standing in the middle of the large al-Ghul throne room in ceremonial garb, opposite Damian in matching robes. "Yeah." She glanced at the clock on the wall and cursed. "Sorry, Dami. I need to head back. Call you back later?"

'Of course. I love you, Habibti.' He answered curtly, though she could tell he was peeved at being cut off. "I love you too."

She came back to excited whispers throughout the classroom, and a huddle around Lila's desk. Marinette rolled her eyes, heading towards her own desk at the back of the room. Except...

She was stopped in her tracks by one whispered word. 'Damian'. There were plenty of Damians in the world, and several rich ones Lila could be claiming she's engaged to; but what if? Marinette continued up the stairs, but kept an ear on the conversation at the front.

'Wayne'.

Marinette clenched her teeth. They were talking about Damian. Her Damian. She'd seen articles and heard rumors before, right after Damian's debut as a billionaire's son, but something about hearing her beloved's name come from that liar's mouth made her see green. She was fuming, trying to force away the murderous haze. She was chosen for this mission specifically because of the ease it took to banish the Pit's influence from her mind, and she was not going to let Lila of all people ruin it for her. 

At the front of the room, the door slammed open. Marinette's mind screeched to a halt, because standing there in all of his glory was Damian. She shot to her feet and raced down the stairs before she registered what she was doing. He was here, right in front of her! She flung her arms around him, squeezing tight.

"Hello, Habibti." He whispered in her ear, squeezing her back. "What are you doing here?" She asked, pulling back to look at him. "Father found something. Camera footage of the akumas, and an identity, over a hundred and twenty years old. They're going after them now." He said, a happy gleam in his eye despite the lack of emotion on his face. Marinette grinned widely. Her mission is over! She can go back to Nanda Parbat - or Gotham!

"Marinette, what's going on?"

She turned around abruptly, remembering their audience. "Who is this?" Alya was front and center, glaring at her accusingly. Marinette's mind was whirling, trying to find an in-character way to answer. Except they found them. The false Guardian and the Butterfly. She didn't have to keep up her cover anymore. She grinned, her true smile, not the meek thing she'd developed the past few months.

She watched as Lila's little lapdog recoiled, enjoying the effect she finally got to have on her classmates. Marinette stalked forward, easily falling back into her natural gait. The walk of a predator. "I'm happy to announce that I'm done! I don't have to sit here and pretend anymore! You're all horribly stupid, and it was definitely not a pleasure to have known you." She let her smile widen to that terrifying degree that always made her targets believe she was inhuman. She never dissuaded those thoughts, instead encouraging them. "And you, Lila Rossi. You are a lying sociopath, and to be honest, I can respect that! But you chose to put my beloved's name in your mouth, and you've made me mad. Unfortunately for you, that is an unpleasant situation to be in."

"M-Marinette?" Alya tripped backwards on the steps, falling on her butt. She was ignored. Marinette's focus was on Lila, the repulsive girl who dared to soil her beloved's name with her tongue. To her credit, Lila was managing to hold eye contact with Marinette, even if it was in paralysis. "Tell me," Marinette slammed her hands on the lying girl's desk. "Do you do any research before you decide to spread rumors?" 

Lila was pale and shaking, her mouth a thin line. She didn't answer. "You do, don't you? You recognize my beloved, and you realize your house of lies is toppling around you." Marinette ended with a whisper, her face inches from the Italian's.

The room was silent, everyone's focus on the scene before them. On the way Marinette's personality did a complete one-eighty and froze everyone in their spots. Well, everyone except for the boy. He was staring at Marinette in adoration, hands clasped behind him as he watched his betrothed tear into her hemorrhoid of the last several months. His phone buzzed in his pocket, the only sound in the room. "Habibti. It's done."

Marinette whirled around, her sunshine smile back. "Then why are we still here?" She linked arms with the boy and left the room in stunned silence.

(The LoA and The Order are the same organization under different names)

[liquid-luck-00]

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

~~~~~~~~~~

Permanent Taglist:

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

[intotherabithole]

Prompt Siren

Tim x Marinette

[heqvenlymoons]

The Robbery of a Potted Plant

For Maribat March Day 16: Robbery

@maribatserver

Damian was looking forward to a weekend of having the entire manor to himself. 

Dick was in Bludhaven, Tim was working in his office at WE, Jason was sleeping over at Roy’s, Cass was in Shanghai along with Steph and Barbara for a ‘girls' weekend’ or whatever it is they called it, Father was in space somewhere while Alfred was on a well-deserved and overdue vacation. 

That left Damian to his own devices for what was supposed to be a peaceful weekend without his meddlesome imbecile siblings.

He had been looking forward to it and was playing video games (yes, he is capable of such activity) when the unexpected doorbell ring interrupted his solitude. 

Damian set his controller down, scowling at the empty room. He knew his nosy family’s habits and routines like the back of his head, and he was sure no one would return until Sunday night. 

Perhaps Alfred changed his mind and returned because he felt Damian was incapable of tending to himself. Typical of his pseudo-grandfather figure, always putting others before himself. 

Or it could be Todd returning to retrieve something he had forgotten to pack earlier in the day. 

Damian’s eyes narrowed when he heard the bell ring again, somehow sounding louder than the first attempt. 

That wasn’t right. If it were someone from the family, they wouldn’t be ringing the doorbell. 

He made his way out of the living room and, as he did, grabbed his katana from under the coffee table. 

Of course, he wouldn’t put it past Todd to forget his keys, or god forbid he lost it. 

Todd or not, it didn’t stop Damian from clutching the hilt of his katana and hiding it behind his back for a surprise attack. 

If it was one of his family members, they could dodge his attack. If not, how unlucky of the intruder to have stumbled onto the manor’s property. 

The bell rang once more just as he reached the door to crack it open. 

He met with the sight of an admittedly pretty girl looking about his age, with raven pigtails, bright blue eyes that put his emerald ones to shame, and an innocent face that looked like she wouldn’t harm a fly.

His brows furrowed regarding the girl in front of him with suspicion. She could be a delusional fangirl. But he knew better than to underestimate the enemy. 

He tightened his grip on the hilt of his katana, ever so ready to strike if she were to make any sudden moves. 

“Who are you? How did you get past the gates?” He demanded, his voice sharp with wariness. He knew the gates were closed at all times. 

He supposed she could’ve climbed over the gates, eying her short and tiny figure. Despite his deduction, he couldn’t shake off his skepticism. The girl was getting more suspicious by the minute. 

A blinding smile fell across her face, and he stared. 

Her smile was bright like some sunshine child, and he couldn’t have predicted the words that fell out of her mouth next. “I’m here to rob you!” 

Damian swears he could see sparkles emitting from her glimmering eyes. That didn’t stop him from wanting to scoff at the pathetic attempt to rob the manor. What kind of an amateur announces a robbery? 

He eyed her with a contemplating gaze, intrigued against his will. The girl didn’t look to be struggling with money or in debt. 

He kept his expression blank, interested in how this interaction would play out. “Are you even qualified?” 

An offended look replaced her sunny smile, and she glared at him. 

He could’ve sworn he heard faint laughter coming from her purse. 

“That doesn’t matter. Just, can I rob you?” the girl huffed out, looking impatient like she had somewhere to be and made the sporadic decision of committing the worst robbery attempt of the century. 

Had she forgotten what city she was in? That was possible. She did have a French accent. 

“Miss, this is Gotham,” he drawled, letting his katana hang on the spot behind the door with minimal effort. If the girl turned out to be a threat, his katana would still be easy to access. 

She merely raised a brow in response, unimpressed. “And?”

“You don’t just ask for permission to rob someone. Do you see the Joker asking people politely if he could respectfully hold them hostage?” Damian asked dryly. 

“Well, Mr. Riddler asks riddles. Scarecrow rhetorically asks people if they want to test out his new fear toxin gas. My question could as well be rhetorical,” the girl countered, looking at him like he was the crazy one. 

He rolled his eyes. “Tt. Didn’t seem like it.” 

“Can we make this quick? I have somewhere to be,” she said, looking annoyed. 

She pushed past him, and he reacted, the katana appearing in his hand in seconds and on her neck. 

What caught him off guard was she had punched him. Hard. In the solar plexus. He grunted, his katana clattering to the ground. 

For someone so small, she packed quite a punch. 

His hand twitched toward his katana as the girl disappeared into the manor. He should be slitting her throat for that, but he found the situation mildly amusing. 

She reappeared a second later, hauling a medium-sized potted succulent. 

“Of all things in the manor, you decided to rob a plant?” Damian asked in disbelief, wondering why he even cared. 

Why did he intend to let the girl walk free after robbing the manor? Even if the robbery in question was something insignificant like a plant.

Was this how Father felt every time Catwomen stole? Why did it have to be a genetics thing? Damian could already hear his siblings’ teasings. They could never find out about this. 

“There’s nothing wrong with plants!” she protested, holding the plant close to her chest for emphasis. 

Damian should phone the GCPD. But all logic seemed to have flown out the window because instead, he said, “I will let you go just this once out of pity so you can get the taste of having successfully robbed someone. With your non-existent thieving skills, it is unlikely that you would be let off as easily the next time, let alone be successful in the operation.” 

“Oh, thank you, kind sir. I’ll be taking my leave now,” the girl grumbled, albeit sarcastic. 

He was coming up with a last-minute dignified plan to get her name and number without losing face when she shoved a piece of cardstock in his hands. 

It was a business card for the fashion designer Drake was obsessed with, MDC. Except the pseudonym was struck out, with Marinette Dupain-Cheng replacing it on top instead, and her number was underneath where her email was. 

He looked up to see the girl— Marinette, already gone. 

She was fascinating, to say. 

Hadn’t his family always pushed him to make more friends other than Jon?

Damian would have to conduct a thorough background check to see if Marinette would be worth befriending. 

As he pondered the possibility, he couldn’t help but wonder if their possible friendship could evolve into something more. 

[maribatserver]

Maribat March 2024

We're halfway through February, which means that Maribat March is almost here! In the interest of giving you time to create as much as possible, we now present this year's calendar of prompts!

Shout out to @newdog14 for designing this year's calendar, and to @izanae and @nottesilhouette for helping her brainstorm prompts to use! And of course, thank you to everyone who submitted to Valentine's Villains to help choose three of our prompts.

Since reading a prompt list off an image is no one's idea of fun, you can read our full list of prompts is available to read under the cut, as well as our posting guidelines, which ensure that we can find your submissions and promote them! Happy creating to everyone! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

For Tumblr Posts:

If you’re posting on tumblr, make sure to add @maribatserver and tag your work with #Maribat March 2024 so that we see it, and we’ll reblog your post here. Also make sure that you include ��For Maribat March Day #: [Prompt]” for the readers. We also ask that if you’re posting a longer fic, you add a readmore cut, again for the ease of readers or other folks on the blog.

If you’re posting something NSFW, make sure that all your content is hidden under a readmore, and that it is both properly rated and tagged. If it’s not, we won’t be able to reblog it.

For Ao3 Posts:

If you’re publishing on Ao3, we have an Ao3 collection, just like last year. To be added to it, make sure to select “Maribat March (Maribat_March)” when you select the collection you want to add your fic to. For the ease of readers, make sure to include “For Maribat March Day #: [Prompt]” in your summary.

If you’re posting something NSFW, make sure that it’s rated as such, and has all of the relevant tags and warnings. If it doesn’t your work won’t be approved to the collection.

Prompt List:

Origin Story

Signal

Butterfly

Siren

Bad Luck

Anarchist

Joke

Killer

Gamble

Lies

Fear

Dare

Epic Fail

Scheme

Money

Robbery

Green

Intelligent

Sick Day

Queen

Lover

Fem Fatale

Chaos

Insanity

Tea Time

Headline

Storm

Shots Fired

Nemesis

Showdown

Get Away

[maribat-media]

Maribat Media Poll Sunday #2

Wait... it's the 25th of February? Where did these first 2 months go?

[maribat-media]

This seems like a wondrous event! An anon sent this toward the Media Page to check out. It is very well written and thought out. The page is more than glad to share this out before the event to celebrate Maribat Month!

The age old debate... Angst or Fluff

The enjoyers of both will certainly appreciate this event. The Bugbats will have plenty of content to consume.

Maribat Media Minimites check out below the line for an important message about this... (Did we ever give name the followers of this page? Minimite is a spin on Bat-Mite and you followers as mini media members)

Hello Maribat Media Minimites!

Here's a mini challenge for those that like a little extra something to do in these reblog sessions: Either comment or reply to the og post from this event planner (in this case, the Official Timari Server) with which team you look forward to seeing win. If you want to see both teams do well or support both, you can specify that too!

Remember the key to these reblog mini challenges are to spread love while getting the events out there! Support the creators you want to see more of!

Bonus Mini Challenge (for those who are brave): Tag at least one person in your reblog as well as doing the above mini challenge. Try to get them to join in (but do not try to force them as this event seems to be based in positivity and this page also will not stand for negativity in the sharing)

Good luck Minimites and Bugbats!

Welcome to the Timari Servers first Live Event

Shutterbug Station

There are two teams, Angst v. Fluff, and only you all can decide who shall be the true victor.

On each day a prompt will be revealed that corresponds with either Angst or Fluff depending on the day. Your goal is to create something that fulfills the prompt!

Trauma Train Tuesdays are dedicated to Angst prompts while Fluff Freight Fridays are for Fluff with some bonus prompts sprinkled in!

We’re aware full calendars can be daunting and too much for people so this gives people a chance at a break while also keeping them on their feet when the day arrives for their prompt to be revealed and gives them time to complete their prompts.

Choose which team you wish to support (you are allowed to join both), make content for them, and post! If you post it on the day their prompt is revealed, you’ll get an additional 5 points.

Guidelines:

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Gamble

by QueenKaiju Maribat March - Prompt 9 Words: 493, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 5 of Maribat March Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Miraculous Ladybug, DCU Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M Characters: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Bruce Wayne Relationships: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug/Bruce Wayne Additional Tags: Maribat March 2024, prompt 9, Brucinette, Jason Todd and Bruce Wayne Have a Good Relationship, bruce lets him be a crime lord if he comes to family game night, It's perfect via https://ift.tt/jxr8pKw

[fanfiction-artist-prototype]

@maribatserver

Day 2: Signal

Blurb:

Snapshots of Signals friendship with the heroes of Paris

[kawaii-queen-kaiju]

Intelligence

Maribat March - Prompt 18

~

Batman didn't have powers. A fact the Justice League knew. Despite the various injuries he walks off and ingenious plans he comes up with, it's still plausible he's human!

Then they met Ladybug. Introduced as his flesh and blood daughter, they started connecting the dots, no matter how much Batman didn't want them to. Yes, they were told that she uses magic jewelry, but her intelligence… the magic may give her the item, but Diana told them that the inhuman plan-making was not a part of the Miraculous magic. It's all Batman.

No one dared broach the subject, not until Ladybug's first alien invasion. They were drowning in goons and Ladybug called her Lucky Charm. She managed to take down the entire army with a rubber duck. No one could deny it any longer. Batman had super intelligence and Ladybug inherited it! It was the only explanation!

But then, why did they laugh in Hal's face when he brought it up?

[liquid-luck-00]

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

~~~~~~~~~~

Permanent Taglist: @jennifer-rose123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @joydone07 @mizzy-pop @starling218 @crystalqueertea

[kawaii-queen-kaiju]

Lover

Maribat March - Prompt 21

~

Red Hood had only been in control of the Gotham drug scene for a year when she was first spotted. At first, the goon who'd seen her had thought he was hallucinating. After all, this brightly dressed woman just strutted into the Red Hood's lair like she owned the place. Bill had rushed to inform the boss that their hideout had been breached, but he was unavailable. He reluctantly retreated back to his post, anxiously awaiting the alarm. But it never came.

Bill told the other henchman, but none of them believed him. Surely, the intruder would've been caught.

He didn't dare try to tell the boss himself.

Then it happened again, though this time, she stopped to talk. She handed out cookies and told them to tuck in their shirts! The goons couldn't believe it. As soon as she came, the strange pixie left, the people she left behind stunned. Rumors started spreading about the nice woman who licked her thumb to wipe the gunk off of one of their faces.

Everyone believed Bill after that.

Red Hood had an important meeting with other crime bosses, and all the henchmen were in a state of panic, trying to make sure everything would run smoothly. The boss always got grumpy when these meetings came around, and a grumpy Red Hood was a scary Red Hood.

A resounding crash echoed through the warehouse, silence blanketing them all. Red Hood slowly turned the blank white gaze of his helmet toward the source, a poor Bill standing next to a toppled crate of the weaponry shipment… that was supposed to go out tonight.

Red Hood's deep, robotic sigh was heard on the other end of the warehouse, making several of the newer goons require new underpants.

"Oh no, what happened here?"

And just like that, they were saved. There she was, in all her five-foot-two glory, their guardian pixie frowning at the mess. Red Hood sharply inhaled, turning to face the woman. "Marinette?"

For the first time, Red Hood took off his helmet, revealing a baby-ish face, a domino mask, and black hair with a shock of white. Wait, he knew this woman?

Marinette smiled, striding towards him from the doorway she was standing in. "Hey, mon chere."

Mon chere?!

Red Hood cleared his throat nervously, blush rising to his cheeks. "W-What are you doing here?"

Marinette reached into her oversized purse and pulled out a handgun. "You forgot this." She said sweetly, passing it to him. Bill wasn't thinking all that clearly and spoke up over the silence. "You know her, boss?"

"Wha-? Of course I do- wait, do you?!" Red Hood turned toward Marinette, receiving a sheepish smile in return. "Well," She started, hands clasped behind her back. "You're not always available when I come to see you, and I happened to have some leftover cookies from movie night, so I passed them out!" She smiled up at Red Hood innocently, her glasses glinting in the harsh warehouse light. He turned back to her, crossing his arms, and no one would believe Bill when he told the story later, but Red Hood honest-to-God pouted at this small woman. "C'mon, Mari! I've got a rep to maintain here! Doing your whole routine is gonna mess it up!"

Marinette laughed, brushing her short hair behind her ear and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Oh, don't be like that. You're plenty scary, even with my leftovers. Besides, they won't say anything, right?" She turned her gaze to the rest of the warehouse, and all of a sudden her light, bubbly demeanor took on a hard edge. All the henchmen quickly voiced their agreements, eager to leave the strange alternate universe they'd entered, where Red Hood was the least scary thing in the room.

Just like that, her sunny smile was back, relieving the goons. "See? No problem! I'll see you at home!" Marinette breezed out of the warehouse, and Red Hood put his helmet back on, and they were back in reality. "Well?" His modified voice barked out, "we've got shit to do. Get moving!"

Bill was never going to look at Red Hood the same again. Not knowing he had that wonderfully terrifying woman as a lover.

Also, was it just him or did Red Hood seem awfully young?

[liquid-luck-00]

Red Binding 6

Maribat March Day 6: Bad Luck

@maribat-calendar-events @maribatserver

First *** Previous *** Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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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[kawaii-queen-kaiju]

Robbery, Chaos, Femme Fatale

Maribat March - Prompts 16, 22, 23

~

"Are you ready?"

Marinette looked up at Selina, decked out in her Catwoman outfit, and nodded. They were on the roof of a museum, looking down through the skylight. Marinette flicked her wrist, unsheathing the claws in her gloves. She drew a large circle in the glass, removing the pane and looking down through the opening. "Three guards. Why are there only three? I thought there were four?"

Selina narrowed her eyes, peering down at the three men surrounding their target. "I don't know. You alright playing lookout? Just in case?"

Marinette nodded. "You first?"

The older woman smirked, backing up. "Please, after you."

Marinette grinned, her cat-like eyes wide with excitement as she eyed one of the security guards and pounced. She landed on the man's back, swiftly sending a high kick to the second's head. Selina came down a moment later, knocking out the third and setting to work on the jewel case. Marinette looked around the gallery trying to find the fourth guard. Her leather ears twitched at the sound of a toilet flushing down the hall. "They're in the bathroom." She whispered to Selina, already prowling toward the noise. The seasoned cat burglar nodded, opening the case carefully.

Marinette peeked around the corner, seeing the silhouette of the guard drawing closer. She jumped around the corner, hitting a pressure point on the woman's neck and knocking her out cold.

She turned back to Selina, who already had the jewels and was starting back up her rope. They had about thirty seconds before the security system started back up and the alarms went off. Marinette leapt back up to the skylight and hauled the rope up, the other woman still attached to it.

Selina grinned widely at her, winding the rope back up. "That super-strength really comes in handy, huh?"

Marinette smiled back, twisting the Miraculous on her finger. "It does."

Below them, the shrill alarm bells sounded, echoing throughout the gallery. Selina winked at Marinette and pulled out her whip. "That's our cue."

Marinette chased after her mentor, an exhilarated smile on her face. The necklace was insured. The museum got money, Selina got a new shiny, and Marinette got to scratch her chaos itch. It was a win-win-win, really.

[kawaii-queen-kaiju]

Money

Maribat March - Prompt 15

~

Damian shifted restlessly as Marinette straightened his tie. "Relax." She chided, putting her hand on his arm. "I'll be with you the whole time. No old ladies will be able to get their grubby mitts on you."

Damian scoffed, though a small smile crept on his lips. "I have no doubt of that, Angel. Your presence will be the only thing that makes this night bearable."

She smirked at him, sliding her arms around his waist and prompting him to do the same. "That, and the fact that the whole point of tonight is to extort money from the old rich hags for the animal shelters."

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Yes, that too."

[liquid-luck-00]

Red Binding 3

Maribat March Day 3: Butterfly

@maribat-calendar-events @maribatserver

First *** Previous *** Next

~~~~~~~~~~

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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