Maribat Mix Match Monster Mash day 7, I'm Hunting Cryptids & Bad Luck
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
The night was starting delightfully quietly. Marinette had been preparing for Samhain all week and everything was culminating in the festivities of that evening. Her cat, Plagg wound around her legs as she pulled her pumpkin bread out of the oven and she stepped deftly around him.
Plagg meowed, but she ignored him in favour of slicing the still warm bread. She picked at a piece absently before preparing Plagg’s dinner. Then she grabbed the pumpkin seeds she had harvested and dropped the smallest of them into Tikki’s feed tray. Many of the larger seeds would be planted ready for next year, but she would also toast some as snacks for herself.
As the afternoon light dwindled, she stepped outside into the early evening air. Breathing deeply, she felt the tingle of energy sweep through her. It was slightly darker than her usual energy, but she welcomed it all the same, sending silent thanks for her many blessings this past year.
Marinette smiled as she set about organising her personal bonfire and stripping the surrounding area of grass. It was tedious work, but she had no desire to end her evening as she had the previous year when visiting her fellow Wiccan, Nino, who had only just managed not to completely destroy his home.
She was throwing the dead grass onto the top of the bonfire when she sensed a presence behind her. Her movements stilled momentarily before she moved to step into her home. She was at the bottom of the steps leading to her porch when a shadow in the darkness moved.
Instinctively, she swept a foot out, summoning Plagg to pounce onto the intruder. The usually lethargic and docile cat morphed as he jumped, becoming an otherworldly feral beast, with glowing green eyes. Whoever had been sneaking around her home didn't stand a chance and she stood over them with a band on her hip.
Her breath caught when the person glared up at her with eyes greener than anything she had seen outside of Plagg. Thry had a sword pointing at Plagg's snarling face but Marinette wasn't concerned; Plagg could turn incorporeal when it suited him.
“Call off your minion,” the boy - because it was clearly a boy about her age, on the cusp of adulthood and likely out to prove himself - clipped at her haughtily. When she merely raised her eyebrows at him, he practically growled. “Tt, I do not wish to harm the creature, but if it does not remove itself from my person, I will have no choice but to defend myself.”
“You sound pretty confident for someone lying on their back in a witch’s front yard,” Marinette replied sweetly, her eyes glittering with the dark power flooding her veins. It was fairly tempered by the last of her summer magic, but Samhain was always a time of mischief. She felt the exhilarating rush that goaded her into bantering with the boy. “Besides which, he does not enjoy being called a minion.”
“Your familiar, then,” the boy ground out. Breathing in and out slowly, she allowed herself to check his aura. She saw plenty of violence on him, but none directed at her, or even at Plagg. Sighing through her nose, she gestured for Plagg to get off of him. He did, shrinking to his usual cat form before he trotted into the house. “Thank you.”
“I wouldn't thank me yet,” she said, watching as he stood fluidly. He was taller than she had expected, his spiked hair making him look even taller. “Care to tell me what you're doing on my property?”
“I am searching for the Witch of Slaughter Swamp. My associates informed me that her house is at these coordinates, but if this is your property, they must have made a mistake.”
“I see.” Marinette was silent for a beat, weighing up the likelihood of the boy trying to kill her if she revealed that she was, in fact, said witch. “What, do you need a love potion or something?”
“Tt, I have no need for a love potion,” the boy said, raising an eyebrow at her. “I am hunting for the Abominable Swamp Slob, and require her assistance. I understand that she is a powerful mage and has an affinity for creatures of all kinds.”
“What would you want with an Abominable Swamp Slob?” Marinette asked, bewildered. She had heard of them, of course, but they were seldom believed to attack without cause and were often thought to be linked with aliens.
“I have an interest in all creatures. I am something of a zoologist and would like to prove its existence so that I may declare its habitat as a protected space,” he explained, something akin to passion making his words resonate within her.
“Okay,” she said simply, turning to pick up her wand and broom. “Plagg, Tikki, guard the house whilst I'm gone. And if the others show up, let them start the festivities.”
“I do not understand, are you taking me to see the witch?” The boy eyed her curiously, head cocking to the side ever so slightly. Marinette gave a short laugh and started walking. “I will be fine with directions, I would not want to take a child into harm's way.”
“Okay, first of all, I'm nearly eighteen,” she said, whirling towards him with a glower. She let the energy flood through her, her eyes glowing and sparks dancing at her fingertips. He stepped back in surprise, hand dropping to the hilt of his sword. “Secondly, you asked for my help and I am graciously agreeing to assist you.”
“You are the Witch of Slaughter Swamp?” The boy said incredulously. His hand dropped away from the sword but he looked suspicious. “Forgive me for saying so, but the witch is well known for her magical prowess and was recommended by several individuals. Not one has mentioned your youthfulness.”
“That would be because I don't tend to deal with people unless I trust them to keep my secrets,” Marinette said with a sniff. “Can you imagine the problems I would encounter if people knew I was not yet of age? They would either condescend to me or think that they could destroy me. I would rather not have any fool’s blood on my hands because I had to defend myself.”
“...very well, I apologise if I have offended you at all. I was not anticipating dealing with someone so…” he trailed off, eyes glinting as he gave her a once over. She felt herself flush and raised her eyebrows at him, daring him to continue that thought. “Regardless, I appreciate your acquiescence in this matter. It is important that I get the evidence as soon as possible so that I may protect the creature.”
“Right, okay then,” she replied, willing her blush to fade. She motioned for him to follow her before stepping out of her front yard and towards the swamp. She could sense him stalking after her, though she couldn't hear him. “So, tell me what you know about this swamp creature.”
“You have not heard of it? I have been informed that it lives here, are you sure you are the witch?” The boy sounded sceptical and it made her raise her hackles.
“Listen boy, I work with the creatures who introduce themselves, I don't just wander around looking for them! And of course I've heard of it, I asked what you knew about it. Because I wasn't aware there was one living here given that I've never run into one.”
“Tt, call me Robin,” the boy said, clearly giving her an alias. “I know that they are linked with extraterrestrial life, but the aliens I have spoken with have had little to add to the matter. But I believe them to be endangered and require our protection.”
“Okay, fine then, ‘Robin’,” she said, making it clear that she did not for one second believe that it was his real name. “I have noticed a larger than usual life form in the swamp, occasionally visited by someone. The thing living in the swamp is generally solitary, and seems to protect the plant life with extreme prejudice. We'll make our way over to it and hope that it is the creature you are looking for.”
The walk was fairly pleasant all in all, but Marinette watched the stars as often as she could so that she could tell the passage of time. It was several hours later that she finally sensed the swamp creature nearby on their left. She stepped close to Robin, pressing her fingers to his lips to indicate that he should remain quiet.
His fingers grasped hers, a light increase in pressure indicating that he knew to be silent. Muttering under her breath, Marinette cast a protective charm on them both, letting the comfort of her familiar, Wayzz, wash over them. A hexagon patterned orb flashed into being before going transparent, and she grabbed Robin's hand to lead him forward.
“Who intrudes on my swamp?” Came a low and smooth voice, and Marinette was instantly alert. In all her research and everything that she had heard, Abominable Swamp Slobs didn't speak. She was grateful that she had prepared a protective spell but didn't intend to hide. Whatever this creature was, it did not hold claim to the entire swamp, and she meant to make it clear.
“I, Marinette, the Witch of Slaughter Swamp, am in search of a creature in this swamp,” Marinette said clearly and confidently. “My companion and I are searching for a creature called the Abominable Swamp Slob. He believes it was sighted here and wishes to help protect the creature.”
“I know of no such creature,” the swamp thing said, sounding annoyed. “Who is your companion?”
“I am-”
“-none of your concern,” Marinette cut in with a warning glance at Robin. She didn't know what powers this creature held, but it was always better to be cautious. “I have introduced myself and our intentions. My companion is under my protection and is not your concern.”
“You think to challenge me?” The creature rose out of the swamp and Marinette braced herself to defend them. She stepped out of the protective orb, eyes glowing brighter than ever and felt herself rise off of the floor. Levitation was a simple enough spell and she wanted height before she dealt with whatever this was.
“It is not a challenge as you are not the owner of these lands. I have lived here since I was a child and am in tune with the various life forms within these waters. I have made pacts with Tikki and Plagg, I carry the mark of the guardians and I will not be threatened in my home. If you wish to be the ruler of these lands, then it is you who challenges me.”
The creature faltered and Marinette stared at him until he acquiesced. After several tense moments, she lowered herself to the floor and stepped back into the protective shell. She could feel Robin's eyes on her but refused to look away from the Swamp Thing.
“Alexander? Is everything alright?” Marinette whirled toward the new voice before relaxing and giving a bright greeting. “Sapling, what on earth are you doing here this late on Samhain? And in the company of Damian Wayne no less.”
“Ivy, lovely to see you! Ro- Damian and I were just having a little look for a creature rumoured to be in these parts. I don't suppose you've heard tell of an Abominable Swamp Slob in the area?”
“...Jason gave you that tip, didn't he?” Ivy said, sounding both resigned and amused. When Damian didn't answer but instead glared off into the darkness, Marinette got the feeling that they had been sent on a wild goose chase. “Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but those have only been sighted in Illinois. Whatever you did recently to annoy Jason, I'll bet it was a doozy.”
“Tt, he is a man-child and my retaliation shall be swift and unforgiving,” Damian grumbled, turning apologetically towards Marinette. “I am sorry for wasting your time tonight, I shall escort you back to your home and be on my way.”
Ivy pulled Damian aside for a moment to speak privately and then he returned and gestured for Marinette to lead them. The walk back to Marinette's home was filled with an awkward silence, as opposed to the expectant and anticipatory silence they had shared prior to meeting the Swamp Thing and Poison Ivy.
“Thank you for your assistance, Marinette,” he said stiffly as they stood outside her property. She could hear that the festivities were mostly over, the fire low and hushed voices of her friends giving a pleasant white noise. “I apologise for my brother's prank, I will be more diligent in future to ensure the accuracy of his information.”
“Oh, it's okay,” she said, fingering her wand. She likely wouldn't tell him, but she had rather enjoyed the adventure, fruitless though it was. She was lost in thought, wondering whether she should invite him to join the last of the celebrations when his hand tilted her chin up and his mouth met hers.
Electricity jolted along her veins and she barely had time to kiss him back before he was pulling back. She stared up at him as his ears were tinted red, but he made no move to put distance between them.
“Wh-what was that for?” She whispered, already swaying back towards him.
“I…Ivy said that I should present you with a Samhain’s kiss as an apology. She said that you would have bad luck if you did not receive one tonight,” Damian said, sounding uncertain but not uncomfortable. When she couldn't find her voice, his uncertainty seemed to make him anxious. “I assumed it was part of your Samhain rituals that you must have missed due to our misinformed adventure, but if-”
“Samhain's kiss is a flower,” Marinette squeaked, eyes wide. “We use it as a ward against evil spirits, but I don't know if Ivy knows the significance for we Wiccans.”
Damian froze, his ears and neck flaming. He cursed in a language she didn't recognise and attempted to step away from her. She let her hands slip down his arms but held tightly to his wrists, worried that he would run away before they could talk.
“I- I apologise for my forwardness, Marinette. It should have occurred to me that Ivy would be speaking of a plant and I have overstepped,” he said, looking anywhere but at her.
“I didn't mind,” Marinette said softly, focused purely on the boy in front of her. He looked back down at her and she thought she could get lost in his eyes. She hesitated for only a second more before pulling him back down for a second kiss.
