Persona 5 Strikers Monarchs/Antagonists 7/?: Kuon Ichinose, "The True Culprit"
"The Jail of the Abyss"
"Kuon Ichinose is a character from Persona 5 Strikers. She is the creator of the popular EMMA concierge application. Ichinose is a misanthropic psientific and AI genius who created the EMMA app so she could create a god that can grant humanity's desires via a complex learning system mounted within the AI. She shut down her emotions due to unknown circumstances, and she never displayed any of them even when both of her parents died. Nobody save for her parents ever understood her eccentric behavior. When she was in her university, people merely saw her like a freak and wondered if she was even human to begin with, since she does not respond to any queries and was constantly closed within her research lab. This caused her to think that she was an emotionless doll."
I’m back!! I would usually wait until the next chapter is almost finished to post a new chapter, but I’m posting it so I can get the motivation to finish it.
This chapter can work as the ending, but Chapter 9 will be the last one (like an epilogue).
Thank you if you’ve read this so far!
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Marinette’s POV
What has just happened? Chloe collapsed? Why? What did Alya do? What’s that on her hand? Is that… Chloroform? What’s going on? Is she ok?
“Thank you, Alya” I can hear Luka say.
Luka seems fine with it… Is she ok, then?
“You have some talking to do. I just got rid of the interferences. Go on. We’ll be over there”
I look at Alya, confused, as she and the rest of the team moves to another part of the room, leaving me alone with Luka.
Alya… she’s giving me courage to confess my feelings to Luka, just like she did years ago when I had that stupid crush on Adrien.
Luka is now in front of me, as I’ve been wishing for so long. I missed him so much… Yet words don’t seem ready to part. They’re stuck in my throat, refusing to leave. Refusing to break the silence.
And I try. My face looks up for a second to meet Luka’s determined eyes.
One second.
That’s all it takes for my fears to reappear. And I can’t hold my gaze.
I’m too embarrassed… too ashamed of my acts… Regretful… Sorry…
And most of all I’m scared . Scared of rejection. Again… Scared to fall deeper into my darkness…
I can feel the burns on Luka's fingers as he touches my hands. And I cherish every little contact I can get.
Am I even allowed to enjoy this sweet dream after everything I've done? After attempting to use the forbidden absolute power of the Miraculous? After deceiving Master and everyone? After hurting Luka and my friends? I don’t think I deserve his attention…
“Hey”
His voice is so peaceful… I could listen to his voice forever… if there was a forever for us… but that’s impossible, isn’t it?
“Marinette”
My heart skips a beat every time he says my name. He's probably expecting me to answer… But I can't find the strength to: this momentarily illusion feels so fragile I'm sure the magic will be gone as soon as I interfere with it. I don't want him to leave me again…
I shouldn't be taking his time when he must be worried about his fiancee. Seeing how much he cares for her hurts me deeper than I thought.
I'm jealous. So jealous. So UGLY .
How can I ask him to stay with me when I’m so UGLY on the inside? I don’t deserve him…
And Chloe… I've treated her badly. She deserves to be happy with Luka... I have to let him go… I have to learn to live alone, forever. Maybe I can take the kwamis with me this time. At least I won't get as lonely…
I wish I didn't have to let him go, but he must think I'm a horrible girl. He's probably so disappointed…. He…
“Marinette. Look at me”
Ah… again… his heavenly voice… Is he an angel?
He is begging me to meet his eyes but I don't think I can- not after hurting him, hurting everyone. I deserve to be hated…
“Marinette, please...”
Ah, his forehead... touching mine… so calming… so nostalgic… I missed it so much…
Can I keep having this dream forever? Nothing would make me happier… But NO. I can’t mess up with his happiness with Chloe anymore... I don’t want to disappoint him any further… I have to… keep my feelings to myself… forget about this last chance… Accept my destiny… Alone...
"I'm back", he says.
A dry sob escapes my mouth. It seems I've run out of tears… except the last one that finds a way to fall down my cheeks. One more drop of darkness. Am I really allowed to have him by my side, even if it’s just as a friend? Is it really ok to grant an irresponsible human being like me this honor? This miracle?
No, please! Don't go away! Don't stop touching my hands…!
Don't let this fragile illusion end… not yet… never…
"Marinette. I'm here. It's fine. I won't go away anymore. Let me see your eyes"
Is he able to read my mind? Can I believe his words…? Do I really deserve this happiness? I can tell he’s getting impatient, but I’m too scared to react. Frightened of rejection. Once again…
And I’m convinced he can see through me, making him aware of my fears. The grip of his hands on mine getting stronger, as if trying to make me relax, to bring the courage to put into words what he must already be suspecting.
The darkness inside me.
And I can’t face him.
Not yet .
Not when my negative thoughts keep invading my head. Not when I’m unable to convey my feelings. Not when I’m not ready to let him go… but I have to…
"Luka… I… I'm so sorry… I- I don't deserve your compassion… Chloe is right… I shouldn't…"
"Hey. Stop saying this or I'll have to shut you again"
I can feel my heart skip a beat in hope, surprised, unfaithful for his words. His forehead leaving mine pains me a little as my darkness manages to find its way deeper through the scars on my heart. It hurts so much I can barely speak. But I can’t keep getting in his happiness way any longer… He just wanted to save the world, that’s the logical way to think...
“You can stop acting like you care for me now… I won't do anything else. You don't have to kiss me so I don't renounce the Miraculous box… I'm sorry I forced you to do something like that against your will…"
“Marinette, you really think that’s the reason I kissed you? Just how much is your darkness messing with your senses?”
Yes… deep darkness remains… even if it’s not absolute anymore. It’s still very profound.
"Marinette. Look at me please. Don't hide your beautiful face from me"
I startle a little at his words. ‘ Beautiful ’, he said. Is it a dream? I can feel my cheeks get hot.
"Marinette. I came for you. I'm here now. Let me try to fix this. Answer me, please. Look at me… There's nothing to fear. Please?"
How am I supposed to believe that? How could my only dream be achieved so easily after all the damage I created. The burnings, the world’s balance… Chloé… Of course he wanted to save the world to save his marriage… How stupid am I...
"You’re so unfair... giving me hope when you came here with your fiancée… I won’t do anything stupid anymore… you don’t have to lie for me… I hate lies...“ she whispers.
He stays silent, as I expected. He’s probably worried I might attempt something again. But I won’t, I already resig- Huh!?
And, before I can react, he kisses me again. No excuse this time. No apparent reason for it. And it feels even better than I could have ever imagined… heaven.
And my mouth gets carried away, following my inner desires and being guided by love. I want to keep kissing him forever, but he breaks the contact too soon. My face now moves in search of his, without opening my eyes yet, in case the spell vanishes as soon as I do.
But I hesitate. Do I really deserve this? I don't think I do. Not after-
“Do you still think I’m lying?” he asks.
And I finally gather the courage to look at him, directly. No barriers or interferences in between. And what I see is not what I expected: the brightest grin I’ve ever seen on him. And my eyes meet his- his smiling face. His calm. His blue. His love.
My body stops functioning, unable to stop staring at those magical sapphires looking back at me.
“Finally…”, he says.
He looks so handsome I feel like I’m going crazy, panicking at realizing my actions. And his actions too. ‘ He kissed me… A love filled kiss… ’. And my heart feels lighter.
"Marinette. There's something I really want to hear from you. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I'm going to say it first, ok?"
My heartbeat is getting louder at anticipation. I forget how to breathe.
"I love you, Marinette. You’re still the song in my head- you’ve always been"
I gasp, and my body won’t stop trembling.
Can it be real? Can a miracle like this really happen?
I want to have hope but, can I?
“What about Chloé?” I finally find the courage to ask.
I can’t help it but notice his disgusted expression. He’s not happy with this conversation topic. But his answer holds no doubt, only remorse.
“We’ve already discussed that. Chloe knows about my feelings. Chloe knows I can’t be dishonest. She has always known I could never forget about you. She’ll have to accept it’s over"
What? Is this for real? A flash of my last memory before my darkness controlled me returns to my mind. Chloé’s ring.
"But- the wedding! The ring! She still wears it..."
And I’m afraid. Afraid he’s finally going to say he was lying all along.
"The wedding will be cancelled as soon as we get back. And that ring…* sigh * I asked her to give it back but she didn't want to. You know how stubborn she is…"
This… sounds like Chloe. But is it really true? I could sense their love. I know it’s not my jealousy making me imagine things… I know they love each other... Especially Chloe…
"But Chloe loves you so much… and I can tell you care for her too..."
It feels even sadder for me to say it out loud. I’m so ugly at the inside… for wishing to take Luka from Chloe… For having- His words interrupt my thoughts again.
"I know... And I feel horrible for breaking her heart. Just like you with Adrien, I assume. I can't drive her down with me into a loveless marriage. I can't promise her a happy future anymore. I can't give her my love when you're the only one my heart is willing to accept"
"But-!" ‘ are you sure? Won’t you regret it later? ’ I wanted to add, but I don’t think I’m ready for his answer. His impatience shows again.
“Please, Marinette. The wait is killing me! I need to know if what you wrote in those emails is true so my heart can finally rest from this agony. I love you. Please, give me an answer this time…"
This is real. I want to believe it’s real. Please, let it be real. His eyes are sincere and his smile is as welcoming as it has always been. I love him… My feelings reached him… My emails… Oh no!
"The emails… You've read them. Oh my god, you've read them! Oh, no! So embarrassing… I shouldn't have listened to Alix! I shouldn't have sen-"
"Shhhh… the only thing you should regret is not sending them earlier. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed it"
"No- I-!"
"Tell me, Marinette. Tell me so I dare to believe a miracle can really happen. Please, tell me if you feel the same I feel for you. Tell me if I'm allowed to give it my all to make you the happiest woman in the world. Tell me, Marinette"
And the feeling of hope grows bigger in me. And I’m scared, but also aware this may be my last time to tell him my feelings- and my last time meeting him if I don’t find the courage to confess. My light is in front of me.
It’s now or never.
“Those emails....It's all true… I love you, Luka… It’s always been you. I’m so stupid for not noticing earlier… You are my light..."
And not even a fraction of second passes until he hugs me and holds me in his strong arms. I feel like I’m melting. His warmth, his scent, his touch… I love him. "… so happy..." he whines, and I’m starting to believe this now. My heart is beating the fastest it ever has, and I can’t hold back all my hidden feelings.
"Why did you leave me, Luka? Why did you leave me alone…? All these years… I thought I had lost you…"
"I thought you were happy, Marinette. I thought you were married. I thought I was in your happiness’ way.” His body moves backward so his eyes can lock with mine. “But no more. I love you and as long as you want me with you I'm not leaving again"
And now my own thoughts are getting out with my voice. No filters. Exposed.
“Can I really believe in your words, Luka…? Please, tell me. Tell me this isn't my insanity making me see and hear the things I wish the most. Tell me I'm not going crazy! Tell me this is real, tell me you’re real! Please… Please!"
I’m desperate to believe him and I can’t hide it anymore. I don’t want to lose him again…
"Have I ever lied to you, Marinette? I love you. I want to be with you, if you allow me…"
My answer comes out automatically.
"Yes! I want to be with you Luka. Is it really ok with me? Chloe is amazing and… you look good together… and me… After all the danger I've put you through…"
"I want you. Only you... Marinette. I want you to excuse me for not following a proper order, and not breaking-up properly with Chloe first, but taking the circumstances in consideration I have no choice… Marinette. Will you be my girlfriend?
I’m astonished. "Can I really…?"
"Please"
I can’t stop smiling. Luka wants me to be his girlfriend… for real. I’m so happy I could melt into a puddle. My face is getting so red I decide to bury it on his chest, and give him my answer: “Yes…”
And Luka hugs me strongly, lifting my body and spinning it around a little, unable to control his excitement: even happier than when I brought him good news. But… Is this really ok? Can I be happy when Chloe is suffering so much? What if Luka regrets his decision and preferes Chloe over me again...? Chloe deserves happiness too…
But Luka’s senses are sharp and he notices something is going on in my mind. As observant as always.
"No, that's not enough. Tell me what you want. Tell me how you feel" he demands.
And I tell him my concerns: "I feel happy Luka, the happiest ever but… Chloe doesn't deserve unhappiness..."
"Neither do you" he rapidly responds.
"But… I don't want you to regret this…"
"I won't. Will you regret it?"
"I… I want to be with you… I want you to promise me you’ll never leave my side again"
"That's it then”.
And his last spoken words confuse me. ‘That’s it? What is?’
Luka closes his eyes and meditates for a minute. The grip on my hands remains unchanged. I can see he’s trying to calm himself, his breath becoming steadier, looking for his calm after the storm of emotions. Watching him is all I need to find my calm too, even if my heart is still beating fast and strong. Can I really call myself Luka’s girlfriend now? I’m so happy I could fly.
Finally, his eyes open, showing determination once again. My curiosity is probably more than obvious to him as he sympathetically smiles a little.
His gaze moves to his back, where the rest of the team are.
“Tikki. Could you keep Marinette company for a moment?”
I didn’t expect him to call for my kwami friend. What’s going on?
Tikki nods and comes flying to my side. Only then he speaks again.
“Marinette: there’s something I have to do. And I have to do it now. Do you trust me?”
‘What could it be?’ I can’t help but wonder.
“Yes… I trust you, Luka”
Or that’s what I really want to do. Have faith. Can I really? I think I do.
“Good” He gives me a fast peck on my lips that makes me close my eyes for a moment. “Wait for me”
I don’t want him to leave, but Tikki hugging my cheek distracts me from preventing Luka to stop holding my hands and move to where my friends are. I can only look from afar, but I can hear their voices. Luka approaches the team and sits down by Adrien’s side, where Chloe is sleeping in Adrien’s lap. ‘Chloe… is he going to…?’
“Marinette, it’s going to be ok! Don’t worry” Tikki assures me. And I don’t know if the kwami is very persuasive or that the butterflies Luka’s kiss has just put me under some kind of spell, but all I can do is set all my trust in him - ‘ My boyfriend’ .
“Chloe, I know you’re awake”
I gasp. My friends too. ‘Since when…?’ I can feel negative inside me, but Tikki is here to support me. ‘ Trust him ’ her eyes are telling me. And I inhale and exhale deeply, closing my eyes. ‘ I have to trust him ’.
Chloe makes no sound. Is she really awake?
Luka insists.
“I’m sorry, Chloe. I guess my percentages weren’t wrong”
I open my eyes again. ‘ What percentages? ’. I dismiss bad thoughts once more. ‘ Trust him ’.
“Chloe. I need you to give the ring back”
Chloe is still on Adrien’s lap, apparently sleeping, immobile. There’s only silence for some seconds until Luka speaks again.
“Chloe, don’t make me repeat it”
“Ugh! Take this stupid ring, I don’t need it anymore!” she finally complains loudly.
Chloe takes the ring off and throws it strongly on the floor, next to Adrien, who collects it. Luka sighs and, even if I can’t see him, I know for his voice he’s upset.
“Not the Black Cat Miraculous, Chloe, the other ring...”
‘What? She still had it? How could it pass me? What a failure of Guardian I am…’
“Ugh! Fine! Take this cheap shiny thing! I don’t need it anymore! CHEATER!” she screams, getting up and aggressively throwing their engagement ring to the floor, next to Luka this time. “Don’t you dare use it to propose to her! You’re better than that”
“As if I would do something as low as that…”
What? No… It can’t be... right? My cheeks burn at the thought.
“I’m sorry, Chloe. Thank you for everything. I hope you find your happiness…”
Chloe doesn’t say anything anymore. She sinks into Adrien’s lap and holds his shirt stronger, letting out a sob she fails to hide. I feel horrible… But probably not as much as Luka feels. I can see it on his face as he stands up and turns to where I am. He catches the ring and puts it in his pocket. My eyes keep following his movements, unsure if his actions are leading where I more than wish they did. He looks as full of determination, the same he looked when he asked me to wait moments ago.
And he’s in front of me again. Close.
With a little nod, he thanks Tikki, and the little kwami returns to Plagg, who’s now present after Adrien put on his miraculous.
After following Tikki with his eyes for a bit, Luka focuses on me again. And only when I return him an embarrassed nod he reaches inside of his pants pocket- not the one with Chloe’s ring, but the other- and picks up a little pink box with a blue ribbon on it. He kneels down before me and opens it… And I feel like I’m about to pass out when that sparkling diamond appears before my eyes and he asks me THE QUESTION .
“You wanted a promise? I’m promising you. Marry me, Marinette. Say yes and I promise you I’ll never leave your side again. Is this enough proof for you?”
I’m speechless. I look at the big pink diamond and tiny blue details in front of me and then I switch to Luka’s face. He’s nervously smiling, but I have no doubt he’s being honest. I’m so happy I could soar seeing his loving glowing eyes. It takes me a minute to process his words. ‘Marry me ’. Did he really say that? I can’t stop staring at the ring.
“This is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen, Luka”
I’m extremely moved. It’s perfect. Too perfect.
“When...?”
And his smile widens at my question.
“London. We went to get Master Fu and I got excited... If I really was lucky enough for you to correspond my feelings as those emails said… I didn’t want to regret not coming here prepared and… I got to find the most perfect ring I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t stop myself from buying it. For the most perfect, beautiful, and miraculous lady I’ve ever met. The woman I love the most in this world, the song that has always been inside my head since the first time we met: you, Marinette”
“Are you sure you want a horrible woman like me...?” I manage to ask between hiccups.
“If you’re horrible, then I must be horrible too. I could ask you the same”
I love him and my words come out automatically.
“Yes”
He blinks, thinking. Processing the information.
“Is that your answer?”
“Yes!” I repeat louder.
“Are you sure?”
“YES! I want you! I want to marry you, Luka! Nothing would make me happier!”
Gosh… I can’t stop smiling like a fool. I’m so happy… His hands move to cup my cheeks strongly, serious, fighting the muscles of his face to form a smile as wide as mine.
“Marinette, think about it, because I’m never leaving your side if you really mean it”
“Yes, I mean it, Luka. I don’t want you to leave my side… never again. I want to marry you”
I’m surprised my smile can grow even wider. So big it hurts. But I don’t care at all. Luka presses his lips strongly on mine, overjoyed, but we can’t keep locking lips for long because of our unstoppable grins getting in the way, our teeth colliding instead. So next he lifts my body up with his strong arms and spins it. I can’t stop giggling. He never stops holding me when he puts me down.
“I love you, Marinette. I love you so much… You make me so happy...”
“I love you too, Luka,” I say, and he separates from me to stare at my eyes and take the ring out of the box. He grabs my left hand and carefully holds my ring finger. I’m thrilled and delighted. He slides the ring over my finger and…
“Oh. Your fingers have gotten skinnier… it won’t fit… I’m sorry” he looks disappointed and sad for his not-really-a-mistake. I smile in understanding.
“It’s ok, Luka. I’ll recover my weight so I can properly wear it as soon as possible”
His happy smile is so cute my body moves on its own to give him a short sweet peck on his lips. I can almost see how he melts before he kisses me back with another, longer, kiss.
“Gosh, Marinette. My cheeks hurt so much from smiling but I can’t stop… What do you want to do when we get back home?”
“Home…?”
“We’ve been apart for too long... I want to make up for everything I missed from your life. Hugs, kisses, your talent and amazing job… Dates… where do you want to go? And then the wedding! How would you like it to be? And the honeymoon! We can go wherever you prefer! And ki-… Do you want kids, Marinette?”
I blush heavily at the implications of the question. His cheeks are slightly reddish too. Cute . But of course I want them… To form a family has always been my dream. And I had resigned myself... But now… It’s a dream come true. But I’m too shy to answer, so I just nod and hum discreetly.
“Kids too, then” Luka giggles happily, holding my hands again. “We’ll form a happy family! I’ll bet you’ll be the most amazing mother”. He stupidly grins in an unusual way that is making me embarrassed.
“Luka!”
“Sorry, am I going too fast? I’m so excited to spend time with you”
“Luka, we have plenty of time, we don’t need to rush it. I just want to be with you forever, I don’t care about the rest…”
“Marinette, can you see how happy you make me? I hope you don’t get tired of my affection because I have plenty to make up for! I love you so much”
And I feel like I’m already home when I stare at Luka’s profound pupils that hold more than love: his light. A brightness I’ve never seen in him before. A light that dissolves my inner darkness...
“Your light is finally back,” he says, staring relieved at my eyes.
And I realize he’s right. My soul is filled with light once again. Luka’s pure light.
“Luka… Your name means light… You’re my light… My lighthouse: all I need to not get lost in the deepest dark sea...”
I can feel my heart in total calm. His calm. The calm I’ve been missing for so long.
“Then you’re sea- my calm- and my spotlight”, he says. “All I need to shine. I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t met you”
His comment makes me giggle.
“You shine on your own, Luka…”
No more darkness remains. Not in me. Not in him.
And that’s when the true magic starts: the miraculous box starts glowing and all the kwamis get out of it, surrounding the egg-shaped box and forming a circle of light that grows to engulf me and Luka in whitish-blue-reddish light. The box starts floating over us while the kwamis perform a kind of group singing and dancing all-together, illuminating the whole cave with zodiac signs patterns. It’s beautiful… More than beautiful. I look at Luka and he’s just as surprised and confused as I am, but we hold each other into an embrace as we look at the mesmerizing ceremony the kwamis are performing.
When the dance reaches an end, light moves over all of us and I can see how Luka’s burns heal at the touch of the light on his skin. Luka’s injuries are nowhere to be seen anymore. I can see next how Chloe is also surrounded by the light as well, meaning her injuries are probably healed too. “I’m so glad…”, I whisper.
Finally, the Miraculous box lights blinds us as it changes its form. Serpentines of light tangle me and Luka together and we can feel our hearts connected to each other. We can tell something has changed, even if we’re not exactly sure how. But, somehow, we know nothing can break us apart anymore.
No more darkness. Only light.
And the Miraculous box reveals to have a form of a lighthouse after it stops shining and falls into our hands. And for some reason I can’t stop staring at Luka’s eyes…
“What happened?” Alya says, breaking the silence.
“The kwami light dance….” Master Fu states. “It’s an extremely rare phenomenon.”
Noticing our confused faces, Master Fu continues.
“Let me explain… The Miraculous box represents light and it is known that, within light, there’s always darkness as its counterpart. That’s what the absolute power of the Miraculous represents: darkness. The reason it is dangerous is because it can grow to control the caller of the power’s will if there’s darkness in their heart… Just like it almost happened to you, Marinette”
I face down ashamed as Luka gives me a reassuring look. Master Fu continues the explanation.
“No one is sure what this ‘darkness’ wants, but presumably a physical form. It only happened once before and the strong will of the Guardian could somehow stop ‘darkness’, but he had to end up sacrificing a whole Miraculous box, which was destroyed forever. One of the reasons I chose Marinette to be Ladybug and the Guardian of the Miraculous was because of her positive mind and the happiness surrounding her. She's well balanced in many aspects and her happiness was bound to happen. I would have never expected darkness taking over her… I'm sorry, it seems I failed as a Guardian and mentor. No one should try to choose destiny for others, destiny should find its way on its own… I thought with Adrien by your side, Marinette, you would be forever happy. I should have taken other possibilities into consideration. It's my fault. I'm sorry, Marinette, everyone. Thank you for protecting the world's balance and fixing my mistakes"
"Don't say that Master… You were right giving Marinette a Miraculous. She's the best Ladybug I've ever seen"
"Tikki…" I’m moved by my kwami friends’ words.
"And you know what, Marinette? We made it! Darkness is sealed now. You don't have to worry anymore. It will appear again someday, but it will be gone for a long while"
"Huh!? How!? Where…?" I gasp.
"Remember the kwagatama ? The stone I gave you for your birthday? It protects you from darkness. The reason you weren't immediately taken over by darkness and the reason you could fight it was because of that combined with your strong sense of responsibility"
"Responsibility…? I've broken all the rules Tikki, where's my responsibility?"
"You fought your inner darkness despite losing all hope. You couldn't bear to see the ones you love hurt- the one you love the most hurt. You have the purest heart, Marinette"
"Why didn't you seal this darkness earlier, then?"
"Nino!", Alya calls for her husband’s attention.
"What? We could have avoided all this, wouldn't we?"
I’m intrigued too for the answer of Nino’s question, so I focus my curious look at Tikki. She understands and proceeds to respond.
"The ritual can only happen when absolute light is present, and that's not easy- many have failed in the attempt. But these two… Marinette and Luka… their pure love gave us the light to fulfill it. It's the first time we can actually complete this ritual. It's an extremely rare situation. A love this pure… is out of this world"
“And this proves I was wrong all along…” Master sadly concludes.
“That’s not true, Master! Adrien was great as Chat Noir. Tikki told me before how the ladybug and black cat Miraculous doesn't need to end up in a destiny based love. I was too blinded from admiration to notice before. Now I know I'm the one who has to create my own destiny and fight for what I want. And I’ve already chosen it”
I stare at Luka’s eyes and I feel like the most fortunate person in the world as I get lost in his ocean eyes. He smiles back at me, loving, caring- my Luka .
“But why did the Miraculous box change?” Alya asks Tikki.
“The light kwami ritual dance has another effect: it creates an unbreakable quantic bond. It's something like marriage from the kwamis”
“Marriage?” Luka asks, surprised as I am. “Does it mean we are married now?”
“At quantic level, yes. Now the guardianship is shared and your destinies are linked together, for the good and for the bad. Forever” Tikki explains.
I’m aware my eyes are glowing with happiness when I exchange looks with Luka, who is smiling tenderly at me, seemingly as happy as I am. ‘ Marriage... ’
“That's why light and the kwamis surrounded us, then. I see… So it wasn’t only to heal the damages done by absolute power, right?”
“Certainly not. I must say it's the first time this ritual actually takes place. I'm much honored to have been able to witness something this extraordinary. Why don't you introduce yourself to the kwamis?” Master Fu suggests.
I happily nod at Master and Tikki hugs me. I see Sass going to Luka.
“Master!”
“I’m glad to see you, Sass”
Pollen flies to Chloe, Trixx to Alya, Wayzz to Nino and Plagg returns to Adrien. The rest of the kwamis go to Master Fu, happy to see he has his memory back. I smile and Tikki calls for our attention again.
“Marinette, Luka, there's something else you need to do to seal your guardian pact: we need to officialize the quantic bond!”
“Officialize? How do we do that?”, Luka asks, exchanging looks with me.
“It's easy, Master Luka. Just like human bonds. Absolute happiness.”
‘Absolute happiness…?’
“Could you elaborate a little more…?”
“I'm sorry, that's all we know,” Sass says, apologetic. But Luka looks at me once more and smiles fondly.
“It’s ok, Sass. I think I know”, he Luka affirms.
Then, he faces me and cups my cheek to give me the most tender, loving kiss I’ve ever felt. And I swear I feel at heaven as my wish comes true. ‘ Marriage… ’ I remind myself. And the purest light is back surrounding us and the box. A new design with pink flowers and blue music notes patterns appear on the new Miraculous box, as we part for our dreamy kiss. I’m so happy I can’t express it with words…
‘ Absolute happiness… ’ This is exactly how it is.
“Marinette, Luka! You did it! Now it’s official: you are the new guardians of the Miraculous. Your bond will now last forever”
“Thank you, Tikki. I couldn’t be happier…” I say, cupping Tikki in my hand.
“Neither can I” Luka embraces me.
And it’s finally here: my long-awaited happiness.
________________________________________
“Marinette. Aren’t you forgetting something before we go back?” Luka asks me, pointing at the rabbit Miraculous with a knowing smile. I understand him immediately.
“You’re right. We have to pay Alix a visit”
I giggle a little while I grab the rabbit Miraculous from the box and offer the Snake one to Luka. We pronounce the magic word to transform and I call for my time portal power.
“Are you ready, Viperion?” I ask, reaching his hand.
“I’m always ready to go anywhere with you Lady- What should I call you?”
I grin as I decide my new superhero name.
“Lady Last Chance”
Luka smiles and holds my hand tighter, in support.
“Lady Last Chance. I wouldn’t have thought of a name that fit better. It’s perfect- just like you.”
I smile fondly at his comment. “Let’s go?” Luka nods at me and I get Master’s and the rest of the team confirmation and we cross the portal. “Well be right back”
_______________________________
Bonus:
“Ladybug? Viperion! Why are you here?”
“Alix, we need you to go tomorrow at 8AM at Paris International airport and warn Marinette- the one in the past- no, your time- to stop her plans. She’s… broken and frightened right now and thinks there’s no hope awaiting for her. But there is. Happiness is waiting for her”
“That’s amazing. You look so happy now. I’m so relieved... I hate seeing Marinette suffering like that. How can I help? Tell me what I have to do”
Update on the tss redesign vid: finished the designs for the first vid, just gotta edit the script, read it out loud and edit it and then it's done yippee!!
RJ and Reynato sent in some videos of the machine working and not working. This is a compilation of their troubleshooting. There’s two or so clips of it actually working! Isn’t that exciting?
Also, RJ, you need to work on that potty mouth. >:(
