Marinette had been fighting an akuma when it happened. It was this little girl named Charlotte who got akumatized because her parents had been ignoring her requests. A friend and party-goer who was at her birthday party explained that 'Lottie' was sad because her parents were too busy to hang out with her and when her special day came, they ignored her wishes. She had wanted a princess themed party with a hired Fairy Godmother that she had seen posters of. Charlotte had apparently taken several of the flyers to put around her house so her parents wouldn't forget what she wanted. They had said they would hire the Fairy Godmother, but the day of the party came, and instead of a Fairy Godmother, Charlotte got a clown...and not a good one either. The clown who was currently stuck in a cage looked like someone bought a cheap clown costume and thought that was that. He didn't even have makeup on.
Charlotte got so upset, and when she had asked her parents why the Fairy Godmother wasn't there, her parents had sheepishly apologized and said the Fairy Godmother was too busy to come to the party. Arnie, Lottie's best friend, said that was a lie because he heard her mom talking to his about how they forgot to hire the Fairy Godmother, and the clown was all they could get last minute. Thus, Charlotte became her own Fairy Godmother. That was her akuma name and theme.
She granted 'wishes', but it was really what she thought people needed. If she hit you with her pixie dust, she could see your wants and needs, apparently. Her parents wanted, no needed, to be by her side and dote on her. That's why they became a king and queen who followed her everywhere. Marinette had been doing her best not to get hit, but Chat hadn't listened to her small plan to distract the akuma while she went back to her house to get some Miraculi that could help and instead he had nearly got them both hit.
Marinette was tired. She had just wanted to hang out with Luka for the day and just have a nice lazy day where she did nothing but lay on the closest surface and lazily existed while Luka played his guitar. But nooooooooo. So there she was trying to escape so she could go grab Vipe-ard (Luka with a new look and name), Honeycomb (Bee! Aurore), and Mossflower ( Mouse! Mireille). They needed help, bad, and her intuition had been screaming that they needed the help of the Snake, Bee, and Mouse. She thought Chat had been covering her, but he got wacked. Who knows how far and all Marinette could do was stare in disbelief and horror as she got hit but the pixie dust.
The akuma cheered but then got quiet and just looked at her for a very long time. Hawkmoth seemed to be trying to talk to Fairy Godmother, but she ignored him. The akuma flew down to her, her eyes filled with tears and said, "You've done so much for us. You're hurting yourself to protect us, and I...I made it worse. I know what you need so I'll help! I'm a good helper!"
Marinette tried to argue or anything, but she was stuck frozen by the power of the pixie dust. She could hear Chat yelling her name before she felt magic gathering at her feet. Before she fell through the now open portal she heard Fairy Godmother one more time.
"You need a break. And help! I'm sending you on a vacation!"
The next thing she knew, she was landing on a roof hard.
♡___♡___♡___♡
Danny would like to state for the record that as much as people liked to think, he knew what he was doing. The fact of the matter was he didn't. I mean, sure, sometimes he did actually know, but when it came to his ghostly powers, everyone and he included were in the dark. There were so many that developed and grew and evolved. Jazz ended up making him a detailed coded list. Now, for the most part, he knew how to use his powers and control them, but some were just so new ans he was just so busy that his newer powers took him by surprise when they acted up.
Case in point being right now. As he was fighting with Walker in the zone because of some shenanigans, he had zoned out when Walker had monologued. Danny had just been trying to free the wrongly imprisoned Infinite Beings from Walker's prison, and apparently, that was a crime, so here he was fighting when he should have been studying again. At some point, Ellie had arrived, and as much as he loved her, because he loved her so much, his Fraid instincts tended to take over if she was near a fight. He needed to protect his little sister-daughter-cousin.
It was a common thing, according to Frostbite. Danny, being the older of the Fraidmates, meant his protective instincts went a little wild when anyone he considered Fraid was in danger or something he perceived to be danger. But since he was a baby ghost still (lame), his instincts weren't easy to work around and talk sense into so he would become one-track minded.
So, really, it wasn't his fault! It was his dumb baby instincts that caused his portal powers to kick in and open a random portal to who knows where and fly like a bat out of hell to get Ellie and himself away from the danger. His portal spit them out thankfully somewhere loaded with ambient ecto, but they hit a roof hard. Not enough to break through, but enough to hurt a little. Both Halfa's groaned in unison, but it was a third groan that made them freeze.
Whilst he still had a hold on Ellie, as she was not fond of his Baby Instincts kicking in, really disliked how clingy he got. She was fine with his usual hugs. She even ought them out sometimes. But his instincts triggered her own set of Baby Instincts, and she hated it. But there was a little window of time where she would just accept it because of her Instincts and wouldn't just kick herself away, so with that in mind, Danny pulled them into a sitting position to look at presumably the only other person on the roof with them.
It was a girl! Probably around his age! She kind of gave off Liminal vibes, but like really really Baby vibes. Like newborn Liminal vibes.
Aaaaaaand his core and instincts have decided she was his responsibility because the next thing he knew, she joined in the cuddle pile courtesy of his levitation.
Great. Just great!
....Why was she dressed like a giant Ladybug?
♡___♡___♡___♡
Maybe the world was laughing at him, but Bruce had been having a relatively quiet night patrol wise. It was just him and Dick tonight, and that always left him in a somewhat nostalgic daze. He was still aware, he was always aware, but it was like his mind had been giving him a break. Most of his kids weren't going to be in the Manor for a while, missions, school trips, or just little forced vacations had them away for a time. So, while the night had been nostalgic, it had also been a touch lonely. Dick had a way of filling up any space he was in but his eldest son could only fill so much.
Bruce loved the chaos that had become his home and life because of his children. Not having them there left him feeling wrong-footed. He missed them.
Maybe it was how he wished to himself that they were home, if only to help make it still feel like home.
Maybe it was the way the carefully patrolled Crime Alley since Jason was on a forced vacation/road trip with Roy, Arsenal and Bizarro.
Maybe it was the way doing so had him reliving his meeting with his brilliant yet jaded second son.
Whatever it was, Bruce and Dick had seen two separate portals open on top of an abandoned apartment complex that was going to be condemned and rebuilt per Red Hood's plans and orders.
There was no hesitation between him and Dick as they both grappled onto the roof. Whatever danger they had been expecting, it wasn't three teens huddled together near the locked door of the roof. All three looked at the two local vigilantes in surprise and open fear. They looked to be in rough shape, and two were 98% metas. The 2% went out to whatever other possibility they could be.
The boy hissed at them and somehow wrapped his arms tighter around the two girls.
Bruce could hear Dick trying not to giggle which made him sigh.
Fighting the urge to bring a baby Danny into Wish Me as another little sibling to the Batfam. Maybe like a little after Marinette comes, a little de-aged Danny gets brought in and only stays with the rich family because Marinette reminds him of Ellie.
Bruce muses on his new life despite it only being a couple days since the family welcomed Marietta into it.
Nothing could have prepared Bruce for life with a baby, two days had passed and it felt like his life had been completely flipped on its head. She required a lot of attention and physical affection. The attention he had no problem with, it was the physical affection he was terrified of. Marietta was such a tiny little thing, she was so fragile that Bruce was so scared that the slightest wrong move from him could hurt her. Yet, sometimes the physical affection came so easily to him, so easily he felt like he was robbed of this time he could have had with Damian and found himself wishing Talia had told him about his son sooner. When she smiled up at him when he tried to feed her, it was almost instinctual to give her a kiss on the head, or when she babbled and held out a hand to him, he was compelled to coo and let her grab at his fingers. Hugging her is what scared him most, she was so small, so warm, and he had never understood what all those people said about the smell of a baby but he got it, and hugging her brought him such a feeling of joy and love that he couldn’t even put it into words. Bruce just felt scared of hugging her too tight because of all the new feelings of love that filled him.
Once she had fallen asleep her first night in the Manor, at her new home, he had been entirely too frightened to sleep in his large bed with her, but he and the boys made a pretty sturdy wall of pillows all around her as he stayed up to study. He bought parenting books, so many parenting books, from baby meal cookbooks, to psychology. He wanted to know anything and everything he had to about taking care of a one year old. And from the many boxes that arrived at the house he deduced he wasn’t the only one. The manor now looked like a bomb went off in it, one that filled the place with bassinets, diapers, baby food and snacks and so many freaking toys. Most of which came surprisingly from Alfred, Bruce had wanted to laugh but Alfred had basically said he had no room to talk. He was right. Bruce had kind of gone overboard when buying her clothes, it’s not fair that tiny versions of clothes were so cute and apparently brought him more joy than his own.
Cassandra had helped him choose a lot of the clothing as well, it warmed his heart the way she immediately took to being an older sister. The way she held Marietta and the way she hugged her was something that Bruce loved to see, because he could tell just how precious the baby was to Cass. He had many pictures on his phone of the two twirling in the dance room he had built for Cass. It was wonderful and Cass looked at Marietta with so much love, the excitement in her eyes was plain to see as well, though so was the fear, Bruce expected it was much like his own but something stronger. Cass feared hurting her new sister much the same way that Damian was, but whereas Cass spent as much time with Marietta as she could, it seemed like Damian was avoiding the baby. It didn’t take the ‘world’s greatest detective’ to figure out that Damian was frustrated at no longer being the youngest. Bruce wasn’t worried though, when Damian did interact with Marietta, he saw how gentle the boy was with her, even if he scolded her for drooling on him or not paying attention to what he was saying. He tended to hold her and tell her about their siblings and why they annoyed him that day, or classmates, or even just random people that he had a rough interaction with. It was an odd thing to bond over but Bruce was just happy Damian was trying.
Tim adored her as well, he read all the books Bruce bought and all the ones he himself bought. Within a night, the Manor had been baby-proofed and monitors had been added everywhere. It was like he was waiting to be a doting older brother, Bruce of course knew he and Damian got off the wrong foot and were better but he also knew they would never be as close as Tim and Dick, Tim and Jason or Dick and Damian. It was like a worse Jason and Dick situation when they were younger, both bitter for different reasons and both took it out on one another. There was no doubt in Bruce’s mind that both Tim and Damian loved each other, it was just a strained kind of love. Tim took her everywhere with him if he could, as did Jason, both bought baby carriers to strap to themselves and it was hard not to laugh when Bruce realized they had bought a Red Robin carrier and a Red Hood carrier respectively. Tim liked to take her down to the cave and work on whatever case he was trying to solve or tinker with whatever tech he and Lucius Fox were working on. He said he liked asking her questions and hearing her babble like she was giving feedback. Of course Alfred and Bruce made sure the boy baby-proofed the cave as well and made sure she had her own activities to do besides giving her older brother feedback on his projects. To the surprise of no one, Tim even set her up a little play-pen in the Cave, which maybe wasn’t the best thing but it still tugged at Bruce’s heartstrings to see.
Jason loved Marietta. It was honestly amazing to see just how fast the man adjusted to being a doting big brother. Of course Bruce already knew Jason was great with kids and with his younger siblings but it was another thing to witness it, especially with someone as young as Marietta. Jason loved to feed her which was always an interesting thing to witness, but boy was he good at it, she never complained when he fed her. He also read to her everyday even if he couldn’t be there physically, he would video-call, though his reading choices varied from the Well Loved Tales books he scored at a garage sale to classics he had in his room or brought from his apartment. It was entertaining to watch him read things like Cinderella to her and then go from that to reading her Pride and Prejudice. He made sure to get books with pictures for her and if they didn’t have pictures he would show her pictures he found on the internet to show her who he thought a character looked like, or an object in one of his classic books that he couldn’t describe. It was awfully endearing and Bruce and Alfred made sure to take as many pictures of the two as they could. Nap times they would often find the two together with Jason sprawled out on a couch, the floor, a chaise or bed with Marietta snuggled on his chest. It was those times that Bruce envied Jason.
Dick was also one that adjusted to having another younger sibling surprisingly fast, even if said younger sibling was younger than any of them have dealt with before. He never complained about changing her diaper, he just laughed and said they would have to get on top of potty training but only when she felt like it. He was incredibly gentle with her and patient and tried his best to help Damian get more comfortable with her. He was also the one who could get her to stop crying the fastest out of all of them, well second to Alfred. It was impressive, and yet it was another thing that Bruce found himself jealous of. He was the parent and he felt like he should be able to soothe her cries easily, but the truth was, he had no idea what he was doing. Sure, he had a lot of children, but he had not had any of them when they were babies, this was a whole different playing field and it hurt him that he wasn’t excelling at it. Of course, Bruce wanted to be the best father he could be, and he would admit that he, like his children, wanted to be Marietta’s favorite person. Both Dick and Jason would put her in the middle of them and coo at her and see who she would waddle or crawl too, they said it was a competition to see who her favorite was but most of the time she just laughed at them and would end up falling back on her bottom if she was standing. Damian found this highly amusing every time it happened and Bruce suspected so did Alfred.
Duke was a little like Babs in the sense that he adored Marietta, but she made him nervous. He never held her long unless he was sitting down because he feared dropping her, if she was asleep that fear tripled because he said she was just dead-weight and would fall no problem. Though, he liked working on his homework with her and telling her about school. Sometimes he brought out her crayons and coloring books but that was rare since Marietta hadn’t yet grasped the concept that the canyons were only for her coloring books. Alfred lectured all of them about watching her during ‘coloring time’ after she found out that crayons work just as good on walls as they did on paper. Though Duke was nervous around her, Marietta always managed to get him to relax around her after enough time passed and the boy would play games with her, though the games mainly consisted of peek-a-boo and making silly faces at her. She loved it though and it seemed like no one could make her laugh more than Duke and his silly faces. Every time he made her laugh or giggle, Duke looked like he had just won an award or something and would give her the brightest smile in response. Of course he and Alfred had many videos and pictures of the two already.
Babs hadn’t met little Marietta face to face yet but she had seen the little one over the Batcave’s computer and she had looked smitten. She also promised to visit them soon, probably within the week which was great. Alfred had been wanting the young woman to visit the Manor more often, so her visit was more than welcome. Especially since it seemed like Marietta took a shine to her, even if it was just over video. Babs took to face-calling whoever she knew was in the Manor so she could see Marietta and hear her babble at her nonsensically with some actual words thrown in here and there. Though she hadn’t met the little one properly, Babs did send gifts that she ordered online and she sent everyone books on childcare. Bruce didn’t have the heart to tell her he had already bought the book she had got for him, he had just thanked her and used the new copy to take notes in. She seemed excited to hold Marietta and Bruce could honestly say he understood that feeling now, before he hadn’t, not really, but now it was like all he wanted to do was hold his daughter and show her to everyone. Thank goodness he had such good self-restraint. They, as a family, decided they wouldn’t go public with Marietta until Selina came back from Central City; she was setting up another animal shelter/rescue center after the success of the one in Gotham, then the one in Metropolis. This was her baby, her project, she was very hands on with everything that came with the business. Bruce felt so proud of her and he was also extremely happy his influence was good for something like this. When it got out that Bruce Wayne was investing in the Kyle Animal Rescue & Shelter Centers, many of Gotham’s elite followed. Though she wouldn’t admit it, he knew that Selina was grateful.
Stephanie had the habit of carrying Marietta everywhere she went when she was at the Manor, which considering the baby had only been there for about two days, meant Steph had been there everyday now. When she walked into a room and saw Marietta she would scoop her up and give the little one a shower of kisses which resulted in the most delightful giggles. Though Steph also had the habit of just…sniffing Marietta, when they asked her about it she just shrugged and said she loved the smell of babies. Which, fair, but she did it so obviously and made such a spectacle of sniffing the newest Wayne that you couldn’t help but laugh. It always made Marietta laugh as well so it was a welcome habit. Steph was also someone who liked feeding Marietta which Bruce could not understand as it was a time that he saw his baby daughter be truly stubborn, worthy of the Wayne name, which was something his mother would tease him with whenever he was stubborn. But like Jason, Steph could get the baby to eat whatever Alfred served for their meals. She said she liked to see the faces Marietta made when eating and she just liked to see just how messy the baby could get. Which was, astoundingly, a lot. She had many baths that she thankfully enjoyed.
Damian was complicated. There were moments he seemed to crave Marietta’s attention and other’s where he would avoid her altogether if he could. From what Tim, Alfred and the books told him, Damian felt ‘threatened’ as he was no longer the ‘baby’ of the family. The wording was ridiculous but maybe fitting for the situation. Damian was a child who adored having Bruce’s attention and Dick’s attention the most, though he would sooner play nice with all the kids at Brentwood Academy than admit it. When he held her, he no longer held her like a bomb about to go off, but he cradled her like one wrong touch and he’d break her. There were times that Bruce had walked past a room to see Damian hugging the little one to him with his eyes closed and hands shaking, it always felt wrong to intrude so Bruce would just continue to walk past. The boy also introduced his younger sister to all his animals, even Goliath who lived in the Wayne Farm. Damian built his own underground Cave beneath the farm to hide Goliath if the need arose, he called it the Underground BatFarm after Dick called it that once. So they all just referred to it as the BatFarm. Damian had simultaneously been overjoyed and annoyed that all his animal friends seemed to take a shine to the newest addition to the family.
Alfred was in love. Plain and simple. He doted on the baby so much that Bruce often wondered if the Butler/Grandpa/Adopted Dad ever did that to him when his parents introduced the two when he was born. He always served her food first at meals, he gave her treats when he thought no one was looking and if the boys weren’t around he took to carrying Marietta in his own carrier. It was always quite the sight when Alfred would walk into a room with a baby strapped to his chest. Though in a weird way, Bruce was getting used to it. What he couldn’t get used to just yet were the tiny creatures that called themselves Kwami. They stuck around Marietta like glue. They never left her alone, not even when she slept. It was very disconcerting to wake up and see two creatures sleeping on the pillow next to you first thing in the morning. Even if a family member was just going to change her diaper real quick, they followed. Their import on cheese increased an unhealthy amount and really Bruce had no way how they would explain those finances away if anyone bothered to look. At least Alfred usually baked biscuits. So there was no shortage of Tikki. Plagg was insatiable.
Even now, Bruce watched as the little black cat Kwami absolutely inhaled a wheel of brie. “You keep eating like that and we’ll run out of cheese before you know it.”
“Eh, you’re rich.”
Jason’s cackle was welcome but also Bruce felt like this was a serious matter so he did not appreciate being laughed at. “It’s true, Bruce. You are a very~ rich man.”
“That doesn’t mean that Plagg should demolish our entire cheese supply and have us order more in less than a week. It could be considered suspicious and we are trying to lay low.” He reasoned.
“I mean, it could be suspicious, or people think you’re on some weird new cheese diet and you accidentally start a trend again.” Tim piped up from his position on the floor where he kept pressing buttons on one of Mari’s toys which made her coo from her spot on her mat.
“Oh man, please not another ‘Bruce Wayne Original Trend.’ The amount of people I saw wearing their shirts backwards in Blüdhaven after his last ‘trend,’ is more than enough for me.” Dick complained from where he was laying on the floor tossing one of Marietta’s toy balls up and down.
“Father was very tired that day.” Damian defended, he was sketching something from his favorite spot in the windowsill. They were all relaxing in his office despite the fact he told them he had paperwork to do. “Though he should have had more decorum and noticed his mistake.”
So much for defending him.
“You humans are so weird with your clothes.” Plagg sighed loudly.
“You act like we never wore clothing once upon a time, Plagg.” Tikki teased.
That had Tim’s attention. He loved learning more about the beings that came as an added…bonus with their newest Wayne. “You guys wore clothes?”
“Well, duh! We weren’t always this adorable you know?” Plagg replied.
“Wait. You guys really weren’t always this itty-bitty?” Jason asked.
“We did mention we were basically revered as Gods in the past. Can you see these forms being worshipped?” Tikki fired back. When she got no reply, she looked unbelievably smug. “Before we were bound to the Miraculi, we tended to use a more human-like form. Hence the clothing. Though even that form was not our true form.”
“It’s been ages since we got to be in our true forms.” Plagg said wistfully.
“What are your true forms?” Tim asked with a twinkle in his eye.
Tikki chuckled softly. “They are…well, they are hard to explain. But it is because the ‘First Guardian-”
“The ‘Betrayer’!” Plagg interrupted with a shout.
“He saw our true forms, and I guess that’s what pushed him to create the ritual that bound us. He called us monsters. Creatures living amongst man. Honestly he just raved at us how he couldn’t believe that we tried to take advantage of the folk who worshipped us and that he was doing them a favor by binding us.” Tikki explained.
“Crazy loon.” Plagg scoffed.
Bruce shared eye contact with all his sons who looked just as disturbed at the information as him. Their true forms scared a man so deeply that he went to such lengths. He felt bad for the Kwami but he also could understand the man’s need for protection even if it was unwarranted. Bruce was always prepared, no matter the circumstances, but now it felt like he would never truly be prepared with the Kwami living with his family. They were truly neutral beings, and it was interesting to have them in the Manor, but when he and Jason got into another argument about the no-killing rule, Plagg and Tikki had looked at him like he was the wrong one. Or more accurately, like they couldn’t understand why he was arguing about it with his son. It was an issue, but not more so than the two beings announcing their plans about Paris.
“So today’s the day.” Jason brought up as casually as he could, which wasn’t as casual as the young man would have liked.
Plagg nodded. “It is.”
Bruce sighed.
“Oh Bruce, I know how you feel about it, but really it isn’t your place to tell us we can’t spread Karma across Paris. It has already been enacted and They have given their permission to all of us Kwami of the Miracle Box of Fortune & Fate.” Tikki explained once more, she wasn’t being condescending and yet Bruce still felt like she was.
“And I told you, I don’t understand that.”
“You don’t have to understand it. Just let it be.” She replied.
“Or better yet ignore it.” Plagg gave his two-cents.
“I can’t just ignore it. You told us you will be going to Paris to punish them!” He argued as softly as he could, not wanting to disturb Marietta who was still distracted by her noisy shiny toy.
“Not all, only those who deserve it and though Paris will no longer be protected by us, it doesn’t mean forever but they need to know. Which is why the announcement is also needed.” She argued back, though she didn’t even look affected by his words and that made his hackles rise more.
“Look. I know your whole ‘job’ is ‘justice,’ and that’s great.” Plagg interjected. “But justice is up to the interpreter and this, Karma, that’s our justice. That’s how we deal with offenses and crimes against us. You don’t have to understand it, but for your sake and Marietta’s sake, don’t try to stop us or talk us out of it anymore.”
“Are you threatening me?” Bruce growled which made Marietta whine.
“Bruce.” Alfred warned. “Calm yourself. You’re scaring the baby.”
Bruce cleared his throat and looked over at his daughter who was looking at him with her big doe-eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry Baby, nothing’s wrong. We’re just talking Sweetheart.”
“Master Bruce, I understand your feelings on the matter but at the end of the day this is their business and if you ever feel the need, I’m sure Paris would appreciate vigilante help if they ever need it.” Alfred said as he set down some tea for Bruce on his desk. And like every time Alfred was the voice of reason, Bruce felt the fight leave him.
“I apologize.” He said after a while.
“Sooooo, how are you going to make the announcement if you guys can’t be caught on camera?” Dick asked to break the tension.
“They have kindly lent me some of their power and my old power so I can retain my old human form.” Tikki explained. “If the announcement goes on longer than I can hold the form then Trixx can cast an illusion of my human form. Before the announcement though we will be going and giving out Karma to a select few.”
“I thought you were…uh, doing the Karma thing after the whole announcement.” Jason said.
“Oh, we are, but there are a couple of people who will get their Karma before the announcement.” Plagg said with a smile that shouldn’t look so frightening on such a tiny face and yet it was.
Quiet covered the family yet again until Damian spoke up from his spot, “Well, happy hunting.”
The two smiles shared between the Kwami somehow dwarfed the one Plagg had made just before and Bruce felt a shiver run down his spine. He sent a silent prayer out for Paris.
_____________________________________
Gabriel sat at his place at the head of the table and watched as his wife talked with Adrien and for the first time in a long time he felt completely at ease. His heart still raced when he acknowledged the fact he had no idea where Nathalie was and he didn’t know what to say when Emilie asked him where she was. Right now she believed that Nathalie was visiting her sister but the truth was he had no idea and it scared him. After The Wish, she and Dupain-Cheng disappeared without a trace. He didn’t understand where they were and his son’s complaints and worry over the girl were getting on his nerves. Neither had their Miraculous so Adrien complained about not being to check on her the ‘Chat Noir’ way, they figured that was their price for The Wish. Though it saddened him, Gabriel was willing to leave the Miraculous behind in exchange for his wife who was a bit different now that she was back but he just chalked it up to her being confused at being awake once more.
He impulsively reached out and took her hand in his. Emilie gave him a small smile back in return and he tried his best not to frown. She should be happier, she was finally reunited with her husband, he would think she would be overjoyed. “Adrien. I…called your school and told them you won’t be there today. We will be spending the day as a family.”
“Okay Father.” Adrien responded promptly.
Emilie looked as though she was going to respond but before she did the doors to the dining room blew open, they nearly came off the hinges. All three family members turned to look in shock and just to see what or who came through in such a fashion. Gabriel opened his mouth to shout at the insolence of it all but his voice caught in his throat when he saw four very familiar Kwami fly in. He tried to get out of his seat but found he couldn’t and from the looks of it, neither could Adrien or Emilie. It made Gabriel struggle against whatever bound him to his seat more. He tried to yell, to shout, but found he had no voice at the moment. Emilie looked so scared and there was nothing he could do about it. The Kwami flew until they were all floating above the middle of the table so all three Agrestes could see them. The red one, Tikki glared at Gabriel so fiercely that if looks could kill, he was sure he would be six-feet deep at the moment.
Summary: Luka's heart had never felt so broken, his world so dark and his music so static. He hasn't had any motivation to do anything besides stay in bed. It would take a miracle to make him do so...or a sympathetic and determined kwami.
It Would Take A Miracle:
Static.
All he could hear was static.
There were no melodies, there were no solos, there were no symphonies. All it was was disheartening static and Luka didn’t know what to do. His life three days ago had been so loud and comforting but now it was silent, muddled and so dark. He felt listless and refused to get out of bed. It was a good thing that he and Juleka got their own rooms finally, it had taken a lot of convincing for his mom to let them clean out one of the storage rooms and turn it into his new bedroom. It had actually been Marinette who had convinced his stubborn mom and it had made Marinette all the more wonderful. She was always incredible, but seeing her out stubborn the most stubborn person in Luka’s life had only made him love and value her more. A fresh wave of tears washed over the forlorn teen at the thought of his crush and friend. His heart twinged with a twisted pain he was slowly getting used to. Pain. He was in so much pain. He wanted it gone. He wanted her back. But like every time before, his pleas and wishes were ignored and just led to more heartbreak.
His appetite was all but gone and he barely ate what his mom made or bought him, he still drank though and maybe that was why she wasn’t pushing. He hadn’t showered in three days but with the way he was feeling he knew it would be longer. It was hard to get out of bed even if it was to use the restroom, taking a shower just felt like too much work. He would see the shower and a barrage of thoughts would crash into him, reminding him all he would have to do to feel clean again and it was like he was tranquilized or something because he would just feel this bone-deep tiredness that wouldn’t go away no matter what he did so it would just lead to him laying in his bed and starting the twisted routine all over again. It was like he was in one of those groundhog day movies or like his own power Second Chance, was glitching and not letting him out of the situation.
Luka’s emotions felt too big for his body, his skin itched with his frustration and the days passed without a shower, his teeth ached in his longing, his muscles screamed in his sadness, his heart clenched in its breaking and his lungs drowned in his guilt. As much as he craved to do something, anything he also couldn’t help the thoughts of ‘why?’ Why do anything at all when his world had crashed and burned around him? Why plead for things to be different when his prayers fell on deaf ears? Why get up when nothing he did would bring back Marinette? It was a lot and there was never a break form the never-ending torture. Not even his dreams were safe. Dreaming of Marinette led to more heartache even if the dream was normal to past ones he had had that had previously brought him endless joy. The nightmares were the worst but he would take them over the bittersweet ones that just made his longing deeper and his hope stronger. But reality would hit him once his eyes opened and he would cry for many minutes, maybe even hours. Time didn’t register to him really.
The only reason he knew how long it had been since he had showered was because of his mom and Juleka. He knew they were trying to help but he had been angrier than he honestly expected after Paris learned of Team Miraculous’ Finale Fight, he hated it but that was what everyone had now dubbed it. It hadn’t been a fight, at least not from his and the rest of the team’s point of view. No one knew what exactly happened in the underground chamber since the only ones who could tell them were two comatose Kwamis and three villains who would probably twist the events. It was hard to come to the realization that Chat Noir was Adrien Agreste, even for Luka who had the unique skill of ‘reading someone’s heart.’ That’s what others referred to it as but according to his long talks with Sass, Luka seemed to be someone who could read a person’s aura which mixed with his Synesthesia. He had Chromesthesia, specifically, but his was more along the lines of seeing color and the color had a sound. He saw colors in a lot of things but it was constantly people, their auras and tones of voice would bring color and the color would bring the music.
It did get overwhelming sometimes and it had been a big factor in him doing his schooling online for a while which turned into permanently. He just enjoyed it more than when he did go to school and his former teachers told him they saw remarkable improvement in his grades. He still met up with his friends, they still hung out and had study sessions, so he was still a social teen but he didn’t have to worry about migraines or coming across weird to other people who weren’t his friends. His former bandmates in Kitty Section had also been really understanding and never treated him differently and helped him when some days were just too much. But they changed, their music’s changed and it had been jarring, when he eventually left the band he knew it had been inevitable. There was no doubt in Luka’s mind that if he hadn’t quit he would have been ‘politely’ fired and he had strong feelings about that. The one constant had been Marinette, when the others changed she didn’t. She remained strong and melodious.
Even if she was going through something her melody was still recognizable. He was still coming to terms with the fact he would never hear her song any time soon or ever. She had been there when he left the band, she had been there when he begun fighting with Juleka more than normal and she had been there when he decided to get to know his dad more. She had been such a strong light guiding him through some of the roughest seas he had ever experienced. Kagami had also been a constant presence before everything happened. She was a calming presence and often kept him and Marinette from getting lost in their projects. Both he and Marinette tended to get distracted easily and they both fed off each other’s energy and Kagami would be the one to keep them grounded and focused. Kagami’s music was a new sound he had gotten used to hearing and it was easily in his list of top ten songs from people he heard. When Marinette, Kagami and he would get together he would hear such wonderful melodies.
Marinette had often joked that they were the Three Musketeers with how often they would hang out together when they could. Without Marinette it felt like a knife to the heart to use the group chat between the three that was titled as such so he and Kagami never touched it when they spoke. Phone calls were still too much for Luka at the moment so the two just texted each other but it still brought him comfort all the same. That was probably another reason why his mother wasn’t pushing too much, it probably would have been a different story if he had cut off all his friends but especially Kagami since his mom knew how close they along with Marinette were. But he still overheard his mom talking on the phone over how worried she was and how she didn’t know what to do. Luka always felt like telling her she was doing all she could and just comfort her but he didn’t have the energy. He suspected she was talking to his dad or Penny, most likely both. He knew from the sounds of it his dad wasn’t doing so well either with the news.
“Snakelet…”
The voice of his Kwami cut through the current haze Luka found himself in but he couldn’t bring himself to look at his friend but he did manage to hum as a response.
“I have thought about what I could say that would make you feel better for ages. I came to the conclusion that no words I could offer would make you happy. Nor satisfied. But I don’t want to leave you with no words from me. I…I am lost. I have been through this situation more times than I’d like to admit and yet all those instances have left me with no answers.” Sass admitted in his soft voice as he flew to sit in front of Luka’s face on his pillow. Luka couldn’t look away, he wouldn’t look away, he knew it would hurt his small friend if he did so.
“Though there are few words I can give you that express my condolences and support, I simply will say, I am here for you.” Sass said and did his best to give Luka a hug, though it was more like he laid himself on Luka’s nose. “I am here for you and I will continue to be here if ever you need me.”
Luka felt himself begin to cry again, which astounded him as he felt like he was all out of tears. “Sass…” He choked out, he tried his best not to sound like he was going to sob but he knew he failed when he felt Sass try to hug him harder.
“What do I do?” He asked in a small voice once his small cry ended. Sass was no longer on his nose but instead sat in his hands as he finally sat up after what felt like ages.
“ We do our best to move forward.”
“We?”
“I did say I will be with you. I mean it, every step of the way, I will be here.” Sass didn’t say he promised but Luka could hear it in his tone of voice. It was a promise but it felt like more. It felt like a lifeline.
Luka couldn’t really think of an appropriate response without risk of crying again and he already had a cry-headache settling in. “What…What do we do?”
“We need to go to…Ladybug’s house, her room specifically.” Luka was about to protest that suggestion, because he was absolutely not ready to do that. He didn’t think he would ever be ready. “I know that is probably the last thing you want to do Snakelet, but I can’t communicate with the other Kwami to see if one of their holders can do it. The Miracle Box is sitting in…Ladybug’s room unknown and unprotected. If someone with ill intentions were to find it there would be great difficulties and more tragedy.”
“More?” Luka felt his anger rise at an alarming speed. “Hasn’t there been enough?”
“Luka…I understand you are in pain and worried. I…I am also going through the same. My friends are unconscious and unresponsive…I…I can barely feel them even if they are in the same room.” At Sass’s words Luka’s anger all but left him in an instant. “Besides obtaining the Miracle Box and keeping it safe, I feel something telling me that Tikki and Plagg need the Miracle Box. I can’t explain and I know you are hurting, but-”
“Okay.”
“-it is…Wait. Okay? You…You will do it?” Sass asked and the wide-eyed hopeful look on his face broke Luka’s heart a little bit more. Sometimes it was hard to remember that he wasn’t the only one hurting even if it felt like it at times.
“You and me, Sass, you…you said you were here for me and I’ll be here for you. We’re friends.” Luka said softly as he brought the Kwami to his chest in the best hug he could give, it was somewhat like the hug Sass gave Luka earlier. He wanted to make Sass feel as safe and loved as the Kwami had made him feel despite their size difference. After their hug Luka forced himself to get out of bed and ignored how weak his legs felt and softly said his transformation phrase. It felt weird being Viperion even though it really hadn’t been that long since he had last transformed but there was this odd feeling like being in his hero form was wrong without…Ladybug there to lead. Ladybug, it was easier to think of her as Ladybug, it didn’t lessen the pain but it made it just a bit more bearable. But now he was going to her house, to her room and he knew what it looked like, smelled like and there would be no way to think of her as Ladybug when he was in there.
He had to do this though. For Sass and for Ladybug, he would rather die than let the rest of the Miraculi fall into the wrong hands. He'd be damned if he didn’t protect the city that Ladybug loved with her whole heart and soul. So he made his way to her home, to her tower. He and Kagami often joked about Marinette being the princess in the tower and Mari-Ladybug only laughed. She loved her tower. Kagami once joked when it was the two of them that Kagami was M-Ladybug’s knight while he was her minstrel. He had laughed and agreed but later he would think about it and decided he would be a knight if she needed him to be. Though she had needed him and he hadn’t been there. Nope! No! He would not fall down that line of thinking as he was jumping across rooftops and using his lyre to help him along the way. It was a weird day when they found out his lyre could turn into a crossbow, the end of his “arrows” could also change into a grappling gun.
Apparently he and Sass had been bonding pretty well and slowly harmonizing which is why his lyre upgraded to one of its forms. The arrows of the crossbow themselves were weird as he didn’t carry a quiver or anything but an arrow would be equipped if he needed it. Some had no arrowheads, some had normal arrowheads, others had barbed arrowheads, and sometimes the arrows had string attached to them. Whatever kind of arrow he needed, it would show up on the crossbow already loaded. Sass had told him that that showed just how in tune the two were becoming and that soon they would probably be able to communicate with one another while Luka was transformed. It was something he had been looking forward to. He was sure it would come in handy and besides, he already talked out loud when transformed, it may have looked weird but he had been talking to his kwami even if he didn’t think he could hear him at the time. He hadn’t but now he would, hopefully soon.
Finally, Luka touched down on the roof of Ma-Ladybug’s tower and looked around in sadness as he noticed the plants up there had wilted. Before he could talk himself out of it he opened the hatch of the roof and jumped through and onto the floor of the bedroom. Some dust had begun to settle and it broke Luka’s heart more but he willed himself to take deep breaths before he dropped his transformation. He and Sass needed to be able to talk and they weren’t quite at that stage of being able to communicate with one another. As the transformation dropped he looked down at the dirty pink bag that he had taken to looking after and opened it to look at the kwamis who slept inside. Tikki and Plagg, as he had learned from Sass, were normally darker in their colors but looking at them they seemed shades or tones paler, well according to Sass.
“So what are we looking for?” Luka asked as he refused to look anywhere else but his kwami.
Sass had opened his mouth, probably to respond but both of them froze when they heard thumps coming from the roof and the unmistakable murmur of voices. Luka scooped his kwami out of the air and quickly hid behind M- Ladybug’s .( Ladybug. Goddammit .) chaise. The light in the room was off and he himself had been wearing some of his darker clothes…er well, pajamas. Both kwami and teen held their breath as the hatch to the roof was opened and down came two? No, three, actually make it four, people. It took a minute for Luka to recognize them as his teammates. He didn’t know whether or not to greet them but that choice disappeared when a purple kwami and blue kwami flew out from somewhere and floated in the middle of the room.
“Please don’t be scared!” The purple one pleaded. “I am Nooroo and this is Duusuu. I am the kwami of the Butterfly Miraculous while Duusuu is the kwami for the Peacock. I know that alarms you but please listen. I called my friends here and they probably don’t know why or just had a feeling they had to come here so you followed.”
Barely after speaking, the kwami - Nooroo, was sped into by Sass who flew so fast the two kwami shot off into the air. Luka figured there was no point in hiding anymore and stepped out from his hiding place and awkwardly waved at his teammates. They seemed to be in shock before Noc-Turtle mumbled something and their transformation dropped revealing Marc Anciel. Fox-Tail’s jaw dropped before he hastily said his detransformation phrase and there stood Nathaniel Kurtzberg who hurried over Marc and hugged him. Donryu had been looking at Luka the whole time and quietly made her way over to him, once she was in front of him she too dropped her transformation and there was Kagami. It shouldn’t have shocked him as much as it did but the two just stood there staring at each other before they heard an odd wheeze come from Bee-Witch who was staring at everyone with wide eyes. She too dropped her transformation and only to the shock of Marc and Nathaniel, she turned out to be Chloe Bourgeois.
“I don’t know how to handle all these revelations at the moment but I can work through them later with my cat.” Marc said, clearly still in some shock. “Er-Nooroo right? Can you explain more?”
Nooroo who was in the middle of a kwami group hug along with Duusuu nodded and reluctantly left the hug. “Like I said, I was able to call you all here to meet, I had to borrow power from the other kwami in the Miracle Box though. I’m not at full power and even then my messages would have been more feeling than anything. Sorry, I’m rambling. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to talk so freely.”
“You are fine, Our Friend.” Pollen reassured while glaring at everyone else like she was daring them to argue.
“Take your time.” Sass murmured from his spot next to his friend. Luka wanted to comfort the little kwami but he didn’t think it would help given how Luka could imagine he was treated by his former user. If Luka were him, he would be wary of humans no matter how well intentioned.
Nooroo took a deep breath and nodded. “I…I don’t really know where to start. What I have to say is…shocking to say the least. I know all of us here have been through a lot…have lost a lot…but I felt like if I stayed quiet I would be betraying Ladybug just…just like Chat Noir did.”
It was quiet. So quiet. Until Nathaniel choked out a small, “What?”
Duusuu merely nodded in response along with Nooroo. “It was awful. Chat Noir and his father planned the entire thing. Chat Noir planned to be suspicious of Gabriel Agreste once more and had you guys purposefully find out he was guilty of being Hawkmoth. Ladybug was the big target and you guys would have been just…collateral. So when Ladybug proposed the ambush…”
“Uncle Gabe already knew.” Chloe stated in a voice full of disgust even if her eyes were filled with tears.
“He did.” Nooroo confirmed. “Chat Noir played his role well and the ambush was happening so fast. Ladybug could barely try and fight back before she was secured to the chair. She was so angry…so heartbroken…she did all she could to fight against Gabriel and his son…”
There were some gasps among the humans at the information but Luka merely took a much needed breath in. He had guessed as much since the only ones in the house after the explosion had been Adrien, Gabriel, Nathalie and the body of Emilie Agreste. It just clicked. Sure Chat Noir could have disappeared like Marin-Ladybug did but that didn’t feel right. Chat had already been acting off before the ambush and confirming he was in fact Adrien was like the final nail in the coffin. Luka had had suspicions of who the Chat was and just whose side he was on but after everything, the confirmation was bitter. According to Sass, Luka had known who he and Ladybug were but the memories of their identities faded as a safety measure to keep the team’s identities safe. Luka would only have kept the memories if both heroes had accepted he knew and trusted him. It was weird but Luka just chalked it up to Miraculous Magic.
He wished he had been able to remember, if he had then maybe all of this wouldn’t have happened. He wouldn’t be standing in M-Lady…no. He had to stop. It didn't matter how much he told himself, Ladybug was Marinette. Marinette was Ladybug. They were one and the same and denying it to himself was more likely to hurt him than bring him healing. He couldn’t delude himself anymore. It hurt, it hurt so much, but he had to acknowledge the truth because that was the only way he’d be able to move forward and help protect the city that Marinette adored. He missed her. He missed her so much, but he had to do the healthy thing and not try and separate her from herself. It would be like he wasn’t giving her, her due credit and Marinette deserved so much credit. “If Adrien and his dad got the earrings…then why did the mansion explode like it did?” Luka asked so they could continue. They could all mourn and scream and cry after, but right now they needed information.
“I’m not sure.” Nooroo admitted. “Everything was happening so fast. Gabriel was so close to making his wish and magic was everywhere in preparation. But I felt it, it was this enormous feeling of betrayal and anger that washed over all of us. Tikki looked so scared and worried and Plagg looked shocked. I had turned to where I felt the emotions and it was no surprise they were coming from Ladybug…but just as I looked at her, there was this awful cracking and whistling. Like something was breaking through the roof and flooring at high speed. I panicked as did the other kwami but Tikki looked…she looked like she recognized what was happening.”
“She looked like her heart broke.” Duusuu mumbled, their voice was soft and scratchy. They seemed to be in pain.
“The room filled with this bright, bright red light and then next thing I know…the mansion exploded. Ladybug was nowhere to be seen.” Nooroo flew over to Luka and pointed at the open pink bag in his hands. “Tikki and Plagg know what happened, but because of all the ambient magic, plus the overwhelming emotions swirling in the air, and their own merging being interrupted, they were hurt.”
“Something like this hasn’t happened in a long time.” Wayzz admitted.
“So there is a way to help them?” Kagami asked.
Wayzz nodded. “Yes. But it will take time…a lot of time. I’ve never seen them so bad. The best we can do is return them to the Miracle Box. It will heal them, but the damage is great and as I said, it will take time. Nooroo, I imagine you called us here, not only to tell us the truth but also because of the Miracle Box.”
“That’s right. The Miracle Box will be vulnerable if there is no one to watch over it as it heals our friends. I sensed the box here and that’s only because Duusuu and I are both still being affected by the interrupted magic. We’re more sensitive right now.”
“One of our holders will definitely protect the box.” Pollen declared. “They are all brave heroes.”
All the humans looked at one another in disbelief. Marinette had been guarding this box all while being Ladybug? They knew she was amazing but this was something else entirely. Luka sadly guessed that this is why she was always so stressed. If they had to watch this box and protect it then so be it. He’d do it for Marinette, no matter the cost. Now all that they needed to decide was who to send the box with.
Summary: Tikki, Plagg, and the gaggle of strange humans have a conversation that honestly raises more questions than it did answer them.[There will be a lot of information in this chapter about Tikki and Plagg and their past.]
“What the fuck are you?” One of the humans asked. The one with the white streak in his hair.
“They are called Kwami, Master Jason...what I would like to know is what you are doing here.” The one that Marinette had called ‘Paon’ answered then addressed them. If Marinette had called him that then he must have been one of Duusuu’s peahens. Oh...Oh that meant that Marinette truly was a Guardian, not just that but a True Guardian and Tikki’s heart broke all over again. Her bug could have been so much and something to truly behold as the Guardian if she had continued training. Even if that training was under a false Guardian like Fu. Sure he had been chosen by the Order, but he had not been chosen by the Temple itself nor the Kwami of the Miracle Boxes. The Order had gotten reckless in its choosing of potential Guardians and they were all paying for it now.
“Kwami? What are Kwami?” The smallest one asked, though with his tone it sounded more like a demand.
“Uh, we are? Were you not listening, runt?” Plagg teased. Of course he teased, what else would he be doing? Who else would he be if he didn’t tease?
“What Plagg means to say is, we are called Kwami. We will explain everything if you intend to take care of our little one. If not then we will explain nothing and be on our way.” Tikki stated. She was on edge as she watched the eldest human place the tray of sandwiches on a stand and bend over to pick up Marinette who seemed completely at ease in his arms. She even began to play with his bowtie. (Another fashion point for Tikki!)
“The child...She’s uh, she’s yours?” The one called Bruce finally asked with a raised brow.
“Yes. In a manner of speaking. Her soul is one of mine, given a human shape and home but things…” Tikki took a deep breath as she felt tears well up.
“Like Tikki said. We would explain but if you’re not going to keep our kit that would be pointless and dangerous and frankly I’m not in the mood for more betraying mortals.” Plagg hissed out as he flew over to Tikki and wrapped his arms around her, she appreciated the gesture, plus she really needed some comfort after the day they had, but so did Plagg.
“I do believe we are at an impasse then Tikki and Plagg, Master Bruce and his children are stubborn and though they might want to help, they want to know the whole situation so they know what they are agreeing to. On the other hand Master Bruce I believe Tikki and Plagg are worried that by explaining things you might not want to take care of the little one, and in turn you will know too much. Am I right?” Tikki was pleasantly surprised by how wise the ‘Paon’ was, though she shouldn’t be, he looked it, and all of Duusuu’s birds (excluding Mayura obviously) were very wise.
“That’s correct.” Tikki answered as she flew closer to Marinette, Plagg followed after her.
“I understand your hesitance to explain things but I believe it would benefit everyone if you did. I know you don’t know us, but you can trust us. You probably don’t know me, I’m Bruce Wayne but I’m also Batman. A hero to some, the police call my family and I vigilantes. I am a member of the Justice League, a group of heroes who defend the world. Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Flash, Cyborg and I make up the team.” Bruce shared, and Tikki couldn’t help but admire him for sharing that with her and Plagg. She respected him, extending a branch so to say. Then his words registered fully.
“Wonder Woman?” She asked
“Did you say Aquaman? Why does that feel familiar?” Plagg asked at the said time as she.
Bruce gave them a funny look but nonetheless nodded. “That is correct. Those are my colleagues.”
“Can you...please, can you tell us their origins? Where they come from.” Tikki mumbled, she didn’t know what it was, but she felt connected to this Wonder Woman, and she had to admit, the Aquaman person did feel familiar as well, though Plagg was probably feeling a connection to him more than she was.
“Father don’t answer that. They have answered nothing in return, if this is to be civil I think an exchange of information is needed.” The smallest of humans said with a scowl on his face. Now Tikki didn’t blame him for his words, that didn’t mean she had to like them.
“Damian.” Oh so his name was Damian… Oh...Oh no....he was so young. Who would?
“Who would bathe you in the Lazarus Pit?” She hadn’t even realized she had asked that until she saw all the wide eyes on her. She felt the need to cry. He was so young, but she could tell, she could feel, the amount of energy left over from the Pit. It wasn’t a one time occurrence. This child was bathed many times.
“How the hell do you know about the Pit?” The one with the white streak, Jason, questioned roughly. Oh god. He had bathed in the Pit as well.
“You also were bathed in the Pit! Who...Who would do that to you children!?” Tikki screeched in despair as she flew to the two boys and checked them over. The energy of the Pit hung around them thickly. Tikki was sure if it had a smell, they would stink, the very smell would have stained their bones, their souls.
“You two reek of the Pit…” Plagg bit out, not leaving Marinette’s side. Tikki understood his want to not get close to the energy. It was bad. It was evil. It was something that should have never been created. It was a mistake they both deeply regretted.
“You, small one, you asked for an exchange of information. Plagg and I….we…”
“We created the Lazarus Pits. We thought they would be a good thing….we found out rather quickly that they weren’t.” Plagg continued for Tikki, his voice unusually somber. “Before you ask what we were thinking and how. Tikki and I are the kwamis of Creation and Destruction, when we created the Pits….we were young. We were also not bound at the time.”
“But we were still able to share portions of our powers with what we at the time called Champions, we simply call them Holders now. It wasn’t unusual for us to get attached to our Champions, especially if they were souls born from us. The connection was always stronger if they were a True Soul of Creation or Destruction, when they would pass, it hurt us deeply. I tried….I tried so many things to prolong a Champions life, even the demigods. I created what is now known as the Fountain of Youth,” Tikki told as she seated herself on the tabletop next to ‘Paon’ and Marinette, “It didn’t grant immortality like many believed but it did lengthen the life of the drinker. And yet…”
“We still lost our Champions. We didn’t understand that death was a natural thing, something that shouldn’t be tampered with.” Plagg added as he joined Tikki and took a seat beside her. “One day we did something we didn’t think was possible. We joined our powers thinking it would create something amazing. It created the Lazarus Pits. At first we thought they were the answer to our suffering… That is until our Champions bathed in the waters. They were healed of all wounds, nothing on the outside changed besides that, if anything they seemed to breathe life. Then we noticed...we noticed the changes. They went mad. Their souls became corrupted.”
Tikki wiped a tear away at the memories, but this was something that had to be shared if she wanted Marinette to be safe, but it also needed to be shared so Tikki could find out who would dare use the waters on these children. “We may not have lost them in death, but we lost them in another way. We had to strip them of their borrowed powers, we had to put an end to the madness, if they continued using our powers...who knows what would have happened. The other Gods did not take kindly to our creation either. They thought we were trying to overthrow them, or would try eventually. To bring peace Plagg and I tried to destroy the Pits. We couldn’t. Sure we could destroy the holding ground, destroy the metaphorical bowl that held the water, but new Pits would appear. So instead of destroying them we hid them, with the help of other Gods. We thought they would never be found.”
“Ra’s al Ghul.” Tikki’s heart skipped a beat at that name the youngest boy had spoken into the silence that followed her and Plagg’s story.
“What?” She couldn’t help but ask.
“That’s who dunked me in the waters. Ra’s al Ghul.” The younger one spoke like that answered all of Tikki’s questions.
“The Demon’s Head? Why...why would he bathe you, a child, in the waters?” She asked desperately.
“You know about the Demon’s Head?” Bruce asked in surprise but Tikki had no attention to give to him, her eyes were only on the youngest, Damian.
“We gave you information and then some. Answer the question. Why would the leader of the League of Shadows, the League of Assassins put a child in those waters?” Plagg demanded.
Damian looked shocked, and if Tikki had to guess, she would say it wasn’t very often he was or seen as such. “You know about the League?”
“Yes. Unfortunately.” Plagg grit out. Tikki knew Plagg could be carefree and laidback, but she could never forget when he was angry or impatient. Back when they weren’t Bound, they had been treated as Gods, they had been prayed to and worshipped. Of course they looked nothing like they did now, their true forms having been lost with the time being Bound to the Miraculous, but the look in his eyes was the same as back then.
“It was…” Tikki noticed the way Bruce placed a hand on his youngest son’s shoulders and how the other boys seemed to crowd him, like they were protecting him from something. “They did it to train me. Ra’s al Ghul is my grandfather, Talia al Ghul is my mother, I was born only to be a weapon.”
Tikki couldn’t believe it. They, the council, sent them into a house with an al Ghul in it, but at the same time he wasn’t with the League, he seemed to flinch even at the mention of it and his supposed grandfather. That group hurt this boy and Tikki’s heart bled for him. Plagg even looked surprised at the answer, the two of them shared a look before nodding. All of them were brought out of their thoughts by a small whine. Marinette! Tikki turned to look and saw her bug wiggling in the arms of the oldest human, to the point he had to put her down if he didn’t want to risk dropping her. Once she was on the ground Marinette ran as fast as her little legs could carry her over to Damian who looked down at her in confusion.
“No sad! No sad! Sad is ‘kuma! No ‘kuma!” Marinette screamed out before bursting in tears and holding her arms up to Damian who was looking at her like she was a bomb or something that just went off. He looked up at Tikki and Plagg, the fear and confusion clear on his face, and once more Tikki’s heart broke.
“Hey Bug, hey it’s okay.” Plagg cooed in a soft voice as he flew over to Marinette and Damian. “There’s no akumas here. Papa Plagg promises okay? You’re safe. There’s no akumas anymore.”
Marinette was still crying but thankfully she wasn’t screaming and whining like she had been but she was still reaching her arms up to Damian. “I think she wants you to hold her Dames.” The taller of the two boys that Tikki hadn’t found out the names of yet pointed out.
“I can see that Grayson!” Damian hissed before he gulped and slowly, oh so slowly, picked up Marinette and held her at arm's length. “What do I do?” He whispered in a panic
While one of the boys tried to help him hold Marinette more comfortably as she still cried and tried to get closer to the youngest boy, meanwhile ‘Paon’ looked at her in panic and horror. “Did she say akuma?”
“What’s an akuma?” Bruce asked hesitantly but his voice was stern as he stood beside his son Damian and stared down at Marinette who was holding onto Damian for dear life. She was calmer but she was still crying and sniffling, “No sad...no ‘kuma.”
Tikki made a decision then and there, these mortals, these humans already knew too much so she might as well explain, she suspected ‘Paon’ had come into contact with Duusuu in the years he was lost, there was an al Ghul present, and so much more to process. But by the Gods she would make them keep Marinette if after she was done explaining they decided they didn’t want her. “Yes. She did. An akuma was the start of this whole mess, though mess doesn’t even cover it. It was the start of a war in Paris.”
Everyone seemed to quiet at that and Tikki knew she had their undivided attention. The whole thing was something she would rather forget but she did promise to tell them in a way, and Tikki was a kwami of her word. So she took a deep breath in and started. “Marinette. That was her name, she will need a new one after all is said. Marinette Dupain-Cheng was a normal girl with a normal life, baker's daughter, aspiring fashion designer, but also a True Creation Soul. A soul born directly from my energy, which meant if ever there was a need for her, she would be chosen for the Ladybug Miraculous. The strongest Miraculous in creation, and coincidentally the Miraculous of Creation and Fortune. Unfortunately, her time came when she was young, thirteen, Paris was threatened by a man calling himself Hawkmoth. A man who was in possession of a long lost Miraculous, the Butterfly.”
“The Butterfly Miraculous is the Miraculous of Transmission, or Transformation as others believe. Either way the result is the same. The Butterfly can give others powers, make them Champions, like a smaller, weaker version of us back in the day. Though it more or less depends on the Champion’s emotions before they are transformed and given powers. A Miraculous is never to be used for personal gain or as a danger to a world or universe, or it will become corrupted. Duusuu...The Peacock Miraculous kwami, he….his Miraculous became corrupted. Hawkmoth attacking Paris was the start of him corrupting the Butterfly Miraculous.” Plagg helped explain, though he stayed close to Marinette and Damian.
“Hawkmoth made Champions….but since they were corrupted they were called Akumas. He preyed on any and all negative emotions of the people of Paris and weaponized them. There was a Guardian...the one who was to watch over the other Miraculi and us, and the one who would choose who would defend others in their time of need.” Tikki felt her anger burn at the memory of Fu, a man after his own redemption, not a Guardian, but someone with the title. “She was young, so young, but he needed heroes to help retrieve the Butterfly Miraculous. Marinette was given the Ladybug Miraculous early, and she was a fantastic Ladybug don’t get me wrong! But….”
“She was too young.” Jason muttered in disbelief. He looked angry and haunted as he stared at Marinette who was still hugging herself to Damian.
Tikki nodded. “They both were. The Ladybug Miraculous cannot be active without the Black Cat…”
“They were too young. And the decision was made in haste. The old Guardian was flawed, he chose children to fight, one of which wasn’t a True Soul.” Plagg hissed out.
“Your Champion?” Bruce asked softly.
Plagg only nodded before he landed himself on Marinette’s head and laid down. Tikki wanted to comfort him, but she didn’t know how, all the millennia they had spent together and she still didn’t know how to comfort him when one of his Kittens went rogue. At least Marinette stopped crying once Plagg started up his purring, she started making a gurgling noise in response. It was almost like she was trying to purr back. Her bug was too cute. “They were unbalanced from the start. Ladybug and Chat Noir, the defenders of Paris…”
“Why has no one heard about what has been happening in Paris?” The one boy Tikki hadn’t heard speak asked, he was on a laptop as he asked, he looked confused.
“That’s the power of the Miraculous I’m afraid. We don’t want our powers in the wrong hands, so when we’re active it’s like we form a protective bubble around the situation we are in.” Tikki stated.
“That and the mayor of Paris won’t let a word out about it anyways.” Plagg added.
“A media blackout.” The one with the laptop gasped, “Of course!”
“How long have you been active?” ‘Paon’ asked warily.
“Five years.” Tikki replied solemnly.
“Five! Paris has been going through that for five years and we didn’t know about it!?” Tikki guessed he was the eldest of the boy’s yelled.
“That ‘protective bubble’ you mentioned… is it meant to hide you from the League?” Damian asked though his gaze didn’t leave Marinette who was still in his arms.
“They are one of the groups, yes. Though they are one of the worst threats, that bubble protects those who hold a Miraculous and use its power from all other beings, that includes a race of women called Amazonions and a race of people called Atlantians. Though they have been holders in the past, it’s a….security measure in case one group of people decide they “deserve” the Miraculi powers.” Tikki thought fondly of Queen Hippolyta and her lovely island Themyscira. Her people were strong and they believed in protecting others, but some were misguided and saw the Miracle Boxes as a gift from the Gods, and their rightful property. Unfortunately the same happened in Atlantis, and when the two found out the other held a Miraculi from the same Miracle Box, it quickly turned to war. Which resulted in the sinking of Atlantis, that had been a bad day for Plagg.
“Holy shit… Holy shit! This goes deeper than we thought! Holy shit!” The boy with the laptop exclaimed.
“Master Tim! Please mind your language.” ‘Paon’ said sternly. So the laptop human was named Tim, Tikki noted.
“Alfred! Did you not just hear what I just heard! They knew the Amazonians like Wonder Woman! They knew the Atlantians like Aquaman! The cherry on top of it all? They know the League! How is that not a ‘holy shit’ moment?” The one addressed as Tim asked desperately.
“Wait...do you guys know a group called the Lantern Corps?” The only one that Tikki did not know the name of asked, she thought she heard Damian call him Grayson but she wasn’t completely sure.
Tikki couldn’t help but make a face, she even heard Plagg hiss from his hiding spot in Marinette’s hair. “Uh...yeah. Yeah we do.”
“Buncha stuck up pr-”
“Plagg!”
“Well they are! They look down at us and call us ‘magic jewelry’ when we are so much more than that! They’re the ones with the magic jewelry! It was even made in our image! Yet they have the nerve to talk down to us and our Holders.” Plagg ranted, Tikki couldn’t see him from where he was hiding and blending into Marinette’s hair but she could imagine his energy raised like an actual cat’s fur.
“B they know like half of your team.” Jason breathed out in shock.
“This...is a lot to process. How about we all go upstairs and have some tea while we...continue this discussion.” Bruce suggested.
“Fine but only if you get Tikki and I some cookies and Camembert. I don’t know about you Sugar Cube but I’m starved.” Plagg dramatically called out.
Tikki sighed and shook her head at his antics before turning to look at Bruce. “That sounds nice. Lead the way.”
Summary: Tikki, Plagg, and Marinette arrive at their new home.
Tikki blinked as the light around them washed away, she didn’t care to look and see where they ended up, her eyes immediately sought out her bug. She saw red with black polka-dots and knew it was her bug so she flew closer and immediately had to stop herself from screaming. Now Tikki knew They said they weren’t sure how many years they had taken from Marinette but the kwami had expected maybe a little over half of her current-no past current-past?-age...not all, but one! Her bug was one human years old...well that’s what it looked like anyways and Tikki was trying very hard not to have a panic attack. First she had to check and see if Marinette was hurt anywhere so she zipped over and had to hold back a squeal at the chubby cheeks and big blue eyes, the freckles on the cutest button nose and the way Marinette’s chubby baby hand reached out to grab her.
“Oh Marinette, you’re...well, you’re adorable, but I’m so sorry.” Tikki did her best to hold her tears back as she finally spoke to the tiny Guardian. “This shouldn’t have happened to you, my little bug. You don’t deserve this but, this...this is a new opportunity for love and happiness and Plagg, the other Kwami and I will make sure you’re taken care of.”
“Sugarcube! There you are! When I came to I freaked, you and the bug weren’t nearby but I could sense you. The place is snazzy but I don’t know where everyone is. Speaking of where is little buginette?” Plagg asked as he flew into the room which now that Tikki looked around seemed to be some type of living room, but like fancy. She’s had rich owners before sure but it had been awhile.
“She’s...right here Plagg. In the polka-dot onesie.”
“HOLY SHARP CHEDDAR! Tikki. She is a baby. A human baby. What in the universes did They do to her!?” Plagg shrieked as he flew over to Marinette and Tikki had to chuckle because it seemed like he too was checking over her for injuries. She watched as he circled Mari who in response just giggled before Plagg settled in the girl’s hair and began purring up a storm, his way of seeking and giving comfort.
“They did say they didn’t know how many years they would take from her...but still. This does seem much. Maybe it’s because the wish was already taking its price?” Tikki tried to rationalize.
“Tikki!” Marinette giggled out as she made grabby hands at the kwami who just smiled softly at the girl before placing herself on the frankly out of place sewing machine next to Marinette and oh...Oh! It was the Miracle Box. Or well the holding place for the Miracle Box, much like the Gramophone that held the Miracle Box for Fu when he was Guardian.
“You’re probably right but this will make things more difficult. She can’t explain things. Which means we will have to. Which might not turn out the best. How can we be sure her new guardians can be trusted?” Plagg hissed the last part out as he cuddled closer into Marinette’s hair, his ears and whisker antennae pinning themselves back in response.
“You’re right. We’ll just have to trust Them. They have never done us wrong in the past when giving mercy. And if it turns out these humans or this human can’t be trusted we destroy them. Simple.” Tikki responded as she smiled at her bug who was doing her best to shove her onesie covered foot in her mouth.
“Agreed. So. Weird question but um, where is everyone else?” Plagg asked after a moment.
“I assume they are in the box, which is in the sewing machine next to Marinette. I think the box is in the base of the machine, Marinette has taught me a lot about sewing machines! This one is practically an antique.” Tikki explained as she flew over to said sewing machine and looked around the base for any obvious, well obvious to them, buttons that would release and show the new Miracle Box.
“Hmm, I like it. It suits our little kitten. Are you sure we should open it right now Bug? We haven’t even found a human yet.”
“I want to make sure everyone, and I do mean everyone, is here. Then we can go find a human. Or if a human finds us we’ll deal with that when it happens, now help me find the buttons to open this thing!” Tikki huffed as she glared at the holding place for the Miracle Box in frustration.
“...And what if a...not human finds us first Sugar Cube?” She finally heard Plagg ask instead of help her like she ask-wait what?
“Wait what?” Tikki turned to look at Plagg who was busy floating a little above Marinette’s hair and looking to their left towards where she assumed was a doorway or an entryway. Then she heard the breathing and slowly turned to see what he was staring at and had to hold herself back from making any loud noises when she saw the absolute beast of a dog staring back at them. Now Tikki didn’t know much about dogs, her knowledge of them was fairly limited despite Barkk telling Tikki all there was to know about the animal that took shape after her. Every time they were in the Miracle Box Barkk liked to ask how the creatures were and if any new breeds were found.
The only thing Tikki was certain about this breed was that it was very big and very intimidating. It looked at her and Plagg like they were snacks, and really, they were bite-size snacks at best, but then it looked at Marinette and Tikki’s body froze. She didn’t care if summoning her lucky charm without a holder could mean she filled the whole damn place with lucky charms, she would do it in a heartbeat if it meant protecting her little bug. She glanced at Plagg and she knew he was thinking the same thing. Though she admired and loved that he was willing to protect Marinette with his unfiltered cataclysm, the world didn’t need another Atlantis, or Grand Canyon. There were only so many things that could be explained away as nature and evolution, and only so many unsolved mysteries that definitely didn’t need so much human interest but hey, to be human is to be curious.
Apparently it was also human to not know danger when you saw it. Tikki nearly dropped from the plane of existence then and there she saw Marinette waddling over to the dog at full speed. Did the child know nothing of self preservation!? Before she could even think of stopping Marinette the dog started to meet Marinette halfway with loud snuffs but his tail was wagging, and one of the things that Tikki did remember from Barkk’s ramblings was that a wagging tail was a good sign. And this dog’s tail was wagging, if her and Plagg had been floating behind him they probably would have been blown back a bit by how much his tail was wagging. Then again, maybe it was lulling her bug into a false sense of security! “Plagg what do we do!?”
Tikki squeaked when the dog gave out a short yip and licked Marinette’s face which prompted the little one to laugh and pat the dog’s face. “Don’t look at me! I’m the cat god here! Not the dog god! I can’t understand bow wow!”
“Well it’s not like I can get Barkk out here! I can’t even figure out how to get the Miracle Box to show itself!”
They both heard a shout and immediately turned to look at Marinette to see the dog had picked. Her. up. By the back of her onesie and was dangling her above the floor. “HE’S EATING HER!”
“I don’t think he’s eating her Tikk’s. He’s holding her.”
“IN HIS MOUTH.”
“He’s not trying to chew on her! Besidesssss hey look there’s a cat! Finally my kind of people. Look I’ll go ask them what the deal is and if tall dark and drooly is a threat. In the meantime can you calm down a little? Please?” Plagg asked as he pointed to a black cat with a white tail, paws, and mouth. At least this place had a cat Plagg could communicate with, that did make Tikki feel better.
“Okay...Okay...I’ll try.” Tikki took in a deep breath and kept an eye on Marinette who was kicking her chubby little legs that were still dangling off the ground since the dog was still holding her up by the back of her onesie which was no doubt drool soaked now and did her absolute best not to feel worried. She then turned to observe Plagg speaking with the cat who the dog was even looking at. It was moments like this that she wished she could understand all creatures and not just humans, superhumans, demigods, gods, and ladybugs. She was itching to know exactly what they were talking about but as soon as the cat and the dog along with Marinette started walking away she squealed in alarm.
“Where are they going!? Where is that dog taking Marinette?” She questioned rapidly as she flew to follow, Plagg right beside her.
“Okay, short answer, apparently all the humans, because apparently there are a lot of humans who live here, are down in what they call the Batcave? Yeah I don’t know what that’s all about. Dog dude, name’s Titus, is taking Marinette there because she “smells like family,” again, I don’t know. Alfred, that’s the cat, is going with him because we need a translator for the other pets.” Plagg explained quickly as they followed the two animals over to a large Grandfather clock that looked slightly askew.
Titus nosed at a crack between the clock and the wall and huffed which made Marinette laugh before he gently placed her down and began to claw at the crack till the clock moved more and lo-and behold it was a door, a door to a secret passageway which led presumably to what the cat had called the Batcave. Tikki and Plagg looked at one another and back at the dark passageway before watching as Titus picked Marinette back up and made his way into the passage. Alfred followed after and looked back at Plagg and tilted his head in what was most likely a “this way/follow me,” gesture. Of course, they did as told. The further down they went, the more Tikki’s anxiety heightened, she never remembered being this anxious before and wondered if she got the trait from Marinette. If this was how Marinette felt everyday Tikki wanted to cry. How did she get anything done?
Tikki could hear voices, and yeah she acknowledged that the cat said there were a lot of people here but she didn’t know what quantified as a lot but the amount of voices she heard made her believe that yes, there were a lot of people here. Once they were closer she peeked in and saw the amount and immediately held Plagg back from following the animals any further but made sure they could watch them. “Sugar Cube?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t fly out in the open just yet? We don’t know how these mortals would react to us, Plagg.”
“Good point… So what? We just watch?” Plagg asked.
“For now, but if we need to, we intervene… The plus side is I think they aren’t normal humans.” Tikki answered as she took in the whole “Batcave.”
“What clued you in to that one? The giant money or the dinosaur? Or the computers? Or the… Are those hero suits? I know reporter chick spoke of heroes once upon a timeline but I didn’t think they were a common thing.”
“Me either… I knew the Amazons...and you knew the Atlanteans, but I didn’t think they were active.”
“Maybe they aren’t? It could just be mortals deciding to be heroes without the help of Miraculi.”
“Maybe... “
The two stopped talking in favor of watching their Guardian being carried around by the giant dog in the directions of the humans. Both held their breath as they waited for any or all of the humans to take notice of the canine with the small being he was carrying in his mouth.
______________________________________
Damian had been looking over some files of one case they had been looking over, it was strange. Though that seemed to be every case in Gotham, so nothing new. He was racking his brain on what they could have missed, or what could tie the victims together when he heard the distinct sound of pawprints. Two sets. One set heavier than the other, one nearly silent, the other doing nothing to hide their presence. A small smile found its way to his face as he turned to greet Titus and Alfred but he paused when he saw what was in Titus’s jaw.
It was a tiny infant. A tiny female infant with black hair and blue eyes who was chewing on her hand and staring right back at Damian. He just sat there staring as Titus approached him and dropped the child in front of him, the child who continued to stare at him with wide eyes. What the hell!? He didn’t know how to react… other than turning and punching his father straight on the arm as hard as he could. “Father! Another? I thought I was the last one!”
He watched as he father went from scowling at him to turn and see what he was looking at and it looked like the man’s brain had momentarily fried. The child was staring at all of them because by now all his brothers were looking as well. It seemed like all the eyes on her started to make her feel scared because she started to whine and try and hide behind Titus. “... I’m fairly certain she is not mine. More importantly where did Titus get her from?”
“You paused before answering!” Damian screeched.
“I’m confused, sue me!” Bruce yelled back.
Dick was the one who swung into action, wasn’t he always though? He approached the small girl and made sure to sit down to reduce his height, probably hoping it would make him seem less intimidating. “Hey there, I’m Dick, who are you? It’s okay, we’re nice.”
The little girl peeked out from behind Titus and stared at Dick before waving at him and giving him a small smile, “Hi, hi, bonjour!”
Well it sounded like bonjour, just a little baby-fied, but Dick gave her a smile and waved back in response. “Bonjour.”
Damian snorted, not subtle in the least as he spied Todd Staring at the child in shock and trying to be as discreet as possible as he reupholstered his guns. Damian’s outburst must have surprised him. Not that Damian blamed him, the boy still felt like he was in shock too. Then Jason sat down beside Dick and placed his stupid red helmet on the ground and waved to the girl. Surprisingly she wasn’t scared of the hideous helmet and instead got out from behind Titus and made her way over to the object and started patting it. When it made a sound she looked up at them all and made a small sound before squealing in delight and patting the helmet with both hands.
Tim was out of his seat as well and took a seat on the ground as well to look at her. “Black hair, different colored eyes, and a note attached to her onesie that translates to ‘They wished me away, Here I am safe.’ I don’t know Bruce, seems right up your alley.” He mumbled with a raised brow and a smirk.
Now it was Damian’s turn to come and sit, he took the note off the girl fast but tried to be as gentle as he could so he wouldn’t spook her. He read it over and over before he just looked at his father like he was actually absolutely done with him. He felt like he was. “Did you seduce some French woman we didn’t know about? Father what about Ms. Kyle? This child can’t be more than a year old and Kyle was obviously not pregnant the last time we saw her.”
“I told you Damian, she’s not mine!”
“Yes but you paused before responding and you said “fairly” which does not mean one hundred percent certain.”
“I was confused! Forgive me for being in mild shock.”
At this point it seemed like Todd had been holding it in and just couldn’t do it anymore because he busted into raucous laughter that seemed never ending. It sounded like he had been sprayed by Joker’s Laughing Gas. The little girl then started laughing, Damian had no idea why, but it seemed to make Todd laugh harder. “I don’t know what all the laughter is for but would someone mind telling me why the clock entrance was open?” Pennyworth was making his way over to the group with a platter of sandwiches before he stopped and stared at the small laughing girl and Todd. Then he just sighed and looked over at Bruce and shook his head.
“Oh Master Bruce, not again.”
That of course made Todd lose it again along with Drake and Grayson. Which made the girl laugh even more now that more people were laughing. It even made Damian chuckle seeing his father squawk in indignation. “I don’t know how many times I have to say this, she’s not mine!”
“He paused before saying it!”
“Damian I swear to God…”
“Hey she’s walking!” Todd exclaimed.
“Well yeah, most one year old’s can Jason.” Drake answered.
They all just watched as she walked over to Pennyworth who was also watching her with an amused smile, all the while still holding the platter of sandwiches. Once she reached him he looked down and gave her a smile nod. “Hello young miss.”
She giggled before she smiled at the butler and placed a hand over her heart and then pointed at Pennyworth’s, everyone watched with bated breath, “Paon.” That was all she said but it seemed to mean something to Alfred seeing as he almost dropped the platter of sandwiches and only barely caught it.
“Alfred. Why did she just call you peacock?” Bruce asked.
“We can explain!” All heads turned to see floating tiny creatures. What the absolute fuck!?
Summary: Chat Noir betrayed her. He took her earrings during their battle, she never even saw it coming, but she did see his look of surprise and his look of awe and love. And yet not one apologetic look was given. She watched as he became Adrien. She begged Gabriel not to make the wish. But he did. Every wish has a price. Gabriel made the wish not only for him but for Adrien, they both needed to pay a price. Marinette didn't expect she would be part of that price.
Tikki and Plagg found a loophole of sorts, one where Marinette would get a better life. One where no one from her past life would find her. They wished for her to be placed somewhere she would be loved and cared for. It worked, what they didn't expect was for their Guardian to be placed in Gotham...or for her to be barely a year old. At least she was transported to what seemed like a nice place. Wayne Manor, huh?
_______________________________
They say that in times of near death experiences or even death itself, a person’s life flashes before their eyes. Marinette had never dwelled on that before, she didn’t like to think about it, that your life could truly play out in front of you in a flash and then boom...you were gone. Yet here she was, her life playing out like some sad teen movie as the light engulfed her. Why? Why did this happen? She knew how it happened, but she still couldn’t wrap her head around the why? Why did Chat betray her like this? They had a plan, they knew Hawkmoth was Gabriel Agreste and that his assistant Nathalie was Mayura. It was going to be an ambush. Chat’s kwami Plagg had found his lair and had told them how to get there. It was perfect. Next akuma they would have Viperion (Luka), Donryu (Kagami), Fox-Tail (Nathaniel), Noc-Turtle (Marc) and Bee-Witch (Chloe) distract the akuma while Chat and her went to the Agreste Mansion to break into the lair then ambush Hawkmoth aka Gabriel. Ideally they were hoping to catch Nathalie off guard and deal with her before they entered the lair but when they had arrived she wasn’t at her desk in front of Gabriel’s office which meant she was most likely in the lair with him, but they knew it was a possibility so they proceeded down as planned. Then...then her own hell manifested. She hadn’t realized it, not at first, she had been battling Mayura, she had managed to pin her and had turned to see how Chat was faring against Hawkmoth and was shocked to see they weren’t even fighting, they were staring at her.
Before she could ask what Chat was doing, or rather what he was not doing he darted toward her and she thought with relief, he was going to help her. Why was that not what happened? Chat grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her away from Mayura, Marinette tried to struggle against him and she would have won if Mayura hadn’t started to help restrain her. It was a blur, but she knew she got some hits in, she did everything she could, she kicked, she threw punches wildly, she bit, she threw her head in every direction hoping it would strike and smiling viciously when it did. They took her yoyo as she felt herself forced onto a chair, it creaked from the pressure, she still tried to fight. They tied her to the chair using everything at their disposal it seemed, rope, cables, duct tape, she still tried to fight. Hawkmoth was yelling, Chat was trying to soothe her, looking at her like he didn’t just fight her and restrain her onto a chair, she reared her head back and headbutted him, she was still fighting.
“What the fuck My Lady!? Here I am trying to help you and you go and break my nose! Me-ouch!” Chat spit out from behind his hand a bit of blood followed the words.
“Help me?” Marinette screeched indignantly. “How is fighting me and helping the enemy tie me to a chair helping me!?”
“I’m helping all of us! Why don’t you see that?”
“We don’t have time to waste. The earrings.” Hawkmoth commanded and Marinette had this sick feeling in her gut as she looked from the villain she had been fighting since she was 12, back to her partner, was he even my partner to begin with?, and saw how he nodded and smiled before looking back at her with his wide, wild toxic green eyes. She leaned back as much as she could scowling and baring her teeth, she would do whatever she had to if it meant keeping the earrings safe, when Chat reached towards her she turned her face as quickly bit his hand. The answering yowl made her want to smirk in vindication, even as he shook his hand she still held on with her teeth till she felt someone yank on her hair, hard. She didn’t immediately let go even if the pain was great, her teeth scraped the leather of Chat’s suit the whole time she was pulled away but she didn’t care. What she did care about was the fact that the hand in her hair didn’t let go, she briefly glanced back to see the unmistakable blue of Mayura. Before she could even think to try and struggle still she felt another hand grab her jaw to keep her in place, seeing as Chat had both hands visible she had to assume Mayura was holding her with both her hands since she could also see Hawkmoth standing in the back. Not being able to do much other than growl, she opted to growl out her frustration.
“Growling isn’t very ladylike Ladybug.” Chat of course put emphasis on the ‘lady’ in ladylike as he went for her earring on her left ear first. Marinette did her best to keep her tears at bay. She would not cry in front of them, she would not allow them that satisfaction.
It was like a rip when he removed the first earring. It made her gasp, it wasn’t exactly pain, not at first, it was more this overwhelming sense of discomfort, like having a popcorn kernel stuck between every single tooth and gum. Why does it feel like this? It’s never felt like this before? Then the pain hit and Marinette had to grind her teeth in order to not make a sound, she wouldn’t give them that pleasure, but God, it hurt so much. She could feel parts of her transformation bubbling, almost sizzling and falling off. It was bizarre, never had a transformation falling felt like this, but then again, never had she had her earrings forcibly removed. There was barely any time to brace herself when she felt Chat go for the other earrings and this time, this time she couldn’t hold back the scream that clawed its way out. The pain was too much, it was so different that the first one, this time it was a burning sensation coupled with her muscles feeling like every single one of them had been pulled. She could distantly hear voices, but ultimately they were muffled by her screaming.
“Stop being dramatic Bugaboo.” She could hear Chat laughing, when she opened her eyes it was to see him looking down at the earrings in his hand. There was a soft gasp coming from somewhat behind her so she willed herself with the small amount of strength she had to look back and saw Nathalie Sancoeur staring back at her with big eyes. It almost made her snort, the older woman may have been surprised to see that Ladybug was none other than her, plain Marinette, but Marinette had guessed Nathalie was Mayura. Who, by the way, did not look so great. Her transformation had been dropped and she pale, there were bags under her eyes and her breathing was labored. Even though she had just helped to take her earrings, Marinette still felt pity for the woman, she knew she was going to die if she continued to use the peacock, but seeing as Hawkmoth, no Gabriel seemed to have won, maybe there was hope for her to get better. Marinette knew better though. She had read the Grimoire pages about damaged Miraculi, she knew the damage they dealt stayed unless the broken Miraculous was fixed and the kwami of the Miraculous was feeling merciful.
“Marinette? It’s...Oh my God...You’re you!” Her head snapped back to Chat fast enough she felt a slight strain. The look in his eyes made her want to puke, he looked in awe and almost in love. There was no way she would say it was actual love, more like obsession that he in his deluded mind convinced himself was love.
“We don’t have time for this. The earrings and the ring, now.” Gabriel growled, his transformation was also dropped, Marinette saw Nooroo for the first time and wished she could comfort the kwami. He looked so drained.
“Chat. I’m begging you. Don’t give him my earrings or your ring! You don’t understand what will happen!” Marinette was desperate as she pleaded.
“Plagg, claws in.” There was a loud gasp, it took a second for her to realize it was her who had made the sound. Standing where Chat had been was her ex-crush, ex-friend, Adrien Agreste and gone was the lovesick look he had been giving her as he walked over to his father. His father! “No. You don’t understand, Marinette! This! All of this is for my mother. Don’t you...Don’t you want me to have my mother back?”
“Listen to me Chat-Adrien...even you Gabriel. You don’t want to make this wish! It might bring your wife back, yes. But every wish comes at a price!”
“I think you’re lying to save your own skin Mlle Dupain-Cheng.” Gabriel replied as he took the earrings and ring from Adrien and put them on himself carefully.
“What would I gain from lying? Nothing! If you make this wish there is going to be a price you aren’t going to be able to handle!”
“Adrien. Quiet her. Now.” Gabriel gritted out. Marinette could tell he was experiencing the clash of power between good and bad luck. Creation and Destruction. He wasn’t even transformed yet and Marinette could tell the power was overwhelming him. When she had read the Grimoire about the “Balanced Yet Always Fighting” Power, or that was the closest translation anyways, Marinette liked to call it the Ambivalence Power, the book spoke how many could not handle the Power and themselves would decay on the spot. It was considered an instant action of the Power, instant Karma, to bring the two Miraculi together was considered an evil act, so to counterbalance it, the Power would take the life of the user if they could not bear it and make a wish quickly.
“Yes Father!” Adrien hastily agreed and all Marinette could do was glare at him, and when he approached with a piece of duct tape she did her best to lean away even if her energy was all but gone. He was anything but gentle as he slapped the duct tape over her mouth.
“Now I can begin. It’s finally happening Adrien, we’re going to get her back.” Gabriel gave his son a smile and Marinette pitied the joy on Adrien’s face, knowing that was probably the first real smile his father had given him since his mother had gone missing. “Tell me your names Kwamis.”
“T-Tikki…” Tikki grit out, the look in her eyes promised harm.
“Plagg.” The black cat Kwami spat out with disgust as he hovered as close to Tikki as he could.
“Tikki, Plagg. Kwamis of Creation and Destruction. Unify and Transform me so I may make a wish!” Gabriel commanded, all Marinette could do was watch as Tikki and Plagg were sucked into their respective Miraculi. Then Gabriel began to glow until he was a being of purple and gold like the ones she had seen and read about in the Grimoire. It was impossible to look away, even if she was crying now. “I wish, in order to make my son’s and I’s life perfect, the return of my wife and his mother Emilie Charlotte Agreste.”
His voice was odd, terrifying in a way to process. It was like hearing three voices speaking at once, Tikki’s, Plagg’s, and his. It was soothing, it was commanding, it was horrific and it made Marinette’s skin crawl. She could feel wind whip around her, the source being Gabriel as he started to levitate from the ground, it was a small bit at first then he was floating in the air above them all. Nathalie was yelling something and Adrien was cheering and yet Marinette would not take her eyes off Gabriel. He was about to damn the world, the universe, reality itself and she would not forgive herself if she looked away. This was her fault.
“Gabriel Agreste. Your wish has been heard by us. Are you willing to pay the price?” A voice said. There was no telling where it was coming from but it felt like it was everywhere at once somehow. It too sounded like a chorus of voices talking at once, it shook Marinette’s bones.
“Yes! I am willing to pay any price, now grant me my wish!” Gabriel yelled to the voice. Even as the wind whipped and he continued to glow, it grew silent, like all sound was muted.
“That so?...Your wish is granted.” The voice decreed and when it did everything came back ten times stronger, ten times louder. The wind felt fast enough to slice skin. The glowing of Gabriel intensified to the point where her tears weren’t just from her emotions. She swore to not take her eyes off him till everything was over but it proved difficult. Voices were everywhere and what they were saying was nonsensical but the volume of them grew and grew till they were the only thing she could hear. The light from Gabriel was too bright and she had to look away, had to close her eyes, and when she did her life flashed before her and somehow she knew she was going to die.
Marinette was being taken from the world in response to the wish. Why? She had a guess. Gabriel didn’t just say he wanted the wish for himself, he said he wanted it for him and Adrien, so Creation and Destruction were taking something from both of them. She didn’t know what or who they would take from Gabriel but she knew she was the price for Adrien and she wanted to scream. He didn’t really care about her, he only ever wanted the Ladybug parts of her. How was this fair? Now she was really crying.
Today had been so normal and so had the week leading up to this moment. Class had been...class. Lila reigning supreme and making up whatever kind of story she fancied and doing whatever she could to paint Marinette in a negative light. Everyone soaked up her words like sponges, like if they didn’t hear every word it would be a travesty unparalleled by anything to date. Mlle Bustier of course did nothing about the constant distractions nor how they treated Marinette, because she had to be the ‘better example.’ It didn’t matter if they “pulled pranks”-bullied-her, it didn’t matter if there was a new rumor about her every week that they tried to pass on through the school, and it didn’t matter that they isolated her to the back. No none of it mattered. All that mattered was her being a perfect example, a perfect student, a perfect hero, a perfect daughter.
For God’s sake she couldn’t even tell her parents what was going on because they were so busy with the store that any attention they gave her felt like it was an obligation rather than actual affection and attentiveness. Every morning it was the same, “Good morning sweetie, don’t be late today.” Every lunch it was, “Your lunch is upstairs,” if they weren’t too busy to notice her walk in or hear her greet them. Every night was the same, “How was school? How’s Alya and the girls? How’s Adrien?” That is, if they remembered to ask. She knew they were busy and she knew the bakery was their lives but was it selfish to want more?
Today, she hadn’t even gotten a “Good morning.” They were too busy with the bakery. Something about trying out some new recipes, but it would have felt good to know they noticed her before she went into what was probably the biggest fight of her life. When Plagg had announced what he had discovered, she should have known something was off by the way Chat...Adrien had acted. Eager was one way she would describe his behavior. He had wanted to charge in right away, “guns blazing,” as he put it. The team firmly denied that and it took entirely too long to convince him that would not be a good idea. Chat had seemed angry at the conclusion, Marinette had just assumed it was because he was ready to put a stop to Hawkmoth and Mayura, but evidently that was not the case.
Luka had even warned her that Chat’s tune had seemed off, but he too seemed to think he was just anxious about taking down the villain. Kagami and Chloe had seemed worried for Adrien and what this would mean for him, Marinette had thought of it too. Even if he hadn’t been the best friend or really, a friend to her at all lately, he didn’t deserve everything that was about to come but her, Chloe and Kagami had resolved that they would be there for him after the fact and do whatever they could to support him. Of course they had discussed this after the team meeting and the plan had been made, Kagami and Chloe had been just as nervous as Marc had been during the meeting. Marinette did her best to reassure her that nothing would go wrong and that all of this, all the akumas and sentimonsters, it would all be over.
She had not planned on betrayal. Not at all. All the emotions she had been holding back because she had to be Ladybug, the example, the happy daughter, came rushing out. She let herself feel the absolute anger that had been lingering in her heart for the past two years, even if it was muffled by the duct tape, Marinette screamed out her frustrations. Tears flowed freely in acknowledgement of all the hurt and sadness that she had locked away. It was messy, everything felt like too little and too much all at the same time. Her heart ached. Her lungs burned. She opened her eyes, faced the all-consuming light and she stopped fighting.
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Tikki could feel all her anger as the wish was being made, she could feel Plagg’s too...and his sorrow. He hadn’t known his kitten would do this, that was clear, they had talked in the void before Gabriel started talking to Them for his wish. All the same though, her bug was hurt, was hurting and she screamed for all kwami in existence to hear when she felt the payment being paid, when she felt Marinette’s soul being taken. Not her bug. Not after everything she had been through. Not after everything she had done to protect everyone.
“Please! She has done nothing but protect! She is a True Guardian! A True Creation Soul! Don’t take her!” She pleaded.
“The man specified the wish was as much for him as it was for his son. The son coveted her above all.” They said.
“No.” Plagg yelled out. “He only cared for the Ladybug part of her. That is not all of her.”
“Plagg speaks the truth! He didn’t love all of her! There is room for...a deal here. She is our Guardian.” Tikki reasoned.
“...By all means. Make your case.”
“He only cared for a part of her. A part of her life...It hasn’t been done in a very long time but…” Plagg started.
“Plagg?”
“Take years from her. Allow us to take our Guardian somewhere safe, somewhere she can start over and have a happier life. Look. Look at her life. When you do, you'll know we are right.” Plagg commanded. Tikki had never seen him so serious. When They didn’t respond, Tikki knew they were seriously considering what Plagg had suggested. It was their best bet to save Marinette. Even she didn’t remember the last time this type of deal had been struck but she knew it had happened before, but never to a holder. Never to a Guardian.
“We have allowed it. We stopped the full effects on her. Admittedly we don’t know how much time we took but she will be transported to a place that will love her and bring her happiness. You two will go with her along with Nooroo and Duusuu.”
“Thank you for your generousness…” Tikki sighed out.
“Kwami of Creation. You want more. Tell us.”
“I do, but you have been generous.”
“Tell us.”
“I want to enact Karma. I want to punish those who have hurt my bug. She suffered when she shouldn’t have. All because of others and their greed and their need to take advantage. That is what I want. But I know you will carry out balance for the wish...I did not want to ask too much.”
“Sugar Cube...If you ask me I think Paris deserves a little Karma.” Plagg hissed out.
“Tikki. You know we can’t stop you. And we won’t. Though you do not need it, you have permission from us. Now go. The wish is almost over and the little Guardian will need you more than ever. Go and make her life happy. On our behalf, apologize to the small creation soul.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much! You are too kind. We hope to not see you again unless necessary.”
“And us, you Kwamis of Creation and Destruction.”
Tikki cried tears of joy and her and Plagg embraced as they let the light wash over them. They were with Marinette, they could feel it, and they both vowed, she would be happy. She would be loved, even if it was just by them. They smiled and they waited. A new life was starting for all of them.
i’m really loving the Wish me Away au idea! Would you be up to writing about what the batfam does after seeing mari’s reaction to emilie and adrien?
Like an actually little drabble? Yeah sure! It'll be based off the headcanons from this post -> 👶
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Bruce couldn't remember having so much fun, he always loved to brag about his kids and show them off at work, but it was a little hard when it was 'Bring Your Kid To Work Day' and most of your kids worked with you. That's why he was so happy bringing little Marietta with him to Wayne Enterprises, he also brought Damian but Damian had wandered off to see what Dick did since, and he quotes, "I know everything about you father. If I am to be your successor it is only natural I familiarize myself with your work. I believe it would be beneficial for me to oversee Grayson's work ethic."
Honestly, Damian could have just said he wanted to see what Dick did but that was just part of Damian's charm. Before he had left, Damian had let Marietta grab his finger and give it a little shake which delighted her, if Bruce was not mistaken, Damian had even smiled before he said bye to the both of them. The boy had really grown to love Mari and Bruce could not be more proud of his son. Though, he had to admit, all of his children were absolutely enamored with the baby, not to say he wasn't, but Lord have mercy on anyone who dared mess with his baby girl. She would have an army behind her of overprotective brothers and sisters, and father and mother, and grandfather, and cow...and turkey...and dogs...and cats...and dragon bat....and semi-god things that called themselves kwamis...and two very very powerful almost godlike godparents (Diana and Clark.) Now Bruce didn't like to think about it but he did also have to add Mari's....friends to that list... i.e. some of his rogues, which yes was fucking bizarre beyond all reason, but some had even cut back on crime because of their friendship with his little mini-hero so that was a plus. Right?
Well that was a thought for another day, now he got to take his little girl around and take her into meetings, which was certainly going to be interesting, but Marietta always seemed interested in watching him work so he wasn't too worried. He packed her plenty of snacks along with her lunch that Alfred made, he made sure to pack her favorite toys and a variety of coloring books and markers and crayons. And of course he remembered to pack cookies for Tikki who was riding in the hood of Marietta's dress. Plus he made sure to pack a little first aid kid just in case, also another sweater for Marietta in case she got cold.
He liked to be prepared. Sue him.
First meeting of the day was with a Ms. Graham de Vanily. If his memory served right this was Emilie and not Amelie who he had spoken with in the past. Not for the first time he had to wonder what possessed their parents to name the identical twin sisters Emilie and Amelie, but apparently she had brought along her son as well so that made this meeting a little less awkward. He adjusted his hold on Marietta before he continued on his walk to his office where he would be meeting Ms. Emilie, he had hoped to show his daughter around more when they had arrived but he had actually forgotten about this particular meeting and so hadn't rescheduled it to a time when he would hand over Marietta to one of her brother's since they deemed it "unfair" that only he got to show her his work.
Honestly his boys. They were wonderful but boy did they get jealous of one another if Marietta gave one more attention than the other. He fondly remembered one family game night where all the boys were asking who Mari's favorite brother is and she had just been laughing at all the attention not really understanding and it was the first time Bruce had witnessed Damian giving someone a smile and opening his arms for a hug. Of course he had done it behind all his siblings backs and only Alfred and Bruce himself had seen it. It was a sight to see everyone's face when Mari giggled out a, "Dami!", and ran over to him. When everyone turned around he was back to his stoic face but he was hugging Marietta and she was snuggling herself against him but as he looked at everyone he gave them a small smirk. There was an uproar, a demand for a retest, but Damian wouldn’t have it and it had been one of the most chaotic nights in the Manor. Selina had been very entertained especially when Marietta somehow made her way out of the gaggle of children and waddled over to her and had climbed in her lap very clumsily before plopping herself down and making herself comfortable, almost like a cat Bruce had thought, before smiling up at Selina. Selina had just turned to Bruce and said in a complete monotone voice, “I would die for this child.”
Him and Selina hadn't tied the knot yet so to say, nor had he proposed. They were trying their hand at dating again but he couldn't help the way his heart skipped and his mind conjured up images of tuxedos, lace, friends and family, cakes and kisses, and rings and vows exchanged, when his baby girl, his little Marietta looked up at Selina and called her Maman. Bruce wondered if she ever shared his thoughts, he almost convinced himself she did whenever he saw her melt and practically purr when Mari, or as Selina liked to call her, Kitten, would call her Maman. He could see the love in the older woman's eyes and he had no doubt in his heart that this time, they would work out, this time they would get their 'happily ever after' or whatever came close to it.
He was ripped from his thought when he heard his baby girl giggle at something Lucius said.
"Morning Lucius."
"And good morning to you Mr. Wayne. I see you brought the little one."
"Yes. I promised I would bring her but I must admit, the meeting with Ms. Graham de Vanily slipped my mind." Bruce sighed out.
"I guessed as much. Well if you want, I can watch the Little Wayne while you have your meeting." Lucius offered, of course Bruce trusted him to watch Marietta seeing as the older man also practically adopted Mari at first sight. He was basically another grandfather to her.
"Gampa Fox!" Marietta began before dissolving into her baby babble. She was getting very good at speaking. Honestly she was very smart for a two year old.
"That's okay Lucius, I want to bring her in. Besides if her brothers spot her with you they wouldn't hesitate to snatch her up before their scheduled times. If Ms. Graham de Vanily has a problem with it I will insist on a reschedule. It's not everyday I get some one on one time with Marietta." Bruce admitted.
"You know one day someone is going to say no to you despite your good looks, money and reputation. Fine. Head on in, our guest is already here, which by the way, I don't think she will mind Mari seeing as she brought her own son to this meeting." Lucius sighed but he gave Mari a little wave and pointed Bruce to one of the smaller meeting rooms they had in Wayne Enterprises.
"Aww Lucius you think I'm good looking?"
"Go."
"Yes sir." Bruce chuckled out with a brief wave before he made his way over to the meeting room Lucius had pointed to and gently rapped his knuckled on the outside door despite the room being visible from outside because of the large windows. He heard a feminine voice call out from inside so he entered,
“Remember your manners Marietta and if you need anything don’t be shy.” Bruce told his daughter softly as they walked in, he chuckled when she nodded enthusiastically. As soon as he caught sight of the blonde woman he put on his best business smile. “Ah, Ms. Graham de Vanily, so sorry to keep you waiting. I must admit that this meeting slipped my mind.”
“No worries Mr. Wayne, I don’t believe this will be long. I see you brought your daughter. I brought my son! Adrien say hi.” Ms. Graham de Vanily light-heartedly scolded her son and tapped his shoulder. When Bruce took his seat and placed Marietta on his lap he finally got a good look at them both. Both mother and son were blond, her son, Adrien was a teenager, from the looks of it he was 16 maybe even 17. When his mother tapped him on the shoulder he sat up straighter than when he was slouching so obviously he didn’t want to come. So why bring him then?
“Hello Mr. Wayne, it’s an honor to meet you.” Adrien greeted him with a model smile, he had seen enough to spot them from the real deal.
“Likewise. Marietta, can you say ‘hello’ to our guests?” Bruce asked gently down to his daughter who was being uncharacteristically quiet. Usually she would already saying ‘hi’ and waving, maybe even trying to get a high five or hand shake. Though now she was hiding her face in his chest and hugging her backpack to her, she made a small noise like a whimper and Bruce was absolutely dumbfounded. His daughter had never acted like this before, not even with Joker for crying out loud yet here she was trembling and trying to hide herself in his arms. He didn’t know what was going on but his daughter was scared so he scooped her up and held her closer to him but she still tried to pull herself closer. Finally Bruce caught sight of Tikki inside Marietta’s open backpack and saw her antennae-like things pulled back and her eyes narrowed as the kwami glared at Ms. Graham de Vanily and her son, if he wasn’t mistaken she was even glowing a faint red especially as she stared at Adrien. Bruce didn’t understand what was causing these reactions but he did know one thing, he wasn’t going to make Marietta sit there.
“I apologize. She’s not normally like this, I think it would be best if I take her to one of her brothers if you don’t mind.”
“Oh...no worries at all. I’m sorry if we scared her somehow.” The woman actually sounded genuine but Bruce wasn’t going to risk anything, especially with how her son actually looked at his daughter for the first time that they walked in there.
“I’m sure that’s not the case, but it will probably be best to take her to one of her brothers that way we can get through this meeting. I will be fast.” With that he was out the room and speedwalking down the hall over to Lucius’s office. “I don’t have time to explain but Marietta was acting strange around Ms. Graham de Vanily and her son and Tikki as well. Can you take her to one of her brothers please? Just inform me who and I will go pick her up after the meeting.”
Lucius on his part did his best not to ask questions knowing Bruce didn’t have the time but he did raise a brow that told Bruce he would be answering those unasked questions later. “Of course. I’ll go see what Dick and Damian are up to.”
“Thank you Lucius.” Bruce said sincerely before he made his way back to his meeting. He had questions too and they were all for Tikki, but there would be time for that later, now it was time for business.
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The meeting passed and all Bruce could think about was getting to Marietta. He checked his texts from Lucius that informed him that he did indeed leave Mari with Dick and Damian so he made his way over to the central security room knowing that’s where Dick would most likely be. When he got there he was relieved to see his baby girl laughing and playing with Dick while Damian sat on a chair watching, as he walked in the two boys stood up swiftly with Dick scooping up Marietta and angling her away from the door but when they saw it was him they relaxed. “Father, Lucius told us nothing, what happened?” Damian demanded.
“I’m not sure myself. Marietta started acting scared when we got in the meeting room with Ms. Graham de Vanily and her son Adrien.” Bruce answered.
“NO!” They all stared at Marietta in shock when she screamed and tried to hide herself in Dick’s chest, then they all stared at each other with wide eyes.
“Hey, hey, hey. Etta what’s wrong?” Dick asked softly.
“No Adrien! No!” Marietta cried out.
The air grew cold. Bruce could hear his son’s gasp and he wouldn’t be surprised if he did as well. “ طفل الخفافيش (tifl alkhafafish), you’re safe. This Adrien won’t harm you I promise.” Damian cooed to Marietta.
“الأخ الأكبر (al'akhu al'akbar).” Mari cried out wetly as she reached her hands out for him and he of course took her out of Dick’s arms and held her.
“Tikki. Explain...please.” Bruce pleaded.
Tikki flew out of Mari’s backpack and sadly looked over at the girl before flying over to her and kissing the top of her head before flying and landing on Dick’s desk. “It’s...They are from her old life. Ad- He was her former partner...the one who wished her away. That woman shouldn’t be alive.”
“He was the one to betray her?” Damian asked, his voice full of ice and steel. “Father I will be needing my swords. All of them.”
“Damian. No.”
“What do you mean no?” His son asked indignantly.
“Yeah what do you mean no?” Tikki asked with a tilt of her head, Bruce glared at her, she knew what she was doing.
“Tikki what do you mean that woman shouldn’t be alive?” Dick asked.
“Simply that. She was a corpse. No soul. Haw-Gab- The villain Mari had to face before, she was his wife. He wished for her life.” Tikki explained as though it made total sense to all of them.
“Yeaaaaah, you’re going to need to expand on that.” Dick said which made Tikki frown in confusion.
“While I do agree with that, maybe we should wait until we are at home to continue this conversation. You boys know how Tim and Jason will be if they aren’t informed about what happened. You boys tell them and I’ll take Marietta. We will continue on with our day, but if you see either of them lingering here alert me. I don’t want Marietta to have to interact with them at all if we can help it.” Bruce said as he gently took Marietta from Damian who looked like he wanted to do anything but give his little sister to his father.
“If I see them I have a right to defend Marietta.” Damian stated. “You can’t stop me.”
“Damian.”
“Don’t worry Bruce, at least he doesn’t have a sword on him.” Dick chuckled.
“Who said I didn’t? Was it Todd?”
Bruce needed a break. Bruce questioned why he had so many kids not for the first time in his life. Bruce decided to ignore the fact his child admitted to having a sword somewhere on him and just did as he said he was going to do, continue his day with his daughter and if he held her a little closer to him than usual? Well it couldn’t be helped.
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I know it’s not like the reactions yet but I am in the process of writing Wish Me Away so take this! XD
