Idk why I even put this buuutttt do any of you know how to make a masterlist for this?
nope no idea!
I guess?
of course I do! what am I a heathen?
Voting ended onMar 5, 2023
Marinette al ghul was the younger twin sister of Damian al ghul and the granddaughter of Ra’s al ghul.
She and her brother were both trained from birth to be assassins and claim their rightful place as demon head.
But Marinette knew the truth.
There could only be one heir to the demon and it wasn’t her.
Which is why Damian understood when his sister left when the chance finally presented itself a week after their eighth birthday.
His sister wasn’t meant to be an assassin she was too full of light to stay in the darkness that was the league of assassins.
He understood. but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.
While Damian was in the shadows Marinette was always meant to shine bright.
Marinette successfully left the league of assassins despite the resistance she faced while escaping.
She survived and somehow found herself in Paris.
Her plans to skip through the city and to London on a train were thwarted when she was spotted.
Normally Marinette would never be caught, she was a trained assassin, she could infiltrate and take down countries overnight, getting caught by a someone is an insult to her training.
But she was tired. And injured. She had been on the run for weeks now. And the person who caught her wasn’t just anyone either, it was Xiao Bing, Talia al ghul’s right hand before she disappeared on a mission a few years back.
Despite her various injuries she took on a fighting stance, she did not flee from the league just to die in Paris of all places.
To her surprise and shock Xiao Bing did not attack instead calmly walked forward with her arms raised in a show of mean no harm.
“Your supposed to be dead.” Marinette hissed still on guard.
“And your supposed be back in Nanda Parbat.” Xiao casually replied while checking her injuries.
Marinette narrowed her eyes, shifting her stance “What are you doing in Paris?”
“It’s a beautiful city thought I’d stay here for a while.” Xiao replied.
Marinette’s hand went to the dagger at her hip , eyes never straying from Xiao’s, glaring her down “Don’t lie to me.”
Both of them were now glaring at each other.
Xiao gave in first and looked down.
She sighed and looked back up at Marinette slumping in defeat “On my last mission I found myself in Paris, I met someone and fell in love. I realized there was more to more to life than the league, I did not want to be an assassin …so I left”. – she showed her wedding ring – “I got married and run a bakery with my husband now.”
Marinette stared at her in shock, a rare show of emotion because holy shit one of the deadliest assassins in the world married in the city of love and bakes bread for a living.
After a few a moments of silence, awkward on one side and incredulous disbelief on the other Xiao spoke up again “Would you like to come with me? the cut on your shoulders needs to be treated and you look like you haven’t eaten in days.”
Marinette wanted to decline and run the second she could but Xiao Bing’s body language indicated that she really was genuine in wanting to help and food did sound really good right now. plus Xiao Bing could easily catch up with her if she ran and she didn’t think she could win a fight in her condition. So, she hesitantly agreed.
The bakery was in the heart of the city packed to the brim with customers. You could smell the baked goods from a street away.
They entered the bakery through the backdoor and Xiao vaguely explained the situation to her husband (Marinette nearly took a step back when she saw how big he was) and he ushered them upstairs, to apparently where their apartment was.
The apartment was cosy unlike her room at the league and had a lot of pictures and decorations that made it feel lived in. Marinette kind of liked it.
After stitching up her wounds and eating the most Marinette had in weeks, Xiao handed her a set of fresh clothes to change into “These clothes should fit you well enough, tell me if you need anything else.”
Marinette looked up at her in gratitude “Thank you Xiao Bing.”
Xiao smiled softly at her “ I go by Sabine Cheng now and your welcome to stay for as long as you want.”
By the end of the week Marinette al ghul officially became Marinette Dupain-Cheng.
Thirteen-year-old Marinette Dupain-Cheng was staring at the hexagonal box on her desk in shock.
She recognised the symbol on the box.
It was the symbol of the Order of Guardians.
She hesitantly approached the box opening it with shaking hands hoping it was not what she thought it was.
A bright flash of light blinded her, she took out her dagger and pointed it at the light on instinct.
“Hello Marinett- eeep” Tikki cut herself off once she saw the dagger.
Not waiting for even a second she harshly questioned the kwami who was blinking owlishly at the dagger that was pointed at her.
“Why was I given a miraculous?”
Tikki’s gaze snapped to Marinette at that “You know what a miraculous is?” she asked confused and with a hint of panic laced in her voice.
Marinette nodded, warily watching the kwami –who was not supposed to be here. Her fingers were clenched firmly on the dagger that was still pointed at the god “I know all about the Miraculous especially the Black cat and the Ladybug. Now answer my question.”
Tikki seemed hesitant but answered the girl who was supposed to be her chosen “You were chosen to be a hero along with your partner, the black cat to protect Paris from the butterfly holder.”
Marinette completely stilled at that, her eyes widened and jaw dropping in shock because she’s not a hero she’s a killer– nope don’t think about it, now is not the time for a breakdown Marinette you can’t show any weakness, do what you do best, and pretend that everything is fine. She steeled herself, masking her emotions but she couldn’t help the incredulous tone her voice took. “You want me to be a Hero. Look the Guardian choose the wrong person, I’m not a Hero.”
Tikki whipped around to Marinette so fast she nearly fell out of the air. The expression on Tikki’s face would have made Marinette laugh if not for the current ...situation “You know about the Guardian too! how do you know about the Guardian!?”
They were interrupted from their riveting conversation (read: hostile interrogation) by an emergency broadcast reporting on a stone being tearing down the streets.
Both Marinette and Tikki turned to face the computer playing the news, watching in horror as Stoneheart threw a car at a crowd of people panicking and trying to evacuate the area, the civilians scrambled trying to get out of the way but it was inevitable that not everyone escaped, watching as blood slowly pooled around the car with someone’s arm sticking out from under it before it was blurred and censored for the viewers.
Despite their efforts the police were useless in trying to contain him.
It was silent for a while. Marinette was processing. While she was used to seeing blood and bodies and was long since desensitized to it. But the fact that there currently seemed to be no plausible way (other than to don the earrings) to stop Stoneheart made her queasy.
Tikki broke the silence, there was a calculating look in her eyes as she studied Marinette. “Marinette, you know how the miraculous works don’t you?”
No this is not going there– “I do but–”
“Then you need to go out there and stop the akuma.” Tikki’s interrupted, voice sharp but there seemed to be kind edge to it.
I’m not– I can’t be a hero “I’m not a Hero, I–”
“Hero or not you were chosen for a reason, people are going die and you are the only one who can save them.” Tikki was firm, staring intently at Marinette her blue eyes piercing Marinette’s soul.
“I–” Marinette wanted to protest because there is no way in hell she could even be considered a hero of any sort but Tikki was right people were going to die, and if there was even a chance that she could save these people then she would take it because if she didn’t, their blood would then be on her hands and she can’t afford to have any more red on her ledger, she can’t waste time arguing right now, she’s got to go out there and help even if all she ever knowns to do is hurt and cause pain, so she’s going to pretend. Pretend to be a hero. Pretend for once that she isn’t the villain but the person saving the day. Pretend just until Stoneheart is defeated so she can return the earrings.
Marinette took a deep breath and picked up the miraculous just barely managing to stop the shaking in her hands. She hesitated before putting them on and glanced at Tikki, who smiled encouragingly at her, and put the earrings on. She clenched her eyes shut praying that she made the right decision and transformed “Tikki spots on.”
She felt power rush through her, her conscience merging with that of a God. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Unlike the Lazarus pit which felt like drowning and acid burning through your skin, clouding her mind with vengeance. Tikki’s power felt warm, like the sun or like running through a grass field during spring. It felt safe, content, happy. It felt right.
She looked down at her costume in awe..
Her transformation was similar to her league attire but enough to differentiate hero from assassin. Her weapons were more or less the same with the addition of a yoyo. The green was replaced with red. She had a black mask covering the lower half of the face and a hood covering her braided hair and casting a shadow over her face so the only thing visible were her iridescent blue eyes.
But the most shocking would be her wings that are normally hidden to look like a cape, but would stretch out into beautiful transparent ladybug wings.
She felt the fabric, It looked to be made of a mix of metal, Kevlar, spandex and something else but was impossibly light of a material. She admired the costume, before snapping out of her trance by a scream.
Marinette dropped back into her room after defeating Stoneheart detransforming mid flip (boy was she glad that she kept up with her training even after leaving the league)
Chat noir seemed to have a little experience in a type of sword fighting probably fencing but was otherwise untrained.
She was snapped out of thoughts by Tikki clearing her throat “I have a few questions.”
Marinette sighed and looked down at her feet she knew this was coming “Ask away.”
“How do you know of Miraculous and about the Guardian?”
Well here goes nothing “My grandfather has told me and my brother all about the Miraculous – jewellery that bestows its wearer unimaginable power, that it’s inhabited by gods. He had a lot of stories to tell, especially of you and your counterpart Plagg.”
Tikki’s eyes narrowed in suspicion and curiosity. “And who is your grandfather?”
Marinette looked down shrinking in on herself – she knew what would happen after this, Tikki would think she’s a murderer and she would be right. After all the things she did while with the league being called a murderer would almost be too merciful–
Marinette steeled her nerves and stuffed her emotions, readying her self for the backlash she was sure to get, looked Tikki in eye and uttered a name that truly did belong to a demon. “Ra’s al ghul.”
Tikki gasped at that, eyes blown wide–because no even he’s not that cruel. The girl standing in front of her is just a child, he couldn’t have–
Marinette started rambling at Tikki’s silence, barely managing to hide the tears that pricked her eyes. “I told you I’m not a Hero, I’ve got blood on my hands. I understand if you want me to return the earrings. I will willingly give them to the Guardian as soon as possible. I’m sure you don’t want a monster like me to be your holder–”
“No.” Tikki cut Marinette off, voice firm and dark far from the cheery tone she normally has.
“What?” Marinette looked up to see the floating god through blurry eyes, the sudden remark shocking her out of her spiral.
Tikki was furious and radiated danger, but softened at the confused and hurt voice of her chosen. She flew up to Marinette and looked her in the eyes, her voice strong and firm “You are not a monster.”
Marinette went shock still.
Tikki continued not bothered by Marinette’s silence “And I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at Ra’s. It’s not your fault that you were born the granddaughter of a demon, who is obsessed with immortality.”
Marinette was silent for a few moments’ eyes wide. Then spoke up softy. “Why don’t you hate me, you know who I am, you know what I’ve done why?” Why was Tikki still here? why wasn’t she running away with the earrings why doesn’t Tikki hate her? Does Tikki not understand that the miraculous are in danger here with her? Why?
“Oh Marinette I don’t hate you, you were a child, still are, you should not have gone through all the horrors that you have.”
“You don’t understand, I’ve tortured and killed people all for information or a mission. I was raised as a weapon; all I do is inflict hurt. I’m a killer, a murderer ...a monster.” A traitorous tear slipped down her cheek.
Tikki’s voice was carefully controlled not to show her rage “You are not a monster Marinette; you’ve just had a hard life did what you had to do to survive. You may have been raised to hurt, but that’s not who you are. You are not just a weapon Marinette you are so much more than that.”
Marinette miserably looked up at her – she did not deserve her sympathy, not after all she’s done –
“B‐but I’m not a good person. I’ve done horrible things–”
“Do you regret doing it” Tikki cut in, looking at Marinette in the eye, not willing to let this go.
Marinette hesitated for a moment, but steely resolve flashed in her eyes “Yes.” Her answer was barely a whisper but cut through the silence in the room like whip.
“Do you want to make up for all the pain you caused.” Tikki stared at Marinette like she could look through her very soul.
“I do.” Marinette replied softly, not a single doubt in her mind, her thoughts clear for the first time in a long while.
“Then I don’t think you’re a bad person.”
“huh?” Marinette bluescreened, not able to follow.
“Marinette you’re not a bad person and I have decided that I want you keep my miraculous, you would make a great hero.”
“I–I’m not I can’t–I can’t be a hero!” Marinette sputtered out unable to comprehend because there’s no way Tikki meant that, she’s not a hero. she’s an assassin, the daughter of the demon. Not a hero. She’s got blood on hands so much blood. She can’t be a hero. A hero doesn’t kill, doesn’t torture. A hero isn’t a walking weapon. A hero hasn’t spilt so much blood that red now permanently stained her hands, a hero isn’t ... her . She’s the type of person a hero fights against, a villain.
Seeing the clear distress on her chosen’s Tikki flew down to Marinette and lay her hand-paw on Marinette’s cheek smiling softly when panic filled eyes met her calm encouraging ones.
It was quiet in the room with Marinette processing Tikki’s request and the kwami smiling kindly at the girl.
Marinette found her voice after a few moments.
“You really want me keep the earrings even after you know what I’ve done?” she whispered in disbelief, still unable to comprehend the turn of events.
“I meant what I said Marinette, I want you to be my holder.”
“Why? Why do you want me to be your holder, I’m a MONSTER!” Marinette vision turned blurry with held back tears.
“Marinette you could’ve taken the ladybug miraculous and ran or you could’ve easily stolen the black cat miraculous from Chat noir considering all your training, you could have even gone to your grandfather and given him your miraculous. But you didn’t do any of that instead you went out there today and saved people, saved Paris. Your past doesn’t define you Marinette, the choices you make in the present do and I’d say you were a hero.” Tikki fiercely defended "I choose you Marinette. I choose you to be my holder for a reason."
It was all too much for Marinette.
She couldn’t hold it back anymore, all her trauma and emotions that she carefully stuffed in a box finally burst.
She starting laughing hysterically “My grandfather spent half his life searching for the miraculous and I found it five years after leaving the League without even having to try and now I’m somehow a Hero.” Marinette’s voice cracked and her cackles soon turned into sobs.
Tikki’s heart broke watching her chosen sink to the floor sobbing. She went and nuzzled her cheek comforting her as much as she could. ‘I really should take Plagg with me sometime and blow that little assassin base of his to the ground’ Tikki internally raged.
It had been nearly a year since Marinette received the ladybug miraculous and took up the role of Dame rouge or (Lady red).
And as of last week, Marinette was now also the Guardian of the miracle box.
Due to the change in Guardianship the magical Barriers –that Fu put up– protecting the miraculous from outside interference were taken down.
She was able to get the Barriers back up, but it was already too late. While the general public were still unaware of the situation in Paris. The league of assassins now was.
Marinette knew it was only a matter of time before assassins start popping up left and right. She was hard at work learning magic and casting spells. She found a spell which allows only the Guardian to remove a miraculous from it’s wielder. That should help, while Chat noir has gotten better at fighting he is no where near as ready to face off against the league of assassins even with the enhanced abilities, it should keep the league from getting his miraculous much harder.
Marinette was patrolling the city with Chat noir when she felt that something was off. And lo and behold a knife was hurling through the air, straight for Chat noir’s neck.
Marinette wasn’t fazed, she caught the knife between two fingers. The same couldn’t be said for Chat noir, he stumbled and nearly fell off the roof in shock.
Marinette relaxed once she saw the knife.
“And you always said I was dramatic” Marinette drawled towards a shadow in the corner, twirling the knife.
“Tt.” Was replied as a person practically melted out of the shadows. (Chat noir did fall off the roof at that but gathered his bearings fairly quick.)
The person was masked and dressed similarly to Dame rouge but green accents instead of red and sounded male. He also had plenty weapons strapped on his person and did not look to be wearing a miraculous despite the clear physical activity it would take to reach the secluded rooftop they were on.
“So, Paris” the masked stranger raised an eyebrow and asked a little judgingly.
“It’s not that bad and last I heard you relocated too” Marinette replied looking expectantly at him.
“I was sent to live with father until the issues were resolved but I’m considering staying there. It’s not what one would call peaceful but it certainly beats the desert.”
“Please anything beats the desert.” Marinette scoffed.
The hooded figure shrugged “It’s not...as bad as I thought. There are a few rules in place but I otherwise still get to stab people and my katana is well used in that cesspool of crime and corruption.”
Marinette’s eyes widened; she could read in between the lines, she already had an inkling of who her father is with Talia’s vague descriptions and Sabine’s hesitance about the topic, Damian’s clues only confirmed her suspicions, there could only be one person who could be their father.
“He is your father.... Well that certainly explains the brooding and emotional constipation. How much grovelling did you have to do after the attempts on their life for them to let you on the field?”
The hooded figure crossed his arms and glared “I did not grovel!”
Marinette raised an eyebrow.
The figure looked away after a few seconds and scoffed “you never did explain why you’re staying in Paris of all places.”
Marinette smirked at that “I’m staying here with Xiao Bing.”
“isn’t she dead?” the person looked up in shock.
“No, apparently they just stopped the hits on her after the ninth failed attempt.”
“I feel like I should be worried.”
“Don’t be, she doesn’t know that I gallivant around the city as a magical girl catching evil butterflies.” Marinette waved him off.
“Ah yes about that. How did you become a miraculous wielder?” The figure questioned.
“I helped an old man cross the road. I’m also the Guardian now”
“...your the holder of the Ladybug miraculous and the Guardian of the miracle box because you helped some old man cross the road?.” Was asked incredulously.
He was quiet for a few seconds, then he snorted “Grandfather would blow a fuse if he ever found out that you are possession of the miraculous. He has been trying to get a hold of it for over 600 years and you just stumbled upon them five years after leaving the League.”
“Honestly, I want to tell him just so I could see his face. The disgrace in possession of his life long dream has to knock him down a peg....or a tower.”
“Speaking of, grandfather is probably aware of the situation in Paris now, are you in need of assistance with that complication or the moth problem?”
“Don’t worry I’ve been preparing for that and the moth should be dealt with before Saturday.”
“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!” Chat noir interrupted finally having had enough of his confusion and shock, looking wildly between the two of them.
“Ah yes, I forgot. Akhi this is Chat noir.” Lady red introduced.
“Chat noir this is... What do you want to be called?”
“Well Chat noir this is Shadow.”
“That doesn’t answer any of my questions!” Chat noir was still confused and panicking.
“Are you sure you need to keep the–” Shadow started to speak.
“Don’t be rude shadow.” Lady red chastised.
Shadow just rolled his eyes.
“Chat noir I’ll explain this when Shadow leaves.” Marinette glanced at Shadow while talking to Chat noir.
“You can deal with this mess now. I have to leave anyway; the others will be able to track me in an hour and I don’t want them knowing I’m in Paris."
Ah so the Justice league are still unaware of the situation here, probably Damian’s work.
Marinette went and hugged her brother
“لقد اشتقت لك كثيرا”(I missed you so much.)
“كما فعلت أنا ” (As did I.)
Was whispered to each other as the siblings hugged tightly. Marinette not noticing the note that was slipped into her pocket in her happiness and grief.
And if their eyes were a little glassy no one needed to know.
Shadow pulled away first.
And jumped off the roof with a smirk and the parting words of “I’m still taller.”
It took a moment for Marinette to register his words but once she did, she started cursing after him in all the languages she could remember in her rage.
He’s a dead man walking. Brother be damned.
Marinette landed in her room and detransformed.
Tikki flew off to get a cookie.
Marinette was lost in thought absently watching as the kwamis played around her room and fought for the computer.
They all stopped what they were doing and flew towards Marinette once they noticed she arrived from patrol.
“Um Marinette?” Tikki drew Marinette from her daze.
“I found this in one of your pockets in the suit.” Tikki handed Marinette an envelope.
It was dark green and tied with golden thread.
Marinette opened the envelope and started reading the letter.
I do not blame you for leaving the League. At first, I was angry and hurt that you left me but I understand.
Mother and grandfather hated you and were sending you on increasingly difficult missions hoping you wouldn’t return; I noticed the extra scars and wounds you were trying to hide from me.
I am also now no longer in association with the league. I was taken to Father when Slade staged a coup and almost killed grandfather. I was to be living with father until mother took care of the traitors. But I decided stay in Gotham. I no longer want the title of demon head. I much prefer being a vigilante to an assassin.
Living with father is certainly different from the league and it took a while to get used to, especially with father’s ‘no killing’ rule. Richard is by far the most tolerable of the strays that father insists on keeping. And I suppose Todd and Drake have proved their worth.
I also own pets now Alfred the cat, Titnus, Batcow and Goliath (the dragon bat). You would love them.
And before you panic, No. Father does not know of your existence.
I only found out about your whereabouts because I was actively searching for you and only found results when I’m assuming the magical barrier fell. The glamor failed to hide your identity as I recognized your fighting style but I suppose it is only because we are twins and grew up together. No amount of magic is going to help you hide the fact that you gallivant around Paris catching butterflies with a yoyo from me.
I was able to cover all traces of the miraculous when the barrier fell so the justice league is still unaware of the situation in Paris as well.
Unfortunately, the league of assassins are now aware that the miraculous are active and in Paris.
I have included my contact information in case you are in need of assistance.
I do not intend to lose you again.
Staring at the letter the day’s events finally hit her
She met her brother. She found him again. He’s not dead.
Tears were streaming down Marinette’s face as she clutched the letter in hands.
The kwamis were staring at her in concern, Tikki herded them into the miracle box before they could bombard the Guardian with questions.
“Marinette?” Tikki hesitantly questioned when she was still staring blankly at the letter.
Startled Marinette snapped out of daze looking around her room.
She wiped the tears with her hand and shakily picked up her phone.
After a moments hesitation she input the number and texted her brother.
Marinette: You're not loosing me again, I’m here to stay.
Smiling when she got a response.
Damian: of course you are, I’m not stupid enough to let you go again.
