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Marinette slammed her hand on the forcefield, watching in horror as Gabriel stood before Gimmi. “Don’t do this!” she cried.
Gabriel turned to her. Could she persuade him to rethink?
Gimmi watched the interaction intently as Gabriel addressed Marinette. “Marinette, make sure that Adrien never knows about the villain that I was, but instead, that he remembers the times I tried to be a good father.”
Gabriel turned to make his wish and the world was born anew.
---
Marinette sat next to Adrien in the courtyard as he napped. The sun was shining, Paris was green and beautiful. Her friends were laughing and she was here, with the boy of her dreams. She’d dreamt about this for so long. She still felt a sense of unease though – was this it? Was it truly over? She was so used to being in battle, it was hard for her to settle. She was at a party with her friends celebrating the end of Monarch, how could things be any better?
Everything was fine. Luka and Jagged’s music filled the space while everyone else laughed and played. So many people she loved were here. She looked around plastering a smile to her face. Her friends were like staccato images of joy that she couldn’t engage with, but she would learn to enjoy this and feel normal again.
---
The screen Markov projected showed the new statue of Gabriel. That was good. Everyone believed he was a hero. That was best for Adrien. He deserved all the happiness and Marinette was determined to protect him at all costs. She ignored the slight headache forming at her temple and smiled at the screen with the others.
--
“You're not wearing it?”
Marinette looked at the rings in Adrien’s hands. She felt sick looking at the rings. They were so small and innocuous yet held the autonomy and the life of the boy she loved. She held her breath as he played with them.
“I don't know if I'll ever manage to be like him.”
The sentence cut through her thoughts. “You don't need to be like him. Just be yourself. Adrien, you're the only one who can decide what you make of your life.”
“You always find the right words, Marinette. When I'm with you, I feel so... free!”
His joy, his presence; that could reach her. “I love you!” they both said – and she felt completely and utterly warmed by his love.
---
Adrien left to get more drinks. She hadn’t had much time to reflect since the final battle. She had been terrified to learn that Adrien was connected to an amok. She’d loved him since he handed her an umbrella in the rain. Taken aback by his kindness, she fell head over heels in love with his gentle and hopeful smile. At first, she fell in love with the idea of him more than the real him, she knew that now. She had learnt so much more about him over the last few months and only loved him more. She had helped him stand up to his father about modelling when she saw how unhappy he was. How much effort did it take him to stand up to his father while he held his amok? She hadn’t realised at the time just how incredible that was for him to do. He amazed her with his strength. She wondered what it would feel like to have your thoughts controlled by others. Would you know? Would it become a part of you? She knew he had fought for his freedom, his humanity. He had fought to go to school, fought to date her and he still fought to make his own choices about his life and find his own way in life. That was why she had no doubt he was fully human, no matter how he had been created.
Alya appeared next to her, hugging her from the side.
“It’s so nice to see you and Adrien together at last!” her friend squealed.
“It is!” Marinette sighed smiling. “He’s so happy” she murmured, looking fondly towards her boyfriend.
“Honestly, I know we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but I’m not surprised he’s happier without Gabriel trying to control him.”
Ice filled Marinette’s veins. “He always tried to be a good father Alya”. She looked into her friend’s eyes. “and you’re right, you shouldn’t speak ill of the dead”.
---
Marinette watched Adrien lay flowers at the statue of his dad. Nino and Alya were with them both, keeping a respectful distance.
“Do you remember when your father hosted us all at Christmas? That was so kind of him.” Marinette said softly.
“Yeah … I do” Adrien replied. “He thought I’d been kidnapped. Honestly, it wasn’t a great night for me.”
Marinette frowned, a headache beginning again. The headaches had been getting steadily worse for weeks now.
“He was making an effort to spend time with you though.” Marinette replied. “Do you remember those pancakes…” she laughed. “I mean, he’s no baker, but he wanted to do something just for you, rather than getting the chef to make them. That was so sweet of him.”
Adrien frowned through a confused smile. “I also remember how you stood up to him about how terrible his pancakes were.” His face softened. “I was so proud of you that day.”
“I was wrong” Marinette said flatly, turning away.
---
School passed in a blur. The new school was exciting she told herself. There was so much opportunity to learn new things. Her future had so many options – she remembered the determination of wanting to be ladybug, design clothes, jewellery, furniture and love Adrien. Now it all felt overwhelming. Could she do it all? She felt like there were new paths she needed to walk, she just had to uncover them.
Alya and Nino were huddled by the stairs, Alya animatedly whispering. “…somethings wrong, I know it”.
Marinette caught Nino’s eye and he gave a start of alarm. Alya suddenly stopped talking.
“Hi Marinette!” they said in unison, their smiles not reaching their eyes. They must still be getting used to peace in Paris, Marinette thought. She had found it hard to adjust too. The end of fighting had affected everyone differently.
---
Marinette could hear screaming. Her heart rate increased – was this an akuma? They still hadn’t found the peacock miraculous.
“Marinette!” Firm hands held her shoulders.
“Marinette, listen to me!” a voice pleaded. That was Chat Noir.
“Chat Noir?” Marinette said, confused. She looked around. What was Chat Noir doing in her room? “What’s happened? Is there an akuma?”
“No Marinette, there’s no akuma.” He looked so distressed, Marinette just wanted to make him feel better. She never wanted her Chaton to look so sad.
“I heard screaming…”
“That…” he choked on his words, “That was you, Marinette”.
---
The classroom again. Marinette wasn’t sure how she got here. Was this her English lesson? Nino was looking over at her. “Where are Alya and Adrien?” she hissed, as quietly as she could.
“Adrien was upset, Alya is helping him. Don’t you remember, Marinette?”
“I… no. I don’t.” Marinette replied. “Why is Adrien upset? Is it because of his father? I should find him and help him. It’s good to focus on the happy memories.”
“I think Alya is the best person to help him at the moment, Marinette” Nino replied. Their teacher looked over pointedly, and Nino looked back at the front of the class.
---
Marinette was in her bedroom. She looked up at Tikki and took a deep, faltering breath.
“Gabriel was such a good man, Tikki”
HEWASN’T
GABRIELWASMONARCH
ITWASHIM
“He always tried to be the best father he could be.”
HETORTUREDADRIEN
HENEGLECTEDHIM
A tear rolled down her face as her head felt like it was tearing itself apart. Tikki laid a small hand on Marinette’s. “Marinette, you won’t be able to fight this” she said sadly.
“What’s happening to me Tikki” Marinette whispered.
“It was the wish. You have to make sure Adrien never knows about the villain that he was and that he remembers the times he tried to be a good father. It became part of the wish. Gabriel never wished that you believe it though. That would have made this easier on you. I’m sorry.”
“What about balance? How is this happening?”
Tikki looked at Marinette with soft eyes. “Adrien has his rings and his freedom. That was enough of an exchange to enact the wish.”
---
Manon was on her way to Marinette's while Nadja Chamack had a late meeting. She had wanted Alya to join her – it had been ages since they had spent time together and whilst babysitting might not be the fun girl’s night they used to have, it could be nice. It would have meant that Alya had to avoid certain topics with Manon present which would have been a benefit. They still chatted at school but there was a distance now.
She looked at her phone messages.
Alya: “I can’t come tonight, I’m so sorry! I have something else I have to do. Lets catch up soon though?”
Manon ran up the stairs to Marinette’s room. “Marinette!” she cried, “Lets play dolls!”
She picked up Monarch in her left hand. “Do you have a doll of my mummy?” she asked.
Marinette giggled, “no I don’t, little monkey. I could make you one though?”
She picked up a teddy. “This can be my mummy tonight” she giggled.
She swooped with the monarch doll and teddy bear. Marinette plastered on her smile as her head ached, throbbing and making her feel sick. Her eyes were trained on the Monarch doll. “My mama’s a hero!” Manon shouted.
“Manon, can you be a little quieter please?” Marinette asked. She could feel her mind starting to slip with the pounding.
“Sorry Marinette. Do you want to play?”
“Not right now” Marinette clung to her chaise lounge trying to stop the shakes that threatened to overwhelm her again. She almost didn’t register Manon’s shouts of delight until she declared, “My mama knows who you are, Monarch! She’s going to tell the World!”
Marinette froze. The pain in her temple increased and she staggered to her door. “Mama!” She called down the stairs.
“Yes sweetheart?” Sabine asked, appearing at the stairs.
The shakes began to subside, as Marinette knew her plan and way forward. She was always calmer when there was a clear plan to follow. “Mama, I need to go out, you have to watch Manon.”
Sabine called as Marinette raced down the stairs, “Marinette, you’ve made a commitment, you can’t just leave…”
But Marinette had already gone.
---
Ladybug sat on a rooftop across from Nadja’s office. She was no stranger to espionage, and tracking Nadja had been easy. Nadja was deeply engaged in conversation with Alya. Marinette felt a sting of betrayal. Alya was working against her. She watched until they left, turning the lights out behind them.
It wasn’t hard to prise open the window on the balcony of the room. Ladybug crept in and looked through the paperwork. They had been diligent. There were dates, times, coincidences and evidence. She saw her names, both Marinette and Ladybug, in the notes. They were investigating her too.
“Lucky Charm” she whispered. A blowtorch appeared in her hands. She made short work of the notes. The pain in her chest and head eased as each sheet of paper curled in flames. The computer was next. The smell of acrid plastic filled the room. Some disk drives in the cupboard could be back ups. They were crushed under her foot. The fire spread from the notes to the window blinds and table and the pain subsided further. She looked around with satisfaction as flames licked the walls.
She had wondered what it would feel like to have your thoughts controlled with an amok and have to enact a command. Now she knew. It felt consuming, the terror of being locked up under actions that you didn’t choose. Wanting to scream and tell the truth but barely being able to think. Watching yourself act and not being able to stop it. Losing time and never being fully present.
Calmness overtook her once more. This secret kept trying to slip out but she wouldn’t let anyone reveal it. She would devote her every moment, every part of her being to eliminate it. This was her path in life now. Gabriel was a hero. He always tried to be a good father and everyone was going to know.
There were still loose ends to wrap up but Ladybug was nothing if not prepared and determined. They would be wrapped up and then she could truly be at peace and she would love Adrien the way he deserved. She would be content at last. Adrien would know what a good father Gabriel had been. She would make sure of it.