Ladybug & Cat Noir Identity Reveal

16 - Marinette / Ladybug

Marinette didn't want to get up. This week had just been a little too much for her, and she wanted to spend her Saturday sleeping through everything. Unfortunately, the Kwami's had other plans for her.

She woke up to the sounds of Tikki and the other Kwami's rattling around and she sat up to see them all convening at her desk. To her surprise, even Plagg, Sass, Trixx and Wayzz were there.

Marinette had been about to ask what they were doing when she overheard their words, "They're ready." "It's time." "Hawkmoth must be defeated." "They need it!"

She watched for a moment longer, before Tikki appeared beside her, "What are you doing up Marinette?" 

Marinette started, "Well, it's hard to sleep when you guys are making so much noise."

"Sorry about that, we were just talking about top-secret Kwami stuff. You know how it is," Plagg said as he joined Tikki.

Marinette just rolled over, "Well, just be a little quieter, some of us need our beauty sleep."

They flew off, but Marinette could still hear them all whispering. It didn't matter, she wasn't thinking about anything today. Not her upcoming final exams, not her parents' concerns about moving out of Paris because of the akuma attacks, not about being Ladybug and certainly not about how Luka was moving to the United States. 

It had all happened so fast, one night she'd gone to see his bands concert in town, and the next thing she knew a music producer had offered him the chance to come work in America to get his music off the ground. 

Marinette had been devastated, she'd finally realised that she was in love with him, only for him to be presented with the most amazing opportunity ever. She hadn't wanted to be the one to stand between him and his dream though, and had encouraged him to go for it. It had been heartbreaking the night he'd come to her as Viperion too, trying to give back the miraculous. Ladybug had refused, he could keep it, at least until he left. 

They'd promised to keep in touch, but he'd also told said that he thought it would be best if they broke up too. He didn't want it to be too hard on either of them while he was away, and long-distance relationships were hard. She'd agreed, and they'd broken up, both of them crying as they said goodbye. 

He'd continued to show up at the akuma attacks, being an excellent member of the team, but it had been so hard fighting alongside him, trying to keep her feelings in check. She hadn't told anyone yet either, it was just too painful to say. 

No. Today was no thinking. Only sleeping. Marinette pulled the covers over her head, as the sweet waves of darkness again rolled over her. 

***

She woke again a little after 2pm, and Tikki was there in an instant. "I'm sorry about this morning, Plagg was the one to call the meeting, we didn't think it would take so long. How are you feeling now?"

Marinette sighed, "How do you think? My boyfriend is travelling half-way around the world right when I realise that I really love him."

Tikki hugged Marinette, "I really am so sorry. A hero's life is never easy, you've done so well Marinette."

Thinking quickly, Marinette changed the subject before she burst into tears again, "What about you guys, what was the meeting about?"

Tikki hovered above Marinette, "When heroes get older and more mature, they mature in their powers too. However, it goes both ways – the Kwami's must agree to let you power up too. You've already sort of met your future self, so you'll know that you can stay transformed indefinitely once you've used your special power."

"My lucky charm," Marinette said, sitting up, eager to hear more. 

Tikki nodded, "We were discussing whether we thought you guys were ready or not. We think you are. But we've also seen how powerful Hawkmoth is, and we're worried that even with the team you've put together, you'll need more help. Hawkmoth and Mayura can creat armies, so you need one too."

Marinette nodded, "Alright, so I have to give out more miraculous? Chat Noir is going to hate this idea."

"Which is why Plagg is going to convince him, and why we are too. I think it's time you try out your new transformation. It allows you to use your lucky charm, but it also comes with a staff that you can use to create things with. Your thoughts are your limit Ladybug, you'll be able to create anything you can imagine."

Marinette blinked, "Really? But are you sure...I'm not exactly in the right headspace today, if you haven't already noticed." 

Tikki smiled, "It's alright. If you don't want to you don't have to, I just thought it would be a good distraction. Besides, I know you've been thinking about Chat Noir quite a bit since he came to your roof a few weeks ago. It might be good to get out and about. See him..." 

Marinette gave Tikki her best, 'you can't be serious' look, before rolling her eyes and climbing out of bed. "Alright, what now?"

"You say, 'PowerTikki, spots on!'" Tikki said excitedly. 

Marinette prepared herself, "PowerTikki, spots on!" The transformation usually only took a second, and she was done in a flash of light. This time though, it took a little longer, a pink light engulfing her until it died out in a flash. 

Once finished, Marinette held out her hands to admire her new suit, before remembering she had a full-length mirror.

Standing in front of it, she gasped, "Oh wow." Her suit was still mostly red with black polka-dots, but now, it was black in a number of places, with a red sheen in the light. Her forearms and hands were black now, as well as her shoulders, and from the knees down, making it look like she was wearing black gloves and boots. 

Her hair was different too, instead pulled into a high ponytail with red highlights, and two red ribbons sprouting up from it like antennae. She still had her yo-yo, but Tikki was right about the staff that now hung by her side. It was pretty small, a little longer than her hand. It was completely black, with four red buttons on it, one turned it into a baton, one turned it into a shield and another turned it into a spear. The final button turned it into another yo-yo, perhaps so she could use it while her other yo-yo was the lucky charm. 

After admiring herself for another moment, Longg, the dragon Kwami appeared, "Are you ready to go see Chat Noir yet? We have little time to hesitate."

Marinette nodded, "Yeah, I'll see you all soon.

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