Forbidden Love

Chapter 16

A shroud of purple smoke and mist flew over Lady Misfortune, leaving a shaking Marinette. The dagger had disappeared along with the costume, but the pain and anguish stayed tight in her heart. The akuma purified its own self and flew away, a now white butterfly.

The blood refused to stop flowing out of Adrien and his barely living body.

"I'm sorry." She whispers, her voice to dead to yell.

"What did you do!?" Plagg yelled in frustration, a glowing aura of anger beaming from him.

"I-I'm sorry!" She cried, cradling his head in hers.

"What were you planning on doing, Ladybug?!" Plagg says with desperation, flying down to his owner and checking for his beating heart.

"I d-don't know.." I whispered, frozen in shock and pain.

"You're supposed to be Ladybug! Protector of the kingdom!" Plagg angrily snaps.

Marinette flinches at his yells and snaps. She knows she deserves it, but didn't think it would be this harsh.

Tikki appeared out from the shadows and held a small roll in her hands.

"I'm sorry! I'm too late!" Tikki yelped, rushing towards them.

Plagg flew at her and pulled her into a tight embrace, his face was directed away from Tikki and Marinette, refusing to allow them to see him tear up at his owner.

"It's okay." Tikki says softly, stroking her small flap of a hand down his back.

"What do I do?" Marinette murmurs to herself.

The tears had slowly dried and hardened on her clear face. The tears that fell onto her dress left stains of tears.

"Oh! Marinette, here, this could reverse your wrong." Tikki floats over with the roll in her hand.

"What is this..-" Marinette questions.

"It is the box we found about some form of magic to fix a wrong." Tikki explains, handing her the box.

With little hesitation, she opened the roll and saw a small note, but this time it was different from its last writing.

'Marinette Dupain-Cheng, you have been given a dark curse. Use it only if you depend on it terribly. To enact the curse, follow the below instructions.'

"Is this worth it?" Tikki asked worriedly, glancing over at Plagg as he sits sadly on Adrien's head.

His chest was rising and falling slower and slower by the moment. Stepping closer to death.

"Of course it's needed. Ladybug will have to pay the price of the life she took." Plagg snapped, glaring at Marinette.

Tikki bit her lip, not having a clue on what to do.

"I'll do it." Marinette whispers, pulling out the small vial hidden at the end of the parchment.

The vial has the small words of instructions.

'Pour the liquid onto your hands and then place your hand on the ground. Ignore any burning sensations and keep a strong hold. In about a few seconds afterwards, things will change.'

Marinette glances over to Plagg who is lightly brushing his padded hand on Adrien's forehead. Tikki floated near her, doubting this idea but not saying a word.

Nobody else was there to egg her on or stop her. Tell her to do it. Reject her choices. It's just dead silence and the two glowing Kwamis along with her.

Marinette took the cork off the lid and stared at the purple liquid inside. It gave off a light shimmer as the moonlight hits it.

With a gulp, she poured the liquid onto her hands, starting with the left and then Tikki helped her with the right.

The burning feeling began as it hit her hands. The fiery burns felt like searing heat, making her hands shake.

A soft whimper came from her throat as she lowered her hands onto the cool grass. The purple liquid went into the grounds and spread fast. It grew off the ground and created clouds of purple smoke that enveloped the whole kingdom. Marinette flew herself at Adrien and held his head, whispering soft words to herself.

Her eyes shut tight and her hands wrapped around Adrien. Screams came from the background, but they were washed away with the new worries growing in Marinette.

A cool breeze flew around her and everything went white. A blindingly bright color.

The bluenette's eyes fluttered open as she searched her surroundings.

A being in a white hooded cloak came to her. Their hands were wrapped inside the sleeves and their face wasn't visible except for the blood red lips.

"Marinette Dupaun-Cheng, is this what you wish for?" They spoke.

Their voice was as if three spoke through one.

"Yes, I'll do anything and everything to fix what I've done." She responds.

The cloaked spirit nodded and walked away. Soon as they were out of view, the world warped again.

The bluebell eyed girl dropped to the ground and held her hands over her head.

In just seconds, everything passed again.

Marinette found herself in a strange room. It looked similar to her room but there was a computer and a large desk underneath her bunk.

She looks down at herself, confused. No longer was the bluenette wearing a dull pinkish dress. Instead she was wearing pink jeans, a white shirt with flower stitches, and a dark gray blazer. Her hair was in her two pigtails and her earrings were still in tact.

Everything jolted into her mind. Tikki, Plagg, Adrien.

She searches her room for any signs of them. Nothing.

"Tikki!" She whispered, stumbling around her room.

"I'm right here!" The ladybug Kwami responds, flying up and stares around the room,

"We're not in Parisia anymore." Tikki murmurs, rubbing her arm.

"I've noticed." Marinette whispers.

"Where's Adrien?" She asks, her eyes filled with worry and panic.

"I went and found him and Plagg, they're both fine. But Plagg says he doesn't know where Parisia is, he thinks this is the real world." Tikki explains.

"If that's true then-" Marinette says to herself.

"You, Master Fu, and the kwamis are the only ones unaffected by the curse." Tikki finishes her statement.