Dark Coccinelle

Chapter 8 - The Truth

A/N: Yay, I'm finally back with the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!

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It was him all along and he said he loves me

Don't listen to him, he's lying, he loves Kagami

But he says he loves me!

He's lying!

Why would he lie?

To lure you away and take your powers

I don't think he's lying

But what if he is?

Marinette was arguing with herself but decided she did not care if this was a trap. She used all her strength and determination to shut out Hawkmoth and purify the akuma inside of her. If Adrien ...or Chat Noir truly is still here and he still believes in me, she decided, It's still worth living in the shadows of other people. She was already in control of herself but to shut Hawkmoth out completely wouldn't be as easy.

She knew from the start that she could 'purify herself' (she guessed it was a power because she was Ladybug) but so far she didn't have enough strength or, mainly, determination to try. After learning there was still someone on her side she felt determined to show him she was good, not evil.

She had a hard, determined look on her face as Adrien walked towards her, defenseless but positive she wouldn't attack him.

She suddenly fell towards the floor and Adrien had to run to catch her before she hit the hard ground. The purple bubbles surrounded her transforming her back to her normal self.

She looked up at his face with a little, loving smile on her lips, "Thank... you..." Was the last thing she could say before she fell into soft and peaceful blackness. She felt drained after using her power to free herself. Finally peace...

Adrien first panicked as she slowly closed her eyes but soon realised she had only fainted. This girl is amazing, he thought as he slowly picked her up.

There was a small groan which issued from Marinette's earrings before there was a bright red flash and a small creature flew out and flopped on top of Marinette. "Is someone there?"

Adrien recognised the little kwami's voice from the few times they had met.

"Tikki! It's me Adrien."

Tikki slowly opened her eyes and looked at the boy, "Thank goodness it's you," She said, happy to see him.

"Hey Sugarcube," Plagg was floating next to Adrien.

"Don't call me-" She stopped as she saw the unconscious Marinette in Adrien's arms. "She fought back the akuma! I was next to her when the akuma came to her. She agreed to Hawkmoth and I couldn't stop her! I got sucked in her earrings and was stuck in there while she was akumatized." She looked like she was at the verge of tears, "I could hear what Marinette was thinking and how the akuma encouraged her," She shivered, "It was horrible."

Plagg flew over to Tikki and gave her a hug, "It's okay, it wasn't your fault. You know that it's literally impossible to stop someone being akumatized while they're already communicating with Hawkmoth. Mainly if they were affected hard by negativity."

Adrien was amazed at how gentle Plagg was being with Tikki. He certainly hadn't met this side of him.

Tikki was nodding along to what Plagg was saying. Then she looked at Marinette in awe and smiled, "This girl is amazing, I've never heard of anyone fighting an akuma when it's taken over their body."

Adrien smiled, "Your right, she is absolutely amazing and I love her."

Tikki looked at him, "Have you told her that?" As Adrien nodded she continued, "That was probably the reason that gave her enough determination to return. She was weak, the only thing that could save her was determination." She looked down sadly, "She feels like she has no one she can truly tell everything the way it is. She really couldn't handle the pressure and the pain she was going through together." She looked up at him, "So I thank you to relieve her of the pain and bringing more happiness to her life."

Adrien smiled at her when, "Are you guys done? I've had enough lovey-dovey stuff to last me a lifetime."

Both of them frowned at Plagg. I guess he has his limits, was what Adrien thought when Plagg went to hide behind him, making sure to keep quiet now.

Tikki spoke up, "We should probably bring her home and let her rest. Tell her parents she is stressed and she needs some days off school." She now looked him hard into his bright, green eyes, "And we'll let Alya and Nino in on the truth, to help Marinette adapt when she gets back." She continued, "There shouldn't be need to reveal her identity but you should probably go as Chat Noir and tell them about Lila's lies and anything else you think is important. They will hopefully also try to convince the class."

He nodded, and then stopped, "What about the city?" He looked at Tikki, "I mean there's no one to do "Miraculous Ladybug" and clean it up."

Tikki nodded, "Yeah usually that would be quite disastrous but this akuma didn't hurt anyone or anything, thanks to Marinette," She smiled, "So there's no need to do anything."

"Ok, thanks Tikki," then called, "Plagg, Claws out!" Before heading towards Marinette's home, Tikki dropping into Marinette's purse.

He knocked at the apartment door and as Mr. Dupain-Cheng opened the door he let out a gasp, "Marinette! What happened? Is she all right?" He was obviously worried.

"Hello Mr. Dupain-Cheng, your daughter Marinette was akumatized. She is such a strong person she was able to shut the akuma out after a while. She is considerably stressed and should not go to school for a few days to calm down from all the things she had to do. Question her only when she is ready." Chat Noir has decided to be firm and straightforward with Mr. Dupain-Cheng and he added, "Let her sleep. Tell her I will visit her as soon as she feels up to it. Is that okay with you Mr. Dupain-Cheng?"

He nodded and asked, "Will she be alright?" As Chat Noir nodded he added, "Thank you Chat Noir and please, call me Tom."

Chat Noir smiled, "It was a pleasure Mr- I mean Tom." He gave a little bow and walked out of the shop. Next destination, Alya's place.

As he knocked on the door Alya answered and was pleasantly surprised to find a super hero standing in front of her. She immediately said, "Come in! How can I help you?"

Chat kept it simple, "Is Nino here?" Alya nodded and led him to Nino sitting on the couch in the middle of the living room. He looked surprised but Chat requested both of them to sit down and started pacing up and down in front of the two. "How can we help you?" Alya had the courage to speak up.

Chat looked at her, "I want you to listen and believe the truth."