Trust Takes Moments to Break, But Time to Create

7-Marinette

Going for our lunch break, I feel myself only half in reality. This is incredibly rough. I have no clue how to do half of the online work that I've been tasked to do. I can feel my stomach churning, and I barely take some berries and a croissant. I'm not hungry, I'm just confused, slightly heartbroken, and conflicted. I knew this was bound to happen. After believing all the lies of Lila Rossi, no doubt they set this up. Not wanting to talk much, I sit alone in the corner of the large library so I can learn more in the computer training in the computers in the library. 

"May I speak with you Marinette?" I turn from the training program on the screen to see Felix. My eyebrows raise before I sigh, and turn the computer off. "What is it Felix?" He hands me a disc. "What is this?" 

"A recording of an interview I believe it would be best for you to see." I give him a weird look, take the disc, turn on the computer, put my earbuds in, and listen. My heart sinks. 

What would you like us to know about your daughter?

She used to be the pride and job of our lives. Her love for designing and helping others always brought joy. Until her behavior changed.

Changed how?

She started bullying this classmate named Lila Rossi. Her old friends and teachers began telling us about her actions. When we asked our daughter about it, she promptly denied it saying that Lila was lying about her. We would have believed her if it wasn't for a video that was sent of her punching and kicking the girl, throwing insults into her face in the restroom of the school telling the poor girl they were at war.

What would you like us to do about this?

Take her to your school and get her out of our house. Make sure she doesn't get into the fashion industry. Maybe Production Assistant or something, I don't know! Just away from us. She's brought dishonor to our family.

I believe that can be arranged.

Thank you. It was nice meeting up with you.

You as well Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. 

I take the disc out, and power the computer off. I feel my mental wards grow stronger and higher by the minute. Of course. Why am I not surprised? At this point, I should've guessed that my abilities in fashion were not up to scratch but due to their desperation to get rid of me, they send me off being promised to go to an area that I will certainly fail in. Why must Lila have won? Why does this always have to happen? 

"Can you explain why your parents are like this? Is it true?" I chuckle dryly, not daring to let another Agreste mess with me. I learned my lesson the first time. "It's called the pain of being lied about. Now, leave me alone. I've had to deal with your younger twin, I don't need another Agreste poking and prodding at me." Suddenly, I feel quite claustrophobic. Standing up to leave, Felix's voice stops me. 

"I am not Adrien. My twin is a spineless coward who tries to make everyone hold hands and always happy. Do not confuse me for such a personality because I can assure you, that is not who I am." I look back at him, no doubt my eyes are dull. I'm tired, exhausted even, of all the pain I've been through. "You will need to prove it, because you sure as hell won't be getting blind trust from me." I can see, for the first time, an expression that reminds me of Cat Noir. His eyes show determination. 

"I wouldn't have it any other way." The reminder of Cat Noir causes me to rush out, desperate for something. Some feeling of adrenaline or the wind in my face, or my partner cheering my up as always with his silly puns and personality. Something. I'm desperate for something. This day has been endless and it is only lunch. Great. 

Then I hear screaming. 

A crash. 

Maniacal laughter that sounds oddly familiar. 

Maniacal laughter from two people, a man and woman no doubt. 

I feel Tikki in my purse, moving on my leg, an indicator that tells me Code Butterfly, an akuma attack. Now I'm running. Rushing to the restroom where I can hide in a stall and no one can see me transform. Once I'm hidden away, I allow Tikki to come out. 

"You know the words Mare." 

"Tikki, Spots On!" The magic flows through me as I transform into Ladybug. But once I'm at the scene of the crime, my heart sinks in dread. Two people, a man and a woman as I predicted, are dressed clad black and purple, but their faces are utterly recognizable. 

"We are the Shadows! We are done with seeing those who are disrespectful! We will bring peace! Once harmony is restored to this world, Ladybug and Cat Noir will be fallen, and Hawkmoth will reign!" I watch in horror at the faces I have never forgotten, the faces I didn't believe I'd see again. 

The akumatized victims are Sabine and Tom Dupain-Cheng.