I promise to bring you back

5 - Call me Ladybug

Word count: 1129

"So, you're Tikki?" I asked the little Kwami.

"Yup! That's me! Pleased to meet you-" She looked at me with a questioning look, she doesn't know my name yet.

"Marinette."
"Oh yes, pleased to meet you Marinette!"

Tikki was super sweet. She talked me through the whole superhero thing. She verbally taught me about how to use my powers, she taught me about what I have the power to do, and about how to activate my powers. I just have to say 'Tikki, spots on!' and I'll transform into ladybug.

I didn't realize the time until class started in 5 minutes. I quickly packed my bag and rushed to school. I sat down in my seat just before the bell rang, and Alya greeted me with a warm smile. It felt great to have someone I could actually talk to and sit with in my class.

Lessons today were boring, and in science I almost zoned out. That was, until just before classes started after lunch. Chloe was causing her usual mischief, making fun of Ivan for something. I saw her walk away and give something to Kim, and whispered something to him. Kim has been in love with Chloe for as long as I can remember, so he obviously listened. Not even two seconds later, Kim gave Ivan what Chloe had given him and he kind of lost it. Miss Bustier sent Ivan to the office after not knowing that Kim and Chloe had started it all, which only made the situation worse.

Ivan stormed out and headed to the principal's office just as the bell dismissed us for lunch. Alya and I went back to my house to eat our lunch. We got some croissants and ate some beet salad and fresh fruit that my mom had prepared for us. We sat up in my room, and had the TV on for some background noise. I went to the bathroom, and when I came back I saw Alya staring at the TV, like a little kid would watch their favourite show before bedtime. She looked at me and motioned for me to sit next to her and watch what was going on.

On the TV, I saw a new supervillain being broadcasted on the news by Nadja Chamack, Paris' most renowned news reporter. This super villain's name was Stoneheart, and nobody is sure how or when he got here, they just knew he was destroying paris.

I saw Alya start running towards my trap door to leave, "Where are you going?" I asked her.

"Oh come on Mari! Where there's a supervillain there'll be super heroes! There's no way I'm missing out on that!"

And just like that, she was gone. I continued watching the broadcast, and they stated that school would be out for the rest of the day to keep the kids safe. I saw Tikki sitting on my desk next to my TV, and she looked at me.

"You know what you have to do, Marinette."

Those words rang throughout my ears and mind. This supervillain was way too powerful, there was no way I'd be able to defeat him. All of that confidence I had gained when I put the earrings on just earlier that day was completely gone. This supervillain was roaming Paris' streets, destroying everything he came close to. The news showed the police barricading the villain and shooting at him once he got too close. The damage had only made him grow stronger.

Then, I saw a flash of black take over the screen, and what looked like a blond haired boy in a cat costume fly by. Tikki was telling me that I had to go out and help him, but I just felt so powerless. There was no way I'd be able to defeat this villain, with or without the costume. I took off my earrings, and I saw Tikki vanish with them. I put the earrings back into the box, and the box into my desk drawer, then I continued watching the news.

I watched as the cat boy was fighting him, but he was struggling since he couldn't hurt him in any way, he would just grow stronger if he did. I couldn't stand seeing what responsibility I had given up, so I shut off my TV and laid down. I was planning on just sleeping it all away, until my phone started buzzing. It was Alya. I picked up and she sounded frantic. She could barely speak to me, but I made out some of the words she was saying;

"Help Marinette, I'm trapped."

I turned the news back on and saw she was trapped beneath a car that was thrown against a wall. The police were there trying to help her, but they couldn't get the car to budge. I couldn't fight the supervillain, but I needed to go help Alya. Who says that if I put on the ladybug miraculous, I have to help with the villain issue. I'd still be doing a good thing by helping out a local civilian.

I grabbed my miraculous out of my desk, and as soon as I opened the box, Tikki came flying back out. She told me she knew I'd make the right decision. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I wasn't helping with the supervillain, only with freeing Alya. I shouted the transformation words, and I flew off of my balcony towards Alya.

When I got to her, I saw the police still trying to free her. I ran over, and with the help of my yo-yo, I got the car lifted enough to help her escape, then as soon as she was free, I let go with a sigh of relief. The car was not nearly as heavy as I was expecting it to be, maybe super strength was a feature that came with the miraculous? I looked at Alya's hopeful eyes before I turned away and was about to head home.

"Where are you going, superbug?"

I hesitated, I didn't want her to be disappointed in me. "I've done my part here, now it's time for me to go."

"But you're a superhero! You have to help Paris when it's under attack!"

I looked back at her when she said that, "I'm sorry, I'm just not cut out for this..."

I began to throw my yo-yo when she grabbed my arm, "Superbug, please do it, do something. Paris needs you."

Something in her voice made me change my mind. I don't know if it was the pleading, or if it was the kind and reassuring look she gave me. Either way, I knew I had to do this.

As I was flying away, I shouted back "Call me Ladybug!"