A Snap in Time

Chapter 2 (Marinette)

The first thing Marinette noticed when she woke up was the unusual feeling of something changing. Not something as simple as an outfit change, or a hair change, something bigger and unknown.

The uneasy feeling churned her stomach, twisted her gut and caused her heart rate to increase. What was going on?

"Tikki?"

She called out to her kwami, hoping that the small creature could come up with an answer to this feeling.

"Tikki?" She whispered again, keeping her voice at a low volume so as to not wake her parents.

"Marinette? Do you feel that?" The red blob appeared next to her and Marinette attempted to sit up. Her head pounded and she slumped back onto her pillow.

"Gah! My head, what the hell?"

Tikki flew beside her holder, stroking Marinette's hair and helping her to sit up a second time. She'd never felt like this before. This unusual feeling of uncertainty, a feeling of unknowing.

"Marinette, I think we need to go and see Master Fu."

Marinette had finally managed to push herself to sit and slid backwards against the headboard. See Master Fu? Was it that serious?

"Why Master Fu? Do you think it has something to do with my Miraculous? Are you ok Tikki?"

Tikki flew to Marinette's lap and seated herself to look at the young girl.

"Can you remember how Master Fu told you about the ladybug being part of the yin and Yang? And that I had a partner who's been missing?"

Marinette nodded. Master Fu had told her that Tikki was one half of a whole, and how her counterpart, Plagg, was the kwami of destruction. From what had been pieced together over time, it seemed the black cat miraculous, and Plagg, had gone missing. None were sure if it had been lost, stolen or broken, all Master Fu and the other kwami's knew was that Plagg was no longer contactable. He wasn't the only one though. Alongside the black cat miraculous, the butterfly was unaccounted for too, however, they knew this one was being used against its will and to cause destruction over Paris.

"I think he's here, Marinette, I think Plagg is back."

"But why would that affect me?" Marinette asked, finally feeling comfortable enough to step out of her bed and make her way her ladder into the main part of her room.

"I'm not sure about that yet, but if he's here I need to see him. I am at my strongest when he's around."

"After school we'll go and visit Master. If you can feel it, I'm guessing he will too."

She reached into her wardrobe and was about to place on her usual school attire, black skirt, pink blazer and white tee when she stopped. She didn't feel like wearing that today, for the first time in eight months she wanted to break out of her usual fashion and start something new. Raiding her drawers and checking what she had cleaned and hanging up, she chose her outfit and made her way downstairs.

"Morning, sweeti-" Marinette's mother, Sabine, froze as she saw her daughter. She hadn't ever seen Marinette wear trousers to school before, and she never even knew her daughter owned a pair of bright pink capri pants. The pants were matched with a cherry blossom tee and a black blazer and Sabine couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever seen Marinette look more, well, Marinette.

"Marinette," Sabine said, fawning over her daughter, "this is - you look wonderful darling. It's very you."

Marinette did a little spin before seating herself on the breakfast bar.

"Do you think so? I woke up this morning and just fancied a change."

"It's a great one, sweetie," she placed a kiss on Marinette's forehead, "do you want some porridge?"

"Yes, please," Marinette replied, taking the bowl from her mother and adding in a selection of different berries.

Looking on the table she noticed the usual pile of pastries and snagged a couple of macaroons for Tikki, placing them into her hip bag. Her hand continued to hover over the plate, as she contemplated taking a couple of croissants. With no real reason she grabbed two and placed them in her bag, before looking at the plate of cheese and taking two wedges. Tikki looked up from her hiding place perplexed, only to be answered by a shrug from Marinette.

"Marinette, Luka's here." The sound of her father's booming voice sounded up the stairwell and through their currently open door.

"That's my cue," Marinette said, sliding off her chair and kissing her mother on the cheek.

"I'm visiting a friend after school, but shouldn't be back too late."

"Be safe." Sabine replied, as Marinette headed out and down towards the bakery.

She'd been dating Luka for just over two months and it was nice. She wouldn't say the love was burning with desire but she liked to spend time with him. She liked the way he made her feel. Stepping into the bakery she noticed the silence between her father and Luka, both standing around, rocking on the balls of their feet. She kissed her father before moving to the front of the store.

"Hey Luka," she placed a kiss upon his cheek, grabbing his elbow and leading him to the front of the shop and out onto the street.

Luka always forgoed his bike when he came to walk Marinette to school so seeing it resting against the side of the patisserie confused her.

"I've got some morning deliveries to do," he said, taking his helmet off the back of the bike and placing it on his head.

"Oh!" Was all she could muster up. In the two months they'd been dating he'd walked her to school everyday without fail. Suddenly the uneasy feeling in her stomach kicked up a notch as her usual routine had been distracted once again. Suddenly she remembered she was wearing different clothing, and Luka was yet to say anything.

She stood back and positioned her hands at her sides, modelling the outfit to her boyfriend.

"Oh, that's different. You look nice." He bent down and kissed her on the cheek before climbing onto his bike, and pushing off the ground.

"I'll call you later, Mari."

Marinette waved goodbye, before heading to school in a complete daze. Luka always walked her to school, what had changed? Did he not like her anymore? It wasn't as though she was hiding anything from him? As soon as they started dating she revealed herself, and he seemed thrilled. After all, Ladybug was Viperion's partner, she was his partner.

In her confused state she wandered into the school grounds completely missing the blur of golden hair speeding down the steps and into the mass of the crowd.