Bug Bites

Chapter | Thirty-Seven

There was no other way.

It's what kept repeating itself like a never ending mantra in her head. Marinette had faith in those four words, yet there was still the embedding bittersweet moment in her core. Especially as her blue eyes observed over the railing in Avengers Campus looking down into the lab that Tony, Bruce, and Rocket occupied assembling the stones to the gauntlet.

She couldn't help it, just knowing that these moments were precious with everyone. There was no telling if it would be the same after they tried using the gauntlet. Even then if whoever was the one snapping their fingers would even survive the ordeal. Marinette supposed that growing pit in her stomach was the feeling of the change about to come. One of those traits she had being this supposed Enchantress figure.

It was an odd feeling learning she had a predestined life, an actual sense of duty. She wondered often if it was even fair, especially learning more how vast this galaxy was. Being to a different planet, it wasn't too hard to accept that it may be an actual thing. Especially since there were other beings who also had a predestined life or came from a myth like herself. Like the Scarlet Witch.

Two years ago she had heard that name from Agatha when she did her late night birthday visit. Then she was never heard from again, and as much as it relieved Agatha- it worried her. Agatha was an enigma to Marinette, always popping up when she alone in her own mind and off guard. Yet never often. She remembered how much chaos the Dark Hold emitted, but yet she never told anyone about those encounters. There was no right reason, no reason that would ever explain why that was okay instead of reporting it too Wong. That she, a student of the Mystic Arts, saw the missing Dark Hold and yet said nothing.

Stephen would be disappointed, but she was sure he had those moments only he could be the one to understand. Who knows, maybe in an alternate universe in the multiverse she took Agatha up on her offer of temptation of getting Peter back with the vast dark magic in that book. Maybe there was a chance she was fine or totally corrupted. Not on this Earth, she had to do what was right by Tikki. Right by the kwamis.

A soft sigh left her lips thinking about the kwamis, how they declared negating the property of the Infinity Stones after the snap to prevent anymore risks of misuse. To end the Order the Miraculous and save her from the cruel fate Master Fu had paid for as Guardian. Her heart twisted sharply knowing these moments were their last, a pain that she couldn't quite describe. Knowing that her friends were basically saying goodbye to a part of themselves.

Not long ago was she saying how her life goal was to rebuild the Order, and make this world a better place for Morgan. She never thought that kwamis would be gone so soon from her life, just when she was accepting her role. It felt like failure in a sense, but a selfish wave of relief of the responsibility burdened being lifted.

Deciding to move along from watching them in the lab, Marinette made her way over to one of the common areas where the others currently were. All the kwamis were out of the box, snacking on whatever it was the so desired. On the house by Tony of course, and Plagg was not one to pass on a prime opportunity.

Even Trixx was back, sent back by Alya actually. The former holder of the illusion kwami respectfully declined Marinette's invitation to join in New York via letter. Explaining that she still felt guilt for the part she played and wished to atone and heal on her own time. She wanted to find her calling, and she needed to do that first at home.

Chloe was getting all the time she could with Pollen in, and watching them brought a sense of guilt to Marinette that she couldn't prevent this from happening. Yet she was overruled on this one by the kwamis, and as much as they say they don't feel emotions Marinette couldn't help but see a little act of love in their actions.