The BATS in Paris

Chapter One: Akumatized

(POV MARINETTE)

A few weeks have passed since Marinette Dupain-Cheng lost everything. It started with friends, who turned against her because of Lila's lies. Next went her family, after a Hawkmoth attack, which causes the bakery to burn down. She couldn't save the people that mattered to her the most. She couldn't save anyone. So she gave up her miraculous. 

After all, what's the point of being a superhero if you can't save anyone?

Now Marinette wakes up everyday in a cold, dusty orphanage, with the beds beside her filled with kids so much younger than her. She felt out of place, which was only natural for her because she never fit in anywhere. She was too old to get adopted, and to top it all off, the orphanage was founded by the Mayor; Chloé Bourgeois's dad.

She hated me because I was better than her at everything.

"Except at keeping your parents alive," Françine, that nasty girl with red hair said to me while reading over my shoulder as I scribbled into my diary. She also hated me for no reason... sometimes she'd push me down the stairs when I wasn't looking... but I'm so clumsy and sometimes just fall down myself! 

I turn to look at her, tears welling up in my eyes. Stammering, I say "W-wh... Why would you say that, Françine?" I don't give her time to respond, as I grab my journal -- it's not a diary!!! -- and rush out the room, my cheeks tearstained, as tears drip down them. 

As I run out of the orphanage, I find solace in my headphones, slipping them on to block out the outside world. Everyone looked at me as I ran because I'm so beautiful. I keep my gaze to myself as my feet pick up the pace. 

A flash of purple sticks out from my grey surroundings. As I hear a whisper in my ear, my eyes focus in on violet butterfly  approaching my diary, a gift left behind by my mother. No!

"Hello this is Hawkmoth, I can sense your bad vibes... in exchange for good vibes, I ask for one thing..."

Clutching my head I fall to the ground, my sacred diary falling into a nearby puddle. I'm in so much distress I can't save it.

Interrupting him, I scream. "DON'T TALK TO ME!!! IT'S YOUR FAULT MY PARENTS ARE DEAD!!! YOUR FAULT!!! ALL!! YOUR!!! FAULT!!!" As my wails ascend into the skies, I hear a thump behind me. Hawkmoth goes to speak again, but I can't hear him finish his sentence because I'm filled with warmth as a hand touches my shoulder.

"I can't believe I have to do this... father, you will make it up to me." The boy tuts under his breath before speaking to me. I shoot a look up to the rooftop to follow his gaze, but I can't see anyone there. 

There's a moment of awkward silence while I try to combat the man in my head. The boy hesitates, clearly not having any experience with affection and comforting. "You.... are... you alright...?" 

... Clearly not!

I reach out for the hand he offers, grasping onto it desperately, in need of something to ground me. The boy recoils at my sudden movements, but stays. After a few moments of heavy breaths, the akuma leaves me. I can hear Hawkmoth scream "NO!!!!!" in the distance.

I look up, meeting the stoic boy's face. The whites of his green domino mask hide his expression, and all I can see is his lips pressed into a flat line. It's only then that I notice the rain, sticking the boy's hair to his forehead. 

"Are you alright now?" He asks as the rain pours down onto us. It's then, that he pulls out an umbrella from the yellow belt around his waist, and holds it above us.

"Wow," I say, a little out of breath from recent events. "It's like you read my mind." 

"Tt. It does not take a genius to think that you would want to be dry." 

"Well... I didn't need your help... whatever your name is!" I say, matching his energy. As Ladybug... I developed the abilities of an empath. But he doesn't know that. He probably doesn't even know who Ladybug is. Or was. After all, she's in the past. This unnamed boy... he's in the present.

"Robin." The boy huffs, both hands occupied, one by the umbrella, the other one in my own hand. I drop it, completely forgetting I was still holding on, and I can feel my cheeks heating up. Weirdly, I notice him frown a little. I decide not to mention it.

"Like the bird? They went extinct in the French area after one of Hawkmoth's attacks... what are you doing here?" My Ladybug instincts break through, and I have to investigate this... who is this new hero in Paris? Did Chat Noir call for backup after I disappeared?

"Investigating." It feels like the stop being so nosy was implied. As I interrogate Robin, I study his face, noticing every time he answers me, he looks a little shy. That's my typical affect on men. 

I ask him a few more questions which he shuts down instantly. I huff, pouting my lips cutely, making him hesitate. I ask him his age, and thankfully, my gracious looks won him over.

"Twenty." Gasp, for a boy who seems so secretive... he'd compromise his identity... for me? 

"I'm twenty!" I answer. I wonder who's older by the month... I always loved older men... "Oh-- drats! I gotta get to my job!" I turn around to run towards the coffee shop, when I feel the gloved hand grab my arm. 

"Wait--"

"I really can't stay, Robin, I gotta get to my job so I can provide money for the orphanage..."

He tilts his head. "You donate to orphanages?" 

"No... my parents are dead, so I live there..." Internally, I think that he wouldn't understand... but I don't dare to say it.

"Before you go, what's your name? I need-- I need it for my report."

Report? He's gonna write about me? I feel my heart flutter. "...Marinette, Marinette Dupain-Cheng." I say with pride, before leaving the mystery boy to himself in the rain.

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(POV ROBIN)

I watch her walk away, berating myself for hesitating so much around her. I tut, this isn't like me... why am I feeling like this? I tuck the umbrella back into my utility belt... I had wanted her to take it, but I guess she did not need it. Patrolling so much... the rain and cold never bothered me anyway. 

Marinette...

Such a familiar name... I believe there was a Marinette in the League of Assassins, where I was raised and trained before I was taken in by my father. To think that we are the same age, and she's already been through so much... I cannot believe she was able to resist the akuma. I haven't seen that before. And I've been here for a whole two days now. 

She's special.

I don't realize when Batman approaches. He has the ability to catch even me off guard, not that I would admit it. My expert training in the League has given me the ability to disguise my surprise.

"You were speaking with her awfully long." Father remarks. "Report?"

"I'm going to tail her. She spoke of an orphanage. I wish to find out which one." I say, puffing out my chest. I am growing tired of father trying to hold me back. 

"No, you won't." 

"Father, I am twenty. I do not need to be supervised."

"Hn." He grunts, which I've learned to interpret as the man's approval.

I hear the wind rustle my cape as I fire the grappling to follow her. 

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AUTHORS NOTE:

haiii guys... as some of you may know (unless youre new to my page!!! welcome!!) i have recently been admitted to the hospital. i have some freetime while they prep my 4 different surgeries... so i thought id write a fic for you all !!! recently, ive been looovving miraculous and watching the show on the tiny box tv they have for me!! i dont know when the next chapter will be because i have 12 surgeries upcoming... after i got ran over by a freight train while trying to collect my lost lottery ticket, which i had in my among us backpack that fell on the tracks...

dont worry though! i got it. i didnt win anything though :/ besides the hospital stay haha

but dont worry!! ill persevere!! 

watch out for my next chapter!! xoxo ur fav writer