Miraculous Games

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two:

Mist flooded over Marinette inside of the healing chamber. Adrien rushed forward and put a hand to the glass. He watched as her body relaxed, free from any pain that she had been experiencing. Adrien rested his forehead against the glass and closed his eyes. He could feel his heart climb up in his throat.

"I believe in you, My Lady... I'll take care of things while you're gone. I promise."

"That is very noble of you," Master Fu said, coming up behind the boy. Adrien glanced at the trainer, only to see that his eyes were focused on the pod. "Ladybug is a strong Charm, stronger than most. You needn't worry about her."

Adrien nodded. He tried to swallow the emotional lump that had gotten stuck in his throat as he pulled away from the pod. He glanced at Nathanael's pod, then back to Marinette's. Together till the very end, apparently.

"Sir," Adrien began. "I was wondering if-"

"Where is she? Where's Marinette?"

Master Fu and Adrien turned to find a girl walking into the room. Adrien didn't recognize her in the slightest. She wore a plaid shirt with a white under top and light blue pants to match. Her brown-to-red ombre hair curled over her shoulders, pulled back just enough on her forehead to reveal a beauty mark. She stopped in front of Adrien and Master Fu, her hip popped and glasses perched crookedly on her nose.

"Well?" she asked, glaring at Adrien as if he were the answer to all of her problems.

"I-uh..." Adrien couldn't form any coherent words under the girl's scary gaze, so he merely pointed to the pod. The sassy girl turned her attention to it. Once her gaze fell upon Marinette, her shoulders drooped and she let out a sigh.

"Good, I'm glad she's in healing. I was afraid she was already thrown into a casket."

"Don't worry so much, dudette," said a familiar voice. "You'll give yourself acne."

Adrien cringed. Only one person he knew would come up with something like that. He glanced over the girl's shoulder and smiled as Nino waltzed up, putting an arm around the new girl's shoulders, holding a jacket in that hand.

"Nice to see you, man," Adrien said and held up a fist. Nino smiled.

"You too, bro." They fist bumped. Nino gestured at the jacket. "And, hey, I figured you would need this. It seemed a little too important to keep at the 'crime scene'." He made air quotes with his fingers. Adrien chuckled and took the jacket from him.

"Thanks, Nino."

Master Fu bowed to the two arrivals. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. May I learn your names so we may become acquainted?"

The girl smiled and held out a hand. "Alya Cesaire."

The trainer dipped his head as he took her outstretched hand. "I am Master Fu, trainer for the Charms."

"Sweet, dude. Sounds like it's a crazy job." Nino shook hands with the old man. "Name's Nino Lahffie. I'm this dude's number one bro." He elbowed Adrien playfully and the two shared a smile.

"Have you two come alone?" Master Fu questioned.

Alya shook her head. "No. Marinette's parents are here, but they're just talking to the other Charms out there." She jabbed a thumb toward the door, referring to the training room.

"Ah, I see. Would you be so kind to go and fetch them? I would like to discuss something with them." He glanced at Adrien, but just long enough for it to be suspicious. Nino and Alya nodded, then left the room. Before he left, however, Nino shot one last look back at Adrien as if to ask, 'you need anything?". His friend shook his head and waved him on. Nino took the hint and left.