The New Guardian

Chapter 1: A New Visitor

Years after obtaining the Ladybug miraculous, defeating Hawkmoth, and graduating high school, Marinette Dupain-Cheng is now 21 and has her own apartment away from her family. While facing several enemies over time, Marinette has also served as guardian of the miraculous, a replacement for Master Fu.

Her apartment was dreary with a dark color scheme and lonely feeling. It was only one room, which had her bed and dresser, a kitchen, living room area and a bathroom off to the side. Marinette laid on her bed, scrolling through her phone, all the kwamis floating around her.

"Hmm." Her thumb slid across the screen. "What do you guys want for dinner?"

"Something sweet." Pollen answered.

"Something spicy." Trixx said.

"Definitely chocolate. Anything chocolate." Duusu squealed.

Marinette rolled off her bed and headed to the kitchen. "Let me see what I have first." She opened the fridge and released a breath. There was only a few ingredients on the shelves, three eggs, and a half gallon of milk. "Not much to work with." She mumbled.

"You don't need to cook us anything, Marinette." Tikki said. "We'll be okay."

"It's fine. I don't mind cooking and if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to talk to you guys." Marinette denied. Tikki sighed. "Since I'm not wearing all of the miraculous, I have to feed you all regularly." She pulled out the milk and poured a glass. "It's not a big deal, so I'll just go to the store."

"Maybe you could invite Alya over." Tikki suggested, flying in front of her. "You haven't hung out with her much since high school."

"I can't do that, Tikki. I have you guys to think of first." She took a sip.

"We can go back in the miracle box for the time being." Tikki replied. "There's nothing to worry about, so surely you can invite your friends over from time to time."

"Yes." Sass slurred. "We'll stay quiet and hidden."

"No need to." Marinette walked back to her bed and grabbed her phone. "As part of being a guardian, I have to focus on the miraculous first and that means no one, but me enters this apartment. No one can even see the box, let alone you guys. It's the least I can do for Master Fu. No friends, no boyfriends, not even family can come in here. It must stay private or else I've failed as a guardian."

"But you still have a life to live, Master." Nooroo advised. "Your job is sacred to us and many others, but it does not take away your humanity."

She grabbed her keys and purse. "I'm an adult now and I have my responsibility to you guys above all else. My high school friends are a close third and my family is put second after you." Marinette made excuses. "Besides, I'd only be lying to them. I could never tell my family or friends anything. The only person I could ever be almost completely honest with was . . . "

"Chat Noir." Tikki finished.

"Yeah . . . " She replied, staring into space.

"Why don't you call him?" Wayzz asked.

Marinette inhaled sharply, dropping her keys. She looked forward in a daze before reaching down to pick them up. "No."

"Aw, but you two were so cute." Duusu cheered. "He was always planning things for you two; all of his gestures. It was so romantic!"

"Chat Noir doesn't love me, Duusu." Marinette stared down.

"Sure he does." Pollen insisted. "After all these years, he only wants you."

"He has a girlfriend last I heard." Marinette stated, playing with her keys. "Chat Noir moved on awhile ago, so I'm sure he's forgotten all about me by now."