Little Ladybug Wishes

New Marinette, Same Ladybug

It was Saturday. Marinette sat in her nursery, coloring a coloring book. Tikki floated above her, watching in wonder. She was amazed at how childish Marinette was, and yet, how much stronger Ladybug was because of it.

At the sound of footsteps, Tikki took cover under Marinette's pillow. Tom entered the room. "Marinette, you have a visitor." Master Fu walked in, and Tom left them.

"Hi, Master." Marinette chirped cheerfully. Master Fu chuckled lightly. "What's this I hear about a new school?"

Before Marinette could answer, Tikki floated in front of her. "Don't worry, Master. It's not too different from Marinette's old school. She can still find private places to transform." Master Fu nodded. Security at schools for disabled children was very tight. He had wondered if Marinette could still transform.

"During yesterday's akuma," Marinette explained, closing her book, "I slipped into the restroom between periods. It's just..." Marinette started twirling one of her pigtails. Master Fu knew she was about to tell him something he wouldn't like.

"I...kind of...sort of...had to tell someone?" Fu's eyes widened. "Who?"

"Her name's Clarice, and she's really trustworthy. She covers for me. And don't worry!" Marinette cried out before Fu could interrupt. "She's got an old Miraculous too!"

"...she does?"

"Yes. She was this Swan bracelet. She doesn't use it at all, because she's not sure how. But, it was a gift from her grandparents, so she never takes it off." Fu considered this for a moment, before nodding. "Alright, Marinette."

"Marinette!" Tom called from downstairs. "Your babysitter is here!" Master Fu bid Marinette farewell, and left.

Marinette had been nervous all day. She'd never had a babysitter before. She was worried.

Chloe waltzed into the room, smiling at Marinette. Immediately, the blue-nette heaved a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Mari." Chloe greeted cheerfully. Marinette giggled, and gave her a hug. Tikki poked her head out from behind Marinette's bed stand, and smiled. Marinette and Chloe had come so far. Why couldn't Lila be like that?

Tom and Sabine sat at the catering table of the Agreste family get-together, talking.

"I just worry so much, Tom." Sabine sighed. "Marinette is an only child, and we can't be there for her forever."

"I know, honey, but what do you suggest? Even if we had another child, they'd be younger than Marinette." Gabriel, wandering by, heard this, and immediately started formulating a plan. He didn't know why, but he wanted to help.

"Excuse me," the couple glanced up to see Gabriel, standing in front of them. "I believe I know someone who can help. My sister has three sons, one of which is old enough to look after your daughter. Perhaps, in a time of need, you could have him keep watch over Marinette."

"That's very kind of you, Mr. Agreste," Sabine thanked him, "But, that's part of the problem. Our job hours are off the wall, and we know we won't be able to find a baby sitter every time-!"

"You misunderstand." Gabriel smiled gently. "My sister and brother-in-law are going away on a long trip in a few weeks, and, I was going to take in her sons for a while. Perhaps, if it suits you, you could have the eldest son over to see how he interacts with you daughter."

Tom and Sabine glanced at each other.  What Gabriel was suggesting wasn't a bad idea for a start...

Marinette sat on the couch that afternoon, happily drawing in her sketchbook, waiting for her parents to come in and give her the announcement they were talking about. Tikki floated nervously overhead. "They're still talking about it, Marinette. This must be a huge step for them." Marinette shrugged. "Maybe, it's a huge job order or something. And maybe they need my help." Tom and Sabine entered, and faced their only child. "Marinette," Sabine began. "I thin by now you've realized that...there will have to be some adjustments now."

"Yes. Our hours are going to be crazy over the next couple months, and we weren't sure what to do with you." Tom joined in. "We know you're used to being an only child, in the house alone, but..." He trailed off, so Sabine picked up for him. "Gabriel made us an offer. His nephews are going to need caring for while their parents are away, so...we are going to have her eldest son coming over, quite a bit." Marinette tipped her head, taking it in, before nodding chipperly. "Okay, Momma! That sound great!" The family embraced. Tikki watched from the mantle.

Gabriel Agreste had nephews?

"So, my cousins are going to come over for a while." Adrien informed Nino. "Awesome, dude!" Nino cheered in reply. "Then you won't be so lonely."

"See, the thing is...I've never met them. And, my dad says the oldest will be going to Marinette's often." Nino pondered this for a moment. "I think that's good. Your pops seems to really like Marinette."

Adrien nodded. "Yeah, it's...weird."

Before they could get further into it, the akuma alarm went off. Nino took off, but Adrien managed to slip away.

"Plagg, claws out!"

Chat Noir hopped from one building to another, looking around desperately for signs of the threat. At first, it seemed like the alarms just malfunctioned. Then, he saw her.

Marinette, standing of the tallest point of the Eiffel Tower, getting ready to jump.

No, that couldn't be right. Chat Noir picked up speed...

...And smacked straight into Piao Chong.

"I knew it! I knew it wasn't you!" Chat Noir cheered.

"But, Lila doesn't." Piao Chong chided, taking out her wand. A sparkling tiara glittered on her head in the sunlight, decorated with five jewels. Two blue, two pink, and one red in the shape of a heart.

Chat Noir started to question that, when his partner went swinging off toward the Eiffel Tower. One hit, and 'Marinette' dissipated into dust. An illusion.

Sure enough, Volphina hopped out of the shadows. "Hey! You couldn't wait a while?" She demanded, although she smirked.

 Piao Chong stood her ground. "Lila, this isn't the answer." Volphina ignored her, and blew into her flute. About a dozen Piao Chong's surrounded her, ready for battle.

Chat Noir landed in front of his partner. "That tricks getting old, Lila." He stated bluntly, only fueling her anger.

Whatever plan she had, they had to admit, it was very well-thought-out. She lead them from one potential death stop to another, until Piao Chong finally cornered her at the Lueve.

"Lila," she stated simply. Chat Noir landed behind her, recoiling in shock at the power of her words.

"Lila," she stated again. "I don't know what compels you to do this, but, you must understand." A pink aura floated from Piao Chong's mouth, causing Volphina to freeze in wonder. The tiara on the heroine's head started to glow.

"Once Hawk Moth has what he wants, he'll get rid of you."

"No, he won't!" Lila slammed her hands over her ears.

"As for your lying, it will lead you only to disaster."

"Shut up, shut up!"

"The path you walk now grows darker, further to a grizzly end, Lila, please reconsider."

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Piao Chong's lips thinned. "You are insecure. And lonely. And bitter. You must let go of the past, and keep moving forward. You must take responsibility for your mistakes, or you'll end up in a mess beyond your wildest nightmares." Piao Chong's pink aura grew brighter, surrounding Volphina. The villain started to shrink, crying her eyes out.

Before it could go to far, Piao Chong, scared of her own powers, released the akuma, and ended it.