Camp Cheng (CONTINUED)

~CHAPTER 29~

Marinette's POV (uh-huh, AGAIN-)

I sat perched on the top of the castle, gazing out at the flickering sea of lights with dry eyes and wishing I could erase the last few minutes of my life.

That moment with Adrien? I'd been waiting for it my entire life (or at least, what felt like my entire life). Now? I wished it had never occurred in the first place.

A hand tapped my shoulder, and I whipped around in fear that he might have followed me out. But, thankfully, it was just Bridgette. And Felix, who looked very out of breath behind her.

"M-Marinette..." Bridge started.

I slumped against her, the long-forgotten sobs now wracking my body again. My sister patted my shoulder and murmured sweet nothings in my ear as I tried in vain to pull myself together.

I could vaguely make out Felix saying, "We'll have to abort, Mari's in bad shape and we need her."

I bolted upright, wiping the tears out of my eyes. "What?! No! That's crazy! We can't abort now; we'll never get another good chance to find the book! I'm fine guys, I just need a minute...or two..."

They looked at each other uncertainly, then nodded in unison. "Okay, we'll be over there, we... should go over the likely defence mechanisms they'll have, take as much time as you need."

I nodded, my eyes following them until they were out of sight before they began to water and I collapsed, the fear, shame and guilt feeding on me like a bee to pollen. I was afraid of what was to come next. Shameful of the fact that I'd left the boy I loved behind. Guilty... that I was still so hung up about it.

I snapped up. What? Where'd that one come from?

You know you're right, a voice said in my head. You know you need to forget about whatever it is you had going on down there because you're LADYBUG. You don't have time to be obsessing over him, you need to scrap that and get down to business.

I was right- or, rather, that voice in my head was. I didn't have time for this. The world didn't need crying Marinette right now, it needed Ladybug.

Yeah, or else the world as you know it will crumble to bits. The voice said.

Shut up. I replied.

I braced myself against the railing for a second, then went after my teammates, leaving behind both my fear and my obsession with Adrien Agreste.

It was time to let go.

~

"You sure you're up for this?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay then." Felix pointed down to the treasure vault. He'd changed back into his armour, as had my sister. I too had grown tired of the dress (seriously, who invented those things?) and was now wearing my Ladybug costume.

"The book, according to the kingdom's records-"

"Hold on, you have access to the kingdom records?!" Bridge asked dubiously.

"Um..." he muttered, "I don't..."

"Felix Agreste!" My sister and I yelled.

He held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, yes I... stole them... but I'll give them back! I swear! I mean, would you rather the planet be taken over by Hawkmoth?"

"Fair enough," I grumbled, "please continue."

"Why thank you," Felix rolled his eyes," Okay. We'll have to traverse the catacombs underneath the castle, which are only accessible from the treasure vault."