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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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Hi darling ones!

Maribat April Angst Apocalypse has now come to an end, and we are happy to announce the winners to the rest of you now. We have already contacted Pale Rider, Red Horse, Black Horse and Famine privately.

Thank you everyone for your contributions! We loved each and all of your AUs and would have loved to see even more of them. Definitely broke our hearts, and we're sure we're not the only ones who felt our hearts shattering during the month of April. Maybe we'll see more next year, who knows. We certainly do not. Please remember to stay angsty even though the month has already ended! There can never be enough angst! Except for maybe in June, but more about that later <3

So, without further ado, our wonderful winners:

The first place, Pale Rider, @ethelphantom The second place, Red Horse, @fridayfirefly The third place, Black Horse, @theatreandcomicfreak The fourth place, Famine, @queenmj10

The winners also receive a virtual bouquet of nasturtiums, for they mean success and victory, but are also linked to conquesting, patriotism and war since they tended to be given to soldiers for having won a battle. This is a nod to June, and you’re still getting more about that later.

Here are the little flowers:

Back to the actual post.

Congratulations to all of you! You did wonderfully, you angsty little children! We're all so proud of you. (Yes, even those that didn't get the place on the podium, you did beautifully anyway and we're proud of you). You have all been contacted about your prizes, please contact the prize contributors as soon as possible, but within a week. Otherwise, your prize will go to the runner ups.

On that note, we also have messages for you from the mods, because after all, this blog is run by only one of us and we want all of our voices heard (can you guess who runs the blog unless you've been directly told? Send an ask if you want to try your luck, I want to see if you are able to recognize me).

So, here they are:

Crow, @eat0crow:

Thank you all for participating in our event! I’ve had a wonderful time getting my heart ripped out and slow roasted over the wonderful month of April by all of your Aus. Everyone who contributed did an amazing job of breaking my heart, stealing my lunch money, and making me cry!

Truly you all are the angstiest of the angsty beans ;^;

I hope you all had a wonderful time, and look forward to future competitions and events with you!

Emily, @waywardpr1ncess

Thank you all so much for participating! Maribat is such a creative and talented community and you guys showed that through all of your works. I'm so happy and glad that this event was able to take place and I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as all of coordinators did. I hope we can do more events like this in the future. Thank you all again and congratulations to the winners!

Ethel, @ethelphantom

I am so, so happy to have seen all of your works this month! It was fun organising this even if there were some problems every now and then (the goddamn announcements, thanks for reminding me of them, Crow, I swear I’m gonna get nightmares of them as soon as I fall asleep after writing this message (it’s like, 2am ok, leave me alone)

I am also super damn touched about the first place? I? What??? So thank you for that one too :D

But yeah, I’m happy I got to see all of your works, you did great. I’m also so sorry about Sephie’s message before you even get to read it (I love her anyway though, she’s great and I’ve had so much fun with this because of her, too, though someone tell me how she, a fluff writer, became one of our hosts/mods/coordinators, I don’t even know what to call us, it would be great to find out), but like, all of her (and the rest of ours) ridiculousness aside, you did sign up for this. Literally.

And yes, I stole that line from her, I’m really not that funny.

I hope you had as fun as I did, and I hope to see you again next year, or perhaps already next month :D Love you all, you’re great!

Sephie, @thefairmaidenoffandom (ugh why did it not tag? Let’s try again later)

Y'all are very angsty. Like, my heart feels like it's been run through a meat grinder. It hurts. It's my own fault for being an event host, but, meh. * shrugs *

You guys did yeet-tastically, I swear. It's over. * sheds tear *

I hope y'all liked the event. It was fun, not gonna lie.

* runs off into the sunset like I'm in an old Western *

Look forward to June, for we are organising a Flower Fluff June for the April showers have done their job and the flowers can now grow. Head over to @june-of-flower-fluff (why is tagging not working today?) in order to not miss any announcements :D It's going to be fun, no tears in that one! We will be announcing how it is going to be organised soon!

Once again, congratulations to the winners! See you (hopefully) soon!

#maribat april angst apocalypse #Maribat #Important #Winners #Maribat Flower Fluff June

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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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Remember that today is the last day to vote! Make sure you have voted for your favourite AU! You can find the link in the blog under the tag #voting

#voting #maribat april angst apocalypse #maribat #important

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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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I feel like there should be two different contest categories. Most Heartbreaking and Best Written. Personally I'm stuck between two fics because of this. One tore my heart out but is poorly written while the other was written brilliantly but wasn't that angsty.

Well, unfortunately, as we need to actually create the prizes too, that isn’t possible. You must choose one.

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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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Hi dear ones, remember we also made the event a competition? Because it's finally time for voting. Please vote for your favourite AU (the one that made you cry the most and broke your heart the worst), and we would prefer if you didn't vote for your own and tried to make this as fair as possible.

This also took us a day more than it should've to create the forms, so you're given an extra day to vote. So, until the clock strikes 12am on the 4th, go and vote

Without further ado, have fun.

#maribat april angst apocalypse #Maribat #voting #vote #forms

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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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31 Letters AU Part Seven

AO3

First Previous Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Jason,

Sabine and Tom adopted me. They’re not that bad, but I still wish I could’ve kept you as my family.

We live in Paris now. I’m learning French. I’m not that good at it yet, but I will be soon! It’s a big change. Not being in Gotham, living in a real house...not being with you.

Anyway, I know you probably don’t want to hear from me, but I just feel like I need to write to you. If you tell me to stop, I will. I promise.

Love,

Marinette

“Whatcha got there?”

“Nino!” Marinette exclaimed, pulling her letter away from his view and jumping back. She shifted her focus to see Nino and Kim walking towards her.

“Hey Marinette.” Kim said, “So...what is that anyway?”

“None of your business!” She snapped.

“Woah dudette, chill.” Nino said, folding his arms.

“Yeah, geez. Now I know why they call you the basket case.”

Nino glared at Kim. Marinette felt her eyes water and she ran off.

“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

Nino flicked Kim on the ear. “Stay there, I’m gonna find her.”

“Marinette?” Nino whispered as he walked into the snowy park. He saw a blur of black and pink rocking on the bench. Marinette was curled into a tiny ball, her face hidden from view. “Dudette...are you okay?” He asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure Kim didn’t-“

“Get away from me!” Marinette screamed, shaking violently.

Nino turned on his heels and ran off in fear.

Marinette stayed on the bench, silently, hearing the whispers in her head. People called her a basket case?

What else did they call her?

Nobody teased her at school or brought up her past...to her face. Now she knew she would never escape from the taunts.

“Marinette...sweetie?”

Marinette loosened herself from her ball, lifting up her head. She wiped away tears from her puffy, red eyes.

“Sabine?” Marinette whimpered, she glanced to her other side, “Tom?”

“Yes sweetheart, we’re here.”

They embraced her quickly.

They reminded her of Jason’s hugs.

She melted into them.

Maybe everything would be okay after all.

~~~~tags~~~~

@april-angst-apocalypse

@anjuschiffer

@moonystars14

@maybemanymuffins

@rebecarojas07

@dast218

@adhd-coyote

@iwantwhirlledpeasandlotsatrees

@colorfulmongerpsychicranch

@midnighttreesgaming

@mari-is-queen96

@moonlightstar64

@amayakans

@lla-en-rouge

@maribat-is-lifeblood

@bzz75

@miss-mysterys-blog

@luciferge

@crazylittlemunchkin

#31 Letters AU

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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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Quarantine Chapter Six: Ration

Written for the Maribat April Angst Apocalypse

Quarantine Masterlist | AO3

[Wednesday October 21]

Every time Marinette got her hopes up, they were shattered. Her mood was like a pendulum, every time she felt a belief flicker of hope, it was snatched away from her, and she felt defeated again. The day after the identity reveal was no exception.

“The Paris Council has just announced that the city will be undergoing a food ration until the end of the Quarantine. Supplies will be shipped into the city and delivered to families based on individual needs. Citizens are advised to remain at home as much as possible until the Justice League neutralizes Hawkmoth’s threat.“ Nadja Chamack reported, looking just as defeated as Marinette felt, her hair limp and a hopeless look in her eyes.

Marinette slammed her laptop closed, tears pricking the corner of her eyes. The Justice League was starving her city and all she could do was watch helplessly from her bedroom.

"Don’t worry Marinette.” Tikki began.

Marinette couldn’t hear it. Not today. Now when her whole world was crashing down around her, one little piece at a time. “I’m going to get breakfast,” Marinette mumbled, ignoring Tikki.

Marinette walked downstairs to the bakery to grab something to eat for breakfast. It was nearing noon, but Marinette had taken to sleeping in ever since school was canceled. Marinette paused on the second to last step, as she heard the worried voices of her parents talking.

“What are we going to do, Tom? I called and asked - the food ration isn’t making allowances for restaurants and bakeries. We’re going to run out of flour and sugar within a week,” said Sabine.

“We’ll see what happens. For all we know, the Quarantine might end before we even run out.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“I don’t know what we’ll do if the ration doesn’t end, Sabine. We’ll just have to hold out hope.”

Marinette stifled an angry sob. The bakery - her family’s livelihood - was going to close.

“What are we going to tell Marinette? She’s going to be heartbroken.”

“I’ll go break the news to her,” Marinette heard her Father offer. “She’ll be upset, but she has to find out eventually.”

Marinette flung herself up the stairs, her whole body trembling in anger and upset. She slammed the trapdoor behind her and collapsed on the floor next to it.

“Marinette? Can I talk to you?” Tom asked through the trapdoor.

“I already heard you and Maman talking,” Marinette sobbed. “I hate this. I hate the Quarantine. I hate the Paris Council. Most of all, I hate the Justice League. I hope their whole organization burns to the ground.”

“Sweetheart, you don’t need to be angry. The Quarantine is a temporary thing - it won’t last forever. Once it’s over, everything will go back to normal again.”

“They’re ruining everything,” Marinette cried. She felt Tikki gently settle down onto her shoulder, trying to comfort her. “I can’t go to school anymore. The bakery is going to closing down. Paris, my hometown and favorite city in the world, doesn’t feel safe.”

“I promise, it will all be over soon.”

Her Father’s promise felt empty. Marinette knew that nothing would be okay until the Quarantine was over. “I don’t want to talk anymore.”

“Okay. Your Mother and I will be downstairs if you need us.”

Marinette stumbled over to her bed and collapsed into it with a groan. “I just want a little bit of good news for once, Tikki.”

“I can’t give you that, Marinette. In fact, I have even worse news to deliver.”

Marinette looked up at Tikki with wide, tearful eyes. “What could be worse than everything that’s happening already.”

“I’ve never told you before how the Miraculous Cure works because you’ve never asked. But now, I think you need to know. The Cure runs on hope. If the population of Paris doesn’t believe in the Miraculous holders, then the Cure won’t work. And I can feel that belief fading already.”

Marinette froze. “You mean, I won’t be able to use the Cure anymore?”

“You can still use it, but it won’t be as effective. Your body will begin to take the burden of the Cure. The more times you use the Cure, the weaker you’ll feel. Eventually…” Tikki paused as she let out a hiccuping sob. “ I’ve seen it happen to Miraculous wielders before. It’s a terrible thing to watch, and I never wanted to see it happen again. Marinette, as long as you continue using the Miraculous Cure, your life is in danger.”

“I might die?” Marinette had never seriously thought about dying as Ladybug before. Her suit was near-impenetrable, and when she used the Miraculous Cure, all of the damage to her body was gone. When she was Ladybug, Marinette felt invincible.

Now, the thought of death weighed heavily on her mind. Chat had almost died the day before - it hadn’t even been a whole twenty-four hours since that disastrous battle, and it already felt like a lifetime. If it wasn’t for the Miraculous Cure, Adrien, one of her best friends two times over, would surely be dead. Someday soon, that might be Marinette, dying on the Paris streets, but there would be no Miraculous Cure to save her then.

“Tikki, what do I do?”

Tikki shook her head. “There is no easy way to fix this. The people of Paris feel hopeless. They don’t believe in what the Justice League is doing, and your inability to take down The Wall has caused their faith in you to fade as a result. This Quarantine is demoralizing the entire city.”

“Chat and I tried to get the Justice League to end it, but they refused. Not until Hawkmoth is defeated.”

“Then there is only one solution. Ladybug needs to get to work on defeating Hawkmoth, and civilian Marinette needs to find a way to bring hope back to the people of Paris.”

Marinette knew that it was unfair to put that much responsibility on her shoulders. Defeat a supervillain and bring hope back to a city held hostage. She was only sixteen. However, the consequence of failure was death, which was one hell of a motivator.

“Guess I’d better get to work.”

Taglist: @april-angst-apocalypse @justarandomtumblerblog @thestressmademedoit @amayakans @bluefyoto94 @silvia7272 @rebecarojas07 @the-fair-maiden-of-fandom @justafanwarrior @mystery-5-5 @abrx2002 @queenmj10 @sturchling @maybemanymuffins @elmokingkong @thequeenofpotatoeunicornss

#Quarantine

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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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Witch Au / Part Six

Marinette looked around but all she could see was darkness, until a figure began to emerge. A boy. Marinette ran towards him,

“Adrien” she yelled out but as she got closer she stopped. The boy had dark hair, brown skin and dark green eyes. Who was this?

“Who are you?” she whispered and he smirked at her,

“Oh come on Angel forgot me already?” he teases, he steps forward but Marinette steps back.

“I…I…Who?” she stutters out and the boy once again steps forward,

——/////—–

Marinette wakes up gasping for air and looks around as if searching for the boy but all she sees is Chloe sitting on the other side of the dying fire. Marinette breathes a sigh of relief and curls her legs up. They had stopped and made camp at the outskirts of France. They would travel to Spain’s ports and catch a boat to the United States. They would have taken a boat in Paris but the chance of Gabriel catching wind of it was too great.

They had also decided to stay away from any establishments in case Gabriel had spies there, so they had opted to buy camping equipment from a small convenience store. Chloe had broke down on the second day which had significantly slowed them down but Marinette didn’t mind. Marinette had been taught to be an adult from when she could walk but Chloe didn’t. Her parents had long left her to Gabriel many years ago to insure their pockets and many… business endeavours. Chloe had hated them for years but Marinette could see she had always wanted them to come back for her but now… now that they had left that was impossible.

Chloe refused to revisit the topic ever again and Marinette respected that. She tried to avoid the thought of her own parents, her mother dead and her father so lost in his own grief he had become a skeleton of who he once was.

Their days were quiet unless they were discussing their plans. America was the final place Gabiel had not crossed off the map in search of the soul of destruction and so that’s where they were headed. Marinette said when they were there she would do a locator spell, hopefully her blood would react to that of her soulmates and point them in the right direction. They didn’t focus on the ifs and maybes of their plan and instead tried to stay positive.

They also searched some of the local libraries or visiting passing covens in search of more information of the miraculous coven but the majority of their research came up fruitless as many still believed it to be a children’s tale. All except one witch.

—–////—-

They had reached Limoges late one night and had stopped to camp just outside the city, the next day they had been passing through grabbing snacks as they passed and filling up when they saw a girl. Young, dirty and most probably homeless but she had a wicked look on her face as she mumbled under her breath and waved her hand. The stall with the fruit suddenly came tumbling down and the girl took a piece and slipped it in her coat as the vendor worried about his goods.

The two girls shared a look and followed the girl to a tent in a darkened alley. An older woman was waiting for her and cut the apple up, giving the girl half and eating the other. Marinette steps out, against Chloe’s protest and the woman and girl’s head snaps towards her. The girl scampers away but the women instead smiles at her,

“What are you doing darling? Your parents must be worried” she says worriedly and Marinette eyes her. Chloe steps out and tries to tug her away,

“Come on Marinette lets go” she says but Marinette shakes her head,

“I didn’t realise any witches stayed here” Marinette said sitting opposite the woman and the woman tensed,

“Theirs not… only me and a few orphans left behind” she says and looks at them sympathetically to which Chloe scoffed, Marinette pulled out the miraculous book and turned it towards the witch,

“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about this, would you?” she asked and Chloe rolled her eyes mumbling something under her breath about fakes and lies The women looks at the book and smiles,

“My mother used to tell me stories of them, she truly believed in them” the woman said fondly, catching the girls attention, “She taught me magic from these very stories, the magic of creation, destruction, protection, illusion and all that from studies she did over the years” she said and both girls were practically buzzing.

“May we have a look? At the studies” They ask and the woman hesitates before pulling out a notebook,

“This is the only one I still kept, though I never read it anymore” she says and the girls read it stopping at any mention of their original souls. It explained each branch of magic in detail and both girls were amazed. They looked up to the woman who looked at them as if they were a fond memory to her.

“You know they only collect dust here, if you’d like.. Your welcome to keep it”she says and both girls rush out thanks before leaving some euros in her tip jar.

—–/////—–

The girl studied the notebook non-stop and Chloe had finally been able to unlock some of her abilities, she found she was very good at defense magic which she already knew but the notes helped her reach a new level. Marinette herself had already unlocked many of her abilities but the ability of lucky charm, she still hadn’t mastered it but she was getting closer.

Marinette lied down again and thought over her dream. Who was that boy? Could it be… the boy she was looking for? Was he reaching out for her? Was he searching for her like he was for him? Marinette had tried to ignore the fact that the chosen of destruction could most probably be her soulmate. Would he want her? Did she want him to want her? She didn’t know.

Chlow sat up as if hearing her thoughts and shifted over cuddling into her. Marinette smiled slightly and fell back to sleep.

——////—–

The next day they were trying to make haste towards the nearest port when they felt it. A heavy presence of another chosen. It had been in the notes that once you start mastering your skill you would start attracting your other counterparts. The boat was suddenly forgotten as they went in search of the pull. What they found was not what they were expecting.

They came across a fight… a pirate fight. Three men surround a girl who seemed to be a few years older than them but she fights valiantly, disarming the men and bowing at the crowd that gathers.

“Nice try boys” she laughs, handing the swords back.

Chloe and Marinette share a look as they begin to glow, pulling towards the young pirate. They approach her and her features become clearer,her features are sharp, her hair a dark blue cut in a bob, she wears a long red coat with a red captains hat. The girls take note of them and stare at them and the glow in confusion. She raises her sword,

“What are you doing to me witches?” she sneers and they raise their hands, Chloe steps forward and raises her hand to shake,

“Chloe Bourgeois” she introduces, she nods towards Marinette, “She’s Marinette Dupain” she explains and the girls raise a brow at the girls, eyes narrowing suspiciously before nodding towards the men she was fighting. They surround the girls and they get into fighting positions.

“Kagami Tsurugi… and I’ll ask again what are you doing to me Witch?”

———————————————————————————————————-

Kagami is our next chosen!!! And she’s not gonna be as welcoming to the girls!!! Anyone wanna guess what chosen she is?

This is for @april-angst-apocalypse

Taglist:

@bigpicklebananatree @anjuschiffer @dreamykitty25 @maribat-is-lifeblood @alexandriamw @rebecarojas07 @amayakans @justcourttee @heldtogetherbysafetypins @gigibnl @the-fusionist @sleepy-red-bug @michellemagic @kass-is-weird @schrodingers25 @dontbenddontbreak @midnighttreesgaming @dorkus-minimus @nickristus-dreamer @miraculous-simmer7 @toodaloo-kangaroo @rosep16 @welcometopradasa @mystery-5-5

#witch au

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april-angst-apocalypse · 4 years

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Quarantine Chapter Five: Reveal

Written for the Maribat April Angst Apocalypse

Quarantine Masterlist | AO3

[Tuesday October 20]

The base wasn’t much, but Ladybug and Chat Noir didn’t have many options. They were both sixteen - too young to buy or rent an actual building. So they worked out of a foreclosed florist’s shop on a back street in Paris. They always entered through the back door - there was practically no chance of them being spotted, not when no windows were facing the back door, and all the windows of the florist’s shop were boarded up. It wasn’t fancy, but it was safe, and that was what mattered.

Ladybug arrived a few minutes before seven o'clock. Chat wasn’t there yet, giving her a few moments to prepare. Out of her backpack, she grabbed the Miracle Box and set it on the table. Normally, Marinette kept the box at home, in the back of her closet, but tonight she would need it. She also pulled out some supplies that she had gathered. Macaroons and camembert slices to refuel their kwami in an emergency, and bandages and antiseptic cream in case they got injured outside of the range of the Miracle Cure.

The sound of the back door opening pulled Ladybug’s attention away from her backpack. “Hello, Chat.”

Chat gave Ladybug a tired smile. “Good evening, M'lady.”

“I brought macaroons,” Ladybug held up the box. “I got them from that bakery you like.”

Chat’s eyes brightened. “Thank you!” He pulled out a lemon macaroon and took a bite from it. “So what was it that you wanted to talk about?”

“There are two things I wanted to suggest. The first is that we might want to consider bringing in more Miraculous holders full-time.”

“Give Rena Rouge and Carapace their Miraculous to keep?” Chat sounded interested in the idea.

“Viperion and Ryuka, too. Maybe even Chloé Bourgeoise, though not with the Bee Miraculous. I’ve been looking into her, and I think she might be a match for the Kaalki, the Miraculous of the Horse.”

“Five new superheroes would certainly help to make our lives easier. Why don’t we start with Rena Rouge and Carapace, to see how it goes. Then move onto Viperion, Ryuko, and Chloé, to make sure they’re adjusting well to the responsibility.”

Ladybug nodded. “Sounds good.”

“So what’s your second suggestion.”

Ladybug hesitated. Neither she nor Chat Noir wanted to reveal their identities, but it seemed that it had become inevitable. Hawkmoth’s akumas were getting stronger and they needed to get stronger in response. The secrets between them could only hurt them, and their identities were the greatest secret of all.

“I think that we should reveal our identities to each other.”

Chat’s eyes widened. “Really? After all this time?”

Ladybug nodded. “We can’t have secrets between each other. What if one of us can’t get away from our civilian life to transform, and the other gets hurt because of it? We need better communication, and the best way to do that is to get to know each other in our civilian lives, as well as our superhero lives.”

“You don’t need to convince me, m'lady. I might not be in love with you anymore, but I still value our friendship more than anything else in the world.”

“Okay.” Ladybug quashed the anxiety bubbling up in her chest. “On three?”

“One,” said Chat.

“Two,” Ladybug echoed.

“Three,” the two said in unison.

“Spots off.” “Claws in.”

Marinette Dupain-Cheng stared at Adrien Agreste. “No way,” she breathed out.

“I’m kind of kicking myself for not seeing the resemblance before right now.”

Marinette nodded, not taking her eyes off of him. “The puns should have been my first clue.”

“You love my Chat puns. And, apparently, my physics puns too.”

“I- you aren’t disappointed, are you?”

“Are you kidding me? I was scared that I would detransform and all you would see was a stuck-up model. You could never disappoint me, Marinette.”

Marinette smiled as the anxiety dissipated. “You could never disappoint me either, Adrien. I know that you’re not a ‘stuck-up model’. I know your true self - a dork who makes puns and can’t beat me at Ultimate Mecha Strike III.”

Adrien laughed. “I just can’t believe that I’ve been friends with you and your superhero alter ego. That must be a new level of friendship - friendship squared.”

“The friend square… I like it.”

“It wasn’t always a friend square though,” Tikki interrupted, teasing smile on her face.

Marinette flushed red. “I was thirteen, Tikki. Can’t I leave my embarrassing celebrity crush in the past.”

“Nope. Admit it.”

“But-”

“Tikki and I put up with your ridiculous love square for years. Do you have any idea how frustrating that was?” asked Plagg.

“Fine,” Marinette sighed. “Adrien, remember back in collège, when Chat Noir had a crush on Ladybug.”

Adrien rubbed his neck. “Sorry about how obsessive I was back then.”

“You weren’t the only obsessive one,” Marinette cringed slightly. “I had a pretty bad crush on you too, back in collège.”

“But that means-”

“That we both had a crush on each other, and never managed to figure it out.” Marinette groaned. “We’re the two most oblivious people on the planet.”

“You aren’t the most oblivious Ladybug and Chat Noir we’ve ever seen,” said Plagg. “Remember when Claude and Agathe got married before their identity reveal.”

Tikki narrowed her eyes at him. “Remember how it was your fault that they never revealed their identities. Because you convinced Agathe to keep her superhero identity a secret from her fiancé until after they got married.”

“It was pretty funny, though, wasn’t it.”

“You are impossible,” Tikki scoffed.

“At least we aren’t the worst,” said Adrien.

“At least we have that. Do you want to come with me and deliver Rena and Carapace their Miraculous.”

Adrien perked up. “I get to know their identities.”

“Yes. And if they perform well, I think we should reveal ours to them at the end of the week.”

“Really? But how do we know that we can trust them?”

“You already trust them. Alya and Nino are Rena Rouge and Carapace.”

“Wow. Okay. Uh, I must be more oblivious than I thought.”

“We don’t often tell our holders this, but there is a quality of the Miraculous that helps to keep your identity a secret. It’s not necessarily that you’re oblivious, it’s that without clear proof, the Miraculous keeps you from making the connection,” said Tikki.

“That makes me feel a little bit better. Ready to go?”

“Yep. Spots on!”

“Claws out!”

On the way to Alya’s house, Ladybug realized that for the first time since before the Quarantine started, she didn’t feel like the whole world was crumbling. She finally felt like she had a handle on the world around her.

Ladybug knocked on Alya’s window and waited for the other girl to open the window up.

“Ladybug? Chat Noir? What are you two doing here? Is there an akuma?” Alya asked.

“No need to worry,” said Chat. “We just have a gift to deliver.”

“Alya Césaire. You have been chosen as the permanent holder of the Fox Miraculous. Should you accept, you will take on the responsibility of fighting akumas full-time.”

“I accept. Of course, I accept.” There wasn’t a trace of doubt in Alya’s voice.

Ladybug handed Alya the black box containing the fox necklace.

“Welcome to the team, Rena,” said Ladybug. “You’ll be happy to know that Carapace will also be joining the team full-team, alongside you.”

Alya grinned, “Nino will be ecstatic. He’s been going stir-crazy - his parents won’t let him leave the house, because of all the craziness over the Quarantine.“

"Well, we’ll go get him is Miraculous pronto,” said Chat. “See you soon, Rena Rouge.”

“Bye Ladybug, bye Chat,” Alya called out as Ladybug swung away.

Nino’s house was only two blocks away, so they were at his window in no time at all.

“What’s up, Ladybug?” asked Nino. “There isn’t an akuma or anything, is there?”

“This visit is for good news only,” Ladybug explained. “Nino Lahiffe, you have been chosen as the permanent holder of the Turtle Miraculous. Should you accept, you will take on the responsibility of fighting akumas full-time.”

"Dude, of course, I accept.”

“Good,” said Chat. “I don’t know if Alya would have forgiven you if she became part of the full-time team and you didn’t.”

“Alya is a part of the team too?” Nino’s eyes lit up.

“We just delivered her Miraculous a few minutes ago.”

“Sweet!” Nino grinned as he opened up his Miraculous box. “What’s up, Wayzz.”

“I am very excited to work with you full time,” said Wayzz. “It is an honor to be your kwami.”

“It’s an honor to wear the Turtle bracelet. And it’s an honor to be chosen to be a part of the team. I promise I won’t let you guys down.”

“We trust you completely,” Ladybug said. It wasn’t a lie. For the first time in days, she felt hope spark within her. Maybe, just maybe, with her friends beside her, everything would turn out okay.

#Quarantine

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31 Letters AU Part Six

AO3

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~~~~~~~~

Dear Jason,

Your last letter hurt me a lot. I’m hoping deep down you didn’t mean it, but I’m going back to the orphanage regardless. I don’t want to be in Gotham anymore.

It reminds me too much of you.

I know it’s a lost cause, but Jason, if you still care about me, please give me a sign.

Love,

Marinette

Marinette hoped the stains from her tears would be dry by the time he got the letter. She sat back in her bed in the shared bunk with some of the other kids in the orphanage. What mystical sign was she looking for?

She didn’t really know, herself.

She sighed and pulled out a little sketchbook Sabine and Tom got her in an attempt to win her over. She put her pencil to paper and realized she was drawing her and Jason.

She ripped it out of her book and crumpled it up. She tossed it into the wastebasket as she climbed down from her bed. With one last look at the crumpled drawing Marinette walked down the stairs to see Sabine and Tom, who said they’d come to see her everyday until they adopted her.

She missed the chirping of a robin outside of her window.

~~~~Tags~~~~

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#31 Letters AU

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Witch Au / Part Five

“How can you be so calm about all this?” a female voice yells. A sigh is said in return,

“Tikki my dear, you must calm down your no good to our chosen when your so stressed” a mans voice whispers, trying to get his soulmate to quiet.

“Who are you? Why are you in my head?” Damian yells and the voices cease, “No who are you?” he asks again but the voices have disappeared and suddenly Damian is falling. Damian sits up gasping for air.

“What the hell?” he gasps out. He surveys his surroundings and finds himself on his private quarters on his mother’s ship, “What the hell?” he repeats. As if summoned, a guard walks into his quarters and addresses him,

“Master Ah Ghul, your mother is waiting for you on deck” he says and Damian nods as the guard leaves. He sees clothes set out for him and changes before heading towards the deck to find his mother. He finds her watching the sea on the portside.

“Was it necessary to abduct me?” he says before she addresses him, and his mother gives a breathless laugh.

“Would you have come otherwise?” she asks, and he shrugs going to stand beside her leaning on the edge.

“Well I still do not know where we are going” he replies and she sighs,

“I received a warning of an attack, I managed to escape with you and a handful of guards before they managed to overpower the first defence” she explains, and Damian was shocked still. An attack. On the league. Of course, there had been assassination attempts but a full-blown attack… and they had been successful, “It was a coven of powerful witches, with the help of blood suckers” she sneers.

“How is that possible? To defeat our defences” he asks, still disbelieving. His mother nods. “What were they after?” Damian asks and she sighs.

“You” she says simply. Damian’s eyes widen.

“What could they want with me, you are still next in line to inherit grandfathers place” he says and she nods again.

“It wasn’t about the league….it was run by a madman that goes by the name Gabriel Agreste” she goes and sits down at the seats by the wheel, “He’s been on the leagues radar for a while, we believe he is behind multiple murders across the globe” she explains and Damian’s brow furrows as he sits down beside her.

“Why does he want me?” he asks, and she touches his cheek softly.

“He is looking for the soul of destruction, a fairy tale people usually tell their children” she says and Damian gives her a blank look.

“What?” he asks unintelligibly, and she smiles sympathetically and grabs a book that was lying on the table.

“You my son are a chosen for some of the oldest magic ever created…. I am the only one who knows” she finishes and though he tried to stop himself he burst out laughing.

“You’re kidding me?” he chokes out and she shakes her head handing him the book.

“I chose to keep this a secret because if anyone had known, your grandfather included. You would have lived a very short life…. And no matter what you think of me Damian, I am not your enemy and I do care for you. All the answers are in that book” she says before leaving him. Damian feels as if he should say something but instead watches her leave. He looks down at the book in his hands.

‘The Study of the Miraculous Coven’

——-/////——

Damian studied the book for an hour before going to find his mother to clarify some things. He checked her study but found it empty. He was going to check to her room when he saw the map of their journey, their destination marked. Gotham City.

Damian felt disbelief course through him as he stormed to his mother’s quarters. He barges in and sees her sitting at her desk.

“We’re going to Gotham?” he yelled, and she looked at him with a raised brow.

“Yes, your father has the means to protect you while I take care of the mess at the league” she explains, and the disbelief turns into anger.

“You were going to leave me there…. With the man you talked of with disgust and regret for ten years” he accuses.

“I am going to leave you there… this is not up for debate, your father is the only person who cares enough about you to keep you safe while I am away” she kneels down to him, “I’m not doing this to punish you Damian, if there were any other way…. Do you not think I would do it?” she whispers, and he looks away.

“What makes you so sure he wants me?” he asks and Tahlia smiles sadly.

“Because he can’t help but love what’s broken” she says before waving at him, signalling him to leave.

——/////——-

They reached Gotham in two days’ time and during that mother and son had barely spoken since their last interaction. Once they had arrived his mother appeared in the doorway with a syringe, showing he had no choice in the matter. Damian had already thought it out. Once his mother left him with his… sperm donor and realized he didn’t want him he would leave and return to the league before his mother even gets there.

So, he played nice and got into the car waiting for them, driving them to Wayne Manor. Damian had read up on his father and Gotham on the boat and had been thoroughly surprised. Gotham was an experiment gone wrong, a place where the supernatural were supposed to live in harmony. It failed quickly and soon enough all the humans had been run out or killed. The city was always at war however, werewolf’s vs vampires. Witches, Faeries, warlocks and everything in between were causalities in the war. The two leaders of the opposing sides were Bruce Wayne and Jack Napier or as the city had christened them, Batman and the Joker.

Damian found the names childish and their meager war seemed pointless, but he didn’t ponder on it. He would be gone soon enough. They pulled up to the mansion and his mother finally addressed him.

“Shadow me but do not be seen” she states not looking at him and he nods slipping out of the car. An old man opens the door and Damian slips out of view hiding in the shadows of the car.

“Miss Tahlia, it hasn’t been long enough” the man introduces and Damian almost scoffs at the disrespect until something else catches his eye, his father exiting the house.

“A pleasure as always Pennyworth” she smiled. Bruce didn’t move from the doorway, “What no hello?” she teases, and he glares at her.

“What are you doing here Tahlia?” he growls out and Damian almost snorts at his attempt at being intimidated.

“I…. need your help” she says slowly, and Damian can almost feel the pain she feels from asking that. Bruce seems put off guard and his eyes squint suspiciously.

“And why would I help you?” he asks incredulously,

“Nostalgia” she teases, and he rolls his eyes.

“And what could the oh so powerful Tahlia Ah Ghul need from me?” he asks sarcastically. Tahlia sighs.

“The league was attacked, and I was able to flee before the attackers caught me” she says and Bruce scoffs,

“Good riddance” he mumbles, and Damian grips his dagger in his pocket. Tahlia however rolls her eyes,

“I need protection” she finishes and Bruce laughs,

“And you came here” he asks disbelievingly, looking at her imploringly.

“Not for me…. For my son” she says, and Bruce’s eyes widen, “Our son” she finishes and waves her hand, signalling him to step out of the shadows. Damian does and both Pennyworth and Bruce’s eyes snap towards him. He glares at his father whose mouth drops open.

“You…. Had a…. we had a….” he stutters out,

“A kid Bruce, meet Damian Ah Ghul” she introduces, “Though it might be smarter for him to go by Damian Wayne instead”. Bruce gapes like a fish and Damian rolls his eyes looking at his mother,

“This is who you wish to entrust my safety?” he asks sourly and his voice seems to startle Bruce as he walks closer making Damian reach once again for his dagger. That makes Bruce stop but he still looks at him imploringly, Pennyworth speaks up,

“He does have your nose sire”. Damian raises a brow at the older man but otherwise stays stoic to his fathers gaping, his mother kisses him on the head and looks at Bruce.

“I must get going but one day I will come and retrieve him again” she says before getting back in the car.

“Your… your just… leaving?” he sputters out and Tahlia rolls her eyes, nodding.

“I have things to do. Damian be sure to behave for your father; he may be a bit slow” she instructs before the driver starts the car and drives off. Damian turns to his father and Pennyworth and scowls,

“Well father, do you happen to have a mode of transport?”

—–/////—–

Marinette was running around her study area grabbing her books, ingredients and everything she could possibly need. It had been a week since the funeral and Chloe and her had made a plan. They had investigated the glowing and figured out that Chloe was a chosen for Pollen the witch of Subjection, she had been depressed at first. Adrien had died trying to be a chosen but, in the end, she had opted to not think about it too much.

They would leave and go in search of the chosen’s and when they find the soul of destruction, they would fix everything. They knew it was a long shot, but both needed to leave so… they would tonight. Marinette kissed her fingers and placed it on her mother’s head. It was hard to leave her behind, but she would be back, soon.

“You ready?” Chloe asked and Marinette nodded,

“Let’s go”

——————————————————————————————————–

Sorry guys kinda a filler chapter but this was needed for the progression of the story….

So tell me who do you want to be the other chosen’s(as I’ve decided to call them).

This is for @april-angst-apocalypse

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31 Letters AU Part Five

AO3

First Previous Next

~~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette,

I don’t love you. I’ve found my family now, and they’re much better than you. Leave me alone from now on, got it? I have a real sister now, and she’s so much better than you. I don’t need you anymore, you’re useless.

Go jump off a bridge for all I care. Ha ha. If dying is what it takes for you to leave me alone, do it. I won’t cry after you.

Don’t talk to me again,

Marinette read the letter, again and again. It couldn’t be real. She blinked back tears as she folded the letter up. She couldn’t bring herself to destroy it.

‘I failed you Jason. I’m sorry.’

Marinette shoved it into her pocket and walked away from her old hangout spot with Jason.

‘‘Where are we goin’ Jay Jay?” Marinette asked, pulling her dirty pink sleeve from her oversized overalls back onto her shoulder.

“You’re gonna love it, I promise.” Jason said with a grin. He took her hand and started to run.

Marinette giggled and squealed as she dashed to keep up with Jason. He led her to a deserted area with a large black fence blocking off their path.

Marinette pouted, “What are we supposed to do now?”

Jason grinned and hoisted her onto his shoulders. He carefully positioned her over the fence and let her down in a soft, grassy part. He hiked himself over the fence and jumped down next to her. Taking her hand, he led her to a bench underneath the shade of a tree.

“Marinette, welcome to Robinson Park.”

Marinette grinned, showing off her missing two front teeth, and looked around at the beautiful grassy scenery, “It’s awesome! We should come here all the time!”

Jason laughed and ruffled her hair, “We’ll come anytime you want, little sis.”

If only that were true.

~~~~~~

Tags:

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#31 Letters AU

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Witch Au / Part Four

Marinette stood quickly, sprinting towards the courtyard where all important rituals take place.She rushes in but is stopped by two guards. She surveys the scene and sees that the ritual has already begun, around ten witches surround Adrien who sits kneeled down in the middle a dark magic surging inside him,

“Let me pass, this ritual will kill him” she yells but the guards don’t move. Her eyes glow red and she waves her hand, throwing them aside. She runs to intervene when she’s stopped by Gabriel,

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you” he says and Marinette raises her hand to make him fly away to but he beats her to it and Marinette screams as her head suddenly feels like it’s going to explode, “I’ll repeat myself, I would not do that if I were you” he says sternly and Marinette grasps her head.

“He’ll… he’ll….he’ll die” she screams falling to the ground in pain, tears now falling, “Please…..please”. Gabriel rolls his eyes and mumbles under his breath.

“Silentium”, her screams are silenced as she writhes on the ground in pain. Gabriel raises his spell and releases her from the pain and she pants trying to regain all her senses, “Ioquela reditus” he mumbles and her voice comes back as he kneels beside her.

“Unlike you, Adrien is willing to do anything to get his mother back” he mumbles and Marinette watches in horror as the ritual completes. Adrien’s body is shrouded in a dark fog and the whole room seems to have gone silent in anticipation. Marinette runs to him and grasps his hands,

“Pull on me Adrien” she tells him but she doesn’t receive a response as he stares blankly at her, “Adrien please” she cries tears streaming down her face,

“I can’t lose you too” she mumbles, his face contorts slightly as he yanks her arms so his arm is around her waist, the dark magic surrounds them both and Marinette blacks out.

———//////////——–

“I will end them” a feminine voice screeched,

“Calm down sugarcube, she’s not ready yet, she’s too young” a male voice replied. Marinette felt groggy, what was happening? These voices seemed so familiar yet so… strange.

“Not ready?? That child has faced more magical trials than we did and it’s all because of that sick, psychotic son of a-”

“Tikki, Tikki the girl can hear you and do not think I do not understand my chosen is suffering as well, we must wait darling and soon… soon we can help them” he said and Marinette heard the women sigh,

“Soon, I will help you soon my chosen” the woman whispers.

———-/////////———

Marinette wakes gasping for air, scaring the medi-witches surrounding her. They ask her questions all at once but Marinette doesn’t answer and instead looks around. She’s in the hospital wing but she can’t see Adrien anywhere.

“Where’s Adrien?” she croaks out and the witches sigh at the young girl. Nathalie Sancouer is the one who answers her.

“The whereabouts of Mr Agreste should not be your main concern, you were reckless running into the ritual we will discuss your punishment-”

“Silentium” Marinette says successfully cutting the women off and the other witches try but fail to cover their giggles, until Marinette turns to them.

“I’ll ask again, where is Adrien?” she sneers and they all step back as her eyes glow red in warning. A short mousy woman whose name Marinette doesn’t remember replies this time,

“In his room miss” she says and Marinette not caring for her injuries stands and heads to his room. It’s a long and painful walk as her body is still buzzing trying to get rid of the dark magic it’s flooded with but Marinette doesn’t care. When she gets to the room she can hear cries from inside, she opens it to find Chloe sobbing on the side of the bed, a stiff Adrien lying on the bed. Chloe turns to the door, not caring that her hair is a mess and her eyes are bloodshot.

“Oh… it’s you” she whispers, turning back around trying to swallow her tears.

“Is he….?” Marinette whispers and Chloe shakes her head,

“They didn’t even try any spells or…. They just…. Left him here”Chloe stutters and Marinette chokes back a sob,

“I…. I am… so sorry” she sobs but Chloe snaps her gaze at her,

“Oh shut up Dupain…. It’s not your fault” she snaps at her and Marinette looks up at her with an uncertain gaze but Chloe looks back at Adrien, “I begged him you know, at first I didn’t want him to do it but then… he looked at me with this look that he knew I would do anything for and I….. I cracked” she shutters, Marinette comes beside her not touching.

“I thought if I was there I could help but… I wasn’t even allowed in” Chloe felt the tears rush back again, “They watched…. Watched as he died and did nothing…. And I didn’t even have the chance to save him…didn’t get to say goodbye” she cries, collapsing into Marinette and Marinette holds her.

“I tried Chloe….. I tried and I failed… and I’m so sorry” Marinette whispers hugging her and Chloe looks at her,

“He liked you, ya know…and I was so jealous… so scared I was going to lose him…. And I’m so sorry” she whispers and Marinette gives her a watery smile. Then something glows between them, a yellow light emits from Chloe and a red one from Marinette. Marinette’s eyes glow red and Chloe’s glow golden and they both gasp before looking at each other with understanding. Marinette goes to speak but Chloe shakes her head and looks back to Adrien, grabbing his hand,

“Today is about him”

——–//////////———-

A few days passed and a funeral was held, Marinette and Chloe had not left his side since the incident. Nathalie had tried but it ended in her being magically flown out of the room. The funeral was large, people from all across Paris, humans, witches, werewolves, vampires and more came from all across Paris to say goodbye to the self-proclaimed Prince of Paris. Some tale of a sickness befalling the blonde was told to those in attendance and no one spoke up against it. Gabriel didn’t show. Marinette held Chloe as she cried as he was being lowered into the ground and Marinette whispered a promise to him,

“I will avenge you… I will make things right” she whispered,

“Soon”

———/////////——–

Damian, although not dead, had been hospitalized since the incident. He had been training with Slade when he collapsed, his every cell burning. It felt like his magic was trying to rip through him and soon enough he blacked out from the pain.

He woke in the private hospital room in the Ah Ghul temple. His vision was blurry and his limbs felt like lead. All he could make out was a feminine figure and a pinch in his neck before everything went dark again.

———————————————————————————————————

I’m so sorry, I feel so bad about Adrien :(:( but I’m happy to be updating!!!!

This is for @april-angst-apocalypse

Taglist:

Sorry some of your tags didn’t work!!

#witch au

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Witch Au / Part Four

“He’ll… he’ll….he’ll die” she screams falling to the ground in pain, tears now falling, “Please…..please”. Gabriel rolls his eyes and mumbles under his breath.

“Pull on me Adrien” she tells him but she doesn’t receive a response as he stares blankly at her, “Adrien please” she cries tears streaming down her face,

“I can’t lose you too” she mumbles, his face contorts slightly as he yanks her arms so his arm is around her waist, the dark magic surrounds them both and Marinette blacks out.

———//////////——–

“I will end them” a feminine voice screeched,

“Calm down sugarcube, she’s not ready yet, she’s too young” a male voice replied. Marinette felt groggy, what was happening? These voices seemed so familiar yet so… strange.

“Not ready?? That child has faced more magical trials than we did and it’s all because of that sick, psychotic son of a-”

“Soon, I will help you soon my chosen” the woman whispers.

———-/////////———

“Where’s Adrien?” she croaks out and the witches sigh at the young girl. Nathalie Sancouer is the one who answers her.

“The whereabouts of Mr Agreste should not be your main concern, you were reckless running into the ritual we will discuss your punishment-”

“Silentium” Marinette says successfully cutting the women off and the other witches try but fail to cover their giggles, until Marinette turns to them.

“I’ll ask again, where is Adrien?” she sneers and they all step back as her eyes glow red in warning. A short mousy woman whose name Marinette doesn’t remember replies this time,

“Oh… it’s you” she whispers, turning back around trying to swallow her tears.

“Is he….?” Marinette whispers and Chloe shakes her head,

“They didn’t even try any spells or…. They just…. Left him here”Chloe stutters and Marinette chokes back a sob,

“I…. I am… so sorry” she sobs but Chloe snaps her gaze at her,

“I thought if I was there I could help but… I wasn’t even allowed in” Chloe felt the tears rush back again, “They watched…. Watched as he died and did nothing…. And I didn’t even have the chance to save him…didn’t getto say goodbye” she cries, collapsing into Marinette and Marinette holds her.

“I tried Chloe….. I tried and I failed… and I’m so sorry” Marinette whispers hugging her and Chloe looks at her,

“Today is about him”

——–//////////———-

“I will avenge you… I will make things right” she whispered,

“Soon”

———/////////——–

———————————————————————————————————

I’m so sorry, I feel so bad about Adrien :(:( but I’m happy to be updating!!!!

This is for @april-angst-apocalypse

Taglist:

Sorry some of your tags didn’t work!!

#witch au

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Quarantine Masterlist

Chapter One: Beginning

Chapter Two: Nightmares

Chapter Three: Aftermath

Chapter Four: Desperation

#masterlist #quarantine

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Quarantine Chapter Four: Desperation

Written for the Maribat April Angst Apocalypse

Quarantine Masterlist | AO3

[Tuesday October 20]

Fifty-eight hours after The Wall went up, Hawkmoth sent out an akuma.

“I am Desperation, and I will tear down The Wall. Soon, those trapped within Paris will be reunited with the outside world. The people of Paris, imprisoned for crimes they never committed, will be granted amnesty, and the city will once more be free.”

Ladybug examined Desperation for a few moments, waiting for Chat Noir to show up. The woman was dressed in business casual: a blazer and slacks. Her entire outfit was grayscale, except for a brightly colored button, pinned to the lapel of her blazer. In her right hand, she held a smartphone, which she used to fire out explosive blasts of energy.

“What do we know?” Chat asked as he landed on the rooftop beside Ladybug.

“She calls herself Desperation. Her primary goal is to tear down The Wall. The akuma is either in the button on her lapel or in the smartphone. Watch out for the energy blasts, I’m not sure whether or not they’re fatal.”

“Got it.”

The fight was easy, at first. Desperation wasn’t interesting in causing damage to Paris, and as long as Ladybug and Chat kept their distance and avoided the energy blasts, Desperation couldn’t touch them. However, as time passed it became clear that their current strategy wasn’t going to work. To break Desperation’s akumatized object, they would have to get close to her, within range of her energy blasts.

“I’ll try dodging in and out. If I’m fast enough, I might be able to Cataclysm her phone before she can hit me,” suggested Chat.

Ladybug furrowed her brow. “I’m not sure that I like that plan. You’ll be putting yourself in danger.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take. For Paris.”

“For Paris,” Ladybug echoed.

Chat’s idea was a good one, but it still didn’t work. Desperation was quick, and her reflexes were too good to catch her off guard. After Chat’s third failed attempt to Cataclysm Desperation’s phone, Ladybug and Chat regrouped to make a new plan.

“I’ll distract Desperation with my Lucky Charm. You stealth up behind Desperation, and Cataclysm her phone while she isn’t paying attention.”

“What’s our plan if the phone isn’t the akuma?”

Ladybug thought about it for a moment. “Even if the phone isn’t where the akuma is hiding, it should be easier to fight her if she doesn’t have her energy blasts.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Chat. “I’ll circle the block and approach her from behind.”

Chat ran down the alleyway, out of sight. Ladybug re-emerged to join the fight, only to see the tell-tale purple haze surrounding Desperation’s face. She was in communication with Hawkmoth.

“I don’t care about gaining their Miraculous. I only agreed to join you so that I could tear down The Wall.” Desperation briefly paused, then responded, “I don’t care about your desires, Hawkmoth. I need the Paris Quarantine to end. Otherwise, I’ll never see my children again. I’ll be trapped in Paris, while they grow up without a mother.” Another brief pause. “I’ll get you what you want in time, but right now, the needs of my children come first.” The purple haze lifted, and Desperation was back in the fight.

It was hard to stay focused during a fight when you secretly agreed with the villain. Every one of Desperation’s monologues reflected what Ladybug and Chat Noir also believed in. Tearing down the wall, restoring freedom to Paris, reuniting families separated by the Quarantine. Ladybug wrinkled her nose in annoyance. For once, it seemed that she and Hawkmoth had a common goal - tearing down The Wall and ending the Paris Quarantine. However, she still had to stop Desperation.

“Lucky Charm!” Ladybug called. A flash of pink light, then a framed photograph landed in her hands. Inside the picture frame was a stock photo of a family portrait. Ladybug glanced around, trying to find a connection, but nothing jumped out at her. Just the picture frame and Desperation.

A thought popped into Ladybug’s head, but she hesitated. Could it truly be that simple? She took one step forward, then another.

“Desperation. I know that you’re upset, but please, try and resist the influence of Hawkmoth for a few moments, so that we can talk.”

“I won’t stop until I tear down The Wall,” snarled Desperation.

Ladybug held out the picture frame. The picture inside wasn’t a stock photo - it was Desperation’s family. “Think of your children. Think of the example that you’re setting. Is violence the best option here?”

For a split second, the haze reappeared, but Desperation managed to fight off Hawkmoth’s influence. “This is the only option. I need the Quarantine to end so that I can see my children again.”

“I promise you that Chat Noir and I will do whatever it takes to bring down The Wall and end the Quarantine. But first, we need to purify your akuma. Will you tell me where it is?”

“I-” Desperation began hesitantly, before her eyes narrowed, locked on something behind Ladybug. “I don’t believe you, Ladybug. I can’t trust that you’re not working with the Justice League. If I want The Wall to fall, I’m going to have to take it down myself.” Desperation whipped out her phone and pointed it at Ladybug.

“Ladybug, move!” shouted Chat Noir.

Ladybug jumped to the left, narrowly avoiding the energy blast. Chat rushed to her side. “I was almost in a position to Cataclysm her, but they caught Desperation’s attention.” Chat’s voice dripped with contempt as he stared at something in the background.

Ten officers of the Justice League stood off to the side, weapons pointed at Desperation.

“What are they doing?” Ladybug’s voice was shrill with outrage, her headache growing. “Are they planning on shooting her? She’s innocent in this. Hawkmoth is the villain, not her.”

Ladybug yo-yoed her way over to the officers, landing in front of them. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Stand down, Ladybug and Chat Noir.” A uniformed officer said. “The Justice League and the Paris Council have this one handled.”

“The Justice League caused this akuma. Chat and I are trying to fix this. We almost defeated her, before you caught her attention.”

The officer looked unconcerned. “Paris is under Justice League jurisdiction. Any villains are our responsibility to defeat.”

“You don’t know anything about fighting akumas,” snapped Ladybug. Her earrings beeped signifying that she had only a minute left. “Fuck.”

Ladybug slipped into an alleyway to detransform. “Spots off.”

Tikki was visibly exhausted. “Cookies?”

“In my purse.“

Marinette focused on taking deep breaths while Tikki ate. She knew that she needed to calm down and keep a clear head, but it was hard when her emotions were so tumultuous.

"Ready to go?” asked Tikki.

Marinette nodded. “Spots on.”

Ladybug went back into battle fighting twice as hard. She just wanted the attack to be over. She was tired of fighting Desperation, tired of dealing with the Justice League, tired of the nightmares that plagued her every night.

They fought for another half an hour before disaster struck. Chat was hit by one of Desperation’s energy blasts. One moment he and Ladybug were discussing strategy, the next moment Chat was ten feet away, his body limp on the ground. Ladybug sprinted to Chat’s side and checked his pulse. He was unconscious - still breathing, but only barely. Every shallow breath sounded like it could be his last one.

Ladybug saw red. “Lucky Charm!” She snarled. The object fell into her hand, a black and red tennis ball. Ladybug didn’t even have to think about her strategy. She threw the tennis ball as hard as she could at a nearby window. The ball bounced off, just as Ladybug anticipated, and collided right into Desperation’s hand - the hand that held her smartphone. Ladybug threw her yo-yo, catching the phone before it hit the ground and pulling it towards her. As soon as it reached her hand, Ladybug smashed the phone against the ground. No butterfly emerged - it wasn’t the akuma.

Ladybug’s breath caught in her throat as she let out a choked sob. Chat was dying, and she made a mistake. The akuma was in Desperation’s pin, not in the phone. Ladybug wasted time, precious time, and Chat would suffer for it.

“Get it together,” Ladybug gasped, trying to steady her breathing. “Just get the pin. Get the pin and it’s all over.”

“Join me, Ladybug, and together we can end the Quarantine,” Desperation offered.

“You hurt my best friend. I would never join you.” And with that, Ladybug leaped back into the fight.

Without her phone, Desperation was crippled. The fight was over in less than thirty seconds. Ladybug ripped the blazer off of Desperation and snapped the pin. The akuma fluttered out, and Ladybug caught it instantly.

“Be cured, little butterfly,” murmured Ladybug. The purified white butterfly fluttered away in the wind. Desperation was gone, and in her place was a dazed woman, holding her phone in her hand.

“Mama? Mama, where’d you go?” a tiny voice called out of the phone speaker.

“I’m right here, Katie.” The woman looked up at Ladybug. “W-Where am I? Was I akumatized?”

Ladybug didn’t respond - she had more important things to worry about. “Miraculous Ladybug!”

The Miraculous Cure spread across the city, restoring it to its former glory. Chat Noir, previously lying prone on the sidewalk, was now sitting up, unharmed. Ladybug breathed a sigh of relief.

“Chat? Are you okay?”

“Just peachy, m'lady.”

Ladybug gave him a strained smile. “Could we meet up tonight?”

“Sure. Where and when?”

“Seven o'clock. Meet at our base.”

“See you then.”

Ladybug’s earring beeped, signifying two minutes remaining. “Bug out.”

Marinette detransformed as soon as she got back to her bedroom. She glanced at the clock. 12:45 PM. She and Chat spent almost three hours fighting Desperation, and she was one of the easiest akumas they had fought all month. Marinette was exhausted, mentally and physically. “We can’t keep doing this.”

“Keep your hopes up, Marinette. You’re doing wonderfully.”

“Chat almost died, Tikki.” Marinette stared at Tikki, horror in her eyes as the reality of the battle started to sink in.

“The Miraculous Cure would have brought him back.”

“That’s not the point. This is getting too difficult for Chat and me to handle. I want to bring in more Miraculous users as permanent holders, to give us some backup.”

Tikki frowned. “It’s a lot of responsibility to place into someone’s hands, especially in such trying times. However, you are the Guardian of the Miraculous. It’s your decision to make.”

“I’m going to talk it over with Chat tonight, see what he thinks. Hopefully, he’ll agree with me. If not…” Marinette shrugged. “If not, we’ll try our best until that day that our best isn’t good enough.”

Taglist: @april-angst-apocalypse @justarandomtumblerblog @thestressmademedoit @ii-fox-demon @amayakans @bluefyoto94 @silvia7272 @rebecarojas07 @the-fair-maiden-of-fandom @justafanwarrior @mystery-5-5 @abrx2002 @queenmj10 @sturchling @maybemanymuffins @elmokingkong @thequeenofpotatoeunicornss @gigibnl

#Quarantine

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