Curate, connect, and discover
Part 1/ Part 2/ Part 4/ Part 5/ Part 7
"Lila, why are still not in school?" Mrs. Rossi asked her daughter. "Oh, it's just that after Ladybug was replaced by Lady Luck the school couldn't possibly trust her, given the rise of more akumatizations," Lila replied smoothly. Her mother smiled and and nodded as she placed a kiss on the girl's head. "Alright, be safe here and I'll bring it up in the meeting. Tell me when the school will reopen again," her mother said as she took her leave.
However, the truth behind her it all was that Lila didn't want to see them all. She hated Marinette more because of what she had done. "If that bitch didn't kill herself I would've been living in luxury by now," Lila exclaimed, still blaming her for what had happened. She still couldn't accept that her tower of lies would fall down in front of her. "I hope that she'd choke on her respiratory," she says. "You couldn't do one thing right even when you're about to die. It's because of that damn cat that you're still alive," Lila continued to banter on how Monsieur Noir saved Marinette at the final second.
...
"Sir, Lila's anger has reached a devastatingly high level. Ever since Marinette's parasuicide she had become more wrathful and petty," Natalie stated. This made Gabriel smile wickedly at the thought. Ever since the death of his son he couldn't handle it any more. He akumatized Natalie in order to retrieve his son's body, which now lies with his wife's. His drive was twice more powerful now that he had nothing to lose at all, making him double the number of akumatizations.
However, he was still highly disappointed at the predicament of Marinette. She was supposed to be his masterpiece. She was going to be the one to guide him to victory, if it weren't for Lila's pets for going too far, he would have had her. Or if it weren't for that cat for summoning his cataclysm to destroy the akuma he sent for her. Although it had paved the way for a more malicious Lila Rossi that will likely succeed this time.
"Hmm, this is an absolutely wonderful predicament. Nothing better than a vengeful heart in need of help," he began. "Nooro, dark wings rise," he called as Nooro entered the brooch and powered his master.
"Ah, such a vengeful soul who only wishes for the rightful punishment to those who had wronged her. A perfect prey for my akuma. Fly away evil one and reunite with this toy," Hawkmoth stated as he released an akuma to Lila.
Lila, on the other hand, continued her anger tantrum by checking the Ladyblog only to find hate comments on her after Alya posted the truth and took down all her interviews. As she was about to throw her phone away, the butterfly immediately entered it taking control over her.
"Castigare," Hawkmoth greeted as a smile appeared on her face. "I'm giving you the ability to cast the suitable punishments to those who have wronged you in terms of Dante's Inferno. In return, as always, I ask for the miraculouses," he conditioned as Lila replied, "Of course Hawkmoth."
With that Lila was engulfed by the purple and black plasma and transformed her. Her hair stayed the same with an addition of a golden crown. However, her skin turned to ivory while her clothes were the typical skin tight costume with the colour of balconies and purple. Her gloves, boots and top are in the colour black, while the rest of it was purple. Her phone turned into a sceptre that she would be able to use against those who wronged her.
Looking in the mirror, Lila—Castigate smiled wickedly as she stalked out for her rebelling subjects. "First, François Dupont, next you, Marinette!" she declared as she laughed manically.
...
"Allan, Allan. Where are you? Come back before you hurt someone," Marinette called. "Did you find him on your end?" Felix asked Marinette as they met at the corridor. "No," she replied with worry. "I-I don't want to see him like that again," she said anxiously. "It's alright, we'll find him. Don't worry, Claude will know what to do like always," Felix consoled. "I'm sure that he would not try to possess anyone again," he added. "It's just that, I can't. I can't see that much sorrow in him. Not to mention how that girl almost died," Marinette began to panic.
"Hey," Felix said as he touched both her arms as she began to panic. "We'll find him. I know how spiteful he could be, but we have to stay calm. We don't want your heart monitor to go haywire," he added as he tried to calm her down. "I just, I just don't want anyone to get hurt. You know how he is when he realized what he had done," Marinette said as she slowly calmed down. "I know, depressed souls aren't the best to see," Felix agreed as they reminisced on how Allan had almost cut off the electricity and generators around two days ago, and because of that there were surgeries that were almost undone. It was terrifying, not to mention that almost all of their life support was cut off.
"Let's just wait for the rest to finish their side and see if they found him. Come on," Felix suggested as he guided her to a chair. Marinette nodded as she followed and tried to calm down her worrying mind. "Everything will be alright, I assure you. He'll have his temper tantrum for a moment, without any causalities, and calm down on his own," Felix consoled.
After a moment of silence Marinette decided to break it. "I wonder what it would be like if I died when I tried to kill myself?" Marinette asked out of the blue. "I'll probably never met you and you would go to heaven," Felix replied. "How sure are you that I'd go to heaven, I'm not a good person? What if I would end up like Allan? To wander the earth aimlessly waiting for my turn to crossover," she pondered. "Why are suddenly having an existential crisis?" Felix asked curiously. Marinette sighed and kept quiet as she waited for the rest of the gang to arrive.
"It's because you're a good person," Felix replied after a few moments. "What?" Marinette asked, wondering what he meant. "I know that you're going to heaven. You're a way too good person to even begin with," Felix added as he turned his head away from hers trying not to make eye contact with her. "You always put other's needs before yours. You're kind to everyone you meet and you always have a silver lining to those who are misunderstood," he continued.
"I'm more of a doormat than a 'good person.' I let everyone walk all over me even when I'm hurting. I mean look where it got me," she denied as she tucked her legs and hugged her knees. "I even feel responsible for Adrien's death. If I just took the high road maybe, maybe he wouldn't have been sent to America. It's too much of a heavy sin for me to think of going to heaven," she continued as she began to feel more of the guilt that's been eating her. "I-I just think that what if—."
"You are not responsible for his death!" Felix stated in a stern voice as he looked her in the eyes. He placed his left hand on her cheek as he wiped away the tears and made her face him. "It's not your fault," he said in a more comforting manner. "Remember that. Accidents happen, none of us meant for that to happen. No one expected it and no one is to blame. Mostly you, you did nothing wrong," he said in a soft voice that was now her rock during her distressed times. "You're too much of an angel to even be here. You care so much for everyone, but sometimes you neglect yourself. But you are a good person who deserves to live like everyone else. Please, don't stress yourself for thinking that you're not one," he added with a consoling voice as he took the girl into his arms and embraced her whole body.
Marinette buried her face into his chest as she sought comfort in his touch and words. She doesn't know if she regretted her failed suicide or not. She sometimes felt like if it weren't for it, she wouldn't have met them all, specially Felix. But she can't help but feel guilty, guilty that she's loving him more than she could've loved Adrien, not to mention that they're cousins.
The more that she's with Felix, the more she felt that Adrien was more of a fleeting crush and a brother like figure who would be there for her. Adrien is someone she could trust to catch her when she falls, someone who would trust her with his private life. But the life that she dreamt for them slowly faded when she found out that he was Chat. Chat is very much a brother to her. A brother who would be ready to defend her when someone wronged her or would not hesitate to tell her that she's wrong. It was probably the rush she felt when she found that they were the same person that she didn't realize that Adrien couldn't be more than a brother to her now.
Felix, on the other hand, after getting to know him these five days, she realized that he was more of an attentive companion than Adrien. He would always be there to comfort her and hear her out. He's ready to be there for her through thick and thin. He would understand her during her depressing moments, something that Adrien couldn't do due to his own situation. Felix helped her cope with her new state and guide her gently with care. He always challenges her, which made him more endearing, and he is equally attractive as his cousin. He also always knew the right things to say and would tell her to love herself more than what others did. He taught her how to be a stronger character and learn how to say no unlike others who just ignore that attitude, which got her there in the first place. However, they're both not exactly alive which could make their situation a bit difficult.
These thoughts continued to invade her mind as she buried her face deeper, wishing she could smell his scent to confirm more of her confused emotions. As Felix had one arm around her waist to keep her from falling as the other calmly brushed her hair and rubbed circles on her back. He, too, felt to same for her, wishing that they were both alive right now to make it feel more warm, than the cold that they felt from each other.
"We couldn't find him," Lindalee interrupted as she and Kenya arrived. Both of their heads turned to the girl's direction like a deer caught in the headlights. "Oops, are we interrupting something?" she asked with a giggle as they both grinned at the couple. Instead of pulling away, Marinette placed her head on his chest again and mumbled, "In a way." This made Felix blush lightly at what she had said as she sighed. "No, but do you have any news from Claude or Allegra?" she asked. "No, and Allan wasn't in any of our areas. I'm afraid he would be heading for the door," Kenya solemnly replied.
"This is bad, this is bad," Lindalee said as she began pacing. "Sit down Linda, before you burn a hole on the floor," Felix said as he patted the chair beside them. "I just hope that Claude finds him," Kenya said as she sat beside the two. "Don't worry, I'm sure that he will," Felix reassured the child. Not long after, Claude appeared with a displeased look on his face. Marinette looked at him to which he slowly shook his head no. This made her slump more at the disappointment.
"He wasn't in the morgue. I checked every container and observed the dieners to make sure he didn't possess any of them," Claude rolled as he ran his hands through his hair. "I always worry about him ever since he began his temper tantrums. I don't want him to regret anything he does in the end," he added as he looked at his friends who were already standing up as they looked behind him.
There, Allegra was running with all her might to reach them and stopped. Despite being ghosts, they still get tired since they're not really dead. Once she caught her breath she said, "I saw him. He, he." She continued to pant, still not getting used to running as a ghost. "He what? Where is he?" Kenya interrupted, since she always see Allan as an older brother. "He, he got out. I couldn't stop him. He stormed right out the hospital," she replied sadly. "I guess this would be a big one," Claude commented as he turned to look out the windows. "Big enough to not let us see him so dejected," Felix added as he looked down. "I hope that he'll just be in the cemetery," Lindalee piped up. "Yeah, he's more docile at cemeteries than anywhere else," Claude seconded.
Allegra sighed as well as she went to stand next to Claude. Both of them looking over the city of Paris. She looked over and tried to take in every detail of the city that she didn't appreciate until she was stuck in a hospital. But in the distance she could see something odd. It wasn't a building and she was sure that there would be no parades any time soon. But as she looked closely, she knew what it was and it was heading straight to the hospital.
Being a superhero has its cons, like the lack of sleep. During free period Marinette was sleeping in the library where she was supposed to be researching for her report to be passed the day after tomorrow, but since Hawkmoth seemed to have a lot more free time, he decided to send akumas even at night. The young girl slept peacefully not minding the other students since she was at the very back and secluded area of the library. However, not everyone who comes to the library knows this place but an anti social bookworm might.
Felix had just escaped from a group of fangirls. You just take one photoshoot with Adrien and more you're being chased by his fangirls and your own, he thought to himself. He decided to go to his sanctuary, the library. He greeted the librarian and headed towards the back to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. What he did not expect was to his classmate sleeping in his area. He looked at Marinette as she peacefully slept there with a silent smile and sweet closed eyes. He then sighed and decided to sit on the opposite desk to read.
...
Marinette woke up to find that there was a piece of paper on her desk that had summarised the discussion on the book with a note saying that she should get more sleep. She pondered on who could've placed it there for her. She looked around to find that no one has been around the area. She then smiled and silently thanked whoever summarised the notes for her.
The next day, Marinette had to wake up around seven since Hawkmoth decided to start the day with an akuma attack. The fight finished arrive 7:50 giving Marinette a quick run in her house and to school. With last night's and this morning's akuma attack, she lost five hours of sleep. She didn't even care what Alya was telling her that day about some student that entered school again, not could she care about Adrien talking to said girl. During class she half listened since she can't possibly focus at the task at hand. After what seemed like an eternity, class finally came to an end. She was walking home when she saw, plopped on one of the park benches, was a blond who had a book over his face. She neared the sleeping figure and recognized him. "Well, I guess even Felix sleeps anywhere," Marinette commented to Tikki. "He must have had a sleepless night as well," Tikki replied.
She then flew to his face, covered by a book. She let out an audible gasp at this. "M-Ma-Marinette," she stuttered. "I think I know this book," she said in a serious tone. Marinette then took a close look at it as well. "What book is this Tikki?" she asked curiously. "It's not just any book. This book is the book of the miraculous," she exclaimed. "Wait, you mean this book is all about the miraculous?" she asked for verification, to which Tikki nodded. "Why does he have it?" Marinette pondered. "The guardian lost this book years ago along with the butterfly miraculous. I fear that the book is in Hawkmoth's possession," she replied. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" she asked hesitantly. Tikki nodded to confirm her theory. "But we can't be sure yet. I'll search him," she said as she began searching Felix for the brooch. "Tikki wait," she says a bit too loudly.
Felix stirred from his sleep and slowly removed the book from his vision to find a panicking Marinette in front of him. He groaned and said, "This is the thanks I get from the person I helped with their notes." She then blinked for a few minutes and recovered. "You what?" she finally asked. He let out a deep sigh and sat right up and replied, "Nothing." Feeling awkward about the situation Marinette asks, "So, what's that book about?" Catching his attention, he felt a surge of panic, and quickly put it back in his bag. "Nothing important," he says as he gathered his things to leave. "Wait!" she says in a panicked tone as he left with Tikki. "I didn't find the brooch," Tikki announced. Marinette quickly clamps her up by catching her in her bag. This makes Felix freeze and turn towards her. "Was that a kwami?" he asked. "N-no," she stuttered. "Come with me," he said as he took her arm and headed towards the bakery.
"Marinette, oh it seems like you brought a friend," Sabine said as she saw her daughter come inside with a classmate. "Good afternoon Ma'am, I'm Felix Agreste. I'm here to help Marinette with her essay since she needs a copy reader," Felix smoothly lied. "I'm Sabine, Marinette's mother. Thank you for helping her with her essay," she introduced herself. "Alright, you kids head upstairs and I'll bring you some snacks," she says as she ushered the two upstairs. Once in the living room Felix dropped Marinette's hand and asked, "Where's your room? I believe that it's safer to talk there," he says. She then led him to her room and offered him to sit on the chaise while she sat on the chair by her desktop.
Felix locked the trap door and sat on the chaise. "You're Ladybug, aren't you?" he asked with a stern voice. "Why should I tell you?" she asked, still suspecting him to be Hawkmoth. He sighed and said, "Plagg, you can come out." He called good stubborn kwami, but the only thing he got was, "I'm sleeping." He sighed and took out a piece of camembert, as a black creature came out of his bag to eat it. Felix looked at Marinette's reaction waiting for a response. "Tikki you can come out as well," she said with her head down. "Sugar cube," Plagg squealed as he tackled the red kwami. "Let go. You smell like cheese," Tikki exclaimed.
"So, you're Chat Noir?" she silently asked. "Yes. It seems like it, my queen," he replied with a very Chat Noir like grin. "How did you come across with the book?" she asked calling onto her Ladybug courage. "Well this book isn't really mine. I think I saw Adrien with this book earlier in the library, but then I saw it with this Italian girl at the park. She threw it in the trash can forgetting about it. So I took it to give it back to Adrien, but it seems like it will be more useful for us. I must have fallen asleep reading it," he explained. "Are you saying that Adrien was in possession with this book? You do know this could be a lead to finding Hawkmoth," Marinette said. "I'm well aware of the fact that it will be our lead to him," he said reading her eyes. "I'm not implying that Adrien's Hawkmoth, but I'd say that my uncle is," he added. She then furrowed her eyebrows and began thinking. "You're right, Mr. Agreste is a very reserved man who's distant even towards his own son," she said. "Not only that if you look closely at his logo and the interior design of the mansion there are a lot of clues that could confirm him to be Hawkmoth," he added. "Good observation kitty," she complimented earning a playful grin from the blond.
He stood up from where he was seated and made his way to her. "Well, now knowing your identity, it will be impossible for you to escape this time," he says as he crouched down to her level. "Now Purrincess I think I know who my competition is now," he said as he used his index finger and thumb to raise Marinette's chin to face him. This caused her to go bright red. Red enough to compete against her suit. Summoning all her Ladybug strength, she was able to push him away with her her fingers on his nose. "Not so fast kitty. Now that I know your identity it gives me the leverage to avoid you," she teased. He then gave his cute pout and chuckled.