Chapter Text
“Pound it!~”
The familiar catchphrase of every purified akuma. As the famous catbug duo handled each others business accordingly.
“Miraculous ladybug!” Ladybug, everyone’s favorite spotted heroine, returned everything back to it’s status quo while an innocent, formerly akumatized victim watches in awe. However he was not the only one accustomed to awe, as her Black cat suited partner can’t help but stare on too, instead of doing something productive like asking the victim what was wrong until his Lady went straight to work. Everyone is waiting on their phones for the “Okay” to continue on with normal life, for a glimpse of these magical insects.
After comforting the victim and giving encouragement, they had to get back to where they were supposed to be, and fast! Exchanging only a few words. “Good fight Chatton, gotta go! “ She said throwing her yoyo to the distance and waiting for just a moment.
“As always my lady!” He gave a small salute with two of his fingers before the both of them vaulted off into the distance.
“Akumatized victims are getting so common it’s becoming impossible for the school system to end classes early each time it happens. Students in the akumatized zone of paris can’t afford to be this delayed in their studies. It’s going to begin overlapping into holiday breaks, or even into weekends.” Ladybug hiding in an alleyway next to a Electronics store to detransformed quietly saw before she dipped in that new program circulating around paris. Much to her distaste.
“Spots off.” She said looking to her kwami as she opened her bag to rush her in so she could make a mad dash to school cookie in bag already. “No time to waste.” She murmured school is starting up once again and you can’t be late because they expect you to be there but for these superhero students things are getting too close for comfort.
‘This is close to home…’ marinette thought. As she broke out running. ‘Past our shop…Don’t trip! down the road… across the street… up the stairs… Is adrien around? N-no time for that! Through one more door.’ the scenery flew by as classes were already starting up hoping she was still in the grace period. Out of breath and into her art class. “Did I make it…?” she looked at everyone who was still at school in their seats as if still in the lesson she was just interrupting.
The art teacher just sighed a bit. As she quietly went to sit in class. Pursing her lips.
The class seemed to go well and ended relatively reasonably the principle having to guide class times now according to a proper school schedule on these Akuma days.
“Miss Marinette. Can I speak to you?” The kind older art teacher spoke a firm yet respectable voice. As Marinette our ordinary everyday ladybug was singled out of everyone as they left for the day.
“Yes sir is there something I can help you with?” Grasping at the back of her head nervously. “I’m sorry I was late…”
“The Akuma had not come into the school area so I let the others continue with their art and my lesson. Now I can understand if you’re scared of akuma attacks and need to flee when they’re close but if you’re going to check your phone and run without giving me warning I’m going to have to report it to the school. “ He said with a concerned look on his face. Marinette tensed up and he noticed. “We have to know where you are to keep you safe. Where did you go?” He said urging her.
“I-I was just running home to my family. You know how bad akumas can get…! I was deathly terrified and would rather be with them.” She tried making excuses. The teacher pursed his lips a bit.
“We gave your parents a phone call and you were not with them.” Marinette's blood went cold a bit. Knowing what was about to happen next. The teacher having great concern painted in his eyes. “We do this f-” he was cut off by the two who had just rushed into the classroom.
“Where is our daughter?” “Marinette!” The oddly proportioned couple came running into the art room with concern and flour caked on their shirts.
“Mama. Papa!” Marinette called out to immediately thrown into her fathers gigantic arms. And mothers fierce concerned hug. “I’m here now I’m okay…” She knew she had some explaining to do. “Also can’t breathe…ow.” Needing some space of her own.
“Marinette where were you?” After being released from hugs came the concern. “You know you’ll get in danger if you run out what if you get caught up in these attacks and get hurt!” The worry from her mother was heart string pulling and Marinette knew it.
“When the school called and said you were making a dash home and you didn’t come we were… so…” Tom began to tear up a bit “We told you when these things happen you can’t just make a run home….” Marinettes’ eyes watered lightly at her parents knowing she can’t follow the rules they want her to follow .
“Did you get caught up in the akuma again…?” Sabine put her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “You know you’re all we have… And we love you so… so much.”
“Honey we don’t want this to happen to you… So we have to ground you until you learn that unless a akuma is attacking the school not to run because you never make it home… Please sweetie. Every time this happens you’re not allowed on your phone or computer or Tv News programs on akuma days. “ Tom put his foot down on this one. That could be dangerous especially if hawkmoth attacks twice in one day. “This is for your own good.” Marinette felt her eyes twitch in sadness tears slipping down as she hugged the family who loved and cared for her so deeply. Knowing she can’t refuse them..
“B-but…” she looked quietly down at her purse where Tikki was in probably listening. She saw the look her parents were giving her. “O-Okay…” she agreed and was given another more gentle hug from both Tom and Sabine.
“Thank you for calling us.” holding her hand out, waiting for her daughters phone. “We’ll handle the rest from here… thank you again.” Sabine wrapped her fingers around the phone that was set in her hands by her reluctant daughter. Her teacher just nodded and let them leave for home.
There was a bit of quiet again. “Did you guys really close the bakery just to come get me…?” Mari’s weak question to fill the space in between her mother and fathers hands.
“Of course, we love you sweetie. We support you in many things and give you many freedoms but you get so squirrely around akuma attacks. We had to make this decision together.” Tom said rubbing his finger against the back of his daughter's hand gently as they all helled hands home as a family.
“Awwhh is Marinette needing to be walked home with her mommy and daddy?” Chloe teased as they walked down the steps of the school. Everyone just ignored her on their way home to open everything again.
Lila also watching thinking some devious thoughts on the inside while outwardly speaking. “So sweet. Just like the time my uncle who is famous walked me home too. He did…-” as her clique listened. Quietly seething at their love looking down and tapping on her phone. Landing on the ladyblog.
After all that Marinette went upstairs into her bedroom and just kind of flopped on her lounge chair not knowing how to absorb her new found grounding. Airing her frustrations into the chair. “Ahmmmmmmmmmfms..” as Tikki Escaped from her purse. Crumb on her cheek. “I’m sorry Marinette…. I really wish you could have a normal life along with being a superhero but you’re always doing such a good job!” She encouraged.
Marinette just kind of lifted her head up and to the side to glance at Tikki. “I know… but I just… Ughhh…the way they looked at me I wish they knew I was doing this for them… or just everyone.” she pouted quietly as Tikki hid behind her pillow quickly as the sound of footsteps came from below.
“Marinette. You better not be on the computer unless it’s for homework.” Sabine coo’d as she lifted the hatch up. Bringing her up an after school snack of soup and a chunk of bread. “I’m going to be checking on you until tomorrow so don’t close the hatch. “ her mother entered setting the soup down and put a gentle hand on her daughter's head. “We love you. Please try to have fun.” she watched as her mom glanced at her computer for a moment. “I’m going back to help your father come down if you want.” Watching as she left down the stairs.
“Why does everything have to be so difficult…?” Marinette called out to Tikki as she flipped onto her back.
“That’s just the way the cookie crumbles Marinette… that’s life.” Tikki said squishing cheek to cheek with marinette.
‘Does Chat deal with this too…?’ Thinking to herself. Wishing she could relate with him in that way but it’s better to keep your identities secret. That’s what fu taught her. Sighing a great big sigh.