Chapter Text
As Gabriel stood in his office looking out through his window, he couldn't help but give a sly smile as his thoughts swam through his head.
"Finally LadyBug and Chat Noir, I'll finally have my wish and you will be to distracted to stop me!" he said to himself as he clenched his fist, "Emelie my sweet, you and I will soon be together again and I assure you, no one will stop me, No One!" Gabriel fiddled with the ring on his finger as he continued to let the fond memories flow through his brain. ~Soon my darling you will be in my arms ounce again ~.
"Sir, the car is ready to take you to the airport," Natalie, Gabriel's assistant, stated as she stood near the door schedule in hand, "Audrey is already waiting for you at the airport and the flights have been arranged for Adrien's friends outside the class,"
"Have their parents agreed to this minor informality?" Gabriel asked turning his head slightly towards her.
"Yes, they complied very easily seeing as it was Adrien that brought up the idea," Natalie explained, her face still expressionless and cold.
"Very good, I'll be with you in a short while. That would be all, thank you Natalie." Gabriel acknowledged. With a nod Natalie left the room and left the man to his thoughts.
"Master I--"
"Don't try and discourage me Nooroo! I've made up my mind on this," Gabriel Scolded his kwami. Nooroo bowed in submission and said not another word.
______________________________________________
Gabriel had already reached the airport filled with a new found determination. If this didn't work, nothing would.
"Gabriel?!" Audrey called. Gabriel was brought back to the real world with that, "Honestly, if your not up to fly to Gotham today its, fine. The Show isn't until two weeks from now, besides there is still the matter of final planning and finding a new assistant to replace that imbecile, Josephine i fired this morning--"
"I'm fine Audrey, let's just make sure we make it to Gotham on time shall we," Gabriel said as he sat in his chair. He brought his drawing tablet and began working on sketches for said fashion show. Audrey didn't say a word. She shrugged at her flying companion sat in a chair opposite him, picked up her phone and began her usual rants as she planned the biggest event since the MET Gala, Its Gotham Fashion Week.
_________Meanwhile at Marinette's House________
"Marinette?...Marinette...MARINETTE?!", Marinette sprung out of her bed with a scream.
"HOW LONG WAS I ASLEEP?!", as quick as lightning, Marinette began rummaging around her room. She collected everything she needed and raced to the bakery. "Morning Maman, morning Papa," she said as she greeted her parents who where hard at work making fresh pastries to sell for the day.
"Morning sweetie, your up early..." Sabine, her mother, said as she set up the cash register. Marinette stared at her mother with surprise, while she munched down on a macaroon. With a full mouth she said, "what?"
Her Dad chipped in with a chuckle, "Its just 8 o'clock cupcake. Your one hour early," he said as he pointed to the wall clock that hung in the bakery. Marinette couldn't believe it. She had actually gotten up early, seems the new school year looked promising. She spent a few minutes in the bakery making an extra special treat for her class. Yes they had grown distant, but common she couldn't resist. It was just in her nature. She was ready and packed when her Mom stopped her.
"Sweetie,"
"Yes Maman?"
"You asked me to remind you about something yesterday,.....what was it?" Sabine thought.
"Oh... My application for our class trip to Gotham," Marinette chimed as she remembered the frustration and anxiety that was over whelming her yesterday about the application for the Student seminar hosted and sponsored by Bruce Wayne, owner of Wayne Enterprises. She couldn't believe that they where going. She had already cleared everything with school that afternoon, today they would do the final check before Principle Damiclease gave the say so, which she had to say was pretty much in the bag, "Done and dusted," Marinette said with a smile and headed for school.
Tom and Sabine looked at their baby girl go. No longer as Klutzy as she was two years ago. Tom sobbed "Why do they have to always grow up so fast?" He whined. Sabine cuddled her teddy bear of a husband and let the tears fall.
_____________________________________________
"Can you believe it Tikki? Its our final year in Francois Duponts. I can't believe it!" Marinette said as she crossed the street, "To think my whole adventure started with this place," Marinette was beginning to feel nostalgic as she walked through the front doors of the school. Her and Tikki where recalling all the good and bad times, sometimes chaotic, events that took place there. Meanwhile the school was practically empty, Marinette was forty minutes early. She was starting to see its appeal, "I can't believe that Ladybug and Chat noir started with this place, this school is like a beacon for Akumas," Marinnette said as she walked down the corridor to her classroom.
"Mhm, you've come along way from your origins Marinette, remember stone heart?" Tikki asked with a motivational tone.
"How can I forget," Marinette moaned, "I was ready to throw in the towel on the first day..."
"But you didn't."
"I'm glad I didn't. I don't think any one could handle the things we've been through Tikki."
"Definitely, not horrificator she was scary," Tikki remembered.
"Well she fed of fear I wouldn't say she was scary," Marinette recalled brushing of the not so terrifying villain, "Someone who actually gives me nightmares is Zombizou..." Tikki and Marinette shivered, "A zombie that doesn't eat brains but makes every one love dovey and mindlessly kiss themselves, yuck" Tikki gagged.
"Speaking of Nightmares I think Sandboy is the best villain we've ever faced hands down. I mean bringing peoples nightmares to life. Its the worst that could ever happen to any one," Marinette said as she opened the door to her classroom, if it was open Ms. Bustier had to be somewhere so Tikki flew into her jacket pocket as they continued their discussion, they recalled all their dealings, from gamer, catalyst, to evilistator, puppeteer, kwami buster, to pharaoh but Marinette's expression went cold when she remembered copy cat.
"What's wrong Marinette?" Tikki asked worried.
"I just remembered someone worse than Sandboy, Chat blanc." Chat blanc was currently Marinette's worse nightmare. A life without her partner was completely inconceivable, talk more of him becoming a villain,"What if he comes back this time and I can't save him" Marinette said, "Chat has been so... Out of it lately. He's almost on my balcony everyday to talk. He keeps saying he hates his life outside the mask, that he just feels lost." A tear ran down her cheek. She couldn't stand the thought of her partner being in so much distress and not being able to talk about it with anyone. She was beginning to wonder if keeping their identities a secret was worth it. Chat needed help, he is on the brink of depression and only Master Fu, who is now brainwashed, could give him a talk he would understand. Marinette let the thought linger for a while in her head. She was seating at the back of the class, she didn't want any trouble this morning. "Tikki? Don't you think as the new guardian I should know Chat's identity?" Marinette asked wiping a tear, now resting her head on the table. Tikki was just there staring at her.
"I don't know Marinette. Do you think that's wise?" Tikki asked carefully. She didn't think it was time for a reveal of any kind at the moment.
"Well if something happens, I need to know where he is. Just in case I need to take away his miraculous," Tikki knew her master was lying and she knew perfectly well that she just needed to talk to him. Chat has mentioned running away a couple of times... Sometimes to heaven. Tikki played along and responded.
"I trust you Marinette,"She said and cuddled her Master's cheek, "Now if you can just stalk Chat like you stalked Adrien, then you will officially be a great Guardian." Tikki said with a giggle. Marinette laughed, she had stopped stalking Adrien over a year ago. Her crush on him had finally disappeared. Like he said they were now just very good friends. They spent sometime together, off course with Luka and Kagami tagging along when Adrien skipped fencing practice and ditched his dad and Lila. On his Dad's more lenient days they spent the day at Chloe's. Yup, Chloe was Marinette's friend now. After the whole getting rid of Kagami debacle during Animastro them working together, and a few jobs by Audrey and it became unavoidable. Who would have thunk it? Speaking of which she just walked into class. Tikki ducked into Marinette's bag still snickering.
"Hey Chlo," Marinette waved as she walked up to her friend who met her half way.
"Hey Mari," Chloe said casually as she hugged the blunette, "Missed you during the summer, where were you?" She said as the let go of themselves and placed her hand on her hip.
"Sorry, I was swamped with commissions and you know Uncle Jagged is getting married and he has ME planning the whole thing," they took their seats as the rest of the class started to trickle in.
"Seriously Dupain-Chen, I thought we took your sketch book away from you, you promised you would get some R and R during this summer and instead your planning a wedding! I'm calling Luka and Kagami over after school today... You are taking a break whether you like it or not." Marinette laughed at how serious Chloe sounded. She didn't mind being arrested for working so hard. She was proud of it. If she didn't, who knows where she would have ended up, and apart from the wedding plans she was done with everything income based. She was free to finally have some fun with her friends. While her and Chloe were chatting about what they should do after school, Ms Bustier walked into class with a broad smile. She dropped her tablet on her table and clapped her hands together.
"Good morning everyone,"
"Good morning Miss Bustier," the class said in unison, happy faces all around.
"I'm so glad to see that all of you are with me today, and all of you are still in my class. Now lets get down to business shall we," she gestured for them to sit down, as she leaned against the table, "Now seeing as we have been together for two years and we haven't had any problems before, i feel it unnecessary to elect new class official-"
"Miss Bustier?" Alya interrupted
"Yes, Alya?" Miss Bustier responded
"I think we should elect a new class rep." Alya said plainly as she folded her arms.
"Why, may i ask?" Miss Bustier looked puzzled.
"Marinette is not fit to represent the class. She is spiteful, mean, deceitful, vindictive and loves framing or blaming others for her mis-steps and her flaws."
"She has cooked up theories about Lila and talks about us behind our backs which, by the way, is not cool!" Alix chipped in and sent a glare to Marinette. Marinette kept her eyes on her teacher, her face expressionless but her eyes welling up and becoming misty.~i was really hoping today would be be different ~
"We don't need a self absorbed and selfish class rep when clearly we are better than that," Alya finished and the rest of the class agreed. Miss Bustier was hurt inside. She couldn't begin to fathom how these kids, who could skin any one for each other, had come to hate the most trust worthy one of them. She was about to shut it down, when Marinette walked up to her, placed a binder on her table, looked at her and said under her breath, "Its fine Ms Bustier. I'll step down as class rep."
"Are you sure Marinette, you don't have to," Miss Bustier asked. Marinette only gave a nod and walked quietly to her seat all the while the whole class, except Chloe and Adrien, glared at her. As worried as Miss Bustier was about her class and the girl herself she continued with her announcement, "Alright. Thank you Alya, as of this moment... Marinette will still remain our class representative until we get back from our trip to Gotham," the class bustled with excitement as the announcement washed away the tension in the air. Miss Bustier clapped her hands together to get their attention ounce again, "Yes, I can see your all excited. Emails are being sent to your parents as we speak, all travel arrangements have been made and the only thing left to do is to get your parents to sign the permission slips, which will be given to you after school," everyone started conversing again, "Ahem. I'm not finished..." she continued, folding her arms as she spoke, "I do remember mentioning something about a student exchange program before we went on break. I'm quite disappointed at the fact that out of the what, 15 of you? Only two signed up and regrettably non of the parents gave their, much needed permission. You all seemed pretty excited when I mentioned it earlier... you were meant to be ambassadors of the school over at Gotham City High and now we have no one to send over," the students started dodging eye contact with Miss Bustier, some scratched the back of their necks, while others lowered their heads, Miss Bustier let out a sigh and gave a small smile, "No need to look so downcast all of you. I'm not mad at you, I just don't want all you to overlook such amazing opportunities. But the past is in the past and we can only look to the future," Miss Bustier walked to the door of the class room and opened it, she took a step back and nodded at someone in the door way, "Now class welcome the exchange student from Gotham City High..."
__________2 days ago in Gotham City_________
"I'm not going,"
"What do you mean your not going, how are you NOT going?"
"I mean, I'm not packing my bags, I'm not getting on any stupid plane and I am DEFINITELY not going to Paris!" Damien spat out as Dick followed him around the manor.
"Why would you sign up if you didn't want to?!" Dick wailed.
"Correction, I did not sign up, the school put every students name down and gave us permission slips to take home," Damien huffed, "tt. And unfortunately, father found it."
"You know better, if you didn't want him to sign it, you should have burnt it at least," Dick sounded exasperated, he was tired of chasing his seventeen year old brother around the manor... and the secret rooms it held. That place is a maze.
"I did and that's why I'm going to end the person who resurrected it," he said coldly. Dick met his pace.
"And I'm assuming you have proof before you go dicing anyone? hmmm?" Damien didn't answer. He barged through the training rooms doors and unsheathed his sword, "Which one off you scatter brained idiots gave father my permission slip?!" Damien growled his body locked in battle stance, "One of of you better fess before you become Titus' dinner," he sent a death glare to a jet lagged Drake and a puzzled Todd. Tim focused on Dick, the circles and bags under his eyes clearly visible.
"What is he talking about?" He said as he pointed his huge coffee mug in Damien's direction.
"We didn't do anything Demon Spawn... At this very moment," Jason smirked as he walked toward Damien.
"One of you, gave father my permission slip for the students exchange program, now which one of you fools are looking for an early death?!"
"Come on Damien, put the sword down and lets--" Damien thrusted his sword inches away from Jason's throat. Todd stood very still, his hands in the air showing surrender.
"Take another step and I'll end you," Damien growled. He could not stand his brothers, Jason the most.
"This is not necessary," Jason said rather plainly, trying to keep his body from trying a frontal attack, Damien was bigger now, that wouldn't work on him anymore. He had the scars to prove it.
"You have three seconds to come clean if not your blood will be on my hands," Damien smirked, "And I will gladly do so, without hesitation."
"I have no idea what your talking about Damien..."
"1..."
"Damien calm down, let just sit and talk about this," (Dick)
"2..."
"Hey Alfred, can you get a mop in here please," (Tim jugging down his coffee)
"Thre--"
"Enough!" Bruce said as he walked into the room, "What in gotham's name is going on here?"
"Finally," Dick and Tim sighed. One sighed that he didn't loose a brother, the other well...because he found his second canister of coffee. All heads turned to Drake who slurped loudly on his coffee and eyed his audience as he continued to type on his keyboard.
________________________________________________
"Your going and that's finally!"
"Says who?! I am not leaving when the joker is running around again, no way!"
"Its either that or the school expels you. The principal called and told me you have been absent in most of your classes through out this month and a constantly threatening your teachers and by the way didn't I forbid you from taking your sword to school?"
"The last time I checked that school was a hot spot for crime in this city. I'm being cautious."
"Call it what you like your going to be Paris," Bruce said as he sipped on the tea Alfred had so graciously given him, "Pack your bags we are leaving tomorrow." Demian gave his father a side ways glance.
"We?" He said raising an brow slightly.
"I'm dropping you and your brothers there--"
"What?!" Damien stood straight.
"Yes we have Intel that there are some strange phenomena going on there and you boys are going to check it out,"
"You seriously want to send all if us away when the Joker is making a mockery of us."
"The Joker has been silent for a few weeks we think he just change areas and has a different view on this."
"Fine," Damien huffed as he folded his arms and leaned against the wall, "what about my host family?"
"The school has agreed to let you stay in a hotel seeing as you like to bring about destruction wherever you go," Bruce remarked. Damien clenched his fist.
"Separate rooms for each of us and non of them, absolutely no one can follow me to school, and I'm using an bringing my sword and Titus," Damien said as he left the room in a low but harsh tone.
"Why not," Bruce shrugged, "Oh and Alfred was the one that gave me your slip," Damien eased up. He couldn't stay mad at Pennyworth. He is to... Him. He went to his room and packed began packing his bag and broke the news to his brothers. To his greatest annoyance they began to rejoice as if they had finally killed him, they wished. Apparently they were so excited cause they had a chance to meet Jagged stone, their favorite rock star who -according to the tabloids- is in Paris right now discussing wedding plans with his number one fashion designer MDC. Tim actually went to bed early to get well rested, Jason as well, while Dick grabbed all his Jagged merch and markers he wasn't going let a golden opportunity like this slip away.
~What the hell is wrong with these people?~ he thought to himself. He laid on his bed wondering how much torture he was going to endure in the dreadful city of love. The mere thought made his skin crawl.
________Present Day at the School________
"... Damien Grayson." Damien walked in to the class face plain as usual. He had been standing in the hallway for a while, and had heard the conversation. Involving the class representative. He hated corrupt officials and he wanted to deal with it immediately, who in Gotham's name was Marinette? He was jogged out of thought when Ms Bustier started to speak again.
"Now all of you, please show him a nice welcome and please don't cause any trouble for him here," the class acknowledge this while Damien felt like Ms Bustier's cheerful expression will give him diabetes. She looked at him and gave a slight smile and asked if he would like take a seat in the front with Sabrina. Damien lied and told her he was far sighted and wouldn't see her clearly and he forgot his glasses. Ms Buster smiled and asked Chloe politely to come to the front seat so Damien could take he seat there.
Meanwhile while all of this was happening Marinette was under her desk rummaging through her book bag for her tablet. She didn't even notice when Damien sat next to her, when she did she jumped a bit and gave a slight squeal. Alya scoffed at her while Lila gave a evil giggle.
"I'm so sorry! I didnt know who were there," she became flustered and her cheeks were flushed, "I'm really sorry."
"It's alright. Sorry for startling you, it was my fault." Damien said. He couldn't help but feel warm for the girl and he was amused at how she was acting.
~Get hold of your self already! You haven't even been here for ten minutes!~
"I'm Damien Wa-Grayson, Damien Grayson," he said reaching out to shake her hand. Marinette calmed down and gave a warm gentle smile. Damien felt like he just been put out in the sun, what was he feeling, he abhorred it and yet he didn't want to end.
~This is exactly what I am afraid of... I never should have watched those romance shows with Starfire. Look what's happening now
"Nice to meet you Damien, I'm Marinette," Damien felt bewildered, "Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
~You gotta be joking, she cannot be the class rep. She's to...to... Cute~