Work Text:
Marinette flinched as her class's yelling reached her. Different accusations were thrown at her, all having to do with Lila.
"She just wanted to be your friend!"
"She was just helping!"
"Lila is amazing, Marinette! God, get over your jealousy!"
Marinette had heard it all. She just retreated inside herself, hiding away the sensitive parts of her and drawing out the parts that had turned to stone. She felt Tikki pressing into her side, along with another small presence. Plagg, she thought. She knew Chat Noir was in her class, explaining why she often found Plagg in her bag. She also had a good idea of who it was, and it made sense.
Chat Noir was aggressive with his advances on Ladybug. He had been a good partner, but he pushed too far sometimes. He had begun seeing Marinette, careful not to mention Ladybug. If Ladybug was brought up, Chat Noir's eyes would flash in barely hidden rage before he smiled at Marinette and say their partnership was better than ever.
Marinette knew better, being Ladybug herself.
As Adrien, he was nothing but sweet with Ladybug, always helping if he happened to be caught before he transformed. He always had helpful information. With Marinette, Adrien took on the role of "patronizing friend." Nothing she did was good enough. All she did was stir the waters. "If we do nothing, she'll expose herself eventually Mari. Just be patient and take the high road. She's not hurting anyone," He had said more than once.
The last time he told her that, Marinette had snapped.
"But she is, Adrien! She is! She's hurting me!" Marinette yelled. She brought her hand up to her mouth to stifle her sob. "She threatened me in the bathroom that first day she was back from 'Achu.' Please, Adrien, she's taken everything from me!" Marinette sobbed.
Adrien's eyebrows furrowed. "Marinette, you're really strong. That's why I'm asking you to do this. Keep your chin up, Mari. We can't get her akumatized," Adrien said, patting Marinette's shoulder before leaving.
Marinette collapsed and began crying in earnest. Tikki, and somehow Plagg, stood guard as she cried. They both made sure no akuma would come get their Guardian.
". . . see how that feels!" Marinette heard before seeing her (throwaway) sketchbook torn out from under her hands. Alya, her former best friend, tore the sketchbook apart before turning to see Marinette pull out another one. "God, Marinette, just apologize!" Alya screamed, slapping Marinette. The loud CRACK of skin-on-skin contact echoed around the class. Marinette's face was still turned to the side, facing out the window. She felt the hot sting of her cheek as she turned to face Alya, who looked stricken and triumphant all at once. Alya hadn't intended to get so mad she'd slap the designer, but what else could she do? It had already happened anyways, no coming back form that.
"Well?" Alya demanded. Marinette smiled coldly at her class, pressing a cold pack she always had with her to her cheek. "Fuck off. I haven't done anything, much less go near Lila since you all turned on me. Now, class starts soon, I'd suggest you all get back in your seats," She said, glaring at all of them. Most of the class, having never seen Marinette mad enough that she'd curse and glare, scrambled at their seats. Alya stayed behind and attempted to slap Marinette again.
The once-clumsy former class sweetheart caught Alya's wrist easily, squeezing it hard enough for the "blogger" to wince. "I held back last time. Hit me again, and I'll make sure you won't walk for a week. You wanted a cold, heartless Marinette? You got one," Marinette sneered, her bluebell eyes cold as ice. Alya gulped visibly before pulling away and sitting back in her seat next to Lila.
Marinette slumped into her seat and groaned, making sure all her valuables were locked in a box in her backpack before allowing herself to sleep.
✦͙͙͙*͙*❂✦∗⁎.ʚɞ.✦⁎∗❂**͙✦͙͙͙
Marinette woke to the sound of Miss Bustier's voice saying there was a class project and for people to choose their partners.
Before she could say anything, Adrien had slid into the seat next to her. "We need to talk," He said lowly, shooting her a disappointed look. She couldn't bring herself to care anymore. She just hummed in acknowledgement and packed her things up for lunch. She quickly escaped the classroom, being the first one out.
She wasn't going to wait around for her shitty classmates to assault her.
The bell above the door of the bakery jingled, and her parents greeted her. She had told them long ago of the bullying in her class, and they supported her with everything.
So when their teenage girl threw herself into their arms and began crying, they shot each other looks and began closing the store for lunch. Tom carried Marinette upstairs while Sabine stayed behind to close. Tim was murmuring words of love and encouragement to his darling girl, and it broke his heart to hear her cries and sniffles. When Sabine had joined them, Marinette recounted what had happened in the morning, including how Alya had hit her.
Tom happened to look over at his wife and saw the barely contained rage she had. He knew his wife would be going after them all, but she couldn't. Marinette had requested specifically that they let her handle it.
The bakers had never been so tempted to ignore their daughter's wishes.
Sabine busied herself making Marinette some lunch while Tom played some games with her, specifically UMIII. They both loved the game, and Sabine had a small, soft smile on her face listening to her daughter's cheers.
She wished she could do more for her daughter.
✦͙͙͙*͙*❂✦∗⁎.ʚɞ.✦⁎∗❂**͙✦͙͙͙
Marinette trudged behind Adrien. He had contacted his father and told Mr. Agreste about the project and got permission for Marinette to come and work on it at the mansion. The entire way there, he had been berating her about not provoking Lila, keeping her secret, to remain passive. Marinette did little more than nod, which irked Adrien, but he said nothing. They both went inside, but Adrien instructed her to stay in Mr. Agreste's office, as he wanted to speak with her. Marinette nodded and went into the senior designer's office, sitting delicately on the chair. Nathalie came in to give her water, then whispered to her that Mr. Agreste just wanted to talk; she was not in any trouble.
All Marinette could do was nod again. I'm a bobblehead with all this nodding, she thought bitterly as she waited.
Just then, a familiar shape caught her eye. She stood and went to the table, where she picked up a brooch. Her Guardian senses kicked in, and she knew what she was holding: the lost Butterfly Miraculous she had been trying in vain to recover for three years. She could feel Tikki vibrating against her side in her purse as the Goddess of Creation recognized Nooroo's energy. Marinette smiled wickedly as everything clicked into place for her.
Lila was working for Hawkmoth, A.K.A. Gabriel Agreste, whom also had her employed as a model. She's tasked with keeping Adrien safe and making sure he has no bad influences around him. In that plan, Marinette was to be akumatized per Hawkmoth's orders, as he sensed the headstrong aspiring designer would make a powerful akuma.
He had not considered that she was Ladybug and Guardian of the Miraculous now.
She quickly located the Peacock miraculous and sat back down, the sinister smile on her face still in place. When Gabriel Agreste entered the office, she was ready.
"You know, for a villain, you're awfully cocky Hawkmoth," Marinette said, sitting forward. She could see Gabriel visibly blanch as he realized that the teenager he had been trying to akumatize since she was 15 knew who he was. "Leaving the brooch on the table was pretty stupid, but that's how it is. Now I can get them into the Miracle Box," Marinette continued, and she made sure to brush her midnight-dark hair to the side, revealing the studs in her ears.
"Ladybug," Gabriel breathed. Marinette bowed mockingly. "In the flesh," She giggled.
She saw the exact moment he attempted to call out for Nooroo. And she saw the exact moment he realized that she had his brooch. "Can't beat me anymore, can you, Hawkmoth? I have both the Butterfly and the Peacock. I know you want your wife back. And I can help. But I want to make a deal," Marinette said, her smile turning almost predatory. Gabriel nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
"Well, as I'm sure you know, Lila Rossi has been making my life miserable. Your son has been encouraging her antics by telling me to 'take the high road' and that it would all blow over. Spoiler alert: it fucking didn't. Now, my sketchbook has been destroyed twice, thank god I always keep a digital copy and was able to reconstruct it, so I started taking throwaway sketchbooks to keep my real designs safe. So far, she's destroyed at least 10 of the fake, disposable ones. She's also taken all my friends. Just how far was she willing to go? Far enough where I'm fucking done. So, you're going to help me. You're going to use the Butterfly miraculous one last time to akumatize me. I'm going to get my revenge. The kwami and I have discussed this multiple times, they're all backing me. BUT, you're going to ask Nooroo for consent first. If he's willing to do this, great! If he's not, I'm taking the brooch back, you help me get revenge another way, and I heal your wife either way! Perfect deal, no?" Marinette asked.
Gabriel shivered at the rage in Marinette's eyes, but then he froze when he realized Adrien had been a part of this. He hadn't done anything to stop this very talented young designer from going over the deep end. "I will help you, so long as Nooroo consents to be used in that way one last time," Gabriel decided. Marinette nodded, summoning the Miracle Box and releasing all the Kwami, Nooroo included. "Since the Peacock is still damaged, Duusu will be in there while I figure out how to fix it," Marinette explained, gingerly tucking the Peacock brooch into the Miracle Box. Nooroo stayed out, the Butterfly in Marinette's hand.
Gabriel breathed in deeply. "Hello Nooroo," He said softly. Nooroo replied, "Hello Master," in a meek voice. Marinette's soft, encouraging words and pets of the small god allowed Nooroo to come forward and hover in front of Gabriel. "First, I am sorry Nooroo. I had not realized how badly I had hurt you. Second, I wish to use your powers one last time. Miss Marinette wishes to get revenge on Lila Rossi and her classmates," Gabriel said sheepishly, rubbing his neck as he remembered how fervently Nooroo protested against his plan to akumatize Marinette. Nooroo took one look at the Guardian and nodded.
"I will do this one last time. For the Guardian. I can sense that unlike most akuma, she will retain full control. She will know precisely what she is doing, and she won't abuse her powers. She intends to destroy the class that made her suffer, then relinquish the butterfly. She will not be an akuma, but a champion of justice," Nooroo prattled off softly. Gabriel winced, once again reminded of how badly he'd abused the miraculous' power. "Would she have been a champion if Lila's plan had worked?" Gabriel asked. Nooroo nodded immediately. "Not only is she pure of heart, wielding Tikki would have given her the strength to break the connection between you and her. She would have done all I listed, then gone on to get justice for others. She would have relinquished the butterfly as soon as she felt her mission complete," Nooroo said, nuzzling Marinette's cheek.
Gabriel looked on in wonder, watching the petite teen giggle as she tenderly petted Nooroo and offered him some cookies and morsels she carried in her bag. It is no wonder the last Guardian trained her, he thought. She carries innate goodness, something nearly incorruptible. How foolish I was.
A knock was heard at the door. "Marinette? We still need to talk and finish the project," Adrien called from the other side, sounding displeased. "Adrien! I am still talking to her!" Gabriel reprimanded sharply, pulling the door open. The kwami scrambled to hide, and Marinette's training payed off as she shrouded the Miracle Box using Trixx's illusion magic. Adrien looked shocked. "B-but Father, it's getting late. We need to get started, and her parents will worry," Adrien insisted. Gabriel frowned and gestured for Adrien to enter the room. Gabriel gestured for Adrien to sit before, shockingly, taking the seat next to Marinette.
Adrien's eyebrows furrowed, his eyes flashing with jealousy before he composed himself. "What's wrong, Father?" Adrien asked, trying hard not to look at Marinette and how her head bowed.
Gabriel took a deep breath. "Why did you not come to me when Lila Rossi was harassing you? I would have helped you. But now, I hear she has been ruining Marinette's life and you just. . . stood by?" Gabriel asked, leveling Adrien with his familiar disappointed gaze. "You did not have to deal with this alone, much less subject Marinette to endure this alone," Gabriel continued, pleading with his son to listen. Adrien nodded, sparing a glance at Marinette that was filled with disappointment, jealousy, disbelief that she would tell his father. "I'm sorry Father," Adrien mumbled, looking down. Gabriel regarded his son tenderly. "As am I, son," He whispered before transforming into Hawkmoth. Adrien's eyes widened, but as he opened his mouth to speak, his ring was off his finger.
Hawkmoth handed the ring to Marinette, who took it and placed it on her ring finger. Plagg was released from the ring once more, and he regarded his former blonde holder with indifference. "I warned you about having Pigtails do this, Adrien," He said, settling on Marinette's shoulders. Adrien gaped at Marinette, and the illusion hiding all the kwami and the Miracle Box melted away. Adrien watched as Marinette set the ring in the box, but allowed Plagg to remain out should he choose to. To Adrien's surprise, Hawkmoth-his father-watched Marinette as well, making no move to take the Miraculous.
Marinette made eye contact with the blonde model, and shivers went down his spine when she gave him the most sinister smile he had ever seen her with. "You know, Chat, I always knew your little crush on me would go nowhere. Funnily enough, I had a crush on civilian you. But you broke my heart over, and over, and over again, until Luka came along and helped me mend it. I knew he loved me, but I couldn't give him my heart, seeing as how I was Ladybug and a relationship would only distract me." Marinette paused, allowing Adrien to process that. His mouth gaped open as he realized. "L-Ladybug," He whispered. Marinette nodded in glee. "Oh, yes, Chaton, it's me. You spent too long chasing after as Ladybug, and harassing me as Marinette 'on Adrien's behalf' to implore me to stay silent on the Lila problem. That was my first clue. The second was the way you looked at Ladybug as Adrien. You looked at me like I was a prize to be won, a quest to be conquered, hidden under the sugary sweetness of kindness you radiate. It sickened me, but it doesn't matter anymore," Marinette said airily, waving her hand.
"W-why doesn't it matter?" Adrien asked, swallowing thickly. Marinette whirled around to face him with a maniacal smile. "Why, because I have Hawkmoth now! You get a front-row seat to the akumatization of Marinette Dupain-Cheng, your precious Everyday Ladybug," Marinette said. Hawkmoth wordlessly infused a white butterfly with his power to make. . . a lilac butterfly? "Aren't akumas darker?" Adrien asked, confused. Hawkmoth spared his son a glance before replying, "Marinette is to be a champion, not only because she is Ladybug, but because her reasons for becoming akumatized are so she can bring justice to those who lack it. She won't destroy anyone or anything who doesn't deserve it. Paris won't break, but those who deserve punishment will get it."
Meanwhile, Marinette allowed the butterfly to sink into her purse. Adrien tensed as he waited for a monologue that never came. He watched as Marinette was covered in light purple bubbles, and he felt the clean energy being expelled as Marinette transformed. "Well, this is a lot different than I envisioned it," Marinette said, chuckling. "I don't even feel different. I'm still Marinette, just. . . I'm not helpless. Well, thank you Gabriel. When I'm back, I'll heal Emilie. Until then, Adrien is safe. His punishment is yours to deal with, I won't interfere. Everyone else is mine," Marinette growled, quickly shaking hands before walking out of the door, the kwami following her. Plagg, however stayed behind. "I told you, Adrien. Pigtails is only so strong. You're lucky she found out when she did. Her balance, hers and Tikki's, have been off and on the verge of breaking. She wouldn't have held out against Hawkie here much longer, and Paris would have been truly fucked. Take the damned advice next time," Plagg practically hissed out, flying after Marinette.
Adrien sat there in shock. Marinette was his Lady. . . and she wanted nothing to do with him. He hurt her. He hurt her and Plagg had warned him against this plan of action.
The model was brought out of his thoughts by his father. "You will return to homeschooling. Once you reach 18, you have a choice: remain here and do whatever I so choose, be it getting sent to a college abroad or continuing to model for Gabriel, or you leave and all your funds get taken. You will have no support money, nothing from your time as a model. You will take your clothes and leave. I made the decision today that no matter what you pick, Marinette will be taking over the Gabriel brand. She's promising, and her online shop already has a steady clientele," Hawkmoth stated. Adrien blinked. "O-online shop?" He asked weakly.
What a lot of information he was learning about his good friend Marinette Dupain-Cheng.
✦͙͙͙*͙*❂✦∗⁎.ʚɞ.✦⁎∗❂**͙✦͙͙͙
Marinette walked down the street. One upside to being a champion: she chose her own design. Her hair, which had been steadily growing out, now hung a little past her waist. Two space buns sat on her head, the rest of the hair being loose. Her usual clothes were replaced by a flowing white gauzy dress. It flowed around her, stirring in a nonexistent breeze. On her feet were lace-up sandals, simple and comfortable. Around her waist was a thin, but strong, golden cord hung with a gavel and whip. She walked home, and since she seemed normal to passerby, no one took notice.
Her parents, however, were a different story. "M-Marinette, baby, please!" Her mom pleaded. Marinette smiled gently, stepping slowly towards her parents. "Maman, it's still me. I'm 100% conscious. I have a secret to confess to you both, now that it's safe to do so," Marinette said softly, taking her mom's hand gently and pressing a kiss to her mother's palm. Sabine blinked, now knowing it truly was her daughter. "Alright dear, let's go upstairs," Sabine whispered, leading her daughter and husband up the stairs.
Marinette sat across her parents. "Hawkmoth did give me powers, but it's not as bad as you think. I found out who he is, and he's 100% done with akumas after me. I know this because. . . I'm Ladybug," Marinette confessed, showing the earrings in her ears, and allowing Tikki to come out and greet the bakers.
It was a long night of revelations, and her parents stood behind her decision all the way. They couldn't wait for their baby to get her revenge.
✦͙͙͙*͙*❂✦∗⁎.ʚɞ.✦⁎∗❂**͙✦͙͙͙
Marinette came down the next day and kissed her parents on the cheeks. "Morning, Cookie!" Tom bellowed, enveloping his daughter in a hug. Tikki and the other kwami watched as Marinette squealed and laughed. They hadn't seen their Guardian laugh in weeks, and they were happy to hear it. Tikki flew over and nuzzled Sabine, and the various kwami now including Plagg, flew over as well and began dropping affection on the family of bakers. Sabine giggled as Plagg, Mullo, Fluff, Ziggy, and Longg landed on her head, shoulders, and hands. Tom was shocked and reverent as Zuppu, Sass, Pollen, Trixx, Wayzz, and Daizzi all began flitting around and even landing on him. Marinette smiled as Tikki, Orikko, Barkk, Stompp, Kaalki, and Roaar all settled in her hair. "Honey, I'm going to need a list of what the kwami eat so I can make them little treats," Sabine said, gently petting Mullo, who squeaked in happiness. "Of course, Maman. Now, I need to go. Whichever kwami want to come with me can, I'll cast an illusion spell to ensure you're hidden," Marinette said, clapping her hands and grabbing her things.
Tikki, Plagg, Longg, Pollen, Sass, Mullo, and Trixx ended up coming with her, the rest of the kwami opting to stay with her parents and explore the house. Marinette quickly put up an illusion spell, remembering to drop it after she transformed into Ladybug and purified the butterfly. She walked slowly to her class, allowing people to see her. She was soon surrounded by other people in her school, and she quickly filled them in. The news that she was a champion, not an akuma, spread quickly and people respected her for finding out who Hawkmoth was.
"Kick their assess."
"They deserve it. They're all stupid."
"Don't let them forget who you are, Marinette."
With that resolve, Marinette stepped into her class. She could see Adrien flinch at the sight of her, then slump in his seat. She could see the glares of most of the class, but Lila's smug look said it all. Ms. Bustier, who had been informed of what Marinette planned to do, pulled her outside for a few minutes. "Marinette, I am so sorry I didn't step in sooner. I went to Mr. Damocles, but he said there wasn't enough evidence. I tried to collect as much as I could, I'm so sorry honey," Miss Bustier said, holding her shoulders gently. Marinette blinked, tears welling in her eyes. "You knew?" Marinette whispered. Miss Bustier nodded. "S-so you always sent Alya and Lila out of the classroom-" "So they wouldn't try anything with you," Miss Bustier finished, nodding sadly. "I'm sorry it wasn't enough. I'm sorry they still got to you."
Miss Bustier was pleasantly surprised when Marinette hugged the teacher fiercely, crying into her shirt. "I'm so glad that-that you tried to g-get her exposed," Marinette gasped out, her tears forcing her to breathe in deeply. "Oh Marinette. You've always helped everyone but yourself. It was my turn to take care of you," Miss Bustier whispered, hugging the petite girl tighter. "Now go in there and tear them all to shreds," Miss Bustier said fiercely, letting go of Marinette. Marinette grinned wildly, gesturing for the teacher to go in first.
Then she went in again.
"Well, well, well, look who it is. Bitchinette, deciding she wanted to make a splash," Alya mocked, laughing meanly. The rest of the class giggled, but Lila stepped forward and grabbed Alya's arm. "Alya, it's not worth it," Lila stage-whispered. Alya shrugged Lila's hand off and stalked towards Marinette, the raven-haired girl holding her chin high. "Heel, dog," Marinette growled, and the class was stunned. Alya recoiled, her eyes flashing with hurt and rage. "How dare you!" Alya seethed, advancing on Marinette again.
Now it was Marinette's turn to laugh meanly. "How dare I? Please, me calling you a dog is the least of your problems. Now, sit, bitch," Marinette said coldly, cracking her whip at the reporter, who found herself on a chair facing the rest of the class. "Miss Bustier!" Alya cried out, struggling to get up. To everyone's surprise, the redheaded teacher stood behind Marinette and put a hand on the disguised hero's shoulder. "You all have been bullying and harassing Marinette for long enough. I recorded everything, this is going to the authorities as soon as she's done with your sorry behinds," Miss Bustier sniffed, sitting on her desk as she watched the proceedings.
The class's jaws dropped, and they all flocked to the door. However, it seemed Marinette had some powers she didn't showcase. She cracked her whip once more, and everyone in the school was in the courtyard. But it was set up differently. All the students were set up in stadium-like seats, facing the akuma class. The akuma class itself was in a box, seats inside making sure the students of the akuma class wouldn't leave. The teachers, all having been notified that Marinette might do something like this in revenge for the relentless bullying she had gone through, sat back and watched. The rest of the class eagerly awaited the akuma class's demise.
"Alya Cesaire. You run the Ladyblog, and you demand the truth. Yet you do no research of your own. You dismissed me when I told you Lila Rossi was a liar, saying i was merely jealous. But, now you'll see that isn't the case. . ."
And so the class's reckoning begun.
✦͙͙͙*͙*❂✦∗⁎.ʚɞ.✦⁎∗❂**͙✦͙͙͙
Marinette inhaled. The class was a sniveling wreck, except Adrien. He sat there in shock. As promised, Marinette had left the blond model for his father to decide what to do with. Lila Rossi was the last on her list.
"Speak, liar," Marinette commanded, banging her gavel on the desk before her. Words began falling from Lila's mouth unbidden.
"I started lying when I was five. I began by destroying Bella Giovanni, because she was more popular. Since then, I've messed with many more, getting worse and worse as time went by. Soon, people were enchanted by me as soon as they met me, and they would never listen to reason. The latest in a long line of victims is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She's known about my lying habits since day one, but I didn't know why. I threatened her in the bathroom, telling her I would take all her friends from her, and Adrien would be mine. She was either with me or against me, and she chose against me. I took all her friends, but Adrien knew what I was and refused to be with me. As far as I knew, Marinette never told anyone about the bathroom incident, until a week ago. She told Adrien and he still chose the high road, spineless coward. As for everything else, I lied. I hate Ladybug with a passion, I've never met Prince Ali, Clara Nightingale, Jagged Stone, or any other famous person I've claimed to have known," Lila spilled, blinking once she was done. She instantly paled as she realized, and shuffled back to her seat.
The akuma class was in shock. They stared as Marinette sauntered up to the stage, turning to face them. "So, now you know what Liar Rossi's really like! Her mom's been contacted, as has the school board. You assholes are going down! 'Oh, Marinette's akumatized, surely Hwakmoth's won is Ladybug hasn't shown up yet!' Right, isn't that what the class of people who don't like 'no' are thinking? Wrong, and here's why," Marinette said airily, dispelling the butterfly from her body, morphing back into regular Marinette. The butterfly stayed in place as she called out "Tikki, spots on!" and turned into Ladybug right in front of their eyes.
Everyone was in shock as she captured the butterfly and purified it. Lila was the first person to stand as everything Marinette's champion form made melted away when the butterfly was purified. "Doesn't you revealing your identity mean you can't be Ladybug anymore?" She asked smugly. Marinette smirked as she addressed Lila. "Actually, Hawkmoth promised me personally that he wouldn't be sending out anymore akuma after me," Marinette said, dropping the illusion magic on the kwami present. Plagg, Mullo, Trixx, Wayzz, Sass, Pollen, and Mullo were revealed, Tikki joining them when Marinette dropped her transformation. Pollen zipped over to Chloe, who had transferred out of Bustier's class a month prior. Luka and Kagami were in Chloe's class, and meeting them had mellowed Chloe out. Marinette and Chloe had been able to strike up a friendship, one where Marinette trusted Chloe to know her identity and even be Honey Bee occasionally. Luka and Kagami greeted their kwami warmly, coming to stand next to Marinette.
The school was in an uproar as Aurore and Mireille approached the spotted heroine, and the akuma class begged forgiveness.
✦͙͙͙*͙*❂✦∗⁎.ʚɞ.✦⁎∗❂**͙✦͙͙͙
Marinette rolled her neck, satisfied with her designs. It had been ten years since the exposing, and as far as she knew, everyone in the akuma class had been blacklisted from any industry. Adrien had accepted to stay with Gabriel, living in the house and eventually getting (forcefully) married to another model. Marinette often liked to have Adrien come in for early morning photoshoots, then tell him most of his pictures hadn't been good but there were a few salvageable ones.
Never let it be said Marinette didn't hold grudges.
"Mar, come on. It's 5:30 p.m. already," Marinette heard, looking up to see Chloe standing at the door. Marinette smiled gently, closing and packing up her things. Chloe was her PR Head of Department, and Kagami, who had gotten engaged to Chloe, handled security detailing for photoshoots and fashion shows. Marinette followed the couple, smiling faintly as she watched them playfully bicker. Once outside, Marinette caught sight of Luka. Her and Luka had gotten married four years prior, a year after Marinette took over Gabriel and merged her own brand, MDC, with it. They had been trying for a child, and Marinette splayed her fingers over her stomach. They had been successful, and Marinette was now three months pregnant.
"Hello Melody," Luka greeted, pulling his wife in for a hug and a kiss. "You're so warm," Marinette mumbled, burrowing into her personal heater. Luka smiled, knowing it was a side effect of wielding the ladybug miraculous for so long. Kagami and Chloe cooed at them, Chloe also burrowing into her fiancé for warmth. Luka and Kagami met each others eyes an mouthed bugs in unison.
Marinette smiled as she remembered her old class. The memories were bittersweet. They had all been so close, until Lila Rossi showed up. However, Marinette was thankful the Italian came when she did. She showed Marinette exactly who her class was, and she was free from them with true friends, a happy marriage, and her own business.
She truly had a happy ending.