Chapter Text
The sound of crashing and shattering echoed in Marinette’s ears as she growled out in frustration, letting out her feelings onto whatever she could get her hands on in her room. She could feel her heart pounding and the huge amount of emotions she was feeling within. This wasn’t something unfamiliar to her, not in the slightest, she was always frustrated, always angry, but this was a whole different level than her usual day to day. It was just as bad as the day she was first brought into The Supreme and met The Supreme Chancellor.
She remembers walking down the path to school, looking at all the posters and symbols of The Supreme scattered everywhere she went. Marinette tried not to look at them for too long, she knew why they put symbols around everywhere. It was a constant reminder to everyone that no one is truly alone,
‘You never can hide anything, your secrets are never truly yours under the eyes of The Supreme.’ That’s what her Nonna always said to her when she was young, she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind in front of her… which might've been why she was taken away by the Loyalty Police. Never to be seen again.
Marinette tried not to dwell on it too much as she instinctively pulled out her identification card to one of the officers that stood by the school entrance. Once he scanned it, he gestured in the direction of where she needed to go before he called the next person behind her.
Like usual, none of the students acknowledged her, or each other, as they knew better than to do that. Nobody really made friends here at school, usually they are just here for education, conditioning and then being sent home. Every single day.
Marinette kept her eyes on the floor, just wanting to get to class without getting in trouble, no one was stupid enough to act out of line. All but one, Chloe.
“Hey! Dupain-Cheng!”
Marinette paused and forced herself to hold in a growl, she just had to survive the day and hopefully only had to hear a couple insults. She truly tried not to hate anyone. Emotions just got people into trouble, but that blonde brat marched around the school like she owned the place, she was cruel and heartless, and even when she treated any student like a piece of garbage, no one batted an eye.
They knew they couldn’t, her parents were known to be members of the Elite, one of the highest ranks someone could have in The Supreme, anyone who tried to go against the blonde witch, would never be seen again. Students, teachers, no one wanted to mess with her.
Marinette had tried once to stand up for herself years ago when they were little kids, and while she wasn’t given a harsh punishment by the school, it just made her an outcast and one of Chloe’s main targets.
People avoided her, Marinette knew that. While no one tried to risk making friends while on school grounds, no one was dumb enough to try and talk with her, less they risk being the target of Chloe’s ire, and no one wanted that.
Today was no exception.
Chloe walked over to her without a care, her loyal lackeys following close behind like mindless animals. A judgemental stare scanning her form before letting out a cackle, “I shouldn’t be surprised by your terrible fashion sense, but this takes the cake as the trashiest look I’ve ever seen.” She then pauses before smirking, “You know, actually it’s quite fitting. Trash would look like trash after all.”
This was typical behavior that was expected from Chloe, it was nothing new, but this particular day, Marinette was just more irritated with the world than normal.
‘ If you really want to know what trashy looks like, you should pull out your compact and look at your own reflection. ’ She thought to herself coldly.
The sound of a vicious hiss echoed throughout the corridor. Chloe’s eyes were sharp and almost feral in anger, “What the hell did you say?” She snarled.
This made the girl tense, had she said that outload? Quickly glancing around the clearing, she could see almost everyone staring at them, staring at her.
She did.
Trying to make her escape, she was stopped by Kim who stood in front of her and pushed her back towards Chloe, who then proceeded to slap the girl across the face, her sharp manicured nails almost like claws as she left behind scratches on the cheek she hit. Marinette tried to defend herself and grab at her hand again, since she was preparing to slap her again, but again, Kim intervened and pushed her to the ground.
Feeling herself getting kicked over and over again by her heartless bully, everyone was watching, but no one moved. They merely watched as the girl was beaten. Letting out a sharp scream as she felt one of the kicks hit her eye.
“You see, this is where you belong! On the ground, under my feet, crying like a dirty pathetic little bitch.” She snapped, everyone flinching when the Loyalty Police were seen rushing over to them; Chloe’s face had a wicked grin form, “Good luck going to the pound, you’ll definitely be quite at home there.”
Feeling herself getting grabbed by two Loyalty officers, she was cuffed, blindfolded and dragged over to one of the police trucks, which she knew used to collect ‘anarchists’ or anyone caught breaking the rules of the order, they threw her inside. She flinched from landing on some bruises, she turned her head towards doors as the light suddenly vanished when they shut, leaving her in total darkness.
Marinette scooted back towards one of the metal walls of the truck, covering her face with her knees as tears began soaking into her blindfold, and it wasn’t just from her getting beaten up. She was dead. A goner.
She knew what would happen, the government didn’t cut corners, anyone who got onto these trucks were almost never seen again. She knew her fate, she’d probably end up just like her Nonna. She gritted her teeth in despair and anger, this wasn’t fair!
Marinette knew it wasn’t fair, she didn’t truly do anything wrong other than accidentally say what she thought was in her head to Chloe. Lifting her head up, she heard the lock of the doors being unlocked.
Well… if she was going to die anyway, she might as well go out kicking.
The door opened, she heard the sound of boots on metal as someone hopped into the truck to try and grab her. Once she felt a hand touch her shoulder, she lunged forward and head butted an officer in the stomach. Hearing his yell as he fell backwards, giving her enough time to jump away from her and out of the back of the truck. Lifting up her cuffed hands to pull the blindfold to see that she was surrounded, growling, she charged to one of them and dropped down, sweeping under their leg to make them fall over. Doing her best to avoid them as long as she could, the longer she did so, the angrier she got.
‘ Stupid! Stupid Chloe! Stupid Elite! ’ Her thoughts screamed in disdain, which only fueled her to keep fighting.
Soon enough she slid past them and saw the exit, booking for it; just as she was about to cross the doorway, a green forcefield formed over her and trapped her.
Gasping out loudly, she took a couple steps back in surprise and horror at what she just saw. Marinette didn’t know what was going on, but what she saw next was a stern looking man in a turtle themed suit. He didn’t look angry, just… impressed.
“You have a lot of spirit, young one, even after being beaten and battered, you still got up to fight.” he slowly walked over to her.
Bristling, she scooted away from him, “Who… what are you?” she gasped out.
The turtle man merely smiled, “I’ve gone by many names over the years, but people now call me, The Supreme Chancellor.”
Her blue eyes widened in shock, the head ruler of The Supreme… was here and was smiling at her! Why was he smiling at her, she was just caught trying to run away from her punishment, “Are you gonna kill me?”
“Kill you?” he frowned, “Why would I do something like that, especially to someone who’s skills weren’t being properly unutilized.” he raised a hand, making the green force field fall away from her, freeing her, “You may go, if you like….”
Marinette slowly stood up onto her feet, but she didn’t dare move an inch. Like she knew walking away was a stupid idea.
“You’re smart too.” The Supreme Chancellor rested a gloved hand on her shoulder “I know you’ve been wronged by people in the past, young one, but I know you are capable of so much more. If you agree to follow me, I’ll show you.”
That’s how she became the Ladybug miraculous holder. The Supreme Chancellor offered her a chance for a better life, in exchange for receiving a miraculous that was stolen by a traitorous defector. She wasn’t dumb enough to say no to an offer like that.
After she became Shadybug, she gained a partner named Claw Noir, who was the most insufferable person she had ever met in her life. The spotted villain despised him just as much as he did with her, but it didn’t matter. It was partnership out of obligation, they had the same goal, but they knew not to trust each other. They knew The Supreme Chancellor expected them to rat on each other if one of them decides to go rogue.
As much as she hoped her life would improve, it really didn’t.
Not only did she have to be very discreet about her identity, the time spent hunting down their enemy, Betterfly, was noticed by her family. Which only made her life at home even worse.
Now thinking back to earlier that afternoon, looking at the cashier in lost thought. She failed another exam at school today, because of how much rest she needed each time she snuck out as Shadybug. Not only that but her mother berated her all night the day before because of some other thing she wasn’t happy with, she was exhausted. Marinette unconsciously toyed with one of her earrings, contemplating on how her life ended up this way in the first place.
“Um… hi uh… I w-was wonder if I co-could have some croissants?” A shy voice snapping her out of her thoughts.
Looking up to see a familiar shy blonde boy, she rolled her eyes and bit back a frustrated groan.
‘ Oh god, it’s him again.’ Marinette thought in disdain.
Adrien Agreste, seeing his face, just had her day ten times worse. She already had enough on her plate, she didn’t want to interact with anymore people connected to the Elite, especially annoying blonde rich kids like him.
Marinette merely nodded as she turned to the display case, “How many do you want?” She asked flatly.
“H-Huh?” He looked surprised, his cheeks turning pink.
‘ He’s being weird again.’ She thought as she raised a brow at him, “Croissants? How many do you want?”
Adrien blinked as he rubbed the back of his neck, “Uh… three please?” He then gives her an awkward grin.
She grabbed a bag and some tongs before she began to put the croissants around some paper, before placing them in the bag. Straightening up again and setting the bag on the counter, “Anything else?”
The blonde boy seemed to be rather unsure about what he wanted to say, he looked like he was trying to figure it out. Of course, Marinette just patiently waited, she really didn’t have a choice but to be patient. Her mother would have her throat if she risked upsetting a high rank again.
“Are… you ok?”
Blinking, she glanced up at him with a baffled expression, “What?”
“Are you ok?” he asked again, with concern visible on his face. At first she actually considered answering him, until he spoke again, “You seem kinda… tired, I notice you wearing a lot of makeup.”
Yep, he’s the worst.
She glared at him and tensed her shoulders in frustration, “Oh, why don’t you-“
“Marinette!”
Marinette flinched at the stern yell of her mother, she stepped back but she pushed her to the side rather roughly as she put her focus on the boy. Her face showed an amount of concern and worry she’s only ever seen when she tried to correct a mistake she made, it sickened her.
“I am so sorry about my daughter, please… take the croissants. On the house.” her mother handed the bag of pastries to him.
“T-That’s ok, I can pay-“
“Oh no, we couldn’t possibly ask that of you, young man.” she said sweetly.
The boy blinked anxiously, but nodded as he took the bag from her and turned towards his bodyguard, who waited for him in front of the door, opening it for him as he walked out, him following. As soon as they were no longer in earshot, the fake kindness on her mother’s face melted away into the scowl that Marinette was more familiar with.
“What were you thinking?!” she snapped.
She glared at the older woman, “I’m having an off day, lay off me!” she turned away as she walked into the bakery.
“An off day?! You seem to be having an awful lot of those lately! It’s a miracle The Supreme allowed you to return home after what you said to Miss. Bourgeois, I highly doubt they’ll be as forgiving next time!” She followed after her.
“Why do you care? You only seem to want to talk to me after I’ve disappointed you! Making the family name and the bakery look bad , is that it?” Marinette asked mockingly.
“Why you little-“
“What? I’m right, aren’t I? Well I’m so sorry, maybe if you didn’t want to deal with me you should’ve decided to close your-“
Marinette felt a stinging on her cheek as her mother slapped her, hard. The force of it was enough to knock her off balance and send her tumbling to the ground, where she landed on her knees with a pained hiss. Tears welled up in her eyes as she instinctively reached up to touch the throbbing spot on her cheek, only to find it already starting to bruise. She looked up at her mother, who stood over her with a look of pure disdain on her face.
Desperate for some kind of comfort or understanding, Marinette turned towards her father, but the giant man had turned his back to her and continued kneading dough for the next batch of bread. A numbness filled her, pushing down any sadness she might have felt. It was almost worse than feeling pain or sadness - this complete lack of emotion, this void that seemed to swallow her whole.
“You’re nothing but a disappointment. Go to your room!” She heard her mother growl.
After she went up to her room, that was when she decided to have her tantrum. Marinette continued to throw items, noticing the small red and black creature watching her in sadness, she gritted her teeth and snapped, “What are you looking at?!”
The kwami flinched and flew back into her purse in fear, which made Marinette stop her rampage and looked at her destroyed room. She huffed and wiped her face to dry it, she couldn’t help but see it being an accurate representation of her life. At least as Shadybug, she was seen as useful, no one seemed to care about Marinette.
She needed to get out of here.