Chapter Text
It was an ordinary sunny day for the students and staff of Collège Françoise Dupont. One class in particular was in a strange mood of disbelief seeing as their class representative, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, was expelled for stealing school property, intentional injuring a student by pushing them down the stairs, and stealing from said injuries student. The other classes didn't believe it stating that Marinette would never do any of that. Sure she would occasionally steal from another student, but she was diagnosed with kleptomania, tending to flair up when her anxiety was through the roof. Plus why would she steal test answers for a mock exam that didn't count for a grade? What did it matter when the teachers would most likely change the format of the real exam, including the answers and how the questions were phrased? Was a real investigation procedure underway or did their bird brained principal just believe the sob story of another privileged student with a powerful connection?
In a certain teachers classroom everyone was slightly bummed at what transpired only a few days ago. "I can't believe Principal Damocles expelled Marinette." That sentiment was shared by Rose, Juleka, Mylene, Alix, Nino, and Nathaniel. They had known Marinette the longest out of anyone in class, even spending time with her in the art room after school to work on personal projects together.
The speaker was pulled into a side hug by their desk mate/girlfriend. "I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding Rose. Marinette would never do any of that." Rose nodded, leaning into the comforting embrace of Juleka.
"Mari may have a tendency to steal, but that's mainly her kleptomania acting up like when she stole Mylene's jacket without noticing because she saw a few tears and how tight it was getting.", replied Alix. Myléne nodded in affirmation, thankful that Marinette had fixed her favorite jacket, mainly cause her and her dad had a little money trouble during that month.
A snobbish voice cut through the class. "Well if you ask me Dupain-Cheng shouldn't have even bothered coming to school this year! Especially not after what happened last year.", Chloe said with a cruel grin on her face. Sabrina nodded her head like a loyal dog while Kim laughed remembering last year's 'prank' at the pool.
"I can't believe I am saying this, but I agree with Chloe." Everyone turned to find the owner of the voice was Alya Césaire, Marinette's so-called best friend and self proclaimed investigative journalist. "Marinette went too far with what she did to Lila all because of her obsessive crush! It's a miracle she hasn't been arrested yet."
Nino sighed into his hands. "Alya, how many times must we go through this? Marinette does not have a crush on Adrien! If anything she avoids him like the plague since he's all buddy buddy with the spoiled brat."
"Fuck you Lahiffe!", roared said brat.
"You couldn't afford me honey.", Nino sassed back, earning a few laughs from the class and a disapproving look from Adrien..
Alix chimed in, "Besides all those stalking plans were yours in the first place. Heck you're the one that handed Mari Adrien's entire schedule after following him around all week! So who's the real stalkers, tabloid?!"
Alya shrugged as did Adrien, both not seeing a problem with it. Alya due to thinking she was helping her friend get together with her perfect soulmate while Adrien had dealt with worse fans in his modeling career. At least Alya never tried to break into his home, sniff his clothes, or collect a piece of his hair while he slept. Some fans are just absolutely insane.
A fake sweet voice cut through the unfolding drama. "Oh we shouldn't worry about Marinette. That poor unstable girl won't bother us again plus one least chance of a dangerous akuma, seeing as how she's never been akumatized before." Everyone turned to Lila Rossi, the 'victim' of marinette's 'bullying'. "I even referred a professional therapist to the Dupain-Chengs to help Marinette with all her unsavory personality traits."
"That's so sweet of you Lila."
"So thoughtful and considerate, even to your bully."
"I say Lila should be our new class representative."
Lila preened herself on the praise, basking at the attention the class was giving her. "Oh I couldn't possibly take Marinette's old position. Not after I promised to get her back in school after she threatened me." Her hands shot up to cover her mouth. "Oops I wasn't supposed to say that."
Alya seethed in rage, prime target for an Akuma. "Girl that is not okay! I can't believe I was ever friends with that bully!"
Max chimed in, "There is a 45.79 percent chance that Marinette did this due to her hostility towards Lila after her return to school."
Lila sniffed into her hands, hiding her smirk and pretending to cry. "Oh it's not your fault that she's jealous of my many accomplishments, my modeling job at Agreste Fashion, or my dating Adrien. Isn't that right darling~?"
Adrien grimaced as Lila's nails dug into his skin. He forced a smile on his face and replied, "Of course Lila. Not like Marinette would ever have a chance with me to begin with." Lila straightened up at Adrien's response and did something that made Adrien want to puke. She kissed him on the lips.
The classmates on Lila's side cooed at the public display of affection while those that still believed in Marinette glared hatefully at the blonde male. The reason, the all figured out Lila was lying and Adrien confronted them stating that they should take the high road and that Lila's lies weren't hurting anyone. His main reason though was that he didn't want Lila to be akumatized. What about Marinette being akumatized? Half of the class secluded Marinette to the back without any thought due to Lila lying about having tinnitus. Did Miss Bustier not have a doctors note on Lila's condition? Check with her mother or the school nurse? Some of them have even stopped applying for competitions or apprenticeships due to Lila promising them better opportunities with her connections! Do they not want a better chance at getting their dream jobs with their own hard work?
The bell rang as their teacher walked in. Some in the class were wondering how Marinette was holding up.
DUPAIN-CHENG RESIDENCE
Sabine could be found carrying a tray with a plate of food and fresh squeezed orange juice up the stairs. She balanced the tray on one hand and knocked on a small door. "Marinette sweetie, I brought you some food." Sabine entered to find the room exactly how it's been the last few days. The lights were turned off, curtains closed to shroud the room in darkness, a small mannequin sprawled on the floor with a few cracks and discarded torn clothes nearby, a tray of food from last night's dinner cold and untouched, and a lump on her daughter's bed.
Sabine swapped the trays casting a worried look towards her daughter's bed. "I-I know things are tough right now, but I'm sure something good will happen soon. You've always been a bright, wonderful girl. You're smart, resourceful, kind, and considerate of others. You're a Dupain-Cheng and we never give that easily. I've seen you led your class to safety during Akuma attacks, help them with their relationships, and even tried to talk down some Akuma's to buy the heroes some time when you or anyone else couldn't escape. You are my little water lily skimming along the surface of a crystal clear lake and I am so proud of you." She noticed a slight shift from the bed indicating her daughter was either rolling in her sleep of listening. "What's happening right now is just a small setback on your journey of life. Will you let that manipulative queen win, bowing your head to her authority or will you march forward like the brave rebellious warrior I know lurks beneath you?"
As Sabine went to leave she smirked as she heard a muffled voice. "Thank you mama." Judging from the ruffling of fabric and tiny thumps afterwards her daughter had left the bed, hopefully to eat something.
Sabine went to the kitchen to dispose of the cold meal and found her husband sitting at the table. At his look Sabine nodded confirming that Marinette had at least gotten out of bed. Tom sighed in relief, believing that Marinette would soon be back to her happy, upbeat self in no time. As they descended the stairs to tend to their customers Tom stated, "We should have done something sooner. After that incident at the pool we should have immediately looked at transferring Marinette to a better school, one that actually deals with bullying with professionalism and treats every student fairly." Sabine nodded in agreement. She still remembers how broken her daughter sounded and how her friend Socqueline told them about Marinette's vow of never falling in love again unless she knew everything about them. They had to make an appointment with a therapist due to their daughter's mental and physical health. Marinette had been diagnosed with anxiety, kleptomania, insomnia, and obsessive compulsion disorder (OCD)!
It also didn't help that nobody in Paris could properly express their negative emotions thanks to a butterfly obsessed weirdo terrorizing their town by turning ordinary people into super villains if they so much as had a nightmare or threw a tantrum. What type of sick freak turned a baby into a super villain over a lollipop?!?
That's when Tom got an idea. "Sabine, do you remember our old pen pal from Japan? The one Gina introduced us to over video chat back when Marinette was six."
Sabine smiled at the memory. "When Marinette heard us talking to him and wanted to learn a foreign language to better communicate with others." Marinette knew from a young age what she wanted to be, a fashion designer. When she learned about all the various fashions she also took an interest in different languages. Marinette was fluent in French, Mandarin, English, and Japanese.
Tom nodded, "Why not give him a call? Marinette already knows Japanese, she'll go to a new school, and be able to properly express her emotions in a safe environment without fear." Sabine nodded, but said that they should talk this over with Marinette and their pen pal in the afternoon.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Marinette had come down stairs after putting on a change of clothes. Tom was so elated to see his daughter out of bed he gave her a bone crushing bear hug. "Tom I know you're happy, but I believe Marinette needs to breathe." Noticing his daughter's red face he sheepishly apologized after setting her down. Marinette laughed it off and joined her family for dinner. Sabine started the discussion after sending Tom a nod. "Marinette, do you remember that pen pal from Japan we talked to every now and then?" At Marinette's nod Sabine continued. "Well Your father and I were thinking that maybe you could live with him for a bit."
Tom raised his hand to silence what could have been their daughter spiraling. "Before you start Your mother and I are worried about you. Your mental health has improved a bit since last year's incident, but Hawkmoth makes it hard for anyone to properly deal with negative emotions. You deserve to express yourself in a healthy environment, to get angry when the world does an injustice like your principal."
Sabine chimed in, "We just want you safe and away from the toxic influence of your former class. They could very well show up at the bakery, bully you when you're out running errands, or cyberbully you. You can't keep bottling up your emotions because who knows how long until Madame Puma and Lady Fortune take him down."
Out of everyone in her class only Marinette hadn't been Akumatized. Adrien was Akumatized just last month into an male version of Madame Puma in a white leather cat suit and similar powers. Over half of Paris had been destroyed in that battle and Marinette saw her parents and friends turn to dust before her very eyes. Once the Miraculous cure was cast she wrapped them all into a hug and wouldn't leave their side for a week.
"W-when do I leave? What's the school called?", asked Marinette. she was a little sad about leaving her home for who knows how long, but she understood her parents were just looking out for her.
Sabine replied, "We discuss it with him right after dinner. Your new school will be called Shujin Academy."
?????? ????
A lone figure sitting at a desk sensed a sudden shift in destiny. "It appears a new player shall enter our little game. I wonder just how, if possible, this new player will change it? And also how our selected wildcard shall react to the foreign warrior princess? I look forward to meeting you Marinette Dupain-Cheng."