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ya-vanna · 1 year

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I'm Here to stay.

Chapter two.

Later that night Marinette met up with Chat noir to explain the ...situation.

Marinette or well should I say Lady red soundlessly landed on Eiffel tower right behind Chat noir.

“Chat noir.”

Chat jumped a foot in air, startled and turned to face her with his baton outstretched in his hand.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to you pulling a Batman and appearing out of nowhere.” Chat lowered his baton, his ears flat against his head, but perked up when she giggled.

They were both high enough on the tower that the people down in the streets couldn’t see or hear the heroes.

The air between them was tense and awkward with both of them staring at each other not knowing what to say.

Dame rouge broke the silence by asking “So, I’m guessing you want an explanation for earlier.”

Chat noir nodded “Who is he? How do you know him?”

Marinette hesitated for a second, contemplating just how much she should tell him before sighing and ripping off the proverbial band aid.

“...He’s family.”

Chat gaped, a million questions running through his head and on the tip of his tongue but he swallowed them down and listened patiently.

Figured he’d understand complicated family relationships better than most, given his father’s Hawkmoth, not that he knew that yet.

She turned away from him and faced the cityscape. And she had to agree there, Paris truly did earn the title of City of lights.

“It’s been a while since we last saw each other.” She laughed bitterly, thinking of all those days she spent grieving, not knowing if he was alive or not after news of the coup reached her “I honestly didn’t even know if he was still alive with all the rumours surrounding his ...situation.”

Chat looked pained with her confession, but he held his tongue.

He scooted closer to her almost touching her but still far away enough for her to feel comfortable.

It was quiet again. But she felt the urge to break the silence. And she might as well get it off her chest. It was high time she had this conversation with Chat. She’d been putting it off for too long already and today seemed as perfect as any other day to do this. After all what was one more emotional and slightly straining revelation?

“You probably know this is not the first time I’ve done this whole shtick.” Chat startled when she spoke, not expecting his usually private partner to talk unless necessary, much less about something this private.

He scratched the back of his neck, a nervous tick she observed him doing even behind the mask “Yeah I kinda figured that you weren’t new to the whole ‘fighting freaks’ thing after I saw you wipe the floor with bubbler.”

That got her to smile, even if it was just a small uptick. But Chat seemed to count it as a win.

She sat down on the edge of the tower and he sat right beside her without prompting.

It was silent again. Chat was waiting patiently for her to continue or just stay with her for comfort.

She swallowed heavily before speaking again.

“You know, there are usually only two types of people in our line of work.” Chat turned to look at her questingly at the abrupt change of topic but she resolutely avoided his eyes, staring down at the city below them “People who don masks everyday are usually either Heroes or villains. And until a few years back I was in the wrong side of that war. ” She might have heard Chat gasp, but she wasn’t really processing anything right now. “I only really donned the earrings to try and wipe out some of the red on my ledger.”

She clenched her eyes shut. Even after all these years it’s still hard to think about that time, to accept who she used to be. It’s gotten better after she met Sabine. Tikki and the other kwamis helped tremendously too, but it was still hard.

She felt strong arms wrap around her. It was an incredibly long and taxing day and it had been so long since she last felt this warm and safe that she just couldn’t hold it in any longer.

That night Chat noir saw his partner breakdown for the first time. He just held her as she cried and let loose all her emotions for the first time in a very long time. Even Hawkmoth didn’t risk interrupt them, not when Chat noir cataclysmed every akuma that even dared to come near them.

Bonus*

Chat looks at the time on his baton and winced. She had to agree, school tomorrow was going to be absolute hell.

He turns back to her and bows dramatically “Well M’lady, this cat has got to scat.” His jovial tone could not conceal his worry for her. No amount of acting and modelling classes were going to help him hide his emotions from her.

She waved off his anxiety.

He glanced back at her one last time, concern etched on his face, before he leapt off the tower with his baton in hand.

“Oh wait I forgot! You’re father is Hawkmoth!”

Chat noir’s grip slips and he falls off his baton.

Marinette curses as she unravels her yoyo to catch her frozen partner who was currently falling to his death.

“Damn it! I could’ve used more tact.”

Tikki can’t help but agree through their mental bond.

*******

Hawkmoth and Mayura were defeated last week.

It hit Adrien hard, but he’s doing better now.

Honestly it was wonder he wasn’t akumatised. His emotions were all over the place.

Thank Kwami Hawkmoth was too busy panicking during the ambush to even think about sending out an akuma for Chat Noir.

But it probably wouldn’t have worked out too well for him either, considering all of Adrien’s emotions were targeted on him.

The fight was short. A quick in and out job with Gabriel venomed, Nathalie knocked out and the butterfly and peacock Miraculous safely tucked in her yoyo all in a matter of few minutes.

It was honestly a little disappointing. Hawkmoth spent so much time in his lair that his fighting skills were atrocious and Nathalie was little help in the battle, what with all her coughing.

They were neutralized so quickly, it was almost embarrassing.

Oh who was she kidding, it was totally embarrassing. For them.

Adrien had broken down when he saw his mother’s body hooked up to life support. She was still alive, if barely.

He broke down again when she told him that Emily Agreste could be saved.

He hugged her tightly, not letting her go even as their timers beeped down and she didn’t have the heart to push him off. So, that led to another awkward conversation where Adrien stared incredulously at his sweet and bubbly classmate who was supposedly an assassin and freaking Ladybug (Ugh she hated that name but the public were adamant to call her that.)

After a few more minutes of awkward staring(on her side) and incredulous(on Adrien’s) he finally nodded his head, apparently coming to a resolution.

“You know this actually explains a lot but also holy shit!”

The tension drained out of her frame and she started giggling, which soon turned into full blown laughter. Never change Chat.

But that was all in the past. Right now Marinette had more pressing issues than to think about some idiot who was in prison.

The media ban and the protective wards around Paris were lifted yesterday.

So now the entire world was in the know about the shitstorm that was Paris this past year. And that included the Justice League, who were all shamelessly persistent on meeting with her and could not take a hint despite the various times she had had to kick them all out of Paris.

She had finally agreed to meetup with them today (I mean there’s only so many times you can portal someone to the middle of the Pacific before giving up.)

But she was weary. Not only about the meeting but also about leaving Paris.

She had managed to dodge the League and their never-ending armies of assassins who were prowling the streets and even somehow in her school. (They were literally everywhere, like damn cockroaches. Everywhere you look you find them and no matter how many you squash, more come to replace them.)

She was leaving Chat alone with a few of the temporary heroes to hold down the fort while she was away.

She trusted them enough to leave Paris in their hands for a few hours, she really did! It was the League that she didn’t trust not to start shit while she was away.

So here she was, standing in front of her assembled heroes on some random Parisian rooftop giving them lecture after lecture on how to keep Paris intact for a few hours and to please call her if shit hit the fan and don’t try to tough it out yourself.

She transformed with Kaalki and turned back to wave one last time.

“Love you guys, be back by 7 and please please don’t let Paris burn down while I’m away.”

“Oh just go already.”

“We’ve got this.”

“Don’t worry so much, I mean what’s the worst that could happen?”

So with the questionable confidence given by her team, she opened a portal to the coordinates Wonder Woman had given her and stepped through hoping this wouldn’t come back to bite her in the butt.

She found herself in the Watchtower and honestly if it wasn’t for her assassin training she would have gaped like an idiot. But she’s not an idiot nor is an incompetent assassin, ex-assassin? So instead she walked up to the founding members of the Justice League looking the epitome of cool professionalism while she died on the inside. (Oh my god these assholes have a base in space!)

So this is what Damian meant when he said there was a surprise for her in the Watchtower. That cheeky little bastard.

Wonder Woman took the lead by kneeling down to one knee and bowing her head down deeply. “Chosen of creation, it is an honour to be in your presence sister.”

She bowed back in respect. “Princess Diana of Themyscira, it is an honour to meet you too.”

The rest of the Justice League did not seem to know what to make of this interaction.

Of the remaining of the trinity, Superman looked awkwardly between them, while Batman stared at her with an unnerving intensity that almost made her break out into a cold sweat. She was not going to get revealed now, and certainly not like this. Damian would never let her live it down.

Putting on her best poker face, she straightened up a cleared her throat, making almost everyone in the room jump. “Shall we start?”

Great. Now it was time to bullshit a room full of Heroes and detectives and make them think she was disclosing actually relevant and confidential information while in fact giving them nothing.

This was going to be fantastic.

*******

The meeting was going fine actually. So far they had discussed the charges against Gabriel and Nathalie, the impacts and repercussions of Hawkmoth’s reign and the effect on the citizens including the rehabilitation efforts taken. All common knowledge in Paris. Not that they seemed to know that.

She had artfully dodged every question asking about the Miraculous and where she and the other heroes had gotten theirs and how Hawkmoth had got his slimy hands on not one but two.

Everything was going better than expected, good even. All except for Batman. He did not stop staring at her through out the meeting and asked weird and completely unrelated questions. Even some of the other heroes had started giving him looks. She would have snapped at him much sooner if it wasn’t for Robin, who was seated right behind him making discreet cutting motions with his hand every time she turned to tear Batman a new one.

But honestly enough was enough. This was the twenty-fifth time (yes she counted) she could feel Batman’s unnerving and slightly creepy gaze zero in on her. And formalities be damned, father or not this overgrown furry was onto her and she was not letting it go. He was going down and 6 feet under. Damian would get over it.

She stopped mid sentence and turned to Batman with the sweetest and fakest smile she could muster. “Is there a problem monsieur Batman?”

Her voice was sweet as poison and her smile turned sharp. Batman narrowed his eyes, aware of the game she was playing and refusing to take part in it.

Well it seems he needed a bit more of a push.

“Do you have anything you want to say? I can feel you staring at me.”

Batman narrowed his eyes at her further till they were only white slits, but she just glared right back at him full force.

Meanwhile his brood all had varying responses.

Nightwing looked concerned. RedHood (ugh he has got to ditch that atrocious helmet.) seemed to enjoy the turn of events and looked invested in the drama. Red Robin, who looked forty with that hideous cowl took on discreet defensive stance and Robin looked two twitches away from face palming and sent her ‘what the hell are you doing?’ look.

Well what was she doing? She was getting herself a new punching bag. She needed someone to take out her frustrations on now that Hawkmoth and his minion were no longer viable options, so who better a target than the man who is supposedly your biological father and a right asshole towards your twin. That overgrown furry deserves everything he’s going to get.

And the only person who could maybe intervene and sell her out was not there. Lucky for her that BlackBat was in Shanghai along with Spoiler on a much needed vacation.

The rest of the Justice League looked between the two of them like they were at a tennis match with varying expressions of awe, fear and incredulity.

Marinette ignored all of them. Her glare was set solely on Batman.

A few minutes passed in a standstill and Batman grunted knowing it was his move. He tensed his muscles and visibly grit his teeth

“You’re an assassin.”

Well that was unexpected. She thought he’d say something more along the lines of ‘Who are your parents?’ 'Are you adopted?’ or maybe even ‘You are my daughter.’ Not whatever this is.

She blinked once but showed no other outward expression of shock.

Unfortunately the same could not be said for the rest of the Justice League. The Bats all tensed and fell into defensive stances, all except for Robin who whipped his head around to stare at his father in visibly obvious panic and shock. Wonder Woman and Aquaman both stood up and protested loudly, though one was more vehement in their objection. The rest of the Heroes all broke into various states of chaos after the statement left Batman’s lips.

Marinette meanwhile just crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat. The squeak of her chair was all everyone needed to quiet down and seat their asses back down.

“Ex-assassin and well, so are you and half your brood.”

Batman almost growled out loud and the table creaked from the white knuckle grip he had on it.

The Justice League was apparently made up of colour blind and shameless heroes because everyone looked between them like they were watching an interesting tennis match and not a standoff that could potentially cause bloodshed.

The Bats (Except for Batman, who she was in the middle of a standoff with) were all glancing nervously at Robin, probably expecting him to unsheathe his sword and jump over the table to attack her. But surprising everyone but her, he stayed put.

RedHood was the first to crack, clicking the safety off his gun and pointing it at her. Something she expected considering his temper and less than stellar history with the League.

This caused anther uproar with everyone standing and arguing.

She was the only one seated now, arms crossed and looking almost bored. A stark contrast to the coiled and tensed forms of literally everyone else in the room.

“Why are you here?”

She looked up from examining her nails, giving that Red bucket the most deadpan look she could muster. “You asked me to come here.”

After a few seconds of flustered silence and muffled laughter, RedHood had apparently scrounged up enough of his dignity to ask again “You working for the league?”

She straightened at this, all mirth fading away from her and her eyes sharpening. She uncrossed her arms and leaned forward and the Heroes all tensed in unison. She looked RedHood right in the eye.

“Now why would I go back to a place I fought tooth and nail to get out of?”

“...”

The air was almost electric with how charged it was.

Buzzz

Buzzzz

Buzzzzz

RedHood startled at the sudden noise and shot at her.

She was unfazed just deflecting the bullet with her wrist cuffs. The same could not be said for the rest of the heroes as they all violently flinched.

Buzzz

Buzzzz

Buzzzzz

Her yoyo was ringing, she picked it up, checked the caller ID and promptly cursed the universe and everyone in it to the high heavens.

“Oh for fucks sake Chat I’ve been gone for an hour!”

“Heyyy M’lady.” There were sounds of fighting in background oh and someone was screaming too.

“So I know you told us to keep Paris in one piece while you were gone and Paris is still intact- Hey!” A katana missed taking off his head by an inch. “But ces assassins stupides popped out of nowhere and started attacking. But thankfully their blades didn’t pierce our suits not for their lack of trying.” he muttered the last part quietly but she still caught it and narrowed her eyes further. Then there was a banshee screech and Abeille wailed ‘My hair!’ and everyone within a 40 mile radius who weren’t completely tone deaf winced at the volume. “Anyway bug we’ve pushed the assassins off the roof, we’ve tied them up and we threw them in the bin.” He ducked as ninja star whizzed right past his head. “but they *whack* keep *whack* coming *whack* back *whack* Like maudits cafards!” A huge explosion ringed out and everyone was thrown off “Anyway we’ve totally got everything under control but- watch the tail! But um it would be great if you could come back. Like right now. And- Wait no no no no not again! ” Another explosion ringed out and the call cut.

Silence.

It was completely silent for the first time in forever in the Watchtower.

She snapped her yoyo shut with a resounding click that echoed around the room.

She took a deep breath and looked up to face the other heroes, giving them a smile so sweet and fake it put American candy to shame.

“Well as you can see, duty calls.”

The entire Justice League stared at her in incredulous disbelief. And there was something satisfactory in watching the world’s mightiest heroes gape at her in complete speechlessness.

She opened another portal, forever grateful for the ‘use your power more than once’ power up potion, and waved at the heroes cheekily “Au revoir!” before jumping into the portal and leaving a gaggle of sputtering heroes behind her.

*****

The Justice League was in utter chaos.

Utter and complete chaos.

Damian was almost surprised by the amount mayhem his sister caused, but trouble always did follow after her like a lost puppy.

And while what she did was stupid.

And moronic.

And would definitely come back to bite her later.

He was mostly proud of her.

It was no easy feat to throw off his father. And it had been a long time since he had seen the Justice League this off balance.

He quickly wiped the smirk off his face. It would not help anyone if he got caught now. Marinette was not ready to meet father and he honestly can’t blame her. She hated mother and was right to do so, mother is a quote ‘piece of work’ and undeserving of Ukthi. But Marinette had also vowed to hate whomever their father was because anyone who Talia al Ghul decided was worthy of her and the al Ghul name was probably also a right nasty piece.

She lost most of her hostility once she discovered that the ever elusive ‘father’ was the Batman, but she was still suspicious. And he cannot blame her. While the League of assassins was horrifying and gruesome to him and was no place for a child to be anywhere near there, but Marinette had it much much worse. While he was the heir to the demon’s head and treated like royalty, she was the competition, a spare, a disgrace and most of all she was a girl.

Crash

He flinched slightly at the abrupt reminder that he was currently stuck in middle of the what would appropriately be termed a shitstorm.

Wonder Woman was having what Grayson called ‘an existential crisis’ and found it acceptable to throw her chair across the room.

Todd was staring at his hands in horror and was also having an existential crisis for shooting at a child. Tch Marinette is not just a child and she is more than capable of dodging a mere bullet.

Superman was holding Wonder Woman down and rest of the League were divided into two groups loudly arguing whether not Ladybug was working for Ra’s al Ghul.

But so far the most concerning was father. He was quiet, alarmingly so. And he had not spoken a word to anyone since Ukthi had made her dramatic exit. He was brooding and that spelled trouble for everyone involved.

Finally father stood up and the chair screeched loudly, silencing the argument. The eyes of the entire Justice League were on him, but he payed them no mind “We’re leaving.” Grayson started to protest “NOW.” He stormed out of the room with the rest of the pretenders following behind him dejectedly and leaving behind a room of gaping faces.

Hmm. Maybe dramatic exits were an inherited trait. He’s going to have to look into that. Mother also had a flair for the dramatics and it would certainly do no good if he was the odd one out.

*******

Being dramatic was definitely hereditary and a necessary trait if you want to be an Al Ghul much less an Al Ghul Wayne. Because then why else would Marinette open a portal right above the random warehouse the assassins decided would be an acceptable place to start a war and drop down onto the battle field like an avenging angel from the sky and knock out a horde of assassins from the impact of her descent alone.

Obviously, it was for no other reason than to sate her inner drama queen and to smirk at the gaping faces of her team.

It was like something out of a movie. Every single person, heroes and villains alike stopped to stare at her with conflicting emotions on their faces. But alas this wasn’t a movie but real life so the moment was broken by Chat being thrown off the roof.

“CHAT!”

“...”

“I’M OK!”

The fight resumed as normal. But instead of being in a standstill, the Miraculous team now had the upper hand.

Now to get the League out of Paris once and for all, or at least keep them out for a month at most. They’d have to burn the Lazarus pit along with Ra’s al Ghul if they wanted to rid them of the world forever. And oh did they want to do that.

She started the incantation for the spell while kicking an assassin’s kneecaps out, before tripping another assassin into the one running towards her.

She took out a dagger from her pocket and started carving out symbols on the rooftop but stopped to stab the assassin that was stupid enough to attack her right in the gut before taking it out and throwing it at the one trying to sneak up her from behind.

She took out another dagger and continued carving and simultaneously kicking ass.

The spell was almost over. She just needed a few more things now.

“I NEED THE THUMB OF A MINION!”

A pause, before there was a screech and a bloodied thumb landed smack dab in the centre of her carvings. Then Ryuku landed right in front of her covered in blood that was hopefully (probably) not her own.

“Thanks Ryu!”

Ryuko curtly nodded at her and smirked, before calling on wind dragon and picking up half the assassins on roof and dropping them in the trash.

Now for the hardest ingredient to find. The blood of someone who has fallen from grace. As if hearing her thoughts, an assassin was thrown on the carving with a murderous Queen bee not far behind, screaming obscenities that should not be told anywhere near a child.

“tu es con! I will tear you limb by limb and slowly and painfully kill you for what you have done.” Her once beautiful golden locks were now something akin to a flaming dumpster fire with chunks of hair missing and a few strands literally on fire.

She gaped at Abeille for a good few seconds before an idea from hell popped into her head and she smirked evilly.

This was perfect. She wouldn’t find anyone else fallen farther from grace than this, well except Gabriel Agreste, but she’d have to go all the way to Penitentiaire Inrichting Vught to get his blood.

While Chloé was on her warpath, Marinette discreetly or not so discreetly grabbed the heiress's hand and cut her finger with her magical dagger deep enough for her blood drip onto the carvings. All the while the girl in question was still too lost in her rage to even notice.

As she said the last part of the incantation Magic crackled and the wind blew violently around her. And now for the last part, the blood of the spell caster. She took her magic dagger and cut a line straight along her palm and squeezed her fist, watching as blood dripped down her palm. When the first drop of her blood dripped onto the carvings the wind stooped the and the carvings lit up red before turning blue.

All the assassins froze, be it mid fight or mid getting their asses handed to them before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

Shame it was right as Abeille was about to pounce on her prey.

While it was fortunate for everyone else that the assassins were sent back to where they came from, it was unfortunate for her cause now Abeille’s murderous gaze zeroed in on her for stopping her from exacting revenge.

Marinette raised her arms in surrender slowly backing away from the furious and slightly homicidal girl.

“Bee, Bee I can fix this.”

Chloé was not appeased nor did she stop her warpath.

Chat noir, her ever loyal partner sacrificed himself yet again for her by tackling Chloé before she could pounce and scratch her eyes out. Chat was now subjected to the blunt of Chloe’s rage and judging by the fear in his eyes, he knew that too.

Carapace reached out to help his best bud but Rena held him back muttering something about it being too late now.

And she was right. Chat gave himself up to the devil for her and she won’t let his sacrifice be in vain. She would fix this and save him.

She straightened, determination brimming in her stance. Her eyes glowed a brief red and she slammed her hand on the ground, discharging waves of magic that fixed all the damage caused by the battle including Abeille’s disastrous hair.

Satisfied with having saved Chat’s life and barred the League from even setting foot in Paris for the next month or so, she yawned.

“Everyone head back to base and someone debrief me. I’m long over due for my nap.”

No one even tried to argue with her, it was a miracle if she even slept at all and everyone wanted know what happened with the Justice League.

#maribat #Twins! Damian and Marinette #maribat bio dad bruce #there's a part two!!!

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ya-vanna · 1 year

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I'm Here to stay.

Chapter one.

Marinette al ghul was the younger twin sister of Damian al ghul and the granddaughter of Ra’s al ghul.

She and her brother were both trained from birth to be assassins and claim their rightful place as demon head.

But Marinette knew the truth.

There could only be one heir to the demon and it wasn’t her.

They both knew it.

Which is why Damian understood when his sister left when the chance finally presented itself a week after their eighth birthday.

His sister wasn’t meant to be an assassin she was too full of light to stay in the darkness that was the league of assassins.

He understood. but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

While Damian was in the shadows Marinette was always meant to shine bright.

Marinette successfully left the league of assassins despite the resistance she faced while escaping.

She survived and somehow found herself in Paris.

Her plans to skip through the city and to London on a train were thwarted when she was spotted.

Normally Marinette would never be caught, she was a trained assassin, she could infiltrate and take down countries overnight, getting caught by a someone is an insult to her training.

But she was tired. And injured. She had been on the run for weeks now. And the person who caught her wasn’t just anyone either, it was Xiao Bing, Talia al ghul’s right hand before she disappeared on a mission a few years back.

Despite her various injuries she took on a fighting stance, she did not flee from the league just to die in Paris of all places.

To her surprise and shock Xiao Bing did not attack instead calmly walked forward with her arms raised in a show of mean no harm.

“Your supposed to be dead.” Marinette hissed still on guard.

“And your supposed be back in Nanda Parbat.” Xiao casually replied while checking her injuries.

Marinette narrowed her eyes, shifting her stance “What are you doing in Paris?”

“It’s a beautiful city thought I’d stay here for a while.” Xiao replied.

Marinette’s hand went to the dagger at her hip , eyes never straying from Xiao’s, glaring her down “Don’t lie to me.”

Both of them were now glaring at each other.

Xiao gave in first and looked down.

She sighed and looked back up at Marinette slumping in defeat “On my last mission I found myself in Paris, I met someone and fell in love. I realized there was more to more to life than the league, I did not want to be an assassin …so I left”. – she showed her wedding ring – “I got married and run a bakery with my husband now.”

Marinette stared at her in shock, a rare show of emotion because holy shit one of the deadliest assassins in the world married in the city of love and bakes bread for a living.

After a few a moments of silence, awkward on one side and incredulous disbelief on the other Xiao spoke up again “Would you like to come with me? the cut on your shoulders needs to be treated and you look like you haven’t eaten in days.”

Marinette wanted to decline and run the second she could but Xiao Bing’s body language indicated that she really was genuine in wanting to help and food did sound really good right now. plus Xiao Bing could easily catch up with her if she ran and she didn’t think she could win a fight in her condition. So, she hesitantly agreed.

The bakery was in the heart of the city packed to the brim with customers. You could smell the baked goods from a street away.

They entered the bakery through the backdoor and Xiao vaguely explained the situation to her husband (Marinette nearly took a step back when she saw how big he was) and he ushered them upstairs, to apparently where their apartment was.

The apartment was cosy unlike her room at the league and had a lot of pictures and decorations that made it feel lived in. Marinette kind of liked it.

After stitching up her wounds and eating the most Marinette had in weeks, Xiao handed her a set of fresh clothes to change into “These clothes should fit you well enough, tell me if you need anything else.”

Marinette looked up at her in gratitude “Thank you Xiao Bing.”

Xiao smiled softly at her “ I go by Sabine Cheng now and your welcome to stay for as long as you want.”

By the end of the week Marinette al ghul officially became Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Thirteen-year-old Marinette Dupain-Cheng was staring at the hexagonal box on her desk in shock.

She recognised the symbol on the box.

It was the symbol of the Order of Guardians.

She hesitantly approached the box opening it with shaking hands hoping it was not what she thought it was.

A bright flash of light blinded her, she took out her dagger and pointed it at the light on instinct.

“Hello Marinett- eeep” Tikki cut herself off once she saw the dagger.

Not waiting for even a second she harshly questioned the kwami who was blinking owlishly at the dagger that was pointed at her.

“Why was I given a miraculous?”

Tikki’s gaze snapped to Marinette at that “You know what a miraculous is?” she asked confused and with a hint of panic laced in her voice.

Marinette nodded, warily watching the kwami –who was not supposed to be here. Her fingers were clenched firmly on the dagger that was still pointed at the god “I know all about the Miraculous especially the Black cat and the Ladybug. Now answer my question.”

Tikki seemed hesitant but answered the girl who was supposed to be her chosen “You were chosen to be a hero along with your partner, the black cat to protect Paris from the butterfly holder.”

Marinette completely stilled at that, her eyes widened and jaw dropping in shock because she’s not a hero she’s a killer– nope don’t think about it, now is not the time for a breakdown Marinette you can’t show any weakness, do what you do best, and pretend that everything is fine. She steeled herself, masking her emotions but she couldn’t help the incredulous tone her voice took. “You want me to be a Hero. Look the Guardian choose the wrong person, I’m not a Hero.”

Tikki whipped around to Marinette so fast she nearly fell out of the air. The expression on Tikki’s face would have made Marinette laugh if not for the current ...situation “You know about the Guardian too! how do you know about the Guardian!?”

They were interrupted from their riveting conversation (read: hostile interrogation) by an emergency broadcast reporting on a stone being tearing down the streets.

Both Marinette and Tikki turned to face the computer playing the news, watching in horror as Stoneheart threw a car at a crowd of people panicking and trying to evacuate the area, the civilians scrambled trying to get out of the way but it was inevitable that not everyone escaped, watching as blood slowly pooled around the car with someone’s arm sticking out from under it before it was blurred and censored for the viewers.

Despite their efforts the police were useless in trying to contain him.

It was silent for a while. Marinette was processing. While she was used to seeing blood and bodies and was long since desensitized to it. But the fact that there currently seemed to be no plausible way (other than to don the earrings) to stop Stoneheart made her queasy.

Tikki broke the silence, there was a calculating look in her eyes as she studied Marinette. “Marinette, you know how the miraculous works don’t you?”

No this is not going there– “I do but–”

“Then you need to go out there and stop the akuma.” Tikki’s interrupted, voice sharp but there seemed to be kind edge to it.

I’m not– I can’t be a hero “I’m not a Hero, I–”

“Hero or not you were chosen for a reason, people are going die and you are the only one who can save them.” Tikki was firm, staring intently at Marinette her blue eyes piercing Marinette’s soul.

“I–” Marinette wanted to protest because there is no way in hell she could even be considered a hero of any sort but Tikki was right people were going to die, and if there was even a chance that she could save these people then she would take it because if she didn’t, their blood would then be on her hands and she can’t afford to have any more red on her ledger, she can’t waste time arguing right now, she’s got to go out there and help even if all she ever knowns to do is hurt and cause pain, so she’s going to pretend. Pretend to be a hero. Pretend for once that she isn’t the villain but the person saving the day. Pretend just until Stoneheart is defeated so she can return the earrings.

Marinette took a deep breath and picked up the miraculous just barely managing to stop the shaking in her hands. She hesitated before putting them on and glanced at Tikki, who smiled encouragingly at her, and put the earrings on. She clenched her eyes shut praying that she made the right decision and transformed “Tikki spots on.”

She felt power rush through her, her conscience merging with that of a God. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Unlike the Lazarus pit which felt like drowning and acid burning through your skin, clouding her mind with vengeance. Tikki’s power felt warm, like the sun or like running through a grass field during spring. It felt safe, content, happy. It felt right.

She looked down at her costume in awe..

Her transformation was similar to her league attire but enough to differentiate hero from assassin. Her weapons were more or less the same with the addition of a yoyo. The green was replaced with red. She had a black mask covering the lower half of the face and a hood covering her braided hair and casting a shadow over her face so the only thing visible were her iridescent blue eyes.

But the most shocking would be her wings that are normally hidden to look like a cape, but would stretch out into beautiful transparent ladybug wings.

She felt the fabric, It looked to be made of a mix of metal, Kevlar, spandex and something else but was impossibly light of a material. She admired the costume, before snapping out of her trance by a scream.

Marinette dropped back into her room after defeating Stoneheart detransforming mid flip (boy was she glad that she kept up with her training even after leaving the league)

Chat noir seemed to have a little experience in a type of sword fighting probably fencing but was otherwise untrained.

She was snapped out of thoughts by Tikki clearing her throat “I have a few questions.”

Marinette sighed and looked down at her feet she knew this was coming “Ask away.”

“How do you know of Miraculous and about the Guardian?”

Well here goes nothing “My grandfather has told me and my brother all about the Miraculous – jewellery that bestows its wearer unimaginable power, that it’s inhabited by gods. He had a lot of stories to tell, especially of you and your counterpart Plagg.”

Tikki’s eyes narrowed in suspicion and curiosity. “And who is your grandfather?”

Marinette looked down shrinking in on herself – she knew what would happen after this, Tikki would think she’s a murderer and she would be right. After all the things she did while with the league being called a murderer would almost be too merciful–

Marinette steeled her nerves and stuffed her emotions, readying her self for the backlash she was sure to get, looked Tikki in eye and uttered a name that truly did belong to a demon. “Ra’s al ghul.”

Tikki gasped at that, eyes blown wide–because no even he’s not that cruel. The girl standing in front of her is just a child, he couldn’t have–

Marinette started rambling at Tikki’s silence, barely managing to hide the tears that pricked her eyes. “I told you I’m not a Hero, I’ve got blood on my hands. I understand if you want me to return the earrings. I will willingly give them to the Guardian as soon as possible. I’m sure you don’t want a monster like me to be your holder–”

“No.” Tikki cut Marinette off, voice firm and dark far from the cheery tone she normally has.

“What?” Marinette looked up to see the floating god through blurry eyes, the sudden remark shocking her out of her spiral.

Tikki was furious and radiated danger, but softened at the confused and hurt voice of her chosen. She flew up to Marinette and looked her in the eyes, her voice strong and firm “You are not a monster.”

Marinette went shock still.

Tikki continued not bothered by Marinette’s silence “And I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at Ra’s. It’s not your fault that you were born the granddaughter of a demon, who is obsessed with immortality.”

Marinette was silent for a few moments’ eyes wide. Then spoke up softy. “Why don’t you hate me, you know who I am, you know what I’ve done why?” Why was Tikki still here? why wasn’t she running away with the earrings why doesn’t Tikki hate her? Does Tikki not understand that the miraculous are in danger here with her? Why?

“Oh Marinette I don’t hate you, you were a child, still are, you should not have gone through all the horrors that you have.”

“You don’t understand, I’ve tortured and killed people all for information or a mission. I was raised as a weapon; all I do is inflict hurt. I’m a killer, a murderer ...a monster.” A traitorous tear slipped down her cheek.

Tikki’s voice was carefully controlled not to show her rage “You are not a monster Marinette; you’ve just had a hard life did what you had to do to survive. You may have been raised to hurt, but that’s not who you are. You are not just a weapon Marinette you are so much more than that.”

Marinette miserably looked up at her – she did not deserve her sympathy, not after all she’s done –

“B‐but I’m not a good person. I’ve done horrible things–”

“Do you regret doing it” Tikki cut in, looking at Marinette in the eye, not willing to let this go.

Marinette hesitated for a moment, but steely resolve flashed in her eyes “Yes.” Her answer was barely a whisper but cut through the silence in the room like whip.

“Do you want to make up for all the pain you caused.” Tikki stared at Marinette like she could look through her very soul.

“I do.” Marinette replied softly, not a single doubt in her mind, her thoughts clear for the first time in a long while.

“Then I don’t think you’re a bad person.”

“huh?” Marinette bluescreened, not able to follow.

“Marinette you’re not a bad person and I have decided that I want you keep my miraculous, you would make a great hero.”

“I–I’m not I can’t–I can’t be a hero!” Marinette sputtered out unable to comprehend because there’s no way Tikki meant that, she’s not a hero. she’s an assassin, the daughter of the demon. Not a hero. She’s got blood on hands so much blood. She can’t be a hero. A hero doesn’t kill, doesn’t torture. A hero isn’t a walking weapon. A hero hasn’t spilt so much blood that red now permanently stained her hands, a hero isn’t ... her . She’s the type of person a hero fights against, a villain.

Seeing the clear distress on her chosen’s Tikki flew down to Marinette and lay her hand-paw on Marinette’s cheek smiling softly when panic filled eyes met her calm encouraging ones.

It was quiet in the room with Marinette processing Tikki’s request and the kwami smiling kindly at the girl.

Marinette found her voice after a few moments.

“You really want me keep the earrings even after you know what I’ve done?” she whispered in disbelief, still unable to comprehend the turn of events.

“I meant what I said Marinette, I want you to be my holder.”

“Why? Why do you want me to be your holder, I’m a MONSTER!” Marinette vision turned blurry with held back tears.

“Marinette you could’ve taken the ladybug miraculous and ran or you could’ve easily stolen the black cat miraculous from Chat noir considering all your training, you could have even gone to your grandfather and given him your miraculous. But you didn’t do any of that instead you went out there today and saved people, saved Paris. Your past doesn’t define you Marinette, the choices you make in the present do and I’d say you were a hero.” Tikki fiercely defended "I choose you Marinette. I choose you to be my holder for a reason."

“I can't– I–”

It was all too much for Marinette.

She couldn’t hold it back anymore, all her trauma and emotions that she carefully stuffed in a box finally burst.

She broke down.

She starting laughing hysterically “My grandfather spent half his life searching for the miraculous and I found it five years after leaving the League without even having to try and now I’m somehow a Hero.” Marinette’s voice cracked and her cackles soon turned into sobs.

Tikki’s heart broke watching her chosen sink to the floor sobbing. She went and nuzzled her cheek comforting her as much as she could. ‘I really should take Plagg with me sometime and blow that little assassin base of his to the ground’ Tikki internally raged.

It had been nearly a year since Marinette received the ladybug miraculous and took up the role of Dame rouge or (Lady red).

And as of last week, Marinette was now also the Guardian of the miracle box.

Due to the change in Guardianship the magical Barriers –that Fu put up– protecting the miraculous from outside interference were taken down.

She was able to get the Barriers back up, but it was already too late. While the general public were still unaware of the situation in Paris. The league of assassins now was.

Marinette knew it was only a matter of time before assassins start popping up left and right. She was hard at work learning magic and casting spells. She found a spell which allows only the Guardian to remove a miraculous from it’s wielder. That should help, while Chat noir has gotten better at fighting he is no where near as ready to face off against the league of assassins even with the enhanced abilities, it should keep the league from getting his miraculous much harder.

Marinette was patrolling the city with Chat noir when she felt that something was off. And lo and behold a knife was hurling through the air, straight for Chat noir’s neck.

Marinette wasn’t fazed, she caught the knife between two fingers. The same couldn’t be said for Chat noir, he stumbled and nearly fell off the roof in shock.

Marinette relaxed once she saw the knife.

“And you always said I was dramatic” Marinette drawled towards a shadow in the corner, twirling the knife.

“Tt.” Was replied as a person practically melted out of the shadows. (Chat noir did fall off the roof at that but gathered his bearings fairly quick.)

The person was masked and dressed similarly to Dame rouge but green accents instead of red and sounded male. He also had plenty weapons strapped on his person and did not look to be wearing a miraculous despite the clear physical activity it would take to reach the secluded rooftop they were on.

“So, Paris” the masked stranger raised an eyebrow and asked a little judgingly.

“It’s not that bad and last I heard you relocated too” Marinette replied looking expectantly at him.

“I was sent to live with father until the issues were resolved but I’m considering staying there. It’s not what one would call peaceful but it certainly beats the desert.”

“Please anything beats the desert.” Marinette scoffed.

The hooded figure shrugged “It’s not...as bad as I thought. There are a few rules in place but I otherwise still get to stab people and my katana is well used in that cesspool of crime and corruption.”

Marinette’s eyes widened; she could read in between the lines, she already had an inkling of who her father is with Talia’s vague descriptions and Sabine’s hesitance about the topic, Damian’s clues only confirmed her suspicions, there could only be one person who could be their father.

“He is your father.... Well that certainly explains the brooding and emotional constipation. How much grovelling did you have to do after the attempts on their life for them to let you on the field?”

The hooded figure crossed his arms and glared “I did not grovel!”

Marinette raised an eyebrow.

The figure looked away after a few seconds and scoffed “you never did explain why you’re staying in Paris of all places.”

Marinette smirked at that “I’m staying here with Xiao Bing.”

“isn’t she dead?” the person looked up in shock.

“No, apparently they just stopped the hits on her after the ninth failed attempt.”

“I feel like I should be worried.”

“Don’t be, she doesn’t know that I gallivant around the city as a magical girl catching evil butterflies.” Marinette waved him off.

“Ah yes about that. How did you become a miraculous wielder?” The figure questioned.

“I helped an old man cross the road. I’m also the Guardian now”

“...your the holder of the Ladybug miraculous and the Guardian of the miracle box because you helped some old man cross the road?.” Was asked incredulously.

“Yup”

He was quiet for a few seconds, then he snorted “Grandfather would blow a fuse if he ever found out that you are possession of the miraculous. He has been trying to get a hold of it for over 600 years and you just stumbled upon them five years after leaving the League.”

“Honestly, I want to tell him just so I could see his face. The disgrace in possession of his life long dream has to knock him down a peg....or a tower.”

“Speaking of, grandfather is probably aware of the situation in Paris now, are you in need of assistance with that complication or the moth problem?”

“Don’t worry I’ve been preparing for that and the moth should be dealt with before Saturday.”

“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!” Chat noir interrupted finally having had enough of his confusion and shock, looking wildly between the two of them.

“Ah yes, I forgot. Akhi this is Chat noir.” Lady red introduced.

He just grunted.

“Chat noir this is... What do you want to be called?”

“...Shadow.”

“Well Chat noir this is Shadow.”

“That doesn’t answer any of my questions!” Chat noir was still confused and panicking.

“Are you sure you need to keep the–” Shadow started to speak.

“Don’t be rude shadow.” Lady red chastised.

Shadow just rolled his eyes.

“Chat noir I’ll explain this when Shadow leaves.” Marinette glanced at Shadow while talking to Chat noir.

“You can deal with this mess now. I have to leave anyway; the others will be able to track me in an hour and I don’t want them knowing I’m in Paris."

Ah so the Justice league are still unaware of the situation here, probably Damian’s work.

Marinette went and hugged her brother

“لقد اشتقت لك كثيرا”(I missed you so much.)

“كما فعلت أنا ” (As did I.)

Was whispered to each other as the siblings hugged tightly. Marinette not noticing the note that was slipped into her pocket in her happiness and grief.

And if their eyes were a little glassy no one needed to know.

Shadow pulled away first.

And jumped off the roof with a smirk and the parting words of “I’m still taller.”

It took a moment for Marinette to register his words but once she did, she started cursing after him in all the languages she could remember in her rage.

He’s a dead man walking. Brother be damned.

Marinette landed in her room and detransformed.

Tikki flew off to get a cookie.

Marinette was lost in thought absently watching as the kwamis played around her room and fought for the computer.

They all stopped what they were doing and flew towards Marinette once they noticed she arrived from patrol.

“Um Marinette?” Tikki drew Marinette from her daze.

“Yes Tikki?”

“I found this in one of your pockets in the suit.” Tikki handed Marinette an envelope.

It was dark green and tied with golden thread.

Marinette opened the envelope and started reading the letter.

I do not blame you for leaving the League. At first, I was angry and hurt that you left me but I understand.

Mother and grandfather hated you and were sending you on increasingly difficult missions hoping you wouldn’t return; I noticed the extra scars and wounds you were trying to hide from me.

I am also now no longer in association with the league. I was taken to Father when Slade staged a coup and almost killed grandfather. I was to be living with father until mother took care of the traitors. But I decided stay in Gotham. I no longer want the title of demon head. I much prefer being a vigilante to an assassin.

Living with father is certainly different from the league and it took a while to get used to, especially with father’s ‘no killing’ rule. Richard is by far the most tolerable of the strays that father insists on keeping. And I suppose Todd and Drake have proved their worth.

I also own pets now Alfred the cat, Titnus, Batcow and Goliath (the dragon bat). You would love them.

And before you panic, No. Father does not know of your existence.

I only found out about your whereabouts because I was actively searching for you and only found results when I’m assuming the magical barrier fell. The glamor failed to hide your identity as I recognized your fighting style but I suppose it is only because we are twins and grew up together. No amount of magic is going to help you hide the fact that you gallivant around Paris catching butterflies with a yoyo from me.

I was able to cover all traces of the miraculous when the barrier fell so the justice league is still unaware of the situation in Paris as well.

Unfortunately, the league of assassins are now aware that the miraculous are active and in Paris.

+1 XXXXX XXXXX

I have included my contact information in case you are in need of assistance.

I do not intend to lose you again.

– Damian al ghul Wayne

Staring at the letter the day’s events finally hit her

She met her brother. She found him again. He’s not dead.

Tears were streaming down Marinette’s face as she clutched the letter in hands.

The kwamis were staring at her in concern, Tikki herded them into the miracle box before they could bombard the Guardian with questions.

“Marinette?” Tikki hesitantly questioned when she was still staring blankly at the letter.

Startled Marinette snapped out of daze looking around her room.