Marinette's POV

"Marinette!"

My parents pull me into a tight hug as soon as I enter the bakery.

"Mom!  Papa!" Tears stream down my face as I hug them back.  I'm so glad they're okay!

"How are you?" Papa asks.

"Where have you been?" Mom inquires simultaneously.

They release me. "I've been staying at the Agrestes'," I answer.  "And I'm... all right." Those last two words come out uncertain. Of course, I'm with Adrien, the love of my life.  But with all that's happened, am I really okay?

My parents' faces fall.  They glance at each other, then back at me, worried.

"Let's go upstairs," Mom says quietly.

We all go up the stairs, each step echoing uncomfortably.  Something's wrong. Not with my parents, but with... all of this.

Papa goes and closes the curtains, and we all sit down at the kitchen table.

Mom puts her hand on mine.  "Tell us what's been happening."

"Um... prepare yourselves.  It's a lot."

They take a deep breath and nod.

"Adrien and I... we're Ladybug and Chat Noir."

They gasp.

"Well, we were, until Hawk Moth akumatized seven villains and used them to take our miraculouses."  I bite my lip. Tears fill my eyes as I remember it all.

Mom and Papa hug me tight.

"Our little girl... was a superhero..." Papa murmurs.

"We're so proud of you, Marinette," Mom sniffles.  "You protected all of us..."

"I'm so sorry I never..." I start crying before I can finish.

"It's all right," Papa says soothingly.  "We understand."

"R-really?  I thought..."

"We're not mad," Mom says.  "And we promise we won't tell anyone."

I fall back into their arms.  "Thank you..."

Mom waits a few minutes before asking, "What's the rest of the story?"

I sniffle.  Breathe in, breathe out... "After Hawk Moth got our miraculouses, he brought Adrien and I to the mansion.  We've been staying there, and everything's been good, but the thought of Hawk Moth controlling everything..."

"Gabriel Agreste, you mean," Papa says.  "We know. Everything's going to him, his house, and his family."  He looks at me. "Have you and Adrien been okay?"

"Yes," I reply.  "We've been given a lot... How have you been here?"  If my parents aren't okay, none of what I have matters.  None of it.

Mom sighs.  "It's been difficult.  People are losing their homes as Mr. Agreste expands his mansion.  All sorts of miscellaneous things have gone missing, as well as food.  The bakery's been full of people trying to get a bite to eat."

My stomach lurches.  "That's terrible."

"Yes," Papa agrees, bowing his head a little.  "Some people have been really generous and polite with the shortages, but others are getting aggressive.  Sometimes, there are riots..."

A tear drips down my cheek.  No... Paris... What has Mr. Agreste done?

"Aww, Marinette..."  Mom wipes the tear away.

My eyes go toward the windows, carefully covered by the curtains.  "And today... What's today all about? It seems different."

"Mr. Agreste knew you'd be going out," Papa explains.  "He created this illusion so you'd think it was beautiful.  He told us all to keep the truth a secret. And a lot of people are glad to.  They'd do anything for just one day of happiness."

My heart breaks.  All those poor people... And there are probably more outside of Paris who are suffering because of today.  Mr. Agreste's selfishness is causing a chain reaction of harm. "I promise I'll do whatever I can to fix this!"

"That's our girl!" Papa says proudly.

Mom wipes a tear out of her eye.  "Our Ladybug."

"Aww..." I hug them both as tightly as I can.  "I'm so lucky to have you. Thank you."

I'd do anything to save them.

They're my world.

And the rest of the world needs me too.

What do you think of this chapter?

Music:  Hometown by Twenty-One Pilots

I do not own the song or the video.

I think I put too much TØP in here, but I don't really care that much LOL.