"What's the point," Marinette grumbled, tossing her purse on the bed. "You saw their faces. I was just trying to help-"

Tikki flew out of the purse and sat on Marinette's shoulder, trying to reason with her. "It's not what you think it is!"

"They thought I was a monster," Marinette breathed, staring blankly at the wall. "Those civilians that watched behind the caution tape. I wasn't trying to hurt anyone. I just wanted to save them. But then that new super-heroine stepped in and saved the day. I didn't even get to tell them what actually happened."

"Marinette, I think you're blowing things out of proportion-"

"Am I, Tikki?" Marinette breathed. She lowered her gaze.

"They do NOT think you're a monster!" Tikki yelled. "What you did was brave. You could've died saving that girl from the burning building."

"Then why did they all look at me in fear?" Marinette asked, her eyes watering. "Even Chat Noir. He stood behind that new super-heroine like she was his shield from me. The monster. Then they took the poor girl away to an ambulance and got all the credit for saving her."

"That's outrageous. That's not what happened!" Tikki pleaded.

Marinette stood up and stared at herself in the mirror. She lifted a hand and ran her fingers along the smooth surface of her earrings. "I don't know Tikki. I can't do this anymore. With a new superhero to help Chat Noir, maybe I don't have t-"

Tikki bursted up into the air in panic. She floated directly in front of Marinette's face. "You are not suggesting what I think you're suggesting!"

Marinette was silent. She stared at the earrings in the mirror for the longest time. "Maybe the world would be better off without Ladybug."

Tikki gasped, covering her mouth. "Don't say that. You know how important Ladybug is to you, Marinette. And to Paris."

She slowly took off one earring, and then the other. Tikki cried out, but the shrill noise came to an abrupt stop as the loss of magic caused her to disappear into thin air. A tear rolled down Marinette's cheek.

"Not anymore."

Marinette collapsed to the ground, a crying mess. She firmly closed her hands over the cold earrings and buried her head into the carpet.

After a few minutes of silent sobs, she wiped her eyes and attempted to stand up. Once that was accomplished, she carelessly flopped onto her bed and curled up under her covers.

"I'm sorry Tikki," she whispered sleepily before plunging into a pit of darkness.

*

Marinette's eyes slowly peeled open. She woke up to her bland ceiling and let out a loud yawn. Surprisingly, her alarm didn't have to wake her up this morning.

She rolled on her side and grabbed her phone, silencing the alarm before it went off. Marinette still felt empty inside from the night before so she decided to stay in bed for an extra few minutes before she had to get ready for school.

She closed her eyes.

Then, a tiny gust of wind brushed her arm, causing her eyes to snap open. She lifted up, momentarily spooked. She examined the room and didn't find anything. Perhaps it was just a fly? Or an open window?

Marinette lay back down and closed her eyes again.

"Marinette," a tiny voice said in her right ear. It definitely belonged to Tikki.

"What?" Marinette asked sluggishly, not paying any attention to the kwami.

"Wake up."

Marinette yawned, grabbing her pillow. "Just a few more minutes-"

Then the realization hit Marinette like a slap to the face. She shot up from her bed for the second time that morning and looked to her right. There, in the flesh, Tikki floated in the air.

"How are you here right now? I took off my earrings, you disappeared-" Marinette said, her hands subconsciously flying up to her ears to confirm that she had indeed taken her earrings off.

"I can explain," Tikki nodded. "First of all, I'm not Tikki."

Marinette laughed. "Of course you are, what are you talking about?"

"I'm not," Tikki said, shaking her head. "I'm actually the spirit of a previous Miraculous holder who is disguised as your kwami so you'd feel more comfortable. My name is Alysia."

"That's impossible," Marinette sputtered. "This isn't a dream. Is this a dream?"

"It is," Alysia smiled. "Kinda. See, last night you decided that the world would be better off without Ladybug. Well, I'm here to show you that world."

"It must be great," Marinette smiled, rubbing her hands together.

Alysia frowned. "Not all is what it appears to be. Come on; you'd better get to school."

"Okay," Marinette shrugged, looking at her surroundings. "It's weird though. This dream feels exactly like real life. Is that possible?"

"Of course," Alysia smiled. "Anything is possible."

"Well, I'm gonna dress however the heck I'd like today," Marinette grinned, running over to her closet. "After all, this is my dream." She pulled out a black crop top with bare shoulders and long, white jeans with holes in them.

"Wow, what a bold fashion statement," Alysia commented. "I didn't know you had such items in your closet."

"I don't, but... since this is my dream I can imagine whatever clothes I want," Marinette grinned. She quickly put on the clothing and completed the look with a black beanie. She admired herself in the mirror. "Imagine what everyone is gonna think when I show up to school wearing this. Especially Chloe."

Alysia twiddled her little kwami fingers as she bit her lip. "Uh, right... So! Let's go then."

"Let's go," Marinette nodded.

*

Marinette arrived to the courtyard of the school, flaunting her new look. It seemed like an average day at school; everyone was chatting outside like usual. Alysia followed closely behind Marinette.

Marinette looked in the air towards Alysia and raised her eyebrow. The kwami that looked identical to Tikki floated silently. "Aren't you afraid of someone seeing you?"

"No," Alysia replied. "They can't see me."

"Oh," Marinette said. "Might have to take some getting used to. You look exactly like my kwami in the real world so seeing you floating there while I'm talking to a classmate may be a little unsettling. But I'll be fine."

"Look who it is," a voice called out from behind Marinette. She quickly turned around. Juleka was standing there, her arms crossed. She smiled. "Hey loser."

"Uh, h-hi!" Marinette exclaimed. "What's up Juleka?"

Juleka raised an eyebrow and laughed. "You haven't called me that since we first met."

"Oh... sorry. Jules?"

"There it is," Juleka grinned. She approached Marinette and lightly grabbed her arm. "Let's get to class." She then frowned, a disappointed look branding her face. "Unless you wanna skip again."

Marinette widened her eyes. She never skipped class! Well, not willingly anyway. What had the loss of Ladybug done to her?

"Actually," Marinette said, slipping out of Juleka's grip, "I need to go to the bathroom. I'm not feeling well."

"Okay," Juleka shrugged. "See ya."

Marinette jogged into the school and turned left. She ran straight for the bathroom and practically fell into a stall. Alysia had a hard time keeping up, for she was trying to catch her breath.

"We didn't have to run all the way into a stall, you know," Alysia murmured. "I'm invisible."

"Well, people would've thought I was insane if they saw me talking to air," Marinette said frantically. "Anyways, what happened to me? Skipping class? Has the nonexistence of Ladybug really affected me that much?"

"There's more," Alysia said sadly. "Unfortunately, in this universe, you not being Ladybug affected your personality. Without the wisdom of Ladybug, you started hanging with the wrong crowd and skipping class. Juleka is actually the only nice friend that you have."

"What about Alya?" Marinette asked. "Adrien?"

Alysia went silent, staring at Marinette with pity. There was a look in her eye that gave her the answer. Still, she needed to find out for herself.

"I'm gonna find them," Marinette decided, leaving the bathroom and rushing out into the crowded hallway. The first bell had just rung and students were hurrying to class.

Automatically, she knew which class she needed to go to. That was convenient. Marinette began moving up the stairs and turning into her first class. The late bell had just rung when she stepped foot into the class.

Eyes met hers and she immediately froze. Her blue eyes quickly scanned the class for people she knew. Like a light at the end of the tunnel, she found Adrien at the top corner of the room. He was looking at her with those perfect green eyes; she quickly looked away.

"Ms. Dupain-Cheng? Do you have a pass?" the teacher asked impatiently. Marinette made eye contact with the teacher and raised an eyebrow. It was a teacher she did not recognize.

"No, the bell just rang-" Marinette tried to explain, but was cut off.

"You know I have a strict tardy policy," the teacher growled. "Go sit and I will give you your detention at the end of class."

Marinette sighed, walking up the steps to her seat in the back. Again, she automatically knew where she sat. Like it was ingrained in her brain.

As she walked up the stairs, a snicker caught her attention. She looked to her left and saw Chloe staring at her disgustingly.

Of course, Chloe still hated her.

Marinette quickly slid into her seat and buried her head into her hands. So far, this alternate universe dream sucks.

"Hey," a deep, warm voice spoke. Marinette looked up and saw Adrien smiling at her.

She practically died of joy. Yes! Of all the people in this dream, thank you for letting Adrien be the same! And for letting him sit next to her! She was so glad the nonexistence of Ladybug didn't affect him like everyone else.

"Hi," Marinette smiled. She widened her eyes as she processed the fact that she didn't stutter! This was just getting better and better.

"Mrs. Durand is the worst," Adrien frowned. "You weren't even late."

"I know," Marinette shook her head. "I guess I have to serve this detention. Hopefully it won't suck too bad."

"Don't worry, she's given me a detention before for the same reason. It's not bad at all. All she does is read her cat magazines."

"Huh, I'll take your word for it then," Marinette smiled coolly.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Marinette gasped in shock. "Wow, that was quick! I guess time flies by when you're trash talking a teacher."

Adrien laughed, clenching his stomach. "You're so funny, Marinette. Why haven't you said anything to me in class before?"

"I don't know," Marinette shrugged. "I've never really been the funny type of person."

"How about we catch up after school today?" Adrien suggested. "At the park, 4 o'clock?"

"Sounds like a plan," Marinette smiled, biting her lip. "See you then!"

"Bye," Adrien waved, a gentle smile on his face. He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked away.

Marinette sighed dejectedly as she grabbed her chest. "I've never felt more in love before than I do in this moment," she whispered to herself.

"Not so fast, Dupain-Cheng," Mrs. Durand called, walking to the back of the class. "Here is your detention. See you tomorrow afternoon at 3."

"Can't wait," Marinette fake grinned.

*

The school bell blared across the school, finally ending the day. Students shuffled out of their classes in excitement, for it was a Friday and that meant weekend plans were ahead.

Marinette skipped down the steps of the school, her heart still fluttering from her encounter with Adrien earlier that day.

"Can you just believe it, Tikki?" Marinette asked the kwami floating beside her. She had grown so accustomed to the figure that she had forgotten that it wasn't her Tikki and in fact an entirely different being. She dropped her head in realization. "Oh, sorry.. I meant Alysia."

"It's okay," Alysia tried to smile. "I look exactly like your Tikki so it's understandable why you'd get us mixed up."

"I just miss her so much," Marinette frowned, walking down the sidewalk to her house. "I shouldn't have took my earrings off. Tikki is the greatest friend I could ever ask for."

Alysia gasped, pointing up ahead. "Speaking of friend!"

Marinette lifted her gaze from Alysia and now stared directly in front of her. A trio of students were approaching them; one being Nino, another being Rose, and the last one being Alya.

For a moment, Marinette's heart lifted and she wanted to give her best friend a big hug. But then she remembered that Alysia told her something ended their friendship and a hug would not be her wisest decision.

Still, she wanted to attempt to reconcile with Alya.

"Hey!" Marinette exclaimed, waving to Alya.

Alya was peering down at her feet as she attempted to walk by. At the sound of Marinette's voice, she quickly looked up. She looked shocked and confused at such a friendly greeting.

"Oh, hi," Alya replied, stopping to stand in front of her. Nino and Rose glanced at each other knowingly before walking away, leaving Marinette and Alya to talk alone. The brunette had a warm smile on her face, but something still didn't seem right. The air surrounding the two was full of awkwardness. Alya had wanted to appear friendly, but there was something bothering her. Marinette could tell.

"Is everything okay?" Marinette asked in confusion.

"Um, yeah!" Alya laughed, holding up her textbooks. "I have a big physics test next week so I'm trying to study all I can."

Marinette looked into Alya's eyes and she could definitely tell that's not why she was acting strange. Whatever that severed the two's friendship must've been drastic.

"Sorry, I should let you get back to it then," Marinette shrugged. "Actually, I think I'm in your class. Maybe we could study together?"

Alya hesitated; she glanced at her books and then at the school. Finally, she looked back at Marinette and smiled again. "I'd love to, but I can't. I was going to study with my boyfriend at his house."

"Oh, darn," Marinette frowned. She couldn't really find a way to make the situation less awkward. "Well, sorry again. See you in class tomorrow."

"Bye," Alya said, almost relieved. She gathered her belongings and quickly sped away.

Marinette wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. She wanted answers. Why was all of this happening?

"Alysia," Marinette sighed, facing the kwami. "What does me not being Ladybug have anything to do with Alya?"

"You two were friends at the beginning of the year, but then you changed," Alysia frowned. "You got into an argument with Alya and ended the friendship."

"I changed?" Marinette asked, terribly confused.

"Yes, believe it or not, if you were never Ladybug, you would've traveled down the wrong path. Everything is connected," Alysia said.

Marinette huffed, continuing to walk towards her home which seemed to be the only thing that was the same. "I'm so sick of all of this. I just want to go back to my real home."

"There's still more to see," Alysia explained. "Marinette, its 4 o'clock."

Marinette gasped, grabbing her head in shock. She internally screamed. "ALREADY?! I have to get to the park, Adrien is probably waiting for me!"

She scrambled down the sidewalk and towards the park, which thankfully wasn't very far from where she lived. She made a crash landing into the grass of the park and squealed in relief. Her face was plunged into the ground. "I'm here!" she mumbled into the grass. Then she lifted her head and looked around. "Where's Adrien?"

"Over there," Alysia said distastefully.

Marinette was ready to jump to her feet and run into Adrien's arms when her eyes made contact with the ugliest scene she had ever laid her eyes upon.

Towards the end of the park, waiting by a limo on the street, Chloe was standing with her arms locked around Adrien.

Marinette's heart shattered into a million little pieces. Such a spectacle was too much for her to bear. Adrien didn't even seem annoyed either. He was allowing her to put her nasty, grubby hands on him.

Adrien turned to Chloe and gently laid his hands on her shoulders. He smiled genuinely at her. "I have to go," he whispered. "I'll be back soon."

"Okay, Adrikins," Chloe cooed. She batted her eyes and puffed out her lips. "Can Chwoe have a kiss?" she spoke in her best baby voice.

"Of course," Adrien laughed, planting a warm kiss on her forehead.

Marinette's blood was boiling. It angered her. No, it infuriated her. Chloe did not deserve the affection of Adrien. She was a walking hell. How could she take advantage of his kindness so easily? And how could Adrien be so blind to her evil side?

Chloe squeaked in happiness and grabbed Adrien's collar. She pulled him close and kissed him on the lips. "Don't be long," she whispered. "I'll be waiting Adrikins." Chloe released Adrien and stepped into the limo. The motorcade sped off, probably to find a nearby spot so Chloe could watch Adrien while he had his talk with Marinette.

Adrien shoved his hands in his jean pockets and approached Marinette with a warm smile. He waved at her.

Marinette couldn't move. She was so consumed with rage that the fake smile she gave back looked like it belonged to a psychopath.

"How are you?" Adrien asked.

"Great," Marinette replied through clenched teeth.

"Everything alright?" Adrien asked curiously. "Do you need anything?"

You don't want to hear that answer, Adrien, Marinette thought.

"Yeah, everything is fine," Marinette replied. "I had a rough day at school."

"Sorry," Adrien frowned.

"So," Marinette started, kicking the dirt up with her foot. She knew she shouldn't bring up the topic, but it gnawed at her insides and filled her with envy. "When, uh, did you start dating Chloe?"

"Oh, Chloe? About a year ago," Adrien replied with a head nod. "She's amazing."

Marinette stopped kicking at the dirt and glared at Adrien. "D-Did you just say that she's amazing?"

"Yeah," Adrien said. "She's kind, sweet, and caring."

Marinette wanted to burst out laughing. Was he talking about Chloe Bourgeois? Because that girl is none of those things.

"Right," Marinette mumbled in annoyance, snickering at the end of her phrase.

"Something wrong?" Adrien asked abruptly, sounding offended.

Marinette swore to herself she'd keep her mouth shut and not escalate the situation. But she did. "Yes, actually. It seems to me that Miss. Chloe brainwashed you into thinking that she's capable of human emotion. Newsflash-- she isn't. She locked my friend Juleka in a bathroom stall so she'd miss class pictures."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"All because she was PLACED next to you by the photographer," Marinette said, shaking her head.

"Marinette, you were nice this morning. What happened?" Adrien said in disbelief.

"I don't know. Ask your kind and caring girlfriend," Marinette mumbled, pointing to Chloe, who was standing right behind him.

Marinette was done with all of this.

She turned on her heel and began to walk. Chloe spat names at her as she walked away, but none of them affected her. After all it was just a dream.

"I'm done here, Alysia," Marinette murmured, sitting down on the sidewalk. "I've seen what would've happened if I wasn't Ladybug. I should've never said the things I did. In truth, Ladybug is a big part of my life and I couldn't live without her."

Alysia smiled. "Good. I'm glad you learned a valuable lesson. I can take you home now."

"Good," Marinette smiled, closing her eyes. She felt herself floating in mid air. When she opened her eyes, it was pitch black. Then, she lost all senses and plunged into sleep.

*

"Marinette! Wake up!" Sabine yelled from downstairs. The scent of pancakes and eggs wafted up to Marinette's bedroom.

Marinette shifted, murmuring in her sleep. "Alysia, I'm ready to go home now..."

The door to her room suddenly swung open, causing Marinette to finally be awake. She widened her eyes, looking around. "Alysia? Are you here?"

Sabine looked at her daughter in confusion, then laughed. "Oh, honey. Did you have a good dream? Breakfast is ready, come and get it!"

"Okay, mom..." Marinette yawned. She lifted her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, stretching her muscles. Her sleepy eyes glanced to her side table and saw the Ladybug earrings laying there.

She widened her eyes and started to dance. "I'm back! I'm back home!" She frantically grabbed the earrings and pressed them up to her cheek. "Tikki! I'm sorry!"

She carefully put the earrings on, one by one, and soon enough a bright light filled the room. Tikki floated in front of Marinette, smiling excitedly.

"Marinette!" Tikki squealed. She flew up to Marinette's cheek and gave it a hug. "I missed you so much!"

Marinette felt her eyes water and she embraced the little kwami. "I missed you too! I'm so sorry. Whatever happens I can work it out."

"I forgive you!" Tikki laughed. "I knew you'd come back. You're a good person, Marinette."

Marinette smiled, knowing that all is right with the world again. Alya is her best friend and Adrien isn't dating Chloe!

"Well, it's safe to say that I'll never pull a stunt like that again!" Marinette exclaimed. "And I think it's time for me to properly introduce myself to that new super-heroine!"