"The Stonebeings are frozen in place like statues, police are perplexed. Will they come to life? Or will they be stuck like this? Stay tuned."

Marinette watched as her mother hugged her father in comfort, watching the news, while she hurried to her room.

"Tikki, what did I forget to do?" she asked as soon as they were in the privacy of her room. Tikki glanced at her computer screen, which was also playing the news, before glancing back at Marinette with worried eyes.

"Did you catch  the Akuma?" she asked, watching as the blue eyes glazed over, Marinette's mind going back to the moment she watched the purple butterfly flutter away. She had simply stood there, and saw it leave, and she couldn't figure out what it was she was missing.

"Shit," she groaned, running a hand down her face, "I just released it."

Tikki gasped and flew up to level her face, "This doesn't bode well, Marinette! Akuma's can multiply, that's why there are more of those Stonehearts; and if Ivan's emotions turn negative again, the Akuma with return to it's original source, and those copies will be in his control!"

"If only I had remembered-" Marinette frowned, disappointed in herself. Her memories were becoming distant moments of the past, not recalling everything from her past life as her head was filled with new ones of her present. "It's my fault this is happening."

"Marinette, this was your first time, mistakes are expected! You just have to fix it," the Kwami encouraged, and Marinette smiled appreciatively at the small being.

"I guess it's time to explain to you how I knew about you, Tikki," said Kwami perked up at the reminder and nodded, and Marinette sat down on her bed, bringing her foot up and resting her chin on her knee as she wrapped her arms around her leg. "Tell me, as a Kwami as old as yourself, do you believe in past lives?"

- 

"Paris is relying on our new guardian angels, Ladybug and Chat Noir to help us with this dilemma."

Marinette sipped her tea idly, trying not to show to much interest in the television.

"Mari, sweetie, I want you to be careful, alright?" Tom came to rest a hand on her shoulder, worried, "There may be two superheroes protecting Paris but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be cautious. If they don't save you, then I will!" 

Rolling her eyes at her father's joking stance of holding a baguette like a sword, she scoffed in a amusement, "Sure, dad." Pressing a quick peck to his cheek, she grabbed her bag and headed out. "I'm heading out, I'll be back later!" she called out, hearing her parent's reply to be careful.

It was a ten minute walk to the school, but she eventually made it, not finding Nathaniel of Alix, she headed over to see Juleka talking Rose. They happily greeted her, Juleka lighting up before they head over to where Ivan was slouched on the bench, people talking to him. You could tell he was upset about their words, shaking his head.

"You were trying to kill me, man!" Kim complained, and Juleka jumped a little in her spot.

"I thought your were awesome." Marinette slapped her arm none-too-lightly and sent her a look, 

"I wasn't...I wasn't me...forgive me," Ivan groaned, putting his face in his hands. 

There was a scoff behind them, Chloe walking up to them with her arms crossed, Sabrina right behind her, "Yeah, sure. Haven't you heard the saying? Once a monster, always a monster." Ivan stood, angry, and stormed off, pushing his way through the crowd. "Careful, he might turn into that monster again."

Marinette clicked her tongue, meeting Chloe's glare with her own. How could she even say something like that? Leaving the group, not wanting to be around the group, she heard Alya scold Chloe as she left.

"How could you even say that to him? You're the one with a Stoneheart!" Alya growled.

"Uh-huh, because I'm the one who broke Sabrina's dad's arm? Mhm, sure. Just because your lame footage of those lame superheroes was one TV, you think you're all that? Get of your high horse, new girl!"

"You little-" 

"Look out, she's angry!" Chloe announce, "now she's going to turn into a big, scary monster."

Marinette entered the locker room, checking down the different rows before finding who she was searching for. Sitting down on the bench across him, he glanced up at her, surprise on his face. She and Ivan don't associate much. Taking off his head phones, he gave her a wary look.

"I wouldn't expect you of all people to come tease me too," he expressed, unimpressed and disappointed.

Marinette tilted her head, "Have I said anything that could have offended you?"

"Well, no-"

"Then don't assume that I'm like them, I am who I am," she crossed her legs, her ears picking up on excited screams outside, leaning forward, "Who are you?"

"I'm Ivan!" he frowned, then looked down at the floor, "But no one can see that anymore. They just see a monster."

"Are you?"

His head snapped up, "What?"

"Do you believe the words of people who know nothing about you?" she pushed, "Are you, Ivan, a monster?"

"No."

She nodded, a small smile curving her lips, "Then I'll believe that you aren't."

"Thank you...Marinette. You're a lot different than what people say," he admitted, although guiltily. It's no secret that people fear and admire Marinette Dupain-Cheng, who wouldn't?

"People say things," she shrugged, standing up and holding out a hand to help him up, "I just don't give a shit." He huffs a laugh, taking her hand and pulling himself up, surprised at her strength. "So, Mylene, huh?"

Snatching his hand back, he looked away, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Bullshit," she scoffed, "being quiet doesn't mean I'm oblivious. You and Mylene have been tip-toeing around each other since last year."

"But..." he slouches, "I'm no good with words."

"Who said anything about about words?" she raised and eyebrow as he looked up at her. "There are many ways to express how you feel, express yourself, now you just have to find them."

Ivan looked down at his shoes, and nodded. Marinette was right, he didn't have to write a letter to Mylene, he could-

"I could write her a song?" he questions, looking for approval, but only got a shrug in response.

"Do what you want, Ivan. I don't make decisions for you." She started heading out to head up to class, "Be seeing you."

Ivan watched her for a bit, until she was completely gone, then headed out himself to write his song for Mylene.

Marinette was a nice person.

-

"Come this way Adrikins, your seat is right in front of mine!" she gloated, fluttering her lashes, "I saved it just for you." Everyone watched as the famous model Adrien Agreste walked in the room with a charming smile, resting his hand on her shoulder in gratitude.

"Thanks Chloe," he sat down, turning to his new seat mate nervously, holding out his hand, "Hi, I'm Adrien." 

Nino squinted at him, cautious, "So, you're friends with Chloe, huh?" His question confused Adrien; what was so bad about being friends with Chloe? Nino glanced at something up the stairs, making him turn to see what it was. His eyes widened when he saw Chloe take out her gum, giving it to Sabrina to put on a seat.

Nathaniel tried to protest but was silenced by a nasty glare with a silent threat.

"Chloe, what are you doing?" Adrien asked, standing from his seat to stop her.

"You gotta stop messin' with Mari, Chloe," Alix slammed her hands on the table, going over to get the gum off the chair when Adrien beat her to it.

"I'm tired of her thinking she can do whatever she wants," she crossed her arms, waving both Alix and Adrien off. "Her attitude needs some adjusting."

"You think this is necessary?" Adrien gestured, frustrated, but still pushed forward, bending down at the seat to try and get the gum off, finding a struggled as it was very sticky.

Chloe huffed, showing how upset she was about him doing so. Knowing he won't budge, she sat at her seat with a heavy pout.

Suddenly, the whispers and chatter died down, though Adrien didn't know why, then he heard steps and the stopped right behind him. Turning to look over his shoulder, his eyes met bright, blue-bell eyes.

They stared at him, the sparkle wasn't there, but there was recognition. She didn't say anything, simply raising a brow as he stood quickly, trying to force words out to explain, but only stuttered.

The girl glanced down at the seat, seeing the gum, she frowned. Without much problem, she reached down and scraped it off with her nail before making it down a few steps and throwing it away in the trash and returning up waiting for Adrien to move out of the way, but he was still on trying to explain himself.

"I was trying to get it off," he rushed out, finally giving a coherent sentence.

"Okay," she nodded, "now can you move so I can sit at my seat?"

"Oh, uh, sorry."

Moving out of the way, he watched her immediately sit down and looked at him, expectantly.

"Need something?"

"N-no, sorry..." he scurried down to his seat,  groaning and burying his face in his hands, feeling it to be warmer than normal.

Nino had watched curiously, and with sympathy, seeing Adrien try to help Marinette and rather got blamed for it. Though, knowing Marinette, she probably already knew that it wasn't him but just didn't care.

"You didn't sell Chloe out," he leaned over, whispering, "why?"

"I've known Chloe since we were toddlers, while I know she isn't picture perfect, she's the only friend I've got."

Nino smiled, seeing that Adrien wasn't at all like he thought. He's only friends with Chloe because she's only one he has, and that was just sad. Holding out his hand this time, he grinned, "Well, I'm Nino, and I'll be your new friend." Adrien took the hand, eyes crinkling as he smiled brightly, giddy to have made another friend.

"By the way," Adrien whispered, glancing back to a few rows back where he saw the girl with the pretty blue eyes and hair tied back in a low bun leaning into the red head next to her, both of them looking at something on the desk. She seemed to be pointing and mumbling words to him, who nodded and would reply. "Who is that girl, the one Chloe doesn't like."

"Chloe doesn't like anyone," Nino rolled his eyes, "but since you're new here, I'm not surprised you don't know her."

"Is she popular?" Adrien probed, he wouldn't be surprised if she was.

"Not really, but there isn't a student in this school who doesn't know Marinette," he sighed dreamily, "and there isn't a single guy here who doesn't want to date her."

Adrien's heart pounded, the beat all he could hear in his ears, until he echoed, "Marinette?"

"Yeah, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

( His lips pursed before pushing Chloe away. Running over to the other instead, he declared, "Nette's!" and wrapped his arms around his bestest friend ever.)

Bringing a hand up to his head that had begun to throb painfully, he stared at his open palm, before curling all but one finger in. He stared long and hard at his pinkie.

"Mari...nette...?"