•••

"I'm exhausted!", Marinette exclaimed as she fell face first onto her fluffy bed.
The carnival was tomorrow and the students had to report super early to set up everything for the evening.

Tikki did not reply. Well it would be a lie if Marinette said that she didn't expect this. Tikki has been really quiet for the past week or so. It was really bugging Marinette now.

"Okay, that's it! Spill it."

The kwami turned around from the window and looked over to her holder.

"Spill what?"

"The thing's that's been bothering you. Don't think I didn't notice it Tikki."

The kwami hovered to Marinette's eye level before sighing sadly and flopping down on the soft bedsheets.

"Guess I can't really keep a secret after all."

"You don't have to Tikki."

"You're right. I guess I'll have to tell you after all."

Tikki looked up again and continued.

"The thing is that...I've been sensing a strange presence lately. An uneasiness..like someone has been watching us. Also, your kwagatama, it's been glowing lately, and it's contact....burns me."

Marinette sat, deep in thought. So it wasn't all her imagination after all. Tikki feeling it's presence too just added onto Marinette's growing suspicions.

"I've felt it too.", she whispered slowly. Tikki's eyes widened as Marinette continued.

"That uneasiness, that stalking presence, I've felt it all too. And....and The kwagatama, whenever it glows, burning pain surges through my chest too. But..but I'm not able to remove it."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean..even though I know that it's responsible, I can't seem to convince myself to remove it. Whenever I try, I'm prevented in doing so. As if my very own conscious and soul are protesting against it. I always manage to convince myself to wait and take action when necessary. It's..it's weird I know, but..but that's the best I can to do explain how I feel, when even I'm not sure of what is happening."

"I don't know what this is, but I have a very bad feeling about this Marinette."

Marinette only nodded. She was at a loss for words.

"I suppose we should talk to Master Fu about this.", Tikki suggested after a while.

"Yeah, I suppose we should. Maybe he'll be able to guide us.

——————————

"Finally girl! You're here!", Alya exclaimed dramatically.

"Yes, yes Alya, now lets start."

"'Kay! So..Nino and I will go on to check on the sound and computer systems for the DJ'ing. Meanwhile you and Adrien-."

"Me and A-Adr-."

"Will go help set up the stalls. Bye!"

With this Alya ran off, giving her a thumbs up and a smug look.

"So are you ready to work together? Marinette?", a voice came from behind her. Already blushing a furious red, she somehow managed to agree with the blond model.

"Great! So now, shall we?", he politely extended his hand, indicating her to take it.

Befuddled, she stood there for a moment, deciding wether or not to act in this gesture when he suddenly grabbed her hand and made his way with her to the designated place.

'Is it just my imagination or does he seem really flirty these days? With me?'

Even the thought of it made her blush like crazy.

***

"Tonight is the night, I shall strike. You will be the key for the end of my suffering Marinette. So be ready."

***

All was well and done by 5 PM as the students finally started taking off, going to get ready.

"See you in an hour?" Alya asked Marinette.

"It's going to be amazing tonight!" Nino exclaimed, excitedly.

"You bet Nino!" Adrien chuckled.

As the four of them went their own separate ways, Tikki popped her head out of Marinette's purse.

"What about Master Fu, Marinette?"

"Yeah, I was thinking that only, how about you go on ahead to him and I'll go get ready? I really have time to do only one and I don't think Alya will be too pleased if I'm late. Besides, you'll know more about this than me."

"Okay, but be careful."

"You too Tikki."

Tikki nodded in understanding and gave Marinette a light squeeze on her cheek, which the bluenette returned with a warm smile. The kwami then zoomed away, as Marinette watched her go. The superheroine then turned around and started walking to her house.

As she crossed the bridge over the river Seine, she felt that overwhelming presence again. Looking around, she tried to find someone who was probably lurking in the shadows somewhere. But much to her dismay, the place was deserted.

"Just my luck.", she muttered. "Everyone must be busy preparing for the festivities."

She started walking faster, hoping to get away as soon as possible before she gave a loud gasp in pain and fell to her knees. Clutching her chest tightly, and breathing heavily, she tried to calm and ease her pain, barely able to make out the outline of the glowing kwagatama from her cloudy vision.

"Does it hurt that much?", a voice asked.

Marinette looked up suddenly, instantly locking her hazy gaze on a figure in the shadows. It was quite dark out, which was a bonus for this mysterious figure, thanks to the changing weather.

"Who are you?"

"I'm sorry for causing you the pain and uneasiness. I didn't...I never meant to do it."

Marinette was so confused. What was this person talking about?

"Who are you?", she repeated, barely able to take breaths.

"Don't worry Marinette. I don't mean no harm."

The pain overwhelming and this mysterious person knowing her name and saying that they were the cause of all this sent red signals all over her brain. Seriously panicking now, she yelled out her question this time, her tone demanding an answer.

"Who in the world are you? Answer me now."

The person stepped forward, into the light of a street lamp.

"Stay away!"

"Don't be afraid Marinette. Or should I say the superheroine of Paris, Ladybug."

Marinette inhaled sharply, shocked, which was a bad move since the pain surged in once more.

"Who are you?", she asked this time, barely managing to get this out in a whisper.

"I am you. I'm the Fallen Ladybug."

———————————

Hello hello!
Hey I'm back with another chapter.
It's a reveal!(sort of) heh.

Q. Who do you think is the Fallen Ladybug'? Do you trust her? And why is she after Marinette?

Q should I start drawing fanart for this book? Yay or nay?

Next chapter: 'The Legend'
on Saturday.

Please vote and comment on this story! It'll mean a lot to me!

Share this story and spread the word! ;)

Thanks for reading!
If you want more of the fluff between our two dorks and the great reveal, you can check out my other fan fiction: 'Miraculous Short Stories'

Enjoy!
Love:
Belle💕