•••

The last thing that Marinette remembered were a pair of bright blue eyes boring into her own bluebell ones. Now, she could feel herself swaying and in someone's tight embrace.

Though any normal person would've freaked out, but she didn't. She was familiar to this embrace and this scent.

Suddenly they stopped moving.

"Marinette?", his voice laced with concern rang in her ears.

"C-Chat Noir?"

Gingerly opening her eyes, she was met with the sight of the masked superhero of Paris.

"Thank god that you're alright!"

"How did you even find me? A-And what had happened?"

"I was patrolling before heading home to get ready for the carnival. Then on the bridge I saw an unconscious body. Turned out it was you so I brought you back home. I was pretty panicked when I saw that you were unconscious."

He set her down in front of the Dupain-Cheng bakery and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Y-You didn't happen to see anyone there, did you?"

Chat turned sharply to face her, his face displaying alarm and concern.

"No but was there someone? Were they the reason you were unconscious?"

"N-No. I was just asking if you saw anyone around. It was almost deserted there so I just wanted to ask if anyone could've been there. N-Nothing else."

Thy were both silent for a while then,

"T-Thanks."

Chat smiled warmly at the bluenette who returned the it back, a little embarrassed.

"Anytime Princess. Now if you don't mind me asking......what exactly happened?"

There it was, the dreaded question. She had been anticipating it ever since she regained her consciousness.

"Uh..the carnival. Been so busy with the preparations that I must've over exerted myself and passed out. Heh."

The lie came out effortlessly from her mouth. After all, two years of keeping the biggest secret of your life is bound to teach you a trick or two.

Chat suddenly started walking towards the bakery, taking her hand in his own. For some odd reason, Marinette felt flustered, seeing their fingers intertwined.

"Chat Noir! W-What are you doing?"

He didn't reply. Instead, he just made his way inside the bakery with her by his side. The Dupain-Cheng's had already closed the bakery early today so there were no customers around. Tom and Sabine looked up, startled, from the boxes that they were packing pastries in to take to the carnival.

"Marinette, dear what-? Oh Chat Noir!" Sabine exclaimed.

Chat bowed courteously before passing the couple his dazzling smile.

"Hello Madame and Monsieur Dupain-Cheng! I just wanted to drop off your daughter. She was lying unconscious on the bridge of river Seine."

"Un-Unconscious? Marinette dear are you alright? What happened dear?", Sabine ran to her daughter in panic and worry.

"She passed out due to over exertion. Please take care that she is all powered up again!", Chat added, smiling slightly.

'That damn cat! He knew that I would most probably hide this from my parents so he....ughhhhh!", Marinette ranted on inside her head.

With this he took his leave, leaving behind a fuming Marinette and a really concerned couple.

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"Tikki isn't back yet.", the bluenette mumbled as she got ready. She decided to wear her hair loose today. She thought it looked pretty cute with her pink casual dress and white shrug.

"Someone is looking super cute today!", a squeaky voice was suddenly heard.

"Tikki!", Marinette exclaimed with relief. "You're back!!"

Tikki giggles as she flew towards her holder.

"So what did Master Fu say?"

"He has his suspicions but he didn't tell me anything yet. He said he wanted to confirm first before we jump to any conclusions based on half knowledge. But he did advice us to be cautions though."

Marinette was silent for a moment in which Tikki watched her intently.

"Tikki, can I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"Who is the Fallen Ladybug?"

Tikki froze as her eyes widened.

"Where did you hear that from?"

"I-I.."

"Marinette?"

"I was walking home when the kwagatama started burning again, only this time it was even more intense. Then-Then a figure from the shadows emerged and rambled on about how this was all their fault and they were sorry. They introduced themselves as-as the 'Fallen Ladybug'. I passed out soon after that."

Tikki sighed.

"How did they look like?"

"I-I don't know.", Marinette replied sadly. "The memory is too hazy. But, I know for a fact that it was a female. And she has the brightest blue eyes that I've ever seen. They emitted a strange glow and the more I stared into it, the more I felt like I was drained of my energy. Do you know anything about this Tikki?", she finished with slight desperation.

There was a long pause. Marinette was almost certain that Tikki wasn't going to answer when suddenly the kwami spoke up.

"It's...it's an old legend. Though I've never really witnessed it's happening. Maybe my predecessors did."

"Just exactly how old are these jewels?", Marinette asked, laughing lightly to uplift the mood.

"Very old. They change forms with the time too."

Marinette nodded as Tikki continued.

"You do know that we have souls right? Well, when a person dies, their souls leave their body and pass on to the other side. But before that, each and every one has to atone for their sins. The 'hell' is just a place where spirits of the deceased repent. One can only pass on to 'heaven' once their soul is whole and pure again."

"Now this is where the miraculous holders come in. Good or bad, the holder instantly passes on to the other side due to the power of these jewels. But.."

"But what?"

"But..sometimes, some holders commit such crimes that even the power if miraculous cannot purify. Their souls are corrupted beyond repair. Their souls are let down a different path of redemption."

Tikki was visibly shaking now. How bad could this be?

"Which is?"

"They are forced to relive the darkest moments of their lives. The moments that changed it all for them. Once, twice or even a thousand times until their souls are pure. The holders that go through it are called the Fallens."

Marinette's breath hitched.

"So they have to relive all that pain and despair and.."

"Yes."

"And you have never seen a Ladybug experience this before?"

"No."

"Then who exactly was that?"

"I don't know Marinette but we have to be careful."

Marinette nodded, a bit satisfied with the information now. But one thing still bugged her.

"Tikki?"

"Hm?"

"What type of crimes?"

Tikki's breath hitched and she looked down sadly. Seeing her like this, Marinette started second guessing herself.

"Only the ultimate act against nature."

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Hey I'm back!

Wow this chapter was dark.

Q. So now that all is out(I think) who do you think that person was?

It took me a lot of time to write this chapter. Find out more in Chapter 6: Fun at the Carnival

Please vote if you liked it! Ur gesture will be deeply appreciated!

Please comment and let me know ur thoughts. Share and spread the word!  ^_^

Till then!
Adios!
Belle💕