Marinette woke up feeling great after what felt like the most sleep she had gotten recently. The second Marinette's long detox had finished, she had felt ready to pass out. So she had let Biana put some type of bracelet on her, and Biana light-leaped her to a mansion with an enormous glowing gate in front of it.

Once inside, Biana had led her to a spare bedroom, but she had been too tired to admire its beauty and collapsed on the soft bed, fast asleep.

Now awake, Marinette could fully admire its magnificence. The bed was enormous, with fluffy white pillows and a soft, cool, comforter. The room had so much space to move around it seemed almost impossible to imagine it was real. There was a closet the size of her room, with rows of multicolored gowns and tunics, enough for Marinette to wear 5 outfits a day for an entire year without wearing the same outfit twice.

Marinette yawned and stretched her arms. She walked into the hall, opening doors until she found a bathroom. The shiny mirror stretched across an entire wall, reflecting Marinette's image back at her. Marinette stared. She was surprised at how healthy she looked. Her deep blue hair was shiny and cascaded down her shoulders. Her bluebell eyes sparkled, and her skin seemed to glow. She splashed cool water onto her face and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. She left the bathroom and decided to go and see if her friends were downstairs, yet.

"The zombie's awake," Keefe teased as Marinette walked down to see almost everyone sitting down at the table.

"Where's Adrien?" Marinette wondered.

"Still asleep. Jeez, do you guys never sleep? You already missed breakfast." Marinette sat down in one of the empty chairs next to Sophie. That's when she noticed the man sitting across from her.

"Forgive me. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Alden. It's nice to meet you, Marinette," Alden told her.

His accent was crisp, British maybe, just like Fitz's. It wasn't hard to tell that Alden was Fitz and Biana's father. Marinette could see the family resemblance, mostly between Alden and Fitz. Fitz had the same chocolate-brown hair and excruciating teal eyes. Even their facial structure was the same. Suddenly, a woman appeared in the empty chair next to Alden. She was the most beautiful woman Marinette had ever seen, but Marinette was more shocked than impressed at the moment.

"What? How did you do that?" Marinette asked in alarm.

The woman chuckled. "They're always shocked at first. Sophie was the same way. I'm Della. Fitz and Biana's mother. I'm sorry I never got to properly introduce myself. Welcome to my home, Everglen."

"Della and Biana are Vanishers," Sophie explained. "They let light pass through their bodies and become invisible."

"Wow," Marinette exclaimed. "Does everyone have a special power here?"

"No, unfortunately," Dex answered, his periwinkle eyes filled with grief. "There are the Talentless. They never manifest."

Marinette felt bad for mentioning it. She didn't realize that it was such a sore subject for him. She looked down at the food on her plate, but her stomach turned. It didn't look edible. Her plate was filled with a mushy purple glop and black strips, and she pushed her plate away.

"Wow, Marinette," Della said. "You're seriously beautiful."

"Thanks," Marinette mumbled.

Coming from a literal supermodel, Marinette thought.

"Seriously, though," Sophie said. "The detox really suited you. You look so much healthier and energetic."

Marinette looked back at her plate of goop. Everyone else was enjoying their food, even Annabeth, Percy, and Zoe. She forced herself to take a bite of the black strip, surprised at the taste. She helped herself to a spoonful of the purple stuff and licked her lips.

"Mmmmm," She murmured. "It tastes like beef."

Fitz made a sound like he wanted to throw up.

"Right," He said. "I forgot that humans eat animals."

Marinette felt ashamed. It wasn't her fault. Her parents were the ones who let her get the cafeteria food, heaped with meat every day. She couldn't imagine a world without eating meat. She glanced at Percy and saw that he felt the same way. She felt a hand on her shoulder and recognized his voice.

"Hey, Marinette," Adrien said. "Wow. You look..." He didn't finish his sentence. His cheeks flushed bright red. "This is only the second time I've seen your hair out. It suits you."

"Thanks, Adrien." Marinette turned around to face him. But seriously, she should have been the one complimenting Adrien. His skin was shiny and glowy, his peridot green eyes were full of life. His golden-blonde hair was styled and shiny. Adrien was still wearing his outfit from yesterday, but Marinette didn't think he could look any better. Marinette felt her face get hot.

"You don't look so bad yourself."

Adrien sat down next to Marinette and stared at the food.

"Do you have Camembert by any chance?" Adrien asked Alden.

"Camembert?" Alden scrunched up his eyebrows.

"It's a type of cheese. It's French."

"What's cheese?"  Keefe asked.

Suddenly, Adrien's shirt ruffled. Plagg phased through it.

"WHAT? YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF CAMEMBERT??!! CATAC-"

"Plagg! Stop!" Adrien yelled. "It's going to be alright, Plagg, I'll get you your camembert, don't worry."

Plagg looked like he was ready to explode, but Tikki, Marinette's kwami, flew out of Marinette's bag and took Plagg by the hands.

"Come on, Stinky Socks. You need to calm down." Tikki dragged him away. Awkward silence followed.

Adrien took a tentative bite of the black strip and sighed.

"Soooo..."

"Soooo..." Marinette continued.

"Soooo... What now? I'm sure our parents and friends are pretty worried by now. We need to get back."

"About that..." Alden wrung his fingers together. "I don't think you can go back. At least, not permanently."

"What do you mean?" Marinette stared at him in disbelief.

"I mean that you two seem like you have elf DNA in you. That means that you're elves, and you can't stay in the human world, not now."

"But... we HAVE to go back. We need to defeat Monarch. Paris needs Ladybug and Cat Noir."

"I'm sorry. But now that you've manifested, it won't be hard to be discovered. Your powers will get stronger, and harder and harder to control. Also, now that you know you're an elf, you shouldn't meddle in human situations. It's not your problem. Let them figure themselves out."

Marinette looked at her feet. She didn't agree. Monarch's always been Ladybug and Cat Noir's problem. They can't just leave all high-and-mighty because found out they weren't human.

"So then what are we going to do? If we have to stay here?" She asked.

"You'll attend Foxfire, our most prestigious academy. You'll live a normal life as an elf and forget that you ever lived with humans."

"But what about my parents?" Marinette's voice was desperate. Alden looked at her solemnly.

"I'll have to erase their memories."

Marinette covered her face with her hands. She thought about her parents and all that they'd done for her. How many people would they have to brainwash to get Ladybug and Cat Noir out of their heads? Before she could stop herself, Marinette burst into tears.

Sophie and Annabeth tried to console her, but it was no use. Her entire life was going to be wiped away as if it were nothing. All the great memories she'd shared, only Adrien and she will remember them. She shook them off and ran back upstairs, slamming the door of the guest bedroom and burying her face in the silky comforter on the bed. Why did every time she finally figured out a problem life would send another?
________________________________

A few hours later, the Washers had wiped the minds of almost everyone who knew Ladybug, Cat Noir, Marinette, and Adrien. It wasn't easy. They were all practically celebrities. The Washers agreed to allow Marinette and Adrien a small amount of time with their family and friends before their minds were erased.

"Mom? Dad?" Marinette walked into the bakery.

She heard a thumping sound and saw her parents running towards her with open arms. She wrapped her hands around them, taking in the feeling. Her father still smelled like fresh baguettes. Her mom still smelled like sweet cherry blossoms.

I'll probably never see them again, Marinette thought.

"Marinette, where were you? When the school called saying you were missing, we were so worried!"

Marinette saw the distress etched in her parents' faces. At least this will be the last time she frightened them. They would hopefully live a normal life, forgetting all about their 14-year-old daughter and her problems.

"Sorry, Mom. I- there was an Akuma, and the villain trapped me. When Ladybug finally used her Lucky Charm, I couldn't figure out where I was. My bag had my phone in it," She lied. "And my bag was still at the school. I'm soooooo forgetful sometimes."

There was a knock at the door. The bell rang as Adrien walked in.

"Hi, Marinette. You left this at school," He gestured to her bag. "I'm glad you're alright."

He handed the bag to her. Marinette had given Adrien her bag with Marinette's phone in it so he could convince her parents.

"Thank you, Adrien," Marinette's mom said. "Your father was looking for you, too. You should get home. You don't want to worry him." Adrien nodded and left to say goodbye to his father.

"Mom, Dad..." Marinette began to feel the tears all over again. "I– want you to know. I love you so... so... much, alright?"

"Marinette?" Her dad looked at her with concern. "Are you alright?"

Marinette didn't answer him and rushed to her room. She tore down everything from her walls, stuffing it into her school bag. She took the clothes she designed herself, yet she knew she wouldn't need them. She looked at her sewing kit, secretly holding the now empty Miracle Box. She shoved it into a box and walked down the steps. She put her things down and hugged her family again.

"I love you both, so very very much," She cried, tears coming faster down her face.

"Marinette? What are you doing?" Marinette's dad demanded as she slung her bag over her shoulder. He grabbed her.

"I'm... sorry,"

She whispered as she twisted the small disk and dropped it on the ground. The room filled up with mist, and she held her breath until she noticed her parents pass out. She'd hoped she wouldn't have to use it, yet she'd had a feeling she would. Sophie had told her about when Sophie was in a similar situation. It's the best way.

She ran out, pushing through the bakery door, and collapsed on the ground. She was alone. She had no one. No loving family, no friends. Her tears flowed down, splattering her clothes, falling onto the ground.

"Marinette?" Alya asked. "I was just coming by to check to see if your parents had any progress finding you. Are you alright, girl?"

Marinette shook her head.

"Do you want to talk about it? Do you want me to come in?"

"No!!!" Marinette yelled. "I mean, can we go to your place? And, please, invite a few people."

"Who?" Alya asked.

________________________________

Soon, Alya and Marinette were joined by Adrien, Nino, and Chloe. It was pretty difficult to convince Chloe to come without Sabrina, but maybe she'd had a feeling that it was important if Alya and Marinette were inviting her.

Marinette walked up to Adrien and took his hand. She looked out towards her friends.

"Guys," Marinette started nervously. "I- WE have something to tell you. We're Ladybug and Cat Noir." Marinette braced herself for impact. But as she stared at them, all she could see was their shock.

"Why are you telling us this?" Alya asked, well aware that no one should know both Ladybug and Cat Noir's identities.

"Mostly because this isn't the only thing we've come to tell you," Adrien said. "We're leaving Paris."

"WHAT?!" Their friends screamed.

"There better be a good reason," Nino fumed. Adrien rung his hands together, trying to figure out what to say. Marinette beat him to it.

"We're elves," She straight-up told them. Her voice was surprisingly calm. They all stared at her, looking for a sign that it was just a joke.

"That's... ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. How dumb do you think we are?" Chloe shouted. She began to walk towards the door.

"Fine, don't believe us. But can humans do this?"

Marinette focused on the cold air she felt flowing in the room. Suddenly, sheets of ice grew from her hands, covering the door with a thin layer of frost. Chloe jumped back with a surprised yelp.

"That's got to be a trick," Nino said. "Something with the light."

Alya tentatively touched the ice, wincing when she noticed how cold it was.

"It's not."

"Please," Adrien pleaded. "Please, just listen. If you guys handle this well, maybe we might be able to convince Alden to let you guys keep your memories."

"What do you mean, 'keep your memories?'"

"We're Ladybug and Cat Noir, and since we're elves, we can't live here anymore. Do you think everyone's just going to forget us? We can't risk them looking for us. Everyone's minds are being washed of us, both as Ladybug, Cat Noir, Marinette, and Adrien."

"We don't want that," Marinette continued. "We want you guys to remember us, even when no one else does. Not even our parents."

"Marinette, this is crazy!"

"It's the only way. So, do you believe us? Remember, you can only talk to each other about us. No one else will remember us. Can we trust you?"

"Always, Ladybug!" Chloe seemed to have realized that they were telling the truth. "I'll always be your number one fan! But that doesn't make me a fan of yours, baker's daughter." She muttered.

Marinette found it hilarious that Chloe was still acting as if they were two separate people.

"So, you're open to it?" Adrien sighed a breath of relief.

"If it's the only way, dude. But that doesn't mean I want everyone to forget you." Nino said.

"I know, dude. But yeah, it's the only way. Thanks, guys. I doubt I'll see you any time soon." He hugged Nino and Chloe.

"Bye, Alya." Marinette's eyes were sad as she hugged her best friend.

"Bye, Mari. We'll miss you guys. But wait. Who's going to defeat Monarch while you're gone?"

"Monarch was looking for our miraculous. He won't remember us, so that won't be a problem," Marinette assured her. "Oh, and Alya? I'm sorry, but you're going to have to take down the Ladyblog."

"I figured that," Alya nodded.

"Tikki, spots on!"

"Plagg, Claws out!"

They jumped out of the window and up over the rooftops, meeting Alden near Marinette's old bakery.

"Claws in."

"Spots off."

They transform back into their civilian forms, being careful not to be seen. Alden's startling teal eyes squinted at them.

"Are you alright?" He asked them.

Marinette was more concerned for the people. "Will Paris be okay without us?

"There's no reason to worry," Alden assured Marinette.

"It's a shame, though," Adrien said. "No one's going to know how amazing you are. Not my father, after you designed that derby hat, not Jagged Stone after you created his album cover."

"You'll know," Marinette told him.

"Isn't there something you wanted to tell Alden, Milady?" Adrien smirked.

"Oh yeah! About that," Marinette said to Alden. "We were wondering if the Washers could spare a few people,"

"Marinette, we've been over this. You know I can't do that. One wrong word and they could trigger the memory of you guys."

"They're trustworthy, I promise. They're well aware of the risks. But they're our closest friends. We can't have them forget us."

"Alright," Alden sighed. "Tell me their names again?"