Snippets

Marinette curled up into a tighter ball, trying to block out Tikki saying that she had to calm down. Damn it, Marinette knew that already; what else was new? She couldn’t get angry, she couldn’t get upset, she wasn’t allowed to feel bad about being abused because then she’d get akumatized and there’d be no Ladybug to fix it and Paris would crumble and, and-

She just needed a second.

She just needed a second to breathe.

She tried to take a breath, but it felt like the air didn’t come. There was no cooling rush into her lungs, just the hot constriction through her torso, squeezing her throat. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t breathe can’tbreathecan’tbreathe-

Then her vision faded away.

.

.

.

Hawkmoth growled in frustration. The Dupain-Cheng girl had finally, finally reached her breaking point, and he had rushed to his miraculous to pounce on the opportunity. The akuma that would become his most powerful yet had merged with something on the girl’s person, and he began to monologue, pouring promises of revenge into her ear, pushing her to take the power he offered her.

Only to receive no reply.

He had tried to prod her to respond for several minutes, even reaching for the immediate memories he could grasp, but nothing seemed to rouse her to act, or even speak. Finally, he called the akuma back, storing it in his staff, ripping off the broach and flinging it to the other side of the atrium, roaring in frustration. He growled and stalked back to his office.

“Sir? Nathalie stood, somewhat timidly, a distance away. He looked at her and sighed, finally attempting to calm down. Wearing the Peacock Pin had left Nathalie increasingly in-tune to the emotions of others around her, and she had admitted that Gabriel’s more…turbulent emotions sometimes frightened her. Once he was calm, he finally spoke.

“Yes Nathalie? Has something happened?” He had started taking these steps with her, reminding her that despite his emotions, he did care for her and her general wellbeing. Nathalie’s face pinched slightly, but some of the tension in her shoulder’s bled away.

“No, nothing’s happened here Sir but,” She hesitated. “Are you alright?” Gabriel sighed.

“Dupain-Cheng was at her breaking point. I finally had the miraculous in sight!” Gabriel began. “But she didn’t respond to me at all; not to move, not even to speak.” Nathalie’s face pinched further for a moment in puzzlement, before clearing, her eyes slightly wide.

“Sir, I might know what happened. I’d like to approach her, alone first. This may take some time, but we might be able to get mlle. Dupain-Cheng more firmly on our side than a simple akuma.” Nathalie hugged herself lightly, and Gabriel nodded, knowing she meant no disrespect.

“Very well. If you think it will work, I will trust your judgement. Do what you must, Nathalie.” Nathalie nodded and moved to the elevator. “And Nathalie…thank you.”

“O-of course, Sir.” Gabriel didn’t have to look back to know his assistant had a light, pleased flush on her cheeks. Nathalie disappeared into the elevator, and Gabriel sat at his desk and steepled his hands in thought. There were some designs he needed to send, so he could get those together.

Mayura took a breath. Even from here, she could feel the sadness and fear that radiated from her target. Even as determined as she was, she…couldn’t help but pity the poor girl. She must be so tired, so worn. Nathalie prepared an amok and sent it fluttering away to find Dupain-Cheng.

Then it merged with the girl, and Mayura grit her teeth. Dupain-Cheng was having a panic attack and had disassociated. She wasn’t resisting; she just wasn’t mentally present to agree or disagree. Mayura swayed for a moment, thinking about evenings spent trying to catch her breath, to curl up and hide in a huge, empty room. Emelie had been a godsend on her bad days, getting her outside when she needed air, giving her space when she needed, grounding her when she had an attack and couldn’t get any air-

That was what she needed right now, not a weapon, not power, not revenge, just understanding support. With that understanding came, not really an epiphany, but something like a moment of clarity.

They were orchestrating for a teenage girl to be bullied so they could akumatize her.

They were tormenting a girl to turn her into a monster.

Mayura sighed. Even when she became an akuma, she would make sure the sentimonster stayed roughly the same for Marinette. She needed it, after all.

Right…great

Still, the goal was in reach, and the way things were, it wasn’t like Nathalie would live for long after Gabriel attained his wish. Mayura reached out, grasping at Marinette’s memories. Fear, anger, or sadness wouldn’t do this time; Marinette needed to recover, needed someone to build her up rather than beat her down.

There, that one would do nicely. It seemed he was the only one.