The Algorithm

Chapter twenty - The Siren Without a Voice

All Marinette knew was that she could never defeat Akuma while under suspension. So, she asked Plagg for backup. He would never tell her no to something like this.

"No."

"Plagg please, you can't let her suspend me." He shook his head.

"You're not in a stable condition to be on the front lines." Marinette clenched her firsts. She very much wanted to hit something, and she was tempted to use Tikki to fulfill her wish. But assaulting her superior would not help the situation. Anger was still coursing through her like hot blood and she couldn't rein it in any longer.

She slammed her clenched firsts onto the table in a rage. "You can't tell me neither of you has still fought while in an 'unstable condition'!"

Tikki stood at full height. Marinette was a little above average but the redhead towered over her. The redhead spoke diplomatically, using her usual calm but a stern voice that carried a level of authority.

"Do you have any idea how many soldiers were lost under my command over the years?"

"Countless I'm sure," Marinette responded.

"Not countless, counted. 2,821 brothers and sisters died by my side, under my authority. And in order to continue to guide my squad into battle, I needed to have a level head. And to do that I needed to grieve the ones I lost. So I did, each and every one of them. I admit, Chloe, Alya, and Luka's death hit me harder than most, but I accepted it. Now it's time you did too."

"I have done that," Marinette growled, fists clenched once again and the urge to strike the woman in front of her continued to grow.

Plagg, sensing the tension, stood up and created a barrier between the two, protecting Tikki from a potential blow to the jaw. "So why are you seeing Luka when he's not there and shutting everyone out?" The tall man questioned.

As angry as Marinette was at Plagg for taking Tikki's side, she could never bring herself to hit him. So she simply left the room, but before she had a grip on the doorknob, Tikki's voice kept her stuck in place.

"Agent 1492058!" She called out. "Report first thing tomorrow morning to the med bay for grief counseling. If you miss your meeting with the therapist you will be reprimanded and punished." Marinette clenched her jaw and spoke between gritted teeth.

"Yes ma'am." Was all she left to say. Passing Adrien who was still waiting outside. He had felt the usage to eavesdrop when he heard Marinette's muffled yelling but knew it was impolite. He trailed behind the bluenette, asking questions, none of which he got answers to until they got to her dorm room and she locked him out again.

He stayed by her door for a few minutes, trying to gather up the courage to knock, he saw how frustrated she was, and an angry Marinette was never a good thing. Before he knew it, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Plagg.

"Don't worry kid, she'll be fine. Just give her a bit of time." Adrien sighed and nodded. She would have to come out sooner or later, and he'd be there when she did.

"For now," Plagg continued. "Tikki and I will take over your training. I admit we never planned on letting you on missions but you saved Marinette's life at the auction and you've shown your courage. The ball where we were all dressed like clowns was sort of a test run to see how you would do in the field and we were rather impressed. Once things with Marinette cool down and your training is complete, we might consider making you her full-time partner."

Adrien was flattered by the praise, after what he had seen of Akuma he wanted to destroy it just as much as everyone else at GUARD, and he was happy to get the chance to. But he was still worried about Marinette.