Adrien woke up to hear Marinette's heavy breathing.
"Marinette..." he sighed sadly. She was still in the clutches of the akuma. Tikki was, anyway, but she was so optimistic about everything.
"Adrien...I feel so tired..." Marinette choked.
Adrien couldn't help but smile softly. It was very unlike Marinette to give up.
"Lets go, we have to tell them they're alright."
"Them?" Marinette blinked. Then looked away sadly. "There's no point Adrien. They'll hate me..."
"No they won't!" Adrien called back. "Come on! You're still hurt!"
Marinette was in no state to argue so she tried to get on her feet but struggled too much.
"I'll carry you!" Adrien said.
"No! I'm fine!"
"No you aren't!" Adrien snapped back. "Marinette, come on!"
Marinette was tired and let Adrien take her into his arms.
He smiled and Marinette grinned back softly.
"Lets go."
"Where?"
"Master Fu."
***
Tikki and Plagg were still fighting over seeing them.
"We should go in now, as much as I hate to invade privacy!"
"Invading privacy is a MUST!" Plagg screamed.
They fly to the hall.
"They must be at Master Fu's!"
"AAAAARRRGHH!" Plagg groaned. "I could've seen it..."
"I think kissing was probably irrelevant, Plagg."
"No!" Plagg shot back.
"Lets go."
"Master Fu?"
"Master Fu."
***
"ALYA!" Marinette screamed.
Ignoring her sores, she jumped out of Adrien's arms and rushed to her friend.
She held her arms out for a hug. But got back a cold stare.
"You're an idiot Marinette." Alya snapped.
"Alya..." Marinette stammered.
"You're are a freakin' idiot! You ruined everything! You ruined Paris! You ruined our friendship!" Alya shouted.
"Alya I..." Marinette stepped back in shock.
"Alya. Stop." Adrien said coldly.
"No! It's her fault isn't it!? If you had taken it nicely about me broadcasting your secret, then this would never have happened!"Alya snapped again.
"Alya. You know what. You're right. I knew it from the start." Marinette started to laugh stonily. "You were wrong Adrien. Ever since we met you told me I could do it. See what's happened?"
Marinette glanced at the boy.
"Marinette..."
"I hid the earrings in you satchel, Alya. Then you didn't find it."
"I could've been Ladybug?"
"Yes." Marinette said stonily. "Alya. You hate me. I get that."
"Marinette. Go. Go away!" Alya screamed at her.
Marinette turned to walk away but felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Adrien.
"Now listen to me. You have made mistakes. You have created the akumas Antibug, Volpina, Gamer, but one thing about you, Marinette. You always faced your challenges." Adrien said sternly.
Marinette felt her face go whiter than before. She swallowed.
"This is not gonna be the only time Marinette Dupain-Cheng can't do it. Face. Your. Challenges."
Suddenly, she felt a spark of energy zooming up her body.
She felt her confidence.
Her Ladybug confidence.