Nothing You Can Do (Book One)

The Elevator

Edited

Marinette's hair was dry now, a slight wave to it as she placed them in their normal pigtails. The eyebags were present under her eyes, but she could not manage to go back to sleep after her startle this past morning. Her parents went on their normal Wednesday brunch, something the couple had done since Wednesday was their late open day at the bakery. Her kwami, Tikki, had managed to sleep some more, though. She was laying on a pillow next to Marinette as the teenager watched the news. Today, it was about Ladybug and Chat Noir's true identities. She didn't think anyone would get relatively close to finding out her identity. "This is Nadia Chamack, don't be bemused it's just the news, and today we have a special interview with Theo Barbot!" Marinette sits up in her seat, Theo was the one who got akumatized because he was jealous of her and Chat Noir's "relationship". Theo waves at the camera, smiling awkwardly. Alright Theo, let's introduce the two you believe are Ladybug and Chat Noir."

"Something I know about the Miraculous is that it does change the persons' appearance. When Ladybug was LadyNoir, her regular eyes became the same green as Chat Noir... therefore we know for a fact that eye color does not matter when it comes to the Black Cat Miraculous." Marinette watches as Nathalie checks her ranking band, she was certain views were through the roof. "At first I believed that I had to find people that were couples because we all know Ladybug and Chat Noir are secretly dating... with that information I found all the blue and blonde hair couples in Paris. Which might I add, was not difficult." Marinette chuckled and relaxed as he blabbered on, she hoped Chat was not in a relationship since he flirted with her all the time and she knew she wasn't... they should be fine. "When I got to the answer, I was surprised and to my embarrassment, I believed it was a couple at Collège Françoise Dupont. One of them, I do still believe is Ladybug but Chat Noir... not so much. I will reveal it all after the break!" It cuts to a commercial, Marinette's heart was beating fast.

"Tikki wake up!" Marinette yelps grabbing the remote to rewind it and show Tikki.

"What is it Marinette?" There was still sleep in Tikki's voice but Marinette chose to ignore it, this was urgent. Marinette nods to the scene as she hits play. They both watch it. "Well the commercials should be over by now," Tikki mentions as they reach the end. Tikki was frightened too, it meant she would lose Marinette.

"Welcome back!" Nadia smiles through the screen. "Before the break, Theo was about to reveal who he believes Ladybug and Chat Noir are." Nadia smiles at Theo as the camera switches to him. "Like I was saying before, Chat Noir couldn't go to Collège Françoise Dupont. I interviewed a teacher there, who was trying to prove the theory that there are creatures called kwami's who help them transform. She said that there was no way Chat Noir could go to Collège Françoise Dupont because he called it an elementary school. Ladybug though, I believe does go through as she was pretty certain of the fact that it was not an elementary school." Theo paused, Marinette could see he was nervous. "I believe Ladybug is none other than Kagami Tsurugi." An image of Kagami appears on the screen. Marinette could see the similarities. She sighed, relieved that no one thought it was her.

"Wow Marinette, I never really saw how similar you and Kagami looked," Tikki mentions as Marinette pauses the television, not

interested in who Chat Noir could be. She isn't supposed to know.

"Yeah, I know." Marinette looks at the photo of Kagami. She did look a lot like her, the hair, the freckles, the skin tone, even the body type. It probably didn't help that Kagami always wore red. Marinette slid back into her chair realizing that Adrien used to have a crush on Ladybug. She closed her eyes... she didn't have a chance.

"Marinette, are you alright?" Tikki asked, floating up to in-between the girl's eyes, although they were closed, Marinette could feel her presence. Marinette nods, on the verge of tears.

"You could always patrol," Tikki suggests, smiling. Being Ladybug, although sometimes stressful, was an escape from Marinette. Her parents would probably presume she went to hang with Alya.

"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette yells into the air, transforming.

The girl had chosen her favorite place in Paris to clear her thoughts, the Eiffel Tower. Sitting on the railing, Ladybug watches the city. The air allows the girl's hair some freedom as they loosen her pigtails. Her face was beginning to chill from the cold air. The heroine begins to shiver, noticing that even her suit did not prevent her from becoming cold. She turns around, looking for a possible way to warm up. The metallic of the elevator reflects the sunlight into her eyes. Perfect! She thinks.

The elevator, as she expected, was warm. Her cheeks burned as they defrosted but it felt nice. She closes her eyes, choosing to think through everything from the inside of somewhere warm, while alone. The elevator music was playing soft Christmas music. Ladybug stood there for quite a while, Tikki getting weaker. The earrings begin to beep, a reminder. At the same time the elevation of the elevator began to decrease, someone was going to use it. "Tikki, spots off." She whispers. Tikki falls into her palm where she slides her into her purse, hoping there is food. The doors creaked open and to Marinette's surprise, it was Kagami.