Part 4

Marinette sat on the steps outside of AntiBug's temple, trying to think of a way to get into the Underworld without dying. If she accomplished this task, then she'd finally be able to talk with Chat Noir and hopefully get him to forgive her.

She groaned and bit her lip. How could she get down to the Underworld? Well, she guessed AntiBug was right. There was no way she could accomplish this on her own.

Now I know you aren't giving up now, a voice giggled. Could this be another kwami?

"Who's there?" Marinette demanded, looking around but, as usual, couldn't find anything.

My name is Trixx, and oh boy do I have some tricks in mind. That blonde wench doesn't deserve sweet Adrien.

Marinette's mouth dropped and she wildly looked around for an enraged AntiBug, though thankfully there was none to be found. She couldn't believe this Trixx had the courage to say such things about the goddess.

Don't worry, she can't do a thing to me, Trixx assured, giggling. Now, listen to me very carefully, for your survival depends on it.

"And if I die...?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow. She wanted to know if the other kwami from the Seine was being truthful.

Trixx's voice suddenly turned solemn. Then the world would follow in your footsteps.

She shivered at the prospect of the entire world reduced to nothing but ash at her husband's hands. It was hard to believe he'd be so furious if something happened to her.

I'm going to lead you to the entrance to the Underworld. Once there, I will briefly lend you my abilities so you can make the trek to see Celine. I am the master of illusions, you know.

The master of illusions?

Come, this way!

Marinette's eyebrows drew down as she looked around. She couldn't see Trixx, so what way did she mean to go?

This way!

And suddenly, Marinette felt her hand being tugged by an invisible force. Ignoring the strangeness of the whole situation, she allowed herself to stand and be guided by the unseen kwami.

Trixx ended up pulling Marinette along for a few hours. They had to stop so the ravenette could eat berries they happened to pass along the way, or when the girl had to pause to throw up. She honestly wasn't sure if and when she was reunited with Chat Noir, whether she'd punch him for making her endure this journey with new pregnancy sickness or throw her arms around him, beg for forgiveness, and proceed to kiss every inch of his face.

She would probably be better off with the second option.

At long last, when Marinette was sure she couldn't take another step, the force on her hand stopped when she was facing a cave.

The way to the Underworld is through here. Take this with you.

She gasped in wonder when her palm suddenly started glowing, and in seconds a small, orange flute materialized. Confused, she held it closer to her eyes to inspect it.

Play this, and any illusion you think of will appear. Use it to aid you through the Underworld. Good luck!

"Wait! Trixx! How do I-?" Marinette tried, but had a sinking feeling that the invisible kwami was gone.

She growled in frustration, holding the flute tight in her fist. How was she supposed to play this thing? She had no musical experience whatsoever! And what did she mean by 'any illusion you think of will appear'? Did that mean that if she imagined a cookie while playing the flute, she'd in turn receive a cookie out of thin air?

To test her theory, the girl raised the flute to her lips. What came out of the magical instrument could only be described as a melody that derived straight from the heavens, for there had never truly been a sound so wonderful.

She could gather that due to the flute's magical properties, it must sound like that for whoever plays it, regardless of their experience in music.

Suddenly, a peanut-butter cookie appeared in the air in front of her. She blinked in surprise at the floating treat, how it looked simply delicious and perfect. With shaky fingers, she reached for the item, only for it to vanish in a cloud of orange smoke when she touched it.

A perfect illusion. But how exactly would it help her?

She cast an uneasy glance to the cave, the entrance that would lead her to the Underworld where she would have to get a box of Celine's beauty.

With one step, Marinette began the last part of her journey.

She had heard the story of Celine growing up, there was no one that didn't know the tale. She was the beautiful, sweet, innocent goddess of Spring who spent her days tending to Earth's flowers and other plants. Hawk Moth, the ruler of the Underworld and god of the dead, saw her and took her for his own.

Without Celine, the Earth's crops fell into ruin. Many starved without the goddess's help as food became more scarce.

She pleaded her case to Hawk Moth, begging him to let her go back and fix what she had left behind. He relented but forced her to eat six pomegranite seeds, six seeds that would bind her to the Underworld for six months out of the year, while she could help the world grow for the other six.

There were stories that they eventually had a child, a boy, but no one could be too certain.

The blackette frowned as she delved deeper into the dark cave, eventually finding that her path had begun to head downward.

She wondered if Celine was happy with Hawk Moth. Yes, she was kidnapped, but perhaps a love blossomed between the two? The Queen of the Underworld was always said to be kind, so Marinette couldn't help but hope that her immortal life was a happy one.

After who knows how long of walking, the mortal came across a new opening, and with it finally came a dim light. As she walked through, she couldn't pinpoint exactly where the light came from, but her eyes were happy to have it nonetheless.

She smiled and lightly swung her flute back and forth in the air. She pictured the Underworld to be scary, but things were relatively calm so far. Maybe this would be easy.

She thought that, until a loud growl pierced the air.

Marinette looked to her left, gasping when she spied the giant stone-like creature that was previously hidden by the shadows. His eyes glowed yellow as he observed her, the crack in the stone thats served as his mouth was frowning.

Stoneheart, loyal guardian of the Underworld, the one who made sure that trespassers couldn't get through.

The creature growled and took another step toward her, prompting her to take a step backward.

Her sky blue eyes narrowed. She was so close to reuniting with Chat Noir; she wasn't going to let this stone behemoth stop her.

Raising the flute to her lips, she closed her eyes and played.

When she opened them, she was happy to discover a plate of warm-looking fresh biscuits floating in the air just slightly out of reach of Stoneheart. The creature stilled, tilting his large head at the plate of treats.

Marinette bit her lower lip and quietly tip-toed away from him before he could discover that it was an illusion. She was almost out of his sight when she heard a deafening roar of anger. Whipping her head around, she found Stoneheart clenching a fist of empty air.

Enraged eyes pierced through her. The girl didn't waste any more time and started running, though mindful to keep a hand pressed to her stomach in an attempt to keep the baby safe, even if it wasn't a whole baby yet. She didn't want to take any chances of hurting them, but in this case she had to run to escape Stoneheart.

She kept going until she spotted a set of large, double wooden doors. Seeing the opportunity, she pushed herself to go faster and launched herself at the doors, quickly getting inside the room and slamming them shut. Off to the side, she found a single plank of wood and used it to seal the doors shut. Stoneheart's yells of rage could still be heard.

"What have we here?"

Marinette swivelled around at the new voice, her eyes widening as she took in the silver-masked man seated atop the impressive throne. He wore a purple and black outfit fit for a king, in his hands he clutched a purple walking stick. His eyes were a watery blue, cold as they gazed at her. One side of his lips were quirked up into a grin, although it didn't look too inviting or friendly.

She gulped, knowing she was already doomed for bursting into Hawk Moth's throne room like this.

"A girl that is still alive? How unusual," he mused, bringing a black-gloved hand to rub his chin. His once cold eyes turned freezing as they narrowed at her. "Only the dead are permitted here."

She swallowed and held her head up, not wanting to appear as a fearful fool in front of this great god.

"I-I'm Marinette, Your Excellency. AntiBug has sent me here to retrieve something from Queen Celine." She may have stuttered once in the beginning, but by the end her words came out strong and determined.

Hawk Moth noticed, judging by how his eyes briefly widened before they settled back into their neutral glare.

"Something from my wife? What is it?"

He already didn't like AntiBug, finding her to be a vain, petty, insipid goddess who only cared about herself and no one else. He had a job and ruled over the dead, wheareas she spent her time gazing in her mirror and finding young, handsome mortal men's beds. And now she wanted something from his wife?

But why send this girl down here for it? Why not just come down here herself?

She was probably worried the lack of sunlight would cause her skin to pale or something.

"It's a box of her beauty," Marinette answered, less confidant this time now saying what she needed out loud. She hadn't thought of it before, but how could anyone just put their beauty in a box?

Well, Celine was a goddess, so she supposed that anything was possible.

Hawk Moth raised an eyebrow beneath the mask. A box of beauty? He'd never heard of such a thing. He could understand why AntiBug would want it, since he was confident his wife was the most beautiful creature that had ever existed, but he had never heard of a request like this. Was he really that out of touch with the world?

He turned his head to the side, in the direction toward their bedchambers.

"Celine, my darling. There's someone to see you."

Marinette's lips turned up in a small, happy smile. He called her 'darling', so that must mean he holds some true affection for her, right?

But her mouth parted in awe when she saw a woman emerge from the opening to the side, smiling and heading straight for her husband.

She was the most stunning woman that Marinette had ever seen. She had long, flowing hair ending mid-back, resembling a golden waterfall. It was so thick, wavy, and shiny...she had never seen more beautiful hair in her life. It made even AntiBug's golden locks seem pale in comparison.

Her eyes were like the greenest, brightest jewels. They held both kindness and intelligence in their depths. Her lips were full, pink, and were in a perfect bow shape. Any man would be tempted to touch them with his own lips.

She was tall, and slender, dressed in the finest clothes befit for royalty. On the top of her head rested a golden, delicate crown encrusted with the most rare jewels of the world.

This, was Celine, goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld.

"Yes, my love? What is it?" she asked, her voice warm and smooth. While her voice may have been a perfect melody, wonderful for simply hearing and falling peacefully asleep to, there was also a hint of strength to it. There was no doubt that this woman could talk like a stern, but fair Queen.

"This mortal girl requests something from you, a box of your beauty." Hawk Moth gestured to Marinette, who only looked away in shame. She felt unfit to even be in this gorgeous woman's presence, much less look at her.

Celine shifted her eyes away from her husband to gaze at the girl in the throne room, her head tilted in question. A box of her beauty? Who ever heard of such a thing?

"She claims that AntiBug has sent her," her husband explained.

Ah, that made more sense.

A smile graced the lovely goddess's lips. "Come with me, my child. I will get you what you have been sent for."

Marinette lifted her head to look wildly in disbelief at her, wondering how in Earth she accepted to fulfill her request with no pleading whatsoever. In a daze she followed behind the goddess, going straight to her bedchambers.

She looked around the room in awe of the lavish furniture. Everything looked to be made of gold, there was enough for over one hundred men to be rich for the rest of their lives!

Celine, still smiling with no warmth Marinette had ever witnessed before, gestured her to sit at the vanity. She tried refusing, saying how she was unworthy of touching anything in the room, but the Queen simply grinned in amusement and insisted she follow the order.

Unsure, Marinette relented and sat down in the plush, golden chair. Celine picked up a hairbrush and began brushing the blackette's hair, much to her shock and confusion.

"U-Um, Your Maj-"

"Tell me, what is your name, my child?" she asked sweetly, bringing the brush through the black locks. Where there was once dirt and grease, was now a new, clean shine.

She didn't know why she'd want a worthless mortal's name, but she indulged her nonetheless. "I-I'm Marinette, Your Majesty."

She hummed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Marinette. Call me Celine. Now, can you tell me exactly why AntiBug has sent you for a box of my beauty?"

Her fingers gently held some of the hair that the brush went through, helping to style it.

Marinette bit her lip, worried about her reaction to the truth.

"You can tell me," Celine warmly reassured. "I will not be mad, but only if you tell me the whole truth."

And so, Marinette began her strange tale. Starting from how the Oracle predicted that she would be wed to a monster of destruction, to living in a giant palace constructed by said 'monster', to discovering that her husband was in fact no monster, but a gentle, kind man named Adrien who claimed to be in love with her and spent every night with her, to the reveal that 'Adrien' was in fact the god of destruction Chat Noir, and then to her trials with AntiBug.

Celine listened to every word, nodding and humming every so often as she continued to brush the now voluminous, gorgeous black locks.

The goddess wondered why Chat Noir never made an appearance to his wife since the reveal. If he loved her as much as he supposedly did, then why not come back to her? Seeing his face didn't warrant a punishment such as this. He was always kind and never held grudges for too long, could he really be that upset over this?

If he was, would all of Marinette's efforts to win him back even be worth anything?

Still, she couldn't crush her hopes and send her back with nothing. She replaced the brush on the vanity and looked at the girl in the mirror, offering her a smile.

"That is quite the tale, Marinette. But if Chat Noir abandoned you, why even go through all this trouble when having him back is not even a guarantee?"

"I love him, Celine," she replied, never hesitating and confident with her answer. "I betrayed his trust and I'm willing to do anything if it will give me the chance to see him and apologize."

She nodded, satisfied with her answer but she still pitied her for having to go through all this trouble.

"Let me get the box for you," she murmured before leaving the ravenette's side. She walked to a nightstand, pulled out a drawer, and grabbed a box. Marinette couldn't see what she did, and was honestly worried the goddess would come back out as a hideous hag, but her beauty was still the same even after she presented the small, sealed box to her.

"Here it is, a box of my beauty. Do not look inside it, do you understand?"

Marinette wordlessly nodded, taking the box that fit in the palm of your hand.

"You may leave whenever you wish. I will make sure Stoneheart is taken care of when you do."

She graciously bowed her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Good luck on reuniting with Chat Noir. I'm sure he'll be very happy to see you." Celine knew something was wrong, she knew the god would never abandon anyone he loved. Something was definitely off.

"I hope so," the ravenette mumbled, blue eyes flickering to her still-flat stomach in worry.

Celine's eyes enlarged when she realized it.

Marinette was pregnant.

She smiled, her eyes starting to water. A baby! Chat was going to be a father! Her-

"Um, Celine? Are you alright?" Marinette's wary voice broke off her joyous thoughts.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine!" she sniffed, blinking to keep the tears at bay. "Go now, and give AntiBug the box and be with Chat Noir again."

Marinette bowed her head and hurriedly left the room, leaving the Queen crying and internally squealing, although a few squeals may have escaped her throat.

She was going to be a grandmother, and her son couldn't have picked a more devoted and lovely wife. Her kind and ambitious nature was obvious, not only to her but apparently to the legendary kwamis as well, if her having the flute of Trixx was to say anything.

But heaven help her, if her son didn't get his butt in gear and reunite with this woman, then she'd ascend to the surface and slap some sense into him!

...

While Marinette walked back to the temple, Plagg had his work cut out for him. When AntiBug had wandered off to bathe, the kwami flew to the sleeping god.

"Come on, kid! Wake up!" he hissed, grabbing some of Chat's blond hair and yanking it. "Wake up!"

But he still remained as motionless as ever, his breath coming out in even pants.

"Adrien! Wake. Up!" He tried slapping his face, but it still didn't work.

"Adrien! Don't make me get the camembert!"

Still nothing.

Plagg smirked wickedly. "Alright, if that's how it has to be." He flew away and came back in seconds with a wedge of his favorite, smelly, runny cheese. Grinning in anticipation, he wiggled it under the blond's nose.

His glee disappeared when he didn't even twitch.

Plagg swallowed the wedge whole, afterwards narrowing his eyes on the sleeping god. What would it take to wake him up? He must have been under some powerful spell, if his destructive powers didn't destroy it yet.

His small fangs bit into his lower lip. Marinette was on her way back to see AntiBug, he didn't have long for Adrien to wake up. Who knows how she would react after finding out that the mortal had accomplished the final task?

"Adrien, please, wake up," the kwami begged, tugging his hair in vain. "You have to wake up now! I know you're one for the dramatics, but you're really cutting it close."

He sighed, pondering of a solution. When at last, it hit him.

This whole mess was started by Adrien falling in love with Marinette. What better way to rouse him than him having her think she was in danger? If that wouldn't wake him, nothing would.

Plagg cleared his throat before screaming in a feminine, Marinette-like voice, "Adrien! Adrien, help me!"

His green eyes peered over to the blond, who hadn't moved.

He tried again. "Adrien! I need you! She's going to kill me. Please, help me!"

Plagg smirked victoriously when he saw the god's eyebrows furrow. This may have been incredibly embarrassing, but right now this was the only chance he had of waking him up.

"I love you, Adrien! Please, don't leave. She's going to kill me if you do."

A groan rumbled out of Chat's throat, his head moved slightly to the side.

And now for the finale. Plagg screamed so loud, in such a horrified, pained way, that Adrien sat up in bed, green eyes darting around in a frenzy with a fist raised and cataclysm at the ready. His teeth were clenched and his eyes were set into a fierce glare, promising death to anyone who would ever hurt his wife.

He willed it away when he saw Plagg. His eyes softened in confusion when he was in AntiBug's room, and Marinette was nowhere in sight.

"Plagg? What's going on? Where's Marinette?" he asked in rapid succession, prompting the kwami to roll his eyes.

"AntiBug put you under a sleeping spell courtesy of a Jackady card. Marinette's alright, but she may not be for long," he informed seriously.

Chat Noir glared at him, yet Plagg knew the anger wasn't directed at himself. "Why not?"

"Long story short, AntiBug made Marinette do all these tasks, promising that she'd allow her to see you if she completed them. She's on her way back to AntiBug's temple right now, but I don't know how she'll react when she finds out Marinette was successful again."

Chat clenched his teeth, eyes burning in rage. It was one thing to mess with him, but to antagonize his wife? AntiBug was practically begging for his fatal power to touch her.

"I have to find her," he declared, jumping out of the bed. For a moment the world spun and he had to hold his head until the tilting stopped. He shook his head and continued out of the room.

"Hurry up!" Plagg called after him.

...

The flute had disappeared from Marinette's hands when she first stepped out of the Underworld, and now she was almost back to the temple. Soon she would be facing Chat Noir, and finally have her chance to beg for his forgiveness. Hopefully, for her baby's sake, he'd forgive her and take her back.

She stopped to admire the little white box in her hands. How did this thing hold Celine's beauty? She had no idea how beauty itself could be contained in anything other than nature.

She frowned, remembering how she must probably look like a mess. Her nails were dirty and chipped, her face had smudges of dirt, her dress was patterned with dirt stains and small rips, and her lips were chapped and dry. She didn't even want to imagine how she smelled.

The blackette hung her head in embarrassment and shame. He would never want her back in the state she's in. He'd take one look at her and turn his back to her, vowing to never see her again.

She tilted her head as she observed the box. AntiBug was the goddess of beauty, surely she had enough. What would taking just a bit of it do? She would only take enough so that Chat Noir would be happy with her appearance. She wouldn't be greedy and take it all, just a little bit.

Her fingers edged closer to the lid, when she remembered Celine's words of caution to not look inside.

She faltered.

It was a common rule to always take heed of a god or goddess's advice no matter what. Those who didn't suffered in one way or the other. She didn't want to end up like them.

Besides, she loved Chat when he was just a figure in the dark. She loved him when he had no face, and if he truly loved her as he said he did, then he'd still love her even when she was ugly.

She closed the box in her fist and continued on her way, new determination in her strides.

"Marinette!"

Startled, the girl glanced up only to open her mouth in surprise.

Chat Noir floated down in front of her. His mouth was in a worried frown and his eyes expressed the same emotion. He was in his full-black ensemble, kitten ears flat on his head and his tail twitching behind him.

"Marinette, thank gods you're alright," he breathed. "I'm so sorry, I never meant for any of this to happen."

Huh? She shook her head in refusal, eyes tearing as she finally beheld him in her sights again. Honestly, she had a tiny doubt that AntiBug had lied to her and that she would never be able to see him again. But here he was, right in front of her, and apologizing?

"You don't anything to apologize for. I'm the one who betrayed your trust, I don't blame you for leaving me."

"That's no excuse for leaving you as I did," he retorted, almost angrily. "I was mad at the time, but I've long forgiven you for that. I understand why you did it, I understand that no one can truly love a stranger. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? You're in no obligation to, but..."

Her eyes grew wide when he dropped down to his knees.

"I'm begging you, Marinette. Please, forgive me. Despite what you may think, I still love you, as much so if not more than when we were at the mansion."

She blinked in utter shock. The most powerful god, on his knees, begging for forgiveness from a mere mortal. Anyone who passed by would pass out in pure astonishment if they happened to see.

Not to mention his declaration of love, in spite of her looking like an utter mess. Still, no matter how much she appreciated hearing it, he shouldn't have to apologize.

"B-But Chat, I betrayed you! You didn't do anything. I'm the one who should be begging for your forgiveness, not the other way around."

"No," he insisted stubbornly. "You don't have to apologize. I do, I'm the one who left you."

"You had every reason to!"

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"No."

"Yes!"

They continued back and forth for another few seconds, until they realized they were acting like immature children. Their tears of pain turned into tears of mirth as they laughed.

Having sufficiently calmed down enough, Chat took her hands in his own and planted a soft, loving kiss on the knuckles.

"Let's just agree that it was both our faults and forgive each other, okay?"

She grinned, still amused, yet nodded. "Alright, agreed."

He stood, and after faltering for a second, enveloped her cheeks with his hands. His thumbs traced tiny circles around the skin as his hypnotizing green eyes bore into her own. He tilted his head, his eyes silently questioning for permission for what he so obviously wanted to do. Marinette smiled and nodded before closing her eyes.

This kiss was unlike any of the others that she had received from the god. It felt...wholesome. She wasn't kissing a stranger in the dark, who would have to depart at the first sign of sunrise. She wasn't kissing a man whom she didn't know a lot about aside from some personal details.

She finally knew exactly who she was sharing her affection with, and the realization caused a happy feeling to bubble in her stomach. In her elation, she pressed closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, finally able to feel those soft tresses of hair again.

She didn't even notice the box fall from her hands.

Adrien barely allowed her a moment to breathe before he was attacking her lips again, with new fervor as his hands moved to her hips to pull her impossibly closer. Marinette let out a soft sigh, of both pleasure and relief.

"I've missed you so much," he groaned against her lips before reconnecting them.

For a second her heart fluttered at the declaration, until her brain pointed out what was wrong with that sentence. If he missed her, then why didn't he seek her out until now?

The blackette lowered her hands to his chest and began to gently push him away. As a god, Chat Noir had unbound strength and could have easily stayed rooted to his spot. However, Marinette wanted him to back away, and back away he shall, even if he was saddened by it.

"What is it?" he asked, frowning. His cat ears drooped, further displaying his dejection.

"If you missed me so much, then why did you wait so long to see me?" she questioned, crossing her arms together and eyeing him with a stern glare. She adopted the accusing look to mask her hurt at his abandonment.

His green eyes grew wide as he held up his hands in the universal gesture for innocence.

"It wasn't my fault, I swear! AntiBug tricked me into a deep sleep, using another god's powers against me. Plagg was able to wake me up."

AntiBug put him under a spell?! This whole time she berated her for breaking Chat's heart, and then she turns around and does something like that to him?

"Why would she do that?" Marinette angrily asked, fists clenching at her sides. AntiBug and Chat Noir were supposed to be best friends, what kind of friend does what she did?

Her temper flared even more when she remembered how AntiBug showed Chat in the bubble back at the temple when they first met, how he just laid in sleep. She had said that he was so heartbroken that all he could do was sleep, but now she realized that AntiBug herself caused it.

Her lips curled up in a snarl. She hated liars, especially when those lies were about someone she loved.

"Princess, it's okay," Chat reminded, smiling and placing his hands on her shoulders. Her sparks of anger dimmed at the comforting gesture, as her sapphire eyes gazed up at his warm, soft emerald ones.

"I'm okay, we're okay," he whispered, squeezing tighter. "AntiBug will never bother us again, I promise." His jaw set as his eyes roamed over her, his eyebrows creased. "And you will never have to go through anything to get you in your current state again."

Although his vow was meant to be protective and loving, Marinette's cheeks still flushed with shame. She looked away, embarrassed that she had to face him like this.

"Hey," he protested quietly, bringing their gazes back together with his finger under her chin, tilting her head towards him. "I don't care how you look. If you can love me as a stranger with no face in the dark, then I can love you with a little dirt on your nose."

He smiled fondly as he brought a thumb to his mouth and licked it, then guided it to the blackette's nose. He rubbed gently to wipe the dirt off, in turn making her smile back.

"Tell me, what did she make you do?" he murmured. His voice was calm, but there was an underlying, budding anger behind it. She swallowed nervously. While AntiBug did horrible, almost unforgivable things to her and Chat, nobody deserved to suffer his wrath.

"Just some tasks, nothing too bad," she replied, purposely being vague.

He raised an eyebrow, at once catching her lack of the whole truth. "You're skinnier than I've ever seen you, you haven't been eating as much. You have dirt under your nails, and those same nails are chipped. Your hands aren't as soft either, the skin has hardened which only happens when they're put to labor. Your clothes are ripped and there's grime caked all over your skin. You have dark circles under your eyes; you haven't been sleeping as much as you should. Now, I ask you again, what did she make you do?"

She cringed at his observations, but knew she had better answer correctly this time.

So it was the second time that day she told a story, only this time leaving out the part of her time with him, skipping straight to AntiBug's tasks and the journeys she had to make. When she finished, he only stared at her in astonishment, until his eyes shone with pain and regret.

"I should've never left you," he murmured sorrowfully, rubbing the pads of his gloved thumbs on her cheeks, careful to mind his claws else he scratch her. "I'm so sorry, Marinette. All of this is my fault."

"Oh no, we are not going back to that again," she scolded, using her own hands to encompass his face. "We agreed it was both our faults, remember?"

At this he scoffed amused, but ultimately nodded. "Yes, I remember."

"Besides," she continued, smirking haughtily. "I can take a little bit of hard work. I worked in a bakery, after all."

This time he laughed, bending down to lightly peck her freckled nose. "I don't doubt you can. So," he paused to take a step back and pick up the box of beauty from the ground. He held it up in the air, tilting his head in curiosity as he observed it.

"A box of Celine's beauty, huh? And how was Celine and Hawk Moth? They were well, I hope?"

"Yes, they were well. Celine was very kind to me, she was almost like a second mother to me. She even brushed my hair." Her lips curved up into a fond smile at the memory of the goddess's gentle strokes of the styling tool.

At the 'second mother' comment, for some reason he smirked, as though he knew something she did not.

"Well, that explains why your hair looks so radiant," he commented, fingering a lock of her dark hair in between his thumb and forefinger. "I'm happy that Maman still has that magical hairbrush."

Marinette stilled as his words sunk in. "M-Maman?" she repeated in bewilderment. So the stories of Celine and Hawk Moth having a son were true?

Adrien grinned. "Yes, Celine and Hawk Moth are my parents. I grew up in the Underworld, but was allowed to come to the surface once in a while. But the other gods and goddesses were terrified of my bad luck and destructive power, so they stayed away from me. However, by coincidence I met AntiBug a few days after she had been born from the sea foam. She didn't know of my powers, which allowed me to become friends with her. I told her after awhile, but by then we were such good friends that she didn't care."

His grin became more lop-sided. "She changed over the years. She developed an interest in me, yet the only thing I wanted was her friendship. She may have been persistent, but she respected my wishes to some degree."

He frowned, picking up the blackette's hand and entwining his fingers with hers. She looked on with her mouth parted in silent wonder.

"I never thought she would actually try to hurt the woman I would eventually grow to love. I never thought she would turn against me." He sighed. "I should've seen it coming."

Marinette inclined her head to the right, not able to hold back her look of sympathy for the betrayed god.

"She was your friend, no one would expect their friend to betray them." She tried not to wince at her ironic words. She was his wife yet she betrayed him! "There was no way you could've seen it coming."

A corner of his mouth lifted, his eyes that were previously cast to the ground looked back into hers. "I suppose you're right."

The two were silent for a few more seconds, just basking in the other's company, relieved to finally see their love again, when Chat eventually sighed.

"She will be expecting you very soon," he spoke, the words hard. "Go to her temple and give the box to her. I have to make a quick trip to the heavens."

"Why?" she asked, referring to his 'quick trip'.

He smiled and turned over their entwined hands to kiss the back of hers. "I have a request to make. I won't be too long, because I expect it to be granted." He let go of her hand and used his own to lightly grip the back of her neck, pulling her closer to plant a loving kiss on her lips. "Have no fear of AntiBug. You will be safe, I'll make sure of it."

She nodded her affirmation, eyes hardened with resolve. Marinette was tired of being afraid of her. She knew that deep down, the goddess was just a scorned, jealous woman. She was no different than many women from her village.

"I'll see you soon," he promised before delivering one last kiss and vanishing into a cloud of black smoke.

It wasn't long after that she felt a strange presence with her. If she didn't know any better, then she would say that there were a over a dozen eyes on her. She bit her lip, glanced at the box in her hands, then picked up her head with a determined gleam in her eyes and resumed her journey.

...

"You again?!" AntiBug screeched, her face bordering red in her fury. "How did you manage to survive? No one goes to the Underwold alive, and no one leaves it alive!"

Marinette refused to be afraid, instead giving the goddess a steely look.

"You wanted a box of Celine's beauty, and I have it. I have completed all of your tasks, AntiBug. In return you promised me that I could see Chat Noir again."

AntiBug gritted her teeth. If looks could kill, Marinette would be burning in the Underworld right then.

"You are never seeing him again. Do you hear me? Never! You're not worthy enough. You're not pretty enough! You're not smart enough! You're not enough, period!"

"That's where you're wrong!" A high-pitched feminine voice spoke.

Marinette turned, her mouth dropping when she saw Tikki by her side. Her eyes watered at the sight of the little kwami, for she had missed her as well.

"Marinette has proven herself. She is beyond worthy to be with Chat Noir, and he thinks so too. It's over, AntiBug!"

"Yeah!" Trixx chimed in, materializing. "I may be the kwami of illusion and deception, but even you go too far. This girl has more worth in her than you have in one strand of your split-end hair!"

AntiBug paled as she reached for her hair self-conciously.

"And you hurt him," Plagg voiced, appearing also. His cat-eyes were threatening slits as he regarded her. "You think he'll ever want to be with you after forcing him to sleep? And you have the nerve to say that Marinette is stupid?"

The ravenette could only watch completely stupefied as every other kwami materialized. In total, there were seven kwamis, each throwing insults directed at AntiBug and words of protection for Marinette.

It was obvious that AntiBug was stunned. Her icy blue eyes were enlarged, and her bottom lip trembled just the tiniest bit. Her cheeks were reddened with mortification. She didn't speak, taking the barbs with silence.

"You know what?" Plagg suddenly snapped. "I think you need to learn a lesson."

Before either the blonde or blackette could blink, the chaos kwami grabbed the box of beauty from Marinette's hands and held it in front of the confused goddess's face. Without another word he opened it, and Marinette gasped when AntiBug dropped down to the floor in a deep slumber.

"AntiBug! You better not-" Chat Noir spoke, having just returned. When he saw the scene he stopped his words, and at the sound of his voice, the kwamis and Marinette turned to look at him.

His eyebrows rose high as he observed each person, and evidently the sleeping goddess. "What did I miss? What happened? Why is she asleep?"

"I-I don't know," his wife whispered, shaking her head as she tried to process all that has happened in the past few minutes. "The box of beauty of Celine was opened and she just passed out!"

No wonder why Celine cautioned her to not open it.

Chat smirked, snorting and shaking his head. "It doesn't surprise me that my mother would do that. She always did like her tricks."

"She needed to learn a lesson," Plagg huffed, crossing his arms. "She put you to sleep, why not make her sleep too?"

"Haven't you ever heard that two wrongs don't make a right?" Chat lightly scolded, walking over to the fallen AntiBug. "You know I have to wake her, right?"

"Make her sleep for as long as you have," Trixx demanded stubbornly, floating next to Plagg.

"No, it wouldn't be right," Marinette interjected, frowning. "We can't just leave her here to sleep for gods know how long."

"This further proves of how worthy you are, Marinette," Tikki whispered in her ear encouragingly. "Your kind and selfless nature is needed among us."

Before the girl could question, her attention was taken away when Chat called for his cataclysm. He waved his fingers dangerously close to the blonde's face, and after a few seconds she emerged from the dream world completely disoriented.

"What? Where am I?" she asked, looking around, She smirked flirtatiously when she met eyes with the god by her side, only for it to morph into a scowl when seeing her rival and all the kwamis.

"Celine's box caused you to fall asleep," Chat explained, helping her up. "It wasn't a box of beauty, she tricked you."

"What?!" she exclaimed, outraged. "Why I'll-" She was fully prepared for a threat to fall from her lips, when she remembered that Celine was Chat Noir's own mother. The rest of her threat was left hanging in the air as a result.

He raised an eyebrow, daring her to complete her sentence, and was satisfied to hear she had nothing else to say.

"I have been in council with Tortue. He wants all of us to ascend," he announced.

"Tortue?" Marinette repeated, gobsmacked at the name of the leader of the gods. He wanted her to ascend? To the heavens?

AntiBug audibly gulped, yet obeyed and disappeared in a flash of yellow. The kwamis left as well, leaving only the god and mortal.

"Don't worry, it's a good thing, I promise," he assured, taking her by the hand. "I could disappear like AntiBug, but I don't know the impact it has on mortals." He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "So I guess we'll have to get there the old-fashioned way."

She was perfectly fine when he wrapped an arm around her waist, her heart even fluttering at the affectionate gesture, but her stomach developed butterflies when her feet began to move from the ground. She tried not to squeak in fear as her arms wound around his middle for support.

"I promise I won't drop you. I have a god's strength, remember?" He grinned cheekily and waggled his eyebrows.

The distraction was enough to momentarily make her forget she was flying as she rolled her eyes at his bravado.

...

In the heavens, Marinette could still barely wrap her mind around anything that was happening. She saw almost every god and goddess she heard in the stories, like Dark Cupid and Reflekta. Both, along with the others, offered her warm smiles. Fragrance even squealed and cooed as she gazed at her and Chat, praising on how such a cute couple they were.

"This will be the love story of the century!" she exclaimed, hands pressed against her cheeks. "The god of destruction taking his mortal lover away, and later having her fight to get him back! Oh yes, the rest of the mortals will surely know of this story!"

Marinette tried not to let her blush show, and as she looked up at Chat, she was mildly shocked that his cheeks were a bit pink as well.

She grinned amusedly and squeezed his hand, liking how he was a blusher too.

She also met Tortue, and to her great surprise, it turned out to be the Oracle and her brief doctor, Master Fu! She had stared absolutely bug-eyed at him, not able to say anything to him. Both Chat and Fu-er-Tortue laughed, before explaining to her that sometimes Tortue masqueraded as a human, to better keep an eye on them and see if any problems arise, such as floods and famine.

"So, um," Marinette mumbled, awkwardly fiddling with her fingers while she looked down at her feet. "Why exactly am I here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Chat purred, leaning closer to her with a pleased grin.

She was never one for affection in public, the only kind she can do was holding hands. And so she used her index finger to lightly push his nose, effectively backing him up. He chuckled and resumed his attention to Tortue, who looked down at the couple from his throne with a tender smile.

"Marinette, you have proven yourself beyond worthy of being Chat's Noir's wife. There is no doubt in my mind about it, and it's clear that you two are very much in love and equally devoted to each other," he spoke, chuckling at the way the girl's cheeks darkened in a blush.

"I have come to the decision of letting you become one of us. You shall be immortal, have all the powers of a goddess, and be with Chat Noir for the rest of eternity. What do you say, Marinette? Do you agree?"

The ravenette's mouth dropped for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day. She...she was going to become a goddess? The kind that's told about in stories? She'd be with Chat forever? It seemed too good to be true.

"Marinette," he murmured next to her, gathering her attention. He was frowning, almost as if he was nervous. "You don't have to, you know. You can remain mortal, I'd still love you until the end of your days, and for the rest of mine. You don't have to become a goddess."

She offered no reply, instead she bit her lower lip in deep thought.

She had a choice: become a goddess and live forever with Chat, or stay mortal, grow old and die, with Chat and the rest of her friends and family.

If she chose to become immortal, she'd have to watch everyone she love gradually wither and die. She would have to live for an endless amount of years without them, only able to see them in their future descendants. Yet, she'd have her devoted Chat with her through it all.

If she chose to remain mortal, she'd have everything, but would eventually have to give Chat up due to life's eventual end of the run.

Her eyes flickered up to meet his somber ones, who gazed down at her with uncertainty but also with the tiniest hint of hope.

She never wanted to be without him. Call her selfish, but she loved the god too much to give him up.

She would see her friends and family die one day, but Adrien would be there to comfort her through it all and give his support.

Marinette turned back to Tortue, who looked at her with a raised brow and a quirk of his mouth. It seemed he already knew what she was going to pick. She nodded though, just to be sure he knew.

He smiled broadly. "Very well, it shall be done. Ambrosia!"

A god holding a golden tray quickly flew over to the girl, gently handing her the goblet filled with golden liquid before he flew away. She raised the cup to her lips, about to drink, when Chat's voice halted her movement.

"Are you sure? There's no going back," he cautioned.

She gave him a beaming smile. "I'm sure." With that she drank the contents in a few gulps, the liquid making quick work of her body. Her skin glowed with freshness, all traces of dirt gone. Her eyes became just a shade brighter, her lips full and smooth, her black hair becoming even thicker.

When she looked down, she was surprised to see her ripped dress had transformed into a whole, red one with black spots scattered all over it.

"You are now the goddess of good luck and creation, Ladybug. You can Chat Noir are two parts of a whole. Where he brings bad luck and misfortune, you are there to fix the damages and bring forth good fortune. Congratulations, Ladybug, and welcome to our family," Tortue spoke warmly, his eyes crinkling due to his large smile.

Ladybug thanked him with a small courtesy before redirecting her attention to her other half. He was grinning lopsidedly, using the pad of his thumb to trace the back of her hand.

"I have to admit, I'm happy you chose to become a goddess, bugaboo," he purred, smirking.

"I change my mind," she deadpanned, causing Tortue and Chat to laugh.

"But now," Chat continued as if nothing had happened. "We get to have an actual ceremony." His eyes became alight with new excitement. "We'll have a real wedding, the wedding that will put all others to shame! Of course, it will take awhile, we have to plan, and set up a date, and pick which foods to have, not to mention you'll need the finest dress, and-"

"Hold on, Chaton," she interrupted, bringing her hands up and giggling uneasily. "We-um-we should have the wedding soon. Like, really soon."

Tortue's brown eyes glittered knowingly.

"I know you want to properly marry me, my Lady," Chat joked, winking. "But I want you to have the absolute best, and the absolute best takes time."

Ladybug looked away, biting her lower lip as she pondered of how to tell him. Yes, they were back together, but she had no idea on how he felt on the subject of children. Was it possible that he'd reject her for it?

"Chat, that's very sweet of you, but we can't have the wedding so late. We need to have it immediately. Otherwise...I-uh-may not be able to fit into my dress."

Way to go, Marinette. Way to avoid the answer.

His eyebrows lowered, showing that he was confused. "Why not?"

"Well..." Alright, this was it. Time to break it to him. "You see, I'm...well, pregnant." She winced after she delivered the fatal line, squeezing her eyes shut in preparation for his reaction.

When he didn't say anything, she slowly opened her eyes and chanced a peek at him. His green eyes were blown wide, his mouth slightly parted. His eyes drifted down to her flat stomach, pausing there briefly, until raising them up again to look into Marinette's fearful ones.

"Y-You're pregnant? Like, pregnant pregnant?" he asked almost breathlessly.

She nodded, albeit shyly. His reaction made it hard to tell whether he was happy or not. "Yes, I am."

A few more seconds of stunned silence later, his face broke out into a wide, beaming smile. It was the largest, happiest smile she had seen him make thus far. She could see his eyes become moist with unshed tears.

"I'm going to be a father," he whispered. "I'm going to be a father!" He quickly enveloped her in a hug, the action catching Ladybug off guard evidenced by her small squeak. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her to him as his face buried itself into the crook of her neck.

"I can't believe it," he mumbled against her skin, breath hot which sent a pleased shiver down her spine. "I can't believe it," he repeated. This time she felt a distinct wetness on her neck. His tears?

Chat Noir stepped back, taking the time to admire her stomach. He bent down to his knees to take her belly in both hands and press a long, languid kiss against it.

"My own little kitten," he cooed lovingly, planting another kiss on her. "She'll be treated like the most wealthy princess, she will be so spoiled! She'll look just like you, my Marinette, she will be the most beautiful little goddess in all of history."

At his continued praises and promises, Ladybug couldn't hold back her own tears of happiness. However, he did seem very sure on something...

"How do you know it's going to be a girl?" she inquired, lips twitching into a grin.

"I just know," he replied lightly, giving her womb another kiss. "We'll have three beautiful little princesses, and all of them will be just as lovely as their mother."

"I don't know," she mused teasingly, running her fingers through his sunshine mane. "I rather like your golden locks. I'd like for at least one child to have your hair. Besides, what if it's a boy?"

"Then he'll be the most handsome prince," he vowed. "I'll love our baby no matter what gender they are, Princess."

Marinette was about to reply, when she heard the indignant squawk of AntiBug. The couple abruptly turned, watching the vengeful goddess with wary eyes.

Protectiveness for his wife and child fueled Chat Noir, who stood and took a stance close to Ladybug, his fiery orbs just daring her to make a move.

"Ah, AntiBug," Tortue scolded, clicking his tongue. "You've been very troublesome for quite some time now, and all of your strife has been for naught. Marinette is with Chat Noir now, and she has become one of us. You are not allowed to terrorize either of them, do you understand? You need to forgive, and accept," he warned sternly.

The blonde huffed and crossed her arms, cheeks red in mortification although she tried to look disinterested. "Alright. I don't even care about either of them!"

"Good." Tortue nodded. "In addition to your never-ending kindness to this couple, I want you to personally apologize to them, and you are banned from visiting Earth indefinitely. When I feel you have been punished enough, you may return. Also, you will be replacing my serving god until I say so. Do you agree with this?"

"If I don't?" she asked, still stubbornly crossing her arms.

"Then you will be stripped of your immortality and powers. I may not have the power to kill, but I do have the power to deign any god or goddess to a mortal status. Is that what you want?"

"No!" she shrieked, afterwords clearing her throat. She glared at the god and goddess couple, already she didn't like this punishment.

"I deeply apologize," she bit out before disappearing.

Chat sighed dejectedly. "I know it wasn't going to be this easy."

Ladybug, having always been optimistic, smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder. "She'll warm up to this in time. She'll have to, since I don't plan on leaving anytime soon," she laughed.

"Thank gods for that," he teased, bending down to rest his forehead against hers. "All that matters now is that we can finally be together, with no barriers in the way."

She smiled coyly, rising up on her tip-toes to whisper something in his ear. She giggled when his cheeks turned beet red.

"Sounds like a good plan, kitty," she spoke, flicking his golden bell with a finger.

And so ends the tale of Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and begins the tale of the Miraculous Ladybug, harborer of good fortune and creation, blessing those worthy with the best of luck. But not far behind is her faithful and loyal husband, Chat Noir, who will curse anyone with bad luck should they incite his ire.

Remember, children, be kind and treat your fellow neighbor with good will. For you never know when a ladybug or a black cat will be watching and make due.

...

Holy shizzle I finally finished it! *Deep exhale* Omg it took me so long to type this xD I sincerely hoped you enjoyed :)