#salthaven

Amber Marshall, the star of CBC’s hit series Heartland and a former Salthaven volunteer, reflects fondly on her time at Salthaven in our latest Wild About Wildlife podcast episode, releasing next week.

Hear all about Amber Marshall’s adventures at Salthaven, how these experiences helped her career, and much more!

Even Later

To say that Chloé Bourgeois was pissed would be a massive understatement. Quite honestly, there are no words to describe how utterly ridiculous this all is. 

And to think, everything was perfect a week ago! She had the world at her beck and call (no she didn’t), she was a perfect superhero (no she wasn’t), and Adrien adored her! (No, he truly didn’t.)

But then her lousy, incompetent sidekicks betrayed her! They tossed her to the curb the one time she faltered- and she only faltered because they chose not to do their jobs! Scarlet Lady was left to face that nasty Akuma all by herself, and what did Chat Noir and Marigold do?

“Go off, Scarlet Lass!” Marigold cheered, voice as high-pitched and annoying as usual. “Show her what’s for!” 

They cheered on the Akuma. They laughed at her, laughed at all of her hard work and all that she had done for them! What did they know about being the leader of the team? They were just stupid little sidekicks, they couldn’t win without her! They needed Scarlet Lady! 

(As it turns out, they didn’t.)

The next day, Chloé showed up to school bitter and cranky, both from a lack of sleep (the de-Akumatized ex-fangirl had yelled in her face for an hour before walking away, finally satisfied) and a lack of Miraculous. She stormed into the class, ready to complain her frustrations away to Sabrina. 

She wasn’t prepared to find her class yelling excitedly, already talking about Ladybug.

And really? Ladybug? Of all things, that’s what Marigold came up with? Wow, great, superb! A thief stole her Miraculous and didn’t even use a good name. How embarrassing. 

Chloé glared at the room as she walked to her seat, and her anger only grew as Alya smirked at her.

“Hey, Chloé!” Alya said, voice taunting. “Did you hear the news? Your ever beloved Scarlet Lady has been replaced!”

“You’re one to talk,” Chloé snapped back. “After all, you run Scarlet Lady’s blog-”

“You mean the Ladyblog,” Alya interrupted, brandishing her phone. “Times are changing, Chloé, and so is my blog! Now I get to focus on a real hero!”

“And Chat Noir!” Marinette piped up, all too happy to speak her mind. “Alya’s got the blog split so that there’s an equal split between the Parisian duo!”

“The real Parisian duo,” Adrien added, leaning into Marinette, which, what?! When did Adrien start getting cuddly with that, that baker’s daughter of a fashion disaster?

Chloé scowled, looking away. “As if! I doubt that new girl can take over the mantle that Scarlet Lady created! No one could be that good!”

The only response she got was laughter. Alix was the one to respond.

“Please. Ladybug is Marigold. She announced the change in position last night to Alya herself! Apparently Scarlet Lady’s identity got revealed to Hawkmoth, which, wow. You had one job, but whatever. So Chat Noir and Marigold decided that a new Ladybug had to be chosen- which, thank God- so Chat Noir gave the Miraculous to Marigold.” She shrugs. “And I don’t know what cloud you shoved your head in, but Marigold has done wayyy more than Scarlet Lady ever did.” 

“She does seem to be much better at being a true hero,” Max added in, and Chloé growled.

“Please! You guys are just jealous that Scarlet Lady is so much cooler than any of you!”

“Scarlet Lady has never helped any of us,” Nino stated. “It was always Chat Noir or Marigold. I, for one, think Marigold should have been Ladybug from the start. Probably would’ve been better in the long run.” The class agreed easily, as if they were right. 

“I-” The bell rang, cutting Chloé off. Huffing, the girl stormed over to her spot. “Whatever! This is just ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!”

And it got worse. Chloé couldn’t believe it! Not only was her stupid little class infatuated with Ladybug, but so was all of Paris! They followed every little thing that dumb sidekick did, praising her for whatever she did! 

“Akuma battles are quicker than ever before!”

“And look at that teamwork! The two work together so flawlessly, it’s impeccable!”

“Ladybug is such a natural leader! She’s got an eye for solutions, really!”

“And Chat Noir has somehow become even greater!”

Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!

And then, get this, the two were spotted kissing. Chloé wanted to gag as the reporters had an absolute field day, raving over the new ‘power couple’. 

‘Those two sidekicks deserve each other. They’re not good enough for anyone else,’ Chloé told herself, shutting off her television for the night.

The day after ‘LadyNoir’ started trending was even worse, somehow. Chloé got to school, doing her best to ignore the stupidity of her peers, when a comment threw her off of her game.

“Ladybug and Chat Noir are so cute together!” Alya raved. “I just feel bad for you, Marinette.”

“Oh?” Marinette asked, ever so stupidly. “W-why do you feel bad?” Ugh, that stupid stutter.

“Well, with Chat Noir swept up in Ladybug’s arms, you don’t get a chance with him. I’m sorry, girlie.” Alya seemed upset, which, ew? Marinette would never be good enough for a sidekick, as if she’d have a chance with someone better than an absolute fool with no money to his name. 

‘Maybe she should date Nathaniel. Little artist freaks could be happy together and stay quiet,’ Chloé thought with a smirk.

That smirk quickly fell, however, when Adrien turned around and asked, “Well, Marinette, if you can’t pursue Chat Noir anymore…would it be alright if I pursue you?”

What. The. Fuck.

The room was silent as Marinette giggled. “I thought you’d never ask! There’s a new movie coming out on Friday, want to see it together?”

Adrien nodded like some lovesick puppy, and Chloé-

Chloé was done. Absolutely done. 

Storming out of the room, she missed the knowing glance that passed between the new couple.

Slamming open the bathroom door, Chloé glares at the group of girls who gossip with one another, giggling as they apply their stupid makeup to their stupid faces. They see her and panic, darting out immediately. A smart decision, because Chloé Bourgeois is not in the mood to deal with some lowly people.

She stalks around the bathroom like a caged animal, glaring at the walls, the floor, the stalls, the door. Everything pisses her off, from the bright lighting to the dirty mirrors that reflect her glares and curled frown, the shows off her bare ears, lacking any accessories.

She looks away from the mirrors, missing the sight of the purple butterfly that phases through the wall, merging into her purse and allowing the outline of a mask to line her face.

“Scarlet Lady,” Hawkmoth cooes, voice serene and calm. “Your lousy sidekicks have thrown you to the side, betraying you for the sake of fame. Their act of treachery is befitting of a villain, undoubtedly worse, and I am aghast to see such wrongdoings being done by the ‘heroes’. I refuse to fight against such impure people, and as such I will give you the power to overthrow the new Ladybug, so that I may have a proper enemy once more. All that I ask for is Chat Noir’s Miraculous, as he is also unworthy of wielding such power, and in return I will give you the power to defeat Ladybug. Antibug, will you answer this call?”

Chloé smirks, satisfaction overcoming her. “It would be my pleasure, Hawkmoth.”

And then she’s covered in purple. 

—–

Marinette always thought she’d be a normal girl with a normal life. She had dreams of becoming a designer, sure, but even those dreams were rather modest. She wanted to make a difference, sure, but she never thought that she would become somebody.

So imagine her surprise when she ended up becoming a hero of Paris not just once, but twice. First as Marigold, the Bee who rose up to fight beside Chat Noir when his own partner was lacking in, well, everything. Then to become Ladybug, the one who can reverse any damage done by Akumas and to act as Chat Noir’s other half. 

It was unexpected, to say the least, but that’s not to say it is unwanted. No, Marinette loves her life. She loves being able to help people, being able to make a difference in the world. She loves patrolling with Chat Noir at night, hours of laughing and joking as they leap across the horizon. She loves the friends she’s made since this whole villainous mess started. And, of course, she loves her new boyfriend, both in and out of the mask, Adrien “Chat Noir” Agreste. 

Overall, Marinette is happy. She’s really, truly happy. 

So, as the universe goes, Chloé Bourgeois tries to ruin her day. Because that is simply how the world works. 

A crash is heard outside of the window, and class is quickly disrupted as her peers race over to look for the source.

“An Akuma!” Kim shouts, ever so helpful. Marinette and Adrien peer out, eyes quickly trained on the rampant Akuma.

Marinette rolls her eyes when she sees the villain du jour. The blonde girl wears a black suit with red polka dots, a matching yoyo currently being swung about, hitting whatever she can. From the obvious reference to Ladybug to the ever present pout, it’s obvious.

“Chloé,” Marinette and Adrien mutter in unison, and then they sneak off to transform.

As soon as they’re suited up, the duo slips outside, speaking quietly to each other.

“Think it’s because of your popularity, or because we’re dating?” Chat asks, smile light and joking.

“Maybe both. Who knows, maybe she’s been playing hard to get this whole time, chaton.” Ladybug winks, giggling as the blond curls his nose in disgust. 

“Mon Dieu, don’t even say that. We both know that she was just obsessed with the model boy.” 

“Poor boy. I hear he’s got a girlfriend, though, so maybe that caused her to snap?”

“Could be. Oh well. If she’s anything like she was as Scarlet, she’ll be an easy fight.” And with that, they come face to face with the Akuma.

“Ladybug,” she sneers. “I am Antibug, and I’ve come to reclaim my Miraculous!” She shouts out the words, and Ladybug is very aware of Alya as she leans out of the window, phone catching every word.

“Definitely can’t get it back now,” Ladybug whispers, and Chat Noir snorts. Louder, Ladybug says. “The Miraculous is not yours, nor should it have ever been. I have been informed that you stole it from its rightful user, and they have granted it to me instead.” When Tikki told Marinette that she was chosen, not Chloé, the girl had been pissed. 

“Please! As if that stupid Dupain-Cheng deserved it!” Antibug states, just as loudly, and now Ladybug is glad that she came up with her small lie. Otherwise, her identity would be broadcast to all of Paris, if not the whole world, by now. As it is, Ladybug can hear the whispers of her shocked classmates, surprised to hear that their friend was originally chosen to be their beloved heroine.

Shaking her head, Ladybug forces herself to ignore her peers. She has more pressing matters to attend to.

Like the fact that, for an incompetent hero, Antibug is a surprisingly good villain. She plays dirty, using her yoyo to trip up Chat Noir and Ladybug, throwing random objects for them to dodge or deflect, and calling multiple Unlucky Charms in an attempt to throw them off.

“Of course she’s a better villain than a hero,” Chat Noir complains as he leaps over a car, the fight by now taking place in the abandoned street in front of Dupont. “It only makes sense, considering villains are motivated by selfishness, while a hero has to be selfless.”

“You’re one to talk about selfishness!” Antibug taunts before throwing a car at him. Ladybug catches him with her yoyo, pulling him out of reach. “You betrayed me so you could give your little girlfriend my Miraculous.”

“Your identity was revealed, and you were a lousy hero! As if we’d give you the Miraculous that was never supposed to be yours in the first place!” Chat screams back, venting out some of his anger. Ladybug takes the chance to snag Antibug’s yoyo with her own, pulling away the weapon. 

“Chat!” She cries, tossing him the weapon. Without even summoning his power, the blond crushes it in his grip, letting out a small purple butterfly.

“No more evildoing for you, little Akuma!” Ladybug says, catching the Akuma in her yoyo. Quickly, she casts her Miraculous cure, letting a shower of ladybugs fill the air as all of the damage disappears. 

All that is left is one pissed off Chloé Bourgeois, and Alya recording behind a car. 

Ladybug sighs, stepping forwards. Now is the time where she and Chat Noir usually comfort the deakumatized victim, helping them to find a solution. And, as a hero, she and Chat should look past their feelings, right?

Nope. Ladybug quickly decides otherwise when the blonde lets out a yell, lunging at her and reaching for her earrings. Without hesitation, Ladybug restrains the girl with her yoyo, pinning her arms to her side.

“Chloé Bourgeois,” she speaks, voice cold and harsh. “As Scarlet Lady, you put Paris in danger for far too long in order to satiate your ego. You left your partner to do all of the work, letting him run himself ragged to save the city, putting twice the work on him. You never changed, allowing yourself to become even more vain and self-centered with every passing day. You were anything but a hero from the very start, having stolen the Miraculous from a girl who had the potential to save this city from the start. Instead, that girl will never have the chance to help as much as she wants, because you have broadcasted her identity without a second thought. And even though she chose me to take her place, you still try to defy her wishes, going so far as to try stealing the Miraculous from me. You are not Akumatized, either, so you have no excuses. You are a menace to society and a danger to Paris, and you will never and have never been a hero. Good bye.” 

Exhaling, Ladybug retracts her yoyo and leaps out of view, Chat Noir following her. They detransform together, exhausted.

“You went off on her,” Adrien says, a small grin appearing on his face. “Mon Dieu, princess, it’s like you said everything I ever wanted to.”

“Thanks, chaton,” Marinette replies, leaning against him as they walk out of the alley. “Do you think I went too far?”

“I think you said exactly what you should have. She’s gone far too long unchecked, it was about time someone told her what’s for.”

The words relieve her of her doubt, and give her the strength to walk back into their classroom.

Chloé isn’t there, but the class speaks of her nonetheless. 

“I can’t believe she was Scarlet Lady!” Alya cries out, then pauses. “Actually, no, I can. Dang. And I ran a whole blog about her. Ew.”

“It explains why she was so awful,” Kim says bluntly.

“And why she always ditched me…more so than usual, at least,” Sabrina whispers, saddened by this revelation.

“And she stole the Miraculous, too!” Rose cries. “How awful!” 

Alya’s head snaps up, looking to Marinette, who still stands beside Adrien in the front of the class. “From you, right? Ladybug said it was stolen, and Chloé said it was yours!”

“You were supposed to be Ladybug!” Alix shouts, slamming her fist on her desk. “Damn, that would’ve been so cool!” 

“Heheh, yeah…but when Marigold told me what had happened, I knew that I couldn’t take the title,” Marinette says, trying to look bashful.

“Why not?” Max asks. “If it was yours originally, why couldn’t you use it?”

“Because Chloé knew. And I was afraid that she would broadcast my identity in order to get ‘revenge’…and it looks like I was right to assume that.”

Alya frowns. “That’s terrible, girlie. You could’ve been a hero by Chat Noir’s side the whole time.”

Marinette shrugs, leaning into Adrien’s side even more. “Yeah, but I can’t let that stop me. I’ll still help when I can, but Marigold…I knew I could trust her to be a hero. So she became Ladybug.” 

“Yeah, Mari here doesn’t need a Miraculous to be a hero,” Adrien pipes up, smiling widely. “Remember how she always threw herself into fights? She was always helping out with battles.” He laughs. “She only stopped because Chat Noir practically begged her to stay out of the way. He was worried that she’d get hurt.”

The class cooes over the statement, agreeing easily, until class starts back up at last. Marinette takes her seat once more, ready to continue the day.

“Just so you know,” Alya whispers, “I think you would be an amazing hero.”

Marinette simply smiles, and she knows that Alya is right.

Marinette thought she’d be a normal girl, but she’s so much more.

And now it’s Ladybug’s time to shine.

Author’s Note: At long last, I finally made a sequel to Later, which I wrote back in October. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoy zoe’s amazing comic! ~Salthaven 

Throwback to 2008 and this sweet little Falcon named Chaukar! This cheeky little wildlife ambassador was my intro into the world of birds of prey. He just turned 16 years old last week!! Follow @salthaven_org and @salthavenwest to see more of this amazing bird and the rest of the incredible animals that Salthaven helps. Feel like donating? I can assure you it will go to great use!

Day Twenty-Seven: Sidekick

    “Of course I’ll be here to save the day,” Scarlet Lady says, tossing her hair behind her back dramatically. “I have to clean up after my mangy sidekick, after all.”

    Sidekick, huh?

    Chat Noir huffs, ring beeping loudly. He’ll deal with this later.

    With this in mind, he hops away, searching for a place to detransform.

~~~~~

    Later doesn’t come quickly. No, later is pushed off. Battle after battle, Chat Noir is stuck alone, fighting battles meant for two. He fights and is forgotten, fights to save Paris, only for Scarlet Lady to be adored. He fights and hurts and gets battered and bruised, and only one person even recognizes how much he works to keep Paris from becoming a chaotic mess.

    Marinette Dupain-Cheng. From the very first fight, she’s been on the sidelines, cheering him on. Sure, she has a penchant for getting in the way of battles, but Adrien knows it’s because she’s truly a hero. She stands up for what’s right, she doesn’t let her lack of powers keep her from fighting against evil.

    She’s the Ladybug Chat wishes he could have. Someone he could call a partner. But no, instead he gets Scarlet Lady.

    Yet exhaustion feels okay when Adrien walks into class and sees her smile. The weight on his shoulders seems a little more bearable whenever she offers him coffee or a croissant, or just insults Scarlet Lady. 

    Yeah, later can be pushed off, because Marinette will wait beside him.

~~~~~

    Chat Noir is used to being called a sidekick. For months, he’s dealt with battles alone, taken all of the pain and suffering alone, saved the day and been tossed aside alone. He’s exhausted, he’s beaten down and he doesn’t know how to get back up.

    But just as he thinks the world can’t get better, it does. Because Marigold steps out of the shadows, and she protects him. She holds out a hand to help him. Together, they beat the Akuma. Together, they save the day. And the workload lessens. The struggle of every battle diminishes when it’s doled out between two heroes. 

    Finally, later comes. It’s after a pretty easy Akuma battle (or is he just getting better at working with Marigold?) and neither Chat nor Marigold used their powers. The reporters come, just like usual, and Chat doesn’t run.

    But as he sees them coming, he notices something else. The victim, a young boy, maybe nine, sitting on the floor, looking sad and scared.

    Chat pushes later away, going to comfort the kid. Marigold follows suit.

    “Are you okay?” Chat asks, kneeling down. “You seemed rather upset, did something happen?”

    The boy sniffles. “I, I failed a math test. My mom is gonna ground me for sure, and then my friends aren’t gonna talk to me because I can’t play games and I’ll be lonely and, and-”

    “Hey,” Marigold coos, pulling the boy into a loose hug. “It’ll be alright. Your friends will understand, and I’m sure your mom will, too. Everyone has bad days, you know?”

    “Even you?” He looks up at her with shock, and Marigold giggles. It sounds like bells to Chat.

    “Even me. Here, I’ll even let you in on a little secret, but you can’t tell anyone, okay?” When the boy nods, Marigold whispers conspiratorially. “I’m awful at physics.”

    “Really?!” He gasps, as if the idea is astounding.

    “Really. But my parents understand, because I’m getting tutored. I have the sweetest friend, and he’s a genius. He teaches me about physics, and I’m doing better. Do you have a friend who’s good at math?”

    The boy nods. “Alice! She’s really smart.”

    “Maybe you could ask her for advice, then!” She grins. “And if not, I’m sure you could ask your parents for help.”

    Chat nods with Marigold, then adds, “And if they won’t teach you, come hunt me down. I’m have you know I’m the purrfect math teacher!”

    The boy giggles. “Thank you!”

    “Of course. Now, little guy, do you need help getting home? I can give you a lift,” Chat offers, and the boy lights up.

    “Yeah!” 

    So Chat leaves later behind, leaping away with the boy on his back. And, a short conversation later, little Thomas is hugging his parents, who promise to help him with math. 

~~~~~

    Later passes without Chat noticing. Time after time, he chooses comforting the victim over calling out Scarlet. Because that’s why he’s a hero. It’s not for recognition, it’s to help people. That’s why Marigold, too, has risen from wherever she was to fight by his side. It’s not about proving that he’s a partner, not a sidekick, because only he and Marigold need to know that.

    But it’s this approach that causes later to spark. It’s this decision that proves the truth for all of Paris.

    It sneaks up on him. Never one for checking the news, he doesn’t see the exponentially increasing number of articles on him and Marigold, doesn’t see the shift in public opinion, doesn’t know how he and Marigold become favored over the once beloved spotted ‘heroine.’

    Then he goes to school, and hears something that shocks him.

    “You’re changing the name of the Scarblog?” Marinette asks Alya, right as Adrien enters the room.

    Alya nods, glaring at her phone as she types rapidly. “Yeah. It’s about time. Scarlet Lady is awful, I can’t believe I didn’t notice earlier!”

    Adrien can’t believe it. Finally, someone noticed other than Marinette! Finally, someone else understands. It feels like Christmas, it feels like-

    “Yeah, she sucks,” Alix adds in.

    Forget Christmas, Adrien is in heaven! 

    Quickly, all of his class is chiming in, insults thrown at the girl who only knows how to care about herself. Marinette seems just as ecstatic over the words being spoken, agreeing vehemently. 

    Then Chloé walks in, just as Kim shouts, “The only heroes we need are Chat Noir and Marigold!”

    Adrien hears his old friend before he even sees her.

    “What did you just say?!” She shouts, and Adrien jumps.

    “If you must know, Chloé,” Max starts, adjusting his glasses, “we’ve noticed the trends of the battles. Statistically speaking, the chance of Scarlet Lady actually contributing to the battle and fighting the Akuma is zero point zero zero zero zero zero zero one perecent. There has been one battle where Scarlet Lady was said to have taken initiative, and that was during Copycat. According to Marinette, who was the only witness present, Scarlet Lady did not even act until Marinette mentioned that there would be two Chat Noirs present, with one of them adoring Scarlet Lady.” 

    Chloé scoffs. “As if Dupain-Cheng is a reliable source.”

    “She is, actually, our most reliable source, having been involved in almost every single Akuma attack. But if her alibi for the Copycat attack is unusable, as nobody else can attest to it, other than Chat Noir and Scarlet Lady, then Scarlet Lady has never been useful, except for her Miraculous Cure.”

    Rose gasps. “Marinette, you could’ve been Scarlet Lady! You would be an amazing hero!”

    Chloé turns her glare on the petite blonde. “Dupain-Cheng could never be as great as Scarlet Lady! She’s too clumsy and foolish to be a hero.” 

    Adrien glares at Chloé. “Marinette is greater than Scarlet Lady could ever be, if she could manage to get her head out of her ass! Marinette does everything she can to help the heroes, she puts herself in danger to keep others safe. She already is a hero, which is more than I can say for Scarlet.”

    “Guys, I-” Marinette tries to cut in, but Chloé interrupts.

    “If it wasn’t for Scarlet, you’d all be surrounded by that stupid sidekick’s messes! The city would be in ruins! I don’t see Marigold fixing that.”

    Adrien freezes, and he sees how Marinette stiffens behind him. Because nobody uses that tone when referring to him as a sidekick, no one except Scarlet Lady.

    He cringes, remembering every single time Scarlet tried to claim his civilian identity was her boyfriend. Now it makes sense. Gross.

    Marinette, behind him, becomes enraged. “You know what, Chloé?!” She shouts, stomping forwards. “Chat Noir is the greatest hero that will ever live, and you should feel blessed to know that he protects everyone! He puts his life on the line so that we can be safe, and he fought alone for months because his partner was too busy putting on lipstick! We never deserved Chat Noir, but god damn do we need him if we’re stuck with someone like Scarlet as our only other option.”

    “And Marigold has more talent in one strand of hair than Scarlet has in her whole body!” Adrien shouts. “She should’ve become Scarlet Lady, not the incompetent idiot who put on the mask! In fact, I doubt Scarlet was meant to be the hero. I bet she got the Miraculous by taking it from the rightful owner!”

    From the way Chloé winces, Adrien knows that he’s right. Chloé stole the Miraculous, but who would she have…oh mon Dieu.

    She stole from Marinette, didn’t she? Marinette, the girl who is a real hero. The girl who is creative and brave and puts her life on the line to protect others. Marinette, the girl who always supported Chat Noir, the girl who always knew how awful Scarlet Lady is. 

    Adrien feels enraged by the love of his life. He wants to reach out and snatch the earrings from Chloé, wants to hand them to Marinette because she’s their rightful owner-

    But he can’t. At least, not right now.

    Sitting down for class as the bell rings, Adrien has never been more excited for an Akuma to attack. He can’t wait for later to come again.

~~~~~

    Luckily for him, an Akuma attacks that night. Even more luckily, the Akuma holds nothing but hatred in her heart for Scarlet Lady. She calls Scarlet incompetent, a sorry excuse of a hero. She despises the girl, and wants to take the earrings so she can be a hero instead.

    Chat Noir doesn’t intervene. He slips into the shadows, catching Marigold before she reaches the fight. He moves to whisper what he has learned of Scarlet, but Marigold speaks first.

    “She’s in my class,” Marigold whispers angrily. “I hate her.”

    Chat blinks at the information. Marigold is in Chloé’s class…

    “Marinette?” He whispers, and she blanches.

    “I, uh-” She sighs. “God damnit. How did that give it away?”

    “Because I’m in her class,” Chat admits, and watches Marigold blush as she understands, “and I just realized it today.”

    “It was the sidekick comment, wasn’t it?” She asks, and Chat nods. “So what’s the plan, partner?”

    “We sit back and let her fight.” He does as he says, leaning against the chimney of the rooftop. “And when Scarlet Lass defeats Scarlet Lady, we swoop in.”

    “I like the sound of this.” She smirks, and so does Chat.

    The fight doesn’t last more than a minute. Scarlet Lady, panicking, calls for her Lucky Charm, but has no idea how to use it. She screams at Chat and Marigold, demands that they help her. They smile.

    “Go off, Scarlet Lass!” Marigold cheers. “Show her what’s for!”

    Scarlet Lass seems confused, then smiles sadistically. “As you wish, my future teammates!” 

    The earrings are off of Chloé Bourgeois in seconds. And then the heroes of Paris, the real heroes of Paris, leap into action. 

    “Venom!” Marigold shouts, and stuns Scarlet Lass. 

    “Thank you!” Chat says sweetly, taking the earrings from the Akuma. 

    Chloé huffs. “Good job, now give me my earrings so I can save the day.” She doesn’t expect to look up and be met by two glares.

    “No.” Chat toys with the earrings, eyes still locked onto hers. “I don’t think I will.”

    Chloé gasps. “What do you mean, ‘no?’ Those are mine, you stupid sidekick, return them at once!”

    Marigold hums. “Now here’s the thing, Bourgeois. Your identity is compromised. Even if you were a good superhero, which you weren’t, we couldn’t let you continue. Because now Hawky knows your identity, so he could take the earrings at any time. So, no. Your reign of terror is over.”

    She huffs. “Oh yeah? Well, good luck saving the day! You can’t fix damage without me.”

    “No, we can’t fix damage without a Ladybug,” Chat corrects her, then turns to Marigold. “So, Marigold, I think it’s time we swap your yellow for red.”

    Marigold’s eyes widen for a second, and then she nods. “I think you’re right, partner.” She pins the earrings to her ears, and Tikki appears before them. “Hey, Tikki, right? I need your help to save the day, if that’s alright?”

    Tikki looks close to tears, nodding frantically. “Of course, Marigold! My transformation phrase is ‘spots on.’” 

    Marigold smiles. “Alright! Tikki, spots on! Pollen, buzz off!” A flash of pink and yellow  covers Chat’s partner, and when it dies down, she’s changed. Gone is the yellow and black, now Marigold wears red and black. The spots resemble Scarlet’s, but she keeps the more sensible aspects of her Bee ensemble (cough no heels cough) on her person. Spinning her new yoyo, she says, “Let’s finish this, kitty.”

    “Got it!” Chat breaks Scarlet Lass’s Akumatized object, a charm of Scarlet Lady, and the Akuma flies out. Marigold catches it immediately, then purifies it.

    Once the damage has been fixed, Marigold turns to Chat. “Pound it!” She cries, just as she usually does. Then she asks, “Want to go get ice cream?”

    Chat Noir blushes. “Of course, Marigo-”

    “Ladybug,” she corrects, sweet and simple. “Let’s go with Ladybug.” 

    “Alright, Ladybug, let’s go have some ice cream. Think Andre is still around at this time of night?”

    “I’m sure he’ll make an exception for a new hero!” Ladybug jokes, and the two leap away, leaving Chloé behind with a still-angry ex fan, who relishes the chance to insult the ‘hero’.

    Yes, later feels wonderful.

(I wrote this for Inktober on my ao3 account, I hope you enjoy! -salthaven)

GUYS PLS LISTEN OKAY

So as some of you know, I'm doing a summer program at the local business school, and right now we're doing a project! There's a non-proft in my town called Salthaven, and you can find all the information you need to know here.

Basically the competition between teams is based on views, likes and shares. We need people to watch our video! 

It's still in the creative process at the moment, but we'll have it uploaded on Sunday (at which time I'll post it here)! If you guys could do me a huge solid and watch it and like it, and even if you want, share it (we're not expecting much from this request, but we'd love to make it as widespread as we can).