So now we are at the point right before the big climax for part 1. I'm really excited for you guys to finally be able to finish Part 1 soon because, and I know I've probably said this before but I really really am so excited for what's to come with this story. I've spent this whole year working on it and I still have so much planned for it. 

Anyways, enjoy <3

..............

Fairies and creatures of all sorts were bustling all around the large arena, some working to quickly add the finishing touches to the large space, in order to get ready for the arena. Others were with friends or family or their significant others, excitedly chatting about the events that would be happening today. Multiple store vendors full of delicacies as well as decorative objects that people definitely did not need, but all at the same time couldn't help but want, were set up in every nook and cranny visible. Many had come from far and wide in order to witness the chosen who had completed the immortal exams take part in the final test. The test which would determine if a fairy was a compatible.

Essentially, each examinee who had passed the previous exams had to go through one more test to see if their life force could become that of an immortal. They would go through a special arch built of the finest and rarest materials known in both the mortal and the eternal realm of the sun. 

But it was more than just an eccentric embellishment for the ceremony. The arena was actually built around the arch, which was right in the centre, amongst a patch of greenery that had been grown and trimmed again and again over the years. The only reason people were allowed to walk onto the centre (well other than the people who regularly tended to the greenery that surrounded the arch) was because of ceremonies like this one. The arch was in actuality, a portal to the dimension which held their sacred Deities and Gods who had ascended to a higher way of life. It was one of the only ways to communicate with them.

The arena itself was used for multiple purposes, including the Solerian games which happened every four-hundred-years (though on the rare occasion the year coincided with the year of the exams, the games would not happen), as well as being the host for multiple different sport competitions that kept the fairies entertained every year. Marinette had been to only two of the Solerian games with Nino and Alya but she had always dreamed of being on the floor of the arena right in the middle- and now she would be.

For today, she had made a custom outfit in order to celebrate the happy occasion. Usually anyone who would take the compatibility test would go to some of the biggest dressmakers to get a custom made outfit based on their own spirit. Marinette herself had made a few in the past but because she was one of the examinees this year, although quite a few had asked her Marinette had to politely decline them so she could prioritise her own outfit. 

And this time she had really outdone herself.

It was a flowy dress, much like her usual style, though unlike the other dresses she had, Marinette had taken extra care to colour the fabric and attach the beads that were littered across the whole dress. Because she couldn't find it in her normal fabric stalls and shops, Marinette had found the white version of the material she had wanted and she bathed the fabric in a bath full of deep red petals of all sorts, giving the fabric a bright red hue which she was hoping for for her ladybug themed outfit. 

Like the colour of her dress, her lips were still red from the semi permanent tint she had used, though it had grown lighter and the natural peach of her lips was beginning to come through again. She didn't bother to tint it again however, but her eyes were exquisitely brushed with red powder and she had strategically attached small black pearls around her eyes which curved into her cheekbones, giving a silhouette of a heart on her face. It made her look less of the wide eyed and innocent girl people attributed her as, and more of the mature and secure person she wanted to be.

The fabric was layered on a fancy white cotton under-wrap which had been embroidered with ivory thread in floral designs that Marinette had free-handed. The red fabric lay on top, like a robe or a jacket, rippling out from all sides like water. The only indication that it was part of the dress was where it had been sewn onto her torso area like a large belt, showing her natural waist. 

But what made it look outstanding and really like a ladybug was the beads. The black beads Marinette had created were meant to look just like the jade one that Adrien had given her, though none of the ones she had created were worth as much as the one she had been gifted. The black beads were threaded into the delicate fabric, as if they were pebbles in the water, slightly weighing down the dress, though not by a large difference. Marinette could stall walk or even run in the dress without much difficulty. They were slightly uneven in their dispersal though still in a criss-cross pattern, but she preferred it that way. It gave the dress more character. Or at least, that was what Alya had said.

Marinette had wanted to put an extra feature, a depiction of wings in the form of a beautiful, sparkly cape but, unfortunately, she could not find or make the right material in time to do so. Instead, she came to a compromise with herself which ended up looking better than she envisioned. Her sleeves were puffy and only just one layer of a white sheer yet somehow silky fabric which, when the light hit, it reflected off of the fabric into a kaleidoscope of pretty colours. Much like the dress, the sleeves flared out into a bell shape and even went past her wrist, matching the flow of the look. 

Marinette looked like the prettiest wild flower in the realm.

How she felt, was a different story.

She stood at the gates that led to the to the grounds of the arena, taking deep breaths to soothe her nerves, and many of the others with her did the same. 

"Marinette!" Alya's voice travelled through the area they were in, causing heads to turn and start whispering. Along with Alya, Nino and Luka followed and although the whispers were mainly directed towards the God of the trio, Marinette could still hear many of them talking about the other two who had been gaining fame due to their accomplishments as immortals. 

Marinette smiled and waved at the trio, beckoning them to come to her at a faster pace. When they reached her she started by saying, "Is it weird that I am nervous?"

Alya just laughed and hugged her best friend, "Absolutely not girl. Though I know for a fact that you don't need to be. You're going to smash it out there!"

Marinette laughed along with her, feeling the tension slowly simmer out of her, "Thanks Al."

"And where's our thanks?" Luka, who in the past couple of weeks had grown closer to her, jokingly asked. The whispers grew as people wondered what exactly Marinette's relationship to him was.

Well they were going to get the shock of their life because Marinette let go of Alya and opened her arms out towards the boys who immediately took initiative to embrace both of the girls in a group hug. They were getting better at those recently and the group had been closer than ever. Luka even planted a small kiss on top of Marinette's hair (he was tall enough to do so), and wished her good luck. Nino, did the same, though he kissed her on the cheek instead, before squeezing her one more time. More and more Marinette was grateful that she had the three as friends.

The four ended the hug and Marinette was informed that they would be on the grounds with her- just that they had to be there before her. She let them step out of the gates with a wave and watched them as they took their place amongst the group of officials meant to oversee the entirety of the ceremony.

She took another deep breath and ignored the obvious gossiping behind her. She didn't look back at them, she didn't care too. Instead, she brought her hand up to her neck where a thin green string, which looked frail but had been made by her to be strong enough so even a harsh tug could not destroy it, rested. She looped the string around her finger and fiddled with it, a smile inattentively forming on her lips. 

The string was attached to the bead, wrapped around the small jewel like vines entrapping a being. But it meant it was secure in there. Like he had told her to, Marinette had kept the necklace hidden from everyone- the past weeks she had been wearing higher necklines in order to prevent it from being seen. It was rather easy to but she knew she would have a few problems in doing so today. She wasn't allowed to perform any spells before the ceremony, so she wasn't even able to cast an illusion to hide it- any she would do beforehand would not suffice long enough. 

But she still wanted to wear it.

She hadn't seen Adrien since that day he disappeared- she suspected he must have crossed the celestial river border in order to get to his home realm. He probably had a life to get back to after who knows how many years (she didn't, that's for sure). Even with him not around, she still clung onto the hope that she would be able to see him soon, though she knew not the reason that urged her to feel this way. The small jade was a reminder to her, he would be back one day. And she kept it on her ever since he had left, deep down knowing that what he had said wasn't just a passing remark, but a promise.

The thought of seeing Adrien again made her suddenly feel more courageous about stepping into the arena. She wanted to be able to prove to him that she was doing the right thing by becoming an immortal. That she had what it took not to be used by the court like he had been worried about. Because this is what she wanted to do, what she wanted to be forever. She wanted to be a healer and a protector to those who couldn't defend themselves. She wanted to be the one fairies would flock to because she was their safety. Their security. Their guardian.

She wanted to be the one thing she wished she had after her fairy body manifested. Because when Master Fu had left her, she was without her guardian and without a person to guide her. 

Never would she let anyone else go through that, not if she could help it. 

She wondered what his reaction to her being an immortal  the next time they saw each other would be. She hoped he would understand her reasoning for it. That he had cooled down since the last time she had seen him. She was still a bit mad at him for leaving the way he did. 

Still, she kept the bead close to her. 

They were all called to go out to the arena, and Marinette dropped her hand. Along with all of the other chosen, she walked at a steady pace across the tracks and towards the centre, where the arch stood.

She wouldn't be the first to go as they were going in order of age. Marinette was, in fact, the youngest of the examinees to have passed. Therefore, she would be going last. 

And so the waiting game begun.

She watched as the ones before her took turns to enter the arch, some being immediately rejected by the magic of the portal. Those were the ones who were most definitely not a compatible. Some were able to go through and then a timer was started to see if they could surpass the sacred timing of seven-hundred-and-seventy-seven seconds where they would be able to prove to a deity that they were worthy. If so, they would be a compatible.

The amount of cheers and screams that echoed around the arena just in that day, Marinette was sure she would be deaf. 

Finally, after what felt like days, but was only hours, of waiting, Marinette's name was called.

"Last, but certainly not least is the contestant I know most of you are here to see," the host, a tenaciously bubbly immortal by the name of Mireille, spoke to the crowd, "She was able to do the impossible during her exam and after years of trying, she is finally at the final test. Here are some highlights from her exam."

Big enough for people to see on all sides, a hologram showcasing some of Marinette's best decisions during her exam from her examiner's point of view were on display. Her trick with the griffins, her helping the dragon, and most importantly, her using her power to turn the akuma into a simple white butterfly. The audience gasped and awed at her wit and her intelligence but when the final part of the highlights were shown, the arena was silent.

Everywhere were faces that were stunned to their seats for they had heard of the feats she had achieved but never had they seen it with their own eyes.

And then the loudest of cheers erupted all around her and Marinette couldn't help but beam at the applause she had received.

"The Ladybug Fairy Marinette, please come up for inspection."

The inspection was the part she was dreading almost as much as the meeting with a deity. There was no reason for it really, just that the inspector was rather scary as she was a well renowned alchemist who also had an affinity for being able to detect the smallest of magic. She was an immortal and scholar by the name of Mendeleiev. Her sharp face and no-nonsense tone had always freaked Marinette out whenever she had watched the ceremony before. Marinette even recalled the one time she had come to her house to order a special elixir that only Marinette knew how to find but she had asked Marinette to take her on the journey with her so next time, she could go get it on her own. Despite her protests, Marinette couldn't stop the lady from joining her and that had honestly been some of the most tense days she had ever experienced. 

Marinette inhaled deeply before exhaling loudly, and walked as confidently as she could to the inspector. She kept her head up high and looked straight ahead, though inwardly she was trying to make sure she did not trip over nothing. She stopped when she reached the alchemist, feeling slightly embarrassed that she was miniscule in comparison to tall being next to her.

The inspection went well. 

Until Mendeleiev found the necklace.

The inspector brought the accessory out for all to view and looked at her pointedly, "What is this?"

"A necklace," the sudden urge to tear up was very overwhelming.

"I can see that. But what is it made of?"

"I made it," she answered the question simply, not trusting herself to speak.

"All of it?"

"Well," she debated what to say next, "No."

"No?" The inspector raised her eyebrow at her, her expression becoming as sharp as her features, "Would you care to elaborate?"

"It was-"Marinette's hands felt sweaty and she tried to avoid the inspector's eyes, "It was- I- I found it! The bead. One day when I was exploring the forests. I thought it would make a good accessory for this outfit of mine."

The inspector looked like she did not believe a word she had said.

Meanwhile, Luka who had been standing next to Alya and Nino, came forward to see what was taking so long with the inspection after some prompting from the other two. He couldn't see the necklace from where he was standing and on the holograms produced to show the audience what was happening, whatever the bead was, it was covered by the hands of the inspector who had grabbed the necklace.

Luka went to where the two were standing and asked, "What is going on here?"

Mendeleiev looked at him and then back at the ladybug distrustfully, "See for yourself Lord Luka," and she released the necklace from the grip.

Marinette looked at him, silently pleading him to help, but when his eyes set on the main part of the necklace, his mouth could do nothing but open in absolute horror. Marinette did not expect the aghast look Luka had on his face and she most definitely expect the small scowl only visible to her that he gave when his own fingers wrapped around the small bead in a threatening manner.

"Marinette," he startled her thinking and he brought her attention to the bead, "Do you know what this is?"

"Luka," when the inspector coughed as a reminder that she was being watched by thousands, if not millions of beings, "My Lord, you're scaring me. It's just a simple bead. There is nothing wrong with it."

"There is everything wrong with it Marinette," his voice was scarily calm but Marinette knew Luka better, and she knew that this voice meant danger, "This bead. It is not just a simple thing to make an accessory out of but you know that don't you?"

She shook her head, "N-no. It's just- it's just a jade bead," her voice became slightly higher, "What more could it be?"

His scowl stretched out across his face and from the distance, she could see the other two looking at them with growing concern, "I know you Marinette. And I know you enough to realise when you are lying."

"I'm not!" she exclaimed and tugged her necklace so his grip would loosen. When it did, she took a step back and clutched the necklace like it was her lifeline.

"Really? You aren't? Then tell me Marinette. Tell me what it is and tell me exactly."

"It's just a bead Luka!" she shouted back when he raised his own voice at her. Her heartbeat was becoming critically rapid and she couldn't understand why Luka was becoming more and more intimidating by the second.

"It's not a normal bead," he pointed to her brutally, "That is the mark of destruction."

All around gasps could be heard and from behind Luka, Alya let out a huge dreading, "No!" 

"And that means-" his finger was still pointed at her accusingly but his voice faltered as the betrayal washed over him, "That means that you are in league with Destruction."

..............

In the realm of the moon, inside the chambers of the Lune supreme, a small bead dangling around the bed post using the finest red thread found in Luneith, burned a deeper red than the thread holding it.

Destruction, meanwhile, was just entering his room after a long bath when he felt several gashes forming around his body. Whilst he couldn't feel much of the pain of the wounds, he knew the other person it was happening to was likely in severe agony. Quickly, he went to where the necklace was resting on his bed and cursed when he realised how it was trying to alert him.

In just over a second he had changed his appearance so he was wearing one of his many battle armour, his previously wet hair was now dry and in an elegant yet edgy style that he normally liked to have it in. He made sure he wore a crown that pronounced to everyone that he was the ruler of the moon realm.

He would make sure everyone in that blasted realm knew just whose protection his woman was under. 

And he would reign hell on all that had slighted her.

..............

After I do my exams (I have two more weeks of them) and have more time, I'm definitely going to create art on the different looks Marinette has had throughout this whole story. Especially this one and one from a future chapter which has been in my mind since I wrote it. Though I should probably do that after I actually finish writing the story. I finally got over the writers block I had for chapter 5 and 6 of part 2 but it meant that i had to change some of the events in the parts after and I have to write them still. 

And yes I know the whole 7 thing might be annoying to some of you but 7 is my favourite number so you are going to see it more.

See you next week lovelies <3