Design for Marinette up there ^^ I didn't know what the name is for this design, and Puppeteer was taken by Manon, so I'm going with Marionette (play on words, her name, and it also means puppet). I have no idea where I'm going with this, but rhymes and puppets so.

Why did they all believe Chloe, instead of me? Even Alya, who I thought I could trust, turned on me. All of them... Alya, Nino, Adrien... they all think I'm jealous of them. They all think I took Chloe's necklace, all because my locker was switched with hers and she forgot it. Of course, the only witness would could prove me innocent, had to be Sabrina, so of course they all think I'm guilty.

This is all bad luck. Sometimes I feel like a puppet, someone always pulling my strings to suit themselves. I'm just a marionette... No-one cares for the one being controlled, only the puppet master. Am I even talented? It's strange... everyone praises Ladybug for her beauty, her kindness, her courage, yet... everyone looks down on Marinette. Poor, clumsy, Marinette. A talent-less wanna-be follower. Glancing down at my bracelet, I sigh. It was meant to symbolize trust... between me and Alya... what use is it now? I barely notice the black butterfly land on it while my vision blurs.

Marionette... I am Hawkmoth.

No...

I can help you show them who really pulls the strings, but you must do something for me in return.

No.

Bring me Ladybug and Chat Noir's miraculous!

NO!!

"Yes, Hawkmoth." I feel Tikki take my earrings away as the akuma takes over my senses. An insane giggle escapes my mouth. My feet lift off the ground, and I look up to see strings holding me up. Stretching out an arm at a passing student, a string shoots towards her, tying her up like a puppet. She screams, I giggle again. "Puppet on a string... won't you bend to my whim? I know just the thing, I'll pull your every limb!" I spread my fingers and the strings pull her arms and legs out wide. Another scream runs out of her mouth and my giggles turn into laughs. "Scream again, it's music to my ears! Alert your friends, not enough are here!"

"Marinette?" A terrified voice comes from behind. Turning, I throw a twisted smile at my ex-best friend.

"Alya, once my only girl. Now watch as I turn you upside-down!" Letting the previous girl down, I throw a string at the brunette, and pull her strings so she's upside down. "Let me correct your words, I am Marionette, no longer class-clown!" I glide elegantly towards her and gaze into her fearful eyes. "You were once so brave, whatever happened to that? Was it fear you can't save the girl you called 'brat'?!"

"Marinette, stop!" A familiar black cat is behind me, no doubt. Another giggle bubbles out of my mouth.

"The poor little kitty, so terribly afraid. You lady isn't coming, pity, she'd rather I weren't 'saved'!" Still holding Alya, I shoot a string at Chat, who barely dodges. "Oh Chat, how unusual! It's unlike you to be off your game. Did I hit a nerve, minou, when I spoke her name?"

"What did you do to Ladybug?!" He yells. Oh, how ignorant he is, how unobservant.

"She will not appear, and I did nothing. My kwami left here, besides, Ladybug drove me nutty! And let me correct you once more, Marionette is my name. You've nothing to fight for, so give up this little game." I smirk at the startled blond. He stares, and while he is caught off guard, I 'tie him up'. "And now, I won't make a common mistake. Say ciao, your Miraculous is mine, piece of cake!"

"Marinette, please, don't listen to him!" He yells desperately as I near. Growing frustrated, I growl.

"Shut your mouth, Chat, you don't know anything. Your day has gone south, and little Marinette is nowhere to be seen! Betrayal brings heartbreak, this you should know, now that I'm awake, I eradicate my foe!" I snatch the ring off his finger and smirk at the now Adrien Agreste. "Of course it would be you, who else could it be? Life was already this cruel, just a little more bad luck for me!"

Adrien

Bad luck? What does she mean? Marionette giggles and spins in the air. "I thought ladybugs brought good luck, or was that another lie? Oh, this girl's life sucks, and she didn't even try!" Why would she mention ladybugs now? Ladybug isn't here, and Marionette said she wouldn't come. But how would she know? Why wouldn't Ladybug come? Oh, I am so screwed.

"ADRIEN, GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE CLOUDS, SHE'S LADYBUG!" Alya yells across the courtyard to me. Oh, right, that makes perfect sense... WAIT WHAT?!

"Oh Alya, so clever, figured it out already! Yes, Ladybug was indeed my endeavor, and yet my Kwami was so ready. Fled she did with my earrings, I don't know where she went. As soon as she heard the butterfly's wings, Tikki left with my consent!" A purple butterfly outline appears in front of her face, indicating Hawkmoth is talking to her. She suddenly looks determined, more like my Lady than I've ever seen. "Oh, Hawkmoth didn't you plan for this? I knew you wouldn't win. Can't let you have everything, don't hiss. After all, you let me in!" Marionette flies up higher and moves lightning quick, freeing Alya and I. We drop to the ground, Alya landing rather painfully and me landing gracefully, like a cat. "The Marionette now pulls the strings, she is in control. Beware Hawkmoth for nothing will stop me from freeing your soul!" She laughs, this time not malicious or frightening, a real, full laugh. "I knew this day would come, although I didn't predict these rhymes. After all, I am human and will succumb, but I won't let you get away this time!"

(A/N These rhymes are hurting my head. It's so frustrating to keep the pattern up. I MEAN, LOOK AT THAT PARAGRAPH UP THERE ^^ CAN I JUST THANK RHYMEZONE FOR BEING A WEBSITE?!)

"Marinette, my ring, can I have it back purrlease?"A smirk resides on my face as I hold out a hand for my Miraculous. She glances down at me with a small genuine smile.

"Ever so polite, kitten. I'm almost not surprised. No wonder I was so smitten, whether or not you were disguised." She tosses the ring down to me, that beautiful smile still on her face. "Now, run to your house. Your father's study, the forbidden room. Quick as you'd be chasing a mouse, I'll need my partner there in the gloom." She grins wider as she sees a kwami carrying a pair of earrings towards her.

My father's study? But... he couldn't be... could he? Tears prick at my eyes, and I'm certain Marinette notices because she settles herself in front of me, placing a hand on my cheek.

"I'm sorry, chaton, but you deserve truth. That lie could not go on, he already took away your youth. Gabriel was once my role model, everything I aspired to be. Yet the true role model is the one in front of me. Do not blame yourself, it will only hurt. He brought this on himself, but trust me, he'll be the one I convert. Evil to righteous, bad to good. Cure the virus, as all good doctors should." The rhymes confuse me somewhat but I understand what she's saying. Just to make sure, I suppose, she gets a pen and paper and writes on it. Your father is Hawkmoth, true. But I will free him, like all the other akumas, because he still loves you.

I chuckle at the rhyme, and she giggles. Now I rhyme all the time! I'm a poet and I know it!

(A/N This is turning out to be terrible, but you know what? I committed, so ONWARD WITH THE RHYMES!)

"Stoooop, the rhymes are almost as bad as my puns!" I whine. She jumps up and pumps a fist in the air.

"So you admit it, your puns are terrible! Finally you'll quit it, they were unbearable!" She yells excitedly. I snicker. after transforming back into my leather get-up.

"My puns may not be paw-some but I am never quitting it! That would be cat-astrophic!" Proudly, the puns roll off my tongue as she shakes her head. "Now, where is the akuma hiding? I can probably trap it until you get Tikki back, that way you can stop rhyming."

"No, I need these powers, no matter the cost. With this burden hiding in flowers, we can defeat Hawkmoth. Come, Chat Noir. We can no longer wait. Contain your purr, we cannot be late!" She grabs me by my waist and pulls me out of the building towards my house. I grin.

"While I enjoy this close proximity, milady, I could have gone on my own." She look down at me and returns my trade-mark grin.

"Adrien, shut your mouth and appreciate this moment. I'm willingly holding you, remember? And now I grasp for rhymes like a poet, remind me of this you should never." She grumbles the last half, visibly annoyed at rhyming. "I'm beginning to hate rhymes, don't get me wrong. Your poem was adorable at the time, but now the urge to throw it away is strong." I turn red.

"You read my poem? But I threw it away..."

"I have a strange personality, that is all I will tell. Now let's skip the formalities, on this I will no longer dwell." She flies us inside and I take off at a run towards my father's study. Sure enough, inside is a giant room filled with butterflies and a giant window, as well as a man. Hawkmoth. Gabriel Agreste. My father.

"Ahh, Marionette, and Chat Noir too. I have been expecting you." He smiles maliciously, much like the smile Marinette had on earlier.

"Now he's rhyming too? Come on, this isn't the circus!" I complain, grabbing my staff.

"I must applaud you, Hawkmoth, your plan was almost sublime. But now your plan is crumbling too, AND SO ARE MY RHYMES!" She stomps her foot in frustration, forced to continue her rhyming scheme. I snort and roll my eyes.

"Calm down, princess, if you'd just let me get rid of the akuma you wouldn't have to rhyme."

"Thank you kitty, I'd love to ditch the rhymes, but it would be a pity if we didn't defeat him this time!"

She stands beside me and extends an arms towards Hawkmoth. Tying him up, however, doesn't change a thing. He only stares at her in shock.

"How can you resist me?!" His voice is so much like my father's I almost wince. It hurts to find out your only family is a villain, especially while you're the hero. The hero he's been trying to destroy. I'm going to stop thinking about this.

"I'm stronger than you thought, better than that butterfly. Unlike the others I fought, and because of that I can rise. And now I broke free of the rhymes! Yes!" She pumps a hand through the air and I can;t help but smile affectionately at her adorableness. "Now, Hawkmoth, do you want to hand over your miraculous or should we take it?" 

He furrows his brow and growls angrily. I smirk and lean on milady's shoulder. "Give it up, Hawkmoth. We're stronger than you."

"Gabriel, I know why you're doing this. Why you want our miraculous. It's to get her back, isn't it?" Marinette's soft voice pierces the darkness, and I turn to look at her.

"Who back?"

"Your mother, Adrien." My heart stops at her sorrowful words.

"You... you could bring her back?"

Marinette

Oh no. He's falling for it. I know he is. Why did I tell him? No, he deserved to know what he was sacrificing. But... what if he doesn't sacrifice her?

"Yes, Adrien. I can bring your mother back, with your miraculous'. We can be a family again, and I will make time for you both, and we can live together happily while I rule Paris... then Europe... then the world, to make sure she doesn't leave again. Wouldn't you like that?" His voice is sly as a snake's. And Adrien's falling for it. Did he even hear the bit about ruling the world?!

"We could be... a family?" He mumbles, mostly to himself. I stare angrily at Hawkmoth, who smirks victoriously. Adrien, no, he won't betray me... would he?

"Join me Chat Noir, my son, give me your miraculous, and you can have her back." He extends a hand to Adrien, and...

He slips off his ring.

My blood chills as I watch him give the ring to Hawkmoth, before turning to me. "Please, Marinette... She means so much to me, I need her back." He pleads, and my face drains of colour. That's it. He chose his mother, while the rest of the world suffers.

I let out a dry laugh. "Oh my, what a turn of events! It's like you didn't hear his words. I was so sure of your heart's contents, it's almost absurd. He talks of ruling the world, he speaks of imprisonment. His whole plan unfurled, and so I will remain vigilant."

His face drains in horror as I lift off the ground, and lift Hawkmoth as well, so he can't interfere. "No, please!" He screams as I rip off the butterfly broach and take the ring from his hand, before breaking my breaking my bracelet and reverting myself. Transforming into Ladybug, I cleanse my akuma, and give one last, disappointed look to Adrien, before silently swinging away.

The next day

"Oh my god, Mari, I'm so sorry! I should have believed you, after you came out as Ladybug, Chloe told us she lied." Alya rambles on apologetically, and I cut her off with a hand.

"It's okay, Als. I'm just glad we're still friends." Her eyes glaze over.

"I almost ruined that! Marinette, what did I do to deserve you?" She hugs me, and I return it before striding into the classroom, head held high. Tikki scolded me for losing control of my emotions, and revealing myself, but congratulated me for defeating Hawkmoth. She knew how hard it was for me, with my partner and crush betraying me. After giving the butterfly miraculous back to the mysterious old man, she mentioned I would have to return her to Master Fu soon, now that Hawkmoth's gone. I was going to be sad to see her go, but it was for the best.

"Alya, more like what didn't you do?" We both giggle and slide into our seats, and suddenly I'm aware of every eye in the room staring at me. Gulping, I turn to my best friend. "Do they all know?" She nods regretfully, and I sigh. Standing, I address the class. "Yes, your clumsy classmate Marinette is Ladybug. Please contain your disappointment, because I must inform you that Ladybug will be retiring. With the defeat of Hawkmoth, I am no longer needed. Thank you." Abruptly sitting down, I sigh and place my head on the table.

"No way, why do you have to retire, you could help the police with regular criminals!" Alya exclaims, shaking my shoulder. I open one eye to stare at her.

"And do what? While akumas have supernatural powers, regular criminals are often more dangerous than the people I faced, because they're armed with knives and guns. Besides, we don't want the police out of a job. And what happens if I get seriously hurt? My parents would worry, you would worry." Chat would worry. I don't say that out loud, because I'm still hurting over his betrayal. "Being Ladybug was fun, but it was never going to last forever. Superheroes aren't needed once the villain is defeated." Sending her a smile, I stretch and turn my attention to the teacher who just walked in.

"Alright, onto the lesson." The door opens and footsteps echo. My smile falters as I watch the blond boy. "Adrien, you are very lucky. Now, today we will be discussing..."

Ms Bustier's voice fades out as I avoid Adrien's gaze.

Today was going to be a long day.

Adrien

I run after her as she exits the school. "Marinette, wait!" She stops, and stiffly turns to face me.

"Yes, Adrien? What do you want?" Her voice is flat and emotionless, her eyes blank. It tears my heart in half to see her acting like this, but she has every right to. And that just shatters my soul.

"Please... what will it take for you to forgive me? I'll do anything, I can't take this coldness." My voice cracks and she finally meets my eyes. I hold back my gasp of surprise when I see her strikingly beautiful blue eyes brimming with tears.

"You... you betrayed me. You chose your own needs over the freedom of Paris. You... you stopped being the hero I loved. I can't forget, and I can't forgive. You let him so easily manipulate you..." Her voice trails off as tears begin to make their way down her face. I want so desperately to wipe them away. "You hurt me, you threatened the safety of my family, my friends. I can't let that go." 

And she walks away, cutting off anything I was going to say. Watching her go, I feel my heart fill with regret and sadness.

"I'm sorry."

You have no idea how long this took me to write....