The Greatest Limit is Yourself

Author's Note: Hello everyone! This is my first Miraculous fic and I just love this adorable show! This is all written up to and including Malediktor. So if you haven't watched it there is just a bit of a spoiler for you in this chapter. There will be a total of 5 chapters. . . maybe 6 if I can't tie up the ending like I want to.

Anyway! I really hope you enjoy this!

I will not be adding the peacock miraculous! Nor will I add Nathalie's role if ya'll know what I mean.

One

Hello Miss Illusion

She didn't think she would feel bitter.

It was an emotion that tasted like blood—the only thing left as collateral damage after the storm in her chest made of doubts and insecurities. It ate her from the inside out.

It was after a patrol when it happened. The night was full of playful banter, keeping an eye out on the quiet streets of Paris, and racing on the rooftops. She and Chat Noir stopped at the Eiffel Tower, looking down at the twinkling streets.

Chat wasn't even supposed to be there that night as it was her turn to patrol. But when she asked about it, his ears drooped down and his shoulders were drawn upwards as he muttered something about not wanting to stay home. Her heart gave a little squeeze, watching her partner with concern. But then he suddenly perked back up, giving her some charm and an awful pun, even though his eyes didn't seem as joyous as they usually did.

"I made a deal with my kwami, Plagg, to transform. One hour out for a whole wheel of camembert," he had said to her with a chuckle. She couldn't relate too much; it didn't take a lot for Tikki to let her transform. Just a promise to be careful and a warm cookie once they returned.

She wanted to ask him. . . She wanted to press the issue just a bit and make sure he was alright. But how could she? She was Ladybug and he was Chat Noir, and with that came with the responsibilities of protecting Paris. . . Even protecting her partner. As much as she wanted to know the little, almost seemingly insignificant details of his life, just so he could feel better, she knew that it would cause more harm than good for them both.

Instead, they stayed on the usual, light and impersonal topics until it was time to go. They parted ways for the night, Ladybug going one way and Chat Noir going another. . . only for her to swing around to head home. She could never be too careful and made sure she appeared to go in the opposite direction from the bakery.

As she landed on a lower rooftop, her legs bent and poised to leap again, blonde hair caught her eye and she instinctively looked down into an alleyway.

Then she accidentally saw Chat Noir's detransformation. She couldn't turn away fast enough, couldn't shield her eyes. . .

"Camembert! Caaammeemberttt!" A squeaky voice demanded. A voice she rightfully assumed was Chat Noir's kwami.

Her chest suddenly felt heavy and her head felt dangerously light.

She broke the number one rule.

Marinette knew her partner's identity.

She actually knew him.

And of course.

Of course out of all the people in Paris. . . out of all of them, Chat Noir had to be Adrien Agreste.

Just had to be.

A person who she couldn't string a proper sentence around. . . A person that made her melt when he smiled. . . A person she was a total klutz around. . . A person who was in love with Ladybug and wouldn't look at Marinette twice.

She felt like an idiot.

She felt like she was going to be sick.

Everyone loved Ladybug. . . and Marinette tried to exude the same confidence, but it always fell short. How was she supposed to process that her Chaton was her long time crush Adrien? How was she supposed to wrap her head around that Adrien. . . was in love with her alter ego?

Tikki always said that she was a true Ladybug, that she was the same outside of the mask as she was inside. Marinette can stand up to the likes of Chloe, help out a friend in need, and give her hand to a little old man who had fallen.

She remembered when she wanted to give Tikki away when she had messed up with Stoneheart, because who on earth thought that she would make a good superhero? She remembered how she felt useless and thought that everything must have been a mistake.

But now it has been a year. A solid year and she wouldn't have trade it for anything. She still blubbered to Adrien like an idiot sometimes, but it wasn't so bad now. Confidence swelled within her, her friendship with nearly everyone in the class was holding strong. . . She had even helped Chloe to be the change she needed in her life with the Bee Miraculous.

To a point, of course.

Baby steps.

But now, as the sweep of green light and magic left Adrien in its wake, Marinette had seen enough.

He was in love with Ladybug, and only saw Marinette as a friend.

How was she any better? She was in love with Adrien. . . yet she wouldn't give Chat Noir the time of day.

She mutely turned around, vaulting from rooftop to rooftop, swinging her yoyo and hurling herself through the air. Her earrings made a shrill beep even though she had yet to use her Lucky Charm. Landing on her balcony with a little less than her usual grace, Marinette released her transformation and Tikki hovered in front of her, concern creasing her little features.

"Marinette?" Tikki inquired softly. But her chosen only sighed, lifted up the hatch and slid into her room, landing on her bed awkwardly.

"I'm fine Tikki."

The kwami followed, settling on Marinette's knees as she curled into herself, pulling her knees to her chest. Tikki reached out, placing her little paws on Marinette's cheek. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Marinette shook her head silently, bitter tears forming in her eyes as much as she tried to fight them. She leaned her head down, hiding her face from the kwami as her shoulders shook. Tikki drifted into her collar, pressing herself against her neck in hopes the small warmth she possessed would be comforting.

.

.

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Chloe was having a wonderful day.

Absolutely fantastic!

With her mother staying in Paris, paying attention to her for what felt like the first time, with helping Ladybug to deakumatize her father, with her classmates finally seeing what an amazing person she was, it was just a fabulous day!

Oh yes. It was wonderful! Nothing could bring her down!

She held her head high as she stepped into the classroom with her shoulders straight back. Command the room , her mother had taught her.

And just as she pivoted gracefully past Adriekins' desk in her expensive shoes, her toe suddenly caught something and she toppled to the ground with a very unladylike squawk.

Laughter filled the room and embarrassment flooded through her. Cheeks tinged pink and her eyes narrowed in righteous anger, she lifted up her head to see just who dared to trip her.

She might have daddy expel them.

Might . . . But then again, that wasn't what a superhero would do, was it? No. Of course not.

Adrien was poised out of his seat and his hands reached out to help her up. Her Adriekins wasn't the offender! But as her clear blue eyes looked around, she sneered at the bookbag near her feet. . . the real culprit.

"Are you okay Chloe?" Adrien's sweet voice filled her ears but it did nothing to calm her ire.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" she snapped.

Okay, so maybe just this once she would have daddy expel her. She wasn't perfect.

Baby steps.

The pitiful girl lifted her head from the desk she was currently resting against and Chloe grimace at her unattractive face. She had dark bags under her eyes and her skin was an unhealthy pale complexion.

Ugh, even someone like Dupain-Cheng should wear a little bit of makeup. She was ghastly!

Not that Chloe cared, of course.

"You tripped me!" she seethed, dusting off her very expensive designer pants with a haughty flair.

"It's too early to deal with this," Alya groaned miserably as she walked in, crossing her arms and jutting her hip out as she glared tiredly at Chloe.

But, of course, Adrien was too sweet of a person, and he came to that girl's aid. "I don't think it was on purpose, right Marinette?"

When the girl in question moved her eyes to the beautiful model in front of her, she visibly flinched, shrinking into her seat. "Sorry Chloe," she murmured, not even looking at Chloe as she hid her face once more.

Adrien frowned at her reaction, but Chloe was even more annoyed by such a half hearted apology.

"Sorry? You're sorry? It doesn't sound like you are, Dupain-Cheng! Didn't your parents teach you some manners? Oh, maybe they didn't because even they don't know any!"

Marinette jerked roughly in her seat.

Okay, so maybe that wasn't such a nice thing to say. . . A superhero always protected the weak! Even weak and worthless as Marinette!

Even weak and worthless as herself . . .

Adrien turned to give her a look and Chloe only pouted, refusing to show the remorse which began to settle heavily in her chest.

Alya glowered at her as she opened her mouth to say something, but the little pitiful excuse for a DJ slipped into the classroom. "Morning guys" he said, but then froze by his seat. His smile dropped, feeling the choking atmosphere. "What did I miss?"

At that moment, Mlle Bustier arrived, forcing the class to settle down into their seats. It seemed that the rest of the students were watching the drama unfold with rapture. Alya gave Chloe one more scathing look before sitting down in her seat and placing her hand on Marinette's shoulder.

Chloe hmphed as she spun around, walking to her desk without incident this time.

As soon as she slid into her seat, Sabrina started babbling again and Chloe inwardly sighed.

Everything felt like such a waste of time. Sitting in class, listening to the teacher drone on and on. And she didn't need to even pay attention because she was just that brilliant.

She wondered what Ladybug was doing at the moment. Even Chat Noir. . . or the other Miraculous wielders. Where they sitting in class just like her? Or where they out there somewhere? Fighting against evil and injustice?

Chloe would never admit that she religiously checked the Ladyblog , even though it was run by that tacky Alya Césaire.

She at least had some good taste to feature Queen Bee.

Chloe refused to read the negative comments and relished in the good. Even someone like her could be a superhero.

"Miss Dupain-Cheng!" Mlle Bustier suddenly snapped, effectively pulling Chloe from her internal gushing as she turned her head towards the most annoying girl in the class.

Chloe raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow as she watch Marinette's hunched shoulders quake.

"I. . . I forgot them."

The teacher tutted. "As the class president, you should be more responsible than this," she reprimanded.

Marinette's face was turning red as she kept her eyes glued to her desk.

"What's gotten into you, Mari?" She could hear Alya ask her.

Adrien's voice was full of concern to a point it grated on Chloe's nerves. "Marinette, are you okay?"

A wave of murmuring from the rest of the class drifted around the classroom. . . Everyone was concerned about the well-being of Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

The little annoying girl lifted her head to stare at Adrien, her face turning pale and Chloe rolled her eyes.

Marinette, Marinette, MARINETTE! It was all about her!

"Ugh, just leave her alone, Adrien. She obviously can't function around you with her pathetic little crush on you."

The whole class was swallowed into silence.

When Chloe realized she had said that aloud, her stomach plunged. She knew that wasn't what a superhero would do.

"Dude. . ." Nino's incredulous voice broke through the silence as all of the class stared at her in horror like she was Hawk Moth himself.

The look on Marinette's face would have made her feel giddy a long time ago, but, now it made the remorse sit heavier in her chest, anchoring her to the seat.

Adrien couldn't help himself from staring at Marinette, his cheeks pink and eyes wide. Marinette was obviously shaking and Alya's hand was gently rubbing soothing circles on her back.

The rest of the class was glaring at Chloe.

"A-alright class, enough! Back to today's lesson—" the teacher tried, unaware or at least trying to ignore the swarming of high emotions and the tension it brought into the classroom.

But then Marinette shot up from her seat and bolted out the door.

Silence settled in the classroom again as they all watched the door slowly fall shut in Marinette's wake.

"I didn't think you'd be that cruel, Chloe," Alya hissed before leaping from her seat and ripping the door open, sprinting after her friend.

Superheroes weren't cruel. . .

Maybe she really was worthless.

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.

.

Marinette's frantic footsteps echoed down the empty hallway. Her heart pounded uncomfortably against her rib cage, her blood rushing and her breaths too fast.

At a dead end, her body hit heavily against the wall though she barely felt it. With her back against the cold surface, she slumped down to the floor, her knees folding into her chest.

"I-I c-can't believe s-she said that. . ." she hiccuped.

Tikki wiggled out of her small purse, quickly nestling into the crook of Marinette's neck.

It was just like the night before.

"It's okay Marinette," Tikki soothed, rubbing her little paws against her charge's skin in comfort.

"I-I just wanted t-to keep it to myself. . . let th-is crush go away. . . I just need to get o-over it but now he knows! He knows and now he will see me but not for the reason I wanted! It will be pity and he'll tell me gently that he doesn't love me because he is in love with another part of me that I'm not truly am!"

"Don't say that!" Tikki lightly scolded. "Of course your both! There aren't two sides of you, Marinette. . . You're limiting yourself."

But Marinette only sniffed, ignoring her kwami. "I forgot the forms I made for the class trip at home. I couldn't even defend my parents . . . I'm just letting everyone down."

If they were paying attention, they would have noticed the black butterfly fluttering towards Marinette, drawn to her miserable emotions like sweet pollen.

"You're not letting anyone down," Tikki started to say, but Marinette curled into herself tighter.

"I just want to disappear. . ."

And then the butterfly landed on her purse.

"Oh my sweet."

Her entire body tensed as a tidal wave of darkness washed over her. "Tikki!" she gasped.

"I can give you that power, but only if you return the favor. . ."

Tikki zoomed out of Marinette's hair, only to gasp as she saw the flickering outline of Hawk Moth's mask.

"Marinette!" she shrieked.

Her charged dug her fingers into her hair as if to rip out Hawk Moth's voice right from her head, squeezing her eyes shut.

"In return for you powers, you must retrieve Chat Noir's and Ladybug's miraculouses and bring them to me."

Black started to form over Marinette's body, but it was slow. . . as if resisting. "No, no, no, no, no! NO!"

The sweet sinnister promises echoed in her head like a soothing balm to her anxiety and emotional turmoil, forcing her to feel serene and calm.

Marinette hissed back, hoping her words had enough venom to kill him. Fury melded with pain, blended with her sorrow and hurt, creating a perfect pallet for Hawk Moth to craft the most perfect akuma yet.

"If only you stop resisting me, my dear."

But she fought against him, every fiber of her entire being. . . Well, almost every fiber. There was a small part of her lulled by the false sense of security. The part of her that believed she wasn't a good enough Ladybug, that everyone would be disappointed because she was just plain old Marinette. The part that let her class down, the part of her that wanted to hide from Adrien and Chat Noir for the rest of her miserable existence.

"Marinette!" Tikki's muffled voice sounded so small over the loud rushing of her blood in pure panic. He was taking over. . . Hawk Moth was taking over. "Fight it!" The kawami cried, her large eyes welled with tears and determination as her little paws beat against her cheek. She stayed close to the side of her neck so Hawk Moth wouldn't see her. "You're stronger than him! Even without me! Remember that!"

Marinette could barely hear Tikki, Hawk Moth's voice was so loud and the panic racing in her mind made her feel like she was drowning in an endless, bottomless sea.

"Hello Miss Illusion."

Marinette shrieked, pulling at her hair as if the sharp bite at her scalp would silence Hawk Moth and dull the emptiness rapidly swelling up inside of her. Darkness moved like sludge across her body, the transformation slow and extraordinary painful. Why did it feel like this? She curled into herself tighter as if to slow it down.

Because she couldn't fight it.

"Sweet, sweet little Marinette. It would be so much easier if you just let me help you. I promise it won't hurt anymore. Just let go."

"No!" she screamed. She sounded different already. . . like she was underwater. But the purple butterfly mask was still stubbornly streaked across her face and she could feel the akuma pushing harder, forcing her to succumb like the spineless girl they all thought she was.

Or perhaps she really was.

"MARINETTE!"

Lifting her head was difficult but the sound of that voice made her try harder until she saw Alya. The brave and amazing girl was running towards Marinette with a speed she had never used, even if it were to save her own life when recording akuma fights for the Ladyblog.

She would have made a better Ladybug, she thought to herself.

Alya slid on her knees to get to Marinette as fast as possible, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Oh Marinette," she sobbed, reaching out and placing her hand on Marinette's half formed shoulder and squeezing. Her wide glassy eyes roamed her slow transformation. "You fight him, girl. Fight him. "

But Marinette couldn't hear her anymore. More and more black covered her body, stretching across skin in a deadly path to her heart. She moved her shaking hands to her ears as if to remove her earrings and give them to Alya. She needed to keep Tikki safe. If there was anything she could do, she would keep the kawami safe. It was like moving in water, only thicker, more resistance against her movement.

But then she stopped just shy of the magical jewelry.

Hawk Moth would know. Alya would know.

Everyone would know.

That she had failed.

A sickness churned in her stomach, rioting in a fierce battle against the akuma and the voice in her head. But Hawk Moth latched onto that awful feeling of disappointing everyone and tried to consume her.

"Just let go."

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