Archive of Our Own ^beta

The black-leathered hero was flung into the distance off the school roof by a particularly powerful kick from Volphina’s strong legs. The long battle had become one of attrition, forcing a chase of illusions and lies across Paris. If he was getting exhausted, it was now or never.

Five long hours of delirious madness must end eventually, even for a practiced, conniving liar. Spotting a temporary safe space behind an elevator bulkhead, Marinette took a small window of her gloating to Hawk Moth as a moment to get away.

She flipped backward a distance, ducking while tossing the yoyo up. “Luc-”

“Not so fast!” A surge of pounding footsteps echoed in a split second.

“-ky charm!?” The confident, deadly venom in the opponent's tone startled.

The sneering enemy charged forward–a thick wooden flute smacked across Marinette from around a corner, delivering a nasty bruise, and a bleeding broken nose. A humming ring of blue shimmered to life behind her. Another crack rang out, another hit to the face.

“Voyage!”

The call of the miraculous power caught her off guard.

The sole of a leather boot smashed into the heroine's back, causing her to gasp in pain despite her suit's protection. A foxy, sly voice snickered as the chilly air of Paris gave way to the hot, blistering winds of a foreign exile. The lucky charm floundered from grasp off the rooftop.

A multitude of Vophina's flashed, existing instantaneously and simultaneously. Marinette tried to regain footing, but couldn't through the barrage of strikes they delivered. Nor could she find the true one as they knocked her back.

Just as she saw the sheen of a true soul in the eyes of one, the stolen miraculous power materialized fully. The moment of distraction cost her. Every one of the fox forms rapidly blurred to one location–in front of her, with cold, nimble hands cupping her face.

“Good luck getting back!”

One last kick delivered to Marinette's stomach. The aura of Kaalki's portal ring electrified her, leaving her writhing as she fell through it, feeling her earrings ripped off at the same time. She fell upon hot, burning sand, accidentally tasting some, muffling her words.

“Enjoy your just deserts!”

Marinette stumbled to get and reach forth, earlobes bleeding, the red-black-polka patterns fading out. She stood up, despite the blazing sun. Malicious brown eyes smirked, an orange tail swishing. The purple butterfly mask brightened, leaving Marinette frozen for a moment.

“Who cares about her identity?”

Marinette straggled forth. “Yo-’

Lila snapped her fingers. A silver ring gleamed in the sunlight. The cries of a black-leathered cat coming just into view cut off as the portal collapsed. Marinette's hand outstretched touched singing air just milliseconds later.

She fumbled again onto her knees, hand splayed awkwardly. Heartbeats rampantly thrummed raggedly. Fear threatened to overtake–venting panic coursed through her veins. The pale, white-yellow sand filled her vision. Everything had gone wrong.

Unbearable, unparalleled heat beat upon Marinette's thick rainwear as her magic suit vanished at last. Sweat drenched within seconds. She struggled to breathe, compounding thoughts frying her brain. There was nothing here but her and the cruelty of nature.

No resources.

Stranded.

Alone-

Marinette slapped herself.

And burst out a swift shriek to regain control.

No time for breaking down.

Standing up in a snap, she blinked rapidly, adjusting to the blinding white. Marinette licked sand from a finger. Grimy, gritty, crunchy–and swallowed. It had a distinct appeal of rockiness. She knew it’d been worth exploring the world with Kaalki. Thirst hummed her now parched mouth.

Mongolia.

Marinette held her hand to her forehead, shading her eyes. Gazing at the horizon's haze, a rocky outcrop, a reddish-brown, presented itself, barely visible in the arid air. Twenty-five kilometers, give it take. Nothing else was as present or quite visible.

To prepare, she ripped portions of her jacket, proceeding to sew them with emergency thread stowed in her purse. In a few minutes, Marinette crafted a hood that fastened tight to her head and neck. Ensuring every inch of skin covered–just her luck to have long clothes—she started.

Not even ten minutes later, Marinette swore she felt the Gobi’s sweltering heat drying her to a husk already. Nonetheless, she carried on. Whether she must walk to Shanghai, seek the Temple, or wait for her Chat to find her, she must survive.

A fold up umbrella unsheathed from her purse, repurposed as a walking stick. Marinette would make it. She knew she would. Gritting her teeth, she found the right will to carry on. She’d do it to spite Lila, she’d survive purely to show her what a real person can do.

Marinette smirked.

Let the adventure begin.