Chapter Text
It was a good thing that Hawkmoth’s attacks allowed Marinette to become used to supervillains at this point because otherwise, she would be losing her mind.
Oh, right, context.
Marinette’s class were still on their trip to Gotham. They had forgotten her again, but she decided she could spend the time with Damian. He accepted her offer, and together they toured some of the sights in Gotham during the day. They didn’t look as spooky as they usually did at night, and Marinette quickly wrote down and sometimes sketched out many design ideas during their adventure.
An adventure that was now put on hold because of a villain who thought green was a good color on him.
When outsiders heard of the big bad Gotham villains, they typically talked about The Joker or Harley Quinn, maybe Poison Ivy or Bane or even Catwoman. The Riddler was mentioned often, but he was the bottom of the ones on top. The A- of the A’s if you will.
Marinette knew he liked riddles and traps and he wore a lot of green. That was pretty much it.
Damian and Marinette were in line to get ice cream when the widows were suddenly blacked out. Damian grabbed Marinette’s hand. The doors locked, and the few people in the shop were trapped with the Riddler. He pointed a question mark shaped gun at them and demanded that they go to the back room.
Damian held Marinette’s hand, mumbling that it would be all right. Marinette nodded numbly, realizing that she likely couldn’t escape to become Ladybug if needed.
Tikki was unmoving in her purse.
She looked around her. The Riddler had the cashier, a father, and his two daughters, her and Damian.
The two girls were silent and scared, their shoulders hunched, but they continued to walk. Each held one of their father’s hands. The father himself was steely and glaring, but she saw the tremble in his lip. The cashier was wide-eyed and shaking. Marinette saw the beginnings of an anxiety attack in him. The worker that was dishing up the ice cream had followed them out but put on a mask. Must have been a henchman in disguise.
Damian was angry. He looked impassive at a glance, but his emotionless stare showed the fire in his eyes. Marinette hoped his anger didn’t lead to recklessness.
“Now that I’ve got you all here,” the Riddler cackled, “I need two volunteers to do the puzzle I set up until Batman and his batbrats show up! The others will wait here locked in a room as bait.”
Marinette glanced at the group. Two little girls, one around five and one around eight. A cashier struggling to breathe. A father wanting to protect his daughters.
Two pissed off able-bodied teenagers.
“We’ll go,” Marinette sounded more confident than she felt when she lifted her and Damian’s still conjoined hands.
He hissed something at her, it sounded like a question, but the blood roaring in her ears drowned out the words.
The Riddler grinned. “Excellent! A Wayne and a foreigner! Follow me!”
A Wayne? Marinette glanced at Damian but he started walking, dragging her for a few steps before she caught up.
The henchman locked the door behind them, locking the four others in the hallway. Marinette and Damian were now locked in with The Riddler
It was massive.
The room was the size of her school gym with green and purple squares covering the floor. There were black edges where they were standing now, but the majority of the room was square tiles.
They were on the ceiling too, Marinette noticed. The low hanging lights were still high enough to see the ceiling. Marinette could even see the hinges on the squares – What were those for?. Green squares were above purple squares and vice versa.
“What did you do?” Damian whispers. The blood roaring in Marinette’s ears was quiet enough for her to hear.
“We were the best bet,” she whispers back. An angry protective father would be rash. A panicking employee would stumble. Two young girls would be unpredictable.
Damian is angry, but from the, so far, little time they’ve spent together, Marinette knows he’s smart. He calculates his movements, coordinates the best course of action. He’s angry, but he will hopefully think before being reckless.
And she’s Ladybug, though currently without her suit. She’s dealt with similar things before, and she can do it again.
“As you can see,” The Riddler gestured to the brightly colored room, “there’s a gameboard. And you two are game pieces. Make a wrong step and…”
He reached for his cane that was tied at his belt and pressed a button on it. The green square nearest to them made a beeping sound. The purple square above it opened up like a latch and bricks dropped from it.
The sound of the bricks hitting the ground was loud, Marinette and Damian both flinched. She closed her eyes and gripped his hand tighter.
When she opened her eyes again, she surveyed the damage. The bricks went through the green square, opening up a dark hole below the floor. Marinette couldn’t see how far down it was.
The Riddler grinned, “as implied, if you make one wrong step then you die! Simple enough to understand?”
Marinette had to fight not to shake. She felt anger rising from within her – not fear.
She glanced at Damian. He was shifting his feet, his expression neutral. Was he angry too? Or was he scared?
Marinette’s anger grew. Her friend shouldn’t have to be scared.
She turned back to The Riddler. “How do we know if any of the cubes are fake?” she asked. Her voice shook, but she shifted her feet and didn’t meet The Riddler’s eyes so he mistook her fury for fear.
Villains loved to be feared.
Damian’s hand tightening grounded her to reality.
The Riddler smiled.
“I assure you there is a way to win,” he chuckled. “Now, who wants to go first?”
So, yeah. It was a good thing that Hawkmoth’s attacks allowed Marinette to become used to supervillains at this point because otherwise, she would be losing her mind.
She heard Damian move behind her. He was going to offer to go first, she knew it.
“I’ll go.”
Her voice sounded meek. Good.
“Angel,” Damian hissed, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“No takebacks!” the villain laughed. “Go ahead and choose, but make it snappy!”
Marinette squeezed Damian’s hand before letting go.
She glanced at the floor. All the tiles that were the same color seemed to be made of the same paint. They all had the same texture of wood. They were all identical from what she could see. But there had to be a way to tell which ones were dangerous.
She looked at the ceiling. There was one open tile-door but the others were closed and waiting. She couldn’t see latches. The colors were the same paint as the floor, the same size as each other and the floor. The only real difference from the floor was the hinges but-
The hinges!
The hinge on the open door was large. Likely more expensive, made to hold a lot of weight. But there were hinges on other tiles that were smaller. Likely cheaper and not made to hold a bunch of bricks.
It was the best chance she had.
Marinette looked at the closest one with a small hinge. It was one down from the hole in the floor, two steps and she would be on it.
“Go already,” The Riddler snarled. “Unless you want your friend to go-”
Marinette stepped on the purple square.
The Riddler chuckled, and fear finally overpowered the anger. What if she was wrong? What if the hinges were a fake trap and she was about to die? What if-
He clicked the button.
The square under her feet beeped.
Damian inhaled.
The trapdoor opened.
Marinette did not scream.
She did stiffen. Nothing came.
She looked up in time for a soft feather land on her nose.
“Lucky guess!” The Riddler cackled with glee. “Let’s hope you can keep it up! But for now, it’s your friend’s turn.”
Marinette’s eyes widened. “Why can’t I play alone?” she asked.
She felt Tikki hit her leg and ignored her.
“What, think your friend isn’t as lucky as you?” he asked. “Tick, toc, Wayne. Don’t keep us waiting.”
Damian looked at the squares on the ground, trying to figure out where to step. He didn’t look up. He wasn’t going to get it right.
Marinette glanced up. The green one to his right should be safe. It was the one next to her.
Damian began to step on the purple one next to the green one. It wasn’t safe. The hinge was too large it wasn’t safe Damian was going to die and-
He looked at Marinette, seeing her panic.
He didn’t step on it.
Marinette relaxed, ever so slightly. Damian looked her in the eyes and she glanced at the safe square.
He stepped on the green square next to her.
When The Riddler clicked his button, another feather dropped down on Damian.
“Seems the little foreigner is helping the competition!” The Riddler growled. “You think I wouldn’t see the silent communication there? Now you have to answer a riddle for every turn, girlie! Answer correctly and you’ll survive.”
Marinette saw Damian get angry for a second before his face became neutral again. She felt nervousness rise within her.
The Riddler was known for his riddles. This may be harder than she thought…
“Take your turn,” the villain growled.
Marinette did, stepping on another safe space. When the feather fell, The Riddler growled lowly.
“Now answer this,” his voice was low.
Marinette’s breathing quickened.
Damian’s fist clenched.
She tried not to shake, she was going to get it wrong and die and-
“What is the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space, the beginning of every end and the end of every race?”
Marinette blinked, all her nervousness and fear draining out of her.
This was supposed to be a hard riddle? By the villain named after them? Annoyance was the prickling sensation over and over again that made her skin crawl and want to be itched. This villain is trying to kill them through an elaborate game and gave her such an easy riddle?
“The letter E,” she tried not to growl.
The Riddler frowned. “Take another turn.”
“But what about mine-”
“Shut it, Wayne,” The Riddler growled at him. “Take another turn, girlie. Your luck will run out eventually.”
Marinette took another turn. She got another feather.
The Riddler snarled, glaring at the ceiling.
Did he not know? Marinette mentally shook her head. The Riddler knew which squares were good and which ones were bad, he was simply frustrated that Marinette knew too.
“Go again!” he barked, forgoing the riddle.
Marinette went again. She had to step over a square but was safe once more.
“How can you tell?” the villain was snarling. “How do you know which ones you can use and which ones you can’t?”
Marinette shrugged. There was no way she was giving away the clue to him, he would only fix it the next time. “Just lucky I guess.”
“No, you figured something out,” The Riddler hissed. “How? How did you do it?”
She heard movement behind her and panicked for a moment. What was Damian doing? She scoffed so The Riddler wouldn’t hear him too.
“As if I’d tell you,” she held her head up, haughty.
Tikki hit her leg again but it was too late.
She could see the villain’s resolve snap.
When he lunged, Marinette was expecting it. Distantly, she heard someone yell behind her but her focus was on her immediate surroundings and her movements.
Sidestep to avoid the villain. Sweep under feet to make him lose his balance. Elbow to the side to topple him over. Jump to avoid his attempt to bring her down with him. Kick his remote away from him.
Of course, the villain didn’t stay down. Once she kicked his device away he was up again, this time fighting her with more intelligent movements.
No sweat. She won against akuma smarter than her before.
And it became apparent to her within a few seconds that The Riddler was not very good at fighting hand to hand combat.
She jabbed him in the throat before quickly running off the board to look for Damian.
Instead, she ran into another body.
“Woah, calm down,” Marinette didn’t recognize the voice, but she did recognize Red Robin and Robin, who were both standing where she was running toward.
Robin looked a little messy, almost like he changed his costume quickly. He also looked surprised, but Marinette couldn’t fathom why.
She looked behind them, seeing the door she and Damian entered through open, the other people from before missing.
She didn’t see Damian.
“Where’s my friend?” she asked. “Damian, he came here with me and-”
“It’s alright An- civilian,” Robin stepped forward. Red Robin walked to the villain. “I carried him out while The Riddler was focused on you.”
“You knocked him out,” Red Robin commented from behind her.
Marinette glanced back and shrugged. “Punching faces is stupid, you’re more likely to hurt your hand if you don’t do it right. Going for the throat is a dirty move but more effective.”
Robin looked surprised again, and Marinette was confused. Why was it surprising? Most people in Paris took up basic self-defense, so it’s not like she told him she was Ladybug.
“How’d you figure out his riddle board thing?” Red Robin asked.
Marinette turned to face him and pointed upward. “Anyone can figure it out if they look up! It’s obvious.”
Red Robin looked up. Marinette heard Robin move behind her and assumed he was also looking up.
“What?” Robin sounded confused.
“Oh!” Red Robin snapped his fingers. “The hinges?”
Marinette nodded. “He must have cut some corners because there’s no way the small hinges would hold a bunch of bricks.”
She heard Robin make an, “Oh,” sound behind her.
Red Robin looked back at her. “You’re pretty smart.”
Marinette’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “No, it’s something anyone would notice if they looked up! I just managed to use the knowledge.”
Red Robin didn’t look like he believed her, but Marinette didn’t know what she could do to dissuade him. She wasn’t as smart as Max, or anyone else, she just noticed her surroundings. It was a habit she picked up from being Ladybug.
There were footsteps behind her, too heavy to be Robin. Marinette saw Red Robin nod to them and assumed it was another one of Gotham’s heroes.
“How’d you know enough self-defense to take out one of Gotham’s villains?” Robin sounded suspicious.
Marinette relaxed slightly. “Paris has akuma like, every week. Most citizens learn enough self-defense to stay alive during attacks. I did a little more because my classmates are akumatized the most.”
Red Robin stepped forward. “Is there any more information on these akuma you can-”
“Robin,” a voice said from behind Marinette and Robin. She didn’t jump since she knew someone else was there.
She turned to see Batman, THE Batman, talking to Robin. “Please allow the civilian to leave, we need to get The Riddler to Arkham.”
Robin sighed.
“I’ll guide her out,” Red Robin offered, and Batman cut off any protests from Robin.
Marinette walked away with Red Robin, managing to shake off her starstruck-ness about Batman when they neared the exit.
“You really are smart,” Red Robin told her. “Most people don’t take notice of details like that easily. And I heard you solved one of his riddles.”
Marinette made a face. “His riddle was kind of pathetic. Anyone would have solved it.”
Red Robin shrugged. “Your friend is waiting in the police station down the street.”
Marinette felt her shoulders drop in relief. “Thank you,” she said before making her way to the station quickly.
Behind her, Red Robin smiled and walked back inside. Marinette was a genius, even if she didn’t realize, and he hoped Damian invited her over soon so he could see who was smarter of the two of them.
She may actually be a challenge!
Marinette walked into the police station only to be immediately hugged by the two girls.
“Thank you,” the older one’s voice was muffled by her stomach. “I was so scared. Thank you for not letting him take us.”
“I’m happy to help,” she assured them.
She saw their father talking to the officer. His eyes met hers and he mouthed, “thank you.”
She nodded to let him know she understood. The little girls let go of her and went to their father.
Looking around more, she saw the cashier being talked to by the officer. He looked a lot calmer now, thankfully. The henchman was in cuffs and being escorted to the cells for transfer.
She didn’t see Damian.
Worry was ice water in her veins and she began to shiver. Where was he? Did something happen? Was there another villain on the street that got him? Did anyone even know he was missing?
“Angel!” she turned her head toward the door to see Damian rush in. The ice water drained out, leaving warm fuzzies – hold on when did that happen?
Before she could ponder for much longer Marinette was wrapped in a hug. She returned it without thinking, breathing in and out slowly. Damian was really warm.
“I went back out to look for you, Robin told me you were here,” Damian mumbled. He stepped back, checking over her. “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
Marinette shook her head. “I’m perfectly fine, Damian. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
He sighed in relief. “Don’t scare me like that again, Angel, please.”
It was now that Marinette noticed his slightly unkempt appearance. He was fine when she last saw him, but now his clothes were crooked and his hair was messy. It reminded her of someone, but she wasn’t sure who.
He must have been really worried.
Guilt was heavy on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, I should have given you more warning, or only volunteered myself.”
“What?” Damian shook his head. “No, I’m glad it was us two. The Riddler would have killed anyone else. I was more worried when you fought him.”
“You fought The Riddler?” The cashier was staring at her with wide eyes. His voice was loud enough that the entire station went silent.
Marinette laughed clumsily. The guilt had lessened, but awkwardness was chaining her. “He was bad at hand to hand combat. And mad at me. That made him make some dumb moves, most people would have been able to beat him.”
“Still,” an officer with grey hair and a mustache chuckled. “Quite commendable for a young girl.”
“It’s really nothing,” Marinette tried to wave it off. “We have a lot of villains in Paris. I’d be stupid if I didn’t learn to fight them.”
“The akuma!” the youngest daughter shouted. “I saw on the Lady’s blog about superheroes!”
She felt Tikki shift slightly in her purse.
“Don’t believe everything on that blog,” her older sister mumbled. “There is no way sausage hair is a superhero’s best friends. Superheroes don’t make friends with civilians.”
“I only watch the videos of fights,” the young girl pouted.
“Miss, if you’re ready,” the greying officer gestured to an empty room. “We need you to retell everything that just happened for the record.”
Marinette nodded. Damian let go of her fully, and she already missed the warmth – what was that? When did these feelings start?
She followed the officer into his office, not noticing the awed looks of those around her as she passed by.
After she left, Damian Wayne pulled out his phone. Someone had to let her teacher know she was alright if they even noticed her missing at all.
They’re fools not to notice her, but Damian was glad he had no competition from those idiots.
Unnamed Teenager From France Holds off The Riddler Until Batman Arrives!
“I was just doing what anyone else would have done,” she says. “He was pretty annoying though. His riddles need work.”
“A teenage girl took down Ed?” she turned to her friend. “After that whole trap he set up?”
“Seems so,” her friend shrugged. “Good for her. Hopefully, she goes back to France before he escapes and exacts revenge.”
“Watcha ladies talking about?” a pop of bubblegum. “Ooh! This lady betta watch her back, more villains might be interested in her if she can defeat Eddie!”
“You mean like us?” she asked.
“No,” her friend sighed. “We should leave her alone. One villain on her trip is enough. And I need to care for my plants, they're important for my next heist.”
The third girl shrugged. “Ain’t up ta me, but I won’t be the one that tells Puddin’ if that helps.”
“That helps,” she hummed. She would need to catch Batman on patrol tonight and ask him about it. She hadn’t stolen anything in a while, so he would likely talk to her for a bit.
“Of course you won’t tell him! You won’t go near him again if I have anything to say about it,” her friend replied to the third girl.
“Aw, Red, you do care!”