Not the Journey, The Destination

Third personEveryone was gathered in the briefing room on this early Sunday morning. It turns out that the full moon was actually going to be a red moon tonight instead of last night. Today was the day when Marinette decided to finally go on her journey up the mountain to the monastery and also the day where Lila has the opportunity to absorb Marinette's powers and become the fake copy of the vampire warrior. ~~~~~Flashback (last nigh)

You must not teleport to the monastery up the mountain. Hurry, we are waiting.

Lila: The time is now! *intense evil laughing*—————————Marinette: Ahhh! *gets up* *pants* Oh thank god, it was just a dream...phew...

Damian: Angel, are you alright? *yawns* You were screaming.

Marinette: It's nothing just...a nightmare is all. It's fine now.

Damian: You're still trembling. Is it about tomorrow?

Marinette: A little but I'm ready...

Damian: Then we should get some rest.

He lays back down and opens his arms gestured towards her. She cuddles close to him as he transforms. The fluffy fur brushes against her skin ever so gently, warm and his scent in her lungs every time she breathes. "Don't worry Angel, I know you'll do great. Let's get some sleep so we'll be ready for tomorrow." He cradled her in his arms as she pecks a kiss on his nose, they both fall back asleep. ~~~~~PresentThe doors of the secret base opened to reveal Marinette all prepared and ready for her quest with her soulmate puppy standing beside her.

She walks in with a confident smile on her face stretching her arms upward as she regroups with her comrades.

Adrien: Well don't you look fully rested, bug.

Marinette: I feel fully rested, sunshine boy.

Felix: Well...whenever you're ready, we'll be right there with you.

Alix: I hate to be the one to bring this up..but who's going to be doing the patrols around the city if we all go. I highly doubt Mr. Dupain and Cherry could handle this themselves.

Alya: She does have a point. Maybe you should take a small group, gurl.

Milene: In that way, you wouldn't attract a big crowd.

Damian: Then I suggest we take only our squad on the mission.

Bridgette: But I wanna go with Mari-bug too.

Allegra: And I want to see the vampire monastery.

Chloe: Well here's a truly dumb idea, how about you two squads just go on the mission and the rest of us stay here.

Kagami: Would you look at that, the queen herself said something smart.

Dick: And if you want some company, we're happy to tag along too.

Tim: We've got your backs.

Felix: Then it's settled, both squads M and F plus Dick, Jason and Tim will go to the monastery. The rest of you will be staying to do patrol. If any help is needed, just contact us and we'll send others to help.

Charlie: Not a bad plan. But up that mountain there are a lot of magic frequencies and distortions. I think it wise that you 13 will most likely have to take caution, plus the land up there is very cold and unstable. (Daminette (2), Lukagami (2), AdriZoe (2), Marc, Nathaniel, Felidgette (2), Clallegra (2), Allan = 13)

(Hey, if you guys know the ship names for Marc and Nathaniel, Felix and Bridgette, and Allegra and Claude please let me know in the comments)

Allan: There's the option of teleporting..-

Marinette: We have to go the journey on foot. No magic.

Luka: But then it'll take ages for us to get up there.

Kagami: Not to mention safely.

Zoe: And I know you're a strong, independent woman but in your current state, taking risks like that aren't necessary.

Marinette: I had a vision last night of the vampire warrior explicitly telling me not to teleport or use magic. Basically if you do, something is bound to go wrong. If you all don't want to go for a hike then I don't mind leaving you guys behind..-

Bridgette: I'm still going. Who else?!~~~~~

The time was now 8:15 am. They just had a fulling breakfast and packed their bags with the necessary items they needed for their journey. Emilie and Titus stayed with Jerry back at the mansion. Emilie wanted to come probably because if she did she could've gone in with Marinette and got their bond back but either way, she said it would have been too dangerous for her to come.

The team left. Current time; 8:30 am. They were off. They got to the foot of the mountain an hour later. They looked up and they still couldn't see the top of it. "Well, better start climbing if we wanna be back for dinner. My dad's cooking so we don't wanna miss that." Marinette encouraged. They all looked at each other and sighed following the girl up the mountain.

Thanks to Nathaniel, he managed to map out the shortest possible route with Max calculating the time intervals including breaks. They should be there in the next 4 to 5 hours plus going back down. The first break interval arrived. They sat for at least 15 minutes to drink some water and eat a little snack (do I need to point out the bathroom breaks too??). They started their hike again going further up the mountain.

The temperature began to drop as they continued. The next hour passed and they were half way there. They stopped for another break sitting upon the rocks and soft grass on the ground. They threw their sweaters and coats on before continuing the way up. Though it seems that the devils were being mostly effected by the extreme temperatures. The air was getting thinner and it was consequently hard to breathe.

They stopped once again. Adrien kept mentioning the energy and the atmosphere stating that this wasn't normal. He claims that someone or something was watching them from a distance. They agreed to keep an eye out and kept climbing the mountain. A quarter of the way to go. They were almost there. Marinette kept looking back as she had a weird feeling in her stomach, the same feeling Adrien had as well.

They all arrived at the point where they could see a purple light or a sparkle like the reflection of the sun not too far away. They all pushed their way through the fog clouds. They finally made it to the top to see a building in front of them. But they aren't out of the woods yet. There was a barrier, a purple one that surrounded it. Everyone dropped their bags and walked towards it.

Marc: So...is this it?

Nathaniel: Seems that way.

Felix: The barrier around it is very ancient and powerful. I don't think with our combine powers we'll be able to bring it down.

Marinette: I don't think you should *gasps*..-~~~~~FlashbackMarianne: That's right. You must travel to the ancient monastery at the top of Highwood Hill. There is a barrier preventing outside and unwanted forces through. You must go there to regain your vampire and your place before returning to the fight. She may have your powers but she isn't the true warrior. The barrier will not let her through. I created it myself using my very last breath and life to keep it functioning.~~~~~Zoe: Marinette are you..-

Marinette: Wait! Don't bring it down. It's there for a reason. I think..I think this is where we part ways.

Damian: What do you mean..-

Marinette: I mean only I as the vampire warrior can enter. No one else can. The barrier won't let any of you through which means that this is where we part ways only until I regain my powers. I'll go in and be out. As quick as a wink. Simple.

Bridgette: I still don't trust this. What about..-

Marinette: The b*tch can't enter. Only I can.

She placed her hand against the shield and pushed it through. She reach her body beyond the barrier from her arm to her head then the rest of her body followed ending at her feet. It took a while as she was fully human with no supernatural DNA so it was proven to be a struggle. She shock herself off and traveled up the small steps before gripping the metal hoops attached to the door, knocking.

It echoed throughout the entire building. The door opened and a slight breeze blew in her face. She looked back one last time then entered, the door shutting behind her. As she tread along the corridors of the monastery the candles on the walls lit and a path was seen before her. She then arrived at a large door facing her. She was about to touch it when it opened on its own.

It opened widely and saw an empty room. Or so it seemed. There were small individual tables with cushions by each one, there was also a tarp hanging on the wall at the end of the room. 'Vampire Warrior' it wrote. She walked further and so the door closed behind her. The candles in the room lit aflame all around. Marinette looked around but still saw nothing but soon after she heard voices, laughter, music.

She looked around and saw red orbs of light and little glitter dusts around the room floating everywhere. Yo-yo strings glided across the area from one corner to the next. She decided to touch it. It began to glow brighter and brighter, the other particles in the room following until they all exploded. She covered her eyes then opened them to a room filled with people who sat at each cushion laid out with the same ladybug design. And there in the center was a familiar face.

Fu: Hello again Marinette. It's nice to see you again.

Marinette: *bows* Nice to see you too Master.

Fu: Now, let's get to work. ~~~~~~~~~~

With the team outsideAllan: Do you think she's okay? It's pretty quiet in there..

Claude: Waaay too quiet.

Adrien: Don't worry, Damian, she'll be alright.

He was finally giving in as he sat near the shield waiting for her to return. But they all turned as they heard a distant explosion coming from inside the building. They all stood up and they saw little red particles floating in the air. Damian's eyes widened.

Damian: Y-You sure you can't get the shield down..?

Nathaniel: Even if we tried, I don't think Marinette would like that. She said not too.

Felix: Plus this shield is the only thing protecting one of the few resting places of the vampire warrior in the world. We can't just leave it open to anyone.

Kagami: Felix is right. Plus..this isn't blood if your worried that it is..-

Luka: It's simply magic. So Marinette is Fine.

Bridgette: *sigh* I really hope so...

Hours had passed and Marinette still hasn't returned. The time is now 2 pm. Nothing. Damian and Bridgette just stared at the building waiting for something to happen. But their worries melted away when a beam of light shot up from the inside the building through the roof. They all ran to the edge of the barrier, Claude and the batbros waking from their nap. The doors swung open and there stood the vampire warrior.

Marinette was dressed in a purple garment with the same white lines as before while she was in her coma. Her hair was pulled upwards as it flowed, dancing in the wind, her eyes glowed white which then died down and she was back to normal her clothes returning to how it was. She walked passed the barrier with ease to be buried in the center of a group hug. They broke away to see Marinette back in shape. But when there's good, there's always bad.

*hiss~*~~~~~~~~~~From the baseLila: Nooooooo!! This can't be!! She can't be the vampire warrior if I'm the warrior already!! Inconceivable!! Outrageous!! Fall back my shadow Viper. That's enough for today.~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the mansion Everyone was watching a movie. They had a few minutes until their next patrol was due to start. Emilie laid on Jerry's lap sleeping and Titus sat next to him. Emilie shot up as her eyes glowed red. Her collar turned from pink to red as it was before. The light around her died down as she sat on Selina's lap, purring.

Selina: Seems like the mission was a success.