Third Person's POV

Marinette: Tikki, are you sure it'll work?

Tikki: Don't worry, it has to work.

Marinette: *sigh* If you say so...

Marinette tightened her goggles while adjusting her gloves. She slowly pushed the back of the needle and a drop of pink liquid fell into the giant pot of bubbling madness.

Marinette: *coughs* W-Well that didn't work.

Tikki: Aww man, I thought that maybe we could substitute the 'Tear of Joy' they spoke about since it didn't seem to have any in the items gathered here.

Marinette: Maybe it's kinda like a puzzle, we just need the missing piece.

Moments later the studio doors opened and Luka and Kagami walked in. "Hey Mari, how's it going?" She turned to the blue haired guitarist. "Ehh, it exploded again." They glanced at each other then sighed. Marinette picked up the piece of paper and spoke in annoyance, "They keep repeating something about a tear of joy. What the heck is that supposed to be?"

Kagami took the paper from her and looked over it. She then scanned the room, looking at the ingredients and items Marinette and the boys collected from the workshop. Seconds later, the door opened again and the batfamily came in. "Hey you three, Alfred made his famous chocolate chip cookies. Want some?" Jason questioned the group. They all stared at him muddly.

Jason: Let me guess..not the best time..?

Luka: Not really dude.

Tim: So...all for us..-

Marinette/Kagami: There better be some left for us. There might be terrible consequences if there aren't, something bad might happen to you all.

Dick: Wouldn't dream of it.

Bruce: So have you deciphered the texts yet?

Marinette: Progress is slow... But what I've been working on is this potion. If I could perfect it then my powers could be unlocked.

But there's this one tiny detail...a 'Tear of Joy'. And it's needed in almost every single potion. *groans* I don't know anymore...

Bruce: Hmm... a 'Tear of Joy'. Maybe it should be taken literally. What if you actually need a tear of joy?

Kagami: Who's tear do you suppose we use?

They all turned to look at Damian after Marinette and he looked stunned, "I am not taking part in this little experiment." And with that he left. Marinette looked down and taking one of the test tubes, placing it in her pocket, went upstairs after Damian. "Damian..." He looked at her, diverting his gaze from out the window. "There's something you're hiding from me, Marinette." She looked away.

Damian: You're not telling me something. The bond tells me these things.

Marinette: I-I..- I don't know what you mean. *folds arms*

Damian: Marinette, don't make me force you. If we're engaged, then we can't..-

Marinette: No Damian, we are not engaged.

Damian: But the bond..-

Marinette: Merely a very tremendous misunderstanding..- A-And I don't think it's working out either..-

Damian: What Do You Mean It Isn't Working Out!? Marinette, I stayed by your side, helped you, encouraged you, assisted you when it came to your parents..- WE EVEN KISSED MARINETTE And You're Letting It Go To Waste!?

Marinette: Look, I don't like it as much as you do but we can't be together... *mumbles* we both know we're doing it because of the stupid bond..-

Damian grit his teeth and stomped up to her. "What Do You Mean We're Just Doing It Because Of The Bond!? My feelings for you are true as yours are for me." With every word he kept getting closer to her while she kept stepping back. Her back finally hit the wall as Damian slammed his hand right beside her. He came closer to her, making her slump down below him.

Damian: Why would you say that Marinette?

Marinette: I-I...

Damian: Why would you specifically need my tear in order to make the potion work? What is that potion you're working on?

Marinette: You don't need to know, it'll benefit you..-

She slapped her hand over her mouth as soon as she said that. Damian looked stunned. "Benefit Me!? Benefit Me How!? Marinette!!" Marinette kept her head down, her face dark and dim. Damian sighed and began to walk away when Marinette spoke up and what she said shattered him. "T-Talia...came a while ago... and we spoke." He looked furious, pissed, his eyes a darker shade of green. He grabbed her shoulders.

Damian: WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU SAW HER!? DID SHE THREATEN YOU!? IS THIS WHY YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THAT POTION!?!?

Marinette: YES IT IS!!

Damian: WELL THEN IT'S NOT WORTH IT..-

Marinette: YES, IT IS WORTH IT! ANYTHING IF IT KEEPS YOU ALIVE!!

Silence filled the room while Damian stared at Marinette. "What do you mean 'alive'?" She pushed him away, deterring her gaze from the boy. "If we don't get married then we both die. I found a potion that could reverse those effects and cancel out those of the Lazarus Pit." He looked at her seriously but then asked in realization, "What'll happen to you?"

She didn't speak, she remained silent. Damian grasped her hand firmly, "Marinette, what will happen to you?"