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“Good evening, Paris! Don’t be bemused, it’s just the news.” Nadia recited, looking down at her tablet for further direction. However, the words that reflected back at her made no sense. She glanced up to the studio producer, who gestured for her to continue.
“On tonight’s news, Ladybug’s true identity has been revealed! Reporting live on the scene is Clara Contard.” She continued, passing off the story to Clara.
“That’s right Nadia, I’m on the scene where Ladybug are fighting Vampir-ality, and it’s just been revealed that Ladybug is Mayura!”
1 hour ago…
“I’m finally done Tikki!” Marinette cheered, collapsing on her chair. Next to her sewing machine laid her Halloween costume, one that she had specifically designed for this year’s costume party.
“It looks great, Marinette. You really went all out on the details; even the Peacock Miraculous is accurate to the Grimoire.” Tikki praised, munching on a cookie. Marinette opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a knock on her trap door.
“Hey girl! Your parents said it was cool if I come up.” Alya’s voice came through the wooden panel. While she climbed through the trap door Marinette got up from her seat and swiped her costume off the desk, excitedly anticipating showing it to her best friend.
Propping herself up, Alya found a costume being shoved in her face. Pushing it out of her line of sight, she made eye contact with Marinette’s hyper-active state. “What do you think? What do you think?”
Taking a closer look at the garment in Marinette’s hand, she saw that it was an exact replica of the Peacock suit. The length of the robe flowed freely, the hood of the costume had a peacock crest attached to it, whilst a brooch was pinned securely over the heart. “The detail in this is amazing!”
“Thanks,” Marinette replied, “Oh and look at these boots that I made; the feathers attached are supposed to be the primary feathers but I couldn’t find any in purple, at least not any that felt real, so I went to the pa-”
She was cut off by Alya, who exasperatedly told her “I love you, but you’re rambling.” Marinette sheepishly laughed, “alright, alright, I’m done now. Let me put on the costume and I’m ready to go.”
As she went behind the makeshift divider in her room, Alya expressed her opinions. “Your costume is going to be the best; Nino and I just bought matching vampire costumes.” She glanced back at the divider, noting that Marinette was now fully dressed in the Peacock costume.
“Ooh, the mask is a nice touch and make sure you don’t forget this.” Alya held out the replica of the peacock fan that had been lying on her desk, which Marinette happily took from her. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah!”
The costume party was amazing, for the twenty minutes she had been able to attend. Very regrettably, the venue where it had been hosted was smashed to pieces by a raging akuma. Something about costumes being unoriginal. Scurrying off to find an empty place, she loosened the robe, allowing Tikki to come out.
“Alright, let’s do this. Tikki, Spots On!” In the blink of an eye, she transformed into Ladybug, her suit replacing any trace of the costume she had previously worn. Swinging her way to the Louvre, she saw a flying vampire, loudly cackling at the civilians running away. Choosing to stop at nearby roof, she watched as the vampire started to single out any other Parisian dressed in, well, a costume.
“I am Vampir-ality. The executor of all who wear unoriginal costumes!” The vampire blasted a crimson beam of light, causing the victims’ outfit to be reverted to normal clothes. So he was.. undoing their costumes?
“Hey Bugaboo, you look dashing as usual.’ Chat Noir flattered, detracting his stick to land beside her. “Ready to do this?” Receiving a nod, he leaped off and began his attack. She joined the fray, watching the akuma skillfully deflect all of Chat’s blows whilst shooting his trademark beams at him. With frightening accuracy.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the familiar sight of a chopper and shifted her gaze to see Clara Contard filming the fight. Well, it’s not like the akuma is dangerous, she thought putting them aside for now.
“Lucky Charm!” The magical ladybugs swirled in the air, dropping a book into her hands, which was titled The Sacrifice Strategy.
Huh.
Sensing an opening, Chat leaped into action. He propelled his body forward, aiming feet first for the akuma; just then, the akuma turned it’s body, making eye contact. He saw a beam of light shoot towards him, instinctively knowing that there was no way to avoid it. Then, he felt hands on his back before making contact with the ground.
Ladybug had pushed him out of the way.
The vampire’s beam hit her, slowly vanishing her Ladybug suit until all that remained was… the Peacock suit? He blinked several times, looking at Ladybug; or was it… Mayura? Every inch of the costume was so incredibly realistic. Every detail perfectly matched the costume he had seen Mayura wear, down to the boots. Even the same feather fan was tucked into her pocket.
Vampir-ality muttered to himself, “this makes no sense.” He paused, “I know Hawk Moth, but she looks just like Mayura!” While he talked to himself, Ladybug suddenly sprang up and snatched the cloak off him, hurling it to Chat Noir.
“Cataclysm!” He yelled, just as the cloak reached his fingers. The akuma flew into the Parisian night; he saw Ladybug capture and release the akuma, restoring everything with her lucky charm.
Ladybug, now back to her dotted outfit offered her fist. “Pound it?”
“Pound it.”
Gabriel left the basement, bee-lining it towards the dining room. He found Natalie filing some miscellaneous paperwork for an upcoming Gabriel release. Placing both hands on her shoulders, he asked a question he thought he’d never ask.
“Are you Ladybug?”