Kagami lifted her chin, her eyes narrowing as Ladybug picked up her sword which had been dropped on the floor during their brief fight — the now corrupted hero studied it for a couple of moments before she carelessly swung it over her shoulder. Her attention then pertained back towards Kagami as the latter shifted on her feet, trying to regain her footing but to no avail.
She couldn't fight. Not because she was so close to defeat or because she felt so tired and weak. She would've defended the city to her dying breath in any other case. No, she couldn't fight because this was Ladybug she was facing. And Marinette too? Kagami's head was still spinning with the truth that the two were apparently one in the same. What made her doubt that was the fact there was absolutely nothing that she could see that reminded her of Marinette in this person.
Especially not in the crazed eyes of Hawkmoth's latest puppet.
Ladybug noticed her expression and a wide, maniacal grin settled onto her features. Kagami shuddered. And when she spoke, her voice was enough to send a chill through Kagami's whole body. Because a voice that had always been filled with nothing but kindness and love inside, wasn't supposed to hold so much bitterness and hatred like it did now.
“What's wrong little dragon?” The akumatized Ladybug crooned in a sickeningly sweet way, her blood red eyes flashing menacingly as she stood before her, “I thought you never hesitate?”
Her body went completely still at her words. Kagami really hadn't wanted to believe it at first, but with those familiar words striking directly through her heart — words Kagami herself had once told Marinette — she knew that Chat Noir hadn't been lying or joking whatsoever. This really was Marinette. And for a moment, Kagami couldn't believe it. Marinette, sweet, clumsy, hesitant Marinette was Ladybug. Ladybug who was brave, daring, graceful and never hesitated was Marinette.
Then her disbelief melted into horror when it suddenly hit her deeper. Marinette. Innocent, kind, beloved Marinette had been akumatized into…
This.
This bitter, twisted, hate-filled version of Paris' heroine showed no such kindness that Marinette held. It was almost like there was no part of the old Marinette left at all.
But Kagami had to try. For the sake of Paris and herself she had to try and reach her beyond the madness in her eyes.
“You're right,” Kagami forced out between her bloodied teeth, finally lifting herself up from where she was standing, “I don't. At least when it comes to my feelings.” She wiped away the blood that was trickling down her chin, ignoring the tears trailing softly down her cheeks, “I don't want to fight you.” She added shakily, desperation filled her tone as she set her gaze on the girl whom she loved so dearly.
If she lost her now then… She didn't know what she'd do with herself.
She was a little surprised to see Marinette's composture slip ever so slightly. Her grin slowly fell as Kagami straightened herself and stood at her full height, wincing as her chest ached and her head spun in protest but she ignored it as best as she could. Everything hurt, but it didn't matter. She needed to finish this.
“But if it's a confession you want, then I won't hesitate.” She added on breathlessly. Tears yet again stung the edges her eyes and pricked the edges of her vision but Kagami couldn't care less, in fact, with all this new emotion bubbling up inside her she let them fall. She choked back a quiet sob as she squeezed her eyes for a moment before reopening them.
“I love you Marinette!” She cried out, fresh tears flooded down her face as she did so — she wanted nothing more than to take her hand and embrace her right there — but she held herself back, “I know you're still in there!”
She had to be. Kagami needed her to be. She couldn't lose Marinette now and certainly not like this either.
At first, Marinette didn't show any reaction to her words. But then Kagami noticed the way her expression then shifted into one of shock. Her hand in which she had been holding Kagami's sword lowered itself slowly and Marinette's whole demeanor then changed in an instant. She was staring at Kagami as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard. As if...
There really was still a part of the true Marinette inside this stranger that was still listening to her pleas. And all Kagami needed to do was bring her back to the light, from within the darkness in which she was trapped in.
Ladyluck AU, Alya, and Nino. They are both still very similar to their original counterparts, although Alya is a bit more invested in journalism and investigating than she was originally; she will play a major role in uncovering more about this mysterious new self-proclaimed "liberator" that has appeared in Paris. Nino will be of major relevance to Adrien, who is a bit more introverted here, so he'll be the one person Adrien relies on 100%, much to Gabriel's distaste
