A yellow and grey cockatiel "sings" the chorus to "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire in a high-pitched whistle. It occasionally pecks a metal object to the beat, and it makes a deep, short sound similar to that of a cowbell.
Being one of the few people who knows Ultraman’s real identity, Rena has had the chance to see a great many sides of Shinjiro Hayata that others might not. There’s a difference between when Ultraman is Shinjiro wearing a mask, and when he is purely Ultraman.
What she’s never seen before—and would be quite happy to never see again—is Ultraman wearing Shinjiro’s face. Because right now the boy sitting across from her is not kind, helpful, constantly-moderately-confused Shinjiro Hayata. One sentence, and suddenly she’s sitting across from ULTRAMAN, and she know she has to do something before the other guy does something that gets things broken. Luckily, she’s planned for this.
"Hey girl, you know how we're taking that class trip to tokyo in a few days right?" Alaya asked her best friend.
"Yes, I know, I helped organize it with the rest of the student council Alya," Marinette said with a slightly exasperated tone, confused as to why the other girl was asking her that. surely the lady blogger didn't forget that as class rep, Marinette would be the first one (aside from Ms. Bustier) to learn about any major event the class would be involved in.
Heck, Marinette was the one who informed her class when she asked Nathaniel to help design the flier for Heroes Week.
"And you know how there's going to be a Heroes week event in honor of not only Ladybug and Chat Noir, but other heroes like that ninja from Norrisville, and jade armor, and Max Steel, and Danny phantom, and spider-man?" Alya continued as if she didn't hear what Marinette just said, etching herself more and more into the ravenet's personal space with each mention of each hero.
"Yeah, I know that too. It mentions that on the flier but-"
"Well look at this!" Alya exclaimed as she shoved her phone into Marinette's face. The ravenette had to step back to get a good look at the screen. She frowned when she saw a familiar brown-skinned Italian girl with her signature sausage hair on the small device.
"Lila gave me another exclusive interview for the Ladyblog about some of these other heroes! watch!"
The brunette plays the video for her to see, and Lila lets out the fakest laugh the raven-haired girl has ever heard (which coming from someone who sucks at lying was saying alot) before saying "I didn't mention this before, cause I didn't want to come off as bragging. but I'm friends with the ninja, Max steel, Spider-Man, and jade armor. We're all like this." She holds up two crossed fingers for emphasis, "especially me and Max Steel, he's so romantic. I even told ladybug about them for any potential team up."
"Isn't this so cool," Alya squealed as she hopped up and down like an excited little girl who just got a gift for Christmas, "this video got me more views than even the interview Lila gave about being ladybug best friend."
Marinette wondered if Alya checked the reviews for the video.
When Alya posted that interview of Lila claiming to be ladybug best friend, most of the reviews for that vid were of people either calling Lila out on her lie and pointing out how ridiculous her claims were and/or threw insult (to put it nicely) towards Alya and her apparent failing at being a journalist. Marinette was sure that the reviews for the interview of Lila's latest lie would be similar to the reviews for Lila's first lie, if not more harsh.
though judging from how Alya was behaving, it was likely she didn't read those reviews, that or she brushed them off just like she did for the reviews of her first interview of Lila.
"And do you know what this also mean?" Alya squee with sparkles in her eyes, as she clenched her phone close to her chest.
"Um," was all that a confused Marinette could let out, not really sure where the other girl was going with this.
even if the ravenette did, the tan-skinned girl wouldn't have really given her the chance to speak as Alya didn't even wait a single second before she resumed talking.
"it could mean the birth of a new superhero team, one with both ladybug and chat noir in it!"
Marinette honestly doubted that would happen. Not that Marinette was against the idea, but rather due to how...unrealistic something like that could be. again, each of these different heroes live too far away from each other to be a proper team.
Seriously, does Alya think they have access to some space station that's equipped with teleporter pads or something?
"oh man, they could be like the new Seven!" Alya exclaimed in excitement, missing the look of revulsion that flashed across Marinette's face.
'DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE ME AND CHATON TO THAT GROUP OF FRAUDS!' Marinette thought with barely concealed disgust, completely insulted at the very thought of being compared to that group of so-called heroes.
she still recalled the last time she was in New York and she had ran into the Deep as ladybug, and thanks to the glamour provided by her miraculous, the older man thought she was an adult and tried to coarse her into inappropriate activities before she introduced her foot to his prized jewels.
When Chat learned of that incident, he was ready to murder the fish themed mutant before she managed to (begrudgingly) stop him.
it didn't help that one of the local (actual) heroes, Spider-man, inform her that the rest of the seven, as well as the other so-called "heroes" working for Vought were just as bad, if not worse.
Marinette took a deep breath to try and forget that memory and focus on the current issue, before letting out an exacerbated sigh as she palmed her face.
"Alya, I've told you not to post videos of Lila's stori-,"
"Oh not this again Marinette," Alya interrupted, shooting marienette an annoyed glare.
"I'm serious Alya, if you keep posting more of Lila's lie's you're going to really-," Marinette tried to explain, but was once again interrupted by Alya.
"You keep saying Lila is lying but you don't have any proof she is. I told you before you need to give me proof if Lila really was lying," Alya explained, crossing her arms over her chest before a proud smirk grew on her face, "After all, a good reporter always checks her sources."
"Seriously Alya?" Marinette scoffed with a deadpan as she crossed her arms, looking at her former best friend with an unimpressed expression.
"Yes, I am a serious Marinette. I get that you're jealous of her, but you can't just keep accusing her of lying," Alya replied, crossing her arms over her chest. The raven haired girl couldn't help but roll her eyes at what the other girl said.
"but Lila is lying Alya," Marinette argued, bringing her hands up into the air, "she lied about jagged stone having a cat, she lied about being clara nightengale's trainer, she lied about catching the guy who blew up south melesia, and she lied about knowing ladybug!"
"Do you have any proof that Lila is not friends with ladybug," the brunette asked with a raised brow, "or the ninja, or Max steel, or jade armor, or Spider-Man?"
"Proof Alya, you're asking for proof that ladybug and these other heroes from different cities, heck even different countries, each of whom have their secret identities no one knows, aren't Lila's friends?" Marinette asked in both exherbation and barely restrained frustration, "Alya, think about what I just said and think about how unrealistic that sounds."
"Marinette, I just told you-."
"Now Alya It's not her fault that she doesn't believe me," Lila said with adowncasted expression on her face as she walked up to the pair, "after all I did do some stuff to make her not like me."
"No way Lila," Alya countered, "you did nothing wrong, it's just Marinette being jealous as usual."
The black haired girl in question could simply look at Alya in incredulous disbelief, "jealous?! Alya, what am I jealous o-"
"Anyway girl," Alya cut the ravenette off as she continue to talk with the Italian girl, "are you excited about the trip, you can introduce me to all your other hero friends."
"Of course I am," the italian girl beamed, "I'll be more than happy to introduce you to them, I'm sure they would love to meet you as well."
"You think so?" the journalist asked with a hopeful grin plastered across her face, and Marinette could swear she could see actual stars coming out of Alya's eyes.
"Of course, I've told them all about you and your blog, they told me they were big fans of your work."
"Really!? Thanks Lila, you're the best!" Alya exclaimed as she embraced the italian girl.
"Anything for a good friend," Lila said with a smirk, returning the hug.
Marinette could only roll her eyes at that, knowing the liar wouldn't be able to keep her word, and would make some kind of excuse as to why she couldn't introduce Alya to these other heroes.
"By the way, when is the trip?" Lila asked as she and Alya broke the hug.
"Our flight leaves 3 days from now," marienette answered with an annoyed expression as she crossed her arms, "It says when we're leaving on the flier, and we talked about the trip multiple times in class. You should know this Lila."
"Sorry, but I must have been off in another country doing charity work and wasn't around to hear about the details of the trip," Lila countered with a down casted expression as she hugged herself.
Alya glared at Marinette
"Marinette, not cool gurl," Alya reprimanded as she sent her best friend a disapproving glare her way, "you know that Lila has to travel to other countries for her charity work. she probably wasn't here when we talked about the trip."
'Except she was in class when we were talking about the trip Alya,' Marinette thought to herself as she stared at Alya with an unimpressed expression.
"But it's this Wednesday? That's disappointing." Lila said sadly, holding a hand to her heart. "I'm going to Achu tomorrow, and I won't be back until 2 weeks from now." She sniffed, holding back tears. "I know you don't like me Marinette," she said, "but planning something, knowing I can't attend? I just want to be friends."
"Oh, Lila." Alya said, placing a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "I'm sure Marinette didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Maybe she didn't know about your trip. I'm sure she can reschedule it for the following week."
Alya glared a Marinette. She was giving that girl an out, and she better take it.
"But I can't." Marinette said, frown still in place. "That's not fair. We spent weeks-"
"Yeah, right." Alya said, rolling her eyes, arm wrapped comfortingly around Lila, who was quietly 'crying' into her shoulder. "You just don't want Lila to attend. You're going to reschedule it."
She didn't leave any room for argument as she left, probably heading back to the class room.
Marinette could only stare in absolute disbelief as she watched Alya lead a still weeping Lila into miss Bustier's class.
The raven haired girl merely let out a dejected sigh and she looked down towards her feet.
"Alya, what happened to you?" Marinette whispered to herself, worried about the journalist girl.
Alix rolled into class as she bobbed her head in beat to music blasting on her headset.
"jump up, Kick back, whip around and spin!" she sang as she spun around Max and Markov who were looking down at the former's phone. Neither the boy or artificial intelligence reacting to her maneuver, completely use to her doing this with her classmates, and were fully confident in her skill on roller blades to not crash into anyone.
"And then we jump back, do it again!" she continued as she slide toward her seat, "Ninja-Go! Ninja-GoHEY!"
Suddenly, she felt her headsets yanked off of her ears, much to her surprise and annoyance.
"Hey, I was listening to that!" The short pink haired girl exclaimed as she spun around to face the offender.
She expected to see Kim's smirking face, and was prepared to kick him in the shin with her roller blades, only to be somewhat surprised to see Alya instead.
"Hey Alix! Perfect timing!," the taller girl greeted with a smile, as if she didn't do anything wrong, before tossing Alix's headset over her shoulder…
"Ow!"
And hitting Kim on the back of his head.
"Alya what the heck!?" Alix asked in annoyance, rubbing her ears that were now sore thanks to the wavy haired girl.
"Well you know how we're taking that trip to Japan," Alya asked as she leaned closer to Alix, oblivious to Kim's glare as he rubbed the spot he was hit in the head.
"uh, Yeah. I helped Marinette with preparations for the trip," Alix answered with a raised eyebrow, wondering why she was bringing that up, "What about it?"
Well, Lila won't be able to go with us. She has to go to Achu in a few days right before we have to leave, and she won't be back for the next two weeks."
"Really? Well that sucks," Alix replied, somewhat disapointed that one her fellow classmates wouldn't be able to come along on such a cool trip.
"I know right," Alya exclaimed as she raised her hand up in exacerbation, "I can't believe Marinette made it so Lila won't be able to go with us."
"I'm sorry, what?" Alex asked, taken aback by what the taller girl just said, "You really think that Marinette would do that on purpose Alya?"
"Well she did." Alya huffed with her arms crossed over her chest, " so I was wondering since you're class deputy-"
'Only because you quit for some reason and Marinette came to me,' Alix thought with irritation. She didn't know why, but Alya and Marinette's friendship had became rocky as of late.
She knew that things were getting tense between both girls, especially whenever Lila was involved.
It got to the point where Alya abruptly resigned from her position as class deputy.
A few days after that, Marinette approached Alix and asked her to take over as the new deputy. It seemed that Alix was the only student in the class who was available and wasn't too busy with other things that Marinette found reliable.
Alix was initially opposed to the idea. she didn't like the idea of having to deal with that kind of stuff. But after noticing the bags under the taller girl's eyes and the hint of stress that she was trying to hide, Alix found herself reluctantly accepting Marinette's request to take over as her deputy.
which led her to being in this situation.
"-That you can make sure that Marinette reschedules the date when we go to Japan to after Lila comes back from her business trip."
Alix could only stare at Alya in bewilderment, completely dumbfounded at Alya's request.
di-did she seriously hear that right?
Not noticing the shorter girl's reaction, Alya bent closer to Alix's ear, whispering, "But knowing Marinette, she might not reschedule the date for Lila. So, if she doesn't agree, you go behind her back and try to reschedule the date yourself."
"What!?" Alix exclaimed in complete disbelief, "Alya, that's crazy.
"I know, I know it doesn't sound like Marinette either, but you know how that girls jealousy can can make her do crazy stuff."
Alex knew that jealousy wasn't the reason why Marinette wouldn't change the date when their class leaves for Japan. She also knew that Marinette didn't set the date to ensure that Lila is unable to come along on the trip. Ignoring the fact that Lila never mentioned anything about leaving for achu till today, Marinette doesn't have the power to change the departure date, as it was what the entire school's student commitie agreed upon.
Heck it wasn't even Marinette who set the date for when they leave for Japan, it was Aurore.
and frankly Alix couldn't see the rest of the student committee go through the trouble of changing the date at the last minute just to accommodate just one student.
"Alya, I can't do what you're asking, there's no way that-" Alix tried to explain, but was interrupted by the Italian girl.
"We understand, Alex. Marinette is class president and you're just a deputy. it's just that I was hoping to go as well," Lila said with a sniff as she brought a hand up to wipe away a tear, "But I just can't just leave those poor children to starve while I go and enjoy myself."
Alix couldn't help but winch in guilt. She wanted Lila to be included, but the truth was that the trip was already set in stone.
"I'm sorry Lila, I want you to come too, but--"
"But nothing!" Alya cut in, nearly shouting now, "You're in a position to help Lila be able come with us attend heroes week, and we need you! Just think about it, Alix."
The pink-haired girl blinked at Alya's words, incredulity written all over her face, "Alya, do you realize that even if we change the date for Lila, we would end up mi--"
"Having Lila come with us!" Alya insisted, her voice cutting through Alix's protest.
"Yeah, but we would still--"
"You just need to convince Marinette to change the date, and if not change it yourself."
"Alya, can you please just--"
"it shouldn't be too hard, after all I was able to change our trip to Cote d'Azur instead of that exhibit unveiling at the Louvre.--"
'YOU DID WHAT!?' Alix mentally exclaimed in fury.
She remembered how her dad and his colleagues had been excited, working hard to set things up for her and her class.
Even her brother, Jalil, had seemed eager to teach their classmates all he knew about history. Which, of course, meant that Alix would have to fact-check pretty much everything he said.
So she was shocked that, instead of heading to the Louvre as she and the rest of the class expected, they instead arrived at the airport.
When Marinette asked Ms. Bustier what was going on, the teacher informed them that they were heading to Cote d'Azur instead, much to Marinette and the class's surprise.
Not only did that last-minute change in plans cause them to miss the unveiling, but they couldn't even go to Cote d'Azur. Cause their flight was scheduled to leave at 11:00 P.F@&ING.M the night before!
when she confronted Marinette about the sudden change of plans, the ravenette simply gave Alix a sincere apology. However, Alix had been too caught up in her anger to see the exhaustion and stress behind her friend's eyes (and ignored the fact that Marinette was just as caught off guard as the rest of the class was), and refused the ravenette's apology...among other things.
Alix winched when she remembered that moment.
Oh fluff, Alix needed to apologize to Marinette later for the less than…nice things she said to her face.
"If only Marinette would have worked with you Lila, instead of being stubborn," Alya scoffed and she placed her hands on her hips, oblivious to the short pink-haired girl's bubbling anger. Alix'x fists clenched tightly under her desk, glaring daggers at Alya.
"I know," Lila sniffed, wiping away another tear, "then we would have been able to-"
"You know what, Fine!" Alix relented as she growled in annoyance, her outburst making Lila jump in surprise and drawing the attention of the rest of the class, "I'll talk to Marinette about this, alright!?"
"Thanks, Alix!" Alya beamed, blissfully unaware of the daggers Alix was shooting her way, "we're counting on you."
With that, Alya and Lila strolled toward their seats at the front of the classroom.
"Yeah, yeah whatever," Alix scoffed with a roll of her eyes, as she finally slumped back in her seat. Honestly, she only agreed to at least talk to Marinette just so she could get Cesaire off her back. Alix was sure that if the conversation kept going, she was going to end up strangling the reporter.
Either before or after she gets akumatized.
Nathaniel looked up from his sketchbook and towards Alya's and Lila's back, a confused frown etched onto his face.
"um, doesn't Alya know that if we change the date for when we leave for Japan to be after Lila comes back from her trip to Achu...we'll end up missing Heroes Week?" He asked his fellow artist.
"Apparently not," the shorter girl muttered in annoyance as she rubbed her forehead.
She was still going to talk to Marinette about what Alya said to her, though it wasn't going to be how Cesaire was hoping it would go.
"She asked you to change the schedule behind my back," Marinette asked with an unamused expression, her tone indicating she wasn't surprised by what she was just told.
But Alix still notices the looks of hurt in the taller girl's eyes.
"Yeah, she did," Alix explained, as she rested her chin on top of the back of the seat she was currently sitting on, "I tried to tell her I couldn't do it, but she wouldn't listen."
Marinette let out an exasperated sigh as she rubbed her forehead, "I can't say I'm surprised, actually listening was never really Alya's strong suit, especially when she sets her sight on something. remember that time when she thought Chloe was ladybug, no matter how many times we've told her that couldn't be the case."
"Yeah, why did she suspect Chloe was ladybug?" Alix scrunched her nose in confusion, recalling the absurdity of that situation, "I mean we all saw Ladybug save her when Ivan yeeted her from the Eiffel Tower."
"I don't know," Marinette breathed out in exacerbation as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "she's so quick to jump to conclusions that she seems to forget or disregard certain facts!"
"You mean like how she thinks you still have a crush on Adrien, even though you told her you want to move on, and thinks you're only dating Luka to try and make Adrien jealous?" Alix raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly!" Marinette snapped, throwing her hands up into the air before letting them fall to her sides, looking exhausted, "Honestly, She's so stubborn she refuses to acknowledge anything and everything that goes against what her mind is set on."
Marinette let out another sigh as she looked to the side, a mix of concern and annoyance growing in her features, "And it just got worse when Lila came into the picture."
Alix couldn't argue that. While Alix wouldn't necessarily call Lila an outright malicious liar like Marinette does, she would admit some of Lila's stories were a bit…hard to believe.
If there was anything that Alix learned from having someone like Jalil as her older brother, it is to not take everything someone says at just face value.
It was surprising how Alya didn't seem to grasp that, despite her motto being: "A good journalist always checks her sources."
When it came to Lila's stories, Alya would believe everything the Italian transfer student said without a second thought, even when they were obviously untrue.
Such as Jagged Stone having a cat, despite everyone knowing he always had a crocodile.
Not only that but for some odd reason as of late, whenever someone points out the holes in her views or brings up info that contradicts it; Alya would always tell them to not listen to Marinette and that she was just being jealous.
Speaking of Marinette, Alix then notices how Marinette suddenly gains a confused frown on her face, hints of anger brewing in her eyes "Wait, Alya thinks I'm only dating luka just to ma–"
"Hey Marinette!" A familiar voice chirp from right behind Marinette.
The startled ravenette jumped in surprised before she reflexivity spun on her heel and threw a punch
…right into Adrien's gut.
The blonde let out a pained wheeze as the air was forced out of his lungs and he crumbled to his knees.
"Oh my god, Adrien!" Marinette cried out in shock as she knelt down to the downed model, "I'm so sorry, are you okay!?"
Alix couldn't help but sweatdrop at the now familiar scene unfold.
'Why does something weird always happen between these two?'
"Dude, why do you keep doing that?" Nino asked with a deadpan, "you know that's how Mari reacts after she began taking those martial art lessons."
Adrien groaned, clutching his stomach. "Still worth it," he managed to wheeze out, causing the three teens to sweatdrop in unison.
"Seriously, even when she threw you across the classroom when you just appeared out of nowhere," Alix added flatly, making the raven hair girl's cheeks heat up.
"Yep," Adrien replied, still on the floor, a pained yet amused smile on his face.
Alix couldn't help but facepalm at the blonde's comment.
"Let me help you up," Marinette said, her worry evident as she offered a hand.
"Thanks," Adrien smiled as he took her hand. His smile then shifted into a subtle smirk before he let out a quip, "Has anyone told you that you punch like sakura?"
"Not sure I should consider that a compliment," Marinette mumbled, a smile creeping across her lips as she helped pull him to his feet.
Alix rolled her eyes at the exchange, but she couldn't help but smirk a bit. Ever since she managed to convince how much her obsession with Adrian was... unhealthy (and creepy, most definitely creepy) and that she needed to move on from the dense boy, Marinette slowly but surely no longer ended up becoming a (complete) stuttering mess whenever the model was around.
And boy oh boy, how refreshing it was not to see Marinette become a nervous wreck simply by talking to the blonde. Her mood seemed to improve as well since she was no longer stressed about impressing Adrien.
Even Adrien's attitude seemed to brighten even more now that he was able to have a decent conversation with the ravenette.
Yet, the moment was cut short as Alix notices Alya making her way toward their group, with Lila strutting behind the journalist with a self-satisfied smirk on her face. However Alya herself wasn't smiling, and looked to have an impatient frown on her face.
'Oh boy,' Alix mentally groaned, having a sneaking suspicion what was going to happen.
"You've thought about what you said, haven't you?" Alya said, arms crossed, her voice gains Marinette's attention. The ravenette turned to face Alya and was taken aback by Alya's glare, "You're going to reschedule the entire trip to japan, so that poor Lila isn't excluded?"
Alix couldn't help but face palm at the journalists words.
Cause seriously Alya, do you not even hear yourself? Reschedule the entire thing! For only one person!? Did they even read the flyer? It clearly said it was planned by the student council, not just Marinette! Neither she nor Marinette could reschedule it even if they wanted to! (Not that Alix does. And Alix knew Marinette didn't want to, Especially not for Lila.)
When Alix looked backed up, she blinked when she saw Adrien giving Lila the stink eye.
Which was surprising as Adrien wasn't one to show animosity towards other people, not even Chloe.
Weird…and somewhat concerning.
Marinette blinked, caught off guard, but she still let out an annoyed groan at the other girl's words, "Alya, I told you, I can't just-"
"Of course you can!" She said, throwing her arms up in the air in exaggeration.
"Um babe," Nino spoke up nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck, "isn't it…you know, a little last minute to change the date when we leave for Japan?"
"But it's not fair to Lila that she doesn't get to go," Alya tried to argue, planting her fist on her hip.
"Alya, it wouldn't be fair to the rest of us to have Marinette reschedule the trip, especially since she isn't-" Adrien started, but Lila's interruption cut him off.
"Adrien how could you be so cold?" Lila exclaimed, fluttering her eyelashes dramatically.
"I just want to be able to go with you all for this trip, but I just can't let those poor children starve," Lila whimpered out as she cried into her hands, "What would your father think?"
At the mention of his father, Adrien's eyes widen and he immediately shut his mouth. Alix could see the blonde clenching his jaw, as if he was physically forcing himself from saying anything. All the while his frown was still etched onto his expression, and somehow darkening.
Again…concerning.
"Don't threaten him Lila," Marinette demanded, sounding as if she was holding back a growl, the scowl she was shooting toward the Italian girl deepening. Even though Alix wasn't on the receiving end of it, the look in both Marinette and Adrien's eyes still sent shivers down Alix's spine.
"What?" Lila gasped as she placed a hand to her chest, looking at the raven-haired girl as if she had just physically struck her, "me threaten Adrien, I would never!"
Except what Lila said to Adrien did indeed sounded like a threat to Alix. And judging from the hints of a frown forming on Adrien's best friend's face, it also sounded like a threat to Nino.
"It kind of sounded like a threat dudette," Nino retorted flatly, as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I-I didn't mean it as a threat," Lila sniffed as she wiped away a tear, "It's just that his father is so strict on his appearance in public, not to mention overly protective," 'Sniff' "And with how his fans just love to post anything and everything about him online. It's more than likely that someone would post whatever he said out of context. And if his father were to see that, he might think Adrien is surrounded by bad influences and pull him out of school."
That almost sounded like a stretch to Alix. But considering how controling Adrien's old man is of his son's life, she wouldn't put it past him.
"Yeah Nino, Lila is just looking out for Adrien," Alya agreed as she placed a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.
"Sorry dudette," Nino apologized with a winch, once again rubbing the back of his head as he looked down with a guilty expression on his face.
Ms. Bustier walked in then, "What's going on here?" She asked.
Alya immediately piped up, sending Marinette a smirk. "Marinette's setting the day for when we leave for japan where she knows Lila won't be able to make it. And she refuses to reschedule everything."
Marinette groaned. "Alya, I told you I-"
"Marinette," Ms. Bustier said gently. "why don't you just reschedule it? I'm sure everyone will forgive you. You shouldn't exclude Lila."
Alix eyes widens in shock as her jaw went slack. She couldn't even believe what she was hearing. Was ms.Bustier seriously trying to make Marinette change the schedule for when they leave for heroes week!?
WHY!?
She knows that Marinette doesn't have the power to do that! She knows that it was the student coucil who were the ones to set everything up, not just Marinette! and she knows that Marinette wasn't even the one to set the date for when they leave for Japan! Heck she was there when the student council presented the plans to the school board!
So what is Ms.Bustier thinking?
Marinette, apparently not surprised by their home room teachers words, merely just shook her head before making her way out of the courtyard.
"Hey Marinette wa-!" Alix tried to call out for the ravenette, wondering why she wasn't trying to explain or even argue. However the voice of her homeroom teacher made her stop.
"Alix, could you wait for a bit," Ms. Bustier said in a gentle tone.
"Come on, Adrien," Lila suddenly said, her mood instantly improving, as she latched onto Adrien's arm who winched, "we should go, you said you would help tutor me."
The blonde raised a skeptical brow at the Italian.
"No I di-," the model began to say before once again winching.
"Don't you remember Adrien," Lila pouted as she flutter her eyes, "right before classes today, you agreed to help me with my homework."
"No he didn't," Nino spoke up, one of his brows raising in clear confusion, "he and kagami agreed to hang out this afternoon. You never even talked to him this morning."
Lila eye twitched before opening her mouth, but before she could say anything Adrien slipped out of her grasp and edged his way toward the front of the school.
"Yep, that's right, and look at the time I got to go meet up with kagami," Adrien replied with a large smile, looking a bit to eager to leave all of a sudden.
"B-but Adrien, you promised-" Lila sputter, trying to convince Adrien to stay, but the blonde uncharacteristically brushed her off.
"Welp, I'm off, LATER NINO!" Adrien exclaimed before running out of the school, a dust trail picking up behind him.
"Um, later dude," Nino let out weakly, clearly put off by his friends behavior before shooting a suspicious glance toward the Italian girl.
Said girl eye was twitching in clear irritation as she grinder her teeth.
"I don't get why he likes hanging out with that ice queen?" Alya questioned with a raised eyebrow as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"No doubt it's his father making him spend time with her instead of me," Lila claimed in a manner Alix found to be somewhat petulant.
"Yeah I can see him doing that," Alya muttered with a roll of her eyes.
"Oh dear," Ms. Bustier let out as she hovered her hand in front of her mouth, Put off by both her Star student brushing her off in such a manner and Adrien simply refusing to help out a fellow classmate.
It was so unlike either of them to behave in such a way. What has gotten into them?
The teacher shook her head. addressing her students behavior could wait, she needed to address the current issue to ensure one of her students isn't being excluded from a rare event.
"Alix, could you change the date for when we leave for heroes week to be the week after Lila comes back from her trip," the teacher asked in her tone that she usually uses when addressing her students.
This made Alix look up at the red haired teacher, her eyes widening in pure disbelief.
"Wha-But Ms.Bustier-!"
"Come on Alix, just change the schedule so Lila can also come to Heroes week as well," Alya cut off Alix as she wrapped a supportive arm around the shorter girl's shoulder.
"Alya's right, it wouldn't be fair to Lila if she couldn't get to come along with all of us," ms. Bustier explained, speaking as if she were addressing a kindergartener.
"But-,"
"Now Alix, you need to speak up If someone else is doing something that is not fair, even if that person was the class representative."
"But what about when you pulled Marinette out when we all called out Chloe after she destroyed the gift Marinette made for you?" Alix tried to argue, frustration becoming more evident on her face.
"Marinette need to be the bigger person and set a good example for others," Ms. Bustier said with a gentel smile, as if that was answer enough.
'What?' Alix's right eye twitches at hearing her teacher's reason.
"Chloe is going through difficult times. Especially recently when all of ladybug's fellow heroes identities were exposed," Ms. Bustier continued, her smile dropping into a downcasted expression.
'Geez I wonder why?' Alix sarcastically thought with a frown, not sharing the same sentiment as her homeroom teacher.
"Sadly it seems Marinette isn't following my advice and is not only being mean to Chloe…"
'You mean not taking any of Chloe's bullshit?' Alix thought as she rolled her eyes.
"…but now seems to be bullying Lila."
"Huh?" Alix let out in confusion. That was news to her.
Since when has Marinette started bullying Lila?
Sure Marinette has called out Lila as a lair a few times, but that was only really when the Italian girl was telling stories that were blatantly untrue, and could lead someone getting into trouble.
Alix was pretty sure that wasn't really bullying.
So what was ms Bustier talking about.
"A student has been coming to me with some concerning stories regarding how Marinette has been treating Lila," the red haired teacher continued, looking even more disappointed now, "About how Marinette has been harassing and harming Lila."
Alix also heard about those rumors, but she didn't believe them a single bit. Alix just couldn't see Marinette doing those things, it just wasn't in the fashion designer's nature.
Sure there were times that Marinette could be a bit of a bitch here and there. But she would quickly apologize for her behavior and do her best to make up for it.
And frankly Alix didn't really have the right to demonize Marinette for any of her bitchy behavior, as the short girl has arguably done worse.
Like the time Alix may or may not had "accidentally" tripped Kim when he annoyed her too much and unintentionally broke his ankle…as he fell into the Seine…before being attacked by a school of piranhas…
…
…That wasn't important and Kim got better. The point was that Marinette wasn't a bully.
For crying out loud the girl would apologize for things that weren't even her fault.
"But ms. Bustier, Marinette isn't like that and we can't cha-," Alix once again tried to explain, but the teacher cut her off mid-sentence.
"Please Alix, do the right thing so Lila can be a part of heroes week," the red haired woman admonished with a gentle smile on her face, looking at Alix as if she was just a preschooler.
Alix could only stare at the teacher in shock and disbelief.
Ms. Bustier wasn't listening.
She was insisting that Alix change the date to accommodate Lila.
Despite how unrealistic it was to do such a thing in the first place,.
Despite doing so would make them miss Heroes week.
And Ms. Bustier wouldn't listen at all.
The short pink haired girl could only grind her teeth in irritation, her frustration growing at the ridiculousness of the whole situation.
And the sight of Alya peering out from behind the teacher while giving Alix a reassuring smile and two thumbs up was only making the short girl's mood worse.
"This is complete and total bullshit," Alix growled in barely contained frustration, her fists clenched as she stomped forward away from school; classes now over for the day. Trailing behind her were Max, Kim, and Markov, all three of whom were looking at the short, pink-haired girl in concern.
"Can't you just reschedule it?" Kim asked with a tilt of his head, not really understanding the big deal.
Alix forced herself to take a deep breath and remind herself that Kim was an idiot.
"I doubt it would be that simple," Max said as he adjusted his glasses, "this is an event the entire school, as well as many others, are partaking in. Even if it was just our school, the likelihood of the entire student council agreeing to reschedule the event just for Lila to also attend is 0.00000001 percent likely to happen, especially this close to the day we depart for Japan. The likelihood that the other schools would do this is even lower."
"Yeah, and even if we just reschedule just our class, we'll miss out on Heroes week in japan," Alix added, "Besides, we already paid for everyone's tickets; it's pretty much finalized at this point."
Max couldn't help but frown at that as the memory from earlier today came into mind.
"Doesn't ms. Bustier know that?" Max asked curiously, "I mean, she is the teacher after all; the likelihood of her not knowing the details of the trip is slim at best."
"That's the thing! She does! She knows that there are multiple schools participating in this, not just me and Marinette.
Alix kicked a can and sent it flying over a brick wall
"Ow! My head! it hit me right in the head!"
"Plagg are you okay!?"
"But if she knows that it's impossible, why is she making you and Marinette reschedule the trip?" Max asked with a raised brow as he readjusted his glasses.
"Because Marinette need to be the bigger person and set a good example for others, and that I should speak up If it's someone else is doing something that is not fair, even if that person was the class representative," Alix explained as she mocked/mimic Ms. Bustier's voice while also doing hand puppets and rolling her eyes.
"woah really?" Kim asked, taken aback by this, "talk about unfair. "
"This is the same woman who forces us to invite Chloe into our group activities," Max brought up with a deadpan, annoyance evident in his tone, "and this is despite the fact that none of us wants her around. Not even Chloe herself wants to be near us if she could help it."
"The thing I don't get is why Lila is now bringing up the fact that she's going to Achu right before we have to leave for Japan?" Alix muttered as she scratched her head in confusion.
"Perhaps she was simply joking," Max shrugged, "similar to that time she made a joke about protecting my eye from a paper airplane that was made from a napkin."
"Wait, she said that as a joke!?" Kim asked in shock.
Alix couldn't help but let out an exacerbated sigh as she turned to the large teen.
"Of course Lila was joking about that Kim," Alix said as she face palmed, "not only does Max wear glasses, but it was a napkin. The worst that would happen is Max's glasses getting smudged."
Seriously, your brain has to be severely rotting to think that Lila actually saved Max's eyes that day.
(In an either the canon universe or some random salty au)
Suddenly everyone within Miss Bustier class (with the exception of Marinette, Adrien, Chloe, and Kim) all sneezed simultaneously.
(current universe)
"So what are you going to do?" Max asked as he adjusted his glasses
"There's really nothing we can do," Alix admitted with a frustrated sigh. As much she would like for Lila to also come along on the trip, it just wasn't realistic.
"You know, with how stressed you seemed to be with everything going on, I'm quite surprised you haven't been akumatized by shadowmoth by now," Max pointed out as he adjusted his glasses, his words pulling Alix out of her thoughts.
"Huh, your right," Alix blinked. Between Alya's stubbornness, being guilty about not being able to help Lila attend hero's week, Ms. Bustier's…stupidity, Alix was becoming more and more frustrated about the whole thing.
angry enough that she would have been easy prey in becoming one of Shadowmoth's unwilling minions.
How come…
"Oh yeah, you've been akumatized by him for less," Kim added as he snapped his fingers before snickering in amusement, "like that time when you..."
"Shut up, Kim," Alix growled, her tone making the jock immediately pale, "unless you want another nap in the Seine."
Kim let out a quite "ep" before he scrambled to hide behind an unamused Max.
In another part of the city, within an expansive chamber shrouded in darkness (you know, your typical super villain lair), a hatch on the floor opened up. From it rose a very tall man with a fair but rosy-tinted skin tone and a pointy chin. He had pale, light grayish cerulean eyes and combed-back light blond hair. Covering his eyes are a pair of black-framed silver glasses. He wore a white high collar dress shirt underneath a medium gray striped vest with red buttons and a cream-colored dress jacket without buttons, along with a red and white-striped ascot tie. A pair of red dress pants and a pair of white dress shoes, with black soles, and red shoelaces. On the middle finger of his left hand, he wears a silver band ring.
This was Gabriel Agrest, one of Paris most famous fashion designers.
And was also out of breath, as if he had just ran a marathon.
"Norodusuunify!" The man quickly chanted as he rushed forward as he pulled his tie aside to reveal a pair of unique broochs as both kwamis were sucked into their respective miraculous, before a familiar glow flowed across his body, transforming him into his villainous alter ego, shadow moth.
He skidded to a stop at the center of the chamber as the massive airlock of his window opened up, allowing light to spill in and onto his form similar to that of a spotlight.
"Huff, huff, aww, huff, such raw, huff, emotion," he began to monologue in between heavy pants, trying his best to put on his signature evil demeanor "perfect, huff, emotions for my…wait?"
His evil smirk fell from his face as the negative emotion he's been sensing built up all day began to dwindle.
He would have tried to akumitzed his would-be slave the moment he sensed their anger like he normally does. Unfortunately, he was stuck at an important meeting at at the time… which was also followed by numerous appointments he had to attend.
So he was reluctantly forced to allow this potential opportunity slip by.
But the longer he felt the anger brew and shimmer, the harder it was to simply ignore them. After all, Only strong negative emotions could fester that long, and such emotions were vital for making powerful akumas.
And those same emotions needed were now fading away.
"Oh no, nonononono, not yet I haven't even sent out my akuma!" Shadowmoth panic as he tried to conjure up one of his butterflies as quickly as possible.
But by the time his akuma was primed and ready to go…the negative emotion needed for his powerful akuma was gone.
"Grrrrrr, Curse you ladybug! Curse you!" Shadowmoth bellowed toward the heavens, as he repeatedly stomped the ground, "…even though you had nothing to do with this!
I had a really funny interaction idea based on the baseless hypothesis that Jax has joined the circus late enough to have used vine on the regular, but still early enough that probably missed most of what's happened in the last decade in the real world.
snowghoul
blakekathryn
jacobvanloon
tangentwithtanner
romaincrisis
origamiaround
kaledo-art
theartofmadeline
discoholicmusic
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