Tales of Bloody Bug and Chat Noir 2.0 - Chapter 10 - Reflekta
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Alix sat on the ground as she watched the class before hers got their photo taken. She listened to the mindless chatter of her peers. Nathaniel mumbled to himself as he took notes for his latest comic idea. Adrien and Nino talked about some new music album. Juleka, Rose, Marinette, and Alya discussed Juleka’s self-inflicted jinx of not having a proper photo taken since she was young.
Alix rolled her eyes as the class ahead of them finished. The photographer set up for her class before he ushered them in. She joined Max, Marinette, Mylene, and Rose on the bench for the bottom row.
“Look, Sabrina, they’re up front in the baby seats. Go on, rugrats, don’t forget-!”
Alix leaned over and locked eyes with Chloe. Chloe gulped and shut up.
“Seriously, how do you do that? One look and that’s it. Chloe doesn’t say anything else to you,” Marinette remarked.
Alix crossed her arms. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Marinette sighed and faced forward.
The photographer got everyone else into position while Chloe complained the entire time not being next to Adrien. The photographer readied to take the photo until Marinette reminded him of Juleka, who he almost left out. Alix wished they had because the photographer spent too long rearranging them for a simple photo.
“This is ridiculous. My spot is unacceptable!” Chloe yelled.
Alix growled and jumped to her feet. She whirled around and faced Chloe, who tried to push Juleka out of the way. “Shut up! Shut. Up! No one cares what you want! Just stand in your stupid little spot and let’s get this over with!”
Chloe flinched and stood in her spot.
“Alix, my office after this,” Mr. Damocles said.
“Worth it. Someone has to do the job you two refuse to do,” Alix muttered.
Mr. Damocles and Miss Bustier sighed.
“Alright, we’re perfect now. Everyone say, ‘Spaghetti,’” Vincent announced.
“Spaghetti,” everyone said.
Vincent clicked the button as the camera’s battery died. “I don’t believe this. I’m sorry, I have to go fetch another battery. Nobody move!”
Alix let out a groan of frustration. She slipped off the bench onto the ground. “Can I just go to your office now, please?”
“Not until after the photo. Get back into position, Miss Kubdel,” Mr. Damocles said.
Alix huffed. She sat back on the bench as Juleka moved. She listened to Juleka ask to head to the restroom. She thought to herself that Juleka would miss the photo because she moved. She looked back as Vincent finished replacing the battery and took the picture.
Alix got up as Juleka ran out of the bathroom. She headed up to Mr. Damocles office as she listened to Miss Bustier tell Juleka she missed the photo. She rolled her eyes as she knew that would happen. She waited outside the principal’s office. Mr. Damocles made his way back to it and motioned for her to enter. She took a seat as he did.
“Alix, we need to talk about your anger,” Mr. Damocles started.
“Why? Chloe shut her trap real quick after I said something. Maybe you guys should do the same and she wouldn’t walk all over you guys too.”
“Alix, you are young, I don’t-.”
“I may be young, but I still understand how the world works. And at least I understand that you need to stand your ground and be an authority figure if you want any respect. Being a doormat is no way to get it.”
Mr. Damocles sighed. “I had hoped to avoid these measures, Alix. You’re a brilliant student, but you’ve left me no choice. You are suspended.”
“What? Why?” Alix demanded.
“Insubordination and disrespectful behavior to your superiors. Now, I’ll be phoning your father to come pick you up. You will remain right here.”
Alix growled as she sunk down in her seat. She listened to Mr. Damocles short conversation with Alim before they hung up.
“I hope your father properly disciplines you for this behavior. It is unbecoming of a young lady,” Mr. Damocles remarked.
“It was just fine for my mother,” Alix muttered.
“Will all due respect, your mother was a wild woman that was the furthest thing from a proper lady. Something you shouldn’t aspire to be, young lady.”
Alix’s eyes widened as tears stung her eyes. “The fuck did you just say?”
Alix stood. “Fuck you! My mother was an amazing woman. She didn’t need to be your definition of a proper lady. She didn’t need to live to your fuck ass standards! She was more than anything you could ever hope to be you fucking old ass mother fucking bitch!”
“Miss Kubdel, that’s enough!”
Tears poured from Alix’s eyes as she flipped off Mr. Damocles and ran out. He hollered after her, but she leapt over the railing. She braced herself to hit the ground and roll when a portal opened up. She fell into a deep blue void into the arms of the shark hero. She glanced up along with the shark hero at Mr. Damocles. His jaw dropped as they both flipped him off as the portal closed. The shark hero put Alix down and stepped back.
“Alright now, who are you?” Alix asked.
“Uh, well, I’m that girl. The one from before with the birdman and that blonde annoying girl,” the shark hero said.
“You. Why are you doing this?”
“I saw you in that man’s room and you looked angry. I thought I would come get you away from that man.”
“I… thank you, especially after what he said about my mom.”
“He called her a savage and that she was improper. And then had the audacity to say I shouldn’t strive to be like her. Can you believe that?”
“No, but I’m not close to my mom. What was yours like?”
“She was incredible! She was wild, fearless, and took no one’s shit. She lived a hard life and was very guarded. She was suspicious of the whole world, but always loved those closest to her openly.”
“She sounds like an intelligent woman.”
“She was. I just wish she was here. She’d show that old fool how right and wrong he was.”
“She… she died when I was about seven. Some disease.”
The shark hero’s eyes widened. “You must miss her every day.”
“I do. Hey. Could we go to her grave? I just… prefer to be there at times like this.”
The shark hero nodded. She opened a portal to a graveyard right in front of Josiphine Kubdel’s grave.
“How did you know?” Alix asked.
“The Estuary. In here, I see more than I should. There was a gate here and I saw you here, but it’s closed.”
Alix didn’t understand but didn’t ask. She stepped out and curled against Josiphine’s grave. The shark hero slowly knelt, her eyes fixed on the name.
“Josiphine? It’s a… lovely name.”
Alix chuckled. “Dad always thought so, but Mom hated it. Reminded her of her parents. She only came to like it again when she met Dad. Something about how he said her name made her love it again.”
“Your dad sounds like a good man.”
“He is. You might like him.”
The shark hero leaned against the grave as she mindlessly traced the “Kubdel” part. “I bet I would.”
Alix sighed as she closed her eyes. The shark hero reached out and took Alix’s hand as they sat there together.
Adrien returned from lunch and headed into the school. His attention on his phone when he bumped into Luka.
“Uh, Adrien, right?” Luka asked.
“Yes. Yes! Luka, right? What’s up?”
“Uh, not much. Have you seen Jewel?”
“Jewel? Oh, Juleka, right? I haven’t since class photos. Would you like some help finding her?”
Luka opened his mouth when the door to the locker room slammed against the door. Luka recoiled and shrank back. Adrien’s eyes widened as a girl in a neon pink jester’s outfit strolled out. She eyed the boys and jumped closer. Luka and Adrien gasped as they looked at a face with Juleka’s likeness.
“Juleka?” Adrien and Luka asked.
“Juleka’s gone. My name’s Reflekta and you’re both about to join the ranks of Me’s.”
Reflekta aimed her right arm at Luka. Luka fumbled and fell. Adrien jumped in the way and shielded Luka from the attack Reflekta shot out from the trinket on her hand. Adrien gagged as his appearance became a mirror image of Reflekta.
“That’s much better. Now, stand aside. It’s time my dear brother got his extreme makeover,” Reflekta demanded.
Adrien steadied herself and dropped into a fighting stance. “Make me move.”
“Do you really think you can take me?”
“Take what? A girl with no martial training with powers to give makeovers? You’ll wish it was Alix here instead of me.”
Reflekta hesitated. She stepped back and ran off.
“That’s what I thought,” Adrien muttered.
“Th-th-that wasn’t… that wasn’t Juleka… was it?” Luka asked.
“It seems so. Look, go hide. Like this, she isn’t herself. You’ll be safer until she’s freed.”
Adrien smiled, found a place to hide, and transformed. He ran out in search of Reflekta. He frowned seeing the countless clones as he worked how to identify the real one.
“Chat Noir! You’re just who Hawkmoth wants,” Reflekta yelled.
Chat Noir looked around as a beam came his away. He ducked before, narrowly missing it. He stood as Reflekta approached him.
“Where’s your precious little bug, Chat Noir? I’d hate for her to miss out on this wonderful opportunity to receive the facelift of the century with her alley cat.”
“Don’t you think this is all a little extreme?”
“Nothing is too extreme. I’ve been invisible for too long. Now the entire city will look exactly like me. But only after I’ve dealt with you and claimed your ring for Hawkmoth.”
“How have you been invisible?”
“Because I might be able to help you. I just need to know what’s the problem.”
Reflekta considered when a light formed around her face like a mask. Her eyes widened before she frowned. She looked at her hand, then at Chat Noir.
“I haven’t taken a good picture since I was young. Especially a class photo. I missed my chance again today because I had to use the bathroom.”
Chat Noir smiled and offered his hand. “Then let me help. We’ll break this curse together.”
Reflekta smiled and took Chat Noir’s hand. She stepped down as the light around her face fractured and fell away. Chat Noir’s eyes widened as the akuma flew out and purified itself. He looked at Reflekta as she reverted to Juleka.
“What-? What happened? Where am I?” Juleka asked.
“You’re your school. After being akumatized,” Chat Noir answered.
“It’s ok. It’s not fun being feeling like you’re not seen. But I did promise to help you.”
“While you were akumatized. And I will make good on it. Go get your class. I’ll have a word with the photographer. And if they don’t listen, tell them Chat Noir is here, ok?”
Chat Noir leapt down and approached the photographer, Vincent. Vincent gasped and grinned.
“Chat Noir! An honor to stand before you. Thank you so very much for taking care of that horrid little jester thing,” Vincent said.
“All in a day’s work. But I have favor to ask.”
“Of course. Anything for a defender of Paris.”
“That same girl that was the jester, she was upset because she believes she’s cursed and can’t take a good photo anymore. Why don’t we change that?”
“I don’t know. I am running late to my next appointment.”
“I’ll throw in some photos of me. Help with advertising, you know?”
“You drive a hard bargain. Deal. Get the bleachers out!” Vincent yelled as his crew.
Chat Noir smiled as Juleka arrived with her class, Miss Bustier, and Mr. Damocles. Juleka fidgeted as she shuffled closer.
“I… couldn’t find Adrien or Alix,” Juleka said.
“Adrien should be getting ready. He is my next appointment,” Vincent said.
“And Alix has been suspended. She will not be joining us,” Mr. Damocles announced.
“Suspended? But, sir-!” Miss Bustier said.
“It had to be done. Maybe some tough love will set her straight. Have her work gathered and someone to deliver it.”
Rose, Mylene, and Ivan raised their hands. “I’ll do it.”
“Well, we’ll figure it out later. Right now, we’re here for another picture?” Miss Bustier asked.
“Nonsense. We have one already,” Mr. Damocles said.
“Exactly. And one of my best photos. No way we’re replacing it,” Chloe said.
Chat Noir rolled his eyes. He moved over to Chloe, scooped her up, and tossed her aside.
“Then you don’t need to be in this photo,” Chat Noir said.
“Chat Noir! Please be careful with my students,” Mr. Damocles scolded.
“What was that you said? Maybe a little tough love will set her straight? I agree. Now then.”
Chat Noir took Juleka’s hand and led her to the center of the bleaches. He winked at her as she took a seat. The others filed in while Chloe stood and glared at Chat Noir.
“What was that about, alley cat?” Chloe screeched.
“Removing the undesirables. After all, this isn’t about you, queenie. It’s for a better, fairer queen,” Chat Noir remarked.
Juleka blushed and looked away. Chat Noir smirked and stood next to Vincent as he took the opportunity to kick Chloe back.
“Everyone say Miraculous!” Chat Noir called.
“Miraculous!” everyone said.
Vincent snapped the photo. Chat Noir looked at it with Vincent. Chat Noir smiled seeing Juleka’s face with nothing in the way. He moved over to her and held out a hand.
“Consider your curse lifted,” Chat Noir said.
Juleka teared up and hugged Chat Noir. “Thank you.”
Chat Noir patted Juleka’s head. “Think nothing of it. Just remember that there are other means to solve our problems. Don’t need to become a monster to get them.”
“I’ll remember. Thank you.”
Chat Noir bowed. He moved to join Vincent for the photos he promised when he eyed Chloe glowering at him. He moved towards her. She opened her mouth when he got in her face.
“Remember this, Chloe. The world doesn’t revolve around you. There’s no need for any of your snide comments or self-centered remarks. Just step out of the way and let others have their moments,” Chat Noir hissed.
“Keep spouting your nonsense, alley cat. Just wait until Bloody Bug hears about this,” Chloe threatened.
“Actually, just you wait because I know she’ll agree with me. You know why? Because I understand her better than you ever could. I am her partner fighting while you prance around in silly little costumes playing make believe. And you’ll keep doing that knowing you’ll never be good enough to be what I am.”
Chloe sneered before she turned and left. Chat Noir held his head high while he watched her leave. He sighed, then smiled.
“Alright, good sir, I’m ready for my closeup!”
