So @mantabanter recently started on a new story, Kissing Chameleons, and it NEEDS more attention.
With a new pandemic of Akuma related side effects making waves over France, Alya struggles to keep the peace between the heroes and the public. As the face of the Ladyblog, she has become a symbol of communication, and people are begging her for answers. Only now, she hasn't gotten any.
An old rival has an idea of what to do. Whether she can trust her, is something else entirely.
First three chapters are out, and I’m loving it so far! I adore the idea of akumatization side effects in general, and I think Manta’s doing a pretty good job on these.
Like for Chloe, she has wasps swarming around her constantly, and while they won’t sting her, she can’t manage to get them to go away for long. Or Lila, who’s stuck as Chameleon, in that she kissed someone and took on their form, losing her own in the process, which seems to be giving her somewhat of an identity crisis.
I also love how the plight of the “scarred”, as they’re called, is being covered. A lot of Parisians are restless and losing hope, especially since some of the side effects mean that they can’t work anymore. These aren’t just mild inconveniences here, nor are only the people we, the audience, know effected - this is citywide, and I can imagine how terrifying and awful these scars would be, especially to the people who can’t even search for a solution, who can only wait.
And of course, the fic is largely from Alya’s perspective, which I adore. Her thoughts and emotions are given credence, and she’s even allowed to disagree with Marinette on how to handle the situation. She has her own fears and courses of action she’s considering and just... I adore when Alya gets to take center stage like this.
Anyway, please go check it out!