one
10.
"Ladybug, we need you on platform A right now. Got it?"
9.
"Dancers, get ready to go on stage in five. Let's have a good show tonight,"
8.
"Ladybug, do you need more track in your ear, or are you alright?"
7.
"Knock 'em dead, sweetheart."
6.
"Hair and makeup, I need you to prepare the touch-up routine,"
5.
"Wardrobe, we're gonna need extra help with that bodysuit again,"
4.
"Break a leg, doll. We'll be rooting for you back here."
3.
"Dancers, go, go, go!"
2.
"Here we go! Places, everyone! Tech crew, I need spotlights and strobes going, please and thanks!"
1.
Showtime.
The visuals came on first, projected onto two huge screens on either side of the stage. A sequined skirt sparkled brightly underneath the lighting as a figure danced around on the screen to the intro music, eliciting cheering from the crowd. Her sheer top showed off the navy bralette she wore underneath, matching the strappy heels on her feet as the camera panned around the girl. Bluebell eyes barely showed behind dark shades as she struck a number of poses onscreen. The camera began to come closer as she slowly brought her hands to her sunglasses. Just as she began to pull at the glasses, the camera cut to black, bathing the entire arena in darkness.
Marinette shifted her body into her starting pose as the platform she crouched on began to move. Rising up to the screams of thousands of fans at every concert never grew old for Ladybug. In fact, she became giddier after each one. It was a feeling like no other, knowing that all these people were there to see her, that they all loved her and the music she created.
As the lights came on, she threw on her signature smile. Bright bluebell eyes stood out from underneath a crimson mask as she looked out over the crowd of fans. People were screaming her name, eyes filled with awe and wonder. A red bustier with black straps matched perfectly with black sequined hot pants, which shone brightly underneath the stage lighting. Her long black hair was tied back into a sleek braid; a pair of black over-the-knee boots elongated Ladybug's legs, giving the girl a height boost. The whole ensemble was tied together with a metallic grey raincoat that hung off one shoulder. Confidence oozed from the petite ravenette, radiating around the arena.
"How're you doing tonight Paris?"
The crowd simply roared at her question.
Then the opening notes began, and Ladybug lost herself underneath the glare of the stage lights, muscle memory remembering the steps to the choreography.
Boy, you know that you drive me crazy, but it's one of the things I like
Cause I know when you need it, baby, that I got that, ooh ooh
Let 'em keep, let 'em keep on talking, but it don't matter what they say
Cause you know when you hear me knocking, gonna get that, ooh ooh
Ladybug danced and shimmied along to the music, feeling the bass move throughout her body. The bright lights on stage made it harder for her to look farther back into the crowd, so she settled for scanning the rows closest to her for her friends.
I've been doing stupid things, wilder then I've ever been
You've become my favorite sin, so, let 'em keep, let 'em keep on talking
That's right
A few rows back from the stage, Adrien Agreste, Alya Cesaire, and Nino Lahiffe watched in utter amazement as Ladybug strutted around on stage, dancing and singing. There was something…miraculous about the way the girl held herself onstage. It was almost as if she was untouchable; that if she stood up there, she was invincible.
We got that hood love, we got that good love
We got that hot love, we got that I don't give a what love
We got that one life, give me that all night
We got that Bonnie and Clyde love, they say it's wrong, but
That's the way you turn me on, we got that hood love
We got that good love, make me make, bad
Boy, you make me make bad decisions, bad
Boy, you make me make bad decisions
Marinette swung her body to the beat, leading the dancers behind her. The heat from the lights bore down on her as she shimmied around, and she could feel sweat beginning to form on her brow.
No, they ain't gonna understand it, understand what I see in you
They don't know when you touch my body, that I see the truth
Let 'em keep, let 'em keep on talking, 'cause I know that I got someone
Anytime that I need some danger, gonna get that ooh, ooh
She finally caught sight of her friends and sent them a radiant smile. Her eyes locked with Adrien's and she winked before flipping her hair and moving across to the other side of the stage.
I've been doing stupid things, wilder then I've ever been
You've become my favorite sin, so, let 'em keep, let 'em keep on talking
That's right
We got that hood love, we got that good love
We got that hot love, we got that I don't give a what love
We got that one life, give me that all night
We got that Bonnie and Clyde love, they say it's wrong, but
That's the way you turn me on, we got that hood love
We got that good love, make me make, bad
Boy, you make me make bad decisions, bad
Boy, you make me make bad decisions
The bridge was her favorite part of the song for many reasons. It gave Marinette endless confidence every single time she sang it, and she felt powerful for the effect. And then there was the fact that it drives the crowd insane, she thought with a smile.
Don't you know I ain't fucking with them good boys?
Know you love me like ain't nobody here, boy
If you want it, boy, you got it
Ain't you ever seen a princess be a bad bitch?
The crowd lost it. People screamed her name, and the cheering echoed loudly around her. Ladybug smirked and tossed her hair, pausing to bask in the moment before jumping right back into the final chorus of the song.
We got that hood love, we got that good love
We got that hot love, we got that I don't give a what love
We got that one life, give me that all night
We got that Bonnie and Clyde love, they say it's wrong, but
That's the way you turn me on, we got that hood love
We got that good love, make me make, bad
Boy, you make me make bad decisions
Bad boy, you make me make bad decisions
Bad boy, you make me make bad decisions
Bad boy, you make me make bad decisions
The arena was deafeningly loud as the song finished. So loud, in fact, that it took a few minutes for everything to settle down to the point where she could speak, and even then it was hard to say anything above all the noise.
"Paris! I love you so, so much!" She exclaimed excitedly into her glittering microphone, prompting another round of cheering and yelling from her supportive fans. "To know that my home city is behind me and supporting my success one hundred percent is so incredible to me and I love you all so fucking much!" She smiled grandly, gesturing widely with outstretched arms. Her face filled the big screens on either side of the stage as a camera followed below.
"That was my latest single from my brand new album, Lucky Charm. I hope you really love it as much as I do, because I have a special announcement for you guys tonight!" At this, she paused, and winked at the crowd sending them into another fit of whistles and screams.
"Buuut"—she smirked playfully, holding up a finger—"I have one more song before I tell you all what that secret is. Now, I want everybody to get out your flashlights and lighters, because this next song needs a lil' bit of a night-sky-type of effect."
Thousands of bright little lights soon filled the otherwise pitch-black arena, giving a beautiful glow to the venue and the singer who stood on the stage, taking it all in.
"All right everyone. This next song is from my debut album, Miss Fortune. If you know the words, please sing along." With that she strode down to a set of stairs placed on the stage, sitting down gently. "This is Good Enough. I hope you like it."
As the lights dimmed down and the piano started up softly, Marinette lost herself in the music.
I am the diamond you left in the dust
I am the future you lost in the past
Seems like I never compared
Wouldn't notice if I disappeared
Ladybug felt the emotion building up within her. The song meant so much to her, both as Ladybug and Marinette. She was generally a confident person who knew her self-worth, but there were days where she doubted herself on both sides of the mask.
You stole the love that I saved for myself
And I watched you give it to somebody else
But these scars no longer I hide
I found the light you shut inside
Couldn't love me if you tried
Marinette poured her heart and soul into every lyric, with as much passion and emotion as she could muster.
Am I still not good enough?
Am I still not worth that much?
I'm sorry for the way my life turned out,
Sorry for the smile I'm wearing now,
Guess I'm still not good enough
The more intense feelings came to light and she threw herself deeper into the lyrics, trying to blink back the tears that began to prick at the corner of her eyes.
Does it burn, knowing I used all the pain?
Does it hurt, knowing you're fuel to my flame?
Don't look back, don't need your regrets
Thank god you left my love behind
Couldn't change me if you tried
Her mind was on overdrive as she serenaded the crowd in front of her. Every insecure thought was at the front of her mind, overwhelming her.
Am I still not good enough?
Am I still not worth that much?
I'm sorry for the way my life turned out,
Sorry for the smile I'm wearing now,
Guess I'm still not good enough
Adrien watched the singer from the crowd, mesmerized as she effortlessly nailed every single note. As she entered the bridge, it was then that he noticed. Ladybug was crying. The girl was falling apart on stage, tears in her eyes.
Release your curse, cause I know my worth
Those wounds you made are gone
You ain't seen nothing yet
Your love wore thin, and I never win
You want the best, so sorry that's clearly not me
This is all I can be
Marinette could feel hot, salty tears falling behind her closed eyes as she sang with everything she had in her. Her voice died and not trusting herself, pointed the microphone towards the crowd and smiled weakly, tears blurring her vision as she listened to them sing to her.
Am I still not good enough?
Am I still not worth that much?
I'm sorry for the way my life turned out,
Sorry for the smile I'm wearing now
Guess I'm still not good enough
As soon as the song finished, Ladybug dropped her microphone and ran off the stage.