My Mask Chapter 1, a miraculous: tales of ladybug & cat noir fanfic

Panting I grinned as the final note of the song faded into the insane applause from the audience. Waving I called out "so thats it for tonight guys but now I have gotta go" huge numbers of boos and calls for an encore ensued and for a moment I was temped, but then I remembered school tomorrow. Sighing I said "yeah I know I don't want to go either but unfortunately this is it for tonight guys" finishing with a little laugh I exited the stage heading for the changing rooms out back. I shot a little wave at Tikki on the way past, who grinned and shot me a thumbs up.

As soon as I was behind the closed door of my dressing room I breathed a huge sigh of relief and slumped slightly. Kicking the six inch heels I was wearing off before making my way over to the vanity, removing the carefully applied mask I blinked a couple times and relaxed. Sliding out of the skin tight red mini dress covered in little black polkadots to match the mask, I held the little strapless dress up and shook my head slightly marvelling at how I could show so much skin and never be recognised.

A quiet voice reminded me that as Ladybug I showed that much skin but as Marrinette I don't think I had ever showed that much skin, so of course no one recognised me. Running around I went about gathering all my stuff together shoving everything in the black back pack waiting for me as I went, and starting on getting redressed at the same time.

Pulling on a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a loose red hoodie I quickly pulled my hair into a bun, shoving my feet into a pair of beat up red trainers scooped up my bag before exiting the dressing room by the back door. Looking both ways down the alleyway I made sure the coast was clear before heading out onto the street and heading for the unmarked black road car waiting at the curb. Tugging the door open I flopping down onto the seat I grinned at my agent and said "so master Fu any other gigs tonight or can I sleep now?"

The little old man that was my agent gave me one of his patented 'I'm not impressed' looks before he said "no more gigs tonight you can sleep now Marrinette, just remember you have school tomorrow and you have to go if you want to maintain your secret identity"

Sighing I replied "yeah I know, kick me when we reach my house" and with that I was out like a light.

xxxxxx

Snorting awake I shook my head vigorously to get the sleepiness to leave and when I did I realised I was in my bed in my home, blinking and looking around I had no idea how I got here. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep in the car on the way home, master Fu must have got my body guard to carry me to bed. Yeah I still can't believe I have a body guard, but hey I have some crazy ass fans out there so better safe than sorry.

Rolling out of bed I stumbled to the shower, washing away as much of my tiredness as possible. Stepping out of the shower I dried myself with my towel and busied my self getting ready for the day.

Yanking on a pair of pink capri jeans and a white t-shirt I shoved my feet into my shoes and grabbed my jacket and bag, remembering at the last minute to put my maths homework in as I bounded down the stairs. At breakfast both my parents commented on how proud of my singing they were and that they had watched my performance on the tv live, and then just as we finished up they both wished me good luck in class today and I was off strolling down the streets of Paris to school.

When I reached the front steps of the school I spotted Alya and waved an enthusiastic greeting.

"Hey girl did you see on my lady blog, Ladybug did another performance last night at 'Spotlight'. I wish I could see one live."

Smiling at her I said "well who knows maybe she will do one again soon, hey what if she did one for just you?"

Alya gave me this wide eyed stare before laughing and said "girl she is a pop star she must be way to busy to give me a private concert although if she did I think I would die a very happy reporter!"

Smiling fondly at my friend I made a mental note to talk to master Fu about doing a concert at the school maybe or perhaps one for just Alya, although it was unlikely he would let her get away with doing that. Too much favouritism and all that. Shaking my head I gestured to the school "well after you miss reporter."

Alya snorted and replied "your so weird Marri..."

Sliding into the school we took our seats in the class room waiting for Nino and Adrien to arrive, they slid into heir seats just seconds before the bell rang and the teacher came in. Judging by her disapproving look she had seen.

About halfway through class I was bored out of my mind when my phone vibrated in my pocket, carefully sliding the cell phone out and peering at the screen I saw a text from master Fu.

Marrinette you have an appointment in 15 minutes you need to leave NOW I have made arrangements with the teacher, she should be aware. Car will be waiting out front, everything is ready and in the car for you.

Blinking I sat up straighter and then raised my hand calling the teachers attention, "I have an appointment to get to, is it okay if I leave?"

The teacher glanced at the clock and frowned but nodded and waved for me to grab my things, as she said "yes a mister 'Fu' called and said there would be a car waiting for you out front."

Nodding at her I studiously ignored Alya's curios looks and packed my things, before making a swift exit from the room heading for main entrance to the school and the black car that would be waiting to take me to my next gig.

Slipping into the car I peeked over at master Fu and said "so where to?"

Smirking he said "we are going around the back of the school so you can sneak back and perform for your school."

Gaping at him I spluttered wordlessly for several seconds, trying to work out how he knew I wanted to do a gig for the school. Before deciding to give up trying, he just always knew these things. "Okay"

And so we drove around the back of the school and I slipped in through a back door and into the classroom next to the main hall were we had assemblies which had been roped of and had an excited looking Tikki waiting outside.

As soon as she had spotted me (AN haha did you see what I did there) she raced over and dragged me inside the changing room before proceeding to shove clothes at me yanking my hair out of its pig tails as she went and then started attacking me with make up, and a hair brush.

Five minutes later and I was done and ready to go, being led into the currently empty hall and up onto the stage were the curtains were then drawn. I waited in the semi darkness listening as the principal announced over the intercom that lessons would be interrupted while they had an important guest in to see everyone today. He went on to instruct everyone to leave their classrooms with their teachers and head for the main hall were the mystery guest would be revealed.

Moments later I could hear the doors swing open and the sound of thousands of voices drifted back to me. Shooting a slightly panicked look at Tikki I was debating the merits of running for it when she spoke, "spots on LB, spots on, remember that and you will be fine."

Blinking I felt a rush of gratitude for my friend followed by an overwhelming sense of calm. Smiling slightly I waited eagerly now for the curtain to be yanked back so I could perform for my school mates.

Concentrating I could now hear the principle speaking "...very busy so we are very lucky to have her here today, she even agreed to hang around for pictures and a few questions" shooting a look at Tikki the confusion must have been easy to see as Tikki shrugged, so it clearly wasn't her call, must have been master Fu. "...so without further ado I give you Ladybug"

The curtains drew back with a soft swish and the audience roared their approval, smirking I sashayed forwards grabbing the mic and opening my mouth lyrics spilling forth. The music was slow at first before gradually speeding up and becoming so fast at times I was almost rapping, spinning and jumping across the stage I danced my feelings out as I poured my soul into the song, when it finally finished the applause was insane. Grinning waved and called out over the mic "any requests?"

I got several shouts including covers of other songs, but I already knew what I would be singing and sure enough "...Titanium.." grinning at Alya's shout I turned to Tikki and she just shook her head smiling, before flicking through the tracks till she reached my all time favourite song. My first. (AN, titanium isn't mine obviously and in this fic I'm just going to have it so Marrinette wrote it, because I am unimaginative and I can't write a song just for this fic so yeah, lyrics coming up you may want to skip or you can read it, its up to you.)

You shout it out,
But I can't hear a word you say
I'm talking loud, not saying much
I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet
Shoot me down, but I get up

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

Cut me down
But it's you who'll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love
Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones
I'm talking loud not saying much

Stone-heart, machine gun
Firing at the ones who run
Stone heart loves bulletproof glass

You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
I am titanium

Once the song ended more applause ensued and I went through about a dozen different song choices making sure to please as many people as possible, finally I called a stop to the requests. I could feel my throat burning from singing and so I ended my set there and grabbed a bottle of water before returning to the stage. Sitting at the edge of the stage I settled in to listen to and answer as many questions as possible, most were benign like 'what is your favourite colour?' Or 'what is my favourite song?' All of which I answered honestly, but then you got questions like 'do you have a best friend?' Which could eventually get her in trouble if someone managed to work out her identity so she avoided those and ones that were obviously unanswerable like 'what is you secret identity?' Or 'why do you hide your face?'

After an hour of answering questions I sat up slightly straighter and said "okay so my turn now." Jumping of the stage I heard my body guards shouting and moving towards me, waving them of I glided through the throngs of people stoping hear or there to ask questions. When I reached Alya I smiled and said "you like Titanium right? You were the one who requested it?" She nodded mutely too awed that Ladybug was talking to her to speak. Smiling I said "yeah its one of my favourites, I love performing it."

"Mine too" it seemed she was finally able to speak "can I get a photo with you? For my friend, she had to go just before we got the announcement and I would feel terrible if she missed all this."

Grinning I said "of course" holding her phone up she snapped a couple of pictures of us together then a few other people squished into he picture and finally I had to wave off more pictures and continue. Stumbling out between two fans who didn't want to let go of me I was caught by another pair of arms. Looking up I saw a pair of neon green eyes, Adrien, my brain very helpfully supplied. Blinking I said "uh hey, your Adrien Agrest right?"

Gaping at me he spluttered slightly "ho..wh...wha... you know my n..name?"

Grinning at finally being the one to cause other people to stutter I said "of course I do, your father designed one of my costumes. That and the fact you seem to forget you are a famous model."

He blinked and seemed to deflate slightly "oh, yeah I am."

Confused for a second I pondered what I could have said before it occurred to me he didn't really like people only knowing him for his fame. Needing to repair the damage done I continued "but I only know your name, I refuse to believe some of the stuff that comes out in magazines, its ridiculous. So how about you join me for a coffee some time and we can get to now each other better yeah?" Leaning in slightly I said "besides it would be nice to get to know someone who understands you know?"

Looking at me like I had just handed him a winning lottery ticked he nodded and said "yeah that would be amazing my lady"

Smiling at him I waved over the nearest person, which just so happened to be Nathaniel beaming at him I said "could you take a picture of us for me..."

Looking distinctly dazed he said "uh Nathaniel and sure"

Grinning I said "thanks Nathaniel" as Adrien handed over his phone.

Posing together both smiling, although Adrien looked slightly out of it the picture was taken, retrieving Adrien's phone from Nathaniel I clicked on the picture and grinning at the picture I quickly texted a copy to my phone before handing the mobile back to its owner.

Just then my body guards finally reached me through the heaving crowd and started to drag me back to wards the classroom I had changed in before. Once in the room I grabbed all my stuff shoved it in the bag that the clothes was wearing had been in and exited again. Being escorted from the room to the car I plopped into the seat and slid the privacy glass up before changing swiftly into my civilian clothes and allowing the car to drive us back around the front. Huge crowds of people standing at the entrance to the school prevented me from getting back into the school that way and I frowned at the driver. "What do we do now? I can't miss a whole day of school for an 'appointment' oh god this is a disaster."

Suddenly a figure dressed in a red and black polkadot hoodie darted across the street causing the crowd to shriek and clap and scream for 'Ladybug' and the mystery girl put on a burst of speed practically throwing themselves into another black car which then sped of and then the huge crowds that had gathered started to ebb slightly as people drifted back to classes. Grinning I muttered "love you Tikki"

Having changed back into 'Marrinette' I shoved all my Ladybug stuff back into the black bag it came from and then checking the coast was clear darted out of the car and into he school. Making my way back to my class I had to sit through the rest of the day having Alya giving me a blow by blow account of what happened while I was gone, and I had to act really surprised which I was now an expert at due to the number of times I 'missed' important Ladybug events. But I was still bored out of my mind by the time school finished and I could finally go home.