Child's Play

by Zoe Avery

Hawk Moth was captured and the city of Paris has been akuma-free for five years. But at the five year celebration comes to an end, the city of Paris is again attacked by an akumatized victim. But she is playing a long game and the good heroes of Paris might not see it coming before it is too late.

3. Scene 2

Scene open to a bricked building at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The top floor carries a simple white sign with black letters, saying "Witness Daily". Alya's workplace is a digital and multimedia news company. It is morning and all of the team is gathered in a big room surrounded by glass walls. Mr. Buble takes a seat at the end of the long table.

Mr. Buble: "Good morning, everybody let us make this quick. Tomorrow is the five year anniversary of Hawk Moths Capture and the Mayor is holding a special event to thank Ladybug and Chat Noir for their service. Alya, I think it is only fair that you cover this."

Alya (beams with joy): Thank you, sir!"

A hand raises in the air. Mr. Buble looks at it. It belongs to a short girl. Her body is curvy and her skin is brown, which suits her brown eyes. Her hair is dark and heavy, tied up in crooked ponytail. Mr. Buble nods to her.

Mr. Buble: "Oh yes. I almost forgot. This is Ms. Zoya Khan. Our newest colleague. She will be working alongside many of you. Welcome."

Zoeya: "Thank you, sir. But I was raising my hand to ask if it would be possible for me to cover that event too?"

Mr. Buble (baffled): Well… It is just that Alya always cover the Ladybug and Chat Noir news. And she is doing a great job."

Zoeya: "Yes. She has been covering them for more than nine years now. Maybe we could try with a different perspective."

Alya (raising an eyebrow): "And what perspective is that?"

Zoeya: "The one that is not afraid to ask the important questions. No matter how we see it there is no denying that Ladybug and Chat Noir are vigilantes, and at the moment Paris is only place where such a thing is encouraged."

Alya (appalled): "Vigilantes? They have saved our lives more times than we can count! And you want to turn them into outlaws?"

Zoeya (frightened): I have nothing against them. I am just saying that when Hawk Moth was in the game. It made sense that Ladybug and Chat Noir were fighting for us because no one else could. But now they are fighting common men and women. How is that any different from Vigilantes around the world? They are not authorized. It is basically civil arrest. Isn't this important to talk about? Why are we letting them go on when we have the police force and law to deal with these kind of criminals."

Mr. Buble: "I see your point, Ms. Khan, but the people of Paris trust them. We represent the people."

Zoeya (crossing her arms): And here I thought we represented the truth."

Mr. Buble: "The truth needs facts".

Alya: "And the facts are that Paris would not survive without Ladybug and Chat Noir".

Zoeya: "Facts are created by the truth. The truth is not created by the facts."

Mr. Buble: "I think we have wasted enough time on this. I would like Alya to stay on this."

Zoeya sighs as Alya looks at her with a satisfied smile.

Scene Ends.