Chapter 22: Outfit Change

"Class, pleas- "

"Excuse me! Is this Miss. Bustier's class?" A woman who was standing near the door caught the class's attention.

She wore a white flowy dress and an odd crown. Oddly resembling some sort of sci-fi fantasy princess. Well, that was Marinette's imagination of one anyways.

"Y-yes." Their teacher stuttered but still held a brave stance, "What do you want?"

"Me? What I want is too big for you to handle but I guess I'll do you all a favour?" The woman swung the door shut behind them as she fired a white beam onto the floor with her weapon, as the whole class began shaking.

Definitely an akuma. How was she exactly going to transform though? Creeping out of the room was impossible with the akuma nearby. If only she could somehow hide and escape the room through the window so she could transform into Ladybug.

But it was too late for that. The screams and shrieks of students echoed through the room as it the bright light blinded them. She could feel her body rising up, it was floating in the air, it was like they had no gravity and it reminded her of the time they were aboard Startrain. This akuma seemed to have similar powers but what was she actually doing? Transporting them to space?

As the room whirled around, the akuma's voice bellowed above them, "Your clothing's ridiculous! Time for a makeover! Let's see what characters you'll fit for my world?" Her world?

"Hmm…" Marinette jumped aside as she saw that the akuma was right behind her. Talk about creepy. "I know what role is perfect you."

The akuma prodded her chin and gave her a sly smile as Marinete leaned back, her head swirling with a number of plans in case she striked.

"You seem to have a heart of gold. Helping others, soft and sweet, but there's something to you that's fiery and smart. I have the perfect role fit for you." The akuma blew tiny sparks at her face. She tried to dodge them but awkwardly failed with the proximity of the akuma.

She dodged back as the sparks covered her strangely surrounding her. Her blazer and jeans were swapped for a pink gown, as her hairstyle seemed to turn from pigtails to a bun. The dress was beautiful, it felt wonderful and it definitely had fine craftsmanship but that really wasn't the point…

"Perfect for you, Princess! Good luck finding your prince!" The akuma let out a girly giggle and whisked away. She should've gone after her.

She could transform into Ladybug; it was impossible to see anything or anyone in this light. But should she take the risk? The Battle of the Miraculous had taught her enough.

"Marinette!" A familiar voice came from behind her.

"Adrien." She said whirling around. He was not in his school clothes anymore. He was wearing a suit. And he looked breath-taking. Especially with his sleeves rolled up. It gave him that handsome look. Not that he wasn't already handsome. It just brought out his features more. Oh god, her cheeks were reddening now. There went her unreciprocated feelings again.

"You really do look like a princess." He smiled.

"T-thanks." Her cheeks reddened. There went her stuttering again. "You don't look bad yourself?"

"Really?" He leaned in closer surprisingly graceful despite the fact they were floating in mid-air, "Thank you, ma princesse."

He whispered that in her ear as shivers ran down her spine with deja-vu. He was dangerously close to her, his breath fanned off her cheeks.

This isn't the right time, Marinette. The sensible part of her said. You have an akuma to face, you have to concentrate in defeating the villain.

"We have to go get help!" Marinette pushed him away.

"Why?"

"Um…there's an akuma out loose and we need to stop it!" She proceeded to float away when his hand grasped her arm and swung her around. His other hand enwrapped her waist as their faces were dangerously close again.

"You don't have to go anywhere." He slowly brushed a finger down her cheek, "Ladybug and Cat Noir can take care of that villain. Whilst the princess can stay with the prince."

Shivers ran down her spine as a finger brushed her lip. But there wasn't that same kind of electricity, that spark…something was missing…

"You're not Adrien!" She pushed away from him frowning, "Who are you?"

"I'm all you want!" He smirked at her as he angled close to her again leaning to whisper in her ear, "You don't need Adrien. All you need is me."

The not-Adrien put his hand on her waist again.

"I'm everything you need and more. I'm everything you've always dreamed of. I'm not the Adrien who has broke your heart. I'm not the Adrien who won't love you back. I'm not the Adrien who calls you only a friend. I am the Adrien you want. I am the Adrien you dreamed of." He continued to make circular motions on her waist with his thumb seductively as he cupped his other hand to her cheek, "That Adrien will never love you back. He'll never be the one you always wished for. He'll always be little to your expectations; he'll never measure up to them. Why want and wait for someone like that? When you could have all your wishes come true with me. You can live off me and feel that love he could never give you. Isn't that what you want?"

His appearance, proximity and the gleam in his eyes were tempting. But his words hadn't won her over, her feelings for Adrien were something so strong, that not even her expectations could match up to them.

"I do." She pushed away from his tempting gaze once again, "But I can't have that with you. You're not the real Adrien. They might say that expectations are always better than reality, but I love Adrien. And I love the real version of him, not a pigment of my imagination. I love the actual person and he might not be everything I hoped for, he might not even be interested. But I know that he is enough. And I don't think even my own expectations could replace him. So, I think it's time for you to leave."

The not-Adrien gaped at her frowned, "You're making the wrong decision."

"I am not." She was sure of it.

His eyes widened and his mouth hung agape. Soon, he became one with the light.

She frowned. The akuma must use this white light to make people's desires and expectations come to life. That still didn't explain the strange outfits and the swirling of the room.

Though, it was all starting to come together, fictional clothing and dreams becoming alive? This whole akuma had a storytelling vibe to it, and it appears they were becoming characters in this akuma's fantasy tale.

At least, she now knew that she could transform in peace.

"Tikki, Spots On!" She yelled. Huh? What? Oh no!

When they akuma had changed her outfit, her earrings had disappeared? Had they disappeared or become camouflaged or were they simply trapped in this akuma's spell.

Whatever it was, it was not good. This was the second time something had happened to her earrings this week. Luck either wasn't on her side or she was being completely irresponsible? Wait, was it because she was being irresponsible?

A violent shake interrupted her train of thought as she felt the light engulf around her. It was suffocating her senses? What was going to happen?

A loud crash sound resounded in the air as she felt her mind spinning and spinning, not in a dizzy way, but it felt that her imagination was somehow manoeuvring her somewhere, some place. Crazy, fascinating and weird. All of those 3 at the same time.

Suddenly, her senses became more aware as she felt herself land on something soft. Just when she was going to get up, something else landed on her with a huge oof! Talk about ouch in itself.

That something fiddled around and looked up, "Sorry!"

Hold on! She recognised that voice! She opened her eyes as her vision stirred into focus, and she saw…

"Bananoir?

Cliffhanger!

Sorry for the late update. I had trouble interpreting this prompt so it could lead to another.

The next chapter will probably be out in the next 12-24 hours!