Middleborough's Superheroes
By Jenna Rolan
Two Weeks ago, the students of Middleborough High School experienced its very first Akuma attack.
Michael Mell, a student and close friend of mine, who allowed me to interview him,
was transformed into a villain known as Cloud of Doubt. His powers made people reveal their
insecurities and doubts. Many were affected, including one of my friends, Rich Goranski.
I was about ready to have my true self revealed to everyone, when suddenly, a pair of masked heroes known as
Ladybug and Chat Noir arrived.
They showed up out of nowhere the moment Cloud of Doubt arrived onto the scene, and got to work in defeating this villain, saving the students affected by his power, and saving Michael, who could barely remember what happened.
But he did remember something about a black butterfly, and someone named 'Hawkmoth'.
Superheroes, and a supervillain? A comic book come to life.
Anything can happen in this small town in New Jersey, why not bug and cat themed heroes, and a butterfly
themed villain turning innocent civilians into monsters?
One questions remains, though. Will Hawkmoth return?
It's been two weeks since the Akuma attack, students and teachers continued on with their daily lives. Evan arrived to school with Tikki in his pocket and noticed that everyone was glued to their phones, no doubt reading Jenna's article. It went on like this for quite a while. Instead of the usual lesson plans, students were discussing Ladybug and Chat Noir, even the teachers. It was all they could talk about, nothing else. In history, he noticed Michael looking better than he did last week, but he did seem a little nervous to be in school again. Evan didn't blame him, he did make everyone in school reveal their deepest fears and their doubts. Hell, if Evan did that, he'd just be mortified to go to school.
-
"Yo, acorn!"
Evan flushed red at Jared's nickname. He turned away from his locker to see his self-appointed family friend striding down the hallway with Alana.
"Hey!" Alana smiled "You look well-rested, Evan."
"Probably thinkin' about Hot Topic again," Jared said with a smirk. Seeing the shade of red appear on Evan's face, Alana gave Jared a smack in the back of the head "Ow!"
"So, did you read Jenna's article?" Alana asked as she pulled out her phone, the showed said article to Evan "It's blowing up! People are loving Ladybug and Chat Noir!"
Evan beamed "They are pretty cool."
"Wait, where were you when Cloud of Doubt was attacking?" Jared asked with a raised eyebrow, and Evan stiffened. What was he supposed to say? If he told Jared he was Ladybug, he'd either laugh at something so unbelievable or probably tell everyone he knew, putting all of the attention on him, the last thing he wanted. As if sensing his discomfort, he felt Tikki's hand brushing up against his hand, a way to calm him down, and he was able to formulate a response
"I was hiding in a classroom. I saw some of the battle."
Jared groaned "Lucky! I only saw like three minutes of it outside!"
"Quit your whining, Kleinman."
Evan blushed again. This didn't go unnoticed by Alana and Jared, who sent him sly grins that made Evan look away in embarrassment. His crush on the long-haired boy was so obvious, anyone could see it... Except for Connor. It was actually an inside joke between Alana, Jared, and Zoe. They even placed bets- Either Evan would confess, or Connor would finally realize it.
"Hey, Connor!" Alana greeted "We were just talking about Ladybug and Chat Noir."
"I didn't see much of it." Connor said with a shrug of his shoulders "I hid in the bathroom until the Akuma left."
"Wusses," Jared coughed into his elbow as the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day "Well, that's my cue to leave." And he disappeared down the hallway "Later, asses!"
Alana turns to Evan and Connor "I'll see you guys tomorrow!" She waved, then left, leaving the blonde and brunette alone. It's quiet for a few seconds until Connor asks,
"Want me to walk you home? Zoe's at band practice and my parents are out of town. I'm not in a rush to get home." Evan could practically hear Tikki giggling and telling him to go for it. He wanted to shout 'yes' and giggle like a little school girl, but instead, he just nodded "Alright, let's go."
"You got this, Chrissy!"
"You'll do amazing!"
"You're sure to get the lead!"
"You're gonna crush it!"
I will kill anyone else who gets the lead!"
"Rich, no!"
"Rich, yes!"
These were the words of encouragement Christine's friends had given her before she walked into the auditorium with her head held high. The high school was putting on another play, and she would be auditioning for the lead female role in one of her favorite musicals, "Be More Rad". A play that told the story of Jackson There, a theatre geek trying to survive high school with his best friend, heavy metal fan, Mitchell Mill. He wants to impress his crush, video game queen, Charlie Candula, so, with the help of one of the popular kids, Ryan Gorden, he gets his hands on a super-computer in the form of an energy drink called a Digital Intel Processor, or DIP. Jackson becomes cool, but the DIP ruins his old life in the process. It's humorous, angsty, Mitchell in the Restroom broke everyone's hearts, and the musical has a wide fanbase. Mr. Reyes just knew this play would get the theater club some attention.
Christine would be going for the role of Charlie. She's been practicing the song she would sing at her audition for weeks- 'I Love Retro Gaming'. She was sure she would get the role, all her life, Christine had been getting the lead role in every school play, some wouldn't even audition for the female lead, because they were so sure Christine would dominate and get the role.
"Christine Canigula?"
She heard Mr. Reyes call her name, got up from her seat, and made her way up to the stage to sing her heart out.
I love Retro Gaming
Because it's so rad! Because it is fun.
I love Retro Gaming
And I get depressed, when the level is done...
It was remarkable, students mouths hung open when they heard her impressive vocal range. When she finished, there was clapping, and she got a standing ovation. She took a bow and made her way back to her seat, just as Mr. Reyes called for the next person auditioning. Holly Bellman. Christine frowned at the name. Holly Bellman was an okay actor, and a decent singer, but that's just the nice way of putting it. Holly is a literal Drama Queen.
Whenever she didn't get the lead role, she would throw a hissy fit and scream to the top of her lungs. It was her own fault. She never practiced before her auditions, and if she did get a part, she would mess up her lines during monologues, and if it were a musical, she would say the wrong words when she sang.
Holly was also auditioning for Charlie. She was good, but she wasn't "Christine good", as some of the students in the theater club would say. She actually got the words right this time, but she was just a little too pitchy.
After about twelve more auditions, the students left and would wait for the day when Mr. Reyes would put up the cast list.
—
The next week, Connor could see Christine's eager face as she looked at a sheet of paper taped to one of the cafeteria walls. He was just sitting at the table with his main group when he saw her rush past him, followed by Jeremy, Michael, and the others in their group of eight.
They crowded around her as she examined the sheet of paper. They kept asking questions like "Did you get the part?", "Are you on there?", "Did you get it?" Christine's finger trailed up and down the sheet of paper and few times...
Be More Rad Cast List
Jackson There... DeShawn Howard
Mitchell Mill... Damian Hubbard
Charlie Candula... Holly Bellman
Ryan Gorden... Marc Kurtzberg
Cleo Valentino... Amni Creole
Bree Found... Heather McNamara
Jack Domanger... Peter Adams
Jaelyn Roland... Nikki Bett
The DIP... Jacqueline Deems
Understudies
Louis Cree for Jacqueline Deems
Simon Moncove for Peter Adams
Ciela Bank for Amni Creole
... But then just stopped. She turned around so they could see the look of disappointment on her face. Their looks of excitement turned to sympathy for their thespian friend.
"Chris, it'll be okay." Jake said as he put a hand on her shoulder
"Yeah," Jenna said "there will be other plays."
Christine shook her head "No. No, you don't understand. I-I lost the part to-"
As if finishing her sentence, a voice yelled out,
"I'm Charlie Candula!" Holly cheered. Chloe furrowed her brow.
"How did she get the part? I've heard her sing, and nearly went deaf!"
Michael adds on with a disgusted look "She butchers her lines. It's embarrassing to watch sometimes."
"You could talk to Mr. Reyes." Jeremy suggests "Maybe he made a mistake."
Christine sighs "No, i-it's fine... I auditioned, I didn't get the part. I'm fine, guys."
"Are you sure?" Brooke asks, still concerned for her friend.
Christine nods, "Yeah." Then she walks out of the cafeteria. That usual bounce in her step, gone
The group's sympathy was soon replaced with annoyance as they continued to listen to Holly's gloating. Jeremy turns to Rich
"Rich, forget what I said. Murder her."
—
"A bright, talented star, now dim as she's been outshined."
Hawkmoth held out their hand, and let the white butterfly perch itself on their palm. Just like before, they covered the butterfly with their other hand, and dark energy turned the butterfly black. The insect flew away.
Fly my beautiful Akuma, and evilise her."
—
Christine sat on the stage in the auditorium, silently crying to herself. She was devastated. She understood that not everyone could get the roles that they wanted, but Holly didn't even care about theater, she just liked being the center of attention, and she rarely got a part in shows... Why now? And why did she get the lead?
Christine wasn't even the understudy, not even one of the background characters. It was humiliating. One of her favorite musicals, and she wouldn't be in it. Could this day get any worse?... At that moment, the black butterfly flew into her bracelet with the comedy and tragedy mask charm.
"Showstopper."
Christine looked up, a purple butterfly outline hovered over her face
From now on, people will take on the roles you choose for them. If you bring me Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous, you will forever be the star of your own show. Do we have a deal, my pitiful child?"
Christine smirked "Let's give them a performance they'll never forget."
The outline faded, and from her bracelet, a black cloud bubbled you around her.
—
"This is bull!" Rich yelled as he slammed his fist on the surface of the lunch table, making it vibrate "How the hell did Bellman get the lead? She sucks!"
"Rich, that's not-" Brooke was about to chastise him, but thought for a moment and frowned, "She does suck. Christine is way better than her!"
"Maybe Mr. Reyes made a mistake." Michael suggests after taking a sip of his slurpee "He's kinda... Not all there sometimes." They nod in agreement
"Maybe he did." Jeremy says "I say we confront him after school, and see why Christine didn't make the list."
Jenna gets up from her seat "Why wait? We still have twenty minutes of lunch, that gives us plenty of time to give that man a piece of our minds!"
Everyone at the table cheered, got up, and left the cafeteria to confront the drama teacher. As they walked down the hall, still fired up, and not stopping anytime soon, they suddenly heard...
So thank me now!
While still you can!
For liberty is pending!
And
Turn it off
Light a light switch
Just go click
It's a nifty little Mormon trick
And
I am not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot
Yo I'm just like my country
I'm young, scrappy and hungry
And I'm not throwing away my shot
They stopped their small angry mob to look around the hallway. About twenty students were singing and wearing eccentric outfits that looked like something you would see in a Broadway play. They were singing to other students who looked just as confused as the Squad.
"What is going on?" Jake asked, slightly freaked out by the scene before him
Jeremy listened carefully to the songs they were singing. It was a good thing one of the members in their group was a Broadway Baby, and had him listen to like thirty musical soundtracks. "They're singing songs from musicals." Jeremy said "And they're all dressed like the characters who sing the songs." A boy dressed in a white shirt, black tie and pants walks up to him with a book in his hand
"Hello! My name is Elder Prize! And I would like to share with you the most amazing book!" He holds up said book, The Book of Mormon
Jeremy shook his head and gave a polite smile "No thanks."
The boy claiming to be Elder Prize just smiled and said, "Have fun in hell!" Then he left
Jenna pulls out her phone to record this "You guys think it's another Akuma?"
At this, Michael began to looked worried, afraid he might become that monster again. Seeing his distress, Jeremy held his hand "It'll be okay."
"Okay, but what Akuma would turn people into musical characters?" Rich asked. And answering his question was a familiar voice
"Why don't you turn around, Richard?"
The voice sent chills down their spines. They turned away from the students to see a black scepter with a silver comedy and tragedy mask on top pointed at them. Their blood ran cold when they saw who was holding it.
—
RIIIIIING!
Evan and Jared were heading to their next class when they noticed everyone acting as if they were the stars of their own shows. "Why is everyone singing?" Evan asked, Jared just shrugged, not knowing what was going on, either. They continued on, believing those students were just the drama kids being... Well, drama kids.
As they rounded a corner, Evan then let out a yelp as he was shoved into a wall by none other than Michael, only his hair was more coiffed, his glasses he'd gone, he was wearing a red blazer with black dress pants, black shoes, and there was a red wristband around his wrist. "Michael? W-what's going on?"
"And why are you dressed like that?" Jared asked, pointing to his outfit
Instead of replying, Michael just yelled, "SHUT UP HECTOR!" shoved Jared to the floor, then continued walking as he sang, "Step into my Candy Stoooore~!"
Evan stood there with his mouth hung open, then helped Jared up. "What the fuck just happened?!" Jared yelled as he fixed his glasses. The two of them took a moment to look around the hallway. Students who seemed just as confused as them were watching as others, dressed in odd costume-like clothing, danced and singed.
"She's the queen of beasts
She can smell your fear..."
Evan and Jared turned to see Brooke, dressed in a painted denim jacket, ripped jeans, and combat boots, giving her sort of a grunge look, walking with another girl dressed in an oversized pink shirt
"In this biosphere!
She's the Apex Predator!"
Then came Jake Dillinger. Much to the two boy's, and everyone in the hallway's shock, the school's top athlete was dressed in a voluminous curly blonde wig, a red sequined dress that left nothing to the imagination, and red leather platform boots. Like the other students, he was also singing and dancing to his own song. Following him were other male students wearing wigs, sparkly dresses, and boots, Evan recognized a few as members of the football team.
"Got Ginger Roger's savoir faire!
With the moves of Fred Astaire!
I'm Black Jesus, I'm Black Mary,
But this Mary's legs are hairy!"
At that, Jake kicked his leg up in the air
Jared could not miss this moment. He took his phone out of his back pocket, and snapped a picture of the football team dressed in drag. "This is the greatest day of my life!" He laughed as Evan frowned
"Jared, what if it's an Akuma?" He needed to transform without Jared seeing. He had to get him to evacuate while he went to "Look for the heroes". "We gotta hide, or, leave the school!"
Jared stopped laughing, but the amused look never left his face as he turned to Evan "Dude, I'm pretty sure this one is harmless, they're just turning Jersey into Broadway. Plus- AAH!" Jared yelled as he glowed a shade of purple and fell to his knees. Evan was about to help him up, but froze when he saw the Akuma standing behind Jared, and holding some sort of scepter. Students scrambled and ran out of the hallway, not wanting to be next.
The Akuma was dressed in some sort of Shakespearian get-up, but with a purple, black, and gold color scheme. On their face was a purple mask, their hair was up in two buns and held up by hairbands that looked like Juliet's headpiece. The outfit resembled William Shakespeare's, complete with the ruffled white collar, but the vest was black with gold highlights, the puff pants were purple with gold designs, and went a little bit above the knee. They had on black tights, and black boots.
The Akuma cleared their voice and looked down at Jared, their scepter glowed as it was lifted into the air. "Jared Kleinman, you will take the role of Schroeder- Beethoven fanatic from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. The purple glow around Jared brightened, making Evan shield his eyes, and when it dimmed, no longer was Jared dressed in his glasses, red shirt and jeans. The outfit was replaced with a purple shirt with black stripes, and black shorts.
Evan reached out, "Jared?" he asked concerned. Jared got up, a wide smile on his face as he started to sing
"Call the principal
And hand him the news
We've got a holiday
That he can't refuse!"
Evan backed away slowly as Jared sings
"A day of harmony
A day of music!
Beethoven's Birthday!"
As Jared continued with the song, the Akuma turned to Evan, "The name's Showstopper." their scepter raised in the air as it glowed purple. "Ready for your audition?"
Evan backed away, as they pointed the scepter at him. Evan needed a way out, but he couldn't just transform right now. There were students looking through cracked doors, they'd see everything, and know he was Ladybug. Evan suddenly hear a whoosh, and saw a figure dressed in black, with long brown hair step in front of him. 'Connor?' He thought. But no. He saw the cat ears, and recognized the cat-themed hero. "Chat Noir?"
Said hero sent him a wink, and deflected the beams shooting from the villain's scepter with his staff.
—
Earlier~
Connor ran from a redheaded girl carrying a battle-axe, or a very realistic prop battle-axe. But that wasn't the weird part, no, the weird part was that she was singing
"I'll put you in, I'll put you in...
I'll put you in your place!"
Plagg flew out of his hoodie pocket. Students were too weirded out by the chaos to to notice the tiny god of Destruction. "She's right behind us! Run faster!" He screamed in Connor's ear
"I'm going!" He screamed back, then rounded a corner, and ran into a supply closet. "Is this another Akuma?" He panted
"That, or New Jersey has Broadway fever." He points to the ring "You know what to do."
Connor nodded, and said the phrase, "Plagg, Claws Out!"
Plagg flew into the ring, and the transformation began. Connor loved the feeling he got when he transformed. He felt so free, and bold when the green magic flowed over him. Before he knew it, he was Chat Noir again, leather tail and all. He ran out of the closet, avoiding the singing students, but stopped when he heard a scream from another hallway. He peered around the corner and saw Ja bright light, making him look away. When he looked again, there was Jared, dressed as that kid... What's his name? Schroeder, from the Peanuts Comics. He started singing like all the other students.
Then he took another look and saw Evan, backing away from the Akuma, and visibly shaking. He heard the Akuma say it's name, Showstopper, then asked something about an audition. A feeling overtook Connor when he saw Evan cowering in fear, but he didn't know what. He just couldn't stand to see the anxious blonde get hurt. He extended his staff, ran, and blocked a beam that was heading for Evan.
"Chat Noir?" Feeling cocky, he sent the boy a wink, and was sure he saw a tint of red on his cheeks. He then turned back to Showstopper and saw Hawkmoth's symbol appear over the comedy mask face, and used the opportunity to hoist Evan in his arms, and carry him to safety.
'Why the fuck did I just pick him up?'
—
Chat Noir set Evan down in an empty classroom. "You'll be safe here." Not waiting for a thank you, he ran out of the room to fight the Akuma. Once the leather-clad hero was gone, Tikki flew out of Evan's pocket and noted his red face "Are you blushing?" Evan sputtered, and stammered as a response "W-what?! I wou-would- No! I was just... Surprised, is all." He sees Tikki giving him an 'Uh-huh. Suuure." look, frowns, and says the phrase, "Tikki, Spots On!"
The pink and red magic surrounded him as Tikki flew into his earrings. It felt even better the second time! When the red jumpsuit and yoyo returned, Ladybug bolted out of the classroom.
—
Jenna, Chloe, and Rich, hidden in the computer lab are watching the events unfold. Jenna is recording the singing and dancing students on her phone
"When are Ladybug and Chat Noir gonna show up?" She asks herself, "I need some action for my blog."
Chloe rolled her eyes "I'm sure they'll be here soon. They showed up when Michael... Y'know." A text tone is heard. She reaches into her pocket, pulls out her phone and reads a text "It's Jake. He says he saw Ladybug!"
Jenna smiles "We're gonna get Christine back!"
Rich furrows his brow, "You think that can happen to us?", he asks. Chloe and Jenna look at him, confused "Akumatized, I mean."
Chloe looks down, thoughtfully "... I hope not. When Michael turned back, he just had this horrified look in his eye. He was terrified of what he did to everyone."
She sighs "I doubt Christine will be like that since, she's just turning the school into one big musical," Jenna chuckles a bit "but Michael made people reveal their doubts and secrets against their will. He doesn't remember much of it, but he knows he hurt people." She's visibly shaking "I-I don't wanna end up like that."
Rich holds her hand "You won't. None of us will."
Jenna sets down her phone "Whoever Hawkmoth is, he's got nothing on us."
Chloe smiles, glad her friends are there for her. But the smile fades when she notices something stick out of a wastebasket "Hold on..." She reaches in, and pulls out a sheet of paper with comedy and tragedy masks printed on the corners, and it's titled, 'Be More Rad Cast List.'
"What is it?" Jenna asks
"It's the cast list." Chloe reads over it, then again. Then again. Then again, and frowns "That bitch!" She shows the list to Rich and Jenna "Look at this!"
Be More Rad Cast List
Jackson There... DeShawn Howard
Mitchell Mill... Damian Hubbard
Charlie Candula... Christine Canigula
Ryan Gorden... Marc Kurtzberg
Cleo Valentino... Amni Creole
Bree Found... Heather McNamara
Jack Domanger... Peter Adams
Jaelyn Roland... Nikki Bett
The DIP... Jacqueline Deems
Understudies
Holly Bellman for Christine Canigula
Louis Cree for Jacqueline Deems
Simon Moncove for Peter Adams
Ciela Bank for Amni Creole
"... Motherfucker!"
—
As Chat Noir ran, he heard another set of footsteps behind him. Thinking that it was the Akuma, he reached for his staff but stopped when he saw the familiar red color and the beautiful blonde hair. He smiled and greeted his partner "Bugaboo, I was wondering when you'd show up!" He said with a sly cat-like grin
Ladybug rolled his eyes "I had a talk with one of the students, Jake Dillinger. He says the Akuma is a girl named Christine, and she's after this other girl named Holly Bellman."
Chat frowned at the mention of her name. Holly was not a well-liked student "So, what's the plan? Do what we did last time?"
Ladybugs shook his head "I have a feeling this'll be different." He holds his arm in out in front of Chat, making him stop running. Then he points up ahead. Chat pales when he sees the same redhead that was chasing him earlier. This time she was accompanied by other students wearing orange camp shirts, and a few of them had swords. Nothing happens...
"... Hello?" Ladybug greets
"BATTLE!"
The students surged forward, yelling battle cries as Ladybug and Chat Noir went to deflect each and every one of them. Once or twice, Chat would find himself face to face with the redhead, who was still singing.
"You faced a monster on your very first day!
You lucky punk!
Now, newbie, you're gonna pay!"
Chat Noir deflected her attacks with his staff "Y'know, I always preferred the movies over the actual musicals!"
"Really?" Ladybug asked as he flung a student into a wall with his yoyo "I always preferred the books!"
Once the last three were down, the heroes stood over the fallen demigods. They pant a little bit but are not completely tired out.
—
"Get your cup of poisoned coffee
Your toxic cup of Joey!
We'll make a twisted cup of java mocha latte with the goo for you Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack!"
For almost an hour it's been nothing but singing and dancing. Holly was getting sick of it! And she was tired of running from crazy zombified baristas, demigods, and some kid in a trench coat holding a gun!
She finally found peace and quiet in the stairwell.
Ladybug and Chat Noir better show up, or she would just-
"Holly!" She turns around and sees the heroes running down the stairs
"Ladybug and Chat Noir? Shouldn't you be fighting that monster going around?" She asked in her usual snarky tone making the heroes roll their eyes
"She's after you." Ladybug states in a blunt manner "Did you do anything to a girl named Christine
Holly scoffs "She's just jealous that I got the part in a school musical. I play Charlie Candula, the leading lady in Be More Rad..."
All Chat Noir could think was 'God? I am ready. Please take me.'
'Is she still talking?' Ladybug thinks
"BELLMAN!"
'Thank you.' The spotted and leather-clad hero silently thanked. Rich, Jenna, and Chloe run down the stairs, past the heroes, and get in Holly's face.
"You've got a lot of nerve!"
"I knew Christine deserved to be Charlie!"
"You are so lucky Ladybug and Chat Noir is here! Because so help me, I will-"
"HEY!" Chat yelled, silencing them, "What's going on?"
Chloe holds up the cast list "Christine did get the part. Holly printed a fake list so Christine would think she didn't get the role, and Reyes would think she didn't want to be in the play."
Ladybug scowls at the paling Holly. He knew this girl was conniving and vindictive, but he never knew how low she would stoop. He turns to Jenna and asks, "Do you know where Showstopper might be?"
Jenna thinks for a moment "The only place I can think of is the auditorium. That girl's always been about symbolism, and drama, so-"
"Aaah!"
They see some sort of black and white striped pipe wrapped around Holly. But upon closer inspection, they become horrified when they see that the pipe is actually a giant sandworm. A giant sandworm with red eyes, and a second head in its mouth
"Oh, fuck!" Chat curses "What the hell is that thing?!"
The sandworm drags Holly down the stairs. The group of five follow the horrifying sandworm into the auditorium, where a few of the transformed students are still singing and performing monologues over each other, so you can't really hear what they're saying.
The sandworm slithers onto the stage and unwraps Holly. She shudders in disgust, still feeling the worm's slimy skin on her
"Believe me. I convinced him not to eat you."
Holly looks up and sees Showstopper, twirling her scepter in her hand. Behind her are Michael and Jeremy, dressed as Hector Chandler and Vincent Sawyer, respectively. Both are holding croquet mallets, and they look ready to use them.
"Christine!" Jenna yells as she runs onto the stage, much to the heroes protests "You did get the role! Holly printed another cast list."
Showstopper holds up her hand, and the whole room goes silent as everyone stops singing. She reads the list, and Jenna smiles, believing she's getting through to her best friend, but becomes horrified when she sees Showstopper pointing her scepter at her
"Thanks, Jen! Now I have an even better reason for revenge!"
"Chris- Aah!" She falls to her knees as she glows purple.
"Jenna Rolan, you have been cast as Sue Snell. The kind, loyal heroine of Carrie the Musical." The purple light around Jenna brightened, then dimmed shortly.
Jenna, dressed in a blue blouse, a white sweater, jeans, and white flats, rises and begins to sing
"No doubts. No more fears.
I see you shine,
And the dark disappears."
Seeing Showstopper turn to Holly, Ladybug calls for his "LUCKY CHARM!", and tosses the yoyo into the air.
The object that landed in his hands was...
"Scissors?" Rich asks
"Are we gonna cut Holly open?" Chloe asks, making Chat laugh. But he stops when she doesn't laugh, meaning she's serious.
Ladybug looks around for a way to use the scissors.
Have Chat Noir Cataclysm the ropes holding up the curtain
You, Rich and Chloe, can untie the ropes connected to the sandbags, they'll act as weights so Showstopper will have trouble getting out
Use the scissors to cut a hole in the curtain and grab Showstopper's scepter
"I got it!" He turns to Rich and Chloe "You two wanna help a superhero?"
"Hell. Yes!"
"Why not?"
"You guys and Chat Noir will run backstage, and when I say 'now'" he points to Chat, "you Cataclysm the ropes holding up the curtain," then he points to Rich and Chloe, "then you two will untie the ropes connected to the sandbags." He instructs
The hero and the two popular kids nod and run backstage, making sure to avoid the students under Showstopper's control
"Alright. Just like last time." Ladybug reassured himself as he runs to the stage
—
Brooke and Jake (Still in drag), are holding Holly's arms so she doesn't try to escape while Showstopper gives a little monologue of her own
"Y'know, I always thought you were just some poor thespian looking for her chance to bask under the glow of the spotlight. But, now I just see that you are a vain brat who will do anything for fifteen minutes of fame!" She yelled "Oh, there's just so many villains I could cast you as. Ones that really reflect your black heart!" Her scepter glows a fiery red as it's pointed at Holly
"Chris Hargensen from Carrie it is."
Holly screamed. But before the beam from the scepter could hit her and transform her into the antagonist of the Musical, Ladybug's yoyó wrapped around her waist and pulled her out of Brooke and Jake's grasp. She was now in the protective hold of Ladybug.
"NOW!"
From backstage, Chat Noir heard the signal and yelled,
"CATACLYSM!"
Chat touched the ropes that were holding up the curtain, turning them black, and they disintegrated into dust. With nothing holding it up, the curtain falls onto the stage, and right on top of Showstopper and any students who were also on the stage
"You guys are up." Chat tells Chloe and Rich
They quickly untie the ropes holding up the sandbags, and they fall on the curtain, weighing it down so Showstopper can't lift it off of her.
Ladybug pulls out the Lucky Charm scissors and cuts a hole into the curtain. He reaches his hand in and feels around for the scepter. When his fingers brush up against it, he pulls it out the hole and snaps it into two, releasing the Akuma he captured with his yoyo
"No more evil-doing for you, little Akuma. Time to de-evilize!
From the yoyo, emerged the newly purified butterfly "Goodbye, little butterfly." Ladybug said as he threw the scissors into the air "MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!"
The scissors burst into red magic that spread around the school, turning every student back to normal, and put the stage curtain and sandbags back into place. The black magic of the Akuma bubbled around Showstopper and left Christine on her hands and knees. She looks up, confused.
Ladybug smiled and held up his fist for Chat, Chloe, and Rich. They did a four-person fist-bump and say, "Pound it!" just as Christine got up, groaning and rubbing her temples.
"Ugh. My head." She looks down and sees her bracelet on the floor "... Was I akumatized?" She asks.
Jenna picks up Christine's bracelet and puts it back on her worst "Don't worry, you didn't hurt anyone."
"I feel like throwing up right now." She said with a hand on her forehead
"I get that." Michael said with his hand raised
"Is the headache gonna go away?" She asks
"In like an hour."
—
Hawkmoth drops their transformation, and Nooroo flew out of the brooch "Master?"
"... There's always next time." They murmur "Ladybug and Chat Noir, I will have your Miraculous', I don't care how many people I have to Akumatize!"
—
The next day, Christine runs out of Mr. Reyes' office. The pep in her step and the sunshine smile is back. She sees her friends waiting by the door and runs over to hug them. "Thank you, thank you!"
Chloe smiles "Once we showed Reyes the fake list, everything just sorta fixed itself."
"Holly was kicked out of Drama Club, and isn't allowed to audition for any school plays." Jake said with his arms folded and a smug look on his face
"I'm Charlie Candula!" She yelled, and her friends cheered.
Jenna hugs the shorter girl, "I'm just glad to have my bestie back." then she pulls out her phone "I also got a few pics of the Akuma battle."
Michael wraps his arm around her "And you're now a member of the 'scarred for life' club! We meet on Wednesdays and Fridays."
Evan, leaning on a wall, watches the eight of them gather for a group hug. He looks to Tikki and smiles. Seeing someone coming, Tikki flies into his backpack
"Hey, Ev."
Connor. "Oh! He-hey, C-Connor!" He greets, fidgeting and sweating "So... What's up with you?"
Connor raises his eyebrow, then continues "I heard you were saved by Chat Noir." He said with a smug grin "A few people said he... Carried you?"
Evan rolled his eyes "Well, I didn't need to be carried, I could've walked."
"Suuure." He shoves his hands into his pockets "So, you gonna check out the play?"
Evan's cheeks turn a light shade of pink "Uh, y-yeah. Are... Are you going?"
"Yeah, it sounds good." He said with a nod "Especially since Holly isn't gonna be in it."
At that, Evan chuckles, making Connor smile a little bit. "Cool. Jared, Zoe, and Alana are going, too. So it'll be a group thing." He says casually, "See you later.", then he walks away.
Tikki flies out of Evan's backpack and waves her hand in front of her holder's face, trying to snap him out of his daze "Evan?"
"... He asked me out..."
—
Meanwhile in Jenna's room. She sits at her desk and posts the pictures of Showstopper on the Ladyblog. Then she focuses on the pictures she took of Ladybug and Chat Noir.
"... Ladybug and Chat Noir," she murmured "who are you?"