It was bizarre witnessing Adrien in a fashion show. I guess I should have expected this; he was a famous model, after all. But all the ogling observers, flashing cameras, and announcers- it was overwhelming. Adrien- true to his model training- was pose and grace itself up on that stage. He strutted with such a charming stature that I fell in love with him all over again. And I don't think I was the only one.
I was the only one, however, when he paused just in front of us on the catwalk momentarily. It was for the briefest of seconds, and you wouldn't catch it if you weren't paying attention, but Adrien's foot slowed ever so slightly as his head turned unnoticeably to give me a wink. He discreetly winked at me and I naturally smiled. It was akin to one of those slow-motion scenes in a movie. The lover looks at his beloved, and time slows down between them- just them. Heh, this wasn't our first time either; this sort of thing happened all the time between Cat Noir and I…. And now Adrien and I. A melody only we two could hear began to play all around us, and our faces softened. Though it only lasted half a second in reality, for us it was much, much longer.
When Mom and Daddy peered over at me where I was sitting, they were puzzled by my profound expression. "Are you feeling ok, honey?" "Your cheeks are pink." "Are they? Oh no! No, I feel fine. It's just…. hot in here," well that's true. This place was surprisingly humid; you wouldn't think an indoor fashion gala would be this warm. Probably all the lights and cameras.
Adrien stopped at the end of the walkway to do a little twirl and pose for the busy cameras. Mom nodded approvingly. "He sure is good at that." "He is," I immediately agreed. But, as if fate had it out for us, the moment I uttered these words an akumatized woman- someone I'd never seen in-person before- leapt down from ceiling, landing in the middle of the platform. Everyone gasped in shock, including me and Adrien. I had no clue who she was, but I really didn't like how close she was standing to an un-transformed Cat Noir. He was vulnerable in his civilian form, and she was so near him!
"A fashion show without the queen of style?! Glittery unacceptable!" This woman, who I soon recognized to be Audrey Bourgeois from her articles in several popular fashion magazines, was literally covered in gold. This woman was the mayor's wife and Chloe's mother, and she did not look happy. While I wore a horrified look on my face, my parents were more confused than alarmed by now. "Is this supposed to happen? I've never attended a fashion show before." No, Daddy; this is not supposed to happen. I frowned. Ugh, this lady seems just as hotty and entitled as her daughter; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess. Thankfully, it wasn't Adrien she was upset at- though I may have been somewhat relieved too soon.
"Where's that ungrateful Gabriel Agreste?! I demand that he kneels before me!" Her golden finger pointed down to her shoes. Heh, ok actually, I'd love to see that. It'd be sooooooo sweet to watch someone take Mr. Agreste down a peg or two. But sadly, my beloved man didn't see it that way. Adrien scowled, clearly disturbed by her unexpected arrival and arrogant request. "My father isn't here." He's not?! Then where the hell is he? Adrien being in Audrey's fashion show was HIS stupid idea in the first place.
Chloe's mom smirked. "Well then, if fashion-disaster daddy isn't here, I'll just have to settle for Agreste junior! You're fired!" You can't imagine the unbridled terror wrenching through me as she suddenly pointed her gold staff at my fiancé. My blood curdled at a zip, swiftly turning him into a solid gold statue. His posture was one of shock and horror itself. "Adrien!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Marinette!" Both my parents cried after me when I acted on instinct next. Jumping out of my seat, I clawed my way up onto the stage. Style Queen, or whatever she called herself, laughed maniacally before shooting back up into the sky, completely ignoring me. I meanwhile managed to get myself up onto the catwalk and run over to the statue that was my fiancé. "Adrien!" Crying, I tossed my arms around his golden neck, pressing myself up against him.
"Marinette! Marinette, come back down here!" My mother shouted. "This way, ma'am! Hurry!" A security guard began ushering my parents to follow the fleeing crowd. "Wait! Our daughter's still up there!" My father protected. "Move!" The admittedly pushy guard didn't seem to care that we were getting separated, urging my parents to vacate the area. I didn't see nor hear any of this, too busy embracing my man up on stage. I pulled myself close up to his ear so I could whisper into it, despite knowing that he couldn't hear me. "Don't worry, darling. I'll save you from this, I promise."
Then I went to jump back off the stage and run for my bag which Tikki was currently residing. My hand had just stretched out to grab it when a familiar voice made me stop dead in my tracks. "What are you doing?! They're evacuating the room! Let's go!" Spinning my head around, I found a panicked Plagg floating behind me. His eyes were wide and frightened; more for me I was guessing than anything. We both knew that Ladybug would turn Adrien back to normal, so I was now the vulnerable one in question. Oh no, I winced internally. Not now! I've gotta transform into Ladybug so that Adrien might be saved! Course Plagg doesn't know that.
"I will, Plagg! I'll go join my parents and the others in a minute! You just stay here and keep Adrien safe," I instructed. Too bad this black kwami isn't good at following instructions. He gasped horrified. "I can't just leave you like that! Adrien can't turn into Cat Noir now anyway. But he can- and will- kill me if anything happens to you while he's indisposed! No, I'm not leaving your side until this is over. Ladybug can handle this one on her own." Ladybug…. But unless you leave me, she won't be handling anyone on her own!
I flashed Plagg a pleading glance. "Plagg, please! You've got to trust me on this! I'll be fine! You just stay with Adrien!" "No way! It's my job to protect you when Cat Noir's not around. Besides, I think Ladybug will be too busy to keep an eye on this place. I'm staying with you- no "ifs", "ands", or "buts"," he crossed his little arms for emphasis. I pinched the bridge of my nose with my fingers. This kwami…. "Wasn't it you who said that Cat Noir worries too much and I'm always fine? Please! I swear to you I'll be alright! I don't want to leave Adrien on his own like this!" "Pfft, he's already been turned into a gold statue. What else could happen?" I gave him an incredulous, defeated stare. I didn't have time for this! I had to defeat Style Queen and transform Adrien back to normal as soon as possible! And that might require a sacrifice on my part…. I gave it one last try. "Please, please, Plagg; I'm begging you." "Nope! Not gonna happen. What's the big deal? We gone places before; this isn't our first time sticking together." "Yeah, but this time it's really important you stay here…" "I'm not going anywhere, Marinette. Not unless you're going, that is," he announced with finality. I let out the world's longest sigh and rolled my eyes. Ah, screw it! We're out time anyway. Our eyes met again, mine totally beaten. "Ok. Just promise you won't freak out…." "Freak out about what?" His eyebrow slightly raised. Then I sucked in another deep breath, shutting my eyes.
"Tikki! Spots on!"
