Be Creative Chapter 23: The Closing Curtain, a miraculous: tales of ladybug & cat noir fanfic

So this is the final chapter entry for this story. I want to thank all of you for your kind words and feedback on this story. This has been a very fun story to write and I am very glad you all like my OC Morgana Rio.

This would be my take on how Lila would be taken down in the show and I felt the need to add an OC who was smart because everyone in the show just seems to be so blind/oblivious about Lila. And as for telling someone to take the high road about a liar/bully? Absolutely not. Never do that. If someone is hurting you, tell someone. Don't bottle up how you feel just to protect a liar.

So again, thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy this final instalment.

10 YEARS LATER

Marinette was in frantic mode. She was running around backstage, making sure all of the models were ready to go, and checking that their outfits were perfect. Marinette herself was wearing a stunning black dress with reflective pieces scattered on it with a feathered and jewelled mask covering her face. Her hair was piled up in a messy bun and decorated with slight glitter. This was the most important show of her career. It was the day where she would finally reveal her identity as MDC. Since she planned on expanding, she needed to make more connections so she needed to have an actual face to show for it. Not that she wasn't successful already. Since graduating school, she had really turned into a diamond as Morgan's had predicted. She had so many commissions coming in, she had to move to a new studio. When that became too small, she had to buy a warehouse. One warehouse became two. Then three. Then it was an actual building with several floors. Then even more came after that. MDC was now a global brand with her designs going everywhere. So many other fashion brands had wanted to collaborate but she had refused. She wanted to be at a stage where she was well known enough and successful enough to collaborate so it wouldn't look like she was leeching off of already successful brands to get to the top. She was now at the biggest fashion gala of the year, with the runway all set for her. Sure there were other brands there but even they knew the people were there for MDC. Celebrities of all sorts were there, eager to get a look at the identity of the designer who made their most famous gowns.

"So do you think Marinette is in full panic mode right now?" Kagami asked with slight amusement as she sipped her drink. She was currently wearing a white kimono with hints of red, designed by her best friend of course.

"Oh I guarantee it. I only wish I could go backstage," Luka said with a slight pout.

Having still been Marinette's partner, being backstage with her could reveal everything before it even happened. He still couldn't believe that he and Marinette had come this far. Granted he loved her more than life itself but there was always a small anxious part of him that thought that something would spoil it. Well, he actually did have something else in store which he planned on doing later but no one knew about it.

"Oh will you stop whining?" a voice said with an eye roll that could practically be heard.

Kagami and Luka turned their heads to see Chloé coming towards them with champagne in hand, while wearing a black kimono with hints of yellow with her hair in Queen Bee like fashion. She came over and linked arms with Kagami and planted a kiss on her cheek. Yes, they were officially a couple. Five years after graduation, Chloé had been the one to ask Kagami out on a date. She had demanded it more than asked really, and had even held out a rose to her when she did so. Kagami had oddly enough planned on doing it the same day and the only thing she regretted was that she didn't ask her sooner. Her mother had approved of the relationship after giving Chloé a questionnaire but knew that her daughter's happiness came above everything. She had given the couple her blessing and had secretly started to make plans for their wedding.

"I am not whining!" Luka said but his tone of voice make both girls laugh, which made him blush slightly.

Luka was actually now a very successful musician and often did collaborations with other artists, one being Jagged Stone. After the reveal of him being his father, his shock being managed by Marinette, he had gotten to know the man and had a lot in common. Juleka was equally as shocked too. Jagged wasn't happy about his daughter's behaviour with Marinette but after a long talk, he could see that she truly regretted her actions. He had a good relationship with her, as did Luka and Marinette, the trust slowly being earned back. While on tour, he and his father of course wore clothes designed by Marinette, making them iconic in their own way. Jagged was so happy he was dating Marintte and always asked Luka how they were doing.

Chloé had graduated the top of her class at Yale, majoring in business management, as she had decided to take over her father's hotel business and open more across France. She had been very successful in doing this and was looking to expand her brand across Europe very soon. Kagami was now a two time gold medal winner at the Olympics and was determined to keep her title. They were truly the ultimate power couple. Both couples travelled the world but all of them kept their home base in Paris.

"Why are you being so squeamish? You are not usually like this," Kagami said suspiciously.

"Do you have something planned?" Chloé asked, eyeing him up and down. Luka started to sweat slightly as his hand subconsciously went over his trouser pocket.

"Oh are you all that oblivious?" a voice deadpanned.

All three turned their heads to see a very familiar face walking towards them, with a few people whispering at her as she walked. She wore a very stylish black suit with high heels with the suit line cutting to her chest that had a black top underneath. Her black hair was in curls with a black flower accessory and tinted black glasses. The whole suit practically screamed power and said, 'Don't mess with me.'

"Morgana!" Kagami said with a smile.

"I didn't think you'd make it! I thought you had that court case," Chloé said. Morgana scoffed and took off her glasses to reveal the piercing eyes they all know so well.

"Oh please, the case is already closed, he won't be seeing the sun for a while," she said.

Morgana had graduated earlier and had trained to become a lawyer. Not just any lawyer. She would take on any case, no matter how small and had made a very popular name for herself and always sought after for high profile cases. After the experience at school, she was determined that no one should be over-looked, as everyone deserved a voice so she didn't even charge those who were desperate. Civil rights, family, criminal, business; she had done it all and she wasn't planning on stopping. She of course became a Chess Master as her side hobby as she called it but what surprised everyone the most was that she became an author. She wrote fictional books and children's books. Some were detective stories and others were fantasy stories. It was something no one expected of her since she was always so... well Morgana!

"So what were you on about just now?" Kagami asked.

"Nothing!" Luka said quickly.

"Seriously?" Morgana asked dully.

"Just tell us!" Chloé almost yelled.

"The nerves, the looking around and checking his pocket every five minutes?" Morgana asked. There was a pause. Then it finally hit them.

"Oh you are so not!" Chloé squealed.

"You're going to propose?!" Kagami half yelled but Luka had to calm them both down. He glared at Morgana who didn't even look bothered.

"You had to tell them?" Luka said.

"I thought it was obvious. Anyway, I am going to ask you not to do that here. Take her to the Effiel Tower or something, write her a song, just not here," Morgana said.

"Why not?" Luka asked, quite surprised as were the others.

"Two reasons. One, this is her night and while we probably will be on stage and giving our own speeches, this night is still about her and what she has accomplished as a designer. You can propose anytime but she can only reveal herself once," Morgana explained.

"I didn't think of it that way," Luka said as his shoulders slumped.

"While I hate that you can't, it makes logical sense," Kagami grumbled.

"Well, it gives us more time to plan her wedding anyway," Chloé said as she gave her a nudge, making her smile.

"What makes you think you'll be planning?" Luka asked and nearly took a step back when he saw the glares they gave him. Morgana patted his shoulder and leaned to his ear.

"If there is one thing I have learned as a lawyer, never and I mean ever, anger a bridesmaid. Especially not two," she whispered.

"Noted," Luka said.

"Wait, you said there were two reasons. What is the second?" Kagami asked. Morgana just looked at her watch at that.

"That's my reason. You'll find out in due time," Morgana said as she pulled out her phone and appeared to send a text to someone before putting it back in her pocket. No one questioned her when she said that. They knew better at this point. The lights started to dim and their attention turned to the stage. It was almost time.

Marinette was now in her dressing room, making sure that her outfit was all set. She leaned back in her chair and smiled at the sound of someone flying near her face.

"You'll be great! I can't believe it's time!" Tikki said excitedly. Yes, Tikki was still with her. And not just her. A little black cat flew up next to her.

"While impressive, can we get this over with so I can get to the cheese platter?" Plagg complained. Why was Plagg here? Well, it all happened seven years ago.

SEVEN YEARS AGO:

Ladybug was in complete shock as she saw Gabriel Agreste, now revealed to be Shadowmoth. Chat Noir was next to her in equal shock. He could almost be sick. After tracking a butterfly to the mansion and following him to an underground lair, they saw him drop the transformation. He didn't even put up a fight. He just dropped to his knees in defeat.

"Mr Agreste? You are Shadowmoth?" Ladybug said as she did her best to keep her composure.

"Y-Yes. I am so sorry... I did not want anything to go this far..." Gabriel sniffed.

"You hurt so many people! You akumatised children!" Chat practically yelled. Ladybug placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. She clasped the Butterfly and Peacock jewels in her hand and knelt down.

"Why?" she asked gently.

"I-I just wanted my wish... I wanted to have my family... after what happened to my son...I just wanted to do everything I could... I was desperate," Gabriel said, not being able to look them in the eye.

"What do you mean?" Chat said in confusion. His father didn't do this for power? He did this for him?

"Come..." Gabriel said as he went to the centre of the lair. As they followed him, a glass coffin appeared to reveal a woman inside, seemingly asleep.

"Is that...?" Ladybug asked, immediately recognising her.

"My wife," Gabriel said as he rested a hand on the case.

"Is... is she dead?" Chat said in shock. Now he nearly was going to be sick.

"No. You are aware that the Peacock miraculous was damaged before I repaired it. Emilie was the previous holder. She fell ill but kept wearing it even when I told her not to. Then she just... didn't wake up," Gabriel said as he became misty eyed. Chat placed his own hand on the case, his own tears falling. Ladybug assumed it was shock.

"So you wanted to wish her back. You did know of the price before you make your wish?" Ladybug asked.

"Price?" Gabriel said in curiosity.

"If you made a wish to bring someone back, this coma would go to someone else. It's the same way if you wished someone back from the dead, then someone would have to die," Ladybug explained.

"No! I would never want that!" Gabriel protested.

"It's true. With your wish, it influences those who you have. The chances are that you can bring your wife back, but your son would be in a coma," Ladybug said.

"No! It can't be! I can't have made all those mistakes and akumas for nothing! I love my son! Bringing Emilie back would have completed our family! Now because of this... this stupid cause, I let my own son get abused! I don't deserve to be a father!" Gabriel cried as he fell to his knees and slammed his hand on the floor and sobbed.

"What happened to Adrien was not your fault," Chat said stiffly as he placed his hand on the man's shaking back. He was having an inner battle at this moment. He saw why he did what he did but the methods were all wrong. Couldn't he have just reached out to a guardian for help.

"Mr Agreste, I think I may be able to give you some closure on your wife," Ladybug said, making both males look up at her with surprise.

"What?" Gabriel asked.

"I am in contact with one of the guardians from the temple. They can come here and see if your wife can be cured. If not however, I am afraid you can no longer keep her here," Ladybug explained.

"I understand. I am happy to accept my punishment. I won't hire lawyers, I will go to jail. But please spare Nathalie, she is falling ill too," Gabriel said.

"I am not sending you to jail," Ladybug said, shocking both of them.

"W-What?" Chat asked.

"You never used the miraculous to kill. You did it for love. Love can blind you. Sending you to jail while your son is so emotionally fragile wouldn't be fair. So here is what you are going to do. You will give me any items relating to the Miraculous you have stored her. You will take a leave of absence of work and hire experienced people that you trust to run your brand. You will spend all of your time with your son. You will do anything you can to help akuma families. You will never use a miraculous again. If you act against these conditions, your identity will be revealed. I am not doing this to spare you. I am doing this because your son needs the father he deserves. I highly suggest you tell him everything. While he may not forgive you, I am sure he will understand," Ladybug said firmly.

"I-I don't know what to say..." Gabriel stammered. After all he had done, he was being shown mercy.

"Don't say anything. Now stay with your wife while I call the guardians," Ladybug as she turned to the elevator with Chat following her. He was quiet the whole time. As soon as they stepped back in the office, he grabbed her hand.

"Chat?" she asked in confusion.

"Ladybug... I would like to renounce," Chat said.

"What? But after that last talk we had..." she said but Chat stopped her.

"It has nothing to do with that. Plagg... claws in," Chat said. A green light flashed and Ladybug blinked as the light revealed Adrien. She went numb with shock.

"A-Adrien?" Ladybug said in shock.

"Yes. I had no idea... I was told my mother was missing. I love being Chat Noir but after all of this... I need to be with him. I want to know everything. Being Chat will conflict me..." Adrien said as tears appeared in his eyes.

Ladybug did nothing but hugged him tightly with tears in her own eyes. After all this time. Her ex-crush was her Kitty. She would never have guessed. His personalities were so different. He may not have helped her as Marinette but as Ladybug? He was always there for her and there was nothing better she could have asked for in a partner.

"You don't need to explain. All you need to know is that you'll always be my kitty."

END FLASHBACK:

After contacting the guardians and looking over Emilie, they had concluded that she was too far gone in the coma so she was essentially brain dead. Nathalie wasn't too far gone that she could receive treatment but Adrien and Gabriel were devastated. The funeral had been small with only family and it had been announced on the news that she had been in a hospital for all this time receiving treatment. Of course his sister in law was furious that she had been kept in the dark but she understood that he had not wanted her to see her sister suffering.

Ladybug had announced Shadowmoth's and Mayura's defeated with the jewels shown on live television and that the ex-villains had been consumed by the power of the miraculous and were no more. The guardians did not like that he was escaping punishment but they realised that losing his wife was punishment enough and after Ladybug had explained what Adrien had gone through. She had also announced Chat's retirement as well as her own but promised if there was ever trouble, she would return.

Ladybug had talked to the guardians of the temple and due to her statement and credit from all of the kwami's, she remained the guardian but had been granted a pardon from having her memories revoked when the time came. Having done so much from someone who was so young, they knew she could be trusted. She had been praised for replacing the fool known as Fu but she had rebuffed this as he was the one who taught her. It seems that Fu lost his memories for not having the one thing that made a person a true guardian. Ladybug didn't know what the answer was as they never told her. She didn't want to know. So that's how the kwami's were still with her.

"So these clothes, what are their inspiration again?" Tikki asked.

"Well as we are back in Paris, I decided it was time to create a clothes line for the miraculous," Marinette said.

"Oh so you're modelling Ladybug, Chat..." Tikki said but Marinette shook her head.

"No Tikki. We wouldn't have heroes if it wasn't for you, Plagg and the others. These outfits are modelled for the Kwami's. It is public knowledge that heroes have kwami's as partners now. So this is a thank you to you all," Marinette said.

No other heroes had emerged aside from herself, Chat, Viperion, Ryuko and Honey Comb. Chloé had more than done enough to earn it back but rembranded herself to avoid identity realisation. No other holders like Rena Rogue came back again after Ladybug denounced them on the news as unreliable.

"Oh thank you!" Tikki said as she hugged Marinette's cheek. Plagg did too although he did stink of cheese quite a bit. A knock then came on the door and the kwami's hid. No one entered but a voice rang out.

"MDC? It is time!" the voice said.

The lights were finally down and the catwalk was ready. The four friends were at the front, eagerly awaiting the new line. An announcer's voice rang out as the crowd quietened.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being at the Paris Gala for the biggest line from MDC yet. Not only that but MDC will be revealing herself very soon. May I present, the line inspired by the kwami's that gave us our heroes, Miraculous!"

The crowd cheered as the line of clothes came out to reveal the most stunning outfits that they had ever set their eyes on. As the models turned the runway, camera flashed and people clapped as they were in awe of the creativity that MDC had. Finally, it came down to the ones that Luka, Kagami and Chloé were really excited about.

"Can you believe this? It's surreal," Chloé whispered.

"I know," Kagami said back.

"It's still a shock to me," Luka said, noting how Morgana wasn't taking any notice.

Of course, they were secretly referring to how they found out that Marinette was Ladybug. She had revealed herself to them after she brought down Shadowmoth. Naturally the group was in shock. The girl who had been bullied day in and day out was their saviour. Chloé was upset the most as she had realised she had bullied her as Marintte and broken her trust as Ladybug. She nearly hugged her to death for giving her yet another chance. Kagami was so pleased it was Marinette and Luka was so scared at the fact that his girlfriend was risking her life every day. Morgana was disinterested but on some level, Marinette figured that Morgana must have figured it out along the way.

Out walked the Dragon kwami. The model was dressed all in red, modelling an outfit covered in crystals that resembled an actual dragon. The make-up was astonishing. The lights were then shone onto the outfit and the crowd gasped as the light altered the colour to turn into the colours of the elements the dragon represented. Next came the snake. It was a body suit decorated with scales that even covered her face. Naturally time travel couldn't be represented well her, so instead, the scales fell of the outfit to reveal a stunning blue dress underneath. Next came the Bee. The model walked out in a cute tutu themed outfit to look like a bee. It seemed pretty normal but then with a quick flick, wings came out of her back and glittered in the light. Chloé squealed so loudly at this.

Finally, it came down to the final two. Both came out at the same time. The Black Cat was in a suit, decorated with neon green paws that shone everytime the model moved. It was topped off with a cane and a top hat. Sleek and stylish. The Ladybug was a gorgeous polka dot ballgown, antenna in the hair with a crystal studded mask. All of the models came out again in a row, bowing to a thrilled audience with camera flashes. Now it was the time.

MDC walked out on the runway with a microphone. Everyone applauded but when MDC came to the end of the stage, everyone went dead silent instantly. Not even a camera flashed.

"Hello everyone. As you know, I plan on revealing myself today. But I don't think most of you know why. It's not for the fame. It's because I have worn this mask for so long because I wanted to hide behind it. I was scared of the world. There were people that tore me down and laughed at me. I thought I was alone. But I was wrong. I have friends and family who made me realise that I counted for something. Now I feel confident enough to share it with everyone. So... here goes," MDC said, putting the microphone down and reaching for her mask.

MDC slowly lifted up the mask, revealing her bluebell eyes for all to see. She gazed out into the crowd to meet shocked eyes. No camera flashed still.

"I am MDC... but you can call me Marinette Dupain Cheng."

Gabriel blinked in shock from his seat on the couch. True to his word, he still owned his company but it was being managed by some of the best people he knew and trusted. However, he had heard about the reveal and line, so he had to watch it. Adrien was sitting next to him and his jaw had dropped. MDC... Marinette Dupain Cheng... wow, he really was oblivious.

"I knew it... she had too much talent to just be on the sidelines," Gabriel said.

"Yeah," Adrien breathed. He was now actually a Physics professor, having earned his way to getting his PhD with no favours. He had worked super hard and Gabriel was so proud of him. He was still looking for his successor as he wouldn't force Adrien to take over. He looked over at his son.

"You have that same look in your eye as I did when I knew I loved your mother," Gabriel said.

"Yeah... I was too late... but Marinette deserves the world," Adrien said with a smile.

"WHAT?!" Alya screeched as she leapt up from her moth infested couch.

As she had been blacklisted, she hadn't had any success being a journalist. She had started running her own blogs again but from the way she wrote, people know it was here since her old blog had become infamous. While she had graduated high school, her record was so stained that no college wanted to take her as a student. So with no qualifications or other skills aside from writing rubbish, she did what she knew best. She tried getting celebrity interviews by catching them on the street and asking them personal questions. Naturally that got her in more trouble. While her family had not disowned her, they didn't keep in contact much as they knew she hadn't learned her lesson, blaming Lila for her life. She was working in a small diner as a dish washer as the manager didn't trust her with customers. The staff didn't like her there as they were worried she would damage the diner's reputation.

"I can't believe it! I could have been there if it wasn't for Lila!" Alya bellowed, sinking back into her seat and putting her head in her hands.

No one else from the class kept in contact much anymore but they were probably all thinking the same as her about Marinette being MDC. Alix and Kim didn't get their sport scholarships and were both working in gyms as trainers but didn't get many clients due to their reputation. Max was working as an online ICT consultant, still bitter over his brain not being able to process how a tissue could blind you. Mylene and Ivan had married but hand't been allowed to work with charities so had instead become park rangers. Nathaniel had been devastated over losing Marc and had lost inspiration to draw so he was now working in a museum, being close to art but never gaining back his spark. Sabrina was actually working in the police due to her father after he had had extremely harsh words. While she was not trusted very well, she was doing her best to redeem herself but it would take a long time.

Rose was now a florist but had lost her relationship with Juleka, who was now a make-up artist as she had apologised and still in connection with Luka, she hand't done too bad for herself but knew better to act like nothing had happened. Nino had split with Alya immediately after the trial and devoted his life to help others by becoming a music teacher. He knew that no place would hire him as a DJ now so the least he could do was help others become great. He was doing okay for himself and people could see he was trying. To be honest, the whole class was really trying.

Alya however, couldn't just move on. Her ex-best friend had moved on to fame she could only dream of. That could have been her up there too. They all could have. If only they had just listened.

Marinette smiled out at the crowd as they cheered and chattered over the reveal as the camera started flashing. She could hear the word she hated most being thrown around in the crowd. Lila. She hated that she was linked to that girl for the rest of her life. She donated a percentage of her earnings to each of the families that Lila had damaged. Some took it while others refused charities but they were all touched by the kind gesture. They also didn't know she was MDC so they didn't like the idea of taking money of a teenager at the time. Her eyes then fell on her friends who were beaming with pride. Well, Morgana had a brief smile on her face but that was the most emotion she would show this evening.

There was one thing about Morgana that she gained respect for. As Morgana had been the one to bring Lila to justice, she had asked her if she she would ever write about her experience in doing it, which is what usually happened with cases like this. Morgana had refused. Her words stuck with the designer.

"The victims have to live with what happened to them with the rest of their lives. People will have seen the footage. I didn't give any names out on the feed aside from Elena. The trial kept the names private. I don't want to profit from their misery. No books. No television shows. No films. Lila would get her fame. I will make sure she is wiped from the world and that she will be nothing more than a horrid dream."

"Thank you everyone. I will be taking questions after the show," Marinette said as people quietened down. "But there are some people that I would like to call to the stage as they helped me get to where I am today."

"I love it when you predict the future," Chloé snickered.

"Luka, Kagami, Chloé and Morgana, please come up here," Marinette called.

The small group then made their way up to the stage with the crowd parting a path for them. Once they were up on the stage, there were a few more whispers and flashes. Luka kissed Marinette on the cheek while Chloé and Kagami linked arms while Morgana put her glasses back on and stood there with a stoic face as flashes reflected on her glasses.

"Marinette, you were destined for greatness without us. You are an amazing woman and I love you so much," Luka said. The crowd all 'awwed' and clapped at this. Luka went in for another kiss but as he pulled back, he could feel the cold waves radiate off Morgana. He took the hint.

"Marinette... may I ask you a question regarding..." a reporter said, making people mumble.

"About Miss Rossi. Please make it brief," Marinette said briefly.

"If you could say anything to her now, what would you say?" the reporter asked. Kagami and Chloé looked annoyed at the question but it didn't seem so invasive.

"Well... I don't know. She showed me who my true friends were but that is all. She isn't responsible for my success as a designer. I am doing my best to forget but I will never forgive her," Marinette said.

"Thank you," the reporter simply said. "Miss Rio, would you be able to answer some questions about Miss Rossi after the interview after?"

"No. This is Marinette's night," Morgana said firmly.

Marinette smiled slightly at her words but she couldn't help but notice when Morgana looked at her watch. It was if she was checking for something. Now Marinette knew her well enough that when she did something like that, something was up. Morgana had often represented her business wise throughout the years, so she knew more about her little movements. She looked out in the crowd and noticed that there were a lot of people who Lila lied about in the crowd as well as legit reporters. Maybe if they had some answers, they would stop wondering.

"No Morgana. You always know what to say. I know people want to know more about you and the link with me and Miss Rossi. You know how to keep it brief," Marinette said, tossing her the microphone, which Morgana caught without turning her head. There was a twitch on her lips. She knew it.

"So you really want to know?" Morgana asked as she noticed the time.

FIVE MINUTES EARLIER IN LILA'S CELL:

Lila sulked in her private cell, brushing a strand of her from her face. She'd had her hair cut short to avoid people pulling it. Naturally when she'd first arrived, she'd tried to charm people with her lives. All that got her were broken bones and bruises. Criminals were scum but there were some things that united them and one of those things were bullies who drove people to suicide, especially young ones. With all the lies she tried telling, especially when she tried to tell to the guards, they didn't even bat an eye when some prisoners beat her up. She even told the truth that they didn't do anything to help her but then again, who would believe a liar. She'd been moved to the private end of the prisoner so people didn't get manipulated or annoyed by her.

"I will get out of here... and I'll get you Morgana... and you too Maritrash," she growled.

Honestly, it was a few lies! She didn't make those people do all those things! She started up at the cheap television, seeing the live Gala event. There was nothing interesting on but she'd heard that MDC was revealing their identity. After all the times they upstaged her, the least she deserved was to know who that creep was.

"Stupid Shadowmoth...stupid outfits," she scoffed as she saw the themed runway. She could have handled that miraculous better than moth man. She wouldn't have got caught! Then she could take all the miraculous and kill Ladybug! Yes, that plan was perfect!

"Come on loser, let's see who you are. A complete nobody," Lila scoffed as she folded her arms.

MDC slowly lifted up the mask, revealing her bluebell eyes for all to see. She gazed out into the crowd to meet shocked eyes. No camera flashed still.

"I am MDC... but you can call me Marinette Dupain Cheng."

"MARINETTE?!" Lila screamed, making the metal bed creak as she leapt to her feet and clenched her feet. No way that brat was MDC! She had no talent! That brat had all that fame?! No, this wasn't right! She was the one who was supposed to be famous with the cameras, the lights and the money. This wasn't fair! Marinette was supposed to be crushed under her feet!

"There's no way she would have forgiven those losers and that tabloid trash," Lila sneered as she folded her arms and walked up to get a better look at the poor screen display. Imagine the look on her face when she saw a camera zoom in on four people; one of them being the one who ruined everything.

"Luka, Kagami, Chloé and Morgana, please come up here," Marinette called.

"No way! Those weirdos?!" Lila shouted. She hated who stylish they all looked, especially the girls. Morgana still had that stupid look on her face, as if she was all cool with that stupid suit. Oh, once she got her hands on her, she would ruin her! She'd shove those chess pieces so far down her throat.

"Marinette, you were destined for greatness without us. You are an amazing woman and I love you so much," Luka said.

"Oh, this is making me sick," Lila said with an eye roll. That guy wasn't so special. Then again, that meant that Adrien was free. He would regret leaving her once she got her claws back in him.

"Marinette... may I ask you a question regarding..." a reporter said, making people mumble.

"About Miss Rossi. Please make it brief," Marinette said briefly.

"Me? She doesn't even deserve to say my name," Lila huffed.

"If you could say anything to her now, what would you say?" the reporter asked.

"I don't want your forgiveness Maritrash! You're nothing! A loser! A weakling! Scum!" Lila shouted. A loud bang made her jump but she knew that was a signal from a guard to keep her quiet. She did obey but had a grumpy look on her face.

"Thank you," the reporter simply said. "Miss Rio, would you be able to answer some questions about Miss Rossi after the interview after?"

"No. This is Marinette's night," Morgana said firmly.

"So you really want to know?" Morgana asked as she noticed the time.

"What's with that look on her face?" Lila scoffed.

PRESENT TIME IN LILA'S CELL:

"You're all wondering why I did what I did. What could I have gained. The answer? Absolutely nothing. It was just a normal day for me in my normal life, when I heard that a nasty little liar was making a student miserable on a dreary day."

"Nasty?! That wench!" Lila scowled.

"I didn't know Marinette. I didn't know Lila. I didn't know any of the people on this stage or in that school with that class. I stepped in to see that an unfair game was being played. Illegal moves were being made by a tyrant. I needed to level the field by taking my side of the board. I read everyone like a book."

"Ugh... as much as I hate to admit it, she did," Lila said to herself. If she had that skill, she would never have lost her kingdom. It was the one thing that she secretly admired about Morgana. But she resented her for it.

"I knew there was no chance of redemption so all they were to me were pawns. I used my players to teach the lesson to practice what you preach."

"Oh yeah, like that went well," Lila scoffed, thinking back to how Adrien never grew a spine. He may have still not grown it. She'd find out when she escaped.

"Then two became four and I assembled the players. That's when the Queen made a move you see which began the countdown. The countdown which then lead to the trend you all know, 'I am MDC.'"

"Yeah, the night where Maritrash upstaged me!" Lila sneered, almost throwing a metal cup at the tv but she needed to see more.

"But thanks to some unwanted bullies, I had to do damage control as you all know. That's when she made her move again. What is that you ask? Who? Well, MDC of course."

"Damage control? Please, that cafeteria thing was hilarious, and I wasn't even charged for that!" Lila said with a laugh as she realised that Alya must be kicking herself right now.

"To make people realise what it is to be a victim, they needed to feel ashamed and alone by their own actions. But now a storm was brewing you see... it was now a game within a game as there was a crack in the kingdom. Lila was cracking on her side of the board."

"I never cracked! How dare you, you wench!" Lila shouted.

"All I needed at that moment in time was the final vote and all that went through my head was that today was the day. Thus began act one. Then act two. Act three. Act four."

"I will destroy you..." Lila seethed as she recalled that day of the awards. The day when her kingdom really did fall. Because of Morgana. She had to be smart and smug about it. Those victims had to come forward. All they had to do was keep quiet but they couldn't even do that.

"Then we came to the final act when the players all fell and the queen was alone. Everyone... I now bring you the closing curtain on this story."

"Curtain? What curtain?" Lila questioned.

A knock came at her door as a slot opened up and a small package slid under the door. It was square shaped as Lila went over to retrieve it. It was wrapped in brown paper and wasn't labelled. Lila didn't even noticed Marinette hugging Morgana on television, with the lawyer patting her back awkwardly. It couldn't have been from her family, they practically disowned her now. Not that she cared. They didn't defend her so they were useless.

She didn't notice Luka, Chloé and Kagami going over to join the hug. Lila tore open the paper to reveal a small brown box as the audience applauded Morgana's speech. Lila opened the box to reveal a small note sitting on top of it. She read it over and over again as Marinette waved to the crowd. She crumpled the note into her fist as she pulled out the item in the box with her other hand. She didn't hear or see Morgana raise the microphone to her mouth as she let out an ear splitting scream and threw the item, box and note across the room. She didn't notice the guards come in and restrain her as she tried to flip her bed. As she was pinned to the floor, her eyes fell on the note that had slowly unfurled next to the item. She could only feel the rage burn through her as she heard Morgana's final words before she was dragged from the room to isolation.

There on the floor, lay a a king's chess piece with the words on the note reading, 'Your souvenir from our game. Checkmate.'

"You can do anything that you want to. All you need to do... is be creative."

Thank you for reading.

- Star