Scene 25 - Marinette at the Cinema
Marinette entered the empty theater with her popcorn.
"Adrien?" She called out. He might not be here yet. She was a little early, after all.
She took a seat in the front row. Marinette couldn't believe how happy she was. All the fear she had about revealing their identities had been for nothing. Now that they were totally honest with each other, she and Adrien could be together for-real. She couldn't have imagined a better outcome.
She heard the door at the back of the theater, and excitedly turned to see her boyfriend.
"Bonjour, Ladybug," greeted a sickeningly evil voice.
Marinette jumped up from her seat, the popcorn spilling to the ground.
It was Papillombre, he had found her! Something was different though. His suit was not purple, it was black. And on his head were…
Marinette paled with the realization.
On his head were the ears of a cat. He had Chat Noir's miraculous.
"Tikki, transforme-moi! Lucky Charm!" she called in quick succession, wasting no time.
The charm landed in her hand. It was a wristwatch, set to 01h00. The memory clicked in her head. The top of the Eiffel Tour, at 1 in the morning… Chat Noir had revealed his identity. Is this what caused this? Somehow Papillombre discovered Adrien's alter-ego and attacked him? The lucky charm was telling her to go back in time, she was sure, but could she risk using the rabbit miraculous in front of Papillombre?
"Will this finally be the hour of your defeat?" Papillombre mocked her as he approached.
Where was Adrien? What had he done to him?
Before she could run, Ladybug was frozen by a cold touch to her back. She could feel something spinning. She turned around to see a purple akumatized villain, covered in chevrons. His eyes were glazed over with Papillombre's dark magic, but Marinette would have recognized them anywhere.
Adrien, she realized as her heart broke into a million pieces. She had done this to him. She had prevented Chat Blanc, but she hadn't prevented her love from falling victim to their enemy nonetheless.
"I'm sorry," the purple figure whispered desperately. "I promise it will be quick."
He touched his hand to his chest as all the chevrons on his body began to light up. Ladybug could feel her power quickly draining. She had to get help.
"Time flies, when you're having fun!" Papillon called to her as she sprinted up the theater steps.
Where was Bunnix? Last time they lost, she swooped in to save the day. Why hadn't she done the same today? Ladybug realized that last time, Chat Blanc had destroyed Paris, but not reality entirely. Bunnix had still been able to travel back in time to retrieve the younger Ladybug. But if Papillon destroyed reality entirely… well then there would be no future for Bunnix to come from. Alix didn't have her miraculous yet.
Ladybug pulled out her yo-yo's camera and snapped a photo of the lucky charm.
"There is no use running," Her enemy mocked her. "in a few seconds you will become a simple girl with no power."
Just in time, the message she had typed sends moments before her de-transformation.
Marinette cried out as she fell to the floor, helpless.
