Ladybug: The Adventures of Libby Walters
Season 1
Episode 5
"Flight Delay"
"Well this is the stuff. Grounded for two weeks is not where I wanted to be right now."
Libby watched some crappy Hallmark Channel movie to fill the time.
"I'll grill Ash for some answers when this cheesy-ass thing is over."
"I hope you understand why you're grounded, Liberty." Sandrine said.
"I disobeyed you mom," Libby nodded. "But I-"
"But nothing!"
"Matriel was in trouble! She might be six feet under right now if I hadn't gone to her."
"The police could've dealt with it." Sandrine said.
"I dealt with it, mom." Libby turned her head away.
"Really now? Was the intruder armed?"
"Yes, and before you say it, the situation could've ended badly. But as you can see, no blood here."
"Liberty, what you did was very..." Sandrine started.
"Reckless? Irrational?" Libby asked.
"Brave."
Libby's eyes grew.
"I would've hesitated. Were you scared?"
"Truth be told, no, not at all. I just acted."
"You're still grounded." Sandrine said, putting a hand on Libby's face. "But only for one week."
"What a relief." Libby said "Because I'm sure Matriel will wanna spend more time together."
"How is she?"
"I think she's okay, but asked me to keep occasionally checking on her. Via text, of course."
"Oh Liberty, don't frighten me like that."
Libby ran a finger along her hairclip.
"I'll try not to."
"I can't get over how exquisite that hairclip is." Sandrine looked closely at it. Libby unclipped it and handed it to her mom.
"It's better than I could've imagined." Libby smiled.
"Oh, why's that? The impeccable lattice work? Or, my, is it made of gold?"
"Irka says it's false gold."
"Are you upset?"
"Pffft, ha ha ha!" Libby guffawed. "I'm a woman of simple tastes. Look what it is. Enough said."
Libby's phone notified her that someone else had replied to her Facebook chat.
"I'm still allowed to use the internet, right?"
"Yes Liberty. You're not completely barred from everything."
Matriel_Girl: Guess you delivered on your promise *numerous kissing emojis*
Libby_KA_Walters: And you doubted me? *kissing emoji*
"I think she's happy mom."
"I've never seen that many emojis before..."
"Well you're clearly never been on Mistral's page..." Libby trailed off.
"Anyway honey, I'll leave you to watch, well, whatever that is." Sandine said.
"Crappy movie, thanks."
Libby stretched on the couch, made sure her dad wasn't lurking in the area, and tapped her hairclip.
"You awake in there?"
"I never sleep Libby."
"Well your entire life is hell then, Ash." Libby laughed. "So I've been Ladybug for a bit now. What else can you tell me?"
"Libby, you're a very clever girl."
"Thanks?"
"It was a compliment. Your intelligence is staggering for your age."
"I think I'm pretty well versed." Libby said.
"That will definitely help you understand things better."
"I'm all ears."
"The Ladybug hairclip is an ancient relic, passed down through time, and given to the most pure of heart, mind and soul individuals, for them to protect the people they love."
"I've kinda figured that out. But what about other people?"
"It's primary purpose is those close to you. It's a substantial responsibility. You may find your life changing over time."
"Look, as long as I can still get my education, do stuff with my friends and be able to travel the world or settle down with someone, If I so choose." Libby explained.
"All of that will still be possible, but you will face things much worse than the burglar, and the shadow beings you saw in Kiwanis Park. Worse than you can fathom."
"I have a pretty deep imagination, Ash."
"You may find yourself making tough decisions down the road."
"Such as...?"
"When you rescued Matriel, did you feel like that was an easy decision?"
"Why, did I do something I shouldn't have?" Libby asked.
"No, what I meant was, you had the one option, and only that. Don't expect it to always be that way."
"You know something that you're not telling me."
"You aren't the first Ladybug Libby, and every other one has faced adversity. I can still feel the heartache they felt when they recalled mistakes that couldn't be fixed."
"I won't make mistakes."
"You already have."
"What?!" Libby exclaimed.
"Just preparing you for when it does happen. No Ladybug has ever had a spotless resumé."
"Okay, one last thing, for now. Are there other ways to activate the Ladybug suit, or not?"
"You'll be less likely to need it in these situations, but you can also call it forth when you're dealing with great fear or anger."
"What if I want it to play tricks on people?" Libby smirked.
"Libby..."
"Kidding, Ash, I'm kidding. That's another thing you should expect from me."
"I will certainly try to be more helpful and informative in the future."
"So what's the deal with El Creepo?"
"Who?"
"The guy from Kiwanis." Libby said.
"Ah, Marcus."
Libby could tell Ash was frustrated when saying his name.
"His methods are...not the most delicate. And oh, I wish he would discard that switchblade."
"I definitely know who my favorite is between you two."
"I really like you a lot Libby."
"Same." Libby said. "Is it...would it be weird to say I love you?"
"If you mean it genuinely, then no."
"I love you Ash."
"I love you too Libby. I anticipate the day when you get to see my actual form, and I can physically touch you."
"I bet you're really pretty Ash." Libby stroked the hairclip.
"My appearance will surprise you. Mark my words."
"You sound hesitant. Calm down hun. Your beauty will knock me flat!"
Ash hummed quietly, as did Libby. They went back to watching the Hallmark movie.
"Are you humans mostly this...?"
"One dimensional?" Libby finished the question. "No. One thing you should avoid in your humanity studies is friggin' Hallmark movies."
"Do you hear that Jack?" Sandrine asked. "It sounds like she's creating quite the fantasy with her hairclip."
"When did she learn ventriloquism?" He asked.
"I can hear you guys out there." Libby called. "And for the record, Trinity taught me ventriloquism."
"I thought you two didn't get along."
"Uh, no. She can be a pain in the ass, but I like her well enough."
"I assume our discussion is over, Libby?"
"Yeah."
"That's really impressive work, Bug."
"Thanks pop." Libby said. "But don't ask me to teach you. I'm not sure I remember everything she told me."
Libby winked and continued watching the movie. Meanwhile...
"Oh man, what could I say to her?" Edison pondered. "Dear Libby, I like you a lot. Nah, too casual. Hey Libby, I dig ya. God no. Yo hot stuff, I wanna kiss you all over. That sounds creepy. Libby, my love for you burns with...hell no."
Edison fetched a paper and a pen.
"You got all day to do this Ed. Then tomorrow, leave it in her locker, or have Irka deliver it to her. Look at me. I can play football and have no fear, yet I can't even tell a super cute girl what I think of her. What I really think. She probably has an idea though."
Edison tapped the pen on the table.
"Libby is perfect. I have to take this chance."
Edison uncapped the pen, and began writing his thesis paper on how to tell someone you love them. Over at the Fen household, Matriel was relaxing in front of a fan. Mistral was comforting her, and their dad was wrapping up his police report.
"You poor thing!" Mistral said.
"I'm fine sis." Matriel smiled.
"Now Matriel, tell us again who came to help." Avhera Fen asked.
"Well Irka did, and some girl wearing a Ladybug costume."
"Libby Walters?"
"...No, but Libby was there too."
"Sounds like this other girl was trying to play hero." Jasrick Fen said gruffly.
"Hmm."
"Can we get you anything?"
"Nah, Mistral's here to take care of me, thanks." Matriel rubbed her sister's shoulder. When her parents left the room, she looked at Mistral.
"I really need to do something nice for Libby. Wanna help me work on ideas?"
"Yeah!"
"That's my girl!"
Back to Edison, who had made precious little progress. A few pieces of paper were crumpled up next to him.
"Think Ed. What about Libby is so great?"
He put his fingers up, and counted off one for each detail.
"First off, her face. Jesus Christ she's lovely." He said. "Alright, next. Ummm...oh! Her personality. She exudes kindness. Yeah, there we go! Motoring right along. I know it's a small thing, but her hands are very soft. I wonder what kind of lotion she uses..."
Edison stopped, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Not important. Okay, just one more thing, and then I can begin my master work."
Edison thought of something, then cringed.
"I mean, she does have a nice butt, but I can't tell her that! Or maybe I can...focus Edison! Think about Libby's butt later. I probably have enough to go with now."
Edison began, humbly enough, with Dear Libby, and continued, his pen strokes becoming less tense as he got further.
"At worst, she won't be interested."
Back at Libby's house, she decided to make an entry in her diary.
Diary Entry:
Liberty Kelsey-Anne Walters
Sunday, February 5th, 2017
Kinda neat couple days. Irka is taking this big change pretty well. I'm glad to have her along for this. Matriel too, though I may have trouble keeping her out of my hair now XD Kidding of course. She can act however she wants around me.
Being friends with Ash is super. Marcus, not so much. Dude is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot
"He's still on our side though, Libby."
Thanks for reminding me, Ash. I had totally forgotten that fact :p
"Hehe."
She's nice and helpful. And she's cute too.
"I bet you're blushing in there." Libby said.
"I am."
Any which way, that's enough from me. Now I have to keep this book a secret from the folks. That oughta be interesting.
Much love,
Libby, "The Ladybug"
"Mom, I'm going to sit out on the front steps."
"Alright, Liberty."
"There's something I'm surprised you haven't asked me about yet, Libby."
"Oh really?"
"Remember when you first went to Kiwanis. What you saw."
"The infinity symbol?" Libby asked. "Creepo called it 'Infinitum', I think."
"It's Marcus and my insignia. So special individuals such as yourself can identify us."
"In what capacity?"
"To assist you when you're Ladybug. If you aren't sure what to do, we'll let you know we're there."
"I think I'm all set to go, just need something bad to happen."
"I wish it were up to you, Libby, but it's just not."
Libby sat down on the steps, and admired the houses in her neighborhood.
"Hey, there's that boy who helped me with the Wingpack earlier. Hi!"
The boy didn't notice her, and rolled onward towards an unknown destination.
"Huh." Libby said. She suddenly heard screeching tires, and a street racing car barrelled around the corner, followed closely by some cop cars.
"What is that all about? Maybe I could help!"
"Aren't you grounded? And it's likely you don't know them."
"So? Why should being a good person have limitations?"
"You make a fine point Libby."
"First I need to distract the folks." She said.
"Would you like my help?"
"Gladly."
The radio in the family room turned on, but Libby could clearly hear it outside.
"What in hell?" Sandrine asked rather loudly.
"Now's your chance Libby."
"You did that?" Libby asked. "Ah, not the strangest thing that's ever happened."
Libby jogged up the street, and then remembered.
"But I can't become Ladybug. Ooh, that makes me so mad I could just..."
*Flash*
"Uh, eh heh heh. I hope nobody saw that."
Libby brought her yo-yo up to look closely at it.
"I gotta learn how to use this thing for flight. Can't rely on the Wingpack forever."
Libby launched the yo-yo at a chimney, which it caught.
"Okay Libby, focus." She said. She lifted one foot off the ground, then the other. She rocketed towards the chimney, and as she was passing it, pulled the string, spun around, and grappled onto a satellite dish.
"Phew."
Libby continued chaining together jumps and was rapidly picking up momentum. She could see the car chase, as she flew over Swift Current Funeral Home.
"Haven't been this far south in a while."
One of the officers could see a red streak in his rear-view mirror.
"The hell is that?!" He yelled.
"Alright, time to mix it up." Libby said, catching enough forward movement and then releasing her wings. She sailed up next to the cop's window, and rolled it down.
"Hi! It looks like you nice officers have a situation on your hands."
"I think we can handle it, freak!"
"Fine, ya jackwagon!" Libby very much wanted to call him much worse, but refrained. She flew ahead of the police brigade and towards the speeder.
"Hey Ash, does this suit have other weapons?"
"Yes. Turn your arm around, point, and say 'launch'."
...
"Launch."
What looked like a dart fired out of Libby's wrist, and bounced off the top of the car.
"That's kickin'!" Libby said ecstatically. She went back to the rude cop.
"Hey, be prepared to stop suddenly."
Libby lined up her shot, very carefully.
"Launch!"
Another dart fired, and hit the rear left tire.
"Maybe if I...rapid fire!"
Darts poured out of her release ports, and bombarded the tire, ripping it open from top to bottom.
"Whoa, whoa, too many!" Libby exclaimed. She halted her velocity and hovered as the car steadily lost control.
"Oh no, no no, I couldn't have done that!"
It went from bad to worse as the car impacted with a speed bump, rode up it and flipped end over end.
"Am I ready for this Ash?"
"Welcome to being Ladybug."
"Ugh, can I at least fix it?" Libby hoped as she continued flying.
"I think it might be too late here, but you can definitely try."
Libby pulled the string, and the Wingpack closed. She moved cautiously towards the wreck.
"Stay back, freak!" The cop put his hand up.
"I'm with you!" Libby screamed.
"Yeah, a girl playing dress-up is here to save the day."
"My name is Ladybug!"
"Temper, Libby."
"I'm kind of the new kid in town, officer. But believe me, I'm one of the good guys."
"Alright then."
Libby smiled.
"But please keep your fantasies to when you're playing with dolls."
And then her smile did a vanishing act. Libby thought for a moment, had a "Eureka!" moment, and saluted the cop with two particular fingers.
"You, kind sir, are a jackass. Byeeee."
Libby flung the yo-yo behind herself, and was gone before the cop could respond.
"Please don't lecture me Ash. I know what I did."
Ash was silent on the matter.
"Oh no, my parents." Libby remembered. "This bug is gonna get squashed!"
After many leaps and bounds, Libby was almost home.
"They can see me. Well, time to introduce myself...to my parents."
"I can wipe their minds and make them think you never left."
"I got this Ash."
Libby tried to move her hairclip to a less noticeable spot on her head, figured she'd hope for the best, and apprehensively made her grand entrance.
"Well, you're a sight." Jack said.
"Don't flirt with her, Jack." Sandrine warned. "She looks like a child."
"But I wasn't-"
"Have you seen our daughter, Liberty?" She has lengthy brown hair and-"
"I know what she looks like mo-ma'am." Libby deepened her voice. "We're friends. I'm Ladybug, and I'm attempting to track down Libby too."
"Please find my baby Ladybug." Sandrine pleaded.
"Aw mom. Worrying her twice in one day. Nice going Walters."
Libby hugged Sandrine, who was quite shocked.
"Sorry Mrs. Walters. Your daughter isn't trying to upset you, she just...she has some things on her mind at the moment."
"Have we been neglectful parents?" Jack asked.
"Goodness no." Libby reassured him. "In fact quite the opposite."
Libby suddenly looked fearful.
"*Cough* I did find Libby's phone, believe it or not, near City Hall."
She handed the cell to Jack.
"Thank you Ladybug." He said. "Sandra, in the car."
Libby waited until her parents had left her sight.
"Goddamn it, Ash! I've never been so angry in my entire life."
"You are very impatient. The last Ladybug who was this restless was Rinoa Schuller. It got the poor girl killed."
"Maybe I should take up meditation. Or yoga."
"Are you ready to change back Libby? Your parents are terribly concerned."
"Hi, who are you?" A familiar voice called.
"Mistral. Not sure if want." Libby thought. "I'm Ladybug, or The Ladybug, either one is fine."
"Are you Libby?"
"Shit!"
Libby removed her clip, and the flash made Mistral jump.
"Yipe!"
"It's okay Misty, it's just me."
"Oh gosh." Mistral said. "What is this?"
"Ask Irka." Libby sighed. "I'm exhausted, and really quite agitated."
Mistral stepped up to Libby, and intertwined their fingers.
"Whatever the problem is, it'll be alright!"
"I don't know Mistral." Libby admitted. "By the way, in case you didn't know..."
"I know what you did for Matriel. Don't tell her you know, but we're planning to do something in return, just not sure what yet."
"My lips are sealed. I need a favor from you, babe."
"Anything!" Mistral beamed. One phone call later, Libby's parents were back.
"We were worried sick." Jack said.
"I just needed to clear my head, that's all." Libby lied.
"Thank you for your help, Mistral." Sandrine said. "Liberty, if there's anything you need to discuss, you know we're here."
"Thanks a bunch, but I've got it sorted out, I hope. By the by, I'm still chained down, right?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"Figures." Libby grinned. "Pardon, I need to whisper something private to Mistral."
Mistral came close. Libby delayed a second, and when she was done, Mistral looked quite speechless.
"We're good, Misty?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"Good. See ya later, cutie pie!"
Mistral trotted off, and Libby looked content.
"That's an interesting name..."
"..Dad, Mistral is the most precious person on the planet..."
"All the more reason to ask her out!" Jack exclaimed.
"It's a while off, but maybe I'll ask her to prom."
Jack rubbed his hands together.
"Dad, your fascination with trying to pair me off with every girl I know is charming, yet a little unnerving." Libby admitted.
"Not every girl."
"...I think Belloehs is the only one you've skipped."
"I thought we'd lost you Liberty." Sandrine said.
"Nah, you can't get rid of me that easily!"
As the Walters trio re-entered their abode, Libby put Ash's hairclip into her open palm and kissed it softly.
"To more adventures, Ash..."
End of Episode 5
Until next time, Bug Out! Be aware, the content rating will soon be Teen, instead of K+
