Ladybug: The Adventures of Libby Walters

Season 1

Episode 9

"Unveiled, Part 1"

Chapter 3 had a scene extended! Be sure to check back at some point!

Libby tossed around in her sleep. Her mom placed a pillow under her head and went off to take care of errands around the house. Libby began snoring rather loudly. Jack picked up the tv clicker and started tapping the volume down button repeatedly.

"Heh heh. Ah heh."

Libby's snoring got vastly more audible.

"Friggin' thing is broken again..."

Jack inadvertently flung the clicker straight onto Libby's thigh. She made an indistinguishable noise and turned to her other side. It was now almost 3:30 in the afternoon. The wind chimes hanging outside the Walters residence sang their melody perfectly on-key.

This set of chimes were not the ones that Libby had received for Christmas in 2013. The Ladybug chimes sat in a box in the attic, and would only be put on display when Libby asked for them.

The Ladybug loving 14-year old was carefree at the moment. Her dreams were mostly fragmented, but showed friends and places she loved. Dancing with Irka, having dinner with her parents at Original Joe's just around the corner, among other things.

She mumbled an assortment of things, including conversations with Ash that weren't actually taking place.

"I wonder who Ash is." Jack thought aloud. "Must be a friend from school."

"Can we, Ash?"

...

"Please?"

...

"Why not?"

Libby sounded very distraught. She stirred momentarily.

"H-hey pop, could you fire up the heat?"

"Sure Bug." Jack smiled. "By the way, who's Ash?"

Libby seemed like she didn't understand at first.

"A very *yawn* good friend of mine." Libby took her socks off and returned to her slumber. "Very good..."

Libby again entered the dreamy domain, and was now donning her Ladybug costume.

"Hey cool! I don't remember changing, but who's complaining? Alright, what is it today? Wait, who are you?"

Libby seemed to be struggling, and began writhing around the couch.

"Liberty?" Sandrine asked with concern. Libby began hyperventilating.

"Jack!"

Jack read the frightful tone in her voice, and ran as fast as possible into the living room.

"Libby, wake up!" Jack shook her roughly, and she calmed down but remained asleep.

"What the hell happened Sandra?"

"I heard her making the most abnormal grumbling sound." Sandrine replied. "And then without warning starts thrashing about."

"Criminy. Imagine if we'd been out."

Libby woke up, and seemed none the worse for wear.

"...Pretty sure I was falling down a pit just now..."

"Liberty, dear," Sandrine began. "You were convulsing terribly."

"What?"

"And you were making awful noises."

"I was also Ladybug, believe it or not." Libby said.

"Ah, your superhero friend." Jack nodded. "She's quite nice."

"She didn't tell me you'd met."

"We met Sunday evening." Sandrine said. "When you were missing."

"She's done a lot of good." Libby said. "Helped people and what not."

"Well if Ladybug's out doing all that, then we have zippo to worry about." Jack said confidently.

"Who does she fight, dear?"

"Mostly common criminals, it sounds like. We don't get to talk much, both being busy girls."

"She looks young like you." Jack continued.

"Ladybug is a teenager like me." Libby said, secretly wishing this conversation would end.

"And you have a great shared interest." Sandrine smiled.

"Oh yes."

"You look kind of similar sweetie..."

Libby's face went pale white.

"The uh, t-the resemblance is uncanny!"

"Hmm." Jack said. Libby thought he might be onto her. "Well Bug, I'm glad we got to discuss your special friend. I'd certainly like to meet her in a less...delicate situation."

"I'm sure she'd love the same!" Libby exclaimed.

"The girl has a phone, right?"

"Of course daddy, but she really doesn't use it that much. We mostly chat face-to-face."

"Skype?" Sandrine inquired.

"In person." Libby answered. "Now, I hate to be rude, but I have some more Z's to catch!"

"Alright Liberty, but dinner's in less than two hours."

Libby face planted into the pillow and gave the a-ok sign

"Third time's the charm."

Libby slept tranquilly for 90 minutes. She woke to find the curtains closed and the heater running again.

"Hmm." She hummed. "Ash?"

"Yes Libby?"

"Were you actually in those dreams?"

'I'm sorry Libby, I wasn't. It must've been a facsimile."

"That's a shame. Your beauty was astonishing. I couldn't find any words."

"What did I look like, if I may ask?"

"You were quite tall." Libby thought for a moment. "Towered right over me. I think you had a robe on too. I can't recall exactly what your face was like, though."

"I'm not taller than you, Libby. You're 5'2"?"

"5'4, Ash."

"In my usual form, I'm less than 5 feet."

"So Ash is your hairclip, huh Bug?" Jack asked.

"Well, kinda, yeah." Libby answered. "When I do ventriloquism, I like to do a second personality. Sorry, is that weird? It sounds weird when I say it out loud."

"You're a creative, imaginative girl, Libby. It's fine."

"Thanks pop. I'm gonna lay my head down for a few more, if that's also okay."

"Sure Bug." Jack answered. Libby could smell dinner being made.

"Pork chops. For. The. Win. That's another thing we need to do when you show yourself, Ash. Have dinner together."

"It's a date, as you humans say."

"You'll love my mom's cooking." Libby smiled. "Soon she might have to start making enough for four though."

"I wouldn't like to be a bother though."

"My mom likes my friends. You'd be no different."

Libby got up off the couch, took the hairclip out of her ponytail and admired it.

"You can still talk to me when we're separated, right?"

...

"Mm, guess not."

"Just kidding, Libby!"

"Ah, so you're learning the humor game!" Libby said. "Fitting right in Ash."

Libby stroked the clip delicately.

"This is such a cool thing that's happened. You had told me I'd become a superhero, and fight crazy villains in my hometown, I'd have you sent off to the looney bin!"

"The what?"

"...Nevermind."

Libby tiptoed into the kitchen.

"Hiya mom." She beamed. "I might be having some friends over for studying this week."

"That's fine Liberty." Sandrine said.

"Irka, and I'm sure Geneva will be along. London maybe, if she wants."

"How's Geneva?"

"Well she's spending tonight with Irka, so pretty damn good."

"Oh really, why's that?"

"...Guhhhhh she really admires Irka! They're almost as close as us."

Libby gave a goofy smile.

"Any day your friends would like to come over is fine with me."

"I made a new friend at school today also." Libby continued. "Her name's, er, Ashlie. She's really quite reserved and may not show herself around here for a while."

"What's her last name?"

"Ten...Teng...Tengrattis!"

"Whenever she wants to visit, let us know so we can make arrangements." Sandrine explained.

"Sure mom."

"You'd actually let me into your house Libby?"

"You're already here, smartass." Libby laughed.

"I don't believe my rear end is particularly intelligent."

"I have...absolutely no comeback for that. You win."

Libby retrieved her slippers from halfway up the steps, and returned to the kitchen.

"Mom, would it be rude to eat my dinner upstairs, in my room?" She asked.

"I suppose not Liberty, but is there any particular reason?" Sandrine asked back.

"Sorry, just wanna have a think session. And yes, I'm fine."

"Very well dear. Jack!"

Jack walked in.

"Liberty's eating upstairs tonight. Just a few minutes left to wait."

Jack looked a bit concerned, but brushed it off. Sandrine served up their plates, and Jack carried a fold-up table up with Libby.

"Thanks a lot pop." Libby smiled. He left and Libby waited a moment before closing her eyes.

"Ash, I'd like to see you, if that's permissible."

"I'm not sure if you're ready yet Libby."

"Hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You've only known me, or rather of me, for slightly over 24 hours."

"But we're very close already." Libby said. "And...I wanna really start sharing junk with you. That's way easier if you're in the flesh."

"I'll consider your request Libby."

"Are you allowed to reveal yourself right this minute, if you wanted to?"

"Yes."

"Grrarg." Libby grunted. "Why are you being so difficult?"

Ash didn't respond further.

"Fine, but I expect an answer next time I ask."

Libby somewhat angrily dug into her first pork chop. She chomped down on it, and as she went to cut another piece, something came over her.

"Mmm...Ash!"

"What's the matter, Libby?"

"I think I'm choking!"

Libby started gagging and stumbled around, desperately trying to get her bearings. Without a warning there was an explosion of light behind her, and she felt a pair of arms wrapped around her midsection.

The arms thrusted a couple times, Libby felt less pressure in her chest and she crumpled to the floor in a coughing fit.

"Oh Jesus...I was...and you..."

Libby was frozen. She very gradually turned her head, and a very short woman, with a strange beige hue to her skin, an exceptionally long ponytail and a metal plate of some sort partially covering her left eye, sat with her legs crossed a few feet away from Libby.

She reluctantly crawled forward towards the woman, and placed two fingers on her face.

"It's really you, isn't it?"

"Libby I shouldn't have done that."

"What are you smoking?" Libby asked. Ash kept her mouth zipped up and her head low.

"Get up on your feet, you numbskull!"

Ash looked hurt by Libby's verbal jab, and Libby stood over her.

"Ash?"

Ash looked away from Libby. Libby grabbed her hands and pulled her, mostly against her will, up off the ground. Libby then threw herself over Ash's shoulder and began sobbing.

"Libby I...I'm glad I was here for you." Ash said. "But it wasn't right to intrude like that."

"Wasn't right?" Libby asked incredulously. "What do you think would've happened if you hadn't?"

"I know."

"I clearly mean a lot to you."

"Every Ladybug has meant the world to me."

"Even Jeff Montesegan?"

Ash smiled for the first time, and Libby huddled up close to her.

"Aw, you're a beauty Ash." The brown haired girl said. "Oh! I need to give Irka the news! But wait, she's with Geneva, and they're probably pretty busy."

"Do you want Geneva to know the truth?" Ash inquired.

"Geneva is a doll, but is very chatty. Though I'm sure Irka could convince her, whether with affection or an evil glare."

"Remember Libby, it's up to you."

"I do trust Geneva though. Hearts don't get much more pure than that. I feel kinda bad, telling her before Bell and Trin. Edison too."

"What will you do, Libby?"

"I think I'll gather some folks together soon and give them the grand reveal of a lifetime. An Identity Reveal Party, if you will."

"At your house?" Ash asked.

"Hum." Libby said. "Maybe not. Neither at school or Kiwanis. That's not clever enough."

"Somewhere private then."

"If I could get into the school on the weekend, maybe. But that's pulling it thin. Any which way, back to the Geneva conundrum."

"If you really want her to know, I have no objections."

"Alright. Fingers crossed."

Ash intertwined her hand with Libby's.

"...That's not at all what the term means, but we'll be doing this a lot too." Libby smiled.

5:46 PM

From: The Libbster

Guess who paid me a visit today :-D

Irka downloaded the image, and covered her mouth. Geneva peeked at the phone at her pupils dilated.

5:48 PM

From: Irka

Btw, Geneva's caught sight of it.

5:49 PM

From: The Libbster

Yeah, that's alright. She can know ;-)

"Know what?" Geneva asked.

"Geneva...when the red girl and I appeared in your classroom earlier..." Irka began hesitantly.

"It was so nice seeing you..."

"That was Ladybug. She's a...she's a hero, who defends the innocent."

"Wow, a superhero? Right here in Swift Current?!"

"Yes, and her and I are friends." Irka continued. "And that's not all."

"Do you hang out and do stuff?" Geneva asked eagerly.

"...In a way."

"Cool! Oh, my Irka knows such awesome people!"

"Technically I don't belong to you..."

There goes Geneva's cheery mood...

"Sorry." Irka said, kissing Geneva on the forehead. "But I also know who Ladybug is, under the mask."

Geneva's eyes were fixated on Irka.

5:53 PM
From: Irka

U sure Lib?

5:53 PM
From: The Libbster

*Thumb up emoji*

Irka inhaled.

"Ladybug is Libby."

"...Oh. That makes sense." Geneva said. "She's into Ladybugs, and seems like the best fit to fight crime."

"Do you and her have that many conversations?" Irka asked.

"Not as many as we have..."

"Indeed. But yes, and we would both like you to guard this secret. Can you do that for me Geneva?"

"Ooh, but it's so neat!"

Irka kissed Geneva softly.

"...Oh, yes, I can." She said dreamily.

"Matriel and Mistral know also, so four are in the loop." Irka explained.

5:56 PM
From: The Libbster

So are u guys like official now or what? :p

5:57 PM
From: General Eva

NO

I mean, no Ladybug. My Irka and I are just friends :-)

5:59 PM

From: The Libbster

Btdubs, that very beautiful woman is Ash. She, er, inhabits my hairclip, and lets me become Ladybug. Irk, I leave it to you to fill her in on everything else.

"So Ash, welcome in earnest to Casa Walters." Libby said.

"Your floor feels very nice." Ash said. Libby really started to notice that her hands didn't look completely like a human's, almost like they were deformed or disjointed.

"Hun, I'm not a rude person but, are your hands supposed to look the way they do?"

"Do you not like them? I can re-form them if you'd wish it."

"No, no! Forget I said anything!"

Ash peered around Libby's bedroom, and the mound of Ladybug paraphernalia.

"You should wear these pretty earrings."

"Maybe if I ever go to Paris." Libby said, glancing at the 'camera'. "The Eiffel Tower looks Miraculous."

Ash gave a sly grin, then regained her plain expression.

"Is something upsetting you?"

"Libby, I wasn't terribly ready to come yet."

"Why not?" Libby asked. "Does it even matter?"

"...No, maybe it doesn't." Ash said.

"Do you want any more chops, Bug?" Jack called up the stairs.

"One sec pop." Libby called back. "Ash, how about you take half of what's here, and I take the rest?"

"Libby, I don't need to..."

"You're a guest in my house. Let me treat you, for Christ sakes."

Libby exited, and Ash pondered. The brown haired girl returned with another pork chop on a paper plate, and an extra fork and knife.

"I told them I dropped my silverware." She grinned.

"Thank you Libby, this is very nice." Ash put her hand over her heart.

"And next, you'll sleep."

Libby and Ash quietly shared dinner. Libby was in all her glory.

"You were right. I do like your mom's cooking."

"Kinda hard not to."

6:07 PM

From: Irka

May I speak with Ash? ◠‿◠

"Ash, could ya grab my computer?"

Ash raised her arm, and the machine levitated towards them.

"...I'm so going to abuse that." Libby grinned.

"No you certainly will not." Ash glowered.

Libby continued grinning, searched for a minute, and clicked to open Skype. She began a session with Irka and the Fen twins.

"Who is that?" Matriel asked.

"Say hello to Ash." Libby answered. "My magic friend who lives inside my hairclip."

"I wanna style her hair sometime!" Mistral exclaimed.

"Ohhhh, she's so pretty!" Geneva said. Ash began blushing and tried hiding behind Libby.

"Nice to see you Ash." Irka smiled.

"Hello everybody." Ash said sheepishly. Libby looked proud.

"Say guys, Ash kinda saved my life just now."

Geneva and Mistral looked terrified, Matriel arched an eyebrow and Irka shifted around.

"We'll discuss that later."

"I guess you both like doing that, huh?" Matriel asked. Ash and Libby soon finished their unplanned dinner date.

"Well this day has been all over the map." Libby sighed. She took the plate and silverware back downstairs.

"Somebody's happy." Jack said.

"Can't beat Momma Walters."

Sandrine smiled proudly.

"Think I'm just gonna hang in my quarters for a spell. Love you guys."

Libby hastily climbed the stairs back up to her room.

"Oh man, we have so much to do!"

"..."

"What are you laughing about?"

"Irka is making unusual expressions at me. Also Mistral keeps asking if she can brush my hair right now."

"Mmm." Libby said.

"Libby I really think I'd like to return to your clip." Ash put the computer aside.

"Why?"

"..."

"Ash, you're hiding something."

"I'm a little nervous; I'm sensing something is going to happen soon, that won't be pleasant for any of us."

"Well, this is already a Chosen One, Prophecy sort of deal, right?" Libby asked. "What, is Marcus gonna go batshit insane again?"

"Maybe I'm just delirious." Ash admitted. "Did I ruin your night Libby?"

"Um, no. Only way you could manage that is by shooting me."

*Beat*

"...I just remembered there's a gun in the house."

"How about we just forget all that, and relax and enjoy being with my friends."

"Works for me." Matriel said.

"I totally forgot we were chatting..." Libby said, surprised at hearing a third voice. "So any which way, hah, we have yet another thing to try and get used to."

"I would ask to see about sleeping over." Irka began. "But I have other things at present."

"Are you planning on taking her to school?" Matriel asked.

"In the hairclip." Libby responded. "Unless you'd like to be a highschool student. It's pretty overrated though."

"It isn't that bad." Mistral said.

"If Ladybug isn't needed, I agree." Ash nodded. "But not right yet."

Ash took a look outside Libby's window.

"Speaking of, I expect no school tomorrow."

"Alright!" Matriel exclaimed. "Sorry buds, but this girl really needs to catch up on her sheep counting."

"Neither of us have slept well lately." Mistral added.

"Well I guess we're all catching up then, especially you Ash."

"Geneva and I will do a marathon of Game of Thrones." Irka said, smiling at her biggest fan. "Good night to you all. Ash, come say hello one day."

"I intend to Irka." Ash smiled. Libby heard footsteps down the hall. "Double time Ash!"

Ash warped back into the hairclip, Irka and Geneva signed out, and someone knocked on Libby's door.

"Come in mom."

Sandrine came in.

"Just Skyping with the girls."

"It's snowing buckets, Liberty." Sandrine said. "Be prepared for no school tomorrow."

"Thanks mom." Libby smiled, and Sandrine returned to the hall. Ash flowed back out of the hairclip, and stayed in a pose with her arms stretched downward for about 10 seconds.

"I had forgotten what cold felt like." She said. "Cold is so unwelcoming."

"This gives you the perfect excuse to try hot chocolate."

"Certainly Libby."

"Are you sure you're alright? I'd be gushing about how cool the world is if I were you."

"I've seen plenty of the world." Ash said. "It has enough people who make you lose faith."

"What about me?" Libby asked. "And my friends?"

"You must already know my answer..."

Matriel grinned, and Mistral gave a cute smile.

"Just make sure, Libby, that you don't lose faith in anybody whom you consider a friend."

"Why the frig are you lecturing me on that?"

"Other Ladybugs have given up on people at the wrong times." Ash explained.

"Well that won't happen here. Imagine betraying the Fen girls after what I did."

Libby blew a kiss through the computer screen, and the twins each pretended to catch it.

"I love those two to the moon and back. Irka too." Libby said matter-of-factly.

"The same for Belloehs and Trinity?"

"Yeah. And Ed, Charlie, Sean, Geneva...why am I telling you this? It's obvious."

"Very well, Libby." Ash relented.

"And you'd better not bail on me, Miss 'Ashlie Tengrattis'. I'll come back to haunt you!"

Libby laughed for a minute, and wrapped herself around Ash.

"Looks like we're staying in tonight hun." She said, kissing Ash on the cheek. "Lemme pop out for a sec and grab that hot cocoa. I'll let the Wonder Twins entertain you in the meantime."

Libby got the biggest smile imaginable on her face as she went to collect hers and Ash's drinks. Ash smiled at her and the twins, who were now wrapped in a large blanket together. She touched the keyboard a few times to get used to the feeling, then began typing a message. She was beginning to enjoy being out of the hairclip and interacting with the world around her...

End of Episode 8

Until next time, Bug Out!