They arrived at the absolutely enormous round stage, with raised amphitheatre-like seating circled around. Even the colour of the seats themselves split the venue into the two rival groups of red (Garantido) vs. blue (Caprichoso). Marrinette's Garantido group was ushered into an assembly location off stage, where the other girls dressed in identical outfits to her were able to rehearse some of the energetic, rhythmic samba moves that they had been working on daily since last year. Marrinette wished she had her Ladybug suit more than ever. She had still not outgrown her clumsiness...maybe she never would! She tried to follow along, but the moves were so fast! It probably didn't help that she kept an eye out for a break in the program to escape and track down Chat Noir.
After a couple run-throughs she was feeling a bit more confident. She was actually getting into the rhythm, and the girl next to her smiled at her encouragingly. It was amazing to be moving together...That's when she swayed back, and tripped over a loose extension cord, pulling it loose, and the lights went out.
There were shouts of protest from the organizers, yells from the band, and frustrated sighs from the performers. Their part in the event was coming up soon, and they had hoped to get at least one successful run-through in before the competition. The pride of their whole community depended on successfully rolling out this years telling of the stories from the past.
During the chaos Marinette had unintentionally caused, she knew that this was her moment to make a break for it without drawing attention. Blindly she sidestepped her fellow dancers, and groped for the back door that she had kept her eye on during the dance. If she could just get through it without anyone noticing, she would be able to make it back to Chat Noir!
Turning the handle in relief she burst through the door. She managed to stumble a few feet through the other side, blinking against the bright spotlights before she froze. She was not alone. She was not out, but had just crashed in on the rehearsal for the other team!
An army of performers, all draped in varying shades of blue stared back at her in shock. She stood mid-step, with her mouth open. She felt extremely aware that she was unwelcome here...trespassing...she was the only one in the entire room wearing red! The surprised faces before her turned to anger.
"Spy! She is trying to watch our practice to get a jump on us!" once voice accused.
"Sai fora!" a man demanded.
"How dare you! This is our practice zone!" another shouted.
Furious shouts continued.
She felt exposed and unsure how to diffuse them. How could she explain in a language she couldn't speak that though she wore the costume of their adversary, she had just gotten lost!
The blue dancers demanded answers though. They stepped forward around her.
She wasn't sure if she was going to have to fight or flee...but in the end she didn't have to choose either.
"Marinette?!" a tall, muscular, young man with blue tipped hair pushed his way to the front of the crowd, and stepped up before her. The others around him paused.
"Luka?!" Marinette gasped in complete stunned surprise. "Wha...wa...what are you doing here?"
Luka chuckled, good natured as always, and answered, "I was going to ask you the same question...but I guess your costume is a pretty good hint," he gestured to her attire.
It was then that Marinette's face snapped down self consciously to her form-fitting bikini top, that accentuated her curves. The extravagant array of fabric, beading, and feathers that clung down from her hips and radiated out from her back were not subtle in highlighting her body. Marinette crossed her arms in front of herself with an uncomfortable laugh, "uh...yeah...well...this isn't...I mean I..."
"This Garantido is a friend of yours?" one of the dancers glared from Marinette to Luka.
"Oh yes, a very dear friend. Don't worry everyone, she's not a spy or anything..." Then Luka leaned in to Marinette's ear, and whispered dramatically, "...you're not are you Marinette?"
"No! No! Not a spy!" Marrinette shook her head rapidly. "Just a lost tourist...wrong place...wrong time!" Marrinette sputtered.
Luka called off the others with a smile, and held out his hand to Marinette. "I don't know Marinette, your timing actually seems pretty amazing! I had no idea you'd be here too!"
Marinette took his hand, thankful to have Luka at her side. He drew her toward him, and put his arm gently around her, guiding her through the parting throng of blue Caprichoso performers.
Marinette couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped her as she walked by his side. All the others seemed to hold him in high regard. Luka always did have a calming way around people. He had certainly always made Marinette feel more at ease...at least once they had become friends.
When they had escaped into one of the corridors, and stood under the stands, Marinette said in a quiet voice, "Thanks Luka! Things were getting pretty tense in there!"
Looking up at him, she was suddenly acutely aware of not only how close they were standing, but also Luka's costume. No white Jagged stone t-shirt or baggy hoody jacket...instead his toned muscular chest was only draped with a thick traditional teal and gold beaded necklace, which dropped down to his abs. Matching armbands and belt coordinated with the light blue shorts he wore. A blackstrap, anchoring his hand-crafted guitar on his back was all that interrupted the look.
At her sudden silence again, Luka grazed her elbow with his finger, and looked through the blue fringe of his hair at her, "Don't worry Marinette, those performers back there are actually really great guys! Everyone just gets extra competitive this time of year." Then he raised an amused eyebrow, "most Garantido know not to wear red on the Caprichoso side during Festival do Bumba Boi...but I gotta say, you really look amazing!"
"I uh...thanks...you look amazing too!" Marinette grabbed her elbow with her opposite hand. "So...you're performing at the festival tonight?"
"Well, yeah...I don't normally wear..." Luka gestured to his outfit (or lack there of).
"Oh yeah...of course!" Marrinette blushed, "I just meant...I thought you've been on tour with your Dad this year."
"I am! That's why we're here! Jagged preformed for Bumba Boi last year, and he had so much fun he offered to come back again. This is actually where some of the scenes from his first movie, Crocodile Heart were filmed!" Luka added, remembering it was both he and Marrinette's favourite movie.
"Seriously! That's incredible!" Marinette said enthusiastically.
"Yeah, it has been pretty great getting to spend so much time together," Luka straightened his guitar strap. "We've been travelling all around the world too...not that there haven't been people I've really missed back home," he added quietly glancing up into Marinette's eyes.
When Marrinette didn't say anything right away, Luka jumped back into conversation. "So...what brought you here?"
"I actually got lost and just got swept up into all the festivities. I really don't even know exactly how it all happened," Marrinette admitted sheepishly.
"You must have got REALLY swept up to go from France to Brazil!" Luka's lips quirked with a smile.
"No," Marrinette laughed, "I didn't get lost until today. Adrien and I just thought we'd celebrate surviving high school with a year-end trip before graduation."
"You and Adrien, huh," Luka repeated. "I'm happy that everything you were hoping for worked out Marinette," he smiled at her sincerely.
"Thanks Luka!" Marinette said softly, not wanting to hurt him after he had always been so patient, understanding, and supportive even after they had broken up.
"I've got to get back to rehearsal, and I'm sure you do too...but if you and Adrien would like to join Jagged and I with our band, we are flying out to Rio to host another concert tomorrow. After that we were planning a helicopter tour of some pretty incredible sights. It would be great if you could come!"
"Wow! That sounds so cool! I'll check with Adrien once I find him again...you don't by any chance know where main staging area LB1 is do you? I hope he is there...I just don't know what I'd do if...I've just got to find Adrien!"
"Just down the hall, two doors on the right," Luka calmly pointed, "I hope you find him again. You two have something special," and then he rolled his guitar effortlessly around his shoulder, strumming a few cords, starting to turn away. Then he paused, and turned back. "One of the songs I'm singing tonight I actually wrote myself," he said quieter than normal.
"Luka that is great!" Marrinette smiled warmly.
"When some of the organizer overheard me play it, they thought it would be perfect for the legend about a man falling in love with a river spirit...but it is actually about...you," Luka said looking up into her eyes.
"Me?!" Marrinette's eyes widened.
"If you want I can try to change it. I don't want you to feel..." Luka rushed to say in a nervous voice she had never heard him use before.
"Luka!" Marrinette put a steadying hand on his shoulder, "I'd love to hear it. You've always had such talent, and I'm so glad that you're getting to live your dream of sharing your music with the world!"
"Thanks Marinette!" Luka smiled again. "I hope your performance goes well today too!"
"The performance!" Marrinette yelped, "I'm going to be late!" Then she ran a couple paces in one direction, before screeching to a halt and spinning back around. "Luka!" Marrinette called back, and she impulsively threw her arms around his neck in a huge hug, with his guitar wedged between them. "Luka, I...I...I don't know how to say thank you...for just being you!" she mumbled into his shoulder.
"Like I said the first day I met you...sometimes saying what is in your heart through music is a lot easier," Luka smiled down into her beautiful raven hair.
From down the corridor a young man's throat tightened, and his eyes went wide. He ran his hand irritably through his blonde hair making it stand up on end. His emerald eyes did indeed see green as he came across Marrinette and Luka in an embrace as he was desperately searching for his Lady. Adrien was debating running out of the venue and leaving the image of their embrace as far away as possible...or...punching that interloper,Luka, in the face.
Luka glanced up, and said, "...um...isn't that Adrien there?" nodding to the space behind her.
Marrinette broke apart from Luka, excitedly spinning around to see Adrien, but as soon as she called his name, Adrien stormed off in the other direction.
"Ah...I really have got to get backstage, but do you want me to go with you to make sure Adrien is okay? He looked pretty upset!" Luka offered.
"No, you've already helped me so much! Good luck in the competition. I'll go get him!" Marrinette reassured Luka, and ran off in pursuit of Adrien.
She ran around the corner, looking this way, then that, before she finally spotted him wedged up between the metal rafters, with his knees bent up, and his head in his hands. He had already transformed himself into Chat Noir.
"I'm so glad I found you! I was so worried..." Marrinette called up to him.
"You didn't seem too worried, all wrapped up with Luka!" he muttered bitterly. "I was the one who was frantic when I couldn't find you, and then I find that you've run into my competition's arms...literally!" I thought you and Luka were over!" he accused. "...and how did Luka even get here anyway...actually that's not even the point!" He interrupted his own outburst. "I just..." he dropped his head again.
"Chat! What are you saying! You know Luka and I aren't together, and you know that I would never...could never betray you!" Then she shook her head frustratededly, "Luka was helping me get back to you, not stealing me away from you!"
"Oh come on! You were both half naked in glitter, feathers, and sequins under the bleachers together...he was all looking like some guitar hero and you were...well you were looking sexy as hell! You're telling me that you don't still have feelings for him!" Chat Noir's challenged with angry tears in his eyes.
It was Marrinettes turn to get angry, "if you think I would ever do that to you, you don't know me at all! Do you know why it ended between Luka and I (a really long time ago by the way)?"
Chat Noir crossed his arms in front of him, tensing.
"...Because I was always and will always be in love with you! I couldn't tell Luka the truth about everything in my life...but he knew that I loved you more than anything!"
"He knew you loved me? Even when you were together?" Chat Noir's looked up startled. He bit his lip, and jumped down from above. He grabbed one of the rungs with one hand and dug his toe into the cement with his opposite toe. Then he looked up at Marrinette, hanging his head. "I can't loose you!" he sighed sadly, "and, I do trust you...even when we were friends Ladybug told me she didn't want to lie or play around with my heart. And as weird as this sounds, I actually trust Luka too. He is a really incredible guy...even though I felt the urge to cataclysm his precious guitar for pressing up against you!" Chat Noir eyed Marrinette cautiously.
"He really was just trying to help!" Marrinette assured him.
"Hmm, like help himself," Chat Noir pouted, still hanging onto the residual jealousy.
"Chat!" Marrinette said warningly. "I..."
"I know, I know...I'm being irrational, reactionary, and stupid...but I can't tell you what it did to me seeing the two of you together again. It just made me realize how close I came to loosing you before, without even knowing it...you could've ended up choosing him over me...moved on when it took me forever to figure out what was right in front of me!"
"I tried to move on back then, but it never took," Marrinette took his paw. "When it came to my heart there was no competition, it was always yours from the beginning!" Then Marrinette got a amused look on her face, "in fact the only competition Adrien had for my affection, was truly Chat Noir!" she flicked his bell. "The purrsistent cat, just kept coming around...what was a girl like me to do?!"
"You know I can't resist you when you start making cat puns!" Chat Noir finally smiled.
"As opposed to every other time?!" Marrinette laughed.
"You got me there," Chat Noir sighed, looking down again. "Can we just pretend that I didn't totally freak out like a crazy jealous person?"
"Like I said last week, I've been there. As long as we stick together, no one is going to pull us a part!" she put her hand into his.
"Where have you two been! You are up for the competition!" Ember flew up in front of them.
"Well, first I got lost, then I thought I saw Adrien go down one direction, but it wasn't him, then I got roped into this outfit, then..." Marrinette listed off the events of the afternoon.
"There is no time! It was a rhetorical question! Just come already!" Ember flew off, and they followed behind "...And I don't care what fancy outfit you have on, you've got to transform now!" Ember yelled back at Marrinette.
"Okay, okay!" Marrinette said running, "Tikki, Spots On!" Immediately her festival costume was replaced by her Ladybug suit.
They arrived at a curtain that decided the entrance from the main stadium stage. "Okay weilders, I've talked to our contact here and your capoeira opponents have been assembled."
"This is going to be amazing! Capoeira combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music!" Chat Noir said with a smile at Ladybug.
"That is correct," Ember nodded. "Fighters have been assembled from a local school to challenge you and they are dressed up as akumas you've faced in the past. They are very honoured to fight you...but believe me they want to win. They won't be holding back anything."
"How do we know when we've won?" Ladybug asked.
"The game usually does not focus on knocking down or destroying the opponent, rather it emphasizes skill," Ember explained.
"The game finishes when the music ends...or when one of you calls it quits," a high pitched voice told them. They looked up into the beams above them and saw the speaker; the wild kwami saki monkey. "I hope you're ready, because I want to swing up there and get a better view!" the monkey chirped excitedly.
"Ready!" they said, and jumped through the curtain to the stage lights above. A charismatic singer announced the battle between the miraculous heroes and the evil demonic akumas. At his cue, six capoeiristas stepped forward confidently.
There were three rings spread out across the stage. In their first ring Chat Noir faced a version of Dark Owl and Ladybug faced an imposing Anansi.
The man chosen to represent Dark Owl was much taller than Principal Damocles, and was the largest of the opponents. He was exceptionally strong, and yet he could manoeuvre around Chat Noir surprisingly well. In this game together they would each slow down a kick inches before hitting their target, so each could showcase their superiority in their skill without the need of injuring their opponent. The mindset was that if an opponent clearly couldn't dodge an attack, there is no reason to complete it.
Ladybug likewise moved around the version of Anansi, and made acrobatic attacks toward the sporty athlete, who looked nearly identical to Alya's older sister. The costume that this Anansi wore was truly impressively designed. Her four extra 'arms' were each attached to her actual arms and legs, and glowed in the dark. Each time she spun to attack, it was a whirlwind of limbs coming at Ladybug. She incorporated boxing-like moves, but also demonstrated her ability to do back flips, into attacks. When the Anansi knelt down suddenly to sweep Ladybug's legs, she nearly dropped, but was able the spring off the ground and recover. When the music stopped the emended audience erupted into applause.
In the second ring Chat Noir faced a capoeirista dressed like Copycat, while Ladybug took on one dressed as Antibug. With each of them battling their evil doppelgängers, it was like their actions were mirrored. They swung their legs up high in inverted kicks, dropping their hands to the ground. They rocked back and forth, sizing up the competition. Even with the miraculous giving them a notable edge, their challengers where experts at their craft. Their flexibility and acrobatic skills were impressive. The leading berimbau instrument set the tempo. It moved from slow and methodical, to quick and responsive. As they ended the match Chat Noir, gave a high five to Copy Chat, and Ladybug nodded at Antibug. The crowd could not get enough of the miraculous battle. They had truly been so closely matched.
By the third round Ladybug and Chat Noir were both breathing hard, but gave each other an enthusiastic 'pound it!" that made the crowd cheer louder than ever. Chat Noir's shoulders dropped though when the next costumed capoeirista stepped forward: Hawkmoth.
Concerned, Ladybug looked at the costumed capoeirista to Chat Noir. The last battle Chat Noir had had to take down the real Hawkmoth had been so traumatic. She wasn't sure it was such a good idea to recreate it! "Can I switch with you?" Ladybug whispered to him, nodding toward her own capoeirista opponent dressed as Mayura.
"No,I've got this!" Chat Noir's shook his head, but his eyes were glued on the Hawkmoth look-a-like.
Ladybug looked hesitantly back at him. His jaw was set, and she desperately wanted to block him from the painful reminder of the past. She hoped that this battle would be over soon. The spectators had no idea they were seeing the real Ladybug and Chat Noir take on imitations of villains who had threatened their safety, and the lives of those in Paris...and of course no one (besides the two of them) understood why Hawkmoth facing Chat Noir was so cruel. For the audience it was just a game. But Ladybug could tell by Chat's gaze that he was done playing.
The other instruments followed the berimbau's rhythm at the start. The Mayura made the first move. She was graceful and swift. She moved with sweeping precision, and forced Ladybug to retreat back a few streps to avoid her attack.
The Hawkmoth did not attack at first, he stood posed at the center of the ring with Chat Noir prowling around him like he was stalking prey. Watching the Hawkmoth capoeirista, no one was deceived by his aloof glance. This was his moment to identify the change that had come over Chat Noir, and quickly understand his pent-up aggression, and how to use it to his advantage...this was malandragem! With a swift and powerful motion the challenger struck. His experience was evident. Of all the fighters, he was the strongest adversary they had faced. This was no student of Capoeira, this was a master.
Ladybug was trying to force herself to stay focused on her own fight, but even the Mayura character, kept on making side-long glances toward Chat Noir and the fake Hawkmoth.
Energetic headstands and backflips were replaced with increasingly violent kicks, and hits. They were not pulling any shots anymore. Neither one was letting up, and the crowd clapped along with the toque of the berimbau. Chat Noir moved faster and faster, and the Hawkmoth he faced, had sweat pouring off him, battling to keep up. The music urged them on, driving the fight. With neither of the two high-skilled capoeiristas giving up, the dance between them was becoming much more aggressive and dangerous. The Hawkmoth fighter tried to hold back too late, and his fist crumpled against Chat Noir's chest. Like hitting a tuning fork, Chat Noir resounded in power even more! It was like his speed had redoubled, and his pinned the man to the ground. Ladybug finally had to cut in right before the music ended. This time when the song's last note hung in the air, the audience held their breath.
Then after a brief cessation that felt like eternity, their audience erupted into applause. The gladiator spectacle that they had witnessed had served to entertain.
Chat Noir shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of demons clawing at his mind. He had survived, and what he was more relieved to find was that after he had lost himself in the fight, his opponent had survived too. Chat Noir struck out his hand to the man in the Hawkmoth suit, and helped him back up to him feet. "It was an honour to fight against you. You are a truly skilled Master," Chat Noir said.
The man gave Chat Noir a look of awe, and said lowly as the stage was reset for the next act, "you really are him aren't you?!"
Chat Noir just looked back startled, and the man backed away without another word, to rejoin his own troop, with one last glance thrown over his shoulder.
"Kitty, are you okay? I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand back and..." Ladybug said quietly when they returned to the wings off stage.
"No, don't apologize. I'm glad you stepped in at the end. I thought I could handle it, but seeing his face...it just all took me back to that last battle...the night I found out what my father's true nature had always been," Chat Noir said lowly. "Then he looked up at Ladybug with glossy eyes, "if I had hurt that poor guy, just because I couldn't control the anger inside me...even though I knew it wasn't really him...how could I have lived with that?! What is wrong with me tonight?!"
Ladybug didn't say anything, she just put her arms around his shoulders.
"I thought I had found peace! How can that be when I react this way?!" Chat Noir tore his claws through his blonde hair.
"You're trying to get through this...and it's okay if the pain still flares up...you've just got to keep finding ways to move on and survive," Ladybug drew her hand along his face, her heart aching for his pain all over again.
"Thanks Mi'lady. You're the only one who will ever know what really happened that night," Chat Noir looked up into her eyes.
A cheer went up from the red side for the telling of the resurrected oxen portrayed on stage. It was a thunderous roar of thousands, throwing up their hands together.
"I think I might just step out for some air," Chat Noir gave her a smile that didn't meet his eyes.
"I'll come with you!" Ladybug stepped forward.
"Thanks, but you go ahead and watch the show. I won't be long, but I just need some time to clear my head," Chat Noir kissed her cheek.
"Okay Kitty," Ladybug said, knowing that he must be overwhelmed by a swarm of thoughts and emotions. She wanted to jump in and save him, but she also knew that he might need to sort out some things on his own before he was ready. She watched him go, and sighed deeply sitting on a metal bench.
Ember and the Saki monkey kwami arrived to rejoin her.
"Chat Noir is just..." Ladybug tried to offer an explanation, but Ember just nodded understandably.
"Don't worry Ladybug, you both did very well and made it through the challenge. I think it is wise to take a break for the rest of tonight, and start fresh tomorrow," Ember said quietly.
"You know traditionally, the batizado is the moment when the new fighter gets his or her apelido!" the Sami monkey chattered oblivious to the upheaval of emotions around him.
Ladybug squinted at the monkey, with a blank look. "Sorry, a what now?" she finally gave in to his anticipating stare.
"Well, it wasn't only weilders in the old days who had to keep their identities a secret. Capoeira was considered a crime, so to avoid...complications...the capoeiristas would be known only by their nickname; their apelido. Even if tortured they'd never be able to give each other up!"
"You're not pleased that Chat Noir and I know each other's secret identities," Ladybug crossed her arms.
"It is not as things have always been done in the past, but to have an ally by your side who truly knows you...well that can be an asset too," Ember interjected. "Believe me, it is much less complicated with these two knowing!"
"That is up to you," the monkey kwami shrugged. "As far as I can see you have earned your name. You are truly Joaninha;The Ladybug! And your black cat, is undoubtedly Gato Preto! Your name is your shield, but your defences may not be impenetrable as you think."
Ladybug felt a sudden chill as the serious tone that sunk into the wild kwami's voice.
"Remember weilder, now that you both know, your survival is reliant on each other. There cannot be one without the other. If one of you fall, you both will fall."
"I won't let us fall! No one else knows our secret!" Ladybug replied determinedly.
"Well, than, I guess you have nothing to worry about sonhadora Joaninha! Might as well sit back and enjoy the party!" the monkey switched tones to careless and offhand. "Hey! I love this song!" he announced turning his eyes to the stage.
The phoenix shook his head. Primates were so tiresome. Even when you thought they were taking something seriously their attention spans were nearly as bad as humans! He certainly hadn't given the weilders any information they didn't already know.
Ladybug slumped on her spot on the beam. A soft guitar rift filled the space, making her feel somehow nostalgic. Her mind was still preoccupied with Chat Noir's up and down emotions, and the dread that lingered in the monkey's warning. It was probably these distractions that made the song that was drifting from the far side of the stage so hard to place. It wasn't until a smooth voice, captivating and strong, rose up within the song. It was the voice of Luka Couffaine.
She caught parts of the lyrics, once her mind started to register the source of inspiration...it was about her!
Luka's Song:
Vs 1: Finding peace in the moment, when she walked into my life.
I thought I might have a new song to write.
She's a funny girl, but she's braver than you'll ever know.
Can't silence the way my heart burns for her so.
I tried to find the cords to paint her beauty into song.
I tried to shape the notes that could unravel her mystery.
But her melody didn't come to me until she was gone.
Chorus:
Extraordinary girl.
Clear as a musical note and as sincere as a melody.
You're the music that's been playing inside my head since the day we first met.
I'd give everything to you,
even if it's just a piece of my heart to take with you when you go.
Vs. 2 Listen, theres a song in the water.
If you listen carefully, you'll hear the melody of my broken heart.
I used to take refuge here, the melody of the water was all that could console me.
I thought I wanted the truth...but all it left me with was lies.
Where do you go when you disappear? No matter how many second chances, our timing was never right.
Can you blame me if I still think of you, even when it was never meant to be.
How could I stand in the way of heroes and destiny?!
Now it's all water under the bridge.
Water under the bridge.
Ladybug stopped breathing, and her hand clenched at the line 'heroes and destiny.' Luka had written the melody and the chorus while they were still together. He had played it for her, but she had never heard the last verse before. There was no malice or accusation in the song. It was not laced with pain or lament. It was wistful acceptance, sending her forward.
"You know," the brash monkey interrupted her thoughts, "a mating pair of Saki monkey's establishes their bond by singing in duet, their calls filling the forest."
Marinette glared at the monkey.
"What?!" the monkey threw up his hands. "I thought it was romantic...although I would have liked a verse where he fought to keep the girl! What kind of competition is it when one just concedes! Where is the honour in that?!"
"Any time there is a competition someone is going to win...and someone is going to lose. I think it is one of the most honourable things to lose, to ensure the happiness of the one you love," Ember said watching the face of the young man on stage.
Marrinette was silent. She wasn't sure what she was feeling, but right now it didn't feel like victory...it felt like foreshadowing.