Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug or Smile Pretty Cure. I own only my OCs for the purpose of this FanFiction. I do not own the songs 'We Don't Talk About Bruno', 'Dos Oruguitas', 'The Family Madrigal' and 'Waiting on a Miracle' from Encanto, and'Queen of Mean' from Descendants 3.
My dearest sympathy for the Britain's royal family.
Queen Elizabeth II, a grandmother to all.
Long live the queen.
This chapter is a request from Marvel's disneydream universe. I don't usually take requests, but their idea fits my fanfic. Just read it and you'll see.
"From my point of view, your life is already a miracle of chance waiting for you to shape its destiny."
Toni Morrison, novelist.
"WHAT?!"
Olympe was shook to the bone by a shout coming from the theatre.
"Verity got the lead role again? That's not fair!"
Once a month, the acting department holds a play to practice their acting skills. They often do the most popular movies of the time and used the best of their script writing, prop, and costume design abilities.
This month, they were doing the newest Disney movie, Encanto.
As usual, Verity Tautou got the lead role. And as usual, Haruka Todo threw a fit about it.
"Miss Tautou earned it." The acting teacher sighed, well used to Haruka's complaints for the past few years. "She is the best actress for the role of 'Mirabel.'"
"She always gets the lead role!" Haruka screamed. She was a young Japanese girl with soft, light-auburn hair in a long and full perm, pale skin, big green eyes that were flashing with red anger and dimples on her cheeks. She was wearing a pink with long puffy sleeves cuffed at her wrists with deep-pick bows, a light-blue skirt consisting of ruffles, white sandals, diamond earrings, a gold necklace with a glamorous diamond in the centre, and a fake gold tiara with plastic rhinestones nestled upon her head.
Verity merely checked her fingernails, not at all fazed by Haruka's outburst. Like her teacher (and everyone else in the school), she was used to Haruka's tantrums.
"No, she doesn't."
"Yes, she does! Last month, she was Juliet in Romeo & Juliet! Before that, she was Veronica in Heathers! And before that, she was Hamilton in Hamilton! She gets every lead every month since first year!"
"Well, she is the best actress."
Verity smirked and flipped her hair.
Haruka snarled. "She's not the only actress in the school! She can't even sing!"
"Relax, miss Todo. You're the understudy-"
"I'm always the understudy! I never got to act once because Verity snatches up every role I want!" Haruka screamed as she stomped her feet. "It's not fair! I had enough standing aside!"
"Oh my gosh, Haruka." Verity chided, rolling her eyes. "Don't be such a crybaby. You're such a Prima Donna."
Haruka gritted her teeth. Her pale face was turning bright red. Steam was even blowing out of her ears like a steam train.
"Haruka, if you're going to have another tantrum, leave." The teacher ordered.
Haruka's angry expression was quickly replaced by a heartbroken whimper, eyes glistening. And then she shot a glare at Verity and stormed off, ranting a furious string of Japanese words. As she ran out the door, she pushed Marinette aside, knocking over the costumes for Encanto.
"Mari!" Verity cried, coming over to help her fellow Diva pick up the discarded clothes.
"Hey, Verity, what's wrong with Haruka?" Marinette asked. "Why did she run out like that?"
Marinette's outfit for the day was a royal-blue dress with her signature pink/black flowers embellished around the waist, a light-blue long-sleeved cardigan of soft cotton on top, pink flats on her tiny feet, clip-on hoop earrings and a light-pink wide headband pushing back her loose hair.
"Prima Donna just having another hissy fit because she didn't get the role she wanted." Verity explained dismissively.
Marinette could've sworn to see tears leaking down Haruka's cheeks.
"She looked really upset."
"Don't worry. She'll get over it."
Heart-wrenching sobs echoed in the empty hallway.
"Every single time!"
Haruka was sitting on the stairs, completely broke down. Her head was down with her arms folded over her knees, a hand clutching her fake tiara.
"It's not fair!" She wailed. "Verity has a photographic memory! All she had to do is read some lines and she remembers it for life! Without it, she can't act! I, on the other hand, worked my bones to the verge of breaking to learn the role! I watched Encanto 67 times! I studied it, analysed every aspect of it, learned Spanish and Colombian culture, AND I understood Mirabel's personality and how she felt overshadowed by her flamboyant family, especially Señorita Perfecta Isabela! But does anyone notice my hard work? NO! They always watch Verity and her superhuman mind! Verity only got the role because she's first choice! No one gives me a chance when she's around!"
She wiped her tears but more kept running.
"It's not fair…"
Haruka Todo was born into a wealthy family, yet no amount of money can buy her dream of becoming a fairytale princess. As a little girl, she would pretend to be a princess named 'Flora', burying herself in her self-made castle made from pillows and blankets, surrounded by fairy lights, her nanny's cupcakes, fairytale books, little princess costumes and her favourite toy, a cuddly green dragon doll. She watched every episode of Smile Pretty Cure, the anime practically designed for her. When she enrolled in Olympe, she believes she finally could become the princess she dreamed of.
But Verity Tautou made it impossible.
Because of Verity, her potential was wasted.
Because of Verity, everyone thought she was a jealous attention-seeker.
Because of Verity, she would never become a princess.
Poor Haruka was so distraught, she didn't see a black and purple butterfly melting into her tiara.
"Oh, you poor princess. I am Hawk Moth and I humbly offer you the chance to cast your revenge on the ones who stole your dream. I only wish that you would gift me the miraculous of Ladybug and Chat Noir in return."
Haruka, keeping her head down, stood up and curtsied. Then she slowly raised her head, bearing a smirk and a purple butterfly outline on her face.
"But of course, my lord."
2 minutes later, the Akuma alert app went off on every phone in Paris.
Also alerting the new superheroes.
The new superheroes constructed a schedule so not all of them don't have to show up to the same Akuma attack. Everyone gets a turn. All Ladybug had to do was show up and purify the akuma.
(It was a clever plan, Ladybug admitted.)
Today, it was Kagami, Nathaniel, and Rose's turn.
Kagami was feeding Longg wasabi and other spices to use his fire to cook her food when her phone buzzed with the alert.
Nathaniel was drawing the style of 'The Remarried Empress' webtoon when he got the alert.
And Rose was in a spa, having a mud bath with Daizzi when she received the alert.
And she wasn't happy that an Akuma attack happened during her session.
"Really? Now?"
"You sound like your friend." Daizzi noted. "The spoiled blonde one."
"Now I understand how she feels when someone so much as talks to her when she's doing her makeup." Rose moped as she stood up, her body coated in mud.
Marinette already knew of the akuma. She was in the middle of helping Verity into her costume when the akuma stormed in.
"Behold, subjects…your princess…Pretty Princess Fury!"
Haruka, or rather Pretty Princess Fury, had completely transformed into a Princess written for a twisted fairytale, a Smile Pretty Cure character gone bad. She wore a pink gown that was torn at the seams, revealing a purple petticoat underneath. Thorny red roses twisted themselves around her arms. Glass high heels were on her feet. Her hair was coloured blood-red and arranged in a completed braid, like Elsa's hairdo. Her skin was as white as snow with bright red lips and blue eyeshadow. Black horns were on her head, her tiara nestled in between them.
"As your one and only, true, and rightful princess, I decree that Verity Tautou has committed a horrendous crime against me, your princess, repeatedly! But fear not! Justice will be served! I will get rid of Verity and prove I am the one and only princess!"
Marinette, although frightened, pulled a blank face at Verity.
"She'll get over it, huh?" She spoke.
Verity gulped with fear.
Marinette acted quick by throwing the dress for the actress playing Julieta Madrigal at Pretty Princess's Fury's head, blinding her, thus allowing Marinette and Veirty to run like hell out of the dressing room.
"I can't believe she got herself akumatized!" Verity exclaimed. "What a sore loser!"
Marinette immediately stopped and pulled Verity into a corner to glare at her.
"As soon as this is over, you need to talk to her."
"Talk about what? Her being a spoiled brat?"
"Haruka is only acting like that because she's obliviously frustrated! It's not just Encanto! Think about it! Has Haruka ever got the role she auditioned for? Has she always been the understudy? Have you ever missed a day of playing the lead role?"
Verity's silence was the answer.
"No wonder she's unhappy! You're practically denying her the chance to get her dream!"
"I work hard to for every role I auditioned for."
"So does she. And each time, she loses to you. Look, you're already highly accomplished. You performed at the Globe, for crying out loud. Maybe you should let others take a chance. Maybe even apologise…"
"Apologise? No way!"
"Verity, girls like you don't get that not everyone gets the chance to shine. No matter how hard they tried, someone else gets what they worked for. If life is a completion for you, then only one can live."
"You won't be saying that if you have someone in your design department snapping at your heels."
"If I do, I will talk to them and give them a chance to prove themselves."
Verity crossed her arms, huffing in a manner than reminded Marinette so much of Chloe.
"You know, with that attitude, you're more of an Isabela than a Mirabel."
Verity looked appalled, just as Chloe would. "Are you seriously calling me a spoiled attention flower-hog who wears a fancy dress?"
"If the shoe fits."
Suddenly, Verity was entrapped in flowery vines.
"Uh oh." Marinette uttered before Verity was pulled back by the vines, screaming.
"Marinette!"
"Verity!"
Marinette reached out to follow, but more vines blossoming with flowers trapped her in place. Being stuck there led her to the realisation that her argument with Verity delayed their getaway and caused Pretty Princess Fury to find them so quickly.
"I seriously need anger management classes."
When Ryukyo, Chanticleer and Pink Pig finally showed up at Olympe, the esteemed school for hardworking girls was different than the last time they saw it. The walls and floors were riddled with cracks. The building looked like it might collapse at any minute.
"Whoa…"
"Oh, look! There's Marinette!"
"Pink Pig, wait!"
The pink heroine immediately darted for a cage of flourishing vines where a girl from her past was tangled up in. With her inhuman strength, speed and agility, Pink Pig got Marinette out in the blink of an eye.
"Hi!"
Marinette blinked up at the pink girl who was now carrying her bridal style and hitting her with endless compliments and questions.
"You're so light! Like a feather! And I love your outfit! Did you make it yourself? You look so pretty in it! You are so talented to design your whole outfit! And it's so good too!"
"Pinky!"
Pink Pig nearly dropped Marinette in surprise and turned around to see Chanticleer frowning at her.
"Put her down." He told her sternly.
Pink Pig pouted but nonetheless placed Marinette down on her feet. Then Chanticleer dropped his sternness for concern as he barrelled past Pink Pig to fuss over Marinette.
"Are you alright? Any injuries? Broken bones? Headaches? Nausea?"
Marinette was slightly weirded out by the two heroes' sudden attention towards her. "N-No…"
"Guys. Back off." Ryuko ordered. Chanticleer did so with a pout. "Where's the akuma?"
Marinette pointed down the hall.
"That way. She has Verity. Hurry. Pretty Princess Fury's real name is Haruka Todo. She's in the acting department. You gotta stop her. But please don't hurt her! But stop her before she hurts Verity!"
Ryuko muffled a chuckle. Oh, how she missed Marinette. She was so cute when she rambled.
"Calm down. Take a deep breath."
Marinette did so. She felt calmer now, but still worried about her friends.
"Haruka is just frustrated that Verity keeps getting the lead roles. She probably feels like Verity is ruining her life."
"We appreciate your concern, but we need to get you somewhere safe and stop the akuma." Ryuko said. She looked at Marinette. It had been so long since she had seen her.
The cherry blossom carried by the wind to a palace.
Ryuko placed a gentle hand on Marinette's shoulder.
"Thank you for your information. It most valuable and helpful."
Then Ryuko, quite reluctantly, let go to follow the trail of the akuma.
"Bye, Marinette!" Pink Pig bid when she passed Marinette, following Ryuko.
"Stay safe." Chanticleer said as he hurried past Marinette.
The young designer watched the three superheroes disappear down the hallway, slowly coming to the realisation that they acted as if they knew her.
One of them even knew her name.
But she was certain she never met them as a civilian before…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
"Rena Rouge must've told them." She shrugged.
It was in the theatre room where it all happened.
Where the root of Haruka's frustration was first laid.
And where Pretty Princess Fury was holding Verity in vines trimmed with roses.
"Let me go, Haruka!" Verity screamed, wiggling in vain.
"It's Pretty Princess Fury, you peasant!" The Princess-based Akuma snapped.
"We must get Verity away from her." Ryuko insisted, she and her companions hiding behind one of the props.
"I could distract her with my horn." Chanticleer offered. "While she's disoriented, you and Pink Pig go in and rescue Verity."
Ryuko nodded in agreement to his plan. "It's worth the try. Go!"
Chanticleer stepped out of hiding place and shouted. "Your royal majesty!"
Once he got her attention, he bellowed 'Crow!' and blew hard into his French Horn, releasing a supersonic sound wave that blew her eardrums out. With the princess distracted, Pink Pig and Ryuko rushed in to save Verity. However, Pretty Princess Fury miraculously shook off her defeating headache and rallied her vines to whip at Ryuko and Pink Pig. Chanticleer was about to help them when his Miraculous beeped.
"We'll handle her. Go!" Ryuko shouted, giving Chanticleer the all-clear to leave, destransform and recharge. (Orikko pecked at the sunflower seeds as fast as the Road Runner.) When he returned 10 minutes later, his two companions were still fighting Pretty Princess Fury.
"How can an akuma fight so good in glass high heels and a poofy gown?" He wondered out loud.
Never one to hesitate, Ryuko used Lightning Dragon. But Pretty Princess Fury countered back with a more powerful blast of lightning, causing Ryuko to be thrown away and crash into Chanticleer. Pink Pig Clean Up on both Ryukyo and Chanticleer just as quickly as she ran to detransform.
Pretty Princess Fury crackled evilly at the exhausted heroes.
"Perhaps we should call King Monkey to come in." Ryuko suggested. "He's a Disney fan and knows princesses."
"Hey, King Monkey's not the only one who knows Disney and princesses!" Pink Pig piped as she returned. "I'm a hardcore fairytale fan!" Then she gasped. "I know just what to do!"
"What is it?" Chanticleer asked.
"We can use her ambition against her! She wants to be a princess, right? What do princesses do?"
"Behave without a soul or without mercy, get treated like garage based on their gender, forced into political marriages with unfaithful and older husbands, traded for gold and then abandoned by their own families, and endure a life of neglect and abuse." Ryuko quipped.
That angered Pink Pig. "Princesses do not do that!"
"Real princesses do."
"They don't!"
"Real princesses in history do."
Fearing the girls were about to get into a battle of their own, Chanticleer quickly got int between them.
"…well, traditional princesses in fairytales dance with handsome princes, talk to animals, wear beautiful gowns, sing-"
"That's it!" Pink Pig cried, pointing.
"What?"
"Remember how Fancy Mouse convinced Aria to sing?"
Ryuo was going to ask her to elaborate when Pink Pig shouted to the akuma.
"Oh, your majesty! If you're a true princess, you can sing, right?"
"She can't sing!" Verity cried.
"Yes, I can!" Pretty Princess Fury roared. "You never gave me the chance to sing!"
Then Pretty Princess Fury threw her head back and stretched her arms out, starting to sing.
I'm so tired of pretending
Where's my happy ending?
The vines moved from the walls to rope around the princess's arms. Colourful flowers blossomed on the vines as the vines raised her up into the air. She moved gracefully and agilely like an acrobat, swinging as Isabela did in Encanto.
I followed all the rules
I drew inside the lines
I never asked for anything that wasn't mine
I waited patiently for my time
But when it finally came
He called her name
And now I feel this overwhelming pain
I mean it's in my veins
I mean it's in my brain
My thoughts are running in a circle like a toy train
I'm kinda like a perfect picture with a broken frame
I know exactly who to blame
"You."
Pretty Princess Fury pointed as she looked down on her captive.
"Me?" Verity uttered.
"Yes, you! You took everything from me. Everything I ever wanted."
I never thought of myself as mean
I always thought that I'd be the queen
And there's no in between
'Cause if I can't have that
Then I would be the leader of the dark
And the bad
Now there's a devil on my shoulder
Where the angels used to be
And he's calling me the queen
"Pink Pig, what is the point of this musical?" Ryuko demanded impatiently.
"I thought that if Pretty Princess Fury sings, it could buy us some time until Ladybug shows up." Pink Pig explained with both a cocky smirk and glare. "All princesses sing."
Ryuko glared back. "Not all princesses."
Once again, Chanticleer jumped in to prevent a catfight. "We need to find the akuma first."
"Where is it?" Ryuko questioned, fortunately putting her stubbornness aside.
"There! In her tiara!" Pink Ping excitedly gestured to the singing akuma's tiara, peculiarly the glinting dark purple stone in centre.
Being nice was my pastime
But I've been hurt for the last time
And I won't ever let another person take advantage of me
The anger burns my skin, third-degree
Now my blood's boiling hotter than a fiery sea
There's nobody getting close to me
They're gonna bow to the Evil Queen
Your nightmare's my dream
Just wait until they fall to my wicked schemes
"Oh God, Haruka! Let it go!" Verity shouted, getting sick of this.
"I will not let it go!" Pretty Princess Fury wailed.
"I earned that role fair and square!"
"You stole it from me!"
"I'm a better actress than you! Face it! I come from a long line of actors! It's in my blood!"
"My family owns a chain of hotels around the world! Unlike you, I worked hard to prove I can achieve my goal rather follow my parents' footsteps! Do you know how hard is it to tell your mother father that you dream of doing something else other than the family business? My parents are not even taking me seriously! How could they when I never even acted in a single play since I started here?"
As Verity and Pretty Princess Fury argued, the school walls started to crumble.
I never thought of myself as mean
I always thought that I'd be the queen
And there's no in between
'Cause if I can't have that
Then I would be the leader of the dark
And the bad
Now there's a devil on my shoulder
Where the angels used to be
And he's calling me the queen of mean
(Calling me, calling me)
The queen of mean
(Calling me, calling me)
The queen of mean
(Calling me, calling me)
"All I ever wanted is to be a Princess! And you took that away from me! I won't let you take my dream away from me again! It is my birth right, fate, my destiny!"
"You need to face reality, Haruka! You're not a good enough actress!"
Pretty Princess Fury screamed in rage and frustration. As she did so, the cracks grew larger, spreading across walls like webs.
Something's pulling me
It's so magnetic
My body is moving
Unsure where I'm headed
All of my senses have left me defenseless
This darkness around me
Is promising vengeance
The price that I'm willing to pay is expensive
There's nothing to lose
When you're lonely and friendless
So my only interest is showing this princess
That I am the queen
And my reign will be endless!
"Miss Tautou, just apologise!" Chanticleer shouted.
Verity shook her head furiously. "No way! This isn't my fault!"
"Please! Apologise!" Pink Pig pleaded.
"No!"
"Apologise!" Chanticleer and Pink Pig begged together
"NO!" Verity roared, stubborn as hell.
Seeing pleading as a lost cause, Ryuko decided to use another approach that usually work with a twist: challenge an Olympe girl's pride with a guilt trip.
"If you don't apologise, Pretty Princess Fury will never be Haruka again! Can you live with the guilt that you have a part in her akumatization and could've fix it? Olympe would be completely destroyed. Your fellow students will have nowhere to develop their talents. What is more important, your pride or your school and friends?"
As expected, Verity pouted stubbornly. But her lips started to quiver. And then she groaned.
"Fine! Haruka!" She yelled for her akumatized classmate, standing straight up. But the vines roped her against and pulled her back into her cage.
Still, Verity fought to be heard.
"Wait! I apologise! I wasn't trying to ruin your life! Ow!"
A thorn pierced her skin. A drop of blood oozed down her arm. Her temper skyrocketed.
"Some of us have bigger problems, you selfish entitled PRINCESS!"
Pretty Princess Fury gasped.
Ryuko slapped her forehead.
"SELFISH?!"
Pretty Princess Fury dropped abruptly from her swing, landing perfectly on two feet with a slam without breaking her glass slippers. She wore the most dangerous, deadly, angriest glare.
And it was directed to Verity.
"I have been stuck being second to you ever since we started Olympe at age 12! And literally, the only thing you have ever done to me is mess things up!"
"Nothing is messed up! You can still audition for the next show!"
"What's the point if you keep getting the roles I want? When I get rid of you, I'll finally get my chance! I can finally be a princess!"
"Just marry a prince! Marguerite from sculpting has a whole country worth of royal cousins you can woo! She's part of the Belgian nobility, you know!"
"I don't want to marry a prince! That's cheating! I want to help people, be kind, show that wonder still exist! I want to be a real, true, honest PRINCESS!"
A cactus popped up between them.
I want what I deserve
I want to rule the world
Sit back and watch them learn
It's finally my turn
Pretty Princess Fury rose high into the air by a hurricane of flowers, towering dangerously high over Verity, Ryuko, Chanticleer and Pink Pig.
"Where in the world is Ladybug?" Chanticleer wondered impatiently.
Ladybug was busy trying to get through the vines without ripping her suit. The debris destruction caused by Pretty Princess Fury also blocked her way. When she finally got to the room, she stared up at Pretty Princess Fury, watching her in her ultimate power and hearing her sing. She had to admit, Haruka was surprisingly a very good singer, although not as powerful as Aria. The would-be princess had a high pitch in her voice like Aladdin's Jasmine when she sang Speechless. Her song expressed how upset she was about repeatedly losing her chance and how passionate she was about her dream.
Ladybug could also see Verity staring in shock as well up at Pretty Princess Fury.
Looks like she finally got the message everyone was screaming at her.
"Ladybug!"
She snapped out of her trace and hurried over to the trio.
"Where's the akuma?" She asked immediately.
"In her tiara!" Pink Pig answered.
"Hurry up and purify her, Ladybug." Chanticleer urged. "It sounds like her song is almost over."
"Lucky Charm!"
If they want a villain for a queen
I'm gonna be one like they've never seen
I'll show them what it means
Now that I am that
I will be the ruler of the dark and the bad
'Cause the devil's on my shoulder
Where the angels used to be
And he's calling me the queen of mean
(Calling me, calling me)
The queen of mean
(Calling me, calling me)
I want what I deserve!
Just as Pretty Princess Fury finished her song, a red boomerang with black dots swept her tiara clean off her head. It spun around and stopped in a red gloved hand with black polka dots. Ladybug grasped the tiara in both hands and snapped it in half. A black butterfly fluttered out of the broken jewellery and then Ladybug grabbed it.
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
Ladybug threw her yo-yo up. Soon, the school was restored to its former glory, the vines disappeared, releasing Verity, and Pretty Princess Fury was turned back into plain old Haruka.
"Pound it!"
Ladybug, Ryuko, Chanticleer and Pink Pig bump their fists together.
"Good work." Ladybug complimented the three heroes before leaving.
"…thanks!" Chanticleer called after her. "At least she didn't scold us like she did before."
"Stop picking on her." Ryuko scolded. "She had to go before her Miraculous loses power."
"Verity! Haruka!"
And then Marinette appeared, running towards Verity. She engulfed each actress in a hug.
Then Pink Pig approached Haruka, her newly repaired tiara in hand.
The blue-haired designer pushed Verity towards Haruka, encouraging her to talk to Haruka. But just as Verity was about to, Haruka pushed her tiara away.
"Ms Todo?" Pink Pig questioned.
"I cannot accept it." Haruka answered sullenly.
"But it's yours."
"I don't deserve it. I don't deserve to be a princess." She turned to Verity. "You were right. Everyone was right. I don't deserve to be an Olympe girl if I keep throwing tantrums."
"No, Haruka, you weren't throwing tantrums." Marinette assured.
But Haruka persisted with her view. "Then what do think you cause my akumatization, huh? A dress rehearsal? I'm so ashamed of herself! I need to find Ms Auberon and tell her I'm dropping out!"
She shot up like a beanstalk and ran away, leaving her tiara and rival behind.
"Haruka!" Marinette cried.
Verity was silent, slowly realising what was in front of her.
"Haruka is truly passionate about her dream, isn't she?"
Marinette lost it. "Yes! That's what I've been trying to tell you! That's what Haruka was trying to tell everyone, but no one listens, especially you!"
"We best go." Ryuko said to the two girls. "But I trust you two can make peace with your friend."
If only we can do the same. She thought as she gazed upon Marinette.
She wanted so much to grab Marinette, throw her over her shoulder, carry her across the buildings of Paris until they reach Françoise Dupont and drop her in front of Adrien and the others so she can watch them make up, fixing what the wicked witch of Southern Europe broke.
But it was against her better judgement. So, she had to get out of here before she acted on impulse.
"Let's go." She said to her co-heroes as she left.
Pink Pig and Chanticleer spared Marinette one last gaze of longing before they followed their dragonesque companion.
Leaving Marinette and Verity to think about more important matters.
"We gotta stop her!" Marinette exclaimed.
"How?" Verity asked.
"She's still the understudy, right? If she plays the lead, she would finally get her chance to prove herself, stay in Olympe and her dream can come true!"
"But I can't just drop out. She's would never take the role if it's out of pity. She's a true Olympe girl."
"Then we'll make sure she'll have no choice. We need to get the other Divas and conduct a plan."
"Hey, look who's back!" Nino said as Kagami, Nathaniel and Rose showed up at their spot, which was the steps outside their school. "Who was the victim this time?"
"A girl from the acting department in Olympe who was jealous of another girl playing the lead in the school play." Nathaniel answered as he collapsed on steps, tired from the akuma battle. "I think her name was Haruka Todo?"
"Todo as in Todo Palaces, the hotels?" Nino gawked. "Dang! The girls at Olympe are loaded!"
"Who was the girl who took the lead from her?" Juleka asked.
"Verity, I believe." Kagami answered. "She was friends with Marinette and she had a Camilla flower in her hair."
"Wait, isn't that the girl from Banter?" Max recalled. "The one who called Lila out for lying."
"They all called out Lila for lying." Alix stated.
"No, I mean she pointed out Lila's mannerisms that she's lying. I think she's a professional actress."
"Yeah, she was in a few plays."
Nathaniel glanced to Kagami who stretched her sore arms. "You know, Kagami, if we let Pretty Princess Fury destroy Olympe, Marinette could've come back."
As soon as he suggested that, Adrien stood up with a hopeful face.
"No, she wouldn't." Alya deadpanned quite sadly, slumping her face in her hands on her knees. "Perfect Princess Vanessa would've whisk her away to another fancy private school in jolly old England."
With that said, Adrien sat back down, dejected.
"You should've seen Marinette!" Rose squealed, excited about seeing Marinette again. "She looked so beautiful!"
"Did you see Vanessa?" Juleka asked hopefully.
Rose shook her head. "Sorry, Jules. I didn't. But Marinette was wearing blue today! Blue is definitely her colour! After pink, of course."
"She looked nice in red too." Mylene added.
"That dress she wore at my daddy's hotel was gorgeous!" Chloe's voice floated in.
"I agree, Chlo- Chloe!" Adrien was nodding in agreement when he turned his head and shrieked.
That prompted everyone to turn to the direction he was staring at and they too was shocked.
All eyes were on Chloe as she strutted down the steps like a runway model, wearing the most outrageous outfit they ever saw.
A flawless white shirt with a yellow and black design of a bee flying across her chest. Bright yellow pants with rolled-up ends. A black blazer with sleeves rolled up to her elbows and white cuffs. Shiny, glittering gold pumps. Her flaxen hair arranged in two pigtails from the nape of her neck, held by black hairties. Gold stud earrings in the shape of bumbling bees. And a gold necklace with a big chunky gold bee pendant with diamond-encrusted wings and black stripes.
She looked just like Marinette but in yellow with bees.
That only thing that wasn't like Marinette and just Chloe was the black Prada purse.
"Like my new look?" Chloe asked, posing.
"What the hell are you wearing?" Alya screamed in horror.
"Language! There's a child here and her mother will kill me if she starts swearing!"
"Chloe, I told you they wouldn't like your new look." Sabrina said.
"I think Chloe's pretty!" Manon complimented.
Chloe patted the little girl on the head. "Thank you, Manon."
"Chloe! You can't be wearing that!" Ivan shouted.
The blonde only waved a dismissive hand. "Relax. No one cares."
"But Chloe, you really can't wear that!" Mylene chided, pointing to her necklace.
"Yes, I can! It's for the protect the bees project. It's for a good cause."
"You're Q-you know who! You might as well be wearing a billboard!"
"Puh-lease! Only you guys know the truth. Even if I told anyone else, they won't believe me. People believe what they want to believe. Like we with Lila."
"Please don't bring that up." Max whimpered, hugging himself as if to shield himself from his trauma.
"I will bring it up if I want to and I want to!"
The Alya stood up, furious with Chloe's obnoxious behaviour. "You got some nerve, dressing up like Marinette like its Halloween!"
"I miss her!"
"I miss her too! We all miss her! But you are totally crossing the line!"
"Unlike you, I'm not afraid of showing my appreciation for Marinette. I'm the only one keeping her spirit alive."
"I am keeping her spirit alive!"
"By that, you mean debunking Lila every time she opens her mouth. You're not honouring her. You're just trying to save what's left of your damaged reputation as a so-called journalist."
At this point, the two girls were touching noses as they rage at each other.
"Stop talking about her! You've done nothing rub salt on our wounds! We know we messed up! We know we believed Lila. We know we lost Marinette. But nothing is gonna bring her back."
"Dupain-Cheng has left a huge impact on us all, but I'm the only who brave enough to talk about it!"
"Bourgeois, shut up!"
"Ignorance is not protection!"
"Chlo-"
"It didn't help when we believed Lila over Marinette, it's not gonna help us now. I know that. But at least I forgave myself. I'm moving now from that. Are you?"
"Adrien, talk some sense into your childhood friend!"
However, Adrien was stunned by Chloe's rant.
As was everyone else who listened.
"…she has a point, Alya."
"Ah, forget it!"
Pouting, Alya plopped down in between Nino and Marc, the latter engrossed in their phone. Nathaniel looked over their shoulder and realised the young writer was reading a particular webtoon.
"You read The Remarried Empress too?" Nathaniel asked, excited that he finally found some common ground with Marc that he could use to his advantage. "What chapter are you on?"
"The chapter where Navier got divorced but also got engaged to a neighbouring emperor." Marc retorted without hesitation not taking their eyes off their phone. "It's admirable that a hurt person could pull through such a brutal betrayal…"
Nathaniel clamped his mouth shut to muffle his whimper.
"…What play was Olympe doing?" Nino asked out of the blue.
"They're doing that new Disney film, Encanto." Kagami replied.
"Encanto!" Kim cheered. "I love that film!"
"Me too!" Manon exclaimed.
"Disney actually called me to voice Mirabel, but I was busy saving the last artistic penguins of Ibiza!" An annoying and dreaded voice emerged.
The voice belonged to everyone's most favourite person to hate in the world.
Lila Rossi.
Who just finished her daily cleaning at the school.
And apparently, the punishments aren't working if she was continuing to lie so shamelessly.
Everyone groaned and rolled their eyes.
(Even their kwamis.)
"There are no penguins native to Ibiza." Max corrected.
"And it's arctic, not artistic, you dumb broad." Alix quipped with an insult.
"Not to mention there are no penguins in the Arctic anymore." Juleka followed. "Global warming and poaching, what not."
Adrien shook his head. "Honestly, Lila. I don't know how you still keep up this act. You've been found out. We all know you're a liar."
Lila crossed her arms and pouted. "I can't help it if people want to hear what they want."
"If you're gonna lie, do some homework first." Sabrina snapped. "Not only are you a liar, you're also stupid."
"Dumb as a sack of hammers and mean as a pit full of snakes!" Manon exclaimed.
Everyone burst out laughing whereas Lila gasped dramatically.
Luka chuckled and patted Manon's pigtails. "Easy, kid. You're insulting the poor animal."
Nathaniel stroked his chin thoughtfully as he stared upon Lila. "You know, you would've made a great actress. It's too bad you ruined that chance by blackmailing Crystal."
"For the last time, I WAS NOT BLACKMAILING HER!"
"Of course, you didn't, just like you didn't bully her cherished little sister."
"THAT WAS A LIE TOO! THE MEDIA MADE THAT UP!"
"Yeah right. Like you didn't lock her out of the hotel. If you hadn't done that, the celebrities wouldn't had expose you like a roundabout, and the media wouldn't blow you up."
"It was Jake's fault! He published an article about me, which is totally not true, and I couldn't even sue him! Besides, I could be a good actress if I wanted to! I just can't right now because I'm busy."
"Busy running your mouth and ruining innocent people's lives?"
"Shut up!"
"The only form of acting you could do is Tartuffe."
"What's that, a comedy?"
"Yeah. About a lying hypocrite. You fit the bill."
Everyone laughed at Nathaniel's teasing suggestion. Even Marc cracked a small smile whilst they read their webtoon.
Lila, on the other hand, was furious. "Why, you-"
"No, no, no!" Rose cried, cutting Lila off and covering her ears with her hands. "I don't want to talk about Lila!"
"I'm right here!" Lila screamed, advancing dangerously on Rose.
"No!" Mylene pushed Lila away with just one finger against her pointy nose.
(Cue parody of We Don't Talk About Bruno. Imagine Everyone is wearing Colombian style outfits. Bruno wasn't a bad guy, but this song fits Lila so well!)
Mylene wagged her finger at Lila as she sang the first line of the song.
Mylene: We don't talk about Lila
No, no, no
We don't talk about Lila…
"Hey!" Lila shouted. "Don't you dare ig-"
Alya: But!
Then Alya cut her off, dressed like Pepa. She held hands with Nino, who came in dressed like Felix. The couple danced whilst glaring at Lila.
Alya: It was a normal school day
Nino: It was a normal school day
Alya: We were getting ready
And there wasn't a cloud in the sky
Nino: No clouds allowed in the sky
Alya: Lila walks in with a mischievous grin
Nino: Thunder!
Alya: You telling this story or am I?
Nino: I'm sorry, mi vida, go on
Alya: Lila says, 'I know Ladybug'…
Nino: Why did she tell us?
Alya: In doing so, she floods my brain
Nino: Guys, get the umbrellas
Alya: Betrayed in a hurricane
"I didn't betray you! You wanted-" Lila attempted to save her pathetic face, but Nino cut her off as Alya did.
Nino: What a joyous day, but anyway!
Ivan and Mylene jumped in and joined in the singing/glowering at Lila.
All four: We don't talk about Lila
No, no, no…
We don't talk about Lila!
Then Juleka grabbed Lila, the former dressed like Dolores, right down to the weird, piercing stare and heart-shaped earrings.
Juleka: Hey!
Grew to live in fear of Lila stuttering or stumbling
I can always hear her sort of muttering and mumbling
I associate her with the sound of falling sand
Sass and Roarr made hissing sounds behind Lila. The annoyed girl turned around and the two kwamis had already disappeared.
"Did you hear that?" Lila asked.
Juleka ignored her and kept singing.
Juleka: It's a heavy lift, with a gift so humbling
Always left Rose and our friends fumbling
Grappling with prophecies they couldn't understand
Do you understand?
"No!" Lila replied, frustrated, and then yelled when again when Kim appeared from behind her, wearing a yellow poncho. Beside him was Manon dressed as Antonio except with the same purple skirt as Lusia.
Kim: A seven-foot frame, rats along her back
Manon: When she calls your name, it all fades to black
"I do not look like that!"
Both: Yeah, she sees your dreams and feasts on your screams
"Hey-AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Lila's words went to a scream when a hole appeared under her feet, falling down a seemingly endless pit. The hard ground breaking her fall broke that theory.
"Ow…" The girl moaned. The fall didn't seriously harm or kill her.
Unfortunately.
All: Hey…
We don't talk about Lila
No, no, no…
No, no…
We don't talk about Lila!
"You are talking about me!"
Suddenly, Nathaniel thrust a blank paged book in her face.
Nathaniel: She told me she could write, the next day, blank!
All: No, no!
Then Max appeared, whipping a napkin around.
Max: She told me she saved my eyes, and I believed what she said!
All: No, no!
And then Alix got in close to Lila's face, scaring the latter with a ferocious glare.
Alix: She said she curated the Louvre, but it was my brother and dad!
All: No, no!
Your fate is sealed when your prophecy is read!
Suddenly, a spotlight dawned. Not on Lila, but on Rose who was sitting on a swing made of vines, high above, and wearing Isabela's pink dress.
"Am I dreaming?" Lila asked herself.
At this point, she was both confused and annoyed.
Rose: She told me that the life of my dreams
Would be promised and someday be mine
She told me that my power would grow
Like the grapes that thrive on the vine
Manon: Oye, Mariano's on his way!
"Ha ha!"
Manon laughed as Kim, Ivan, and Nino did Mariano's funny walk. Everyone laughed as well.
Except for Lila and Adrien.
Adrien, dressed as Agustin, plucked the pink flower from his chest pocket held it up like Hamlet and his skull with longing eyes.
Adrien: She told me that the girl of my dreams
Would be just out of reach
betrothed to another
It's like I hear her now…
Chloe, wearing Alma's dress and shawl, tapped on Lila's shoulder.
Chloe: Hey, Liar
"Lila!"
Chloe: I want not a sound out of you…
Adrien: It's like I can hear her now
I can hear her now…
Sabrina and Marc popped being Lila, both dressed exactly as Mirabel, although Marc had a pair of patterned trousers.
Sabrina: Um, Lila?
"Yeah?"
Marc: Yeah, about that Lila
"What?"
Sabrina: I really need to know about Lila
"I'm right here!"
Marc: Give me the truth and the whole truth, Lila!
"I tell nothing but the truth!"
Luka waved a magazine featuring Vanessa teasingly at Juleka.
Luka: Oh Juleka, your girlfriend is here!
Juleka slapped the magazine down, pouting at her brother. "Not funny!"
All: Time for dinner!
"It's barely 6!"
Again, everyone ignored her. They just danced around her, glaring at her, singing their lines they sang earlier, creating a medley of overlapping voices.
Kagami danced along, not singing. She was just happy to mock Lila.
All: It was a normal school day…. Seven-foot frame…Rats along her back…It was a normal school day…We were getting ready…When she calls your name, it all fades to black…And there wasn't a cloud in the sky…No clouds allowed in the sky… She told me that the life of my dreams… She told me she could write, the next day, blank...Yeah, she sees your dreams and feasts on your screams…Lila walks in with a mischievous grin…You telling this story or am I?… Oye, Mariano's on his way… She told me she saved my eyes, and I believed what she said...Lila says, "I know Ladybug"…A seven-foot frame, rats along her back…In doing so, she floods my brain… Like the grapes that thrive on the vine…When she calls your name, it all fades to black… She said she curated the Louvre, but it was my brother and dad...Betrothed to another…Another…Married in a hurricane…Yeah, she sees your dreams and feasts on your screams…What a joyous day, but anyway!
Alya: She's not here!
Alya snatched Adrien's pink flower and hugged it against her chest.
All: Don't talk about Lila!
Alya: Why did I talk about Lila?
All: Not a word about Lila!
Alya: I never should've brought up Lila!
Eventually, everyone laughed as if they had just mocked Lila with a parody of a popular song.
Lila never felt so humiliated.
And when she feels humiliated, she wants revenge.
"Oh yeah? Here's my prediction! You're never gonna get your precious Marinette back! Never!" She lashed out.
Everyone gasped.
"You act high and mighty, like you're actually remorseful, but you're not! You don't even like her!"
"How dare you?!" Rose cried.
"You know I'm right! If you really love her so much, you never would've treated her so badly or left her for me! You just want her back to get back at me for…embellishing the truth. You all just want to embarrass me for one white lie!"
"More like one million white lies." Nino deadpanned, holding Alya back with all his strength.
"Whatever! You all threw her away for me! And now that you have me, you want her instead! She left not because of me, she left because of YOU ALL! ALL OF YOU!"
Lila said what she wanted to say and stormed off home. Although her illusion was lifted, her cruel mouth still managed to stab the hearts of her enemies with guilt.
"She's mean!" Manon wailed, bursting into tears.
"Yes, she is." Sabrina agreed, patting the little girl on the head to calm her down.
"But she's right." Rose sighed, sadness heavy on her lips and tears leaking. "We did throw Marinette away for her."
"Come on, guys! Don't think like that!" Alya said. "We're letting her win if we believe her!"
"Even if she's right?" Mylene retorted.
Alya fell silent at last. They all fell silent. Except for Manon who kept on crying.
They still miss Marinette. Still grieving her, still guilty over their treatment of her.
Luka, the protective big brother, reached out and gently hugged Manon. His gentle touch helpfully reduced Manon's cries to soft whimpers.
"I like Encanto too. My favourite from it is Dos Oruguitas. Want me to play it?"
The little girl nodded.
Luka let go of her and took out his guitar. His fingers stemmed the melody to the song as he sang softly.
Dos oruguitas enamoradas
Pasan sus noches y madrugadas
Llenas de hambre
Siguen andando y navegando un mundo
Que cambia y sigue cambiando
Navegando un mundo
Que cambia y sigue cambiando
Luka's cover put Manon right to sleep. Manon laid her head on his lap, dreaming of golden butterflies, flowers, and dancing donkeys.
Kagami was impressed that Luka was miraculously able to calm the most hyperactive child in the world and could speak, or in this case, sing Spanish.
He was so charming.
And sexy.
Dos oruguitas paran el viento
Mientras se abrazan con sentimiento
Siguen creciendo, no saben cuándo
Buscar algún rincón
El tiempo sigue cambiando
Inseparables son
El tiempo sigue cambiando
The song brought old memories to each present member of Paris's superhero squad of precious time with Marinette.
Kagami spending Friendship Day with Marinette, the latter teaching the former how to smile.
Kim guzzling down mountain of pastries from her family's bakery, with Marinette looking on, smiling.
Alix given a sheet of her lacrosse team training's schedule plus homemade cookies from Marinette.
Rose spraying her new perfume on her and Marinette, both coughing and laughing while engulfed in a pink mist.
Nathaniel blushed as Marinette laid down compliments on his latest additions to his sketchbook.
Sabrina and Marinette talking happily…until Chloe came along and interrupted them rudely.
Chloe and Marinette arguing like two lawyers in an intense court case.
Manon giggling, running away from Marinette, who was frantically chasing her.
Mylene and Ivan listening to Marinette giving suggestions for their next date.
Juleka beaming when Marinette perfectly sewed up the rips and tears in her favourite pants.
Max and Marinette playing video games together, the girl's natural talent pushing the boy's efforts to the limit.
Nino and Marinette sharing a set of earplugs, bobbing their heads in unison to music.
Luka, back when he had a crush on her, played Marinette's melody, whilst she listened with a sweet smile, closed eyes and a heart over her heart.
Marc nervously showing their writing to Marinette, where she grinned and praised them.
Adrien smiling while Marinette blushed, stuttered and stumbled over her words and feet in front of him.
Alya and Marinette gossiping together at something on Alya's phone.
"We used to be so happy…" Alya whined.
Happy until Lila showed up.
Ay, oruguitas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Vienen milagros, vienen crisálidas
Hay que partir y construir su propio futuro
In the blink of an eye, Lila turned everyone against Marinette.
No hesitation at all from of her 'loyal, best friends.'
Alya and Adrien found themselves in a dreamlike sequence. A flashback.
(Just like Mirabel in Abuela's flashback.)
In front of them was Marinette, begging everyone to listen to her, to simply look up Lila's tales, to trust her after everything they went through together, but they all just glared at her and turned their backs on her.
Including themselves.
And Lila was smirking down on her.
Alya and Adrien saw the pain Marinette had, witnessed her heartbreak, felt her anguish. They watched her drop to her knees, crying, bending over into child's pose.
Ay, oruguitas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Vienen milagros, vienen crisálidas
Hay que partir y construir su propio futuro
Marinette raised her head up with a teary face, watching the friends she trusted walk away with the girl who ruined her life.
Once again, Alya realised Lila was a liar and Marinette was right about her, and Adrien realised that lies do hurt people, especially the ones he loved.
But it was too late.
Both Adrien and Alya reached out to her.
But Marinette turned away from them at the last minute. Then, she stood up and walked away, changing her old black jacket for a blue cardigan.
She walked pass a series of doors with a somber face. Despite embracing a new life with new duties, she still thought of her past.
She pushed all thoughts aside to attend a new problem.
Dos oruguitas desorientadas
En dos capullos bien abrigadas
Con sueños nuevos
Ya solo falta hacer lo necesario
En el mundo que sigue cambiando
Tumbando sus paredes
Ahí viene nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro
"WHERE ART THOU YOU, VERITY?!"
Marinette just walked into the theatre room, surprised that she literally stepped into a room thrown into chaos.
The play was minutes away from starting and everyone was freaking out, but it wasn't because of getting everything ready. The set, props, costumes, cast. Everything was where it should be.
"VERITY!"
All except for the leading lady.
"Sir, calm down." One actress soothed.
"Where is Verity?" The director/teacher cried for his star pupil. "Verity! Verity!"
"It's not like her to be late."
"Doesn't she take, like, a hour of meditation before she goes onstage?"
"But she hasn't taken her lucky 30 laps around backstage yet!"
"Found her!"
"Final- VERITY!"
Verity was a sight for sore eyes for the teacher and everyone else.
Mainly because she was leaning on a crutch with her right leg in a cast, her left arm in a sling and her tongue was swollen to the size of an apple and sticking out of her mouth.
"What happened?" The teacher screamed, shocked.
The Divas, who were with Verity, shrugged.
"She accidentally broke her leg…" Tamaki explained.
"Then she accidentally broke her wrist…" Swanhilde followed.
"And then I made her a gurgle to clear her throat, only I used an ingredient that she is apparently allegoric to and causes her tongue to swell up." Sonja finished, holding her wooden spoon up with a sheepish grin.
"Nurse Luscinia said she's not in any serious pain." Jimena said. "Her injuries are not that bad."
"She'll be okay as long as she does no acting for the next week or so to rest." Elisabeth concluded.
"The show is ruined!" The teacher wailed, dropping to his knees.
"Wait!" Marinette exclaimed. "The show's not ruined! Haruka can stand in for Verity. That's her job, she is the understudy."
She pointed to the girl who was hiding in the shadow of a massive prop.
Said girl pointed to herself.
"Me?"
Ay, mariposas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisálidas
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar
Su propio futuro
The acting teacher stopped being so dramatic and glanced to Haruka.
And then he shrugged.
"Looks like you're getting your chance to act after all, miss Todo. Places, everyone!"
Haruka tried to protest. "No, I- HEY!"
However, Ebba, a Diva with red-haired pigtails, effortlessly lifted Haruka and carried her away.
"Ebba, put me down!"
"Ok."
Ebba did so. She put the struggling understudy in a chair in a dressing room.
And like a pack of hungry wolves Ebba's fellow Divas pounced on Haruka, stylising her into her role.
"Get off me!" Haruka screamed.
"Hold still!" Blaché, an aspiring filmmaker in Olympe, scolded as she used a straighter to turn Haruka's long hair into bouncing curls.
"Stop squirming!" Rini, a Diva with a talent for art, snapped while she forced fake glasses on the Japanese girl's face.
In the amidst of pampering assault, Haruka glanced to Verity, sitting aside in a chair, just watching.
One look at Verity's emerald-coloured eyes told Haruka the truth.
"You did this on purpose. Verity, why?"
Ay mariposas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisálidas
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar
Su propio futuro
"She did it so you can finally act." Marinette told her gently just before she shoved the shirt on the actress. "Her injuries are only minor. She'll be fine."
"Just take it, Haruka." Tamaki said. She had the job of shoving the blue skirt of Mirabel's onto Haruka. "Verity is sacrificing herself for you. She even broke her own limbs and tongue. You opened her eyes. You deserve a chance."
"I do not! I got akumatized!" Haruka shrieked.
"I know you're on a losing streak, but now you have an opening, so you better
take the chance." Aakifah, star player/captain of Olympe's soccer team who dons a hijab, said. "You have an opening so kick that ball and make a score! GOAL!"
Aakifah was putting on Haruka's shoes on the latter's feet, her hold on her dainty ankle tightened into a grip when she made her declaration and stood up, bringing Haruka up with her whilst upside down. Haruka then screeched and Aakifah, startled, dropped her on her head.
"Aakifah!" The Divas cried.
"Sorry." Aakifah apologised, blushing bashfully.
The Divas quickly sat Haruka back up and Sonja carefully put in blue pompom earrings in Haruka's earlobes.
"I cannot act!" Haruka cried, careful not to squirm.
"Cannot or will not?" Swanhilde smirked teasingly.
"CANNOT! I'm dropping out!"
"You haven't talked to Ms Auberon yet, so you still have time." Swanhilde retorted. "Don't quit just as you got your chance to shine. Wait until after the show for your final decision."
And that was final. The alpha girl gave her final decree like a queen.
Haruka didn't protest the matter any further.
"There!" Marinette beamed. "You're ready."
"Smile!"
Leica-Lou snapped a picture, the flash almost blinding Haruka.
"On with the show!"
Ebba picked Haruka up again, and carried her off, again.
"Do I weigh anything to you?"
"No. you're like a couple of grapes."
"You'll make a better Luisa than Elena."
"Yeah, but I can't act."
"Start the show!"
Elisabeth slipped into the DJ stand to start the music.
"Curtains!"
Ay mariposas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisálidas
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar
Su propio futuro
The musical started with the ever first scene of Encanto, where one of the younger students played young Mirabel.
Once the first scene was over and the curtains closed to start the next scene, Ebba propped Haruka down in the very centre of the stage.
Shaken with sudden fear, Haruka glanced to the Divas hiding blind the curtains. The girls gave her encouraging looks and thumbs up. Marinette blessed Haruka with a simple smile, yet it gave the actress the courage she needed.
As the music started and the stage lights shone, Haruka took a deep breath and broke into a song and dance.
Drawers!
Floors!
Doors!
Let's go!
This is our home
We've got every generation
So full of music
A rhythm of its own design
This is my family
A perfect constellation
So many stars and everybody gets to shine
Haruka wowed everyone with her lively movements, energetic singing, and passionate acting.
The Divas on with awe. Verity and Marinette beamed with price.
Welcome to the Family Madrigal
The home of the Family Madrigal
(Hey, coming through)
I know it sounds a bit fantastical and magical
But I'm part of the Family Madrigal!
Haruka Todo made the audience feel as if they stepped into Encanto. She acted just like Mirabel in the film. She portrayed Mirabel's heart and soul. She brought the newest Disney Princess to life. It was as if she truly was Mirabel Madigral.
Haruka became Mirabel Madigral.
My family's amazing
(Mirabel!)
And I'm in my family, so
(Mirabel!)
Well…
"Mirabel!" The girl playing Alma Madigral cried, bringing the song to an end.
"Whoa." Takami but it bluntly.
"She's a better actress than you, Verity." Rini slipped out before she realised what she just said. "Sorry, Verity."
But Verity wasn't at all offended.
"No." Marinette answered for Verity as Haruka sang 'Waiting On a Miracle'. "She's a better princess than Verity."
I am ready, come on, I'm ready
I've been patient, and steadfast, and steady
Bless me now as you blessed us all those years ago
When you gave us a miracle
Am I too late for a miracle?
MIRACLE!
The school's theatre hall rumbled with thundering applause. There was even a standing ovation of every person in the audience. Finally, finally, everyone saw that Haruka had talent after all. Haruka's parents sat in front, crying in pride. Years of unwilling support and dreadful anxiety paid off.
The applause went on took 10 minutes until it died on and let the next scene to start. Soon enough, the play was reaching its end. The crowd roared as the actors took a curtain call. Haruka was present last, but her applause grew louder.
"Bravo!"
"Encore!"
"Bravissima!"
The Divas, except for Verity because of her injuries arm, clapped along.
"Looks like we have a new star in the acting department." Swanhilde said, impressed by Haruka's performance. "She certainly has passion."
"Only if we do only Disney musicals." Marinette replied. "Haruka only wanted the previous non-Disney lead roles just to get experience and prove herself."
"So, she has a specific taste. That's ok, but not Diva material."
"Swanny, not every girl needs to be judged if she's worthy to be a member of our little group." Marinette teased, smirking at the ballerina.
Swanhilde snapped a fearsome glare at the young fashion designer. "Normally, I would ruin your life for calling me that horrible nickname and for the utter lack of respect for our group. But lucky for you, I like you, so I'll let it pass."
Mairnette giggled. Of course, she respected the Divas. She was only messing with the head girl. But then Swanhilde flicked her ponytail haughtily, which sent Marinette flashbacks of Chloe doing the same ponytail-flick.
"So, Verity, does that mean you're out of commission?" Ebba asked Verity.
"A Diva is never out of commission." Jimena said, answering for Verity.
Verity nodded and held up a notepad with her handwriting since she can't talk.
'It's time for me to take another sort of stage. Boarded my horizons. Get new experience. Do one-woman shows, or voice acting for animation and radio. I heard an animation studio called ZagToon is looking for new voice actors.'
Leica-Lou squinted at the cast still on stage. Then she took off her glasses, squinted again, put her glasses back on and squinted again, until she realised someone was missing from the lineup.
"Wait a minute. Where's Vanessa? She was supposed to be one of the Colombian butterfly dancers."
Blaché, who was also her beloved girlfriend, looked upon her sadly. "She had to leave this morning to attend a funeral. The Queen of England just died."
"Oh, right…"
"I honestly thought that woman was gonna outlive all of us." Ebba blurted out without thinking and in quick response, Sonja whacked her with her wooden spoon. "Ow!"
"Don't be so insensitive, you clod! You know Vanessa is practically a princess of England! So of course, she's close with the royal family."
"Vanessa was very upset about it when she heard." Marinette mentioned, sad for her best friend. "She cried about it all last night."
"She told me she used to play with the queen's corgis." Aakifah said.
"Vanessa told me the Queen used to even babysit her." Leica-Lou also said.
"And the queen used to give her presents for her birthday and Christmas." Elisabeth added.
"And you believe her?" Aria asked innocently.
"Of course! I know it does sound farfetched, but this is Vanessa we're talking about! The girl couldn't lie to save her life!"
Marinette sniffed a giggle in her throat.
If Vanessa was a good girl who never lied before, then bad girl Marinette corrupted her.
Still on stage, Haruka was given a bouquet by the teacher who constantly rejected her. This kind action caused her to burst into joyful tears. Her friends, fellow actresses and her parents all rushed to hug her. Aria and Aakifah help Verity walk onstage so she can shake hands with Haruka and attempt to do one arm hug with her.
Their rivalry was over.
The past was put to rest.
They made it look so easy.
Marinette admire that they could forgive one another.
Wish she could do the same.
Despite her resistance, Marinette ended up thinking about her own past. She cannot help but visualise herself in Haruka's place, hugged and praised by her ex-friends.
The pain didn't hurt as much as it did before.
Yet it still hurts.
Marinette was not ready to forgive yet. She was still healing.
Maybe she could learn from Haruka's example and forgive when she's happy.
Maybe.
Akuma of the Day: Haruka Todo.
Both an acting and singing student at Olympe. Heiress to the Todo Palace hotels.
Dreams of becoming a musical star and play a fairytale princess, the closest to become a fairytale princess. Is a fan of Smile Pretty Cure anime. Called 'Prima Donna' for her jealousy and temper but is just frustrated that Verity is taking away chances.
Her name Haruka is one of the names suggested by Marvel's disneydream universe. Her surname Todo is from Izumi Todo; a penname used by Toei Animation, who created Pretty Cure.
Akuma- Pretty Princess Fury; Based on Smile Pretty Cure. Has the power to make cracks in buildings, grow flowers and make lightning, based on the gifts and curse from Encanto. Inspired by Malifencent from Sleepy Beauty. Her braid is based on Elsa from Frozen, and her glass slippers are from Cinderella.
Other Character: Verity Tautou.
An acting student.
Verity is a word and name that means the quality of being true: belief, idea, or principle that is generally accepted as being true.
Her surname is from Audrey Tautou, the lead actress of French classic film Amélie.
Her appearance is loosely based on the movie main character, Amélie - from chapter 5.
The Camilla flower worn in her hair is a reference to Sarah Bernhardt, a famous French actress from the 19th/20th century who also appeared in a plat adaptation of La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas.
"Oh God, Haruka! Let it go!" Verity telling the akuma to let it go is a famous song from Frozen.
Nathaniel reads 'The Remarried Empress' webtoon. The story is similar to Marinette's mistreatment and leaving.
Verity getting cut by a thorn is a reference to Sleeping Beauty.
The play Nathaniel said Lila could act in, Tartuffe, is a comedy-satire from 1664. It tells the story of a naïve man being helplessly tricked by a con man pretending to be a religious man, and the former's family tries to save him.
Mirabel's argument with Isabela from Encanto is used in the argument between Pretty Princess Fury and Verity.
This chapter shows the akuma's, the class' and Marinette's pain.
Class mocking Lila with a parody of We Don't Talk About Bruno reflects the bad deeds Lila committed.
Dos Oruguitas narrates the happy lives of Marinette and class before Lila came and the aftermath. I find that Alma and Marinette are similar with their stubborn attitudes and trauma.
Sonja making Verity a gurgle with an ingredient that causes her tongue to swell up is from episode 1 Victorious, where Trina did the same, resulting in Tori getting into Hollywood Arts.
'I heard an animation studio called ZagToon is looking for new voice actors.' A obvious reference to ZagToon, who produce Miraculous Ladybug.