When a swirling portal materialized in the center of the Akuma Class's room, it sent startled cries reverberating throughout.
The room fell into uneasy silence when a young woman stepped through the portal, her appearance commanding immediate attention. She looked to be in her early twenties, wearing a simple red blouse paired with a flowing ombre skirt that transitioned from deep blue to black. Her hair, a cascade of black with soft waves, was accented by a pink highlight that gradually deepened toward the tips.
"What is going on!?" Marinette Dupain-Cheng exclaimed, her voice edged with shock and disbelief. A portal wasn't exactly what she expected to encounter during an ordinary school day.
"I apologize for the sudden intrusion," the woman began, her tone calm but urgent. "My name is Melody Lan. I wouldn't have done this if it weren't absolutely necessary to safeguard the future. Please, if anyone has questions, now is the time to ask. Once we're done, I'll need to transport all of you to a more secure location."
The students remained rooted in place, staring at her with a mixture of confusion and wariness. Finally, Marinette broke the silence. She stepped forward, her expression determined but cautious.
"Excuse me, my name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she said firmly. "May I ask what your intentions are? And, forgive my suspicion, but... are you akumatized?" Her words were steady, underscoring her unwillingness to risk the safety of her friends or classmates in the face of the unknown.
Melody offered a small, reassuring smile in response to Marinette's cautious question. "Good for you," she said warmly. "It's wise to be cautious and skeptical, especially of someone who just stepped out of a portal, but we will get to that. Let me answer your former questions clearly: no, I am not akumatized. As for my intentions, they are straightforward—I need all of you to gather in a secure space and... react to a- series of events . Specifically, your own."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "Adult Bunnyx has assured me this is permissible and the purpose is tied to removing certain memories from someone—Lila Rossi. Depending on how things unfold, I may also erase some memories from Chloe Bourgeois. However, Chloe's fate hinges on her reaction to what we'll watch and the choices she makes afterward."
Melody's gaze softened as she looked directly at Marinette. "I won't sugarcoat it—there will be moments you won't enjoy, Marinette. And I offer you my sincerest apologies for that. Especially for Adrien Agreste... some of the later seasons will be difficult for him as well."
She mentioned Bunnyx deliberately, hoping the name would affirm her allegiance as a friend, not a foe to the current miraculous holders
At the mention of his name, Adrien straightened in his seat, his eyes narrowing slightly as he fixed his gaze on Melody. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern. "That I won't be happy with the upcoming events?"
Melody tilted her head slightly, a knowing, sad smile playing on her lips. "Well, if I told you now, it wouldn't be much of a reaction, would it?" She replied with a light shrug. Then, she addressed the room, and added, "For the record, Marc, Luka, Felix, and Kagami will be joining the viewing as well, given their significant roles in the show. Secrets will be revealed, yes, but only the trusted heroes will retain those memories once you return. This is a measure to protect both identities and the integrity of the timeline."
She glanced around, her expression turning more serious. "Time will be frozen in Paris while we do this, so you won't have to worry about the city descending into chaos. As for the length of the session... that depends on how much 'stupid commentary' or unnecessary interruptions we encounter." Her tone made it clear she wouldn't hesitate to address disruptions.
Melody straightened, her gaze sweeping the room. "Now, any other questions? Or can we get started?"
The students exchanged uncertain glances, their expressions ranging from skeptical to curious. Whispers rippled through the group as they tried to process the surreal situation. After a moment of hushed deliberation, they collectively turned their attention back to Melody.
One by one, they shook their heads, signaling their agreement to move forward.
"Alright then," Melody said, her tone steady and confident. She extended her hands, a faint glow emanating from her fingertips as she prepared to cast the spell. "Brace yourselves—this will feel a little strange, but I promise it's harmless. Let's get started."
With a flick of her wrists, the room shimmered, and a warm, golden light enveloped everyone, pulling them into the unknown.
As the golden glow began to shimmer around the room, Melody raised a hand, halting the spell momentarily. "One more thing," she said, her tone casual but clear. "As the seasons progress, more people will be added to the group. However, only the heroes or other important characters will be included. Whether we involve teachers or parents will be up to all of you—you'll get to vote on who gets added."
She glanced around, letting the information settle. "This way, the choice remains in your hands. I want this to be as fair and collaborative as possible."
The students murmured amongst themselves briefly before nodding their understanding. Melody smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Now, let's get started."
The golden light returned, growing brighter until the entire room dissolved into a soft, glowing void, transporting them to their next destination.
