Yugioh/ML Chapter 3
Celebrity Life
As Marinette returned to the real world, she felt a sensation like getting off a roller-coaster. She'd have to get used to that. She pressed a button, and the chamber opened, letting her step back into Master Fu's chambers.
"Ah, welcome back." Master Fu greeted her. "You've made waves." He motioned to his computer, which displayed the flood of news reports and social media buzz about the new Ladybug, who stood up against the Knights of Hanoi with strange new cards.
"I don't care about that." Marinette said, which was mostly true. "Let's focus on our prize." She took off her duel disk and set it on the desk, then connected it to the computer. Out of the top of the duel disk, a red fairy-like thing appeared, though try as it might, it couldn't physically detach from the duel disk. "Alright, I've protected you from them, for now. Now, it's your turn. To start, why are the Knights of Hanoi after you?"
Tikki pouted. "Why should I tell you? You've kidnapped me, just like they wanted to."
"The difference is, I won't dissect you, and once I've fulfilled my goals, I promise to set you free. Deal?"
Eventually, Tikki nodded.
"Thank you. Now, the Knights of Hanoi?"
"The humans that you designate as the Knights of Hanoi want to exterminate all kwami, and they want me especially since I can open the portal to the kwami world."
"What are kwami?" Fu asked.
"Well, I guess you could call us spirits or fairies. It was with our help that some other humans created Link Vrains in the first place."
"How is that possible?" Marinette asked.
"Our bodies are not only pure data, but can create and manipulate data as well. But a long time ago, the Knights attacked our world, and I had to close the portal between our worlds. Unfortunately, I was only able to do so on this side, so I've been hiding ever since."
Marinette thought over this story. "Is that how I and my cards were transformed?"
Tikki nodded. "When you imprisoned me in your duel disk, it inadvertently triggered a bond between the two of us, allowing you to share in my data. You're welcome, by the way."
"Speaking of," Fu interrupted. "I've analyzed that card you created, Code Creator Light Connector. It's bursting with data." He gestured to a machine that was slowly creating a physical copy of Light Connector. "You'll have a physical copy of the card in a few hours."
…
Sol Technologies had many buildings with which to operate their businesses. In several of these buildings, there was a room which used Link Vrains to allow their leaders to speak with subordinates without revealing their identities. Luka Couffaine, Chief of Security, used this room, entering an empty landscape with a grid-like floor. Above him, several chess pieces hovered. Luka quickly knelt before them.
"Report." The Knight commanded.
Luka stood back up. "We were able to apprehend a great many of the Knights of Hanoi, but some of them managed to escape, as did this Ladybug. We believe that they have custom-made methods of entering Link Vrains. Unfortunately, this also means that we can't track either party, both here and in the real world."
"What of this Ladybug?" The Bishop asked.
"No prior record exists of her or her cards. It is my best guess that she is a new player on the scene."
"Your new mission is to apprehend this Ladybug and acquire the being helping her." The Queen ordered. "You will be given additional resources to do so."
"Of course." Luka bowed. "If I may ask, what is that being? Knowing what it is would help me in my search."
"That is classified information," The King answered. "And unnecessary for your mission."
"Yes, Sir. I apologize for my impudence."
The session ended, and Luka was back in the real world in an instant. As he roamed the hallways, he weighed his options. If Ladybug was powerful enough to beat one of the Knights of Hanoi, she would probably be too much for Sol's agents as well. He'd need to adopt a more unorthodox approach.
…
The next day, Marinette began her first day of the new semester at Den City High School. As they had predicted, everyone was talking about this new Ladybug, so to make sure she was above suspicion, Marinette feigned interest as well. The various theories amused her, and her favorite was the one where Ladybug was an alien readying the planet for conquest.
"Marinette, wait up!" Marinette turned around and saw perhaps her only friend, Alya Cesaire, running up to meet her. Alya had brown skin and reddish-brown hair, and wore a plaid shirt over jeans. She was the head of the high school's blog, a naturally curious girl, and had no idea of Marinette's other life. "Have you heard the news? There's this new hero in Link Vrains called Ladybug, and she just declared war on the Knights of Hanoi!"
"Oh, believe me, I've heard. I don't think anyone hasn't."
"Well, it's just so much fun, isn't it? Some masked vigilante standing against injustice, using never-before-seen cards to take them down. I want to know everything I can about her, and soon, before someone else picks up the scoop before me!"
If only you knew how much you knew, Marinette mused.
"Hey, Marinette!" One of the students, a jock named Kim, cried out. "We're making a duel club. Wanna join?"
"No thanks." Marinette declined. "I don't want to drag your reputation down."
"Aw, it's not like that! The club's meant to help newcomers learn, so it'd be perfect for you. Even Juleka is joining!"
That surprised Marinette; as far as she knew, Juleka didn't participate in any extracurricular activities, or even had any friends. "I'll think about it."
…
Marinette's perception of Juleka was only half right. It was true that in the physical world, Juleka was incredibly shy. But the anonymity of Link Vrains allowed her an opportunity to be someone else; Reflekta, who was confident when Juleka was afraid, bold when she was timid. In essence, Reflekta was everything Juleka wanted to be.
After school, Juleka went to her home, an upscale apartment in downtown. As was usual, her brother wasn't home, but at work. She made her way to her room, then her bathroom, then opened the secret compartment hiding a Link Vrains terminal in her shower. She almost couldn't wait to log in, exchanging her black hair and goth dress for a bright red clown outfit.
Once Reflekta was fully logged in, she found that she had a message in her inbox. The fact that it was from Sol Technologies concerned her. Hesitantly, Reflekta opened the link in the message, starting a video call. On the other side was Luka Couffaine. Reflekta's heart rate spiked, but she said nothing, frozen in fear.
"Greetings, Reflekta." Luka began. "I have a mission for you, and I'm willing to pay you handsomely if you're interested."
Reflekta finally allowed herself to breathe. Luka hadn't figured out who she really was; that was a conversation she wasn't ready for. "I'm listening."
"I assume you're familiar with the vigilante known as Ladybug?"
Reflekta laughed. "I'd be surprised if anyone wasn't. She's all anyone's talking about these days. To tell you the truth, Luka? I'm a little jealous."
Luka raised his eyebrow. "How do you know my name?"
Fuck. Reflekta panicked as she though of an excuse. "A celebrity like me has more resources than you think, Mr. Couffaine."
"Then use those resources, and find Ladybug. She has something that belongs to us."
Reflekta smiled. "Don't you worry. She's as good as mine."
Luka ended the video call, and Reflekta felt like she'd just run a marathon. Luka had forbidden Juleka ever use Link Vrains, stating that it was too dangerous. If he ever found out what Juleka was doing, he'd probably ground her for a century.
Curiously, another message appeared, with another video call. This time, there was no username, which Reflekta found odd. Still, she answered it, but this time, the only image was static.
"Hello, Juleka Couffaine." The voice was distorted and electronic, but that wasn't what Reflekta was worried about.
"How do you know my name?"
"I have my ways. That is all you need know. I also know that you were just contacted by your brother, requesting your aid in capturing Ladybug. We would like to aid you in that endeavor."
"Really? Why?"
"Luka told you that Ladybug has something Sol Technologies wants. Well, I want it more. In exchange for my help, you will give that something to me instead. I will provide you with a fake to fool your brother."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I reveal your information to your brother. Are you willing to accept my help, Miss Couffaine?"
Juleka hated it, but she had no choice. She nodded.
"You should be receiving a new card in the mail, soon. Don't disappoint me."
As soon as the video ended, Juleka received a third message, this time bearing a new card. As she looked it over, she wondered one thing:
How'd I get myself into this mess?