Chapter Text
Estelle Desrosiers always had a knack for catching a good story, though her shyness always got in her way of ever publishing any story she’d ever find.
She had always looked up to Alya Césaire, the creator of the Ladyblog. She was a journalist that always seemed to live life on the edge and tackle every story head on. Estelle envied her, to be frank, but was never bitter towards her. Well, that was until the stories on the Ladyblog became… Messy.
She read a story about how the new girl from Italy saved Jagged Stone’s kitten off of a landing strip or something, but when Estelle looked through every interview, every written piece that ever included the rockstar, she found that there was no mention of such an event. Heck, Jagged had even mentioned several times that he despised cats because a tomcat had scratched him up badly as a child.
And then there was the claims that the girl was Ladybug’s best friend, to have met Prince Ali, and a bunch of other farfetched things that made her brows draw together and a frown form on her face. This just wasn’t right. When she looked into it, it was all untrue.
Her jaw dropped when she read the most recent articles. Articles on one Marinette Dupain-Cheng. That the girl was a bully, a jealous stalker. That she had been properly rectified by being expelled for stealing and cheating on tests. Now Estelle had met Marinette personally and she seemed sweet as peaches!
Estelle did what any good journalist should do, she collected facts, she checked resources. She talked with Mme. Bustier and Principal Damocles, she talked with Mme. Bustier’s class, she interviewed other students at DuPont. She interviewed many people outside of school, and made a discovery that certainly changed things.
So on Monday morning, she talked with Professor Damocles. And she got up to ask Marinette for Nadja Chadwick, soon calling the woman and laying out the proof about Paris’ top blog. The woman had been more than eager to take part in her plans.
So here she stood, in a meeting with Principal Damocles at the theatre room. Miss Bustier lead her class in and had them take seats. They were chattering to each other about what could be going on.
At the sight of the camera being set up, Lila Rossi perked up, fluffing her hair and adjusting her clothes to show off her slim form.
“Principal Damocles, why are we here?” Alya Césaire spoke up, taking out her phone, her Ladybug charm catching the light. Any doubt in Estelle’s gut instantly vanished and fury took its place. Ladybug didn’t deserve to be represented by a liar! She had to go through with this, even if she was about to ruin the career of her greatest inspiration…
“We’re here because of the interviews that you’ve put on the Ladyblog and your collaborations with Miss Rossi.” Estelle spoke up, making herself sound perky. As Nadja nodded to her, letting her know the camera was rolling, she strode onto the stage, decked out in a black pencil skirt and white blouse, trying her best to look professional. She set up a monitor, then beamed at the group. “You know, Alya, you’re the one who inspired me to become a journalist, but I was always too shy to actually talk to people. I thought you were the best journalist in the world, covering akuma attacks and Ladybug interviews like you did!”
Alya grinned and puffed out her chest.
“But that was until I found out you’re a hoax.”
“… I beg your pardon?” Alya’s eyes narrowed.
The screen lit up and a video appeared. With a nod from Estelle, Nadja pressed play on the laptop.
“So, Mr. Stone."Estelle sat with THE Jagged Stone, Marinette sitting besides them with Fang on her lap. "I know this is an inconvenient interview for you, but I just wanted to dispel this rumor going around that you had a teenaged girl save one of your kittens off of an airport landing strip.”
“What?! No way, I’ve never had a kitten in my life. I’ve said several times that I’m terrified of cats, I’d never want to see a kitten ever. Besides, they’re not very rock n roll.”
“Oh, yes Mr. Stone, that tomcat attacking you when you were five was no doubt traumatic. Thats why it concerned me when a girl named Lila Rossi said that she got tinnitus from saving your kitten from a dangerous and life-threatening situation.”
The look out outrage that crossed Jagged’s face had caused Estelle’s blood to go to ice when she had first seen it.
Soon more interviews were being shown; of Clara Nightengale, of a very annoyed Audrey Bourgeois, of Prince Ali, how she had gotten that interview, she had had to sell her soul to Chloé Bourgeois. Each saying they never met Lila in their lives, and many looking furious at the stories that Estelle brought up.
The last one was on Ladybug, showing the heroine perched on the ledge of a rooftop, smiling to the camera, though it was strained.
“I’m very sorry, Ladybug, but… Lila Rossi isn’t your best friend?” Estelle had asked, and the disappointed sigh that left Ladybug echoed through the room.
“No, she isn’t. I keep my private life private. In fact, the girl despises me. I’m just so disappointed in what Alya Césaire has been feeding the public, putting herself and Lila in danger due to these silly lies.”
“As you all can see,” Estelle’s voice was stern as the projector was turned off. “Lila has been selling you all lies since day one. And you all fell for it.”
“You’re lying!” Alya was on her feet in seconds, her face beet red, her hands curled into fists. “Marinette put you up to this!”
“Miss Dupain-Cheng never put me up to anything. In fact, when I asked her for her side of the story, she broke down. She was so unused to anyone asking her for her side. And you’re her supposed best friend too. How pathetic.”
“Y- you’re just doing this to bully me, like Marinette!” Lila sobbed out, tears sliding down her cheeks.
“What do you mean, Lila?” All heads snapped to the left, where Lila’s mother was standing. The blood immediately drained from the girl’s face.
Around ten minutes later, Miss Bustier, Principal Damocles, Lila and her mother headed towards the principal’s office. The sounds of cries and yelling followed them.
Estelle stepped down from the stage and strode over to Alya, crossing her arms.
“How could you do this to Ladybug’s best friend?! To my blog?!” Alya snarled, looking ready to hit her.
“You did this to yourself, Alya. You never checked your sources, the most basic thing a journalist can do.” Estelle said flatly, her eyes narrowed.
“I agree.” Nadja strode up to them, the cameraman following close behind her. She set a hand on Estelle’s shoulder. “Once we get this footage back to the station, I think we have an internship in place for you, since Miss Césaire’s internship has now been dropped.”
“WHAT?!” Alya screeched.
“We like actual journalists.” Nadja’s lip curled. “Not tabloid hussies who don’t even check their sources.”