Chapter Text
As the theatre darkens and the projection winds up, everyone finally starts asking themselves what kind of movie Claude thinks would change an entire school's perspective.
“Claude’s akumatized form is clearly in reference to the Phantom of the Opera. It stands to reason the production would be continuing that trend.” Max theorizes.
“Claude IS a theatre kid through and through, and the Phantom of the Opera is one of the well-known plays of all time…” Alix agrees
“Aww…we’re watching a boring musical? I was hoping for something with more action!” Kim complains
“Hey! The Phantom of the Opera is beautiful, it made me tear up the first time I saw it!” Rose gushes emotionally.
“Kim… has a point, actually,” Aurora says, contemplating. “Claude said that this production would show everyone the awe-inspiring power of theatre. Would he really use a musical based around opera to move the hearts of an audience of mainly teenagers?”
“Akumas aren’t exactly known for their rationality, Aurora. They’re driven by their intense emotions towards their own perceived injustices.” Alya reminded
“That's my point, exactly. Why go through the effort of kidnapping us, gathering us all up, and setting up this whole grand stage if it’s just to watch a normal show? Why didn’t Claude just have the power to brainwash us into becoming theatre lovers?” Aurora rebuked
“...Because that wouldn’t give Claude what he wants!” Claude wants to prove his philosophy, not simply dominate minds!” Marrinette shouts finally, figuring out why The Phantom’s power is the ability to have people view a universe similar to this one, only with the people in it acting like they’re in a musical.
It all makes sense to her now. The shock value of seeing themselves on screen. Music numbers to explain thoughts that can’t be put into words. The very idea of turning everyone’s lives into grand production. Claude is trying to show everyone that through the power of theatre, even everyday life can be made exciting and impactful…Wait,…explaining thoughts that can’t be put into words through song?
‘THIS IS A DISASTER!!!’ Marinette thinks in a panic ‘What if this thing has me sing about my feelings for Adrien! I’ll never be able to look at him again! He’ll think I’m a weirdo! Oh God, what have I done?!?!’ Marinette tries to calm down. “Relax, Marinette. There’s no way this film will be focusing on you; You’re just your normal girl with a normal life…who has a secret identity of being a SUPERHERO! This is TOTALLY going to reveal your identity to everyone here! What have I done?! THIS IS A DOUBLE DISASTER!!!’
Tikki notices her holder’s spike in emotion and tries to calm her down while still being careful to remain hidden. “Marinette, what’s wrong?”
Marinette whispers, “Tikki, I just realised, what if this film reveals that I’m Ladybug? We know we’re going to see another universe, but we don’t know what we’ll see.”
Tikki is quiet for a few moments before speaking. “You’re right, it’s a risk, but it might not matter. If we find out who Hawkmoth is, then we can stop him before any damage is done. Besides, it’s too late to do anything now that we’re already here.”
Marinette sighs and replies, “I guess you’re right, Tikki. I guess we’ll just have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”
“And no one prepares for the worse better than you, Marinette.” Tikki teases, hoping to calm her nerves, smiling when she sees Marinette crack a grin.
“Thanks, Tikki. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Marinette replies.
“Marinette, did you say something?”
Marinette immediately closes her purse and turns to Alya with a panicked grin. “Nope! I haven’t said anything, it must have been your imagination.
“I guess, anyway…about what you were saying earlier about The Phantom needing to prove his philosophy. I will admit that is makes sense, but I honestly can’t think of any known type of film or play that would be so impactful that it will achieve the result he’s looking for…” Alya ponders to her friend.
Marinette struggles to tell her friend that she knows exactly what’s going to be shown but can’t because that would involve telling her how she knows. She trusted Alya more than anything; she was the first person that came to mind when it came to entrusting someone with a miraculous, and Alya proved that Marinette's absolute faith in her was well founded. If Chat Noir was her rock when she was Ladybug, then Alya was her rock when she was Marinette. She’d lost count of the times Alya has had her back in everyday life. It was hard to keep the secret from her, but she knows it was the best for all involved... not that it would be secret for much longer if the universe revealed what she thinks it will reveal. Despite, Tikki’s reasserances, she still worries how people would react if it ever got out the one of Paris’s defenders…was a shy, clumsy baker’s daughter, who can’t even talk to the boy she likes without freaking out. It would destroy any and all faith in Ladybug; she was sure of it…
“Kagami? What are you doing here?” Marinette snaps out of her self-deprecation as she hears her crush speak, and sure enough, the Japanese fencer is sitting a few rows ahead.
“Adrien. It’s good to see you again. I was here to discuss matters about our next fencing class with Master D'Argencourt. Misfortune led to me still being in the school when the Akuma attacked.” Kagami explained
“I ran into a similar situation.” Marinette then turns to where Jukeka is sitting and sees Jukeka's twin brother, Luka, sitting next to her. “I was dropping off something Jule left at home when this fog suddenly rolled in. Next thing, I knew I was here.” Luka calmly explains, then turns to give Marinette a small wave that she meekly returns.
“I suppose The Phantom figures the more, the merrier when it comes to audiences,” Alya says after hearing their two explanations.
“Hey, dudes! The film is starting!” Nino yells. And sure enough, pictures begin to display on the big screen.
‘Well, it’s the point of no return. Let’s get this over with.’ Both Adrien and Marinette think to themselves, not knowing that there was someone with the exact same thought as them.
Prologue: In a black screen, Fu begins his monologue.
Fu: (offscreen) Do you believe in magic?
(A match stick lights up, revealing Fu's face.)
“Whoa!” Hey!” “Isn’t that the old man sitting over there?” Several students start speaking up as Wang Fu looks at the screen in shock.
(Meanwhile, in the Miracle box)
Wayzz sees his holder and asks, “Is that the Master?”
Sass ponders for a bit and says, “I thought the energy from the fog felt familiar. This akuma’s power must be connecting to another universe.”
“Why is Master so big and in two places?” Ziggy asks innocantly
“‘Sigh.’ He’s not. Tikki explained this to us before. Humans have figured out a way to take many still images and play them over in quick succession to create a moving image. They eventually continued to advance this trick to the point where you can record voices over it, and started using this format to tell stories.” Longg tries to explain to his naive companion.
“Oh! That’s really cool!” Ziggy beams
“I know, right!” Roaar bellows, “Master is so big! And you can hear him all across the room!”
“This is going to be so fun!” Daizzi shout
“Can you all please be quiet!? Some of us are trying to pay attention!” Kaalki huffs
(Back outside the box)
Marinette freezes as she sees Master Fu on the scene. ‘Oh no,’ She thinks to herself as she sees the old man and his opening statement, knowing exactly what he’s going to be talking about. ‘This is going to be a disaster!’
Fu: I am Wang Fu, the guardian of magical gems, called the Miraculous.
(He lights up a candle. The scene reveals the Miracle Box, with all the Miraculous lit up — the Fox, Bee, Turtle, Peacock and the Butterfly, and the two in the middle: the Ladybug and the Black Cat.)
Alya and Chloe see the miraculous of the Fox and Bee and remember what it was like to have powers, as well as wonder how their kwami partners were doing.
Fu: Hiding extraordinary powers over the centuries, the Miraculous have been granted to the greatest heroes to protect the world from evil.
(All the Miraculous glow and twirl midair.)
Fu: Among them, one is most feared, for it creates akumas —
(The Butterfly Miraculous is shown on screen, reeking of hideous black butterflies, the akumas as it let out deafening screeches.)
Fu: Dark butterflies capable of turning anyone with even a hint of anger... into a terrifying monster!!
Simultaneously, every single person who has ever been akumatized suddenly looks uncomfortable as they remember falling to their darker desires and accepting Hawkmoth’s deal. How they remember nothing afterwards, only ending up in a completely random place with Ladybug and Chat Noir fist-bumping after a successful mission. Some had even looked online afterward to learn what happened while they were akumatized and were horrified by the devastation they caused, making them all grateful towards Paris’ heroes for saving them from that dark nightmare.
They all felt that sense of gratitude, except for one girl, one girl who internally gritted her teeth and had thoughts of nothing but hate towards Ladybug.
(The akumas turn into a swarm, forming into a shape of a giant fearsome creature and screeches. The screen goes black again, this time, with the Ladybug and the Black Cat Miraculous appearing on the screen as it twirls midair like yin and yang...)
Fu: To stop this evil, two rival heroes must rise.
(...and turning into the silhouettes of Ladybug and Cat Noir as they embrace each other. The silhouettes disappear and fly downwards and leaves a smoke trail in a shape of a heart and returns inside the Miracle Box.)
Adrien looks fondly at the image of him embracing his lady, swearing to one day make the image on screen a reality. At the same time, Marinette can’t believe the silhouette being shown, automatically trying to come up with other explanations, such as thinking that the screen is showing different holders or that she and Chat Noir are hugging platonically.
Fu: United, these two Miraculous possess the ultimate power! One even stronger than death. But could such selfless hearts find their courage in time?
“…WHAT?!?!” After a beat of silence, all shouted that single word, but three people (those three people are currently stunned silent). Soon, everyone turned to the old man, questions firing off one after the other.
“You gave Ladybuy and Chat Noir their powers?!”
“Do you really have those magic jewels?!”
“Did you know that Hawkmoth was going to show up?!”
“What kind of old man are you?!”
Suddenly, a sharp whistle is heard throughout the theatre.
“Everyone, please! Settle down!” Principle Damoclès shouts. “I know you all have a lot of questions, but attacking an old man won’t get them answered faster.” He turns to Wang Fu “I’m sorry for my student’s excited behavior, but if you don’t mind could you explain what we’re seeing. Please take your time.”
Wang Fu sat silently for a few moments thinking about what to say before finally stating. “I’m afraid I have never said anything like what is being said on screen. I’m just as confused as the rest of you.” Technically, nothing he said was a lie. He never said the lines his movie counterpart did, nor he does he understand why he’s on screen, but he does have a suspicion.
Everyone was about to ask more questions, but everyone was struck silent by the following scene
Scene: The screen fades to black and the title appears that says "ZAG: Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie".
“THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR?!” Alya shrieks excitedly, shaking her boyfriend’s shoulders.
“A-apprently s-so, A-Alya. P-please calm D-down!” Nino said, getting quite dizzy from his girlfriend’s excitement.
“Oops…Sorry babe. Lost myself for a moment there.” Alya says sheepishly. “I mean, this looks nothing like 'Les aventures de Ladybug & Chat Noir'; you saw the scene from before it was practically live action. How did the Phantom do this?”
“I don’t know, but I’m definitely not going to say no to another Ladybug and Chat Noir movie,” Alix exclaims. “This is going to be awesome!”
The sentiment is shared throughout the theatre, everyone starting to pay extra close attention to the screen, excitement clear in their eyes.
Alya smirks. “I guess this must be why Claude was so confident this would work. Anything concerning our heroes is bound to garner such a reaction, even someone like Chloe, right, Marinette?...Marinette?” Alya turns to her best friend when she notices her not answering, and she sees her petrified, with her jaw wide open.
“Adrien? Buddy? You doing okay, dude?” Nino says as he notices Adrien having a similar expression…just not as extreme.
‘This is going to focus mainly on me, isn’t it?’ Both Adrien and Marinette think blankly in their heads.
“Adrien!/Marinette!” Nino and Alya shout respectively, snapping their friends out of it.
“Hee hee, sorry about that. I guess I’m just surprised that this…is another Ladybug and Chat Noir movie.” Marinette explains meekly.
“You have a point. It caught me off guard, too. Thought this certainly is a welcomed surprise. This is going to be good.” Alya beams
“Yeah…totally…” Marinette nervously agrees as the firm begins.
Scene: Exterior, Paris. The camera pans to an overview of the Eiffel Tower, the city, to the facade of the Tom and Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie. Tom places a plate full of croissants on a shelf, with Sabine alongside him who also placed a plate piled with pastries. The two look at each other in satisfaction until a sound of a door closing is heard in the background as Marinette goes down the stairs while inserting a book inside her bag.
Tom: Ah, there she is! Marinette, your breakfast is getting cold, honey.
Marinette: Sorry, Daddy. I'm not hungry today. (successfully inserts the book in her bag and zips it to close it) Gotta go!
“...Huh?” A random student said as the recognize a familiar girl on scene.
‘Oh no’ Said girl thought to herself as she saw herself on screen.
“Uh…What? I thought we were seeing a LADYBUG movie?! Can someone explain why Dupain-Cheng is on screen? Who wants to focus on her?! Chloe complains.
“Ugh! I don’t know, Chloe! I’m in the same boat as you remember?” Marinette complains
“Wait…if you’re in this movie, does that mean the rest of us will appear as well?” Alya asks
When Alya brings this up, people start talking amongst themselves.
“This isn’t a normal movie, is it?”
“Are we being watched?!”
“That’s so freaking!”
“Wait, that old man from before said he doesn’t remember the previous scene ever taking place.”
“So, what does that mean? Is it all fake?”
“If it’s fake, why were that old man, Marinette, and her family in the movie?”
“Sweetie, are you okay?” Sabine asks her daughter concerned
“I’m fine, Mom. Just a little…unnerved seeing us on screen.” Marinette says.
“I know what you mean; it’s certainly not something you see every day.” Her mother agrees
“You two have nothing to worry about. You both look as lovely on screen as you do right now.” Tom compliments causing both the women to smile
“Thanks, Dad.” Marinette beams, as Sabine kisses her husband on the cheek
Tom: That's fine. I'll grab some croissants on the road!
Marinette: The road??
Tom: Oh! I am so excited to take you to school!
(Marinette, suddenly feeling embarrassed, takes a few steps back.)
Marinette: What— No! No, no, no, no, no. Dad, this is not the day. I'm going there alone. (wears her backpack) You don't want them to make fun of me, do you?
“Huh?!” Marinette says shocked
“What’s wrong, girl?” Alya asks
“Alya…this isn’t how my first day of school began,” Marinette said, confused
“Wait. For real?”
“She’s right,” Sabine chimed in. “She was worried about her first day, but my husband never offered to take her to school. We had already discussed beforehand that Marinette can walk herself there, and Marinette was never worried about Tom embarrassing her.”
“Huh, I wonder what else is different, then,” Alya ponders
Tom: Of course not, honey.
Marinette: (sighs) Thank you.
Tom: I'll come get you after school. (Marinette eeps and stops.) I made beautiful sweets for all your friends and I didn't forget your favorite unicorn cakes!
(Scene pans to the four pieces of unicorn cupcakes on the counter, making Marinette a little more embarrassed than she already is. Marinette steps back as Tom follows her.)
People start giggling at the cupcakes, and Marinette is just as humiliated as her onscreen counterpart.
“Why me?” Marinette bemoans as Alya pats her shoulder sympathetically
“It’s not as bad as it looks.” Alya tries to comfort her
“Really?”
“Well…no, it’s pretty embarrassing, but I think it’s sweet how much your father wants to help, and at least it can’t get any worse,” Alya says
“Don’t worry, Marinette! I think they’re cute!” Rose exclaims
“Thanks, Rose.” Marinette gives her a smile
Marinette: Oh, no. How many times do I have to tell you? I have zero friends.
Sabine: Tom, I smell something burning.
Tom: (gasps) No, no, no! Not the baguettes!
(He dashes to the kitchen, leaving Sabine and Marinette in the bakery.)
Marinette: Ugh, I'm sorry, Mom. I know Daddy means well, but—
Sabine: What's wrong, honey?
Marinette: I'm worried they'd make fun of me. Can you imagine what they'd think?
“Am I really that embarrassing, sweetheart?” Tom says, looking down
“NO! Dad, I’m…I’m sorry, that’s not what she meant! It’s just that…girls my age aren’t really supposed to be seen walking to school with their dads. I just…I mean, she just…wants to be seen as a normal girl. I know she appreciates you as much as I do.” Marinette explains
Tom gives a comforting smile. “I understand. I guess sometimes I forget my little girl isn’t so little anymore.
“Thanks, Dad. And never forget, I wouldn’t be the girl I am today without you!” Marinette says, sharing her dad’s smile
Sabine: Stop worrying about what others think. There's only one thing you have to listen to. (places her hand on Marinette's chest and smiles at her)
Marinette: Mom, but... how do you make your dreams come true?
Sabine: You just have to believe in yourself.
Marinette: (lets out a hopeful smile) You're right, Mom.
Adrien smiles to himself, seeing how supportive Marinette’s parents are, but slowly that smile turns to a frown as he thinks about his own relationship with his father. He doesn’t doubt his father’s love, but…he does wish the two of them could be more open with each other. He can barely remember the last time his father smiled. It was before his mom got sick. For that brief moment in time, Adrien remembered how happy his family was, how their life was perfect. Then his mom got sick and his father…he closed himself off from the world. Adrien always believed it was to shield himself from the pain of his loss, and he understood why his father decided to do that, but he wished he could tell his father that he didn’t have to mourn alone, that he still misses his mom just as much as he did. Snapping out of his melancholy, he smiles once again and turns to Marinette.
“You know, Marinette. I think your family's pretty cool.” Adrien says kindly.
Marinette, of course, acts how she always does whenever Adrien talks to her. “Oh…uh…wow! uh..Thanks! Do you really think so? ...I mean, obviously you think so; you just said it. I just mean…’sigh’ Thanks…”
Adrien just chuckles at his friend’s nervousness. Classic Marinette.
(Marinette opens the door and steps out of the bakery and takes a deep breath as she starts singing.)
Marinette:
♪ What I could be ♪
♪ If I believed in me ♪
♪ Maybe today, I'll find a way ♪
♪ My dreams will set me free ♪
‘On my god! This is so much more embarrassing than I thought it would be!’ Marinette shrieks in her head as she sees herself starting to break out into song
“...uh, girl? I know you probably don’t know the answer to this, but why are you breaking out into song?” Alya asks, confused.
“Because the universe hates me,” Marinette mutters, her face slammed into her chair cushion.
As Marinette is having a mental breakdown, the rest of the theatre is having their own discussion in regards to the bizarre music number on screen.
“Wait…this is a musical?!” Rose squeals excited
“We honestly should’ve have seen this coming. Claude is responsible for this, after all. There was no way he wasn’t going to add a music number to this.” Aurora said, unsurpised after the initial shock wore off.
“Aww, man! I hope I don’t sing in this; I have a terrible singing voice.” Kim complains
“Don’t worry, if Claude wants us to fall in love with this film, I’m sure he kept you as far from the mic as possible, Lunkhead.” Alix teases.
“Whew…hey…wait a minute…”
“The instrumentals are quite good, and Marinette is starting strong. Why isn’t she in Kitty Selection?” Luka remarks
“Well, we’ve never seen Marinette sing. Besides, it doesn’t seem far to ask her to make our outfits and perform with us, so we never…” Juleka begins
Painter:
Argh, watch where you're going!
Marinette:
♪ I can't make up my mind ♪
♪ Tired of getting left behind ♪
(She gets dragged along a crowd of people going down the subway.)
Marinette:
♪ What I could be ♪
♪ If I believed in me ♪
(A dog walks to her, to Marinette's surprise)
“...regretted so much not giving her an audition…” Juleka says, stunned.
“Woah…” Luka and Adrien said speechlessly, with slight blushes on their cheeks
“Marinette!!! Why didn’t you say you could have sung like that before!? We would have put on Kitty Selection on the spot! We could sing duets!” Rose beams
“Hmmp…I could do better,” Chloe and Lila protested weakly
“I didn’t know my little girl could sing so beautifully!” Tom gushes
“I know, we should sign her up for singing lessons. She’s probably a natural!” Sabine teases
“Mom! Dad! This is embarrassing enough!” Marinette complains ‘Why did I agree to this?! No information could be worth this much embarrassment!!!’ She thinks to herself
“There’s no need to be embarrassed, Marinette. You’re quite talented.” Ms. Buster says kindly
“Yeah, you’re awesome, Marinette!”
“I wish I could sing like that.”
“You sound like an angel!”
“Guys, be quiet! I want to hear more of Marinette’s singing.”
‘Why me?!?!?!’ Marinette screams in her mind, embarrassed from all the compliments
Music Sequence: "If I Believed in Me". In an outdoor café, a waiter pours tea in Marinette's cup.
Marinette:
♪ What would it be like ♪
♪ To live somebody's else's life ♪
(She grabs her cup of tea.)
Marinette:
♪ Those daydreams don't last ♪
(She bumps on a waiter as the plates from his tray falls on a customer)
Marinette:
♪ And they all fall apart ♪
(On the streets, Marinette accidentally presses a button with her elbow, causing a truck compartment to open with its barrels rolling out.)
Marinette:
(while fumbling on top of the rolling barrels) ♪ Pretty fast! ♪
Music Sequence: "If I Believed in Me". Marinette skips around in the market.
The students chuckle at the classic sight of Marinette’s clumsiness (Although a certain liar was much more mean-spirited about it than her classmates), having seen something along the lines of what’s happening on screen at least once a week.
“Well, if there was any doubt before, I think that seals it. That’s our Marinette!” Alix chuckles good-naturedly
Said girl is currently covering her face, wondering to herself if she had done something to offend Claude recently and if this was his petty way of getting back at her. She couldn’t think of anything, but it beats the alternative theory that she’s so accident-prone that The Phantom couldn’t cut every mistake she’s ever made out of the film without cutting her from the movie entirely…not that she wouldn’t say no to be cut from the movie, given how embarrassing things have been for her so far and it hasn’t even been 10 minutes yet.
“Girl, how do you get yourself in these situations?” Alya asks amused
“I don’t know! I mean, what were the chances of my elbow being the perfect height to hit that truck’s release button?!”
“20%” Max “helpfully” supplies
“Ugh…Thank you, Max…Good to know my clumsiness has beaten the odds once again…” Marinette bemoans as her classmates finally take pity on her and try to cover up their amusement.
Marinette:
♪ The merchants arrive ♪
♪ They know exactly how and why ♪
♪ They do what they do ♪
♪ I wish that could be true ♪
♪ For me, too! ♪
(Music Sequence: "If I Believed in Me". Marinette rides a bike with balloons on a bridge.)
Marinette:
♪ What I could be ♪
♪ If I believed in me? ♪
♪ Maybe today, I'll dream a way ♪
(She now stands on a staircase, with pigeons dramatically flying behind her.)
Marinette:
♪ And everyone will see! ♪
(Music Sequence: "If I Believed in Me". Marinette wanders around the streets, holding her sketch book.)
Marinette:
♪ The colors in my mind ♪
♪ All the shapes and the designs ♪
♪ They'd be set free ♪
♪ If I believed in me ♪
(Bodyguards appear in front of the Le Grand Paris that seem to be welcoming a guest. Marinette stands in front of the café where she was earlier when a civilian waves at her, but as anxiety took over her again, she hides behind a car.)
Marinette:
♪ I never know the words to say ♪
(The civilians look at her suspiciously.)
Marinette:
♪ I can't show my face ♪
(She hides behind another car as pigeons fly away from it.)
“I guess this Marinette is just as scared as you were, girl. Luckily, I think that will solve itself in no time flat if she’s anything like you.” Alya says, then rolls her eyes fondly, as she takes in the familiar sight of Marinette trying to hide from the world by burying her face in her chair.
“Uh huh…” Marinette says, not paying attention, still trying to block out the world around her
Marinette:
♪ I just know I'd be so out of place ♪
(She finds herself standing in front of a mannequin wearing a beautiful white dress behind a glass wall.)
Marinette:
♪ But how would it feel ♪
♪ To make all of my daydreams real? ♪
♪ But I hesitate ♪
♪ And the moment goes by ♪
♪ It's too late ♪
(She opens her sketch book, browsing her fashion designs as it turns into colorful dust and flies into the air, swirling towards two random civilians, dressing them up fancily with Marinette's designs.)
People who have already seen Marinette designs are as impressed as always, while those who have never seen them, are impressed.
“Looks like no matter what universe you’re in, you’re designs are as spectacular as always, girl,” Alya says, causing Marinette to finally take a peek out of her hiding place
When she does and sees her counterpart's designs, she is automatically impressed and wonders if she could do something similar or if she already has something like that in her own sketch book. It’s not really considered stealing if they’re both the same person, right?
Chloe frowned at Marinette’s work, having secretly admitted to herself (But she will die before EVER saying it out loud) that Marinette’s work was far better than anything she’ll ever make. Her mother had never approved of anyone else's work before, and her mom fell in love with Marinette’s work at first sight. It made her extremely jealous, but instead of rubbing it in, and taking from Chloe, everything she had ever wanted, she turned it down and actually HELPED her and her mother bond. Even after everything Chloe had done to her, Marinette still decided to help her. She…didn’t know what to think about that; she still doesn’t. She wanted to call Dupain-Cheng a naive fool for doing what she did,...but she couldn’t bring herself to do it, so she just stayed quiet.
Marinette:
♪ Is this a new day? ♪
♪ Maybe they'll all see ♪
(The two fancily-dressed-up civilians begin to dance in front of her as she smiles at them. Her sketch book begins to float in the air as well.)
Marinette:
♪ I'll stand and I'll say ♪
♪ That I believe in me! ♪
(Her sketch book flips itself of its pages and flies into air, creating a beautiful pink explosion. Now, every civilian is dressed fancily and starts dancing around her.)
Marinette:
♪ The things I'd see ♪
♪ If I believed in me ♪
♪ Maybe today, I'll find a way ♪
♪ My dreams will set me free ♪
(She starts to climb on the stairs created by the pages of her sketch book.)
Now everyone could see just how talented Marinette was as they stared with awe at all her sketches of her designs. Some even wondering if Marinette could make something for them if they asked.
“Every time I see your designs, I can’t help but think it’s something my father could have come up with. You really are talented, Marinette…” Adrien says, still spacing out a bit from Marinette’s beautiful singing voice.
“What?!” C-come on! Y-you’re just saying that…Because you’re so nice! Not because you’re prone to empty flattery! I mean!” Marinette panics as her crush has just honestly complimented her AND compared her work to the greatest fashion designer in France…Things are getting worse for her as Adrien gets up and kneels before her, looking her right in the eye.
“I’m not flattering you, Marinette. Your designs really are amazing. I even heard my father say that you have real potential, and my father doesn’t hand out praise lightly. If he’s impressed, then you know you’re doing something right.” Adrien says kindly, his gentle green eyes staring into her blue.
“D-do you really think so?” Marinette asks, unable to look away from the model’s perfect and caring face.
“I know so. So have more confidence in yourself, okay?”
“Okay…” Marinette nods numbly…and continues to nod even after Adrien gets up and walks back to his seat.
“I think you broke her, dude.” Nino teased
“Huh? What do you mean? I just wanted her to understand how talented she is.” Adrien says confused
“‘Sigh.’ Never change, Adrien, my man, never change,” Nino says, amused as Adrien still looks confused
Marinette:
♪ I will make up my mind ♪
♪ I won't shy away this time ♪
♪ What I could see ♪
(She smells flowers from a florist.)
Marinette
♪ If I believed... ♪
(A waiter serves her food and a baker presents her a cake.)
Marinette:
♪ ...in me! ♪
After that final note, the entire theatre erupts into thunderous applause and whistles (except for Chloe, who sees it as beneath her; Sabrina, who sees Chloe isn’t clapping; and Lila, who gives a more mocking clap, instead of something genuine, not that anyone could tell)
“That was amazing!” Rose beams
“Seriously, we should honestly see about giving Marinette an audition if she’s anywhere close to that level of talent,” Ivan says, blown away, his girlfriend nodding right next to him.
“That was…really…wow,” Luka breathes out as his twin giggles and elbows him.
“I think you might have a fan club forming soon, Marinette.” Alya teased, then turned to her when she didn’t respond…only to see the same dopey smile on her face when Adrien was complementing her work.
“Adrien thinks I’m amazing…” Marinette says dreamingly
“The world just turned off for you as soon as Adrien got involved, didn’t it, girl?” Alya said, amused as she shakes her friend’s shoulder, snapping her out of her trance.
“Huh? I was paying attention! I swear! I just…What were we talking about?” Marinette exclaims as reality finally sets in, and she realizes that the entire school just saw an entire musical number starring her…needless to say, she went catatonic again, especially, when she was immediately crowded by her friends and classmates saying how amazing her onscreen counterpart was.
As Marinette recovers from her embarrassment-induced coma, her parents smile happily, seeing all her friends complimenting and hanging her, proving Marinette’s fears that she wouldn’t make any friends were completely unfounded.
“Even as an Akuma, Claude still spared no expense with the production. Did you see how Marinette’s sketchbook exploded and the whole area turned all dream-like, Dad? Mylene tells her father.
“Yeah, I suppose not even evilisation can stop Claude’s flair for the dramatic,” Fred says, smiling wryly.
“I think it was beautiful! All the dancing, Marinette climbing up stairs made of her hard work into the clouds, the visuals! Oh, I can’t wait to see more!” Rose exclaims, excitedly shaking Juleka’s arm, much to her best friend’s amusement.
Rose’s words snap Marinette out of her stupor. As embarrassing as that was, she can’t forget why she’s here. She was worried now that the screen seemed to be focusing on her, but if this movie is about Ladybug and Chat Noir, then Hawkmoth will definitely be a part of this, and that means, she might be able to stop him once and for all. She just needs to bear with it for just a little bit longer and hope that her secret identity isn’t revealed…She really hopes Chat Noir is handling himself out there okay without her, but she has absolute faith that he’s fine.