Flashback Cutscene: Spotlight

9 years and 7 months ago...

Transcript - 8th July

Adrien Agreste and Ladybug dispel rumours of a relationship.

[AC] Welcome everyone to the Ladyblog. I am Alya Cesaire and with me today I have world famous model, Adrien Agreste and Paris' number 1 resident superhero, Ladybug. Thank you both for being here. How are you?

[LB] Very well thank you.

[AA] I'm great. Glad to be here.

[AC] That's good to hear. So you've both been in the spotlight over the past few months after being spotted together on the rooftop of Adrien's mansion enjoying what people have called a 'romantic picnic'.

*Adrien bursts out laughing before turning to Alya*

[AA] If rosé lemonade and macarons are classed as a 'romantic picnic' then yeah, I guess we're as guilty as charged.

[AC] Sounds pretty special to me. *Alya grins*

[LB] In that case, I also have regular romantic picnics with Chat Noir, then. Although, that usually includes a large selection of cheese too.

[AA] She's a philanderess!

[LB] I certainly am not!

*They both laugh*

[AC] I never saw you as a player, Ladybug. Do you have both of Paris' most eligible bachelors at your beck and call?

[LB] *chuckling* I do not. I know Adrien is in a loving, committed relationship, and as for my partner... well... for safety reasons we don't discuss our 'out of mask' lives.

[AC] Understandable. Adrien, do you have anything to add? Do you want to let us know more about your girlfriend?

[AA] *Adrien's face brightens* I could talk about her all day, but I don't think it would be a good idea as I don't want to embarrass her.

[AC] She sounds very special.

[AA] Oh! She most certainly is! Even this lovely lady next to me doesn't match the awesomeness of my girlfriend. She's perfect.

[LB] Adrien talks to me a lot about his girlfriend, and I've got to say, this is the kind of love I want. He adores her so much. I don't think anyone could pull them apart even if they tried.

*Adrien smiles at Ladybug and then Alya*

[AC] I'm lucky enough to know Adrien's girlfriend and I've got to say their love really is something special. I've never seen anything like it before, and I've been with my own boyfriend for 3 years now. *Alya looks at the camera* Nino, if you're watching this, can you call your bff and ask him for some tips.

*They all start laughing as Adrien's phone begins to ring instantly on the table*

[AA] *Checking the name on the screen* It looks like he took it literally. He does know this is live, right?

[AC] Nino, end the call now! *Alya glares into the camera*

*The phone stops ringing and they all laugh again. Adrien turns to look at the camera*

[AA] I'll give you a call later, Nino. *Adrien winks*

[AC] So, to clarify, there is nothing going on between you and Ladybug? The spotlight is on you both at the moment and we're all ready to celebrate or mourn what could be the power couple of Paris?

[LB] 100% there is nothing going on between Adrien Agreste and Ladybug.

[AA] ...And I hope that when Ladybug is lucky enough to find her other half he treats her like the Queen that she is. She deserves the best.

*****

Level 6: Storm Front
Present...

Nino shivered as the cool night air whipped across his arms, causing him to wrap himself tightly in his denim jacket. He thought it was going to be warmer, it was meant to be warmer, it was July afterall; however the impending wind could only mean a thunder storm was brewing, about to be unleashed.

Stopping on the street corner, Nino pulled his phone from his pocket and checked the email again. He looked up to the street corner and caught sight of the street name, one he wasn't familiar with. When he'd been asked to meet his new client, he was shocked to find the address was in a part of Paris he wasn't aware of, one he'd never ventured to, and looking around it wasn't hard to see why.

As he'd made his way closer to his destination, the buildings had become more and more decrepit. The lamp posts shattered and lay in pieces on the footpaths, laying beside the stubbed out cigarette buts and clumps of gum clinging for freedom on his shoe. He quickly tapped a couple of buttons on his phone and sent a location update to Alya before moving back onto Google Maps.

Nino searched for the address again. A couple more streets and he should be at his destination. Slowly, he began to move on, he read back the email and checked the ins and outs of the contract he was about to sign. This was going to be amazing for him. Putting him in the limelight in a way he had never been before, in a way which he craved and desired. Alya was thrilled for him. This was going to put them on the way to the life they wanted, his paycheck and subsequent additional pay would help them on their way to their greatest desires. A house. A car. Children.

Nino smiled to himself. Life would be sweet. They would wake up in the morning knowing they wouldn't have to budget every single thing. They could treat themselves and live a life almost as incredible as their friends. All he had to do was walk into the meeting and perform the way he'd been in his 'mock' interviews with Adrien over the years. His friend had always made sure he would wow whoever was on the other side of the desk.

The wind whirled again, this time grabbing hold of him and almost blowing the hat from his head. Quickly reaching up, Nino slammed a hand down keeping the hat securely there as he battled on, the rumble of the storm following closely behind him. He should have worn a proper coat, or at least brought an umbrella, but unfortunately style won out leaving him left out in the elements to get wet.

A flash lit up the distance, Nino suddenly speeding up to reach his destination before the heavens opened and he was held hostage in a mighty downpour. A quick glance at his phone again, and the map turned him once more to the right before the red dot of his destination danced happily in his sight.

He came to a standstill at the edge of the path, looking both ways before walking across the road. There seemed to be no cars down this area, no signs of life. With a stretch, he pulled his hat down a little on his head and began to walk down the alleyway where directed.

A quick tap on his phone screen and he'd sent another notification to Alya. There was a slight stirring in his stomach, a gut dropping lurch battling against his feet as he carried on walking. Only to increase as a rumble was heard in the background.

Number 23.

Number 24.

Number 25.

Nino continued, suppressing his anxiety as it grew tighter and tighter with each step into its darkness.

Number 26.

Number 27.

Number 28

Number 29.

Slowly, Nino came to a stop outside number 30. This was it.

Looking up, he tried to find anything indicating the name of the company or a sign of life; however, there was no signage, or anything else on the building for that matter. Stepping forward, Nino attempted to shrug off the increasing tension in his shoulders and pull himself together — did he want this job or not?

He raised his hand to ring the doorbell.

A long, drawn out sound of ringing echoed through the alleyway, a cat yelping in response to the sudden violation waking them from their nap. The added sound of clattering joined the atmospheric ambiance. Gulping, Nino pressed the button again, the noise this time sounding even more ominous than before.

Maybe he shouldn't have come here! Maybe he should have checked out the website first.

A few minutes later and there was still no sign of life. He tried to push down on the handle only to find it unlocked. A slight push on the door and it opened, allowing him to step in; coughs rattled his chest as he breathed in far too many dust bunnies.

This just couldn't be the right place. It was clearly abandoned or used as a place for drug swaps and squatters.

"Hello?" he announced, moving a couple more paces into the room, the floorboards creaking under the weight of his foot. "Hello?" he questioned again.

A faint light shone from the back of the room, a glow fading in and out of view almost as though a candle was lit.

Moving deeper into the room, like a moth drawn to a flame, Nino was surprised to find soft music played in the back room. A soft and calming melody, the complete opposite to how he was feeling at the moment.

This must be a joke. It had to be. Maybe he'd been set up. Adrien was known for playing pranks, it must have been him. Or maybe even Kim? Yet, would either of them actually be this cruel?

Tapping around on his phone again, he sent a quick sos to Alya before deciding to get out of there. This must be the wrong place.

Swiftly turning, Nino placed his phone in his pocket and made for the front door, only to stop as a wall of bubbles encroached on him and the odd couple exploded against his face.

Nino winced as they scattered around then popped. That wasn't normal bubble fluid, the burning sensation on his forehead a clear indication it was something far more toxic. Poisonous!?. Another bubble dropped to his arm, a yelp leaving his lips as it popped and soaked through his denim covered arm. He watched in horror as the material burnt away and the affected skin reddened before blistering — almost instantly. He stumbled backwards in search of a new means of escape.

In the mere seconds he had to decide, the bubbles came thicker and faster; the wind from the outside creeping in through the unsealed windows, the howling causing a musical backdrop.

Another mass of bubbles moved towards him landing on various parts of his body.

"FUCK!" he hissed, as they continued to multiply and scald his skin. He was surrounded without a clue what to do or where to go.

The doorway was blocked. There was no other option than to try and find another exit out of the building and to the safety of the alleyway. Moving towards the flickering light, Nino stumbled and growled his way to the next room; bubbles following closely on his trail.

He reached down for his wrist, Wayzz? If he could just get away from the bubbles he could transform and call his shield, the last thing he'd want to do was trap them inside with him.

Skidding around a corner, Nino found himself in a candle lit room complete with intricate graffiti spread across the walls. He scanned the room, quickly noticing there was only one other door to escape. He bolted in that direction, a couple more ill timed bubbles hitting the back of his arms and neck causing him to cry out in pain. They needed to stop following him. Just a short reprieve to transform and get out of there.

Never in his life had he thought he was going to die. He'd fought alongside Ladybug and Chat Noir for years supporting them and backing them in any form possible. Never would he have considered his ending would be like this. Stuck in a Home Alone style trap and killed by bubbles — quite ironic really. His first time as a villain was as the Bubbler and now he was going to die from his unintended mistake. Teenage, hormonal issues from anger at his best friend's father.

Reaching the door, Nino yanked it open only to find another room, a room full of picture covered walls and targets on faces.

Shit!

Not sure what to do, Nino attempted to back out again. Perhaps a few burns would be nothing compared to staying in this room which was obviously the home to a psychopath.

Each picture was like something from another life. Chat Noir and Ladybug's masks etched onto faces... two faces he knew well. Faces which unfortunately pulled him in deeper.

"No," Nino whispered to himself, moving in and looking closer. "No," he said again, a tremble passing into his hands as he stretched up and trailed a finger over one of the photographs, then another, then another. This can't be right. It just can't be.

"Adrien?" He found a picture of his friend, smiling and laughing at the camera, his arm swung around Marinette on a local trip to a theme park. "Marinette?" Both faces were adorned with masks – one black and one red. This just wasn't making sense, but then... it was. Is this where they both disappeared all the time? Did they even know about each other? This couldn't be right, he had to be in another world. Or maybe a fever dream from the bubbles?

Grabbing his phone from his pocket, he turned around the room slowly snapping as many pictures as he could before checking they'd sent to the cloud — ignoring the pains in his fingers and arms as he made the action. His eyes trying to avoid the small bubbles blisters, raging with pain. In his shock at the pictures' contents, he failed to notice that the bubbles hadn't followed him into the room.

Finally, he turned his head quickly to the other side of the room where one lone photograph had been enlarged and placed on the wall; faces disfigured and one entirely scratched away. Nino's thoughts went straight to thinking this was the next target, however, a tiny tug in the back of his head said... final!

"Shit! Shit! Shit!"

Edging backwards, Nino collided with something solid. Had the door closed behind him? He never touched anything or heard anything. The sounds of deep breathing came from the object he'd just hit. The hard stature of someone behind him. Slowly turning, Nino let out a deep breath.

"Oh! Fuck! Thank God!" he exclaimed, a hand on his heart. "Listen, dude, I don't know how you got in here but I'm hoping you know a way out... it's like a freaking funhouse in here." Nino's chuckle was cut short as he noticed the cold, dark eyes of the person in front of him. They were hollow and empty. Lifeless!

"Hey, are you —"

Before Nino could finish his sentence, he was completely engulfed in bubbles. A wave of pain ripped through his body. It ripped through him again.

And again.

And again.

The room began to blur. His sight fading through the intense pain and tears. Stumbling backwards, he felt his back hit the wall and he heard a scream, maybe his, before everything went black.