HIATUS//Becoming Lila Rossi

Chapter 16: The Akuma's Embrace

Lila's heart pounded in her chest as she limped through the park, her ankle screaming in protest with every step. The crutch under her arm barely helped, and each movement was a painful reminder of her earlier manipulation. The confrontation with Ladybug had not gone as planned. Adrien had tried to calm things down, but it only made her more furious. Tears blurred her vision, a mix of genuine pain and frustration boiling over as she struggled forward.

The park was a vibrant backdrop of summer colors, with children laughing in the distance and joggers passing by, oblivious to the storm brewing within Lila. The scent of blooming flowers mixed with the earthy aroma of the freshly mowed grass. Birds chirped from the trees, their melodies starkly contrasting with the chaos in Lila's mind. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying whispers of conversations from people enjoying their day.

Then, just as suddenly as her anger had flared, everything around her froze. The sounds of the park faded, the wind stilled, and the colors seemed to drain from the world, leaving it in a dull monochrome. Lila came to a halt, breathing heavily, her chest heaving as she looked around.

A holographic screen appeared before her, shimmering in the air.

System Notification:

Congratulations, Lila. You have successfully manipulated Adrien into taking you to the park. You have earned 2 reward points.

Total points: 3

What would you like to do next?

Options appeared on the screen:

Continue manipulating Adrien (2 points).Confront Marinette (1 point).Save up for a better upgrade.Trigger an akumatization (3 points).

Lila's eyes narrowed, her fury returning with a renewed intensity. She stared at the options, her mind racing. Continuing to manipulate Adrien was tempting, but she needed something more immediate, more powerful. Confronting Marinette might be satisfying, but it wouldn't give her the instant power she craved. Saving up for a better upgrade was too slow. She needed something now.

Her gaze locked onto the fourth option. Trigger an akumatization. It was dangerous, but the allure of power was too strong to resist.

I will get akumatized and dramatize my anger from the Ladybug confrontation.

The system processed her choice, and a new notification appeared:

Initiating akumatization sequence...

Time resumed, and Lila felt her anger intensify, amplifying every negative emotion. Her frustration with Ladybug, her humiliation, and her desire for revenge all surged, becoming almost unbearable. Each breath felt like fire in her lungs, each beat of her heart a drum of rage. Her mind replayed the scenes of the park confrontation, each moment seared into her memory with painful clarity.

She leaned heavily on her crutch, her ankle throbbing even more painfully as the rage took over. The whispers of the onlookers, the pity in Adrien's eyes, the disbelief in Ladybug's gaze—everything combined into a maelstrom of anger and humiliation. She felt as if she were drowning in her own emotions, the intensity of her feelings almost too much to bear.

"I'll show them," she muttered through gritted teeth, her breath coming in sharp, angry bursts. "I'll show them all."

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Meanwhile, in his lair, Hawkmoth sensed the surge of negative emotions emanating from Lila. The raw, unfiltered intensity of her anger and pain hit him like a tidal wave. His heart quickened with excitement as he absorbed the energy, feeding off her turmoil. A dark grin spread across his face.

"This is it," he murmured, his voice filled with dark delight. "The perfect catalyst."

He stood in the center of his sanctum, surrounded by the shadows of his own making. The dim light cast eerie shadows on the walls, and the air was thick with an oppressive energy. Raising his hand, he closed his eyes and concentrated, channeling his power through the butterfly brooch on his chest. The room pulsed with a sinister energy as he summoned his akuma.

"Fly away, my little akuma, and evilize her!" His voice resonated with malevolence, echoing through the lair.

A black butterfly emerged, flitting through the air with a sinister grace. It hovered before Hawkmoth for a moment, its wings shimmering with dark energy, before shooting out of the lair and into the city, drawn to Lila like a moth to a flame.

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Lila stood frozen as the akuma merged with her. She could feel it melding with her anger, her pain, her desire for vengeance. Dark tendrils of energy wrapped around her, transforming her appearance. Her jeans morphed into a sleek, sinister outfit. Her new attire consisted of a form-fitting bodysuit in shades of black and dark red, with intricate fox-like patterns woven into the fabric. The suit shimmered with an ethereal glow, giving her a menacing, yet alluring presence. Her eyes glowed with a malevolent light, bright orange irises set against the dark backdrop of her transformation. A mask materialized over her face, sharp and angular, accentuating her vengeful expression.

Her hair lengthened and darkened, flowing behind her like a dark cascade, and her ears became pointed, resembling those of a fox. Her sneakers were replaced with sleek, flexible boots, designed for agility and speed, with sharp claws extending from the toes. Her crutch transformed into a weapon, a long, elegant staff with a sharp blade at one end and a glowing orb at the other, capable of projecting illusions and striking fear into her enemies.

The pain in her ankle vanished, replaced by a newfound strength. She felt powerful, unstoppable. Her physique, now more striking and elegant than ever before, reflected the supermodel upgrade she had chosen earlier. Her enhanced appearance, combined with the dark allure of her new costume, made her look even more formidable than the original Volpina from Miraculous Ladybug.

Hawkmoth's voice echoed in her mind. "You have been wronged, and now you have the power to make them pay. What is your name, my new servant?"

Lila smirked, her voice filled with venom. "I am Volpina."

The transformation was complete. Volpina felt a surge of power and purpose. She was no longer just a girl pretending to be injured; she was a force to be reckoned with.

Her heart pounded with a mix of exhilaration and dark determination. She could feel the raw energy coursing through her veins, each pulse of power sharpening her senses and fueling her rage. Her mind raced with visions of revenge, each one more satisfying than the last.

The park around her came back into focus, the colors vivid and bright again. The scent of flowers and grass filled the air, and the distant sounds of laughter and chatter returned. But now, everything seemed sharper, more intense. Her first target: Ladybug. But she wouldn't stop there. She would make everyone who had ever underestimated her feel her wrath.

Volpina took a step forward, her movements fluid and powerful, no longer hindered by her injury. She felt the strength in her limbs, the agility that came with her transformation, each step a testament to her newfound power. The sleek, dark lines of her suit accentuated her supermodel physique, a stark contrast to the original Volpina's costume from the show.

With her enhanced agility and the power of illusions at her command, Volpina knew she could deceive and dominate her foes with ease. She was ready to unleash chaos upon Paris, her heart burning with a desire for revenge. This time, she wouldn't be underestimated. This time, she would show them all.