Of Gods and Royalty

Chapter 61: Dress-Up

Marinette's POV
I woke with a start. Not only had I had a nightmare less night today was very special. Yesterday Alya had gotten a phone call from an important person. This person was from the queens representative council. The man had told her to contact me and the other heroes to invite us to the opening to an Egyptian museum! When Tiki found out she went ballistic and demanded to see the other kwamii.
I jumped out of bed, comped down breakfast and escaped into the bathroom.
"Tikki you ready?" I asked giddily.
"Just say the words, Mari!" She squealed.
"Tikki spots on!" I transformed and gasped. Looking at myself in the mirror I was stunned. "Tikki." I placed my hands on my chest.
My whole outfit had been changed. I now wore a dress similar to Hyppolitia's but instead of a silver belt mine was gold. The same as my arm pieces and the fan of metal plates protecting my collarbone and neck. I still wore my simple mask but my lips were bright red. On my hands were very tight fingerless gloves. Carefully I climbed out the window and began racing across the rooftops towards the address we'd been given. Once I was there I let out a squeal. This is so exciting!
"Calm down," A security guard told me in Chinese. "You need to go line up."
"I have an invite," I told him as I pulled up a picture on my yo-yo.
"I'm so sorry Miss Ladybug!" He quickly slowed me into the museum. Inside was a huge room with many different ones branching off. In the middle of the one, I now stood in was a tall stage. I waded between the people towards the small steps up onto the platform. All the other heroes were there. I froze halfway up the steps. They betrayed us! I reminded myself. I really hadn't thought of it since the day it happened. A bubble of anger popped and my mind set itself into autopilot. With not a look at the three traitors, I swept across the stage to stand by Reina. The room became stuffy as people packed together. Finally, the coordinator from the council stood up to the microphone. A translator stood to the side.
"I'm pleased to announce the opening of this Egyptian museum." They both called the crowd. "And who better to have open it than the heroes who were there when it all happened, Ladybug and Chat Noir!"
The men stood aside so Chat and I could take the microphone. The heroes were dressed in a theme like me but mine was considerably more extravagant.
"It's an honour to be here for this momentous event," I said in Chinese while Chat translated into French. "I'd like to appreciate our new recruits and how they've over come their fears to step up and become the heroes the world needs."
I look over my shoulder at Alya. "Specially Reina Rouge who will be taking up the roll of our very own messenger. She'll be telling us everything you say on the Lady Blog."
I winked at her as she looked beyond happy.
"My group of heroes are the strongest out there. Each have been specifically chosen for their miraculous. Carapace for his quick thinking, Queen B for her social connections and ability to use them to our advantage. Reina Rouge," I looked over the crowd. "For her ability to calm and diffuse an atmosphere. Her uncanny instincts and ability to make choices for the greater good. Finally my partner in crime Chat Noir for his loyalty and kind heart."
"Ladybug was chosen for a different reason from us," Carapace stood up to the mic. "She chose us for our quality's..."
"Our ability's and values." Queen B looked down never making eye contact with me. "She was chosen because of her sharp mind..."
"Serious attitude, sense of humour but most importantly," Reina Rouge smiled brightly at me. "Her friendship, compassion and unwavering dedication."
"So we'd like to dedicate this museum," The girls and Carapace said. "To our leaders, our idols and our friends. Paris' very own hero's, Ladybug and Chat Noir!"
A/N: Angry ladybug with a grudge. @katekate13245 🐞🐱