Last one-shot! I still can't confirm the release date of the second story, but it should be ready in about five or so weeks. Until then, this short-yet-important story will set up for what's up next for Big Hero Miraculous.
Summer vacation is here, and it is two nights before Marinette, Adrien, and Avery will arrive in San Fransokyo. Meanwhile, Hiro is walking through a mirror labyrinth.
Hiro: This is so weird. These things always gave me the creeps when I was a kid. (bumps into a mirror, instead of his own reflection, he sees his father, Tomeo)
Tomeo: Hiro!
Hiro: Dad?
Tomeo: Don't turn around, don't look away!
In the mirror, Hiro sees the reflection of the mirror behind him, Tomeo is seen dead behind him.
Hiro: What?
Tomeo disappears. Hiro runs.
Hiro: I've gotta get out of here!
Maemi: Hiro!
Hiro: Mom! Not you too!
Maemi: Stay here.
Hiro: I will, I'm not losing you again.
A similar event happens to Maemi, Hiro continues to run.
Hiro: I'm seeing a pattern here, so next is...
Tadashi: Hiro!
Hiro: This is an illusion, you aren't really trapped, you've communicated with me before.
Tadashi: No, it's real! Don't move.
Hiro: My mind is playing tricks on me again, I know it!
Tadashi: Don't go on, you don't want to see the end of this labyrinth.
Hiro: Tadashi, whether this is really you or not, I have to go, I have to get out of here and back home.
Tadashi: No! (disappears)
Hiro: I'm sorry. (runs off, finds the final mirror, sees Marinette) Marinette!? Why are you in here?
Marinette is silent.
Hiro: I can't take this anymore! (shatters mirror, in a chain reaction, all of the mirrors shatter, Hiro wakes up, motionless, after a few minutes, his phone rings, he answers)
Marinette: Sorry to bother you at night, but...
Hiro: You can bother me as much as you want to!
Marinette: What was tonight's dream about?
Hiro: Creepy mirror labyrinth, I saw my parents and Tadashi trapped in mirrors, they all died and vanished when I looked away, and at the very end...I saw you.
Marinette: Oh.
Hiro: I think my dream was trying to symbolize your death, but you're still here, so maybe it didn't mean anything.
Marinette: Yeah, they aren't always going to be accurate.
Hiro: Are you alright? You sound kind of down about something.
Marinette: No, it's nothing, I'm fine.
Hiro: Then why didn't you tell Honey Lemon or any of us what happened with Master Fu earlier?
Marinette: Look, I'm just stressed. He said that my powers don't work the way they're supposed to unless someone is using the moth Miraculous. Master Fu still needs to find someone worthy of it, so that no one uses it for evil again. It'll probably take years for my Lucky Charm to be restored.
Hiro: There has to be another way.
Marinette: There isn't! I have to go, bye. (hangs up)
Hiro: (to himself) What has happened to my life?
The next morning, Avery is cheerfully preparing for her last day of school.
Peeka: I've never seen you this happy on a school day!
Avery: That's because it's the last day before summer vacation, so I don't care what happens! Today is already seeming like an insignificant part of the past!
Peeka: Aren't you worried about those rotten classmates of yours?
Avery: Nope, I can basically get away with anything today, because it'll be forgotten by the time school starts up again next year. Last year, my friend Lindsey recorded a video of me break dancing in the middle of reading class, and we showed the video to everyone in our classes, and by the time we got back, Lindsey and I were the only ones who remembered it!
Peeka: Are you gonna break dance again?
Avery: Nah, but I do have something else in mind!
Peeka: Avery, you know I think you're awesome, but sometimes you really do scare me.
Avery: Let's go!
Peeka: So strange.
The students in Avery's math class exchange yearbooks with their friends to sign.
Avery: Hey everybody! (sings) Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and dessert you!
Lindsey: (laughing) Stop!
Katrina: Who wants to sign my book?
Lindsey: There you are! What took you so long?
Katrina: I've made it my goal for this year to get everyone in our 9th grade class to sign my book!
Avery: Why?
Lindsey: Gross.
Katrina: (sarcastically) You two are so nice.
Avery: I'm just saying, these are the people I don't want to remember as an adult.
Katrina: Well I do, "these people" are my friends.
Jewel: I still can't believe Katrina thinks we're BFFs.
Katrina: And Chris, he's so perfect!
Lindsey: Are you suffering from a recent head injury?
Chris: Ha, looks like I'm Katrina's weekly boy crush. Interesting.
Katrina: Yeah, that's coming from the girl who hasn't been in a real relationship before.
Avery: Well, I kind of have a boyfriend, and I've gotta say I agree with Lindsey. This isn't even me being biased since I can't stand Chris, you just decided you like him today out of nowhere, as you've done with every guy who's ever come into your life since kindergarten.
Lindsey: Whoa, when did you get a boyfriend? Who's the lucky guy? Or if he treats you badly, who's the unlucky guy I'm gonna pound?
Avery: He doesn't go to school here, he goes to college in San Fransokyo.
Lindsey: Score! Nice one! College kid! I'm so jealous.
Katrina: Anyway, Chris is next on my list, wish me luck!
Lindsey: She's gonna need it. Oh well, at least that'll give me a non-selfish reason to torment him after he hurts her.
Katrina: Hi Chris!
Chris: Hi Katrina. I wanted your opinion on something.
Katrina: (excitedly) On what?
Chris: I wanted to know how to ask out a girl.
Katrina: Well, you don't have to know, because I was about to ask you out!
Chris: Not you! I meant one of your friends, Avery and the scary emo chick, how do I talk to them without them ripping my head off?
Katrina: Easy, you don't. (whacks his hand with her purse) See ya! (walks back to her friends)
Avery: To be fair, you should've seen that coming.
Katrina: I know, you two are the best!
Lindsey: Aw, so are you when you aren't trying to hang out with those jerks. I've gotta go to the bathroom, be right back!
Chris: Lindsey just left, you know what to do.
Jewel: Hey Katrina! Come take a selfie with us!
Katrina: Yay! (runs over)
Chris: So, Avery, you heard of Apidae?
Avery: (nervously) Yeah, who hasn't?
Chris: She kinda looks like you, only way hotter!
Avery: Whatever.
Chris: So, how's your last day of school going?
Avery: There's been better.
Chris: What's this? (takes sketch of Apidae)
Avery: Give it back!
Chris: I take it you're a serious Apidae fan.
Avery: You could say that.
Chris: Ooh! There's more! (takes all of her sketches) What's up with all the superheroes?
Avery: They remind me of home, a place better than here, with people who are way less irritating than you.
Lindsey: Dude, you're in my desk.
Chris: I don't see your name on it!
Lindsey points to her name tag.
Lindsey: Looks like you're out of excuses, so I'll just be sitting down now, good day!
Avery: Thanks.
Lindsey: I don't sweat guys like that.
Avery: *gasps* One minute until the bell rings!
Lindsey: Wow! Really? Quick, get Katrina!
Katrina: We look so cool in this pic!
Jewel: Uh huh.
Avery: 30 seconds! (grabs Katrina's wrist and drags her to the clock)
Katrina: Did you really have to do that?
Avery: Yes, you always start to countdown!
Katrina: 10!
Avery: 9!
Lindsey: 8!
Katrina: 7!
Avery: 6!
Lindsey: 5!
All Three: 4, 3, 2!
Chris and Jewel: 1!
Bell rings.
All: Freedom! (run out)
Avery: It's finally over! Well, gotta go home and pack!
Katrina: You're so lucky, I love costume parties!
Lindsey: Yeah, I get to dress as myself and not be judged!
Avery: Just one problem: I still don't know what my costume should be.
Lindsey: Whoa whoa whoa, let me get this straight, you got invited to a costume party three months ago, and you're leaving tomorrow, and you STILL don't have a costume?
Avery: Yes...
Katrina: Luckily we have you covered! So, got any old Halloween costumes that still fit?
Avery: I've been wearing the same vampire queen outfit for the past five years, I wanna do something different.
Lindsey: You could cosplay a character.
Avery: I've already cosplayed all of my favorite characters from all of my favorite fandoms before!
Lindsey: Alright, you aren't making this easy. Call us later if you need some advice.
Katrina: We've got everything you might need from sparkly and shiny...
Lindsey: ...and dark and mysterious.
Katrina: How are we friends?
Lindsey: Fate. Destiny. Desperation.
Katrina: Are you talking about you or me?
Lindsey: Both.
The three laugh and exit. Adrien is seen emptying his closet.
Nino: Dude, you don't need to bring your entire closet!
Adrien: I don't?
Nino: No, bro, just pack whatever's most important!
Adrien: I had no idea, I've never really traveled before. So, I guess that means I've gotta put all this back.
Nino: No worries! I'll help!
They reorganize Adrien's closet.
Adrien: Let's see here, costume, clothing, cheese...
Nino: I still don't get why you're always eating camembert.
Adrien: (sniffs, cringes) I just love it! (video call comes through, answers)
Hiro: Hi Adrien!
Adrien: Oh, hey Hiro!
Nino: Cool, you kept contact with Hiro! Sup dude?
Hiro: (lies) Everything's been going just great!
Adrien: I'm almost done packing, I can't wait for tomorrow!
Hiro: Me neither! Uh, Adrien, according to this new app, you need to use the bathroom really badly, you should probably go.
Fred: Smooth!
Hiro: (whispers) What else was I supposed to say?
Adrien: Actually, I just went.
Hiro: The app doesn't lie, go again! This is for your well being! Oh, and take the phone with you and don't hang up.
Nino: Why are you so creepy?
Hiro: It's for science! Come on, Adrien, let's go.
Adrien shrugs and obeys.
Nino: Well, that was creepy.
Adrien: (closes door) You know this is really an invasion of privacy.
Hiro: I hope you know I was just saying that to get you alone and I don't want to see anything that normally goes on in this bathroom.
Adrien: Yeah, just messing with you! What'cha need?
Hiro: Has Marinette been acting really strange towards you lately?
Adrien: Now that you mention it, she's been super moody.
Hiro: I had another one of those dreams last night, and I had to watch my parents and brother die for the second time, and then, I watched Marinette. I think she knows something that we don't.
Adrien: If that dream meant anything, Marinette's in trouble, and we need to prevent it.
Plagg: I think I might know what's going on here.
Hiro: What are you waiting for?
Adrien: Tell us!
Plagg: Wait, I forgot. Cheese always helps me think. (eats camembert)
Adrien: Ugh, Hiro, you're lucky you can't smell this.
Hiro: Whoa, how does he eat all that so fast?
Adrien: Beats me. I try not to think about it.
Plagg: Anyway, the ladybug and black cat Miraculouses are linked to the moth and turtle Miraculouses, and since Nooroo is inactive, Ladybug is affected. The only way to restore her powers are if we find a new Hawk Moth or if Marinette was chosen for the Hero's Sacrifice Challenge by the universe. Basically, she'll either reach ultimate power and become even stronger, or, well, sorry to say, Hiro's nightmare comes true.
Both: What!?
Adrien: This is too risky, I can't let her do it!
Hiro: We have to stop her!
Adrien: How? Marinette can be pretty stubborn.
Hiro: If she wouldn't tell me, maybe she'd tell you, I mean, since the second I met her, all she did was crush on you.
Adrien: True, well, there's nothing she can do about it. We know her little secret, and there's nothing anyone can do to change that.
Nino: Adrien? Are you done in there? And tell Hiro I don't want him watching me.
Hiro: No, it's just Adrien!
Adrien: Couldn't you have thought of a less disgusting excuse?
Hiro: It was better than kick Nino out of his own room!
Adrien: Yeah, but that's nowhere near as awkward and disturbing! (leaves bathroom)
Nino: You guys are messed up.
Hiro: Well, I think we're done here. (beeping sound) Oh, nevermind, Avery wants to join our chat. (answers)
Avery: Hi! I'm so excited, I can't wait for tomorrow! Adrien, why are you in the bathroom?
Adrien: Long and creepy story.
Hiro: I hate to kill the mood, but Marinette's in trouble.
Avery: What's going on?
Adrien: Her powers are weakening, and the only way to get them back is if we find a non-evil Hawk Moth or if she makes a deadly sacrifice.
Avery: And she's considering the sacrifice!?
Hiro: Yep, she's been acting weird lately, and I saw her die in my nightmare, and when I told her, well, it wasn't a fun time.
Avery: Alright, what are we gonna do?
Adrien: We still haven't figured that part out.
Hiro: Let's see, Adrien, you can go talk some sense into her, then meet up with Master Fu and try to find a new Hawk Moth. In case she needs it, I'll set up my computer to make a substitute Ladybug suit. It won't be magical, but I might be able to possible recreate her yo-yo. It might not be as sturdy, but it should be good enough.
Avery: What can I do?
Hiro: Avery, this is a serious mission. I'm not putting your life on the line, this new enemy is really strong. Maybe it's best you just sit back for this one.
Avery: Are you kidding me? I can handle this! You don't understand, something amazing happened to me, and I think I can do it!
Hiro: Collectibles don't increase your abilities.
Avery: No, it's not like that, I wanted it to be a surprise, I'll show you in person tomorrow, and prepare to take back what you said!
Hiro: About the collectibles?
Avery: No, well yes, but I meant the sitting back part.
Nino: Ok, why is there a girl's voice in there? What are you guys talking about anyway?
Adrien: Trust me, you do not want to know.
Nino: Ok, I'm going to the gas station bathroom, this is so wrong!
Avery: What does Nino think you're up to, anyway?
Adrien: Basically...
Hiro: Dude, don't tell her!
Adrien: Too embarrassing?
Hiro: Uh, yeah!
Avery: I'm gonna go, I'm supposed to meet my friends to pick out a costume.
Adrien: You still don't have one?
Avery: I forgot, I've been really busy! You could say I've been as busy as a bee!
Adrien: Ha, try being Cat Noir! Everyone expects purrfection out of me!
Avery: Yay, more puns. Anyway, I seriously do have to go, stay online, I'll be back soon. (ends call)
Hiro: I guess I'd better go too, we'll talk more later, this time in the backyard.
Adrien: Thanks, I need to air out the cheese smell from this room before I pass out. Bye. (ends call)
Marinette is packing for the trip.
Tikki: Is there any way I can talk you out of this?
Marinette: I can't back down, Tikki, Ladybug depends on it. Besides, if my destiny has already been written, what's the point in trying to change it?
Tikki: But it hasn't, it's not too late to forget about all of this and pass on the brooch to someone.
Marinette: Let's face it, I have to complete the Hero's Sacrifice Challenge.
Adrien is walking through the park.
Adrien: If Marinette's serious about that Hero's Sacrifice Challenge, I'm not letting her do it alone.
Plagg: But you don't have to, your powers work fine, it's not worth it!
Adrien: Yes it is, whatever happens to her, happens to me. If she levels up, then so will I, and if she goes down, we both go down. In fact, I'll go tell her right now!
Plagg: You are officially crazy.
Blackout.
Marinette: I never thought I would do this in my entire life, it seems so out there. Today I will travel to San Fransokyo, I once believed this would be a happy occasion, but unfortunately, everything is about to change for me and for everyone, for better or for worse. No one is sure what the outcome of my actions will be, or what I must face, and must overcome. I don't know how much time I have left, but it probably won't be long before I hit the wall blocking my path, and the rest life and death will decide from there. Before this happens, I just want to say goodbye. Goodbye to my loving parents, my best friends, teammates, all of the people who've ever come into my life. This isn't the end yet, but I leave Paris today, possibly the last time I set foot in this city. My home. I'll miss the Eiffel Tower, and I'll miss my sketchbook, and most of all, I'll miss you, Adrien, Cat Noir. You've changed my life, and I've changed yours. If our paths never crossed, we would both be miserable.
Adrien: Marinette, I understand why you're doing this, but if things don't go according to plan, it would leave a permanent scar in my heart. That's why I'm never leaving your side, while you'll try to stop me, I'm following you into the Hero's Sacrifice Challenge. I'll walk right through the deadly obstacles, whatever it takes.
Hiro: This is the moment where everything comes together. Just when you think you've reached the point where nothing else can go wrong, something changes. Now that I know what the future could hold for Marinette, and we're getting closer and closer to discovering the villain, all of the things that happened in the past few months are slowly starting to make sense.
Avery: It's moments like this that make me realize that there's more to me than just that goofy kid. For once in my life, I'm really needed for something, but no one believes in me. Marinette is really serious about this sacrifice, and while I don't support it in any way, right now, they'll need someone else with a Miraculous, they'll need me. Without Ladybug, they'll need someone to step in and fight in her position. I may not be as strong and experienced, and I may not have Lucky Charm, but I'm not useless, I'm not defenseless. I realize now that this is more than just a game, it's a true responsibility, and I want people to view me as a real hero, not just the girl on the sidelines cheering them on, and I wouldn't even feel fulfilled as behind-the-scenes mission control. This isn't about me wanting to impress anyone, it's about me finally reaching the point in my life where I can actually step in and become a truly necessary member of a team, discover my locked potentials and skills that I never knew I had.
All four: Whatever happens, happens.
Adrien: We're in this together.
Avery: I was meant to fight alongside Big Hero Miraculous.
Hiro: The pieces of this puzzle are coming together.
Marinette: This is not the end.
All four: Our lives will never be the same again, but we must go through with this.
This is the final one-shot. I'll be back to this soon!