6 The player

I landed on the first story, tumbling over after my fall from the second floor. I dodged pedestrians as they played games with one another. Finally, making it to where the most ruckus was.

I planted heavily as I entered the stadium looking at a man with different games dressed over him. He had Cat and Bugs playing human chess.

I took his distraction in the game as a chance to at least land one blow on him.

As soon as I was right behind him I jumped onto his back wrapping my legs around his stomach and my arms around his neck tightly. As soon as he got distracted by me Ladybugs and Cats game vanished and they plopped to the floor, exhausted.

He grunted and tried and tried shaking me off but I stayed put keeping my grip strong and firm. At some point in his struggle my fingers had slipped and when he shook one more time I was flung off, hitting my back hard against the stadium wall. Cat and Ladybug turned their heads to look at me, concern filling their looks but by the rapid movement of their chests I knew they couldn't help no matter how much they wanted to. I stood up my legs wobbling slightly.

The man had glared at me for a second before turning his head back to Ladybug and Cat Noir, a smug look on his face. "Looks like you lost all the games. Now you have to wait till your next match. In your next life of course." He said and I saw the worry in both the heroes faces. Something rang in my head making me shout out.

"Hey that's cheating!" I jogged over to where the man was, the two tired heroes only 10 yards away. "How do you mean? I play fair and the fairest only." He says his chin up. I shake my head. "You did, but their game ended short. They didn't lose, it's just on hold." I pointed at the cat and bug heroes as they wondered what I was doing.

The man thought about it and nodded understanding my statement. Then he smirked. "Ok but... you are really only torturing them more. Can't you see how tired they are? Wouldn't endless slumber be better than this?" He points at the two heroes trying to persuade me to just have them die. But I shook my head looking at the man sternly. "Death isn't better than anything. Whether you want to die or not. It's not the right choice." I said and he simply shrugged, nodding as he spawned a chair and plopped onto it.

The heroes stood wobbly and a game board of points appeared.

The man stood up next to the board. "I am the player, if you choose to forfeit you can only understand that means no more games~ Our first game, a must have, tag." I saw as the energy left both the heroes. "Cat... I don't know about this one. I'm exhausted!" Cat nodded but he grabbed Ladybugs hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I smiled. 'How cute.'

Then I looked down at my wrist. I still had my five drama masks. I don't think ladybug and Cat could see theirs but if they were about to lose... they're down to one each. I bit my lip at my own stupidity. 'People tell me I'm full of surprises. Always something they didn't expect. Believe me I surprise myself more than a surprise party planner.'

"I'm part of their team! So for all of the games, I'm going to play." I stepped near the two heroes. Cat and I were close in height but ladybug was a good two inches under me.

"But Y/n-" Alright. Rules are simple. One on one. Whoever makes ten first. Wins the game." ... basketball!

The game started after a whistle blew. Swish after swish of the hoops, seemed to never end. Together, we had shot 18 times and made it. The both of us 9-9.

I had the ball and dribbled on the court that had appeared after the whistle blew. I passed him and threw up my hands as if to shoot and he hopped to block but I filled the ball back down and when he started falling to the ground I hopped, shooting.

The timer rang as the ball hit the floor of the court after it went through the hoop. I panted. He played well. And basketball isn't my sport so I'd say I did well.

Basketball was Kimmy's sport. I looked up from the floor and saw 'The Player' breathing heavily with a crease in between  his eyebrows.

I stood up, holding my breath trying to calm it, and walked over to him. "Hey man. Good game. Just give me your medal and we're-"NO!" My eyebrows furrowed as he held my neck closing off my air. "I DIDNT LOSE! YOU CHEATED! I AM NOT GIVING YOU MY MEDAL!" He had that annoying ring in his voice that made me want to tear off my ears.

I put my hands on his, trying to losing his grip and taking a gasp of air every chance I got. I wanted for the heroes to help. I wanted for someone to help me. But no one came. No one wanted to help me. But what good am I if I didn't surprise you every now and then? That would be no fun.

On the next gasp of air I took, I lifted my legs and wrapped them around his arm. The pressure around his arms caused him to let go and I fell to the floor, coughing. I pushed myself backwards on the floor trying to regain my composure. He held onto his arm and I noticed it was in an odd position.

'I had broken it'

I take in a breath and lift myself up. He stomped over to me his teeth gritted. "Woah Woah. Calm down. Don't wanna lose any teeth." I smiled at him throwing a punch at his face. Ironically, it was the punch that seemed to break a few teeth. He covered his mouth and I took the chance to take the medal, breaking the band that held it around his neck.

I looked for lady bug and then I saw why they didn't go to help me. They were unconscious on the floor.

'Please work. Please work. Please work.'

I knelt next to lady bug and got her yo-yo from her waist. I fiddled with it as I saw 'The Player' spitting out blood and teeth. The thing clicked open and I sighed in relief. Using my hands, I broke the medal in half. A black moth flew out of it and the yo-yo's screen turned a blinding white. I jumped and caught the moth.

'Uhmm what do I do now?! Um-ummm... ah-yes!'

I threw it up in the air and said "miraculous ladybug." Around the yo-yo red and black spots flew around the city and everything that I saw turned back to normal.

'Why does she yell? I didn't yell and everything worked out fine.'

I wondered about the Netflix series but was called back to Earth when I heard the groans of the two heroes. Turning around I saw the black cat and the bug. Her yo-yo was back in her waist even though I hadn't put it there. The once akumatized civilian was passed out on the floor a few yards away from them. It seemed like his teeth were back. And my wrists were clean. Well as much as they were before.

Ladybug sat up rubbing her head and the cat jumped up after only opening his eyes. He was tensed. "Where-who-what!" He was looking around for, Im guessing, 'The Player'.

Ladybug pulled on his tail and he yelped. "He's not here." She stated and pointed at me. "She saved Paris." She smiled at me and the black cat looked confused as he tried to process what she said.

"You make it sound more glorious than what it is. I hear you two do it all the time anyways. It was just a one time thing." I chuckled, smiling lightly as I fiddled with my fingers behind my back.

"But you did it without help, and without a partner, too. You should be really proud." She added. I nodded and took a step back. "I'm just really good at games. That's all." I stated taking more steps away from them.

"Well it's nice to know you're not always falling off the sides of buildings." The cat teased resting his hand in Ladybugs shoulder. I was glaring at him when Ladybugs earring went off and she put her hand to it. "Well I have to get going. Goodbye and thank you for what you did today!" She exclaimed before using her yo-yo and swinging off.

I glanced around in the awkward silence. "Well-uhm." I raised a hand but put it back down.

"I gotta-." He scratched his head.

"I'm going to-"I pointed at the direction of the school.

"Yeah. Ok." We both said before turning our backs on one another.

I heard the metal of his baton tap against the grass and then the swish of his body against the wind. I didn't have to look back to know he left. The man from earlier was not there anymore but I decided to not pay attention to it.

I walked my way to the school, looking at the buildings and the people. Most of the civilians were panting from exhaustion or hugging one another, I'm guessing from joy. Somehow some of my classmates were on the streets too. Must've been a game.

I walked past Rose and Juleka while Juleka was rubbing Rose's back. Then a few blocks down I saw Marinette walking out of an alleyway. And of course, it wouldn't be a cheesy romance if another romantic character didn't coincidentally meet her.

Luka rang the bell on his bike as he reached Marinette. From his dyed tips, to his piercings I admired it all. A 'dream guy' as some would say. He's kind, smart, and understanding. Even after Marinette basically rejected him because she wanted to be with Adrien, he was understanding and didn't blow up on her for not choosing him.

Their conversation was only little bits in my ears from the distance between us.

'I wouldn't want to interfere with their romance so I'll just go.' Iglanced at a crack in the sidewalk before turning away from the two and continuing my way to school.

There, Ms. Bustier was fixing her suit top and some students were talking to one another in their seats. At the sight of me her eyes widened. "Ah! You must be Ms. Manuel!" She smiled brightly at me and I almost gagged at the name. "No its Hernandez. He's not my father." I pick up my bag and stuff my water bottle inside that I had picked up from the hallway.

She clears her throat clapping her hands together and looking at me awkwardly. "Ah- ok! Well then let's see where we can sit you..." she looked around the class but from the series, I knew there were no more left.

"If there's no room I can always ask a teacher for a desk." I suggested pointing at the open door of the classroom. He glanced at me one more time. "Oh no! No, you can just... sit... right there!" She pointed at Adrien and Ninos seat. I raised an eyebrow.

'Is she good?'

"But don't... Adrien and Nino sit there?" Her eyes widened and she clapped happily. "Great you seem to be familiar with them already! The three of you sitting together won't be an issue then!" I look at her with a... look on my face.