#and what it says about lexi's character/view of being a superhero as a whole)

[mindmxtters]

making you a patron saint of something

patron saint of martyrs

the patron saint of those who died to be like you. maybe you died to be like them too: but at the end of it, you weren't like them. patron saint of tragedy. saint of saints. it's you who holds the hands of the holy dead, and you who has to answer: what do they do if they regretted it?

tagged by: yoinked! live fast live free make memes!

[alexdanversfbi]

Supergirl, Sanvers Fandom and LGBTQ - in response to Twitter Posts.

I’m making a post to try & clarify some things since I made a post, & subsequent issues that have arisen from it. Forewarning, this is going to be quite lengthy but I hope you will read it carefully and fully.

Firstly, I’m a transgender man. I’m in my early 50’s. I’m happily married.

My wife (who now ID’s as bi, but for a long time until my transition, was lesbian, as I had lived as well), quite honestly have been involved in the LGBT community & push for representation and law changes longer than many Sanvers fans have been alive.

I say this to make the point, not to say it makes us better at it, or everyone needs to listen only to us - but that to say we’ve seen no representation, to poor & patchy representation, to representation starting to improve.

Both in laws of the land & on screen.

We’ve faced homophobia & seen transphobia up front and personal since childhood. My in-laws were a staunch allies for lgbt people. My mother in law was a beard to a friend of hers, as they went to underground parties simply so he could date another man. Sadly, my own family were less supportive, & while I wasn’t kicked out of my home, I didn’t get unconditional love & support either. While my father is now dead, I’m still facing it today with a mother who is terrible at acknowledging transgender me.

It all has a long way to go - and it might seem glacial to some, but in the decades we’ve seen it going on, there is far more good than there ever was. It’s still mixed in with the bad though. But more on that later.

I got into the SG fandom late.

Really late!

As late as about 3 months ago, because as a surprise for my wife, I bought her tickets for Ultimates specifically to see Flo as an early wedding anniversary present (it’s in May). She had watched the show (although had stopped before the end of S3 after the debacle of Sanvers and the ridiculous storylines being assigned to Alex). I hadn’t even done that.

However, she still talked about it, but because of what happened with Sanvers had said it wasn’t worth me watching it (she had watched it separately from me for a number of different reasons), because of how bad it was.

So I didn’t bother. Why watch something that was going to destroy any good it gave.

My wife though did say how there were (up until the shitstorm of S3) parallels to Maggie’s (& to Alex’s) stories to another program we did watch on UK TV Bad Girls, and Nikki Wade with Helen Stewart. Nikki was kicked out of the family home for being gay at 16. Was an out lesbian. Helen had only been with men, met Nikki, questioned her relationships - and eventually, unlike SG, they gave them the happy ending.

She also remarked how Flo had left for good reasons because of the way Maggie was written beyond the arc of girlfriend to Alex.

Remember, I wasn’t around the fandom, and to be honest, although my wife is a fan of Sanvers & Flo - she wasn’t really around social media either, particularly at the time Flo left. She hadn’t followed any Sanvers fans at that point.

So neither of us had seen the Flo hate. We’ve heard about it - but since neither of us were active at that time, we simply haven’t seen it.

It does not mean for one split second we condone stuff like that, any more than we condone hate sent to any actor or actress, regardless of the circumstances.

So I’m nipping in the bud any accusations of Flo hate from me now. It couldn’t be further from the truth.

We did see some Flo hate on Instagram as S2 of The punisher started and my wife went in on occasion to defend her.

I could do it - but I have crippling anxiety. Even writing this is because of the support of my wife.

It does mean I find it hard - extremely hard - to go in unannounced to people I don’t know to say anything.

My wife does though stand up if she sees anything. It’s just her online time is often restricted.

Back to SG now - we weren’t watching, even though Nicole Maines was cast, but because I was late to watching SG, it really wasn’t something I was aware of.

I will add, my main social media presence until the last couple of months was Facebook or Instagram. So it did pass me by.

Both of us actually, as my wife - due to disability - isn’t always the most active either. She had heard of it, but we often have other stuff in real life going on (hospital & doctor appointments etc), and that was one of those times, so it was there, but not up front & centre for us.

Now this might not seem like a big deal to some or a good enough reason to watch, but to me this is my Maggie moment when I did realise what was going on fully.

As a Transgender man, to see a transgender superhero finally being cast - that was great news.

What wasn’t so great - it was via SG. A program that had shown demonstratively poor judgement & queer baiting since the loss of Flo.

Were we worried that Nicole’s character would get the same treatment?

Absolutely we were.

However, coupled with having bought my wife tickets for Ultimates to meet Flo, I decided to watch SG, since it meant I had an idea about who we’d be meeting.

Then Nicole was added as a guest and that was it. Tough as it might be, we had two reasons to watch.

My wife warned me what was to come. How Sanvers broke up. How poor the writing became (not just Sanvers, but Alex, Mon-El and far more than I can get into here). Despite being warned, I loved the start. I loved (& still love Sanvers). I get why it became so important for a lot of viewers.

I hate how it was dealt with on screen at the end.

Utterly despise it in fact.

But remember, I only came into this recently, so I have no history of how it played out in real time on social media.

I’d become a huge Chyler fan (but I enjoyed her as Lexie) as I loved Alex, the wife is still a huge Flo fan.

Sanvers even had me drawing again for the 1st time in 15 years (see my pinned Tweet as it’s a Sanvers kiss).

But Ultimates was booked.

Then Nicole came along.

So we both grit our teeth and started watching the rest of S3, and what had already been shown of S4 (to show you how late this was, it was already to episode 13 of S4 when we started it).

Season 3 and the first 10 or 11 episodes of S4 are ….. at best badly written. Poor storylines, plot holes you could drive a bus through … but despite all this, we took what we could because the Nia storyline was being handled fairly well.

Now we could argue why settle for something so poor? Why not push for better representation.

I cannot stress enough (and honestly, the whole thing I was trying to put in a 240 character Tweet that has resulted in all this), that for us the show had now put in representation & produced something we’d not seen until now.

The show has moved on, and goodness me, if you truly think I expect people to move on, then it isn’t the case. I was merely trying to explain, that even previously staunch Sanvers fans might well now watch for completely different reasons.

It doesn’t mean there are other staunch Sanvers fans who should move on. You are just as valid in what you want.

It doesn’t even mean the fight for Sanvers as endgame should stop, and people of differing views can still want that to happen.

It was definitely not to bash Maggie (or Flo), particularly as it was Flo who was the reason we are attending Ultimates.

For me the reason I now watch is because of Nia and Alex.

My wife because of Nia.

As difficult as it is to palate for a lot of you (understandably), there are also going to be those who’ll watch the new LI because it’s another area of representation in having a gay black woman on screen.

We’ve (wife & myself) been around long enough to know what poor & good representation looks like. Heck, good representation is nigh on impossible to find - I can say Helen & Nikki were one of the lucky ones. In the 20 years since that’s happened, I’m struggling to find many others. They are out there, but when it’s only a dozen or so at best, it’s tough.

As my wife remarked the other week; when Jes MacCallan wears a t-shirt at Clexacon that lists wlw and it’s barely enough to be on the front of said t-shirt - that shows how poor it’s been. And then most didn’t have a happily ever after. Sure it’s not a comprehensive list, but it does help prove how poor it’s been.

But also remember as poor as that has been, there are some (like trans or gay men or black women) who’ve had even less. They deserve more, & sometimes that starting point is horribly bad.

We’ve also been around long enough to know it isn’t black & white. It isn’t linear.

Just like coming out, you constantly have to do it. That sometimes means taking what is the worst outcome, but using it to steadily push for the better ones. It sometimes means you might have to take that step backwards to move forwards.

It can also feel unsavoury to do that.

A prime example I can think of here in the UK is we remember when people first started touting same sex marriage - and at that point, they were in process of changing the law on same sex adoption.

For those not aware of the UK law that was - it allowed single gay people to adopt, but not couples .... so stupidly a gay person could adopt if single, and then become involved with someone else, but if you were in a committed relationship no go - anyway, from that law the discussion to get marriage in place started. Gay men were openly likened to those opposing the law change to peodophiles, as sadly still happens to gay men today.

That change in adoption law was a big step forward in getting the laws on marriage here changed.

Then came civil partnership. So many people were angry it wasn’t enough and many said it was in fact a step back. Yet, for us it was a huge step forward. I kept trying to explain then, you often have to take the least favourable option to keep pushing for the best outcome. That marriage could happen, but don’t dismiss what was occurring simply because it wasn’t good enough for you.

It is an exhausting situation, to constantly push for better representation. This is a process. Occasionally that process will force steps back - but as long as the overall push is bigger than that, it will carry on.

For me, I do think that Alex is slowly getting a better deal as a character and I’ve enjoyed the latter part of her story arc in S4.

Does it mean it’s as good as it was or could be?

No, it doesn’t. But it also doesn’t mean - and this is my opinion, and believe it or not I’m okay if people watching don’t agree - pretty much all of S3 (honestly that is a clusterfuck of epic proportions) and the first half of S4 are about as bad as it can be.

Nicole has also had good representation though. There is a lot that resonates for me. A lot I wish I could’ve seen as a child growing up, not in my early 50’s.

Think about that.

I’m finally seeing good representation in my 50’s for the first time.

Albeit in a program that has far from stellar representation for a long time.

This isn’t the 2nd, or 3rd or however many times it has gone on for lesbian couples on TV.

That for me is a huge deal. Huge!

Like a black gay woman is going to be huge for some others.

However, it also means if the LI for Alex gets storylines that Flo deserved I won’t be pissed.

You can bet I will be. As will my wife.

We’ll undoubtedly rip apart the producers for it at home, as we’ve done so many times. Just because people haven’t seen it, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been said.

I guess what I’m trying to say in all this rambling is I truly have no quarrel with people wanting to stay solely as Sanvers fans. I just want to be allowed to go beyond that (and I would love nothing more than Sanvers endgame), even if that seems counterintuitive to some of you.

I’ve never posted anything with ulterior motives to attack any group of fans. It might have appeared that way for some - but truly I simply posted something on my timeline as a general observation. It was not directed at anyone per se.

I’ve realised that it’s been construed as such, but those who do know me also know I will never disparage others intentionally. If it comes across as such, it was - believe it not - unintentionally done. If you don’t want to believe that, I can’t change that, but I do ask you don’t keep saying stuff about it to me.

I’ve not seen much beyond interacting with some mutuals on Twitter.

It appears there is a far greater history going on than I could have ever imagined between some people.

So for now - I’m going to post my usual things but to try to avoid posting directly to followers except family & friends away from the fandom.

To make it absolutely clear I never intend or intended to get pulled into a war of words with anyone.

I just want to enjoy Sanvers - and for me personally, go beyond that.

It’s just I’ve seen so much progress for the LGBT community, even if it could be faster.

I saw lesbian activists disrupting the BBC news in protest to the government of the time and Clause 28.

I saw the news report of the bomb that went off in a gay Soho nightclub.

I watched friends become stigmatised for being gay men at the start of the AIDS crisis.

I saw people fighting HIV & later AIDS & some dying as a result.

I’ve seen this and far more. I’ve actively campaigned on issues ranging from animal rights to LGBT rights, when the T wasn’t even part of the acronym, to nuclear disarmament and far more.

I’ve seen more positives finally coming about in the last 18 years than anything that’s gone before it.

We’ll face steps backwards. Some will be greater than others, but make no mistake, the strides forward are bigger.

Activism for better representation isn’t just something to hinge on one TV storyline or show - it can just be about that of course - but life is messy. It takes steps in many different directions for many different people.  

If people were offended, then I am saying sorry.

It has though been difficult to become embroiled in something that is far further reaching than I had any idea about.

One of the perils of being so new to the fandom I guess.

And now I’m off to cuddle one of our cats.

[lunadensmidnightprowl]

New Moon Dreams - Chapter 4

Finally, I’m posting Chapter 4!

(Even though no one seems to be reading the story...)

~~~ Liar, Liar... Why Aren’t Her Pants On Fire? ~~~

 Lila returns and of course goes back to spreading her embellished falsehoods.  Just like Ladybug, Alexia's not having it, there won't be any attention-seeking liars on her watch.  While during the process of attempting to best Lila's lies, exposing her true intentions, shocking surprises are unveiled.  Even without these revelations, things are not like they were last time, a little extra force is required to take the liar down.  Who said you could never fight fire with fire?

~ Lunaden POV ~

        So that's it, I guess.  Me and Chat are dating.

        Come to think of it, maybe it was to be expected, we both sort of hit it off with each other when we first met.  I can only assume really because I can't just flit in and out of Little Cat's head.

        Don't get me wrong, having a boyfriend will be a hella of an adventure, something I can't wait for.  School, something I would rather die waiting.

***

        Walking down the street the next day, my mind kept going straight back to the events of the night before.  I kissed someone, I had my first kiss, and well, my first 'significant other'.  I don't want to straight up call it boyfriend because if I'm bi, I could easily have had a girlfriend if the situation had been different.  

        Compared to what's going on in my life, school is something that's not even worth 2 cents.  But heck, if I stop going my parents are going to make my death slow and painful, so, why not?

        I had come earlier today, Claire was still eating breakfast when I went out the door, I was mainly trying to avoid her endless mirage of teasing.  Unfortunately, I sit next to her in all my classes so my moment of victory is pretty short lived.  

        Mari, late as always, was still nowhere to be seen so Alya was the only person there to talk to out of my close friends when I got there, even Adrien hadn't shown up yet.  My orange tipped, brunette friend was almost always on the money, spotting clues that most people missed, she caught my sudden change in mood straight away.

        "Girl what're you thinking about that's got you all crazy?" she asked me as soon as I approached her.

        "Uhhh..." my face flushed a bit, what could I tell her?  If I told her the truth that I was dating Noir then she would be all over me, pressuring to get an interview from Chat.  When the city finally did find out that Lunaden and Chat Noir were dating, then Alya would be able to expose me as Lunaden, no questions asked this time and evidence irrefutable.

        "Oh my gosh, you didn't....!  Do you have a boyfriend or something?" Darn Alya and her being so smart, she was right on the dot as usual!

        My face only flushed darker as a reply.

        She squealed, "You do!  C'mon girl, tell me all the deets!!"

        I shook the question off, lowering my head in embarrassment and heading to my seat.  Almost exactly as I sat down was when Claire came in through the door, Adrien a second later.

        "What's got Alya all riled up?" Claire asked me as she sat down.

        My blush must've said it all.

        Claire was giggling, an unusual occurrence for her, "Oof, she found out you have a boyfriend, didn't she?"

        "I didn't even say anything and she guessed it right away!" I said exasperatedly.  Glancing down at the front I saw Adrien looking quickly up at me.  For some inexplicable reason, him looking at me made my face go redder, HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!  What really was the kicker was that with sharpened vision from my miraculous, I could see that he was faintly blushing, WHY IS HE BLUSHING?!

        I just ignored it as Mari came into the class on time for once, the teacher then starting the class when the bell rang.  Ms. Bustier however wasn't standing up at the front alone, a girl with long, brownish-auburn hair tied in ponytails, olive green eyes, and of all things, a romper, was standing with her.  (Personally I have nothing against rompers, right here its just the person in it, Lila - the lying bitch)

        "Lila has returned to Paris from her trip to the kingdom of Achu!"  Ms. Bustier said happily, the girl beside her waving and smiling at everyone.

        "Who's this 'Lila' girl?" a voice in my head asks.  The other part of my brain, the rebellious sailor mouth answers it, "A real pain in the ass I'd bet."  A third voice, my Lunaden side, is telling both of them to shut the fudge up.

        The girl opened her mouth, "It's so nice to see all of you again after spending so long in Achu for my charity work!"

        Right now I'm agreeing with Sailor mouth Lexi, this 'Lila' is definitely going to be a pain, she's sucking up to the entire class and LYING to them about charity work.  How do I know she's lying?  Being a superhero means I have to constantly lie to keep my identity a secret, with that practice I can see through almost everyone else's lies, though I have to admit that Lila's seem pretty well crafted. 

        Claire was looking over at me, no doubt waiting to hear my take on the person.  She knew my knack for seeing through deception and being able to easily analyze a person's real character.  I just glared at Lila for another minute, wanting to be sure that my suspicions were correct, I wanted to make sure she was completely sinister before I said anything.  However, after a minute of staring down the oblivious liar, nothing changed my feelings toward her.

        "Don't trust the lying bitch," I mumbled under my breath for Claire to hear, never breaking my gaze on said liar.

        Claire nodded, she was starting to see Lila's lies all around I could tell.  Lila really was a brat, more than even Chloe.  We both pitied Nathanial who had to sit next to her.

        Even though Lila was pretty much sucking up to everyone, there were a few differences I could see when class finally got into gear.  Lila would glare at Mari, Chloe even, when no one was watching.  In the same circumstance with no one viewing her, she stared longingly at Adrien.  I could tell all this just by staring at the back of her head, which for the record, was right in front of me.  Piecing together well thought out assumptions, ah yes, Lila must be irritated between Mari and Chloe because they also have crushes on Adrien.

        "Big mistake bitch," I thought, "You take on my friends, and even my unofficial enemy Chloe, who's more friend than you'll ever be, you take on me.  And believe me, you don't wanna do that."

***

        I was walking down the steps after school, Mari and Alls were held back at the last class, the teacher wanted to talk to them about something.  I don't know to be honest, I was spaced out and glaring at Lila the entire day, oblivious to whatever they had been doing.  Claire jogged up next to me, slowing down to keep pace with my walk.

        "How are you doing?" she asked.

        Snapping out of a trance, mainly thinking about how I could possibly expose Lila's lies, I jerked my head to face Claire with a confused expression, "What d'you mean?" 

        Claire shrugged, "You just seemed off today, I'm guessing it has something to do with Lila?"

        "It's obvious I guess," I sighed, my posture slumping a little, "That's all today is about isn't?  Lila.  I heard so many people gushing over her today, how cool she is, everything she's done, etc.  I even heard her say that she met Lunaden once when she was in Nashville, as if!  For one, I never went to Nashville except for the whole HB thing, second, I've never seen this girl before in my life!  I can't believe they believe all her lies, all day it near drove me out of my mind how dense some of these people are."

        Claire nudged my arm, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth, "Well sometimes you can be pretty dense too."

        "And oblivious!" a smaller voice said.  Skai poked her head out of my bag, "And sometimes she can be both." 

        "I second that notion tiny wolf... thing," Claire said matter of factly, pointing a finger into the air.

        "Shush Skai!  Get down before someone sees you!" I hissed, trying to shield the view of Skai until she disappeared back into my bag, away from prying eyes.  I turned to address Claire, "I keep forgetting you haven't met her yet.  I have a lot to tell you when we get back home."

        We had barely made it two steps farther down the steps when a voice called out to us, "Hey!  You two!"

        Turning to face this person, we came face to face with none other than Lila.  Holding back curses and refraining myself from glaring, I greeted her, "Hi Lila!  Whatcha need?"

        "Hi," she said, "You're Alexia and Claire right?  I just wanted to ask if you two are new or something, I've never seen you guys before."

        "Uhh, kinda," Claire started.

        "Yeah, me and Claire moved here about a month ago," I finished, eyeing her, "Why did you want to know."

        "I just wanted to see if we could possibly become friends, I can always help if you guys need it.  I'm sure you'd probably do the same for me," she smiled sweetly.  I was not. Having. It.

        Looking to Claire for confirmation, she nodded, knowing what I was asking to do.  I got right into Lila's face, no longer holding back my glare, if looks could kill, Lila would have been 6 feet under right that second.  "We will never be friends," I spat, "You may have everyone else fooled with your lies and trickery but we are not so easily duped.  Stop before you regret your actions you lying brat."

        Lila glanced around before she responded, no one was paying attention to our little 'chat', there was barely anyone around anyway.  She smirked, this time getting into both of our faces, "I'm not the one who's gonna regret their actions, you two are."  Lila's smile dripped with venom and malice, each word punctuated in the most threatening and confident way possible, "You're new but that doesn't mean I don't know enough about you to ruin your lives, everyone believes me.  I won't be the liar, you two will."

        "Yeesh, what a villain," Claire complained to me as we watched Lila sashay away.

        "She's almost as scary as Hawk Moth," I commented in agreement.

***

        Trying to get Lila's threat off of our minds, I dragged Claire to my room when we got home.  Closing the door and curtains before I spoke to her.

        Skai flew out of my bag, circling around Claire's head a few times before coming to rest on my shoulder.  "Claire," I said, gesturing to the little wolf, "This is Skai, my kwami."

        Claire looked confused to put it mildly.  I held up the end of my braid so she could clearly see the bow on the end of it.

        "This bow is the wolf miraculous," I explained, "A miraculous is a piece of jewelry connected with a certain kwami, Skai is the wolf kwami.  Kwamies are basically little gods that when merged with their miraculous, can give the user powers, they transform the user into a superhero."

        "So... how does this all work?  How is this a little god, that can connect with that?" Claire asked, first gesturing to Skai then to my bow.

        "My most scientific analysis, with all means of science and technology in mind, is that it's magic," I replied, quoting one of my favorite books.

        Claire rolled her eyes at my reference, but I ignored it, my mind had already moved onto something else.  "Hey, you want to see something cool?" I asked excitedly. 

        My sister nodded, "Sure." 

        I turned to Skai perched on my shoulder, "Ready?" I whispered.

        She smiled, "Let's do it!"

        "Skai, Howl Time!"  I transformed into Lunaden.  Laughing at Claire's agape mouth, I smiled, "It's pretty cool right?"

        She nodded.

        I was debating about destransmorming but, heck, I was already in this form.  "Well," I said, "Since I'm like this I'm gonna patrol for a bit.  See ya later Claire."  I waved, opening my window, jumping out of it when I was sure no one was looking, well, other than Claire.

        "You owe me for this," Skai said inside my mind.  Recently she had started talking to me when I was transformed, why, I don't know.  Maybe it was just to bother me, but I didn't care, I appreciated the company.

        "Would a bag of candied fruit suffice Alpha?" I thought back, a smile forming on my face.

        "Indeed it would Beta," she said, I could hear the amusement in her voice.

        I laughed out loud at that, before going back to focusing my attention on where I was going as I ran across rooftops.  It was strange, when I went on patrols I almost never went out in the daytime, that was more of a Ladybug thing.  Chat and I liked to go out at night when we blended into the darkness, using our night vision when Lady could hardly see at all.  Hey, speaking of that, maybe Lady was out, even with Skai inside my head I still could use someone to talk to, preferably one that was solid at the moment.

        "Hey!" Skai shouted inside my mind.

        I snickered, imagining my kwami pouting, her cute little paws crossed and her tail twitching irritably.  

        Sure enough, when I opened my disc, Ladybug's symbol was there as she did her patrol.  She stopped moving abruptly and I was kind of confused, was there an akuma or some other kind of trouble?

        Snapping my disc shut, I took off in her direction, not really sure where because I hadn't looked close enough before I started moving.  Swinging from the rooftops more spaced out, I crossed streets, occasionally I would hear someone cry my name in joy, I was a rare sight to see in the day without an akuma.

        I spotted the red clad figure on a very familiar rooftop, why had she stopped there of all places?  Landing beside her on the roof of my school from a jump from across the street, I think I nearly scared her out of her suit.  Lady visibly jumped with my sudden appearance, a little shriek accompanying it.  It was then that I noticed that the fencing team was running practice at the time in the open area of the building, maybe she was just into fencing.

        "I didn't know you were into fencing Lady," I smirked, still amused with her reaction when I showed up.

        "Er, yeah, let's go with that," she replied.

        I rolled my eyes, okay, so she wasn't actually into fencing, just here to watch I guess?  About ready to pressure her further, something else caught my eye and I stopped myself.  Lila, walked into the area, sitting down on a bench to watch the practice.  The instructor came up to her not long after she had seated herself, at first it seemed that he wanted her to leave but in the end she ended up, staying?  Was that a smile on the instructor's face after he had talked to her?

        My confused train of thoughts was interrupted when I heard a low growl.  Surprised, I looked around, normally it probably would have come from me but this time it didn't, it actually belonged to Lady.

        Now that I was shocked by, she wasn't usually so... vicious, towards anyone, even akumas.  Did she really hate Lila that much?

        "So," I mused, "You hate Lila too I'm guessing?"

        "I just can't understand how people believe her lies!  Why can't they just see she's a liar, a bad person, she nearly got away with getting me expelled!" Bug ranted until the last line, she slapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide.

        I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, did she just say that?  The only person I knew that got expelled, even though extremely brief, because of Lila was...  "Mari?..."  I voiced my conclusion out loud, my eyes bugging out in surprise too as I turned to face her.  Now that I thought about it, Ladybug really looked like Mari, how had I not seen it before?

        However, Lady's eyes narrowed when I said what I thought, she voiced her entire thought process out loud, "The only people who call me that..."  Her eyes went wide as she looked at me, "Lexi?..."

        We just kept looking at each other, unable to comprehend what just happened, maybe even willinging that it never did.  (Stares in shock lol)

        "I can't believe I never saw it earlier, how could I be so stupid?..." I mumbled.

        "Same, Alya was right then, she told me that she suspected you were Lunaden.  I kind of refused to believe it..." Ladybug said quietly, more to herself than to me really.

        "I'm glad she dropped the investigation though, one more slip up and she probably would have had me," I laughed, Lady was giggling too.

        Something just popped into my head, these random thoughts jeez, "Well, now I feel awkward."

        "Why?"

        "Now you know who I am and I'm also dating Chat," I replied, more sheepishly than usual.

        "I shipped it!" she cried, not loud enough for anyone else to hear though.

        I laughed again, turning my head I saw the fencing class starting to pack up, Lila was approaching one of the fencers.  Said fencer removed his mask, Adrien, I should have known.

        "So that's why she's here," I growled, crouching forward on my hands, looking ready to pounce and like a real wolf, ears flattened and tail twitching.

        Ladybug saw what I saw, it did not seem she was happy about it either, oh that's right, she's actually Mari who has a crush on Adrien too.  Yeesh, this is getting confusing, and kind of old, real fast.

3rd Person POV

        The practice ended and everyone was leaving to change and head home soon after, Adrien was on his way to do just that when Lila approached.  He had to be honest, he didn't remember any of what she said, he had kind of tuned her out as he focused on something else.  Something had caused him to look up, and that's when he saw them, Ladybug and Lulu, they both were on the roof, seeming to have watched the practice, but now they looked angry, possibly glaring at someone. 

        Events from several months before came back to him, Ladybug had unintentionally hurt Lila, trying to stop her from lying when she discovered what the girl was doing.  Unfortunately the event had left Lila bitter, she succumbed to one of Hawk Moth's akumas and became Volpina, a fox themed miraculous user, hoping to prove to everyone that she actually was a superhero, turning her lie into a reality.  They had defeated Volpina for what seemed like the final time a while ago, she was never seen since. 

        What confused him most was how Lunaden was glaring at the oblivious auburn-brunette as well, did Ladybug tell her the story or something...?  Wait, no, that wasn't it.  Lexi had seemed... off, all day, ever since Lila first arrived in homeroom that is.  Maybe she just didn't get along with Lila or something.

        Aforementioned girl was waving in front of his face, calling his name.  He quickly apologized, telling her he had zoned out.  Lila went to repeat everything she had said but stopped when she realized Adrien wasn't looking at her at all.  She followed his gaze to see the two superheroines on the rooftop.  Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Ladybug, a small spark of fear in them when they landed on Lunaden.  Did the wolf hero know she had lied about meeting her?

        Lila shook it all off, turning back to Adrien but he had already disappeared from her sight.  She cursed the bug and wolf themed heroes, they had ruined her chance of talking to Adrien yet again.  Lila went to glare at the figures perched on the roof but they had probably realized they had been seen because they were now gone. 

        This time it didn't seem like it was just Ladybug though that had ruined her chance of talking to her crush, when she had followed Adrien's gaze to see the heroes herself, Lila had seen him looking longingly, almost lovingly, at Lunaden, not realizing in that exact moment what it was.  Now she knew, now Lunaden stood in her way to him too.  That worthless dog would be running home with her tail between her legs when she was done with her.

***

        The large window of Hawk Moth's lair opened, the butterflies rising as light poured into the room.  Hawk Moth himself stood in the center of the room, which was barren of anything but the butterflies.  He felt the young teen's powerful emotions, those of hatred, heartbreak, and the strongest, desperation.  What a combination, this girl when akumatized before had proven to be a very valuable ally, now with these emotions she could prove herself to be of even greater worth.

        A pure white butterfly flew into his open palm, he embodied it with darkness, his powers, the malediction of it showing as the butterfly now had a dark and grisly color.  The evil little messenger flew out of a small opening in the window, flying across the city until it reached the targeted girl, being absorbed into her bracelet.  The all too infamous, glowing purple butterfly outline of Hawk Moth when he spoke through the akuma to his victims, shone on her face.

        "Volpina..."

        "Hawk Moth."

~ Lunaden POV ~

        When I noticed that not only had Adrien seen us, but Lila as well, I grabbed Lady's wrist, ready to run.  Adrien had already left the scene, probably using us as a distraction to get away with Lila.  At school he seemed to tolerate her, he wasn't all impressed with her but more just regarded her as a normal person, more or less.  

        As Lila turned, expecting to face Adrien, who was no longer there, I pulled Ladybug along with me as I made my escape, vanishing from the rooftop.  She seemed surprised by my actions but I would explain once we were far enough away.

        2 blocks away from the school I stopped, looking around anxiously for Lila, could she have followed us?  I knew, mainly from discovery that something had happened between Lila and Lady, both as her superhero self and just as Mari.  Whatever it was, I hadn't wanted to stick around to see Lila's vendetta against the ladybug clad hero.

        "What was that about?" Lady asked me, somewhat irritably as she pulled her wrist out of my grasp.

        "They saw us.  I wanted to get away before...  You have something against Lila, don't you?  As Ladybug and as Mari."  I replied, my anxiety somewhat calming down when I realized we were absolutely alone, at least on the rooftop, no Lila in sight on the ground.

        "Yeah...  She hates me, resents me probably because I ruined her chance to talk to Adrien several months ago," she sighed.

        "Wow, so many girls who have the hots for Adrien," I smirked, "Can't say I'm not surprised, he kind of had it coming."

        "Lexi!" she flushed embarrassed, "I'll ha-"

        "Shush!" I held up a hand to silence her, my wolf ears were swiveling furiously to pinpoint a sound, it came from a distance, not within range to hear our conversation, thank goodness.  But the sound, it was sort of like a... swoosh.

        "We're not alone..." I growled low, just loud enough for Lady to hear.  Snatching my disc off of my back, I held it ready, the air was taunt with tension, something was definitely up.  "Show yourself!  We know you're there!" I called, eyes narrowed, scanning.

        A familiar dark figure appeared from behind the cover of a chimney, "Wow, I can never get anything past you Lunaden."

        "Chat!" Ladybug said relieved, "We thou-"

        I threw an arm protectively in front of her.  "That's not Chat," I hissed.  Hearing something approaching behind us, I expanded my disc to a shield and glanced back.

        "Chat...?" Lady said again, more hesitantly this time.

        I nudged Bug, making it clear in that one action what I was about to do.  She swung her yoyo like a shield, prepared for instantaneous action as I tackled the newly approaching Noir. 

        He squirmed under my grip, "Lunaden, it's me!" he pleaded.

        "Oh yeah?" I snarled, "Then you won't have any trouble answering this question." I dropped my voice to a whisper, "What is my real name?"

        "Lexi," he whispered almost inaudibly, just loud enough for me to hear.

        My eyes widened and quickly got off of him, "Sorry about that Little Cat."

        "Nah, its cool," he shrugged it off, "You did what you had to do."  His voice turned sly as he grinned at me, "I knew you would recognize me sooner or later Lulu, you can't resist me."  

        He went in for it but I gently pushed him away, a light blush dusting my cheeks, just barely peeking out from under my mask, "Later, kitty."

        Ladybug sighed out in relief as we rejoined her, her face then turning inquisitive as her eyes landed back on the Chat Noir several feel away.  "But if he's Chat... then, who's that?"

        "I have my suspicions..." I growled, retracting my shield to a disc, I threw it at the fake Noir.  When it should have made contact with him, he just vanished in a wisp of orange mist, the disc returning to my hand.  "Volpina," I spat.

        Having been revealed, the vixen villain jumped up onto a roof vent, smirking maliciously, "Well, apparently you aren't as dumb of a dog as you look."

        Both Noir and I gave her a warning growl, however the way she was going, they weren't going to be warnings much longer.

        Taking her down should have been a sitch, but heck this damned deceptionist had brains, I'll give her that.  She always seemed to know which illusions to use and when to use them to best benefit her with our few disadvantages.  Always managing to allude our grasp, I was growing desperate, she annoyed me to the moon and back.  Lady still hadn't used her Lucky Charm yet, no plan seemed to be able to go against Volpina, at least just yet.

        If she wasn't going to use her power, then I would, already having a plan in mind.  Throwing my disc into the air, "Eclipse!" I shouted.

        When the light parted I was revealed to be an almost exact replica of Volpina, except that my eyes were my normal electric blue.  My reasoning was to fight fire with fire, the only way to beat Volpina was as Volpina.  I had become Lupina, and when it comes to powers, I have something the Volpina doesn't, something I added when I thought of a form to transform into. (Lil quick thing here: Luna can't use her powers to transform into things, like creatures and such, from her own imagination.  However, she can change things of an already existing form.  Ex. She could transform into you but have feather wings on her back.  Make sense?  I hope you get it, and another thing: No matter what form she takes, her eyes will always be the shocking blue.  Okay, sorry for disrupting the chapter, just wanna clarify all that)  I can create SOLID illusions, only one at a time, but still.

        "Try me little foxy!" I taunted Volpina.

        "You're on little wolfie!" She called back.

3rd Person POV

        Both Volpinas clashed in the middle, hands trying to hold the other back.  It was evenly matched, one couldn't seem to get the upper hand over the other.

        Both vixen themed characters pulled back, pulling their flutes out on each other.  Volpina played a few quick notes on her weapon, an orange ball of light forming at the end of her flute, summoning an army of herself to hide in.  Lupina played a longer tune on her flute, the notes clear and smooth, dripping like honey dew, the ball of energy at the end of her flute became much bigger, not glowing orange like the original Pina, but a pure blue-white, a Lunaden clone appeared.  One of the Volpinas smirked, throwing her flute at the clone, expecting it make the illusion vanish, it didn't.  The Lunaden clone caught the flute, getting a grip on it, she held both weapons, flute and her disc, into a fighting stance.

        It was only a second before a section of Lupina's fox miraculous pendant vanished. "4 minutes left..." the tail seemed to say.  The battle was four on one, what should have been an easy victory for the heroes but Volpina held them off, reclaiming possession of her weapon, swinging her flute left and right, kicking and punching, blocking attacks, and so forth.  

        Time ran out for Lupina, in a flash of blue light that covered her body, the transformation disappeared and she became Lunaden again, the clone vanishing with the shift.  While she was just coming out of the change of powers and appearance, Volpina got the drop on the wolf heroine, with a sharp kick to the stomach the girl clad in blue went sprawling to the ground.  

        Ignoring the throbbing pain that originated in her midsection and spread through her body, Lunaden raised herself, preparing to fight the fox girl who seemed to be momentarily distracted.  What had taken away the attention from her made all the agony in her muscles leave Lunaden at that very moment.  Chat Noir was charging at Volpina, staff raised as if it was sword, anger clearly clouded his thoughts.        

        "Batter up," Volpina said, smirking and holding her flute like you would a baseball bat.  She hit Little Cat straight in the ribs, sending him flying back into the brick wall of a taller building.  After the impact, he crumpled back onto the roof, not moving for a minute before beginning the stir, weakly trying to raise himself to stand.

        "Chat!  That's it," Lunaden growled, "No more nice little wolfie."   She charged at Volpina with a feral yowl of fury, her jaws snapping, and her sharpened claws raking through the air.  She wasn't satisfied with the level of harm she caused until she felt her claws rip through Volpina's suit, drawing blood.

        "Lulu!" Noir called, the black cat had managed to find the strength to start running towards her, adrenaline no doubt pulsing through his veins as an aid.  The blue diamond in the center of her bow started to flash, less than a minute left before her identity would be revealed.

        Lunaden felt something tackle her, pulling her away from Volpina.  The force of her and said person, Chat she saw, launched both of them off of the roof and into an alley.  Out of sight just a second before Luna transformed back

        Alexia struggled to raise herself after she landed, the wind knocked out of her.  She groaned, putting her arms beneath her and pushing herself up.  Chat seemed a little more okay, he had his miraculous powers to protect him, Alexia had to rely on just physical strength and hoping her body was strong enough to take the hit.

~ Alexia/Lunaden POV ~

        I groaned, raising myself, everything hurt, no bones broken, still, everything hurt.  "You okay...?" I coughed, trying to get my breath back, and asking Noir a question at the same time.

        "I'm fine," his reply was a little shaky, as he recovered from the impact with the ground.  "But why are you asking me that question?  You're the one who just feel three stories without any powers to help cushion your fall!"

        Sitting up with a grimace, I shrugged, "I care about you," I rolled my eyes like this was the most obvious thing in the world.

        Arms wrapped around me, not tight because you know, things hurt, but still comforting as Chat hugged me.  I just managed to process that he had tears at the corners of his eyes as he buried his face into my neck.  Sitting there like an idiot, it was a second before I hugged him back, closing my eyes as I warmed up to the action.  (Lil Lexi/LunaXChat fluff for ya there ^w^)

        "Can't... breathe!..." A little voice gasped.

        We both came apart at the voice, Skai flying feebly upwards.  She shook her head, fluffing out her flattened fur, "Woo, I'm all for LunaNoir and stuff but we still have an akuma or have you guys forgotten?"

        Reaching inside my bag, I pulled out several pieces of candied fruit, offering them to her in my palm.  The little wolf grinned broadly and went to town on them, getting her energy back up.

        "I think I may have a plan," I smiled.

        "I hope it's better than your last plan," Noir smirked.

        "Oh, don't worry," I grinned confidently, "It will be."

        Leaning close I whispered my plan in his ear, "What I want you to do it pretend like I'm seriously hurt, make sure she doesn't see me as a threat.  I'll join you and Lady in a little bit to set my plan into action, see you soon Little Cat."  And with those words of parting, I snuck out of the alley and onto the street.

~ Time Skip - brought to you by the contact lenses store ~

        Coming back to the alley where I had left Noir, to find it empty, I went on with my plan.  Putting a small bag to the side so it wouldn't vanish as my superhero suit appeared, and making sure the light of the transformation wouldn't be seen, I became Lunaden.  With enhanced hearing I could hear the battle between Ladybug and Chat Noir versus Volpina, they were still on the same roof as before.  I was proud of how well Chat had explained my plan to Lady, in between the grunts of the fight I picked up small sobs and traces of anger, good acting Chat.

        Using the same process as before, I used my power, "Eclipse!" I whispered this time, throwing my disc just a few inches above my head.

        When the transformation was complete, I quickly grabbed the small bag I had brought, this needed to be quick, I was running out of time.  Taking a small mirror out of the bag, I saw my new reflection.  I had transformed into Adrien, planning on using Lila's crush on the guy against her, the only difference was my shocking blue eyes.  I reached inside the bag once more, pulling out some contact lenses, sticking them in my eyes, they turned green.

        Scaling up the fire escape of the building with more agility than you can imagine, I peeked over the edge to see the good versus evil fight still raging.  Pulling myself into character, I got onto the roof, ready to draw attention to me.

        "Stop it Lila!" I called, but with Adrien's voice.

        Everyone turned to me, Lady and Chat seemed extremely confused, Lila was just looking at me in shock.  Oh gosh this would be awkward with Mari's and Lila's crushes.  Behind my back, I crossed my fingers, showing it to Noir before I spoke again.

        "Don't let Hawk Moth control you Lila, don't let your anger get the best of you," I said, seeing Chat's recognition out of the corner of my eye.

        Lila's crush on Adrien had taken full control of her now, and while that awkwardness was going on, Bug and Noir went in for the strike.  They grabbed her when she was inches from my face, probably about to kiss me or something... ew.  My time went out at that very moment, turning myself back into Lunaden, oh thank goodness.

        "AcK," I sputtered, "That was so weird."  Rubbing my face rapidly to rid it of the feeling of Lila so close as they freed the akuma, Lady purifying it and throwing her Lucky Charm into the air.  She must have summoned it when I was gone, dammit, I missed all the action!

        They just kept laughing at my disgusted reaction of how things turned out, Ladybug's earrings beeping made her leave though.  Chat, having used his Cataclysm recently, still had some time left once we brought Lila back to the ground.  The 'event' with Lila sparked a song in my head, something I had never thought of for awhile, Copycat by Billie Eilish (I don't own the lyrics!)

Don't be cautious, don't be kind You committed, I'm your crime Push my button anytime You got your finger on the trigger, but your trigger finger's mine

Silver dollar, golden flame

Dirty water, poison rain

Perfect murder, take your aim

I don't belong to anyone, but everybody knows my nameBy the way

You've been uninvited

'Cause all you say

Are all the same things I didCopycat tryna cop my manner

Watch your back when you can't watch mine

Copycat tryna cop my glamour

Why so sad, bunny? Can't have mineCall me calloused, call me cold

You're italic, I'm in bold

Call me cocky, watch your tone

You better love me 'cause you're just a cloneBy the way (by the way)

You've been uninvited

'Cause all you say (all you say)

Are all the same things I didCopycat tryna cop my manner

Watch your back when you can't watch mine

Copycat tryna cop my glamour

Why so sad, bunny? Can't have mineMine

I would hate to see you go

Hate to be the one that told you so

You just crossed the line

You've run out of time

I'm so sorry, now you know

Sorry I'm the one that told you so

Sorry, sorry

I'm sorry, sorry

PsychBy the way

You've been uninvited

'Cause all you say

Are all the same things I didCopycat tryna cop my manner

Watch your back when you can't watch mine

Copycat tryna cop my glamour

Why so sad, bunny? Can't have mine

        I had whisper sung the song when I returned to the rooftops, about to go home.  The song had just screamed "Lila" to me, she was a copycat, I had heard about her little escapade as the akuma 'Chameleon', copying things and making up others just to make her look good.  When she was Volpina for example, to defend herself, she made copies of herself to hide in.

(I wrote almost the entire chapter before I realized I hadn't put a song in it, so I kinda hastily put this song into it, sorry how it fits into the story feels pretty forced)

***

        The now autumn breeze blew through the city, swirling around me as I sat on my perch on the Eiffel Tower.  Leaves were starting to change, soon they'd be flowing on the breeze, a feeling of fall was in the air.  The bright colors of the leaves already changed glowed in the fading light of the setting sun, the trees popping in the darkness of dusk.

        "How can you stand it so cold Lulu?" Chat asked me, a disbelieving look on his face as he shivered.

        I snickered, "It's because I'm a wolf Little Cat.  Wolves naturally can stand colder temperatures, significantly better than cats."

        He pouted, obviously unhappy with my answer.  Having fully warmed up to the idea and practice, I snuggled closer to him.

        "Get used to it kitty, things will only get colder," I sighed content.

        "With you, I know I'll never be left out in the cold," he said, kissing my forehead.

        "That was so cheesy, not to mention you missed," I giggled.

        Noir was confused, until I kissed him.