(A/N) Welcome to my next story! For those of you who read my Random Prompts stuff, you knew that I was doing this. I hope at least a few of you who read the hint know exactly what this is. Now as the orchestra finishes tuning and starts the Overture, I will explain some things.

To put it shortly, this story is based on the musical, The Scarlet Pimpernel. I know this musical is actually based off a book, but because I have not read the book, we are going to follow the musical storyline, which I have indeed seen multiple times. It is actually one of my favorite musicals to be honest, but I'll save the reason behind that for next chapter. And because I saw it recently, I began to think of how much fun of an AU story it could be.

I am going to clarify some things up front right now. This will be a musical/song-fic with the songs from the musical, and I will include the titles at the end of each chapter. I want to avoid any possible issues with this being a multi-chaptered song-fic. The songs will be in italics during each chapter, but some things will be added if there are multiple people singing.

This story is rated T for multiple reasons, to name a few; some language, a few dirty jokes, and violence obviously. I mean after all, this story is set in the time of the French Revolution/Reign of Terror, a time where the Guillotine was quite popular.

Alright as always, Disclaimer time: I own nothing! All rights for Miraculous go to it's creators, and all rights to The Scarlet Pimpernel go to its original author and the team that created the musical.

And now lovely readers, as the orchestra now finishes the Overture, I proudly welcome you to, The Black Paw!

*boop*

The audience at the Comédie Miraculeux silenced immediately as the soft sounds of the harp and piano began the introduction. The curtains parted slightly, just enough for a lone woman to step through before closing back up. She was dressed similar to people who used to be nobility, emphasis on used to. The golden dress was large and very ornate in design, it was easy to see how much work had been put into the very fine details. A large, pure white powdered wig lay atop her head, hiding her dark hair with ease. The light colors of both the wig and the dress caused her blue eyes to stand out for those close enough to the stage. Her warm smile pulled in the audience as she opened her mouth and began to sing.

"Listen to me I have beautiful dreams I can spin you,

Dreams to linger within you.

Close your eyes and we'll ride my carousel.

I'll sing you stories of lovers whose love used to fill me,

And the lovers who will be,

For you see, love is one thing I do well.

Come let's believe love can be just as sweet as it seems.

Let's live on dreams…"

As she sang the last word, the music swelled and increased slightly in tempo. She turned toward the curtain and raised and arm. As if she was controlling it, the curtain rose with her hand to reveal the rest of the stage. In the center stood six men in pure white outfits and wigs in a large circle with small, fake bows in hand. Six women in dresses of gold and white were inside the men's circle, forming one of their own. The lone woman made her way closer to the group before continuing the song. The men and women beginning their dance as her voice rang out.

"In my dreams, such beautiful lovers have found me.

Storybook lovers surround me.

Nothing is real, but I'm flying,

Sighing 'where, where, where is my storybook ending?

Why does my golden pretending

Leave me with nothing to hold… but my dreams?'"

As she continued singing, a lone man seated in one of the balconies watched on. Completely entranced, much like the rest of the crowd as she moved gracefully around the stage. Absentmindedly, he twisted a cane around with one hand. Emerald eyes fixed on her in a loving gaze, ignoring the now paired dancers as the song continued.

"Oh, is it only in dreams that we find our ideal love?

Are there lovers with real love?

If you know how to feel love, show me how.

Ah, but my prince, if you can't be as sweet as you seem,

I'd rather dream!"

She now stood back in the center of the stage, the dancers all in a line behind her alternating between men and women. She raised both hands slightly as they joined their voices with hers in a harmonic accompaniment.

"Come and wake me! Come be the love I can hold now.

Storybook love leaves me cold now.

Show me the way to stop dreaming!

There is only one perfect storybook ending.

That is the end of pretending.

That is the moment I say: 'love me now!'"

The orchestra suddenly became very quiet, and the dancers froze in their positions while very quietly continuing to sing. The women took a step forward and began to address the audience.

"I would like to thank you all for sharing with me my last performance at The Comédie Miraculeux. And thank you to Citizen Luka, who has so graciously allowed our theatre to remain open during these times. But now, I share with you my own storybook ending. Six weeks ago, I met a tall and handsome 'prince.' Who tonight sweeps me away to England to be married. Sir Adrien Agreste!"

She gestured towards the lone man on the balcony. In response he stood, eyes still fixed upon her. Returning her smile, he blew a kiss to her before sitting back down as she turned her attention again towards the audience, who luckily were not close enough to see the pink tinge that now rested on her cheeks.

"Oh, he is handsome, yes? Despite this exciting ending, I shall miss you all very much. In my heart though, how could I ever forget Paris?"

With those last words, the music picked up again. The dancers began to move once more as the woman began the final part of the song, only now in the country's native language.

"Et sur mon manege, l'amour toujours est chantant.

De mes reves, c'est le commencement,

Et j'espere une fin heureuse.

Mais la fin, la fin de l'histoire ne vient pas tres doucement,

Pour l'histoire il faut faire semblant.

Certes je n'embrasse que mes reves,

seuls mes reves!"

The theatre erupted in applause after the song ended. The woman offering a small curtsy in gratitude. Though the cheers in the audience were suddenly silenced as soldiers started coming from backstage. Those on the stage were in shock as a man dressed mainly in black appeared, one soldier on each side of him, and quickly shouted to everyone in a commanding baritone voice.

"Attention Citizens! By order of The Revolutionary Tribunal, this theatre is hereby declared closed due to exhibition of sentiments that recall The Old Regime, as well as non-compliance with Republican ideals, closure effective immediately!"

The dancers stood confused for a moment, but soon went backstage promptly after seeing the hardened eyes of the soldiers around them. The audience followed quickly after, they trickled out through the main entrance as hastily as possible. While this happened, the woman, now the lone performer on stage, stormed over to the man in black.

"How could you do this?" She growled out in a hushed tone. He turned to face her, seemingly unaffected by her current mood.

"This order was given to me by Robespierre himself, it is better not wait on such requests."

"But why before the end of the performance? And on my last night of all days?" Her voice was mixed with confusion and anger. Her anger grew stronger as the man smirked at her.

"Well Marinette, you see I did not know that this was to be your last night, since you did not inform me as such. I was also unaware of your impending matrimony." He watched on as Marinette rolled her eyes at his response, pointing an accusing finger at him as she spoke again.

"Luka, you knew perfectly well that I planned to marry."

He feigned surprise at her response, his right hand coming to rest on his chest, and he continued the façade as he responded.

"But so quickly, my dear? Especially since my sister is accompanying you to your new life. Who would have thought both you and her would turn your backs on your homeland?" He circled her, Marinette's body turned rigid as she felt his eyes studying her. She stayed this way until he came to face her again as he continued to speak. "Well, I suppose that congratulations are in order, though I must inquire if all of you who are leaving France have the approved papers to do so."

Marinette scoffed at his remarks, ready to retaliate before hearing a rather unhappy voice getting louder from behind. She turned her head to see her friend and artist Tia, who was making her way to the stage.

"I believe there is also something you are to deliver to me, to avoid any… incidences in your current romance, yes?" Luka had bent down closer to Marinette and whispered in her ear. Her blood went cold at the thought of what his words meant.

"Wait offstage." Marinette barely glanced at him as she said this. Tia had just made it to the stage as Marinette walked in her direction to head to her dressing room, talking quietly as she passed.

"Tia, when you see my brother, please inform him that I will be joining him and Adrien momentarily." She only received a nod in response from the currently vexed artist. As Marinette headed toward her room, Luka did as instructed and positioned himself on the opposite end of backstage, leaving the two soldiers that had stood behind him standing watch on the stage.

*boop*

And there we go, I hope at least some of you are intrigued with the story. All I will say is that it will become much more exciting in chapters to come.

There really will be only one true OC for the story, which would be Marinette's brother. There will be a few names I keep true to the original, like Robespierre like you saw in this chapter, who is a historical figure. There are a few others, as well as two last names I will keep the same, one being in the case for Tia, but can you guess who she is in the Miraculous verse? I feel like it should be obvious but let's see who guesses it first.

This is how I have this story planned out currently, it will be 14 chapters. Every chapter except for one will include at least one song while a few will have two or even three in one case. Which reminds me, I need to get this out of the way now.

Song used: Storybook from The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I hope that will be enough since that is how it is sited when I looked it up. We'll just have to wait and see how it goes.

If you wish to listen to the songs while reading these chapters, go right ahead. I recommend for this song to listen to the Encore! One rather than the original since this specific version wasn't a part of the original recording, or you can just find a live version on YouTube. Unfortunately, the Broadway soundtracks they have out are not accurate to what is performed nowadays which sucks because I would love to have those for whenever. I'll just stick to some special YouTube vids for now.

I might do this a few times since I don't know how many people read the Author Notes all the way through, but I feel like this needs to be said. For those who have actually seen this musical, I ask that you do not spoil it for those who have not. There will be things changed of course to fit the Miraculous universe, but just don't ruin the musical for others please.

Until next time readers, Lots of love to you all!

~Imperial