AN: I know this is a pretty dramatic set-up to just have in the first chapter, but this is my first fic and I didn't want the story to meander too long before the actual plot. Reviews and critiques are welcomed and encouraged! I've only ever done original work before, so I'm not practiced in fic writing. If anyone has some tips or pointers, I am all ears. Also, I'd love to know if you guys would prefer 1-2k word chapters, or longer chapters (3-4k) the former will allow me to update more frequently, but the latter will give you more to read at once.

"Miraculous Ladybug!"

Chat watched as Ladybug yet again cleaned up the mess left behind by their most recent fight with an akuma. His face lit up with a slight smile as Ladybug landed beside him, holding out a fist. His expression melted into his usual grin as he tapped his fist to hers. Chat opened his mouth to share a joke, but a beeping from His Lady's earring redirected his thoughts.

"Unlike me-ow, you have a time limit swiftly approaching, m'lady." Chat still had that grin in place. He had gotten away without having to resort to his cataclysm during the fight, and he was quite quick to gloat about that. "Unless you're ready to let me fur-nally meet you without the mask."

Ladybug let out an exasperated sigh as she swung her signature yo-yo into the air "Down kitty cat." she replied with a shake of her head "Take care, Chaton!

That left Chat alone with Alya headed his way. He gulped, knowing even without a fast-approaching time limit he still had to get out of there quickly if he didn't want to be cornered by the insistent, fiery-haired, teen.

"I've cat to get going." Chat said as Alya began to speak to him. He used his baton to vault away quickly, leaving without another word.

"That damnable cat!" Alya groaned as she put her phone back in her pocket "I'll get an exclusive with him soon. You just wait Chat, I'm coming for you next! You hear me?!"

With his keen hearing, Chat did indeed hear her, but he wasn't about to call back to her "Geez, that girl is determined." he sighed some "If only my Lady was as determined to steal a few minutes with me." He was about to vault back closer to the school once more when he heard a high-pitched scream to his left. It was a bone-chilling scream that shook the seventeen-year-old Chat to his core. Immediately he used his baton to turn directions midair toward the source of the cries of agony.

Ladybug, or really Marinette now, had de-transformed barely a minute after she had slipped away from Chat Noir (and Alya of course). She immediately handed off a cookie to the small kwami that was resting in her bag. Of course, Tikki was all tired out from the fight. She had used up all of her energy. The cookie would help her to gain some of that strength back, however, and soon she would be back to her bubbly self "You did great, Marinette!" the kwami said, beaming up to her young charge.

"Only because of you." Marinette replied with a genuine smile. "You just rest up Tikki, you earned it, we'll be back to school in no time. Maybe class will help you sleep." a chuckle followed her statement. She zipped up the bag as she stepped over to the crosswalk. She waited patiently until the sign switched over.

Marinette stepped across the pavement, and when she had almost reached the end she turned to follow a blur of motion from her peripherals. She could see a black figure practically flying through the air as he vaulted about "Chat." she smiled, finding it funny he seemed to be going the same direction as her "The kitty is showing off, as-" she turned her head around a moment too late. Someone has come flying around the corner, not paying attention to street signs, and by the time Marinette had turned her head the truck was inches away from her. She let out a scream, a cry that seemed to echo through the area even after it was cut short by the impact of metal and heat on flesh and bone.

"What happened!?" Chat bellowed out as he came upon the scene. The man who had been driving the truck was knelt down in the road, his clothing covered in blood as he cradled the teen in his arms. The best he could, anyway. The girl he was holding had her leg under one of the tires.

"I didn't mean-" the man had tears streaking down his eyes "My eyes were off the road for a moment and I-" he could no longer speak as he began sobbing. There were others in a crowd now, traffic was stopped, and many were on their phones trying to call an ambulance or the police. No one that wasn't on the phone was speaking, leaving the area the quietest it had probably been since Paris had first been settled. Even Chat was speechless as he looked to the girl in the man's arms "Marinette..." he shivered in his suit as he recognized this girl. His friend, whom he had known for more than three years. One of his closest friends. Someone he cared for dearly, that even with his powers, he had been unable to protect. An innocent, sweet, caring, and timid girl. A girl who the world would be very dark without. The girl he had seen willing to stand up to bullies, and to face akumatized victims, without so much as flinching.

Chat had gone from stunned to furious in a matter of moments "Don't touch her!" he yelled to the man sobbing and holding Marinette. He looked to Marinette, she looked so peaceful even with the blood and dirt smeared across her face.

She could still be alive. Chat realized with a start. But she won't be if she doesn't get to a hospital. Chat didn't know if he should move her, but he didn't even hear the sirens yet in the distance. He made a quick decision, and used his cataclysm to disintegrate the tire. Before the truck could fall on the leg in the tire's stead, Chat had used his super-human strength to shove the vehicle aside, where its now-bare axle fell to the pavement harmlessly.

"Give her to me!" Chat ordered "I have to take her, now. She needs a hospital!" he shoved down the panic and tried to remain calm as he gently lifted the other teen. He had bulked out and gotten taller since he and Marinette had first met, but he hadn't expected her to weigh so little and feel so fragile. She felt lifeless in his arms, but to his relief he could see her chest rising and falling, just barely breathing. She was stubborn, and she was alive. He could have cried out in joy, but he knew he had to get her to safety, and quickly.

"It's ok, Princess, everything will be ok." Chat whispered in her ear as he headed for the hospital on his nimble feet. Thanks to his cat-like reflexes he barely jostled her as he swiftly made his way. "We'll get you there, and you'll be safe. I promise." he cooed to her. He didn't know if she could hear him, he guessed probably not, but it was helping to keep himself calm. He entered the emergency doors, and soon he was surrounded by the bustling staff and Marinette was no longer in his arms. They started to ask questions, but he could hear the beeping from his ring. It pained him to leave Marinette like that, but he couldn't reveal himself here. I'm so sorry Marinette. I'll be back, I promise. Chat told them her name before vaulting off to de-transform somewhere safe.

"Marinette..."
Tikki had slipped away from the scene, dazed and confused. Marinette's bag had flown off and been kicked elsewhere. Tikki had gotten out, and she could feel her heart clenching tight in distress and fear as she watched Chat Noir take her charge away. She grimaced as she realized that she didn't know where the young, black cat was taking Marinette. She didn't know where she would be able to find her, or if she was even going to be ok. Or if she was alive, but Tikki couldn't dwell on that. Tikki decided her best bet was to head to the bakery, but before she could even head that direction someone had taken Marinette's earnings off of her. Tikki disappeared without a trace, and wouldn't be back until Marinette would get her Miraculous back.