Part I
Author's Note: Viewer discretion is advised. The following story contains content that may not be suitable for some viewers.
Chapter I
She watched as her one true love was eviscerated before her very eyes. The beast's scabrous, black claws ejected from the dripping red opening in her love's chest, producing a large chunk of his liver. In a fit of terrified agitation, instead of breaking down in fear, a feeling of courage shook her very bones. She felt an overwhelming confidence spur her onward. Picking up the pistol that was dropped when her love was gripped by the menacing foe before her, she took lethal aim at a weak spot between its protruding ribs. She fired once, her hands trembling as the beast plunged its claw back into the widening gash of her love's body. It had no effect on the beast. Focusing with all her might, she fired again, missing the second shot too, that time ricocheting centimeters from the weak spot. The beast then turned its attention to her, merely irked by the stinging of the bullets. Then with one fell swoop, the beast's deadly claws came slashing down upon her. The gun skid to a halt a short distance from her lifeless body. The beast had felled yet another champion, and claimed yet another victim.
"That's it? That's how the story ends? The last of the heroes dies and the evil beast lives on?!" The publisher says, outraged. "That's preposterous! You really expect me to publish this rubbish? This won't sell! What kind of fool do you take me for?"
"Monsieur Puchot, I have spoken with many of my most esteemed proof-readers, and they all agree that it is masterfully written." Léo Chanteur, the young author of the novel explains.
"Well, it may be well written, but if people don't like it, then they're not going to want to read it, and if they don't want to read it, then they won't want to buy it," he insists. You can't just kill off all of the main characters like that! The heroes have to overcome evil. I don't care what you have to say about it. I won't publish it! That's my final word on the matter."
"Monsieur Puchot, why are you so insistent upon the idea that there are heroes and villains? Why can't you see that the story is not about the wicked and flawed monster-slayers who have no motive other than filling their pockets with gold, but rather the monster itself?"
"I DON'T CARE! Someone has to live. I don't care how it happens, just make it happen. Do you understand? Now go re-write it again," Puchot demands.
"It's not a story of good triumphing over evil. It's a story of a misunderstood creature realizing that the only way it can survive in a world where everyone believes it is evil is to be just that: evil," Léo explains.
"That's ridiculous! How is anyone supposed to relate to a hideous creature like that? Why would anyone in their right mind believe that the monster is the good guy?"
Léo contests, "You don't understand-"
"I don't need to understand, because I understand what sells! Now get out of my office, or Ill find a new writer, preferably one who can take a hint from a little criticism." Léo exits his publisher's office and furiously makes his way to the lobby outside.
"Ah, a writer who's publisher can't recognize greatness when it slaps him in the face. How vulnerable he must be to have his greatest work dismissed by a man who cannot understand it, a perfect victim for my evil akuma." Hawk-Moth states. He holds out his hand, into which an innocent white butterfly eagerly falls. With a swish of his hand, Hawk-Moth corrupts this peaceful soul, and releases it into the world. "Now go, my little akuma and alleviate this writer's block."
The akuma flutters into the lobby where Léo is writing on his notepad. The akuma dissolves into the notebook, corrupting it, and Léo transforms!
"Authorror, you now have the power to bring your writings to life and show your publisher what your words can do," Hawk-Moth explains, "but these powers aren't bestowed without a plot. No, your quest is to retrieve Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous for me. Only then will this story reach its resolution."
"And so, a hero is born, or rather a villain. It all depends on your perspective!" Léo declares triumphantly. He starts writing away on his evilized notepad, changing the world around him. The walls of the lobby start to decay a thousand times faster than normal. The wallpaper peels away, revealing rotting wood behind it. A thick smog fills the room, a thin layer of black grime coats every surface, and the floorboards start to creak beneath Authorror's footsteps.
In Monsieur Puchot's office, festering thorny vines creep along the floor and envelop his desk. Puchot drops the phone and jumps away from the black, animated vines. The door emits a blood-curdling peal as it swings open, allowing a wave of fog to flow into the room. Puchot can feel his heartbeat pounding and blood pulsing against the back of his ears. There is a faint clicking noise, then there is a deep gurgling and a snort.
Puchot pulls a pistol out from one of his desk drawers and aims it at the open doorway.
"Don't you come any closer, or I'll shoot. You hear me?" Puchot shouts. The barrel of the gun trembles in his hands as he turns off the safety. He stands there, nearly motionless, his hands quivering, waiting for whatever produced the horrible noises to appear at any moment. The clicking noise returns, and Puchot steadies his aim as it starts to get louder and faster.
There is a CRASH as the monster from Léo's story tears through the doorway, splintering the wood frame to allow its hulking size to fit through. It lunges with claws at Monsieur Puchot. There is one gunshot, one screech of death, and one maniacal laugh from down the hall.
"Police are saying that the gruesome murder of Monsieur Jacques Puchot has left them scratching their heads…" Mme. Chamack explains from the television screen.
"Disembowelment, a horrible thing, that is. What is the world coming to these days?" Tom Dupain expresses to his wife and daughter over breakfast.
"I'm sure they'll catch the madman who did it. They always do," Sabine replies. "Anyways, shouldn't you be getting to school, Marinette? You're going to be late again!"
Marinette looks at the clock and yelps. She was completely distracted by the news on the television, and didn't notice the time creeping by. She downs the rest of her cereal with one gulp and snatches an apple from the counter before dashing out the door, bidding her parents adieu on her way out.
On her way to school, she keeps thinking about Monsieur Puchot, wondering what could have possibly happened to him. From the few images they were allowed to show on the television, Marinette concludes that he must have been mutilated not by a man, but by some sort of beast. In which case, this might be a task for Ladybug to tame. However, Marinette has to go to class, so she'll have to look into it right after school.
Marinette takes her seat in Mrs. Bustier's classroom next to Alya, who is buzzing about the news. In fact, the entire class seems to be buzzing about it. The whole room has an air of apprehension, like a string held taut. Even Mrs. Bustier appears a bit apprehensive this morning.
The light from the windows dims, and everyone in the room feels an orchestrated shiver. Marinette looks to Alya for emotional support, only to find her best friend shrinking beneath the desk, deeming this no time to be brave.
The lights in the room go out, and all sounds cease at once. A voice penetrates Marinette's mind and says, "Ladybug and Cat Noir, I know that you're hiding out there, and I want you to know that I'm coming for your Miraculous!" Marinette starts to tremble, and she realizes that everyone else can hear the voice too. "People of Paris, there is no need to fear... so long as you follow my explicit instructions." The voice is slow, and the articulation of the words is impeccable. "Ladybug and Cat Noir will surrender their Miraculous to me. Should they refuse, Monsieur Puchot will be only the first of many. You have been warned. I will not hesitate to keep my word."
The voice fades, only to be replaced with a stinging ringing in Marinette's ears. This can't wait until after school. She has to transform now, before more innocent people are brutally murdered. Marinette can't imagine what could be worse than disembowelment, and she doesn't want to find out either.