Adrien didn't like this feeling.

He didn't like it at all.

And he didn't even know what it was.

It had been there since he had left school. He didn't know what happened, but all he had seen was Chloe laughing at Marinette as she fled the school, ignoring Alya's shouts of protest. Ever since Chloe had found out about Marinette's crush on a boy at their school (he didn't know who), she wouldn't stop teasing her about it. And, to be honest, from what he had heard from Alya, it was getting pretty bad.

And now, as he scribbled down answers to his history homework, he couldn't get Marinette's tear stained face out of his mind. Oh, the anger he had felt when Chloe turned around, triumph in her eyes, he could have pummeled her right then and there. But he knew that wasn't going to happen, so he had proceeded to return home and punch his pillow until it tore in two.

And still, after all, that, he still had this bad feeling, as if he should do something about it. Checking his watch, he shrugged. He was planning to go see her anyway...

Adrien shook his head. What was he thinking? Marinette was the strongest, bravest, most amazing person he knew. She was beautiful and extraordinary in every way and nothing Chloe said would ever change that. In fact, she was probably talking to Alya over the phone and snickering at the rich girl's terrible insults.

He grinned at the thought. Yes, that definitely sounded like his Marinette.

"The answer to number twenty-seven is b," Plagg mumbled.

Adrien glanced down at the kwami. "What?"

"It's b," He repeated, taking a bite of his cheese.

"And how on earth would you know that?" the model asked, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

"I was there," Plagg replied simply.

"I know you were with me in class today, Plagg. I take you every day." Adrien muttered, turning back to his paper.

"No, I mean I was there. As in I was in Rome when Nero was emperor."

Adrien's pencil stopped and his eyes grew to the size of UFO's. "Excuse me?"

"Dear God, why was I landed with a person who doesn't have ears? Cats are supposed to hear well..." Plagg rolled his eyes, giving Adrien the 'are you stupid' look. "I was in Rome when Nero was emperor. Really, how many times do I have to repeat myself to you?"

"You're telling me that you are over a thousand years old?"

"Four thousand, actually, but yes. You get the idea."

"You were around with the dinosaurs?"

"Lad, Ladybug and I almost caused the extinction once." Plagg sighed, his eyes misting. "Ah, the good old days."

"Ladybug was in Rome with you?" Adrien's smile was growing by the second.

"Yeah." His kwami suddenly grew very sad. "Yeah, yeah she was. You should have seen her. She looks great in legionnaire armor."

He could picture it. Oh, dear lord, his heart just started beating ten times faster. "Well, what happened?"

Plagg turned his mournful look on Adrien. "She died."

The boy's grin slid off his face as quickly as ice on a plate. "W-what?"

"She died. Saving Rome. She just... died."

Adrien had never heard the kwami so sad before. "N-no. That's not possible. Ladybug can't die."

"Fine. Be all logical then." Plagg's tone turned defensive and a bit harsh. "You're right. Ladybug, the magical creature, can't die. She's immortal. But the bearer, the person who is the vessel of Ladybug, can die. They're human. And... and my vessel at the time..."

Plagg sniffed and wiped the tears off his whiskers. "He was in love with her. Head over heels. Never have I seen two people so meant for each other in all my life. I mean-."

Adrien's phone began to buzz and his kwami stopped. "We are not finished talking about this," he said and grabbed the device and holding it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hey, Adrien," Nino's voice filled his ears.

"Hey, Nino," Adrien replied, eyebrows raising. "What's up?"

"I know this might sound weird, but has Marinette contacted you at all?"

Curiosity spiked. "No. Why?"

"Well..." there was an element of concern in his tone.

"What is it, Nino?"

"Alya's been trying to call her all afternoon, and there hasn't been any response whatsoever. Her parents are out of town today and after what Chloe said to her... Alya's worried Marinette might do something rash."

Adrien's concern was building with each word his friend said. Swallowing, he managed, "Rash like what?"

"She's being dramatic. It probably won't happen."

"Nino, what did Alya say?"

"She said that she's afraid Marinette might get akumatized."

Nino had said it very fast and full of fear, but Adrien could understand it perfectly, and his heart filled with dread. How had he not thought of that?

"Nino, I'm going to have to call you back!" And he hung up. He turned to Plagg, who was staring at him with large eyes. "Plagg..."

"Time to go save a Princess." His kwami finished.

Adrien nodded, holding out his hand and letting the creature transform him into his alter ego. Once finished, he took a deep breath and bounded out the window.

He raced across the roofs of Paris as fast as he could, fear gripping him in a vice. No, no, no. No! Marinette would never slip into that darkness. She was too kind, too sweet, too perfect. An akuma would never be able to stand the light that emitted from her smile, the courage that came from her eyes.

No.

He fell to her balcony with a thud and stared down through the skylight, eyes wide. Marinette was backing away from something small. Something flying.

"No, no, no. Please..." Her back hit the wall and tears rolled down her cheeks as the akuma drew closer, and closer.

Adrien shouted something even he couldn't understand and began attacking the lock on the window. Of course, she would lock it. It would be today. Of all days.

Finally, he wrenched the window open and jumped into her room. He dashed over to her crouched body against the wall. "Mari... Mari, look at me."

No reply.

"Marinette?"

She lifted her face, and when her eyes met his he gasped, a sob threatening to escape his throat.

Her golden eyes crinkled with her sadistic grin. "I'm sorry, but Marinette has left the building."

Time to save Princess.