Notes: Hi! This is my first fic, and I'm really proud of myself for finally gathering up the courage to post this. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I did writing it. Enjoy! ~~It's totally not like I stayed up until 2am getting this chapter done~~

"Chaaat!"

Ladybug's anguished cry shook Chat Noir to his core. 'What… what's wrong with my leg?' He attempted to move said limb, only to discover he couldn't feel anything. Chat looked down and realized two things at once:

1. His left leg was gone.

2. Chat Noir does not like blood.

His head swam as he gagged, stomach churning. His last moment of awareness was of a firm, though gentle embrace lifting him off the cold ground.

~~~ angst ~~~

"Chaaat!"

Ladybug watched in horror as her best friend and partner was thrashed around by the latest akuma victim, a samurai calling himself Shredder with a terrifying skill with swords. She then proceeded to nearly empty the contents of her stomach when she witnessed his left leg get cut clean off. She rushed towards him as he crumpled to the ground, motionless. Dodging the akuma's attacks, she made it to Chat's side and immediately scooped him up, carefully avoiding looking at the empty space where his leg should have been. Still holding him close, Ladybug turned towards the akuma.

"Hawkmoth," her voice was pure venom as she directly addressed the supervillain, "you've gone too far this time. When I'm through with you, you're going to wish you were NEVER. BORN."

The spotted heroine then tightened her grip on her partner and swung away.

~~~ angst ~~~

Hawkmoth watched through his victim's eyes as Ladybug left, her threat echoing in his head. "You've gone too far this time. When I'm through with you, you're going to wish you were NEVER. BORN."

"What now?" Shredder interrupted the villain's musings. "I didn't get the dumb jewelry, Ladybug left, and now she's also extremely ticked. And do you see all that blood?! I don't even want to know where that cat's leg went!" Hawkmoth could feel the shudder through the psychic link. Shredder continued. "Can't I go exact my revenge on the imbecile that dishonored my family legacy now? I mean, there's nothing else do but wait, isn't there?"

Hawkmoth sighed.

"I believe you are correct. For now we must simply wait for them- or rather, her- to return. You may do as you please, under one condition. Unless it's one of those pesky heroes, do not, under any circumstances, take a life. Is that understood?"

Shredder answered, "I understand, Hawkmoth."

Said villain then blocked out the psychic link and walked towards the stasis chamber standing prominently in the center of his underground lair.

"Emilie?" he began tentatively, "am I doing the right thing?" He paused, rehashing the events of the past 20 minutes, and decided to rephrase his inquiry.

"Does the end justify the means?"

His response? Only the flutter of butterflies.

End notes:

First chapter of my first fic has been posted! Yay! *internal celebration*

Thanks a million to anyone who reads this!

(Can someone come up with suggestions for new akumas and their powers? Sorry, my creativity in the akuma department is severely lacking. Pls and thx in advance.)

I don't consider myself an amazing writer, so any constructive (note I said constructive) criticism is appreciated.

One last thing. I have no update schedule, nor do I have any control over when inspiration hits me, so I apologize in advance for any long delays in updates. Please don't comment demanding for the next part, it will only drain my desire to write. Thank you for understanding!