Chapter One: And Here Comes a Chopper to Chop Off Your Head
She felt the cool wind whip her face even though the late summer nights were warm. The red hood that covered her face threatened to betray her as it struggled to stay on the crown of her head. A small glow emitted from the subtle spotted earring she wore. She could hear her uneven breaths become ragged and heavy. Her arms were full with bags of gold and silver pieces. It was a regular night, just like any other, that the famed masked Ladybug stole from the rich and bestow to the poor. The daring Chat Noir trailed behind her. No one knew who they were, not even each other. The townspeople believed them to be their only hope. They darted along the roofs of the Parisian city. Though her back was turned to him, Ladybug sensed that he was smiling from the thrill of their looting and escape. Those nobles never saw it coming. They should have known better than to travel unguarded in Ladybug and Chat Noir's woods. While the nobility and wealthy tax collectors feast, the townspeople and city dwellers starve. She believed it to be her duty to protect Paris from the parasite they called Prince Gabriel and his sheriff.
Ladybug's footsteps were almost silent, but they traveled fast through the shadows of the night. The beads of sweat on Ladybug's brow rolled down her fair skin and fell into her bluebell eyes. The saltiness of the mixture made her wince. Her arm lifted to wipe away the sting. Ladybug yelped. Because of her lack of vision and inherent clumsiness, Ladybug lost footing of the roof and plunged to her doom off the roof. Her hand desperately grabbed for anything that would save her. Lucky—as she has always been—her small hands struggled to grip the poorly built roof trim. The bags of gold were far gone below where she dare not look.
"Chat Noir!" she cried. Her voice sounded strange to herself. Fear coursed through her veins. Her throat strained as she wailed. Her fingers felt as though someone took a hammer to them. The warm night air finally reached her. Her body felt like it was on fire. The heat made her hands clammy and slippery, or perhaps it was from the panic. "Chat, please!" Where was he? Her hope for his rescue was sinking. She heard his cries, but they sounded as if they echoed off the four corners of the earth. Please help. She felt her choke on her tears as that darn cat finally reached her.
"Marinette!" he cried.
What? Marinette?
"Marinette! Come help your father with today's baguettes," Sabine called up to Marinette's loft.
She gasped. Marinette was holding her breath unknowingly. Her eyes were wide with fear. As the sun barely peaked behind the trees, Marinette rose from her bed shakily. She panted heavily. Wettened with tears, her eyelashes glistened in the morning sun. The thought of perilous death waned compared to the thought of her identity being revealed. Marinette's insistent point of being secretive was to protect the safety of her family. Besides, her sweet parents would never let clumsy Marinette defend Paris for the same reasons.
Yet, Marinette bravely let go of the foolish dream. Quickly, she did not bide her time as she put on a lilac dress. It had been worn, mended, and washed several times, but Marinette continued to salvage what she could. She was quite a gifted seamstress. Marinette even hoped that one day she would be a glorified designer of French fashion. Still, she could barely afford to feed her family year after year since the King's departure. Marinette had always been a romantic. Her dreams were big, but her pockets were small.
With dense steps, Marinette made her way down the creaky stairs to the mouthwatering smells of fresh baked bread. Her family owned a small bakery. They were lucky to still be in business, but they often found themselves in difficult situations. They often sold all that could be sold and were left nothing but molded bread and scraps. Pastries were nonexistent in the lower town. They were luxuries for that of nobles. Marinette loathed the way the nobles turned their noses up and dismiss the mass poverty that surrounds them. Nevertheless, Tom ensured that his baked goods were the best quality in all of France.
"Good morning, Maman" Marinette smiled brightly and pulled her hair into a loose bun. She rolled up her sleeves and tightened her apron. "Ready for duty, Papa."
Tom kissed his cheerful daughter lightly on the top of her head. "Nead the dough for me? And don't forget to add the seasoning."
"Yes, Papa."
This was life for Marinette. Although she never complained to help her struggling parents, she had always had a feeling that she was meant to serve a greater purpose. Ladybug was who she was meant to be.
Sabine was buried in work. A notepad was perched in her lap as she counted their profits and stock. Her brow furrowed and her eyes spoke despair. Marinette noticed how tired she looked.
"Maman, what's wrong?"
"Oh, Marinette," Sabine looked up at Marinette with solemn eyes. "This harvest was just as scarce as last years." Marinette sighed. Her knuckles turned white from clenching her fist. A part of her felt grievances for her family, but the other felt nothing but hatred for the upper class. The crown prince sits up in his castle eating meat and pastries, while the sheriff punishes the poor for not meeting ridiculous tax deadlines.
Tom pulled Sabine into a bear hug leaving flour on her shirt. "I wish things could be different, my love. I wish I could give you the life you deserve. Our only hope is Ladybug and Chat Noir."
Marinette's ears perked up. "Of course, Ladybug will help us! She won't let you—I mean—us down" Marinette nervously laughed.
Both Tom and Sabine gave her a questionable look as if to say How can you be so sure? She wanted to reassure her parents and ease their worries. The couple had slaved over their business just to survive for the next day and the next. But that never stopped them from keeping hope alive. Marinette twisted her earrings uncomfortably.
Shouting erupted from the town square. Tom and Sabine stilled at the sound and looked at each other. Marinette's instincts kicked into gear. Ignoring her parent's protests, Marinette raced to the commotion and weaved through the crowd that had circled around the main event.
At the center stood two townspeople who were forced on their knees, a girl and a boy. Their hands were chained to a tree stump. It only took seconds to realize that one of them looked entirely too familiar. Marinette's eyes widened. Alya.
Alya was a good friend of Marinette's. Although she was a bit nosey, she made up for her curiosity with compassion. Her mother worked hard to support their large family. The Dupain-Cheng's often gave them discounts when harvests were better. Marinette's heart dropped. Alya looked so defenseless. She has always been lionhearted and strong-willed. Marinette ached to see her friend like that.
Making its way through the town, a large white carriage came into view pulled by an array of horses. As the carriage pulled up to the circle around the two, the coachmen opened the door. Out stepped a pair of black heels. A flutter of petticoats and a black and yellow dress emerged. A woman appeared from the carriage in massive amounts of jewelry and powder. Although she was at a far distance, Marinette could still see how the mistress's eyes were dusted with blue pigments, and her lips were glossed. And even with all her make-up on, she still could see no beauty.
"The Lady Chloe!" a coachman declares her entrance.
Everyone knew her as the Sheriff's daughter, the infamous Lady Chloe. She was engaged to the crown Prince Gabriel's son, Prince Adrien. Chloe had many powerful sources and even a possible claim to the throne. Not only was she socially strong, but she was feared by many. She has been credited to be notorious for punishing lawbreakers.
"'Oranges and lemons; Say the bells of St. Clemons,'" Chloe chuckled and smirked. "Why the sad faces?" She walked around the circle tauntingly. "It is not my fault that the people of Paris continue to steal and pollute this city with their criminal ways." She paused and turned to face Marinette. The court is silent. Nobody dared to hold eye contact with the mistress. Chloe catches her eye. Marinette's breath hitches slightly. The noblewoman glares at her menacingly. It takes all of Ladybug's courage not to withdraw her gaze. Chloe sniffs and continues to pace, "The outlaws, Ladybug and Chat Noir, are cowards and fools. Anyone who dares to aid them in any way will hang." Her icy blue eyes pierce the soul of the people she looks at. Her mustard yellow dress trails behind her in a lacy train. Her maid struggles to keep up with her pace to shade her with a white, lacy Parasole. She laughs a little. "Today we have ourselves a couple of thieves who have decided they are above the law." Marinette glanced over at the pair, and to her surprise, Alya and the boy were seething. Their fists were clenched tightly and teeth were grit. Chloe changed her expression to something that didn't look quite natural. Perhaps it was a forced look of sympathy. "I have decided to show them clemency as a reminder of the offense. Instead of paying with their life, they will each have a hand chopped off." A man in dark clothing followed with an axe in hand. His face was covered with a dark mask like how an executor would.
Marinette's head was swimming. She didn't have time to get her mask and cape. How could she save them? Alya and the boy's hand would be cut off. Steam was practically coming out of Marinette's ears. She was outraged by this mercy. What could she do as just Marinette? These people need ladybug.
"Remember my gracious and kind acts, for I wish only good fortune to France." Chloe's lips formed into a pout that looked far too comfortable on her face. "Let it be known that I will not show mercy hence forth." And with that gave the crowd one last look and climbed into the luxurious carriage. She rode in the direction of the castle where all the wealth of Paris lay.
Just as she left, the man with the axe centered his weapon as he prepared to do his bidding. Alya started crying, but she let no one have the satisfaction of hearing her sobs. The boy was shaking but whispered something into Alya's ears which seems to comfort her slightly.
No! Stop!
The man in black raised his axe high just as a gray metal staff blocked its path with a clang. The crowd cheered in response. The guards moved to settle the mob that broke out. Marinette watched as the two dark masked men faced off. Chat Noir! Marinette's face broke out into a smile in relief for her friend's hand. Chat Noir effortlessly bested the executor. Marinette—who was still in shock—shook her head and ran towards Alya and the boy.
Alya caught Marinette's eye and smiled in reassurance. Marinette unchained them and looked around for the cat-like hero. He snared Marinette's gaze. Although his mask covered plenty of his face, it hardly prevented her from seeing him wink at her. Marinette squeaked and quickly ducked back to helping her friend.
"Thanks, Mari" Alya gasped. She gave Marinette a chaste hug and helped the boy up whose name seemed to be Nino. Marinette duly noted her rise to act, but dismissed it quickly as the guards were running towards them with swords in hand. Chat Noir noticed and swiftly rushed to aid them.
"Run!" he yelled. The four of them raced to the woods where Ladybug and Chat Noir reigned. Marinette gasped as Chat Noir grabbed her hand as they ran. She couldn't resists smiling when she saw his never-ending grin. She had always felt a sense of safety and security with him by her side.
Author's Note
Hey, I'm kinda new to fanfiction. So, if you have any criticism or comments for me feel free to leave them in the reviews. Also, I know this is a pretty popular AU, but I haven't read any of the fanfics. This is my take on the story. I also want to point out that it isn't plagiarism if it's a classic tale with key points like archery tournaments and Prince John and King Richard and Nottingham, so please don't blast me. I love "Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir" but I'm not a hardcore stan so I don't always get the facts right. I really hoped you enjoyed :)