Disclaimers

All characters appearing in Miraculous are the property of their respective owners. No infringements of these copyrights are intended and are not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters and concepts are the property of Celgress.

Miraculous Divergence – Prologue Part III: Shanghai

By

Celgress

Cave of the Prodigious outside of Shanghai, night

Ladydragon tightened her grip on the defeated King Cash's throat. The villain had reverted to his human form but the akuma remained to hover over him as if sensing an opportunity at a stronger host. "I should kill you for what you've done! You've earned death many times over!" She snarled. With her greatly enhanced strength breaking this miscreant's neck would be so easy.

"Killing him won't change anything!" Chat Noir said.

"If you kill him in cold blood you're no better than he is!" Ladybug said. "Prove you're a hero! Do the right thing! What would your father want?"

"M-My father?" Ladydragon said.

"How do you know about him?" Ladydragon asked her voice cracking.

"My friend Marinette told me." Ladybug said thinking quickly. "She told me your father was a man of great honor. How would he feel if you killed this miserable, defeated villain simply because you can?"

"He'd, he'd understand." Ladydragon lied.

"I know what it's like to lose your temper after a betrayal. I lashed out at someone and hurt them badly. Since I've regretted my actions every hour of every day. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I had taken their life while I was angry. I doubt I could live with myself. Ladydragon, your anger will fade but if you take a life that is forever. Please, consider what you are about to do." Ladybug pleaded passionately.

"I d-don't want t-to die." King Cash blubbered.

Ladydragon's eyes grew wide. What was she doing? What had she almost done? "Get away from me!" Ladydragon said tossing King Cash into the waiting arms of Chat Noir who quickly subdued the villain.

"You did the right thing, Ladydragon. Your father would be proud." Ladybug said. She took this opportunity to capture and decontaminate the akuma before it could flee.

"You passed the test, young one. You are worthy. The Prodigious is yours, new guardian." The Mei Shi the chief Renling said proudly.

"Well, it would appear I've been bested, farewell," Hawkman said from the mouth of the cave before beating a hasty retreat.

Later

"I trust you enjoyed yourselves, children?" Gabriel asked when his limousine picked up Marinette and Adrien from the Thousand Delights restaurant.

"Yes, we did father. Shanghai is an interesting place." Adrien said.

"How is your uncle, Marinette? Wang I believe is his name." Gabriel asked.

"Uncle Wang is great. We helped him celebrate his 60th birthday." Marinette said. "Thanks again for letting me accompany you and Adrien to Shanghai, Gabriel."

"Don't mention it doing so was my pleasure," Gabriel said.

"What about the new store, father?" Adrien asked.

"I'm afraid things didn't work out," Gabriel said.

"Oh, I almost forget. We got you a present." Marinette said fishing a terracotta figure of a stoic general out of her bag, "ta-da!"

"We think he looks a lot like you, father," Adrien said.

"He presents a tough exterior, but take a look at his belt. He carries the insignia of his soldiers. See there is a single tear on his left cheek which shows he cares about them deeply." Marinette pointed out.

Gabriel took the figure and turned it over in his hands. "Quite," Gabriel with a faint smile.

Gabriel was pleased by the thoughtful gift although he would never openly admit that. As summer ended, he was slowly warming to Marinette. Her bubbly personality is infectious despite his best efforts to remain cool and detached. He rather liked the girl who he initially dismissed as nothing more than a passing infatuation of his son. He only wished Emile was here with them then things would be perfect.

To Be Continued

Next Up

Season Four begins! The first full alternate brand new all different episode!

Author's Note One -

Sorry about the very short length of this mini-chapter. I saw no point rewriting the entire Shanghai movie as 90% does not change in this continuity. I only covered the ending because everything else unfolds as it did in canon up until that point with only minor cosmetic changes. The biggest difference is that Mei Shi avoided infection due to Ladybug's story about punching Chloe snapping Ladydragon from her anger sooner.

Author's Note Two -

Fei Wu aka Ladydragon will be appearing in my version of Season Four. She is too good of a character to leave unused. I have mapped out a story path for her already. I'll start her path by exploring the movie's teased possible adoption by Uncle Wang of Fei Wu. So, yes, Mari's adopted cousin will play a role here unlike in canon where such a role was only teased.