A/N: (see end of chapter for warnings, but beware of spoilers)
Disclaimer: Miraculous Ladybug is the propriety of Thomas Astruc, and the only thing that belongs to me here, is the plot of this story.
Prologue
Marinette hadn't expected Master Fu to suddenly renounce his title as the Guardian of the Miraculouses in the midst of battle.
-neither had she expected Hawkmoth to fly into a mindless rage as a result.
All things considered, despite the habit to transform mere children into chaotic monsters of negative emotions, Marinette had always seen the older villain as a pretty reasonable person. After all, someone crazy and out-of-control wouldn't take the time to carefully, over and over again, plan against her and Chat Noir instead of simply obliterating the whole city and be done with it.
But in that instant, as she watched him shout in pure unadulterated fury, he didn't seem all that reasonable anymore.
When he rushed towards them – making Chloe yelp behind her –, with his cane held high and his eyes wide and unblinking, she, somehow, knew.
Even as the newly formed Miracle box clattered to the floor and she heard Chat jump for it before the villain could snatch it away, she already knew:
The box wasn't what Hawkmoth was aiming for.
Was it because, past the expected wrath and frustration, there was something in the man's eyes that spoke to her – something so full of open anguish and so wild – that she hesitated to move out of the way...? Was it the remains of the prior hopelessness, or the shock and sadness at seeing her master fall, that stalled her steps...?
Either way, while she did see the cane coming...
"LADYBUG!"
... it still hit her smack on the side of her head.
There was muffled noise, there was shock-
And then there was nothing.
A/N: This is only my second fic posted here, and there's already a Major Character Death; at this rate I'm afraid you're all going to think I enjoy killing Marinette off lol (but it's such a good plot device!) The main theme of this story will be clear by the time the next chapter is posted, but if you have theories, don't hesitate to post them in the reviews ;)