I feel myself being wheeled into a room which smells like medicine and I wrinkle my nose. A kind face floating above me smiles. "Don't worry, the smell will go away with time. Just rest and let your body recover." I want to look around, but my head feels like one of those big flours sacks we sell that the bakery. "Is my family here? Where's Cat?" Ouch, maybe I shouldn't talk, for my throat feels like sandpaper and I start a hacking cough. "Cat's close by. Please, rest. You need to save your strength."

I flop back on the pillow, exhausted. Even if was my enemy, I don't think I would have the strength to fight. I find myself being lifted, then set down in a cozy warm bed with plump pillows. I want to fall asleep immediately, but my mind apparently has other plans. I watch the people scurry around, and I jerk as I feel a needle going into my arm. "You need to get fluid into you," my nurse says.

I take a deep breath and try to think of other things. Apparently, there must be other things in there as well, because I can feel myself nodding off, falling into the blackness like a pool of water…..

Warm. When I wake up, the temperature is the first thing I feel. This world I now occupy is warm and also dark, a deep velvety black. Its quiet and peaceful here, and I wonder what happens next.

I hope I'm not back in the cave, but I discard that thought instantly. If I was back in the cave, Cat would be besides me, and it would be very cold. I hear footsteps, boots clicking along the floor. "At your service, Ladybug. I'm CatWalker."

I leap up in surprise, thinking I was the only one here. My eyes meet his, and I flush the temptare rising even higher. Beautiful warm green eyes meet mine, filled with mirth and mischievous. His hair is a dark brown, or a possible green color, tied back in a ponytail. His name sounds familiar, but before I grasp it, it slips away like mist. "Catwalker?" I place my hand tentatively in his and gasp as a zap of electricy runs through me. "We've met before, but its possible you've forgotten. Though, you know me better then you like." He winks at me, and my heart thuds in my chest. "Sounds like a riddle to me. So, are you my guide here?" Catwalker laughs. "I guess you could call it that. Follow me."

Keeping his hands, we forward in the blackness. We haven't gone very far, when I stumble, having a coughing fit. "Ladybug!" Catwalker drops to his knees beside me, handing me a bottle of water. "Drink this." I take the bottle, the cold liquid going down my throat, soothes burning and the pain eases. His arm is around me, and he helps me stands. "Are you okay to keep going?" I nod. "Yes, I am better now."

Up ahead, I see shimmers of light, and wonder if I'll finally see the sun at last. I'm surprised when I come to find a hall of mirrors. Catwalker leads me down the corridor, stopping at one in the middle. I take a look at myself in the mirror, and gasp. Inside of my red suit, I wear a normal day outfit as a civilian, as Marinette. I glance down, seeing that I'm still Ladybug. "That's impossible," I whisper. "Nit impossible. And it means you don't have to be afraid anymore, Little Bug." I stare at him in confusion. "I'm not sure what you mean." "It means that you can let go of fears, and your loved one will still beside you." I want to ask more questions, but Catwalker urges me on. "Time to go, there are many things to see."

We leave the mirrors behind, and we come upon a door. CatWalker stops, and turns to me. "Only you can enter this door. Whenever you feel ready, you can come back through."

I place my hand on the doorknob. "But why can't you come with me?" "Because this is your life, Ladybug. Now, I'll see you soon." He steps forward, giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. "See you soon," I echo, smiling at him. Then I step through the door.

Brilliant sunshine fills the sky, and I have to lift my hands to block out its light, until my eyes adjust. "Mama! Mama!" A young girl runs towards me, pulling on my hand. Mama? "Its your turn to be buried in the sand. And Hugo and Louis are having so much fun with Daddy." I let myself be pulled along, and see Adrien, half buried in the sand, two children giggling gleefully beside me. A grin tugs at my mouth, and I laugh out loud with them. "All right, let Daddy out. Besides, its my turn."

Hugo and Louis pout, but perk up as Adrien tells them he's going to get the picnic basket. I plop down on the sand, waiting to be buried, studying my children. Hugo and Louis both look like Adrien, but very quickly I can see that their personalities are vastly different. Hugo is older then Louis, and the more serious of the two. Louis's green eyes sparkle with humor, and begins giggling again. "Mama, here's the lemonade!" The girl tries to hand me the cold cup. My mouth waters, but my hands are full. "Emma, she's busy," Adrien tells her. "Don't worry, she'll get her cupcake and lemonade soon."

Its nice and cool under the sand, but I feel like should be doing something, and I squirm a bit. "M'lady, its Sunday. We have all the time in the world." "M'lady?" Why is Adrien calling me M'lady when I'm Marinette? The only way he could possibly know that is….

"You love me," I stand up abruptly from the sand, staring at Adrien. "You really, truly love me." "Okay, Bugaboo, maybe the sun has gotten to you." I feel deliriously happy. "Maybe. Could you and I go to the shady spot over there?" He nods, taking my hand. Once we're by ourselves, I lean forward to kiss him. "You truly love me," I whisper, staring into those green eyes I love so much. Adrien plays with a stray lock of my hair. "Since our eyes met, Marinette."

A slight rumble in the distance causes me to step back. "Marinette, what's going on? Your not acting like yourself." I don't want to let go of Adrien's warm hand, but know I must. "This is only goodbye for now. Not forever."

Then I dash back across the sand, towards the door, slamming it behind me. CatWalker is waiting patiently and places his hands on my shoulders, as I stand there, panting, trying to catch my breath. "Ladybug, are you hurt?" I look at him. "What was that?" "Your future, near future if you choose it." "You mean I can refuse?" Catwalker's eyes lose a bit of their sparkle, and I wonder what he is thinking. "That only you can answer." "I only can back running, because if I didn't, I would have stayed forever."

"Wise choice. For there is still one more place for you to see. Take my hand." I stay close to CatWalker's side, and I can hear sound, but I can't place it. When we stop, I look around, but its just blackness, like ink spilled from the bottle.

"What am I supposed to be seeing?" I ask. "If you don't keeping fighting for your life, this is it. The end of the road."

I sink to my knees and he's there to help me. My cheeks feel wet and I know I'm crying when I ask, "Catwalker, am I dying?" "Only when you stop fighting." I begin to shiver so much, my teeth start to chatter and I grow numb. "Its okay, I won't leave your side." I slowly crawl into his lap, and feel safe, warm, protected. Exhausted, I fall into slumber. I must keeping fighting, but I feel so very tired…..

Memories like autumn leaves sweep by me: The first time I met Adrien, the first time I met Cat. I can feel the rain dampening my hair until Adrien hands me his umbrella, our eyes meeting and the rumble of thunder above. A cheek kiss here, a kiss on the lips, each disappearing before I can catch hold of it.

But each memory carries a warm feeling, and it chases the darkness and coldness away. I need to be strong.

"Rest and heal, My Little Bug.

I will be here, right by your side.

Rest and dream and heal,

Cat Noir is right here to protect you."

I open one eye, looking at Catwalker. "Did you say something?" I ask, my voice thick with sleep. He shakes his head.

Cat Noir keeps a steady vigil by Ladybug's bedside, he's been here since the sun rose this morning. Te workers tell him to take a break, but Cat doesn't budge from his spot.

Meanwhile at Hawkmoth's Castle….

Hawkmoth climbed the stairs to ramparts. This section didn't have any guards, but Hawkmoth was unconcerned about that. Taking a crumbly biscuit from his pocket he crumpled it up, scattering it on the wall.

Caw! Caw! Caw! Ah, there they were. He had been watching three crows with great interest. The greedy birds flew over to the free buffet and Hawkmoth stepped back. How long would it take to tame birds like this? Crows were smart, and could be trained. He stepped forward, and the birds flew away, but he wasn't sad, for he knew patience would be his gain.

He descended the ramparts, in search of Papagino, the bird man. He could imange the shocked looks on Ladybug's and Cat Noir's face when he finally took the Miraculous. But first he wanted to know their strength and weakness. And what better spies could he hire then some greedy crows?