Falling: A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic

Chapter 1: The "Lucky" Charm

The streets of Paris were lined with bright gold lights, glittering like little stars against the darkness. Among the stars laid hushed whispers and laughter, the smell of freshly baked bread traveling past the superheroine. The sight of a beautiful city: a safe city.

Ladybug tightened her midnight blue hair, and swinged her bright red yoyo over her shoulders. She smiled to herself, peering over at the beautiful view of Paris. The superheroine sprang from the black roofs of each house, her eyes darting for trouble. After noticing no activity and silence, Ladybug sighed. Another peaceful night, she thought. A small chilly wind danced across Ladybug, sending shivers down her back. On high alert, the girl turned back, facing the most harsh truth. She was alone.

"Where's the cat when you need him?" Chat Noir, Ladybug's partner didn't show for patrol for 2 weeks. The silence brought without him was at first peaceful, but Ladybug was beginning to feel lonely. She figured Chat would come back, and maybe he was too busy. But what if he doesn't? Ladybug asked herself miserably. The girl pushed the thought aside. To be honest, Ladybug was beginning to miss the stupid puns and flirts. They filled the empty void of patrol, bringing a sense of laughter and warmth. But there was none now, with only one very lonely Ladybug on a very cold night.

A scream stabbed Ladybug's train of thought. She quickly grabbed her yoyo, and leaped over the houses of Paris. The girl scanned her surroundings. It was a dark and eerie alleyway, with one weak streetlight. The victim was a teenage boy, his eyes widened with fear and filled with tears. The attacker held two large fists with a black mask. He smiled coldly, chuckling at the boy's fear.

"A man? You are nothing but a kid. Where am I going to find the money?" The attacker narrowed his eyes, and crackled his knuckles.

"P-please! I don't know! Just let me-" The boy's stuttering was cut off by a slap to his face.

"No! You lose my god-damn money and say you're sorry. This isn't some Mother-love!"

"That's enough!" Ladybug yelled. "You need to-"

"Like hell I'm listening to a girl in a Ladybug costume. Stay out of this bug." The attacker snapped.

"No. This is my problem the moment you hurt that poor boy. Surrender, or-"

"Or what? You'll tell Mama? Grow up. You're just a girl, you can't beat me." The man taunted. Ladybug grinned to herself. She threw her bright red yoyo to the attacker's legs, binding him. She quickly ran to him. He scowled, but then laughed. The attacker threw a large punch to her stomach, and the superheroine flinched in pain. She kicked him, sending a blast of pain to the man's arms. The attacker soon fell to the ground. He groaned, but smirked.

"Yo, a little help here?" The man bellowed. Ladybug held a puzzled look, but it soon vanished. Two large man, hovering over like giants walked out. Their faces were masked by the darkness, but the weak streetlight shined over their strong muscles. Ladybug gulped, and yelled the only two words that could save her now.

"Lucky Charm!"

Nothing, not even a glimmer of light appeared. What? Ladybug yelled to herself. The three attackers howled with laughter. "No luck for you, ain't there?"

The two brooding men sauntered over to a panicked Ladybug. She was cornered, causing an array of curses from her mouth. Her opponents struck a number of painful blows to her ribs, a dark liquid appearing as red as the girl's suit. Ladybug's vision was getting darker, but she forced her feet to kick the large men. They were finally caught off guard, leaving room for the superheroine to run. The boy was out of sight. Two beeps were heard from her earrings, and Ladybug scrambled to her balcony. The taste of blood filled her mouth, with a painful jolt from her ribs.

Tikki laid in Marinette's arms, weak and gaunt looking. "Oh my god, Tikki are you alright?" Marinette cried, her voice hoarse from exhaustion and pain. A faint murmur could only be heard from the kwami. "Yes, I'm alright. I just need some rest."

"What happened with the lucky charm? And isn't my suit supposed to be indestructible?" The panic and pain could be heard from the girl, scouring for a first-aid kit.

Tikki moaned, "I...don't know. Too many questions. Can we discuss this in the morning?"

Marinette scratched her head uncertainly, "Yeah. Sorry Tikki." She replied, wrapping her chest with bandages. "Good night."

The pain lessened, but Marinette's questions did not. What is happening?