Dreamer (Book Two)

Chapter Three: When Heroes Rise

A/N: I'M SORRY! I know I haven't updated in a while. I apologize. BUT, as an excuse I live in Texas and Hurricane Harvey kinda threw a wrench into all of my plans to write. But don't worry, I'm okay. Please enjoy this next chapter!

"Marinette...!" A deep chuckle sounded. It sent a shiver down my spine.

"What? What do you want from me?!" I screamed into the dark space that surrounded me. I could hear the faint sound of footsteps but they seemed to always sound in different directions, echoing and confusing. "Just leave me alone!"

"Where would the fun in that be, Miss Dupain-Cheng?" The voice was right in my ear, I jumped and whirled but no one was there. I turned back around and nearly screamed when I caught sight of the figure in front of me. "Bye bye!"

I gasped as the shadowed figure plunged a sword through the air, but it wasn't aimed at me. The sword sailed behind me and I heard it make contact with a sickening thud. Suddenly, I could see. I turned and felt a strangled cry fall from my lips as I furiously crawled to the fallen hero.

"Chat? Chat! Please, no. Please..." I cried, cradling his head gently in my lap. The sword stuck out of his chest, the chest that no longer rose and fell.

"A shame the mangy cat got in the way." Hawkmoth, who I could not recognize in the light, said.

"He was your son!" I yelled but kept my eyes on Adrien's masked face and his blank, once vibrant green eyes. Now they stared lifelessly at the ceiling, a grin on his face as if he was thinking of something funny.

"Do you think I care?" Hawkmoth scoffed, crouching in front of Chat and me.

"Adrien... please. Don't leave me alone..." Tears shamelessly fell down my face as I held him, the sobs rising and escaping. Please. I can't do this alone. Please, please... I need you, Chat...

"This is your fault, Ladybug. If you had given up you Miraculous none of this would have ever happened." I glared at Hawkmoth and then once again screamed as he lunged at me, running a previously unseen dagger through my chest.

"Mari!" Adrien sighed exasperatedly, shaking my arm with a free hand. I jolted awake, nearly colliding with the roof of the vehicle and causing Plagg, who had been resting on top of my head, to shriek and fly to the dashboard. "Geez, Marinette. I'm sorry."

"No, no. My fault for falling asleep again." I murmured as I tried to come to my senses. I noticed that Adrien had covered me in his jacket, and I smiled as I realized it was the same jacket he had given me the day of the car accident. I removed myself from Adrien's arm, much to both of our dismays, and sat up in an attempt to keep awake. I turned to Adrien, prepared to speak when I caught sight of his face.

"Adrien? What happened!?" For the first time, I noticed the bruise on his chin, which had been hidden from view until he turned to look at me.

"Huh? Oh." His hand came up and brushed the sensitive skin as he winced. "Got into a fight with Gabriel."

I instantly shrunk away from the name, hating how small it made me feel.

"That's an understatement." Plagg chuckled, not noticing my fear. "Gabriel was all like, 'listen, son, you're leaving no discussion bye!' And Adrien was all like 'No way josé' and kicked him straight in his father's manly parts. But even though he fought heroically, Gabriel did manage to make contact. A shame."