Marinette looked back down at the skin-tight suit, the familiar pattern of black polka dots on a red background kind of resembled a ladybug. The fabric stuck to her body, making her feel uncomfortable walking around in it, she definitely didn't want anyone seeing her in that.

She was still confused as to what just happened, and her mind was having trouble processing it. A weird little bug-like creature had zoomed up to her and basically dumped a big responsibility of saving Paris into her hands, even though she was a criminal. To add to that, she had to save Paris while wearing a ridiculous outfit. She wasn't sure if she could pull it off.

"I don't even know how to—"

She was interrupted by a high pitched scream from just around the corner. She suddenly felt a rush of energy run through her veins, a feeling she had never experienced before. It was like some kind of magic; confidence and determination snapped into her senses. Her feet seemed to move much faster then usual as she ran to the source of the troubled citizen. Not one doubt or fear entered her mind, she was focused on the task at hand.

She was so excited, that she accidentally dropped an object that she didn't notice she was holding at first. Marinette came to a quick halt, then carefully took a couple of steps back. Right in front of her feet was a red, glowing device that had a string attached to it at the end.

Marinette picked up the object and studied it closer, she had seen a much simpler version before but she couldn't figure out what it was. Being raised in a gang she didn't have much experience with toys, but the object flashed vaguely in her memory.

"A yoyo?" she lifted it above her head "What could I possibly use this for?"

Before she could try it out, the same scream filled the air, this time much closer. Marinette grasped the yoyo tightly, hoping that it might be some use to her later, and ran around the corner.

Just around the curb she spotted a young, brunette girl backed up against the wall by one of Marinette's most vicious gang members. Marinette felt her heart skip a beat when she heard the girl whimper, the man towered over her showing no sign of mercy or escape.

Marinette knew the man as Gershwin—a tall, well built figure that shouldn't be messed with. He had been in more gang battles then she could count, and had probably killed more then a dozen people. In her gang life, Gershwin was actually quite nice and opened up to her like a friend.

Marinette smirked, that's how she knew his weakness. Gershwin had been shot in the arm a couple years earlier, and even though it healed, he still had some trouble with it. Marinette knew if she hit his shoulder just right, that could distract him for a while.

She was glad that her suit was tight because that made it so much easier to creep up on him. She could hear him grunting, but proceeded with her plan.

She hesitantly pulled back her fist, and brought it down with all her might onto the man's arm. Gershwin fell to his knees and grabbed his shoulder, it wasn't a very hard punch but it hurt like hell for him. Just a small tap was enough to make him wince. But not long after, he stood back up and turned around. He huffed at Marinette, which only fueled her confidence more.

"He doesn't recognize me?" Marinette thought to herself, a laugh escaping her lips "Maybe this superhero gig isn't so bad after all."

Now that all his attention was on her, she could focus more on defeating Gershwin instead of the young girl's safety. He stomped up to her, but Marinette didn't let his intimidating height scare her, instead she pulled out her yoyo and hit his shoulder. Once again Gershwin screamed in pain, now his shoulder was throbbing and anymore contact would cause it to lock up.

Marinette saw her golden opportunity, and before she could control herself, she jumped up on the wall and kicked Gershwin to the ground. Gershwin was in so much shock he couldn't do anything. Marinette then grabbed the nearest stone and tiptoed up to the man, who was on the ground sobbing in pain.

"Please know that I hold you in the highest respect, but since I can't have you follow me, all I ask is for your forgiveness." Marinette smiled, which Gershwin replied with a confused expression.

She then took the stone and smashed it on his head, but only enough to knock out the human giant, and not kill him. Marinette had never killed anyone in her life, but she knew how to make it seem like she had. After seeing that he wouldn't be waking up for a while, she nodded her head and approached the young girl that was lying on the ground; shaking and crying.

"It's okay," Marinette whispered to the girl as she got down on her knees "He won't hurt you anymore, I'll make sure of it. Just try to stay out of this part of town, okay?"

"T-thank you," the girl whispered back "I j-just didn't know what t-to do I was—"

"It's okay, you'll be okay, let me walk you home." Marinette smiled at the girl. She guessed that the girl lived on the other side of Paris, considering the fact that her clothes were from a very expensive brand.

"T-thank you..." the girl cracked a smile, then she paused for a moment "...who are you?"

Marinette opened her mouth to speak, but she noticed that the girl was staring at something behind her instead. Had Gershwin come back to life? Was another gang member behind her?

"Hey Spots," Marinette heard a familiar voice say "Leave the dangerous stuff to the superheroes, okay? We don't want any innocent people getting hurt."

Just hearing his voice made her shiver, but she couldn't stay down. Marinette slowly rose to her feet, preparing herself for the questioning she may receive. The gang's number one enemy—Chat Noir—was standing right in front of her. The famous Parisian superhero looked at her with pride in his eyes, his baton rested in his left hand as he looked Marinette up and down.

Of course, Marinette knew him well. He had caught her many times, and even gave her the nickname "Princess" since he assumed she was Hawkmoth's daughter. But with her disguise, he couldn't recognize her, she could be anyone she wanted to be in front of him. This gave her a new sense of perspective, another reason why being a superhero was worth it. But even after she collected her thoughts, her body was still in shock.

"I uh, um—" Marinette stuttered, she couldn't speak.

"Oh, what's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Chat Noir teased.

Marinette took a deep breath and remembered that confidence was the key, something she lacked in her gang life. If she had confidence, she could be anyone she wanted to, she could do anything her heart desired.

"I'm just a little tired because I just knocked out a 6'5 guy, something you were supposed to do."

"Oh so it's my fault? Who knew Ladybugs were so dramatic?"

"Who knew cats were so snobby?"

Chat Noir threw his hands up in frustration, he assumed she didn't notice that he was just playing her. Maybe she didn't find it funny, but now he had just ruined his first impression with someone who wasn't only attractive; but also smart, badass and everything he could hope for in a girl.

He glared at her, waiting to see if she would say anything else, but instead noticed her earrings. He had never seen such a unique design, and being associated with fashion in his normal life, Chat Noir grew curious.

"Okay, so we got off to a bad start," he held out his hand "You probably know me already, but I'm Chat Noir."

Marinette rolled her eyes before shaking his hand "And you can just call me Ladybug, I guess."

"Can I call you Spots?"

"Don't you dare!"

"Fine, my lady, and I must say those are very lovely earrings. Did they come with the costume?" he asked.

Marinette was confused, she cocked her head to the right showing that she didn't know what he was talking about.

"What costume?"

"The suit you're wearing miss, it's very realistic." he looked her up and down once again, the red color in her suit really stood out.

"Oh, this isn't a costume. It's uh... a long story." she said.

Chat Noir looked at her with disbelief, how could she not be wearing a costume? Finally, it clicked in his mind: her strength, her confidence and her abilities were almost super-human, and the suit confirmed it. Unless she was a skilled circus performer, Chat Noir concluded that she was a superhero. Was this the answer to his prayer? Was he finally receiving a partner?

His thoughts were interrupted by the beeping sound coming from his ring, indicating that he would detransform soon.

"Sorry to cut this conversation short, but I have to go." he winked at Ladybug "Lovely meeting you madame, definitely hope to see you again."

"Ha, don't count on it." Ladybug replied before walking off, she helped the victim girl up and led her down the alleyway.

Chat Noir watched her go, she was the picture of loveliness he had always hoped for, and he would've given anything to see her again.

Little did he know that Ladybug was just another criminal that belonged behind bars.