Okay... so I had to take a breather from Strangers in Passing due to situations at home. However, between now and then, I somehow got sucked into the Miraculous Ladybug and Chat Noir fandom! I fell hard and fast for this story and this gods blessed plot bunny will not leave me alone! (shakes said bunny attached to my leg)

I've literally had this story in my head for almost a MONTH before putting it down to pen and paper... or...keyboard I suppose is more apt.

So, without further adeu, I introduce my FIRST Ladybug fanfic: Royal Masks!

Chapter 1: Make way for the King!

Everything looks so peaceful today. Ladybug leaned against the gargoyle on the church tower, watching as people came and went below. It's so different from the castle. Everyone is in such a hurry. Things are similar here, but without the anxiety of insulting someone. She twirled her bandalore with practiced ease, aimed, threw, then swung to the next rooftop. Below, her shadow caused people to look up and cheer when they caught the swish of signature red and black polka dotted cape.

"Mama! Look, it's Ladybug!" a child cheered loudly.

The heroine leaned just far enough to wave and moved on. On her patrol, she watched with intent interest as her city hurried to ready itself for the royal family's guests. "Guests that you're supposed to meet in an hour," Tikki reminded her telepathically. The heroine's face tightened under her mask. "And you're really far from the castle. Don't you think you should be turning back now?" Ladybug cast a weary glance behind her to the towering structure that she called home. Her heart twisted for a moment, knowing her parents would be getting ready to receive King Gabriel Agreste and his son. Tikki was right, she should be there... but the castle was confining to her. Suffocating, she added mentally. She longed to stay away for as long as possible.

With another practiced aim, her bandalore wrapped neatly around another gargoyle and she swung swiftly, twirling once to land on top of it. "I just want to make sure that all is well," she finally answered Tikki. Her miraculous guardian sighed wearily at her and she could practically feel the spirit roll her eyes. "It's Ladybug's job to watch for Akumas and to purify them, right? That's what I'm doing."

"You're also avoiding the last minute fitting for your dress, your tutor is probably having fits looking for you... you're supposed to make a good impression at the meeting, Marinette."

Ladybug tried not to scowl as her eyes trailed across the city to the gates. "Appear, bow to the king, curtsy to his heir, stay quiet in the corner and fan myself; observe the meeting with father, mother and King Agreste... what more is there for me to be there for?"

Tikki didn't respond this time. It was rare for Marinette to be this sour. She only got like this when she really didn't want to do something. Her charge was always a passionate girl in everything she did. She was loyal, kind and, most importantly, responsible. She didn't push the issue any further. Marinette would make it to the reception, she was sure.

Below them, a horn sounded. It grabbed Ladybug's attention and she turned her head towards the sound. The guard that kept the king's peace woke from their afternoon patterns to turn around. "They are early," one commented.

"King Agreste is not known for tardiness," his partner answered. Ladybug quirked an eyebrow in interest and watched as the great, wooden gates opened slowly.

"Make way! Make way for his Majesty, King Gabriel Agreste! Get out of my way, move or my horse will step on you!" Ladybug suppressed an eye roll. Whomever his herald was, the man had a set of lungs on him. She was sure people back at the castle could hear him! Suddenly, a gray and red streak flew past on horseback. Ladybug heard the telltale gallop of horse hooves on flagstone as a runner hurried to the castle to announce the king's arrival.

"That should be our cue," Tikki reminded her gently.

"Not yet, I want to get a look at them."

"Ladybug!" the heroine shifted her gaze as a familiar face waved to her. Alya, page and pen in hand, waved emphatically at her. "Ladybug! Can I get a word with you?!" She was attracting attention and more people stopped to greet and offer praise to their heroine. Ladybug blushed and offered a wave back.

"It will have to be another time," she answered. With a toss and a swing, the red and black hero was off again. Her cape snapped in the wind and her raven black hair pushed away from her face. She turned in time to catch sight of a white field banner with a crimson red eagle blazed across it. Two guards in silver-gray armor rode before King Agreste. She was sure it was the king. His back was properly straight and he was very comfortable on his mount, a huge black and white gelding. His face was not smiling and his eyes, Ladybug could tell, were bone chilling cold.

"Make way for King Gabriel Agreste!" the herald bellowed again, startling her. When had they gotten so close? she wondered mentally. She hid in the shadow of a spiking rooftop, making sure to stay out of sight. She spotted some kids rough housing and a woman, presumably one of the mothers, scolding them in attempt to get them to behave properly. They moved out of the way when the herald cried out the call again. Suddenly, one child pushed another and almost in the path of one of the knights horses. The red bay mare whinnied in surprise and bucked. The horse beside her, a black stallion, also reared. His rider's hood fell back revealing a head of sun gold hair and a richer, white gold circlet studded with gems around his head. She spotted one of the riders, an attendant she presumed by his dress, reach for a whip.

Ladybug reacted immediately and swung down in time just as the whip flew at the child. The chord wrapped painfully around her leather covered wrist. She braced for a kick from one of the horses... a kick that never came. "Whoa!" someone shouted and the horses broke formation. She watched with horror as the black stallion rider, the prince she was sure now, adjust to keep his balance. His horse, even as graceful as he was, lost his footing and came down on his front knees.

Ladybug spun the child behind her and out of the way with her free hand and held out her arms to catch the prince. She couldn't suppress a yelp of pain when the whip tightened even more on her wrist when the attendant pulled. The prince's meadow green eyes widened in shock when she caught him. However, due to the hindrance on her wrist, she had to bend on her knees in order to assure he would not land hard. When all was steady again, she carefully helped him dismount and right himself again. Ladybug blushed and remained on bended knee. "Y-you highness," she greeted and lowered her head.

"Prince Adrien!" the attendant hurried off his mount to go to him. "Are you alright, your highness? Are you injured? You! How dare you grab his royal highness!"

"She did not grab me, Nino. She... she caught me," the prince appeared shocked that the fact. Then a rosy tinge colored his cheeks. "I can't say it's often I fall from my horse, my Lady, but I thank you." He offered a soft smile. Ladybug's heart tripped in her chest and a similar blush colored beneath her red and black dotted mask.

"Ladybug saved me!" the child suddenly cried out, running back to his friends. "Did you see?!"

"Ladybug wouldn't need to save you if Thomas hadn't pushed you," another child, a girl this time, chided. Ladybug remained where she was, afraid to move.

Prince Adrien was also frozen by her bluebell blue eyes. "Adrien," his father's monotone cut between them like a knife. The pair started and Prince Adrien turned to his father. The king had ridden up to them, gray eyes staring down at Ladybug. "Rise... girl," he commanded. Ladybug did so, fighting a blush of emberrassment. She was Ladybug! Her people's heroine. She was confident and calm under pressure. She wasn't afraid of royals! She turned and bowed to the king, her good arm folded before her while her tethered wrist remained out at her side. One foot went behind her ankle in a half curtsy so that the movement wouldn't seem too awkward.

"Your Majesty," she answered. Prince Adrien sucked in a short, soft breath when she finally spoke. King Gabriel's eyes trailed to her arm and scowled.

"Get that off her wrist," he ordered. "What are you waiting for?!" The attendant, Nino, she remembered, hurried to obey. However, Prince Adrien beat him to it and nimbly unknotted the chord. King Gabriel held out his hand for the whip and Nino gave it to him. He turned his horse towards the children, cold eyes turning frosty. Ladybug reacted again and raced to stand protectively in front of them. "What are you doing?"

"The children didn't mean any insult to you, your Majesty," Ladybug's voice was calm and firm. "Surely you don't punish children for having fun in your kingdom do you?" her tone turned light, almost like a joke. However, she did turn to look over at the group of friends. "Though, he does have a point."

"We're sorry, Majesties," the children chorused, offering fumbling bows and curtsies. They clearly weren't use to meeting royalty, the poor souls. They looked scared at the whip... and Ladybug wondered idly if they had been beaten before. The thought sent shivers down her spine. "We mean't nothin' by it," the boy child she saved spoke up, brown eyes filling with huge, sorrowful tears.

King Gabriel hesitated before handing the whip back to Nino. "Move on," he announced to his riders. However,this time, he took up position beside his son. Prince Adrien offered a smile, remounted and waved to Ladybug as he rode away. However, his eyes couldn't help but trail back to the strangely dressed heroine. He wondered if he would meet her again... he sorely hoped he would. He watched as she leaped, flew and swung over rooftops, disappearing from sight.

Ladybug, however, couldn't help but hurry back to the castle. It was time for Marinette to make an appearance. Her heart thundered in her chest and she heard Tikki give a soft giggle telepathically at her charge's sudden change in attitude.

... Shall we address the elephant in the room? *looks around* Oh gods people, I'm just asking if you liked it!

Reviews and feedback are welcome. Should I continue the story or go ahead and scrap it?

I know it's not quite the 'traditional' LB story... and yes, Chat Noir will be making an appearance. *wink* several *double wink*

Oh yes, I'm already rating this up to T for now with how this story may or may not turn out. I will either raise it or drop it depending on how the characters decide to tell their Miraculous Tale.

Until next time,

-Kestra EchoWolf