Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. The title comes from Starset's "Down With the Fallen".

I didn't start out as trying to be a hero.

My reason for being at my père's fashion show wasn't out of familial loyalty, nor was it because I actually wanted to see his designs, which I didn't. As it is, the only part of his work he's ever discussed with me is my modeling for him. You thought that it was because I had sensed the akuma, but did you ever wonder why I was there in the first place? I was a child throwing a tantrum.

I didn't care when the akuma showed up. I didn't care about the people in danger - I was hurting and I didn't care if others got hurt. I'm still hurting, but I don't want others to get hurt, whether it be because of me or something else.

But you, you were like an angel. You still are. You appeared right when the civilians needed you - right when I needed you. I had already known who you were. We all did - you were the Miraculous Ladybug, already making a name for yourself after just two weeks. And I thought that you'd realize what I was about to do and kill me, or worse, haul me off to jail or my père. But you didn't. You saw me, realized I didn't have an akuma, and immediately thought I was an ally.

I thought you were too innocent. After all, why should you trust me? I was - in some ways I still am - the stray black cat that nobody really wanted because he only brought trouble. But you, you took me in. You immediately thought of me as a friend.

You were so lively and energetic. So effortlessly perfect. And you took me in. Countless times, I've messed up. I've seen how much it annoys you. But despite the annoyance, you never pushed me away.

I was lost in darkness, and you've been a saving light. And how I've clung to that light that saved me from myself. And that light never turned away and cast me back into the never-ending darkness. That's one of the many reasons why I love you. And that's why I'm doing this. Please defeat Timebreaker, and please try to remember all the good I've done, all of the good times, rather than mourn me. I don't want to be the cause of your tears. Use them on someone more deserving, my Lady.