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Maria and Ladybug were walking away, while the former was glad he could finally rest his head. The events on the train really tired him out and he was looking forward for some rest.
But then-
...
"-do, little Ladybug."
...what.
Ladybug paused in his strides, looking around himself again. He was.. back. Why was he back?
He moved his phone away from his ear, eyes in shock. This street again... he- he shouldnt even be here!
"M-Maria? What's going on?!" He needed an answer, just something to explain all of this! Just.. just SOMETHING!
"What? I was just telling you about your new operation name. But you suddenly stopped talking for a second."
Ladybug couldve sworn his heart stopped. He ran quickly as he reached the road.
"No, nonononono! This- I shouldnt even be here! We were walking away and I-"
The sound of a truck's horn was heard as Ladybug felt a vehicle hit him, which-
...
Ladybug jolted forwards, eyes wide as he heard Maria speak again.
"-for a living, little Ladybug."
Fuck.
"Ladybug," He responded, was.. was this a dream? It surely had to be. It's not like that even made any logical sense!
"Is it because I'm unlucky?"
"What? No, you're not. Remember-"
"Yes, yes Maria. I do remember." Ladybug sighed. If.. if this is a dream, surely something could be done about all those deaths.
The Wolf, The Hornet- even though she attacked him first, so it was technically self defense and-
oh my god, this line of thinking is stupid.
But.. there was one he was completely guilty for.
Tangerine.
God. Oh god he felt terrible about all of the deaths he accidentally caused for sure, but his was the worst. If he had just stopped and listened ! It could've been stopped!
Ladybug stopped to take in a deep breath. He needs to calm down. If he doesnt- something will go wrong. He's already messed up enough things during this day, he can at least, finally, try to make it right.
Everything seemed to pass so quickly. The walk to the station, boarding the train and-
Wait. Hold on- what if he doesnt take the briefcase? The White Death was responsible for bringing them here, and its not like he could convince each and every assassin here to just leave the bullet train!
...could he? Wait- no no, that wouldnt work.
After he had spent the past minute or so just staring at the briefcase, he shrugs and walks off, taking a seat inside one of the train carts.
"Did you get the briefcase?"
"I.. uh, yeah. I got it." Ladybug leaned back in his seat.
"Okay- good, good! Now get off the train as soon as possible."
"I gotcha. I'll call you as soon as I get off, alright?"
Ladybug hung up as he leaned back in his seat. He needs some time to think. This- this is too much. He closes his eyes and waits.
And... waits.
The train comes to a halt, as Ladybug headed off the train, walking past the train stop and walking away. He doesnt have a reason to stick around, right? If the briefcase stays there, Lemon and Tangerine can finish their job, everything should be fine right?
But... something feels wrong. It.. doesnt feel right to just walk away, does it? The Prince, she could- something is going to go wrong if he isnt there.
Ladybug felt the air moving past him quickly, as if he were in the middle of a tornado. What?? What's happening?!-
"-do, little Ladybug."
..here. Here again?
Ladybug just took in an exhausted deep breath as he walked quickly.
"Hey, Maria? I'm gonna hang up for a second, I think I've got it for now."
"Are you sure? I dont think thats a good idea, Ladybug."
"I'll- I'll be fine, I can manage." Ladybug nodded to himself. If this is a loop of everything in that day, then running away wont work.
"Hmm... okay then. Just call me again if you need my help, okay?"
"I got it, Maria."
Ladybug hung up the phone as he kept a steady pace. He let the truck pass, made it back on the train and grabbed the suitcase.
And... so began the series of events in that day. He started spending each time he looped back to just change something.
He originally tried talking to the Wolf to attempt to get him to calm down. Did it work?
..nope, not in the slightest. To be fair, he is out for revenge- just on the wrong person.
Each loop felt shorter, and shorter than the last. He just had to get back to that one confrontation. He has to see if he can save Tangerine.
It's worth a try. Just something.
Everything played the exact. Same. No matter what he tried to change, it didnt work. Even if he did manage to change something, it always ended with him dying. Hah... haha! Was it because maybe, just maybe he was doing it wrong?
Whatever, Ladybug doesnt have time to think about that. He tuned out most of the day. Each event repeating more times than he could count. I mean- that should probably be expected, since if you had to relive the same day again, and again? It's probably expected to tune out the same few things.
But then... even after so, oh so many times, no matter how many times he's tried,
..the exact same gunshot is heard. God, does it linger in his ears and haunt him.
And this loop was no different.
Ladybug looked down at the bleeding out Tangerine, his face looked like he was one second from absolutely bawling his eyes out (To which- yes, he was!).
"Diesel! You fucking bellend!"
Tangerine clutched his wound, as Ladybug watched him bleed out. The Prince looked at Ladybug, with that absolutely fucking tiring face.
"Sir? Are... are you okay?" The Prince asked, attempting to look concerned. Ladybug was well aware of her trickery, brushed her away.
"I'm okay, kid. Just.. go for a second. Go sit in a train cart elsewhere. I need a minute."
The Prince nodded, walking away. Ladybug stared at the most likely dead Tangerine, his body limp against the door.
He fell to his knees, holding himself up with his hands as he felt tears streaming down his face.
And.. he cried. Quietly- mind you, but was definitely breaking his brain mentally with it. He curled into himself as he lay on the floor.
" WHY?! Why is it that no matter what I do- no matter how many fucking times I try to help, nothing changes! What lead me to be stuck here!? What kind of sick torture method am I forced to experience until I fucking break!?"
Ladybug stared at the dead man, still sobbing. He clutched his own head, and screamed.
There was a likely chance it was very audible to whoever was able to hear it on this god forsaken train.
But... then Ladybug felt like he was falling. Like, falling down an endless pit. He opened his eyes, and sure enough, a black void surrounded him.
He turned his head, and there it was. An orange colored figure, just staring at the man. He stared tiredly at the figure, approaching it slowly.
"I.. I'm so, so sorry. I just... I want to change what happened, Tangerine, I really do. But please, please believe me when I say it feels impossible. Its like life made me its punching bag, and I just cant take it anymore."
Ladybug softly held the figure's hand, while the Tangerine- like figure tilted its head confusedly at him.
"If you can somehow hear me, Tangerine... please, just please forgive me for that day."
Ladybug pulled it into a hug, while Ladybug was still sobbing his eyes out. The figure loosely returned the hug, feeling the wind shift to blow cold air onto Ladybug. He closed his eyes as he inhaled once more, feeling slightly calmer than he used to feel.