"Get back here!" Luka yelled from the floor. Ladybug was about to run over to Chat but her foot was caught under the bookshelf. She fell back down.

"Ahh!" She screamed in pain. Her ankle was sprained. Chat watched in horror as Luka regained his strength and snatched Ladybug from where she was laying. He ran for the door and hurried down the stairs. For a few seconds Chat was too stunned too move but after remembering his mission he chased Luka down the stairs and out the door. When he exited the building Luka was already disappearing from view with Ladybug in his arms. She was struggling but her ankle hurt too much for her to concentrate.

"I gotta save her," Chat whispered to himself. "Don't worry Ladybug. I'll find you." He tried to keep up but Luka was too fast so instead he stopped and pulled out his tracker to find Ladybug's coordinates. They were heading towards the Pont des Arts bridge. "I've got you now." He made it to the bridge to find Ladybug tied upside down on a street pole struggling to escape. Her yo-yo had been taken by Luka and he was about to throw it in the river to be lost forever. "Hey give that back!" The yo-yo dropped from his hand in surprise and Chat dived in after it without a second thought. The cold surged through his entire the body the second his skin touched the water. Pain shot through his veins. He screamed but the water muffled him. He gained his thoughts and swam deeper into the water chasing the quick sinking yo-yo. When he finally snatched it up he was losing air. He had to get to the surface fast. He was treading viciously until he reached the surface. He gasped for breath and his lungs filled with the sweetest air he could remember. He was just glad to be alive. After a minutes hesitation he got up to finish the fight. Ladybug was now unconscious and Chat knew he didn't have much time if he planned on saving her. He used his pole to travel to her.

"Cataclysm!" He yelled slicing through the ropes. She fell instantly and he had to jump backwards down the pole to catch her. "Gotcha!" His ring beeped. He had five minutes before he transformed back. Ladybug's eyes slowly fluttered open.

"Ch.. Chat? What happened?" She stuttered. He placed her gently on the ground against a shrub.

"Ssshhhhh... stay hidden. Regain your strength and we'll talk later." She didn't argue. Her whole body hurt. She closed her eyes and fell asleep. Luka was nowhere in sight. Chat hadn't seen him since he went to get Ladybug's yo-yo. Where was he hiding? It didn't matter. It gave him time to retransform. "Claws off." Plagg appeared in front of him. When he saw Ladybug lying limply in the shrubs behind him he freaked out.

"Is she okay? What if she wakes up? She'll see you!" He started a rant but Adrien managed to shut him up by shoving a spare piece of Camembert he kept in his pockets into his mouth. When he finished eating he asked, "So what's our plan Adrien? We can't stay in the bushes forever and eventually Ladybug will wake up." Adrien glanced over at his sleeping beauty.

"I sure hope so," Adrien mumbled. Plagg placed his paw on Adrien's shoulder.

"She'll be okay. Ladybug's one tough girl. If anyone can do it she can." He said softly. "But we gotta come up with a plan or the Rescuer will never be stopped."

"You're right. We gotta find him... Plagg claws out!" Adrien transformed and swiftly exited the bushes. No sneak attack. No nothing. It was like Luka hadn't even been there but then a quiet scream could be heard from a few miles away. Chat's cat ears helped but he could barely hear it. It was coming from... Marinette's house! "Oh no! I'm coming Marinette!" He yelled while following the sound. When he arrived Luka was hovering above Sabine and Tom. Tom was clutching a frying pan and Sabine was hiding behind him.

"I'll ask one more time! Where is Marinette!?" Luka screamed. "She escaped so she must have returned home! Where is she?!"

"I... I don't know," Sabine replied shakily. "She never returned." Chat hadn't been noticed yet. He was peeking in through the window. Where had Marinette gone and what did Luka have against her? He had a choice now. Run through the doors to stop Luka and save the Dupain Chengs or go find Marinette while Ladybug regains her strength. The second option would be the better plan. Marinette could be bait and he needed Ladybug to defeat Luka but something in his heart told him it wasn't right to leave his best friend's parents alone with the villain. He had to rescue them. He slowly crept over to the door making sure to be as quiet as a mouse than at the last second he body slammed into the door and tumbled through their front entrance.

"I'm here to save you!" He yelled. Luka looked furious.

"I'm the only hero in Paris! We don't need you anymore!" He sent a rush of fire headed straight towards Chat's face. He expertly dogged it and make a charge to the villain.

"Ai ya!" He yelled as he karate chopped Luka in the stomach. He fell to the ground writhing in pain. Chat helped Mr and Mrs Dupain Cheng to their feet and they ran out the doors screaming.

"Where is our poor Marinette?" Tom thought aloud. "She had been captured by the Rescuer but he had no idea where she was!" Chat placed a paw on his shoulder.

"She's going to be fine. On my honor," he promised. "But you gotta hide. I'll find her and return her to you safely." He saluted them and flew off into the sky using his pole. They quickly rushed into a neighboring building and found refuge with their friends. "Now where in all of Paris is that girl hiding?" He asked annoyed. He decided the best place to check first would be at Alya's. "If I know my girl at all she'll be with her best friend in a time of need." He made his way to the apartment building and hopped through an unlocked window. Alya, Nino, Chris, Ella, and Etta were sitting in the living room playing a board game. They all sat in shocked silence for a few seconds when the saw him but it didn't last long. Alya had her phone out recording and the kids were all over him.

"Omg freak out! Chat Noir is in my house! I can't believe it!" Alya said to the camera.

"Chat Noir? Why are you here?" Nino asked. Chat scanned the room hoping to find a bag or phone that indicated Marinette was here and just in the bathroom.

"Is Marinette here?" He asked after a pause. Alya kept recording.

"Omg why? Hey everyone my best friend knows a superhero!"

"Someone's been akumatized. He's looking for her. I thought she'd be here..." he said sadly. He turned to leave but Alya stopped him.

"If Marinette's in trouble we're coming too!" Alya said confidently.

"No you're not!" A strong voice echoed from the open window. It was Ladybug!

"You're okay?!" Chat screamed gleefully. He rushed over to hug his Lady. "I'm so glad! Don't ever do that to me again!" Alya caught the whole thing.

"Wow what do you mean is she okay?" She asked.

"Well The Rescuer kind of captured her earlier.." he said sadly remembering what had happened. "I didn't do a well enough job protecting her and somehow she got hurt..."

"It's okay Chat. I'm fine now and it's not your fault. I should have been able to save myself." She let go of his embrace. "Enough of the weepy stuff. We gotta save Paris!" She dragged him out the window and leapt into the sky. They raced from building top to building top in search of Luka. They didn't notice Alya following on the ground with her bike.

"We gotta find Marinette Dupain Cheng! She needs to be our bait!" Chat yelled as they ran.

"We don't need her! I've got a plan," Ladybug lied. Just then she noticed Alya following behind on her bike and she stopped in her tracks. "I already know where Marinette is! Umm meet me at the Eiffel Tower in 10 minutes!" She yelled and jumped off the building. Chat did as he was told without arguing. Ladybug jumped over Alya and landed next to her swiftly. Alya's breaks screeched and she started recording her hero. "Alya we're having difficulties locating your friend. Will you be our stand in to save Paris?"

"Of course! Here that everyone? I'm gonna help Ladybug and Chat Noir save Paris! Stay tuned!" She shut off her camera and waited patiently for whatever was about to happen.

"Lucky charm!" A costume appeared. "Just as I predicted! Here put this on." It was a Marinette costume. Clothes, wig, and shoes.

"Love the costume change but I don't think we're fooling anyone with this." Ladybug looked around and grabbed a biker helmet and some gloves and handed them to her. "Great idea LB! Oh.. can I call you that?"

"Sure! We are friends anyways." Alya freaked out.

"Omg omg omg omg omg omg Ladybug just called me her friend!"

"Calm down Alya! We need to make it to the Eiffel Tower in two minutes. Climb on my back." She swung them to where Chat was hiding. "Turn on the camera. Inform everyone of where "Marinette" is hiding." She winked at Alya. Chat didn't get it. Alya let out a cough and adjusted her voice.

"Citizens of Paris, especially Luka I would like to inform you that I, Marinette am here at the Eiffel Tower awaiting capture so please hurry up! Thank you that will be it!" She said squeakily. She shut off the camera and gave Ladybug a swift high five.

"Great job! He'll be here any minute now." They waited only 2 minutes before Luka arrived. Ladybug's earrings beeped.

"Aw frick! I forgot about that! I gotta go retransform." She said while running towards the elevator. "Stall until I return."

When she left Chat Noir mumbled, "No way that's happening. He's here now. I gotta prove my worth. I messed up earlier and I gotta regain my importance on this team. Come on Marinette. Let's go on with the plan and when Ladybug returns the akuma will be out for her to capture." Alya hesitated.

"I don't think it's smart to disobey Ladybug's wishes. She may get upset..."

"No way! She'll be proud of us for handling the situation on our own. Come on, let's defeat the Rescuer together! Don't you trust me?" He gave her a sincere look and reached out a hand for her.

"Okay... let's do it!" She said grabbing ahold of his hand. Chat couldn't help but blush a little. He loved Marinette in a unique way. She was special to him but he knew in his heart the only girl he was truly in love with was the girl hiding behind Ladybug's mask. He swung her onto his back and gently slid down his pole onto the middle layer of the Eiffel Tower. Luka was waiting for them.

"M... Marinette!" Luka mumbled. "Why did you run? You know I only wanted to protect you!" He shouted while walking towards them. "Come with me... I'll never break your heart and... Jackson will pay for what he did to you!"

"Marinette would never be in love with someone like you! You kidnapped her from her home and let yourself be akumatized by the worst villain in all of Paris!" Chat yelled back. He was guarding Alya behind him.

"It's not like that!" His pace was picking up. He had almost reached them. "Let me love you Marinette!" Chat was in battle stance ready but suddenly he saw a graceful whoosh land in front of him. It was Ladybug.

"I thought I told you to stall!" She yelled angrily.

"I wanted to prove myself to you..." he whispered. She glanced back at him quickly. He looked upset.

"Stick with the plan. We're a team. We gotta do this together," she told him. She reached for his hand and gave him a quick squeeze to assure him she wasn't angry. Meanwhile Luka was quickening his pace as he raced towards them. "Lucky charm!" She yelled when he was inches from her face. He was so surprised that he fell onto his back when she yelled. Handcuffs appeared. Alya, Luka, and a pile of rope glowed in her vision. "I have a plan but you're not gonna like it." She grabbed Alya from Chat and quickly handcuffed her to the discombobulated Luka.

"What the heck?!" Alya screamed.

"Grab the rope!" Ladybug yelled. Luka was trying to get up but Alya held him down.

"Let me up! Marinette!" Luka was yelling. "Come on!" Chat grabbed on end of the rope and Ladybug grabbed the other. They walked circles around the pair in opposite direction and tied them up. Alya and Luka were smushed together. "Marinette! Why would you help them?!"

"I didn't think this was gonna happen!" Alya yelped.

"Wait... you don't sound like Marinette!" He shrieked. He struggled to push her helmet off. It slid off and exposed Alya's face. She smiled nervously.

"Surprise..." she said slowly. It just angered Luka more.

"WHERE THE HELL IS MY MARINETTE!?" He shouted. Chat was too shocked about what was happening to remember the plan. He just stood their holding his end of the rope.

"Plagg get your cataclysm ready!" Ladybug said lunging for Luka's pocket. He was tied up and unable to stop her as she dug her phone out of his jacket. "Got it!" She yelled throwing it to Chat as Luka's free hand grasped onto her hair. "Eeeeek!" She cried.

"Ladybug! Are you okay?!" He yelled running towards her.

"Just grab the phone!" She screamed harshly.

"Cataclysm!" He said a millisecond before the phone hit his hand. It was destroyed and he ran to help his lady from the villain's clutches.

"Ow, Ow, Ow, Ow, Ow!" She said while Chat tried to free her. He ended up cutting off a ponytail with his claws.

"Your hair?!" He said stunned. "I didn't mean to! It was a mistake! He wouldn't let go and..." he started ranting.

"It's okay. Let's deal with the situation then worry about my hair," she said motioning towards Alya and Luka tied up and trying to escape. She caught the akuma and yelled, "Miraculous Ladybug!" Everything that was destroyed was restored including her pigtail. Alya and the now unakumatized Luka were sitting in a heap where they had been formerly tied up.

"You had a good plan after all," Chat said helping Alya to her feat. "But I'm confused. Why didn't we just use Marinette? Why Alya?" He asked.

"She was the only one I could find on short notice. Marinette must be hiding somewhere," she said knowingly.

"Ah I get it now." He turned to Alya. "Thank you so much for your help. We couldn't do it without you. She blushed and turned on her camera.

"Ladybug and Chat Noir have just saved Paris from our latest villain, The Rescuer. Paris can sleep peacefully tonight. What do you have to say to that?" She said turning to Luka.

"Where am I?" He asked rubbing his head. "I'm so confused." Alya turned to catch the moment the heroes fist bumped.

"Another success. Now we better get these citizens home before their parents start to worry." Chat said.

"I'll take Luka," Ladybug offered. She was holding her phone. "And I'll find Marinette on my way. He probably wants to see her."

"Great. I'll take Alya." Both their miraculous beeped. "And we better hurry!" Ladybug rushed over to Luka.

"Here. You might wanna return this to that Marinette character. Um... may I ask who she is? Anyone special to you?" He blushed.

"Just a friend but I've had a crush on her forever. I'd known her since kindergarten but she never noticed me. She moved away awhile back and when she returned she had a boyfriend. I stayed away because I didn't want to pressure her into being unloyal. Today her boyfriend broke up with her and I guess I just couldn't believe how anyone could break her heart. I got super angry and I lashed out. It won't happen again. I promise." He looked at her and realized what he'd just told her. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to rant. It's just she's really special and... I don't know. I guess we better go return her phone." Ladybug smiled and wrapped her arm around his waist.

"Let's go get your girl," she said confidently. She jumped off the building as he yelled,

"What!?" When they arrived to Marinette's home Ladybug quickly exited the situation only leaving Luka with one piece of advice.

"Tell her how you feel now. You never know. Maybe her breakup was a sign that it was meant to be. Go for it. Rejection will only hurt more if you wait," and with that she was gone... sort of. She was really just going to the top of the building to detransform in her room. When Luka rung the doorbell she was already down there.

"Hey Marinette. You... um... forgot your phone," he said quickly placing it in her hands. He turned to walk away. "Okay bye!" She grabbed his wrist.

"Luka wait..." she said. He turned and looked into her eyes. "Can we talk?" He slowly nodded and followed her into the living room. He sat down across from her and she began with, "thank you for returning my phone."

"Yeah... no problem. So... what's up?"

"It was so cool of you to care about me so much. No one was ever akumatized to help spare my feelings," she joked. He looked down. "I think it was really brave of you to stand up for me like that."

"Well... you're welcome."

"Can I tell you a secret?" She asked nervously.

"Of course."

"I think you're really cute," she murmured. He stood up excited.

"Really?!" He asked happily. He was beaming.

"Well of course... and you're kind, and brave, and sweet but..."

"Yes?"

"I'll need a little time to get over Jackson."

"I'll wait for you as long as it takes." She smiled and stood up to hug him.

"Good. I'll come find you as soon as I'm ready."

"Can't wait," he winked as he headed for the door. Once he left Tikki appeared.

"A new love interest already? Chat isn't gonna like this," She said.

"You know I'm not into him."

"Well... what about Adrien?"

"We will always be friend but I haven't liked him since elementary school. I've just been dumped. I'd like to skip the whole boy subject for now, okay?" Tikki squeezed her shoulder.

"Of course Marinette"