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Timetagger grinned as Marinette vanished, for the second time.

"So long!" He taunted, and then turned the paint can on himself. Chat got up and lunged at him, but he vanished.

"No!" Adrien shouted, landing where the Akuma had just been. He just stayed numbly there for a minute, looking at the spot. The others surrounded him, looking at each other awkwardly.

There was a commotion behind them, and suddenly Giovanni was there, hurrying into the square with Valentina in tow.

"Sorry I'm late," he offered. "I know I've got superpowers but my knees aren't what they used to be..."

He stopped and took in the sight in front of him.

"What's happened?"

"She's gone," Adrien said.

"Who's gone?"

"Mari-Ladybug."

"That Akuma got her?" Giovanni asked. Adrien nodded, unable to say anything.

"Do we know where she went?" Ocelotl prompted. But Adrien just shrugged.

"If I might ask something," Ladybird said, in French. "These Akumas are sent by a supervillain called Hawkmoth in your time, aren't they?"

Adrien nodded.

"And he's after both of you?"

Adrien nodded again.

"So why did he only take 'Ladybug' then? Why not both of you? He had the chance."

"Divide and conquer, I suppose," Adrien said. "Put Ladybug in one place and put me in another, and he can pick us off at his leisure."

"So why did he not get you away from us?" The Black Cat asked.

"I don't know."

The sound of hooves interrupted them, and Major Allard galloped around the corner on his horse, his sword drawn and Elizabeth riding behind him. Adrien guessed that he must have grabbed her and taken her to safety when the Akuma attack started.

"Did you get... whatever that thing was?" Allard asked, concerned.

"It took his friend, and it escaped," the Black Cat replied.

Allard nodded, but sheathed his sabre. "That's unfortunate," he said. "Will it be back?"

"Probably, but we don't know when."

"Then we should be ready," Allard said. "I've never seen anything like it before. Do you know what it was?"

Adrien explained what an Akuma was.

"Normally these Akumas are used to protect," Giovanni was quick to add. "It's just they're being used by a malcontent."

"I see," Allard replied. "I don't suppose you've seen my niece, have you?"

"Charlotte?" Ladybird asked. "I saw her running away from the Akuma as I arrived. She must still be hiding."

"Yes," the Black Cat managed. "Quite."

"Very well, we'll keep searching," Allard said. "As for you, I suppose you've got a monster to catch." With that, he turned and rode away.

"I don't know, just running and hiding doesn't strike me as being very in character for her," Cat said once he was out of earshot.

"How?" Ladybird asked.

"Before you arrived, when the Akuma attacked, she just threw herself at it to distract it."

"A civilian did that?" Ocelotl asked. "Don't they know they could get hurt?"

"Luckily it all worked out, but I agree," the Cat replied. "It's funny, dealing with her normally you'd never think she was capable of it, but she's done it several times. But she's brave, and smart, so I don't think she's just hiding somewhere."

"Sounds like you're very, ah, fond of this woman," Chimalli pointed out.

"I don't know what you mean," the Black Cat replied.

"Look, haven't we got bigger things to worry about?" Ladybird said, hastily. "Adrien's partner is still missing."

"Oh," Chimalli frowned. "About that..."

Temoli chimed in with something Adrien did not understand, but Ladybird's eyes widened.

"Wait, you two had an argument? About what?"

"She lied to me," Adrien stated bitterly. "Many times."

"She accidentally gave her identity away," Ocelotl clarified. "He did not take it well."

Once this had been translated by the Black Cat, the others exchanged glances.

"What are you going to do then?" Ladybird asked.

Without a second's hesitation, Adrien responded.

"I'm going after her."

He had surprised even himself saying that; they had fallen out, hadn't they? He had also surprised the others, clearly.

"Even after all that?"

"I don't know if we're still partners, or if we're still friends, but she's still in danger," Adrien replied grimly. "So yes, I'm going after her."

He looked around at them.

"And I'm just... worried about her. She's brave and gentle and wise and kind, and I've said some very hurtful things to her myself. I need to apologise for that, at least."

Adrien paused, and took a deep breath.

"Thank you for all your help, but this isn't your fight," he said. "You've got a city of your own which needs your protection. So just have Timestream send me to Paris in my time, and I'll do the rest."

The rest didn't say anything for a while.

"Didn't you say you've fought Hawkmoth before?" Chimalli demanded.

"Yes," Adrien replied.

"You said that fight didn't go well. I take it that was with your Ladybug helping. What makes you think you'll be able to beat him alone?"

"I've had more practice?" Adrien tried.

"That's always useful, but I don't think it'll be enough," the Black Cat joined in. "That Akuma was good enough to take four of us on and hold its own, I don't imagine its master will be weaker."

"I'm sure I'll find a way," Adrien defended himself. "I always do."

"You already have," Ladybird replied firmly. "Us."

"Like I said, it's not your fight," Adrien replied.

"A city is in danger," Chimalli said. "It may not be a city I had ever heard of, and nobody in it has been born yet, but defence of the innocent is what I took up the Miraculous for. It doesn't matter who they are."

There were general nods of assent around the group.

"Then it is decided," Ladybird said imperiously. "We're going to Paris." She turned to Giovanni.

"When I saw you last, you mentioned you were having trouble with your Akuma. Have you got it working yet?"

Giovanni nodded proudly. "Of course!" He replied. "Timestream will take us wherever we need to go."

Then a look of surprise came over his face, and he made a movement with his hand. The Akuma removed itself from its victim, leaving Valentina stood there, swaying slightly. Giovanni went to stand in front of her. She remained there, dizzy, before opening her eyes slightly.

"Papa?" She said sleepily. "Did it work?"

"It will," he promised. "You've done very well. Just one more trip. But first, I have something for you."

He pulled out a small box and handed it to her. Valentina, still

slightly dazed, took it, opened it, and looked inside. Her eyes widened.

"I couldn't..." she tried.

"Nonsense!" Giovanni replied. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather have own this. You've earned it ten times over."

Valentina hesitated, clutching the box, and then she shut it and tucked it inside her dress.

"We still don't know where Ladybug was sent," the Black Cat stated."

"I don't think that'll matter," Adrien replied. "When we defeat an Akuma, Ladybug can reset everything that Akuma did, and make it as if the attack never happened. Everything the Akuma sent through time will return to its proper place. And if she can do it, I think you can too."

"I've never tried it before," Ladybird replied.

"I think we had better get started then," Giovanni said. "And Chat Noir, you had better tell me the exact place and time you want us to go this time. I want to have a word with this Hawkmoth."