Night had fallen on Paris, but the citizens were still up. They were gossiping about the kidnapping and who they thought "Hawkmoth" was. They were worrying over Adrien Agreste, and to a lesser extent, Chat Noir. Ever so often, people would stop and gaze at the sky, hoping to see a streak of red, to see Ladybug racing over Paris's nightscape towards wherever she thought the villain's lair was. They hoped she'd rescue Adrien… and that cat guy, too, if she felt like it. Some people probably hoped that Ladybug wouldn't come, and Chat Noir's identity would be revealed. Maybe then they'd be one step closer to figuring out Ladybug's identity, too.

Ladybug could not allow that to happen.

She crossed the buildings in utter silence, trying to be as stealthy as possible. She didn't really want the people of Paris to know she was, indeed, on her way to go fight Hawkmoth… After all, if they knew, Hawkmoth would probably find out, and then he'd be extra prepared. She didn't really like how that sounded.

Ladybug tried her best not to worry about Hawkmoth's threat. He might not have meant "they'll never see the light of day again" as in he'd kill them, but with the things Hawkmoth had unleashed on the city already, there was no way to be sure. She had to wonder if Adrien and Chat were alright. From the look of the camera feed from the broadcast, Adrien was actually being treated pretty nicely, but Chat… Chat had taken a beating. Sure, the Miraculous suits helped stop damage (the first thing to Ladybug's mind was back when Chat Noir had been thrown across the city and ended up hitting three cars), but they didn't cover the head or most of the face, and Hawkmoth had hit Chat right in the head. I hate to admit it, but Hawkmoth's right, Ladybug said, stopping next to a chimney to look over Paris one more time. I need to keep you on a tighter leash, kitty.

There was a problem with Hawkmoth's threat, however. How the hell was Ladybug supposed to find a hidden lair? Hawkmoth had kept saying she'd figure it out, but honestly, she was stumped. Where are you, kitty? Ladybug asked in her head, desperation starting to come over her as she realized Hawkmoth might be treating Adrien like a king, but he wouldn't show any of the same respect to Chat. Oh, god, where is he? Is he tied up? Is he hurt?

Ladybug's yo-yo beeped and she perked her head up at the unexpected sound. The only person who could contact her on her yo-yo was Chat… But he was captured. Had he escaped? How could he be calling her? Ladybug shook her head and opened the yo-yo like a compact, looking at the top half. Her jaw dropped in shock. On the other side was Chat, who seemed to be hiding in a dark area. He looked straight at the camera with a grave look on his face. Ladybug frowned, her joy quickly subsiding into dread.

"Ladybug." Chat said, in an odd voice. He wasn't flirty, he wasn't happy, and he in no way looked okay. His face was covered in bruises of varying size and color, and he frowned at the camera. The most notable thing, though, was that his green eyes had seemingly lost their gleam, their smile. That was what scared Ladybug the most.

"Chat!" Ladybug gasped, grasping the compact with both hands. "Are you okay? Where are you?!"

"The old Agreste communication tower," Chat informed her, his voice seemingly drained of energy. "The company abandoned it, and Hawkmoth moved in."

Ladybug looked up at the skyline, and saw the building he was talking about. There was a large window at the top- perfect for sending akumas out, she realized.

"Ladybug," Chat's voice called her attention back down to her compact, "Listen, I'm begging you. Stay where you are." Chat snapped his head up and stared off-screen, frowning at someone, and it dawned on Ladybug that Chat was probably staring at Hawkmoth. He didn't escape. Hawkmoth wanted him to call me. Chat shook his head and stared back at the compact. "Ladybug, I know you already figured it out, but this is a trap! He just wants you to come so he can take your Miraculous! Just leave me here, it doesn't matter!"

"Chat, I can't just leave you there," Ladybug spoke firmly, shocked that Chat would ask something so ridiculous. "What about you?"

"What about me? Ladybug, Paris needs you!" Chat pleaded with her. "You're its hero!"

"Paris needs you, too! And so do I!" Ladybug shot back. "And I can't just leave the building alone! Even if I didn't care enough to save you- which I DO- What about Adrien? Are you saying I should just leave him there?"

Chat frowned, moving back from the screen slightly, and then leaning forward again. "Adrien will be fine on his own! He's on his own all the time, anyway, so what does it matter?!"

Ladybug stared, slack-jawed, at the screen before frowning. "Chat Noir, you're being unbelievably selfish. Asking me to leave you there to wallow in your sorrow! Even worse, you're asking that I leave a kidnapped boy alone so that you can sit there and curse your own name!"

Chat looked hurt and angry and nervous, leaning back, gritting his teeth in a frown, and raising his eyebrows.

Ladybug shook her head and stared into the boy's eyes. "Like it or not, I'm coming to save you, and so help me, Chat, you better stop wallowing in pity when I get there, or I'm going to give you the granddaddy of all talking-to's!" Ladybug shut her compact in frustration, and the call ended, leaving Ladybug standing, her face hot, on a Paris roof.

"That selfish tomcat!" Ladybug huffed incredulously, staring up at the tower. How could he say something like that? Ladybug thought, running his words through her mind. Adrien would be fine on his own? How did he know that? Ladybug, still fuming, tossed her yo-yo and secured it on a building before swinging forward. She was going to drag that kitty out by the ear if she had to.

Chat stood in silence, staring at the black screen where, just a moment ago, his partner had been yelling at him. It hadn't worked. He'd agreed to Hawkmoth's terms to tell Ladybug where he was and prove he was there, but all attempts to keep her safe had just failed. He looked up at Hawkmoth, who was brandishing a pistol (as his cane was attached to his belt), staring at him. Although he hated to admit it, Chat was shaking in his boots.

"Well, that was… interesting," Hawkmoth smiled. "Trying to save your Lady, were you?" He pointed to the floor, and Chat closed his communicator and tossed his staff on the floor. Hawkmoth kicked it further away with his foot, and grinned at Chat some more. "I wasn't expecting you to break our deal," Hawkmoth added, eyeing the boy.

"I didn't break it," Chat replied, unable to meet Hawkmoth's gaze. "You never said I shouldn't try to stop her."

"True, I did not." Hawkmoth nodded, a small grin on his face. He held out his hand towards Chat. "Well, then, Chat, I believe it's time for Adrien to go back to his cell."

"Only if I get to take Plagg with me. You said I could if I'd tell Ladybug where I was and prove that I was here."

"Oh, but I was not expecting you to add a clause, my boy. You should have talked it over with me, first. I'm afraid such a change of terms on your part merits one on mine." Hawkmoth said, taking his hand back and fiddling with his collar idly. "How about this: We go back to Adrien's cell, and you listen to a little story of mine, and once I'm finished, you and Plagg may sit in your room together."

Chat eyed Hawkmoth warily before nodding his head towards the pistol. "Well, I don't have much of a choice, now, do I?"

Hawkmoth shook his head slightly, chuckling. He pointed in the direction of the basement floor that led back to the cells, still brandishing his gun.

"No, you do not, my boy. No, you do not."