Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters

Chapter 3: Searching in the Dark

Chat Noir jumped through the night. On a normal day be would be grinning. H loved the freedom that came with being one of Paris' superheroes but tonight was different, with Ladybug and Marinette both gone he couldn't find it in himself to even crack a smile.

He arrived at the wreckage of the previous night. Police tape cordoned off most of the damage, rubble from where he had been thrown into a building still lay on the ground. One of the building had totally collapsed. That's where Chat started.

He dropped down from a low rooftop, bending his knees as he fell to the ground. He didn't stand up but stared deep into the foundations of the fallen building. He was sure nobody was around last night. He'd made sure when he'd lured Aroura in.

"Marinette? Princess?" He shouted down through the debris.

He received no answer, not that he was expecting one. If Marinette had really be stuck in the crossfire she would probably be in a deep sleep.

Chat clenched his fists and exhaled in sorrow. How was he supposed to find Marinette and Ladybugs true love?

What if Marinette was Ladybug's true love and they were both asleep? He knew Ladybug was friends with Marinette.

What if Hawkmoth knew that and had kidnapped Marinette to make sure that Ladybug would never wake up?

What if-?

"Chat Noir!? What are you doing here?" A female voice exclaimed, dragging him out of his thoughts.

He turned around and found Alya and Nino standing with torches in their hands.

"Hey Ladyblogger, I think we might be out here for the same reason. I saw your post." He said as he stood up straight.

Alya torch dropped out her hand, she stepped towards Chat. "Did you see her yesterday? Was she out her?" Alya asked urgently. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, Nino silently stood beside her.

Chat shook his head. " I didn't see her last night. There wasn't anyone around. I'm sure of it."

Alya's lip trembled. "Are you sure?"

Chat nodded. "The akuma appeared while we were on patrol. There was nobody around. She didn't even have time to affect any….any civilians." Chat chose his words carefully. His shoulders fell as he heard Alya's small sob.

"It's alright. We'll find her. Chat Noir will help….right Dude?" Nino asked as he wrapped an arm around his crying girlfriend.

"Absolutely! I won't rest until I find her. If Marinette was caught up in the attack I'll save her. I promise." Chat spoke the last sentence softly.

Nino smiled sadly. "Thanks, man."

"Now, you guys better head home. It's late. If anything happened to you while you were looking for Marinette, I'm sure she's won't be happy."

"I'm not going home! If Marinette is out here how can I, as her best friend, go home and get in my bed!?" Alya all crossed her arms. "I'm staying- "

"Go home, get some rest." Chat insisted. "I'm going to be out here for a few hours more. I can search the streets a lot faster than you."

"But-"

"Chat Noir's right. By the time we get to another part of the akuma damage, he would have already been there and checked it. We should go home, maybe Marinette will turn up to school in the morning." Nino suggested.

Alya sniffed, wiping her eyes as she nodded. "Okay. I'll go." She pointed at Chat, "but if you find her, you better come wake me!"

"I promise." Chat put his hands up in surrender. He extended his baton and dropped it on the floor, indicating to the other teens that he was ready to bound into the night.

They stood back as chat flew up and out of view.

He watched as they became smaller and smaller in the distance. Once he had gotten a fair distance away he collapsed onto the high roof.

"What am I supposed to do Plagg? What if I can't find Marinette?" He asked as he dropped his transformation.

Plagg zipped into the air. He floated down to Adrien's eye level. "I don't know kid. You'll find her. Maybe she isn't even lost." Plagg said carefully. Minding the magic that kept the kawaii's silent.

"what does that even mean? Why do you have to be so cryptic?" Adrien asked as he felt the familiar sting of tears starting to bud in his eyes.

Plagg could feel his heart break for his charge. If only they had decided to share their identities earlier, he wouldn't have to watch him go through so much pain.

"do…*sniff* you want some cheese?" Adrien hiccupped. He held the piece of camembert out for Plagg.

"Thanks, kid." He took the cheese. "Maybe we should visit Marinette's house, for clues."

Adrien wiped his eyes. "yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

Plagg hoped that Adrien could put his sorrow aside and think clearly because he was sure if his charge got a good sniff of the Princess' room, it would reveal her for who she was.

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