Found in Twilight: A Miraculous Match

The Return of Ladybug and Chat Noir

Ladybug asked Alya to keep tabs on any suspicious activities. She was excited at the positive reaction of Paris to their return, as announced on the Ladyblog with their successful interview.

Nadja Chamack had reached out and asked for an interview from the famous Parisian superhero duo as well. And Nadja wasn't shy with her question asking.

"Where did you guys disappear too?"

Chat was first to speak up, "We had other things in need of our attention out of the country, but Paris is our home and we rushed into action the moment we were needed."

Ladybug shifted nervously; she hadn't left. But she also wasn't the most intentional with her superhero duties. It was hard to carry on when everyone else was gone.

"Were you two away together?"

It was Paris' worst kept secret that everyone hoped Ladybug and Chat Noir would end up together, so this question didn't come as a surprise.

"No," She said firmly. "We were apart. We both had separate things that needed our individual attention."

Chat nodded, his mind was swirling with his own thoughts and missteps.

"We only have a few more minutes. Anything you'd like to say to Paris?"

"Yes," Ladybug sat up straighter and looked into the camera, "To whomever is in possession of the Butterfly Miraculous; we will find you, we will take back what belongs to us, and your reign of terror will be over. If you have it by mistake and are curious, you can give it back without consequence. Contact the Ladyblog if that is your desire. But the moment you start akumatizing people for your own gain or pleasure – Chat Noir and I will rise to defend Paris. No. Matter. What."

Ladybug's determined gaze was piercing; the poor cameraman felt faint.

"Thank you, Ladybug. Thank you, Chat Noir."

Ladybug had only been back a week and already Marinette was feeling more whole and complete. Maybe it was having Tikki's positivity back in her life, or that she felt like she had more purpose again, Marinette wasn't quite sure. But she was happy to finally feel normal after years of feeling abandoned.

Marinette paced her room. She was a little upset. Alya had told her she needed to dump Bennett, but he was there for Marinette when she needed someone. Bennett was kind and sweet. He remembered the important things and kept his promises. Why should she leave someone as wonderful as Bennett? He promised he would always be there for her, and he hadn't let her down yet. Sure, he could be a little condescending at times and his criticisms were a little stinging. But other than that, ... She shook her head and tried to focus on the new Hawk Moth.

No one had come forward with the brooch, so she could assume the person in possession was planning to misuse it, just as Gabriel Agreste had.

Adrien... She thought about Adrien for a few moments, then shook her head. She had a boyfriend, why should she chase after some dream of years past?

Marinette laid out a map of all the akuma sightings on her bedroom floor, changing her focus from the boy she once chased to the new threat in Paris. She was making a copy for Alya. In her years traveling around the world, Alya had become a better reporter and detective, and Ladybug needed all the help she could get. Marinette didn't have confidence in herself; she wasn't the Ladybug she once was. She marked the map; one at the sight she saw the first akuma. Two additional akuma sightings, but no akumatizations. Was this just a power move? Paris was on edge waiting to see this series of events unfold.

It didn't take long for Ladybug and Chat Noir to fall into a new routine. Ladybug was quiet and pensive around Chat, unable and unwilling to fully assert herself; she didn't want him to leave again for any length of time. At the start of each nightly patrol, they would meet at the Eiffel Tower for a little bit of small talk. Then they would do their rounds separately, making sure to switch up paths and directions to keep things fresh, meeting back at the Eiffel Tower to talk about anything they had seen. Ladybug never stayed long; she wasn't ready to fully trust Chat yet.