Chapter Text
Ladybug and Chat Noir were on the scene of the latest Akuma attack. The duo landed nearby, but out of sight on some Parisian rooftops, eyes roving the ground as they took in the entire situation. Below them they heard a startled scream followed by a maniacal laugh. “If I couldn’t be on time to my big interview, then no one deserves to be on time for anything at all!” exclaimed a brightly costumed man before pulling the trigger on a futuristic looking gun that wouldn’t have looked out of place in an old timey science fiction movie. The fearful man who had yelled earlier fell into the portal the gun had created at his feet and disappeared from sight.
Paris’ greatest heroes grimaced, but didn’t worry too much for the man as news reports had told of everyone who had entered a portal appearing again a few minutes later unharmed, but irrevocably late for their trains and cabs.
“No one can stand up to the might of Time Warp!” the self-proclaimed villain yelled with glee.
The polka dotted heroine turned towards her partner “I think I’ve seen enough, what about you?” Chat Noir answered her with a grin and leaped off the building to intercept Hawk Moth’s latest victim. “Hey you got a minute?” he yelled as he landed. She groaned at the terrible joke and followed with a swing of her yo-yo. She touched down with her weapon already up and spinning, ready for anything “I think you clearly heard that time was not on his side this morning kitty.” Time Warp took one look at the yo-yo and another at Chat Noir’s staff before aiming his gun at his own feet, his watch flashing as he did so, then pulling the trigger and sinking into the void he created.
“Where did he go?” Ladybug questioned. Chat pointed at a nearby rooftop “There!” The costumed girl caught a bright flash of color where he pointed and started after the villain, Chat Noir right on her heels. The two flew across the rooftops they knew better than most knew the streets, but every time they grew near to their quarry he opened another portal in time and slipped from their reach.
“Is it just me or does that gun look and act a bit like that one from the game Portal?” Ladybug grumbled with frustration as Time Warp disappeared into yet another black void he created. “Why yes milady, though I didn’t realized you gamed as well. You have hobbies as interesting as you are.” Chat said with a flirtatious wink before asking. “Do you think it could be where the akuma is?” Ladybug rolled her eyes at the compliment and replied “Maybe, but… look at his wrist before he fires. The gun seems to be drawing power from his watch, so I’d guess that’s what we’re after.” The cat-eared boy nodded and threw himself toward Time Warp with confidence as soon as he was within range again. Chat raised his staff high over his head as he flew through the air, before bringing it down in a powerful swing aimed at Time Warp’s wrist.
He wasn’t expecting the sudden, jarring stop as the villain caught the staff effortlessly. Time Warp’s watch flashed and he grinned at the disoriented hero, who suddenly felt more like a rat in a trap than a cat. Time Warp shot out another time portal, but this one seemed larger and more ominous somehow. Chat Noir reflexively gripped his staff tighter at the sight. The villain paid no heed to this and simply flung the blonde, staff and all, into the portal.
“Say so long to your feline friend! He’ll be lost in time for all eternity!” yelled Time Warp.
“Ladybug!” Chat shouted, a panicked shriek in his voice.
Ladybug threw her yoyo in a desperate attempt to catch Chat by the leg. She had to believe this would work. In all their time together as partners she had never failed to catch him.
Until now.
The heroine let out a startled cry as a black void opened up in front of her yo-yo and sent it into another time. As the new portal opened, the one Chat was thrown in was closed off. Sealing him in a different time.
“Chat! No!” she screamed
Time Warp laughed “What will you do without your precious cat now Ladybug!?”
Ladybug shot a glare at the villain. She felt the same resolve she had when Time Breaker had erased Chat from existence. She didn’t let Chat disappear then, and she wouldn’t just let it happen now! She grit her teeth and prepared to fight, reeling her yo-yo out of the portal before Time Warp had the chance to seal her weapon in a different time as well. The only way to fix all this and get Chat back was to find and purify the akuma.
As she pulled her yo-yo Ladybug felt a sudden weight on the end of it. When the yo-yo returned through the portal a black figure came with it. She was shocked by the black figure’s appearance. It was Chat, but not the Chat that was with her just a moment ago. She had a brief impression of harsher angles and a broader frame before this new Chat let go of her yo-yo and somersaulted over her head, touching down with his back to her in a perfect three point landing. The blonde’s tail waved slowly back forth as he turned his head towards his lady and flashed her one of his famous smirks.
“Bonjour, My Lady. M'avez-vous manqué?”