Three days later, Panthera and Blu Tembo did their one-day hangout before departing for home. Both have hero duties and a responsibility for the wildlife they care so much about.

The only problem now is that Cat Noir needs to make his return, but an excuse half lies at why he vanished. Ladybug was on patrol again alone one night. She still felt lonely without her kitty around, but she was relieved that Adrien was home now. However, she still wonders where her kitty is.

"Oh, Kitty. It's still not the same without you" Ladybug thought while patrolling.

Just then a shadowy figure stalks her, "Huh?" Ladybug looks around but gets kicked by what looks like Lady Noire but has red lines instead of green and brownish hair.

"Oh, you're still missing your pet cat, are you? Well, behold me, Chat Rouge," Cat Rouge said.

"Lila!" Ladybug recognized the voice.

"How about I be his replacement for you?!" Chat Rouge attacked her.

"Not a chance!" Ladybug dodged her.

"Too bad, Ladybug! Then you are my prey!" Chat Rouge cackled and struck her claws at her.

But a staff knocks Chat Rouge in the head, "Paws off my partner!" It was Cat Noir.

"Kitty? You're back!" Ladybug clung to him with a hug.

"How romantic. The alley cat has come to save his cockroach" Chat Rouge taunted.

"She's not a cockroach! She's a ladybug and you're messing with the wrong cat, copycat!" Cat Noir snarled.

"Both copycats will be deceptive" Chat Rouge cackled.

"Not for long!" Cat Noir split his staff into batons, "You are gonna wish you never insulted me or my lady"

"Let's do it!" Ladybug took her yoyo out.

"Let's see how you like it! Death claws!" Chat Rouge's claws glowed blood red and she threw energy slashes at them.

"Watch out!" Ladybug deflects them with her spinning shield yo-yo.

Cat Noir dodged and ran towards Chat Rouge. He combines his batons back to a staff and strikes her down hard, "Paris is my territory and when you cross a territorial cat, you get scratched!" Cat Noir attacks her.

"I'm gonna claim your territory!" Chat Rouge kicks him, "Your bug has gotten weaker since you left these months!" She taunted him.

"That won't work on me, liar!" Cat Noir hissed.

Remembering what Panthera taught him to never let enemies get into his head to get his guard down.

"Suit yourself!" Chat Rouge lunged at him.

"I fought a cat once, this time will be no different!" Cat Noir snarled before pinning her against the chimney wall with his staff, "Your lies won't work on me! Give it up now!"

"I'll never give up!" Chat Rouge struggled.

"You will now because this time I won't be nice to you!" Cat Noir said but got flipped and pinned.

"I'm never nice to heroes like you, pussy cat" Chat Rouge cackled but Cat Noir headbutts her face.

"You picked the wrong heroes too!" He headlocks her.

"Lucky charm!" Ladybug summons her charm and catches it, "A yarn ball?" She sees Chat Rouge's claws are much sharper than Cat Noir's. So why not get her claws tangled up with a yarn ball?

"Got it! Hey, Lila! Catch this!" Ladybug threw it at her but when Chat Rouge caught it, she thought that Ladybug was being a joke until the yarn tangled up her claws.

"Hey!" She exclaimed.

Cat Noir then grabs the fake ring she had, "This must be the Akuma. "Cataclysm!" He destroyed the ring and out came the Akuma.

"No more evil doings for you!" Ladybug caught it and purified it, "Bye bye little butterfly" She let it out.

Lila was transformed back as Ladybug brought the yarn back, "Miraculous Ladybug!" She tossed her lucky charm in the air for the magic ladybugs to repair the damage.

"Just like old times," Cat Noir said.

-

A while later, although Ladybug was still mad at Cat Noir for being a no-show for months, and now that he's back, she demands a reason why he left her all alone.

"Kitty, why did you leave for these four months? Do you know the stress I endured without you?" Ladybug wanted to know why.

"I thought you wanted space and I needed more time for myself," Cat Noir said.

"Well I didn't, I missed you so much. Ever since you left the team, I've regretted everything I've done to you. Blu Tembo said that I've broken the balance of the duo" Ladybug said sadly.

"He did?" Cat Noir asked.

"Yes. After breaking it, I lost more of my confidence as the leader of the Miraculous Team. You were right about me" Ladybug said.

"No, I was wrong to abandon you. Someone once told me that we were both too hard on each other" Cat Noir said.

"That makes us even. But it doesn't excuse my awful behavior towards you" Ladybug looks away.

"I admit, I was upset that day when you overreacted with us being a Couple of the Year. I get that you don't have feelings for me but Ladynoir fans still exist. I'm used to bad luck around me" Cat Noir said.

"But ignoring you for the team was the final straw for you. I really am a horrible leader, partner, and guardian. How can you possibly forgive me?" Ladybug felt the guilt overwhelm her.

Cat Noir hugged her from behind, purring in comfort, "Because you're still my bugaboo"

Ladybug turns around, hugging him tight while rubbing her face on his chest.

"Milady, the truth is I was in.....Africa....clearing my mind off and....I still thought about you but I was too upset with myself" Cat Noir half lied about where he was.

"You didn't just leave me, you jeopardized your city for four months," Ladybug murmured.

"I'm sorry, milady. I'm sorry I left you. But I'm here now" Cat Noir held her close.

"And I'm sorry for treating you badly," Ladybug said.

"I forgive you. A friend of mine once told me that the world is always gonna need heroes. Paris is always gonna need us, even our teammates" Cat Noir said.

"So did Blu Tembo told me" Ladybug cried on his chest.

Cat Noir rubs her back to comfort her, knowing all the stress she endured these four months, "Milady, do you know why cats want to be alone?" Cat Noir asked.

"Why?" Ladybug asked as he wiped her tears off.

"Because cats do often enjoy more solo activities such as self-grooming or discovering their newest hiding spot. This independence could be tied to their wild ancestors, who were solitary animals" Cat Noir nuzzled her cheek.

"Maybe. But I'm so happy you're back" Ladybug said.

"Even if I was a bad kitty that day," Cat Noir said.

"Well you saved me today from being that liar cat's prey" Ladybug scratched his chin.

"Meow, because you're still my lady" Cat Noir purred.

"You're still my favorite partner" Ladybug then kissed his cheek.

"Do I get a cat treat?" Cat Noir grinned.

"Oh yes. This is for returning" Ladybug cups his face and kisses him.

Cat Noir gave into the kiss and held her waist, purring so loud at how happy he was before pulling away.

"I'll never leave you and Paris again Bugaboo" Cat Noir said.

"I swear, one of these days you'll be eating real cat food kibble instead of macaroons" Ladybug glared at him.

"I'd prefer fish," Cat Noir said.

"Better be a good kitty this time, Cat Noir" Ladybug warned him.

"Okay, Bugaboo. No more abandoning" Cat Noir said, knowing how serious she was.

"I mean it," Ladybug said.

"I know. But no more mistreatment on me too" Cat Noir said, pointing directly at her.

"I don't abuse you like a kitty cat" Ladybug pouted.

"I know Bugaboo, I know" Cat Noir chuckled, "Now, I have to announce my return tomorrow to Paris"

"You're lucky I didn't rip your whiskers off," Ladybug said.

"Yes, but people are gonna get mad at me for being gone that long," Cat Noir said.

"Actually, I had a little help from our favorite fox friend to cover things up while you were absent," Ladybug said.

"Good" Cat Noir said in relief.

"And I hope you still have your claws sharpened next time," Ladybug said.

"Come on, I always get my claws nice and sharp whenever I have a nail appointment at the vet" Cat Noir chuckled.

"Good kitty. And uh you should visit your princess too" Ladybug said.

"Is she okay? Did Lila do something to her again? Is she expelled?!" Cat Noir freaking out.

"No, she's fine except that she turned the class on her again, I overheard it," Ladybug said.

"Ah, yes, almost forgot" Cat Noir realized, "But for now I want to make it up for you" Cat Noir stood up.

"You kinda did when you fought an Akuma earlier. A real cat fight" Ladybug said.

"Nine lives, milady. I know a good cat fight when I see one" Cat Noir said.

"Indeed, Cat Noir," Ladybug said.