Chapter Text
Once again, the fashion show had resumed. Adrien strutted down the catwalk, showcasing his outfit, along with Marinette's bowler hat. Alya was filming from the sidelines; it seemed like she always had her phone filming.
"Scoop! The hat that Adrien Agreste is wearing was made by my BFF Marinette!" Alya announced, before turning the camera towards Marinette and I. "Anything you'd like to say during my livestream?"
I gave the camera a little wave, as Marinette cowered away from the limelight. Eventually Marinette did manage an awkward wave with an equally awkward smile. Something caught Alya's eyes, as multiple gasps could be heard over the catwalk. looking to the beginning of the catwalk, Gabriel Agreste stood out in the open. Everybody was frozen in silence for a few moments. Suddenly, Gabriel Agreste walked towards Adrien, stopping right in front of him. Adrien took of his hat, as if to get a better look, before his father brought him into a warm embrace. A second later, Adrien hugged back, and the photographers went crazy. Camera shutters flared to life, and Alya was quick to put her camera back to the runway.
"Scoop number two. Gabriel Agreste has just turned up!" Alya exclaimed, as her and Marinette got to their feet. "And that means we'll be seeing your hat in every single photo and news broadcast!"
Gabriel Agreste hadn't been seen outside of his home in years, so this was sure to make the front pages.
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After the fashion show had concluded, I headed over to Adrien's changing room. I knocked a couple of times, and waited for a few moments. To my surprise Adrien didn't open the door, but his father did.
"Oh! Mr. Agreste. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Likewise. I have heard plenty about you."
"Good things, I hope."
Gabriel Agreste actually cracked a slight smile.
"Yes. All good things. Why don't you come in?"
Gabriel Agreste moved to the side, allowing me to enter into Adrien's changing room. Adrien wasn't actually inside, which made me raise an eyebrow.
"Adrien is with Nathalie at the moment." Gabriel Agreste answered, though I didn't ask a question. "Though... May I ask you something?"
"Oh, yes, of course."
"You are a model, correct, much like my son?"
"Yes, I do model. Why do you ask?"
"I am a clothing designer, and I was thinking perhaps you would like to work with my designs?"
"Really? It would be my pleasure. Here, I've got my modeling agent's card."
I dug around in my bag, but accidentally bumped my hand into Barkk. I gave her a little pat, before grabbing the box I kept the cards in. I opened the lid, and handed the card to Gabriel Agreste. He took the card, before sliding it into the pocket on his overcoat.
"Perhaps you may participate in our next fashion show."
The door to the changing room opened, and Adrien walked in. He quickly noticed me.
"Oh, (Y/N), you've already met my father?"
"Yes, I stumbled into him when I came looking for you."
"Adrien." Gabriel Agreste began, causing Adrien and I to look to him. "I am glad you are making friends with people like (Y/N)."
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Out near the entrance, I followed next to Adrien and his father. We approached Audrey, Chloè, and Mayor Bourgeois, as it seemed like Gabriel wanted to speak with them.
"My dear Audrey, I heard about the unforgivable misfortune you had to endure." Gabriel Agreste consoled, before kissing Audrey's outstretched hand.
"I'm still quite overwhelmed!" Audrey spoke.
"I want you to know I fired the person who was responsible for the misunderstanding. Only one row in the house is befitting to Audrey Bourgeois and that's the first."
"Let's not overdo it, huh, Gabriel?"
Looking over to my left, I could see Marinette and her parents walk over to us as well.
"Did you enjoy the show?" Gabriel Agreste questioned.
"So-so." Audrey responded, before noticing the hat on Adrien's head, which she promptly took. "This hat is not a Gabriel Agreste! Are you responsible for that?"
Audrey looked to Marinette expectantly, where she looked to her parents, as well as Adrien and I. All of us gave her silent encouragement, before she turned back to Audrey.
"I... I'm the one who created it." Marinette admitted.
"Marinette won a fashion-design competition." Gabriel Agreste added.
"It's the most..." Audrey began, lifting her sunglasses. "exceptional thing I've ever seen! You're a visionary, Marinette! Glitter's had it's day. Feathers are the trend of tomorrow!"
"I haven't felt this much emotion since... you." Audrey remembered, before looking to Gabriel Agreste.
"She does have talent." Gabriel Agreste agreed.
"You want to be a fashion designer, right?" Audrey asked, looking to Marinette.
"Uh... yes, ma'am." Marinette stammered.
"Then come to New York with me." Audrey continued placing the hat back on Adrien's head. "I'll make you the biggest name in fashion. I'm sure you'll even upstage Gabriel!"
"We could even model for you!" Adrien added, motioning to himself and I.
"We'll be there for you, honey, no matter what you decide." Mrs. Dupain-Cheng assured.
"My helicopter will be leaving for the airport at 8pm tonight." Audrey announced.
"Isn't this awesome for Marinette, Chloè?" Adrien asked, smile on his face.
Chloè clearly didn't share the sentiment. In fact, she was seething with anger.
"It's... It's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! I've never been to New York with you, and you're taking Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"
"I'm taking her because she's exceptional, Claudette... Chloè." Audrey explained.
"I'm exceptional too!"
"The only exceptional thing about you, my dear, is your mother!" Audrey gloated.
"Audrey dear-" Mayor Bourgeois went to console Chloè, but was pushed off. "Chloè...!"
"I'll show you how exceptional I can be!" Chloè spat, before taking a box out of her pocket.
In the box appeared to be a hair comb. Soon after Chloè opened the box, the hair comb began glowing, and light appeared in front of us. From that light, a being took form. Was that... a kwami?
"How may I please you, my queen?" The kwami asked, looking to Chloè.
"What is that thing?" Audrey queried, admittedly confused.
"Chloè, what are you doing?" Adrien questioned, as Chloè removed the sunglasses on her head, and equipped the hair comb.
"Pollen, buzz on!" Chloè exclaimed.
Much like when I transformed into Bonchie, Chloè began to don a hero suit. She flipped her hair, tapped her shoes, and before I knew it, she transformed into the Bee Superhero.
With a jump, and many flips in the air, Chloè landed atop a higher piece of infrastructure.
"I am Chloè Bourgeois, and from now on, I'll be your new superhero, Queen Bee!" Chloè announced. "We'll soon see if you think Marinette Dupain-Cheng is still more exceptional than moi!"
Akin to Ladybug's yo-yo, Chloè threw a spinning top to the ground, before being pulled out through the door.
"What is happening to our beloved daughter?" The mayor cried.
"She always was such a show-off!" Audrey scoffed, before beginning to walk out the front door. "See you tonight, Marinette. I'll meet you at my helicopter."
It took me a minute to even process what had just occurred. How did Chloè get her hands on the Bee Miraculous?
"We'd better be going home, Adrien." Gabriel Agreste spoke after Nathalie had showed up. "Thank you all for coming."
I walked with Adrien and his father, as we made our way into their car. Adrien sat in the middle with Gabriel Agreste on one side, and me on the other. After driving for a few moments in silence, Adrien spoke up.
"I hope Chloè doesn't do anything foolish."
"It's hard to say." I thought aloud. "It is Chloè we're talking about."
"I'm sure Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Bonchie will deal with her." Gabriel Agreste deadpanned.
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After being dropped off at my place, I quickly headed up the elevator. Once inside my living room, I slammed my door shut, and opened my bag.
"How on Earth did Chloè get the Bee Miraculous?" Barkk asked, as she flew out.
"That's a question we can ask after we get the Miraculous back. Barkk, let's wag!"
After transforming into Bonchie, I ran out onto my balcony, and swung off of it. I traversed the roofs of Paris for a while, but ultimately found nothing.
"Where are you Chloè Bourgeois?" I questioned rhetorically.
I knew Chat Noir and Ladybug had devices in their weapons that acted a lot like smart phones, so it would be safe to assume it was the same for me, right? I started to inspect my bat. After accidentally procuring an ear piece, I eventually found a small section that slid up, revealing a screen.
"Ah, there we go."
If I needed info on what was happening in Paris, Nadja Chamack had me covered. I opened up the live news feed, seeing the reporter running from metro station to metro station. Having the information I needed, I closed the small compartment, and swung down to the nearest station. Immediately, I could hear the speeding train roaring towards the station. I readied my bat, and as soon as the train whizzed by, I launched my grapple onto the back of it. I flew through the tunnels, before I was reeled onto the train. I hastily ran atop the roof, and before I knew it, Ladybug and Chat Noir were by my side. When we reached the front of the train, I leaned over, seeing Chlo- I mean Queen Bee at the front of the metro, attempting to stop it.
"Need a helping paw?" Chat Noir smirked.
"Stop staring!" Queen Bee snapped, her voice shaky from the rails. "Can't you see you're distracting me?"
"This is not a playground!" Ladybug returned. "I'll slow it as much as I can, Bonchie, get everyone onboard ready to get off, and Chat Noir, you stop it!"
I nodded, before looking over the side of the train. I lowered myself to one of the doors on the side, before beginning to pry it open. With a bit of effort, the door opened, and I swung inside. All of the passengers were near the front of the train, attempting to stop it.
"Everybody hold onto something!"
Everyone heeded my warning, and grabbed onto whatever they could. Moments later, the metro slowed down, before coming to a brash stop. The doors opened, and I quickly began to evacuate everybody, Chat Noir also helping out.
"Thanks for your cooperation, people. Please keep on being pawsome, and evacuate the station calmly." Chat Noir directed.
Queen Bee also hopped down from the top of the train, just in time for Nadja Chamack's camera.
"You're welcome!" Queen Bee gloated, as Chat Noir and I stood next to her in disapproval. "It was nothing. I was merely-"
"Queen Bee!" Ladybug shouted, coming from the front of the train. "This was your doing!"
"Oh, Ladybug, you're too kind. This was teamwork. Oh! How amazing is this? We're a team, now!"
"You're the one who paralyzed the metro driver, aren't you!" Ladybug accused. "You used your power to create the situation, just to make yourself look good!"
"Who cares? We saved them, didn't we?"
"The passengers didn't need to be in danger in the first place." I pointed out, eyebrows furrowed.
"Queen Bee, or rather, Chloè Bourgeois, we're on the air with your mother, Audrey Bourgeois." Nadja Chamack began, holding up a tablet with Audrey on it. "Audrey, do you have anything to say, live on TV?"
"What? Regarding my daughter's ineptitude?" Audrey scoffed. "I think it speaks for itself, doesn't it?"
"Chloè." Ladybug began, firmly. "Give me back your Miraculous."
"Finders keepers, losers weepers!" Chloè defended, holding her hands over the Miraculous.
"Did you lose a Miraculous?" Chat Noir blurted, pointing at Ladybug.
"Is that how Chloè got it?" I questioned.
Ladybug was silent for a moment, before moving over to Chat Noir and I, and pulled us to the side.
"We all make mistakes." Ladybug whispered. "It was kind of hard to take down Style Queen without a Cataclysm!"
Looking back to Queen Bee, she began to sneak out towards the exit. As we noticed her, she suddenly made a break for it.
"Queen Bee! Chloè! Wait!" Ladybug called, as the three of us gave chase.
When we got to the surface, however, Queen Bee was nowhere to be seen.
"Chloè!" Ladybug called out.
"Wherever she is, she must have transformed back by now." Chat Noir reasoned.
"She's probably gone home." Ladybug concluded, readying her yo-yo. "I'll pay her a visit and get the Miraculous back."
"I'll come with you!" Chat Noir chimed in, launching himself with his staff.
"Hey, wait for me!" I exclaimed, extending my bat to grapple after the two.
After catching up with the two, we made our way to Chloè's place; Le Grand Paris. Landing on a balcony, we silently crept into what I presumed was Chloè's room.
"Chloè?" Ladybug spoke.
"Queen Bee?" Chat Noir called.
"I don't think she's here." I added, looking around the room.
"It seems like it." Ladybug agreed. "Let's go!'
We ran out of Chloè's room, and into the hallways of the hotel. We made our way to the elevator, and selected the lobby. As we descended, we readied our weapons, The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. All three of us let out a gasp at the sight. Everyone who was in the lobby seemed frozen in time.
"What... happened to them?" I questioned, inspecting Mayor Bourgeois a bit closer.
"What's that?" Chat Noir pointed out, looking at an odd marking on the mayor's neck. "An insect bite?"
"That's impossible!" Ladybug began. "She can only use her special power once, like my Lucky Charm. She should've transformed back."
A cacophony of buzzing quickly caught our attention. Looking up, a swarm of hornets were flying towards us.
"Watch out!" I shouted, as the three of us dove out of the way.
"Your reign is over, super losers!" Chloè's voice announced.
Looking up, Queen Bee stood atop a railing, looking down at us, wasps at her side. However, her outfit was different than before, being much more darker, and her skin had also changed to a dull yellow.
"I don't even care if you don't give me your Miraculous." Queen... Wasp, scoffed with a smirk. "My wasps will paralyze you, and I'll simply take them myself! Wasps, Venom!"
With a point of her finger, Queen Wasp's wasps darted towards us, ready to sting. Quickly, we ran away from the oncoming swarm, escaping from Le Grand Paris. With wasps hot on our tails, we took temporary egress atop one of the nearby buildings.
"Hawkmoth must have akumatized her while she was still Queen Bee." Ladybug concluded.
"That's how she used her power so many times." I inferred, putting a gloved knuckle to my lips.
"I bet the akuma is in her Miraculous." Chat Noir added, while also scanning the streets.
"That makes sense." Ladybug agreed. "But Miraculous are indestructible. We'll need your Cataclysm to release the akuma."
"I'm all yours, M'Lady." Chat Noir purred, spinning his staff. "We just have to find out how to capture it without getting stung!"
Buzzing could be heard nearby, and as the three of us turned, we spotted Queen Wasp floating in the air, her wasps supporting her.
"A ladybug doesn't stand a chance against the Queen of Wasps!" She boasted, before lifting two vehicles up with her wasps and launching them at us.
We jumped out of the way of the first one, as Ladybug used her yo-yo string to create a makeshift net to catch the second, and protect two Parisians. Once again, the wasps were back on our trail, two swarms chasing after Ladybug and I. Chat Noir attempted to jump up and attack Queen Wasp, but she effortlessly caught his staff, and tossed him towards Ladybug. Ladybug skidded backwards, Chat Noir in hands, before colliding with a light pole, just as the News van pulled up, and Nadja Chamack stepped out with her cameraman.
"So, who's exceptional now, then?" Queen Wasp laughed, still high in the air. "Them or me?"
"You two alright?" I asked, rushing over, and helping Ladybug and Chat Noir to their feet.
"Never been... better..." Chat Noir groaned.
There wasn't time to chat, however, as more swarms of wasps rushed our way. We ran down the streets, hopped onto buildings, just did anything to escape our insect perpetrators. Ladybug spotted The Seine, as she directed us to jump. Without question, we dove into the water, just as the wasps were about to catch up. Ladybug had her yo-yo to her mouth, and Chat Noir had his staff to his. I looked to my bat, desperately looking for something that could allow me to breathe, as I grabbed the top of the bat, and yanked it off, before bringing it to my mouth, allowing me to breathe. Ladybug motioned us to follow her, as we hastily did. We swam for a while, before carefully climbing aboard a boat, which just so happened to be Captain Anarka's, though no one could be seen. Instinct took over me, and I shook every part of my body, sending water all over the place. I looked to Ladybug and Chat Noir who were now twice as wet as before.
"Sorry... I couldn't help it." I apologized, screwing the top back onto my bat.
"It's fine, but we still need to come up with another plan." Ladybug spoke, looking determined. "Lucky Charm!"
From the sky, a snorkel fell into Ladybug's hands.
"A snorkel?"
"Why would we need a snorkel? We can already breathe underwater with our tools." I puzzled, looking at the snorkel with a cocked eyebrow.
"Water! That's it! Wasps don't like water!" Ladybug realized, looking around the boat for a moment. "We may have to get a little dirty."
"That's ironic. We just took a bath!" Chat Noir joked, earning smiles and scoffs from both of us.
"Ugh, just follow me." Ladybug directed.
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Using trash bins as a disguise and cover, the three of us inched our way towards Le Grand Paris, up the elevator, and to the roof of the building. We could just barely hear Queen Wasp's voice through the smelly plastic containers.
"Now!" Ladybug shouted, as we threw the bins towards Queen Wasp, forcing her to knock them out of the way.
Chat Noir was right behind the bins, and latched onto Queen Wasp, and plunged the snorkel into her mouth. Ladybug and I jumped past her, as Ladybug wrapped her yo-yo around one of Queen Wasp's ankles, and I wrapped my grapple around her other. We dove into the water, pulling Queen Wasp and Chat Noir with us. The snorkel was attached to a hose, along with a floaty to allow Queen Wasp to breathe. We now had the advantage, Queen Wasp unable to call upon her wasps while we were in the water. We threw punches back and forth, before Ladybug and I ultimately held Queen Wasp still, as Chat Noir used his Cataclysm on the Bee Miraculous. The Miraculous broke apart, and floated off Queen Wasp's head, as she turned back to Queen Bee, and finally, Chloè Bourgeois. She grabbed onto the broken Bee Miraculous solemnly. We all jumped out of the water, as I held Chloè. The akuma was attempting to flee, but Ladybug was quick to act.
"No more evil-doing for you, little akuma." Ladybug began, after taking her yo-yo away from her mouth. "Time to de-evilise!"
I put Chloè down, as she spat out the snorkel, which Chat Noir brought over to Ladybug.
"Bye-bye, little butterfly!" Ladybug continued, as Chat Noir handed her the snorkel. "Miraculous Ladybug!"
Like a well-oiled machine, the magical ladybugs fixed all the damages done by Queen Wasp's reign of terror. The magical ladybugs even fixed the broken Bee Miraculous, which Chloè held in front of her. Nadja Chamack, quick as ever, pulled up in the News van.
"Pound it!" The three of us called in unison, before turning back to Chloè.
"I have to get the Miraculous back, Chloè." Ladybug spoke softly, holding her hand out towards a kneeling Chloè.
"Give me a second chance, please!" Chloè begged, holding the Miraculous close as Nadja Chamack approached with a tablet and her cameraman.
"Audrey Bourgeois, tell us how you feel about what happened." Nadja interviewed, Audrey Bourgeois' face on the tablet she was holding.
"According to me, Chloè just clearly demonstrated that there is nothing 'exceptional' about her!"
Chloè closed her eyes tightly, looking away, before Chat Noir knelt down next to her.
"I know that you did the things you did to impress your mother." Chat Noir reassured, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Anyone can make mistakes, even a superhero." Ladybug started. "What matters is how you fix them. I personally made one by losing that Miraculous. Don't make the mistake of not giving it back. Act like a hero."
"Do the right thing." I added.
"And show everyone how exceptional you can be." Chat Noir finished.
Chloè was silent for a moment, looking between us, before she got back up to her feet. She held the Bee Miraculous close one more time, before holding it forward. Ladybug took the Miraculous back, smiling to Chloè.
"Thank you." Ladybug nodded, as we turned to leave.
"Ladybug... Chat Noir... Bonchie..." Chloè began, her tone completely different than usual. "I'm sorry."
I smiled, finally seeing the honest side of Chloè. The three of us jumped away, our superhero personas no longer needed.
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"I'm really glad you decided to stay in Paris." I smiled, writing down some notes from class.
I had Marinette on a video call, my phone propped up on some books, as I studied in my room.
"Yeah, I'm glad I did too. Come to think of it, New York really isn't for me!"
"Oh, and I was thinking... I could still model for you, even if you don't have a big special studio..."
My face flushed red, as Barkk snickered at me. I gave her a look, before looking back to Marinette.
"Of course, (Y/N)! I'd be more than happy to!"
"R-Really? Thanks, Marinette. I should probably get going now, though. I still have dinner to make."
"Alright, bye, (Y/N)!"
Marinette waved to me, as I ended the call. I held the phone to my chest, and smiled.
"That girl is just... miraculous..."
"You really should ask her out, already." Barkk smirked, flying over to me.
"...Soon."