Chloe slumped on her couch as soon as Sabrina was out of the hotel. They had been doing homework and their regular friday evening anime session, and Chloe was exhausted. Her efforts of doing her own school work better pay off one day as Adrikins promised, because she was, so far, not enjoying it very much. After the drama with Sabrina, who thought that her trying to do her own homework was a sign of their friendship ending (Again), she questioned every math problem she had to solve, every book she had to read. This was not good for her cutis.
Speaking of things bad of her cutis, she thought as her phone buzzed with a new message. With his new relationship to Marinette, Adrikins still found the time to talk to her sometimes, which kind of surprised Chloe, if she was being totally honest. Yes, her presence was a delight, especially recently. And yes, they were childhood friends, but she was not blind, or stupid. She knew Dupain-Cheng would absorb the little free time the model had left, leaving Chloe with the crumbs. But she was going to be a good friend, and take those crumbs without complaining for now.
She replied the blonds question about the upcoming Easter Gala with a ''Of course I will be going, you dumbass'' and then smiled when he replied with a happy cat emote. That boy was not subtle, at all, Chloe realized now, knowing what she knew about her friend.
This week had gone with no incidents, which was mostly due to the fact that Lila didn't show up for class. But Chloe had no plans on letting her guard down, Chat Noirs identity was a secret that must be kept at all cost. She decided to exercise what Sabrina called ´´The spy miraculous´´ on her classmates, after her discovery of the hero's identity; And suddenly her school days had a lot more going on than just making an effort to not insult anybody and trying to pay attention to the teachers.
She learnt that Alix and Max were best friends now, Chloe was not sure when that happened or why it happened, but the skater and the nerd were together all the time, whispering to each other. She also caught Alix eyeing Dupain-Cheng a lot. Juleka and Rose were definitely a thing, the mayor's daughter was 100% sure of that after her week of people watching.
And Marinette knew that Adrikins was Chat Noir. She learned that this same friday.
They were at the school cafeteria having lunch and the TV suddenly was showcasing what used to be Lila Rossi's home. Apparently, that sob story she was telling last week turned out out be true, and what was more worrisome for Chloe, was that it really looked like Chat Noir did it. The reporters seemed hesitant, but they mentioned the cat hero having a slip up as a possibility. The whole school erupted into discussion after that, but Chloe had a friend to comfort. Except, her job was taken now by Marinette Dupain-Cheng.
Chloe followed the couple outside of the cafeteria to try to talk to Adrien, and saw that he was hugging his annoying girlfriend. They wouldn't have done that if the baker girl didn't know what he was so distressed about, right?
Back to the present, the blonde let out an exasperated huff, then grabbed her phone again. Adrien wouldn't tell Dupain-Cheng his identity just like that, at least she didn't think so. They both knew what Ladybug thought about revealing sensitive information, and the consequences of doing so. But maybe the fact that Hawkmoth was gone relaxed her idol enough to let him some slack… But then, why didn't she come and give her Pollen back? Or at least explained why she couldn't get her miraculous?
Chloe hated the bad taste that was left in her mouth everytime she doubted Ladybug, but this time she couldn't help it. There just was no excuse anymore for her to not, at least, let say goodbye to the kwami.
And Adrien! He was Chat Noir! he could talk to Ladybug, he knew perfectly well how Chloe felt about being left behind like this. Suddenly the girl was not so worried for the model, petty spite and betrayal creeping in. The only good thing about this was that she was free to rage and cry now that Hawkmoth was gone.
And that is how Viperion found her. Sobbing against a pillow in her room, surrounded by chocolate and with her teddy bear as sole company.
''Uhh… Knock knock?'' Said the snake hero, hesitant. Chloe looked up, eyes red and puffy, and saw Viperion at her window, one foot on her room and the rest of his body outside. His face was kind of funny, thought the rich girl. But any amusement was nullified by the embarrassment of being seen in such a state.
She hid her face again on her pillow and her muffled voice said something along the lines of ''Get out'' with not a lot of energy. She waited a little for the hero to leave, but instead she felt a soft touch on her shoulder, and when she peeked, the turquoise masked boy (Man?) was close enough that she could see the detail in his worried eyes. Chloe sighed, then rolled her eyes.
''What do you want?'' She was in not mood to be nice right now. She had very few interactions with this particular member of the miraculous team in the last year, most of them as her in the sidelines just watching him being chosen to fight over Queen Bee.
''Are you ok?'' He asked instead of answering her question, which disarmed the blonde. She was not expecting any kindness from their group, now that she knew not even her childhood friend would pay her any mind when it came to the miraculous. Chloe got up, sizing herself against the snake who, to her annoyance, was a lot taller. She then hmphed away and went to her bathroom to clean her face and fix her hair a bit. She would not be having this conversation… Any kind of conversation, looking like she just watched the ending of Romeo X Juliet.
Chloe wasn't sure the hero would still be there once she got out, but there he was, standing awkwardly in the middle of her disastrous room. There was a mix of the aftermath of her evening with Sabrina and her ''mild meltdown'' all over the place; Viperion behaved as if he was surrounded by mines instead of homework sheets, empty chocolate wrappers and tissues.
''I'm ok'' She said flatly. The snake themed hero tried his best to hide the tiny smile that formed in his lips, but obviously failed, since the girl noticed. ''Look, I don't know what you want, but I'm busy here, so could you leave, please?'' She winced as soon as she said that last word. That insufferable snake smiled widely now at her slip up of politeness.
''Don't worry, I will not tell anybody that Chloe bourgeois said the word ´´please´´'' He said, standing with a bit more ease now. ''I just came to check on you, as the new guardian of the miraculous''
''Guardian? I thought Ladybug was the boss of the whole thing, did something happen to her?'' The worry on her voice did not go unnoticed by the hero.
''She's ok, it's just that, after Hawkmoth was dealt with, she… We decided to be more of a team and the task of taking care of the jewels and who holds them fell on me'' Chloe did not imagine the pride on his tone after saying that. So Ladybug was giving other people their jewels permanently now, the whole lot of them, in fact, but she still couldn't show her face for one second just to tell her she would never see Pollen again? Great.
Chloe felt the tears accumulating on her eyes once more, so she quickly turned on her feet, giving her back to the hero. ''I don't care for any of that, I'm not a hero anymore, remember?'' She didn't hold back on the spite in her tone, even if this person had nothing to do with Ladybugs choices.
There was a short silence after, and the blonde was starting to wonder if the snake just left while she wasn't looking when she felt something soft on her ear. She almost jumped, then saw that Viperion was holding her teddy bear at arm's length, offering it to her with an annoyingly warm smile. Chloe sniffed then took the bear, trying to keep her frown in place long enough to save what was left of her dignity.
''Ladybug gave me this role, and it's up to me now to decide who is a hero and who isn't worthy of a miraculous. And you, Chloe, are not unworthy'' She didn't miss how he didn't really say she was worthy either, but hope raised in her chest anyways.
''Will I get Pollen back, then? What do I need to do?'' She asked.
''I can't give your miraculous now… The box was stolen, Chloe, and we are working right now to get it back. But I thought you needed to know that you can still be part of this team, even without the miraculous'' Said Viperion. ''I came here without telling the others because I wanted to know what you think first, but if you agree to help us, I'll ask them to consider letting you join the team too''
Chloe's first thought after hearing all that was about her poor Pollen being stolen, and her second thought was Adrien.
''I know who Chat Noir is'' She blurted, definitely not saying whatever Viperion expected her to say, because his face was priceless. His jaw was basically on the floor and his eyes so big his mask almost lost its shape. That kind but also a bit condescending smile was finally wiped out of his features.
''Wha- What do you mean? How?'' He shook his head ''How long have you known?''
''Just this week. Those fangs and nails are too atrocious for me to not notice'' She commented, finally sounding like herself.
''You do know... Well consider me impressed, Chloe. I think you realize how much you can help us, then'' He said, doing his best to gather his poise. The blonde really enjoyed seeing that look on the snake, she suspected it was not normal for him to be surprised by people.
''Alright, what can Queen Bee do for you?'' She smirked.
Even with no Akumas attacking at strange hours and keeping them awake most nights, the heroes of paris were not really good at arriving early at school. Marinette and Adrien were inseparable that weekend, but their time together was less about enjoying each others company and more about stressing out over the lack of information they still had on the Miraculous Box robbery and Master Fu's condition.
At least they had some sleep, and both of them looked quite fresh when they entered the classroom, just mere minutes before the teacher was supposed to arrive that monday.
''I can't believe he would do something like this'' Was the first thing the couple heard once they sat down, coming from Ivan. For some reason, a large portion of the class was gathered at the back of the room, including a furious looking Alya and Nino.
''I wouldn't believe it either if I didn't experience it myself'' Said a wavering and pathetic feminine voice. Lila was back.
Marinette and Adrien got up, and started cautiously approaching the group. The only people on the room who seemed to be ignoring the Italian girl were Chloe and Sabrina, Alix, Max and Nathaniel. Well, ignoring was a strong word for staying in their seats, but listening in anyways.
''Why do you guys still listen to her? The news stated it was probably a gas explosion on her house, not Chat Noir!'' Alya argued. Marinette and Adrien frowned. This again?.
''Oh, Alya, you didn't watch the latest segment?'' Said Lila as she pulled out her phone, then started playing a video. She lifted it so everyone could see, including the couple of heroes.
On the screen, Nadia Chamak was sitting in front of a distressed looking Ladybug. The four heroes gaped at the sight, too shocked to do anything but keep watching.
''So, do you confirm that it was your partner, Chat Noir, who attacked Ambassador Rossi's home two weeks ago?'' Asked the reporter, and the Ladybug on the screen looked thoughtful before answering ''Yes, I'm afraid his… powers of destruction, got a bit out of control. But It was just that one time! He's good I'll make sure of it!'' Said the fake heroine with too much happiness for the topic of the conversation. Nadia frowned and then continued the interview.
''Do you think this could happen again?, Chat Noir is a beloved hero to this city, but people might not like him destroying private property'' Asked Nadia. The fake Ladybug then was suddenly angry and got up, fists closed. ''You have no right to question us! We are the heroes of Paris, and we deserve respect after finally stopping Hawkmoth!'' She yelled at the surprised reporter.
The whole thing went downhill after that, the fake Ladybug refused to answer any more questions and just left the set. Nadia looked sad, and refused to give any more of her thoughts on the matter, but another reporter took the chance and, before the video cut off, she said: ''There you have it people, first they don't reveal who Hawkmoth is, and now Chat Noir is destroying peoples homes with no explanation, he doesn't even show his face to apologize and Ladybug still defends him! Do we really need heroes like these?''
The Francoise-Dupont students were silent after the video ended. Lila didn't even bother to hide her smirk while looking down at Marinette and Adrien. Then the whole classroom erupted in debate, each of them finding something to yell about, whether they agreed with the last statement of the reporter or not.
''That Ladybug is fake!'' Said Alya, and Lila didn't even had to reply, because Ivan started arguing with the Ladyblogger about how blind she is to not see that the heroes are not who they used to be.
''There is something fishy going on here'' Said Max, Alix nodding beside him.
''But you saw the proof! What Lila said about Chat Noir attacking her house is true!'' Exclaimed Kim.
''They saved us every day for years! They deserve the benefit of the doubt at least!'' Countered Alix.
''Alya just got convinced by Marinette and Adrien that Lila is some sort of chronic liar, but I'm tired of the antagonism. We should just accept that not everyone is perfect, not even our heroes'' Said Mylene, and Marinette snapped from her stupor at hearing her and her partners name.
''But she IS lying! We have proof, right Alya?'' Said the heroine, and the reporter was about to talk too when Lila finally chimed in.
''Oh, I wouldn't even try that, honey. I know a thing or two myself'' Smirked the Italian. Most of the class was still busy arguing with each other to notice how the girl looked not so vulnerable anymore. The four heroes understood the threat immediately, however. They all realized that Lila had the box, that fake Ladybug was probably a sentimonster made by her with the peacock miraculous, and that she also knew who they were. This was bad.
''I'm confused, what proof, Alya? I don't know what to think anymore'' Said Rose once everyone calmed enough to hear her quiet voice. ''I don't want to believe Chat Noir is a bad person, but the news and even Ladybug said he did that to Lila's house…'' She sounded extremely sad, a sentiment most of them shared.
''I know how you feel, but now it's not time to doubt what your two eyes see just because some people are fanatics'' Said Lila ''Who knows what else Chat Noir might do if we let this go…'' She smirked at Adrien, and he snapped.
Black smoke started slowly coming out of the models right hand, Marinette noticed, and he looked like he was about to pounce on the Italian girl any moment now. A low growl started coming out of him, but, before anyone else noticed, he regained his control as a loud ''Adrikins!'' came from the front of the class.
The heroes looked at each other and communicated silently their agreement on taking this cue and let go for now. They went to their seats while Adrien listened to what Chloe had to say.
''T-Thank you Chloe, I…'' He whispered to the blonde, not really thinking about an explanation for his behavior, not even sure if she saw him or not.
''Whatever, more importantly, I need an extra invitation for the Easter Fashion Gala, do you think your father could get one more for me?'' Said Chloe nonchalantly. Adrien was a bit confused still, all his anger disappearing by the girls distraction.
''Err, yeah I think I can get you an extra one… Who else are you inviting? I already gave you one for Sabrina'' He forced himself to sound casual, his curiosity still genuine though. Chloe didn't really have that many friends.
''Oh just a new guy I met'' She replied, raising her eyebrows while smirking at him. Cheeky, Adrien thought. He owed a talk to his childhood friend after this, still not sure how much she saw. He was grateful for her intervention anyways, intentional or not.
Before Adrien could comment further, the teacher arrived and he had to go back to his seat. It took awhile for the whole class to calm down, and Mis Mendeleiev commented something about the news being ´´Not always trustworthy, so they should wait and get information from other sources too´´ before continuing with her routine.
The heroes spent the whole class passing notes to each other, but it was not a very efficient way of communicating their concerns. One thing was clear for the four of them, though.
The Miraculous thief was Lila Rossi, and she was going to pay.