That night, Ashley was standing on the roof of her apartment building, this time noticeably further back form the ledge, when a certain blonde Ladybug swung down to her side.

"Hey," Chloé asked. "What are you doing back up here? Are you okay?"

Ashley instantly wrapped her arms around Chloé's neck in a tight hug.

"Thank you so much," she whispered.

Chloé hugged her back.

"What you did," Ashley stammered. "I still can't believe it. This is like a dream come true."

"I can't save everyone like that," Chloé said. "But, um, this one time? I knew what I could do for you."

"But, but you don't even know me," Ashley said. She stepped back. "Why were you so kind to me? Those girls you sent were so scary, but so awesome! And my new class is so welcoming! We had cake, and I joined an art club, and that terrifying girl with the glasses caught me up real quick on my lesson plans. I was even invited to a sleepover this weekend! I haven't been to one of those in years! I… Why did you help me?"

Chloé considered Ashley for a bit.

'Because I felt guilty,' Chloé thought. 'Because I realized how close I came to doing to others what those girls did to you. Because God only knows if I've actually done it and didn't even notice.'

"Because I could," she said. "It may not change the world, and I may not have fixed everything for you, but I could do this one big thing, so I did. And sometimes, that's all the reason a person needs." She looked to Ashley. "Were you out here to see me tonight, or…?"

"To see you," Ashley said. "To thank you. This… Today was the best day of my life. I still don't know how to thank you."

"Oh, please. You're being ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! Today was nothing. Just thank me by making some friends," Chloé said.

Ashley's eyes widened at that. She had heard that same phrase no less than a dozen times that day, usually when she was talking to people about her old school, several times at lunch when discussing a talent show, twice after school, and a couple other times here and there at random. It was strange, though. She had only heard it from…

Ashley's mouth opened and closed several times as the blood drained from her face, but she stayed quiet. She looked closely at Ladybug.

Her thoughts went back to the night before.

'Seriously, like, you're my idol. I've got your doll and your posters… I've even got your movie! But, your hair is the wrong color…'

Ashley's hands went to her mouth. She locked up in shock, but again, she didn't say anything.

Chloé, completely oblivious to Ashley's reaction, took out her yoyo. "The class you're in is full of them. They're all good people, even that scary girl with the glasses. Even Kim."

"She's not all that bad," Ashley stammered. "The, um, scary one? And, um, her friend is really cool, too. Chloé? I mean, Chloé. Her friend. Could you tell her that for me when, um, you see her? How wonderful she is?"

Chloé blushed as she looked away. "Um, yeah. I'll tell her on patrol. When I'll see her. You know, because she's a hero, too."

"Thank you," Ashley said in a small voice. "And you're right. She really is."

Chloé coughed as Ashley bushed and looked off to the side.

"Well," Chloé said, clearing her throat. "I'm just glad things worked out and that I could help."

Ashley beamed as she recovered. "You have no idea! I just can't get over how wonderful this has been. The class is so great! And did you know that blonde guy in there looks like the kid in the Adrien ads? He even has the same name! Isn't that wild? And, um, just as an aside, do you know if he's dating anyone?"

Chloé stared for a second. "Right. That he does. And, yeah, he's with the class rep. Sorry, but he's off the market. Now, I have some pressing matters to attend to, but if you need me? If anything comes up that you need help with? Those two girls who helped you are at your disposal."

Ashley stared. "Oh, I wouldn't want to impose on you. Them, I mean. Um, anyone."

"Impose away. Chloé's awesome," Chloé said. "Like, super, mega-awesome. And she's the best superhero out there next to myself. And she has great hair. And her girlfriend is terrifying and hot. Yeah, they'll help you out. I promise."

Chloé tossed her line and gave it a tug. She looked back to Ashley. "Hey. Um, when you were thinking about… You know? Thank you for letting me help. As weird as it sounds, it felt good to make this right for you."

"Of course. And, and I'll never forget what you did for me," Ashley said. "I promise."

Chloé smiled. "Take care, Ashley."

A quick tug, and she was gone.

Ashley stood and watched her go.

"Thanks, Chloé."

Ashley stayed to look out over the city for a while longer. She hadn't noticed the night before how beautiful everything was from up there. Beautiful, and also quite cold. She wrapped her arms around herself as she went back inside to head to bed.

It had been a busy day, and she was looking forward to the morning.


Chloé landed on the rooftop of the Dupain-Cheng bakery and nodded to Marinette, who was waiting with two hot mugs.

"So," Marinette said as Chloé dropped her transformation. She handed the blonde a mug of cocoa. "On your first night as Ladybug, you were up nearly the entire evening calling, texting, and screaming at nearly half of Paris to completely overhaul a stranger's life. From what I've gathered from Caline, you had your father reorganize a city contract. He also shuffled multiple paid positions in his cabinet to create a new chair, and you had him redirect funds from an established educational foundation to provide a last-second scholarship so you could pull a girl from her school. You then skipped first period to threaten the jobs of multiple people and terrorized several families by leaning on Roger of all people, and I understand Sabrina had a principal fired this afternoon?"

Chloé blushed and shuffled her feet. "I mean, I, I didn't know what else to do? I… I'm sorry. I wanted to do this right, you know? I thought if I talked to them, if I could get them to see how they were hurting that poor girl they'd, I dunno, respond or something. But, they didn't, and that principal! He was ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! He honestly didn't care if Ashley was hurt or not, and when I turned Sabrina loose on them, it felt good? I know it shouldn't have, but it really did. She, like, destroyed them in under two minutes, and I wanted her to. That's not what a hero is supposed to do!"

"Chloé?" Marinette asked.

"And that doesn't fix anything! Those girls should have apologized because they saw how their actions hurt others, but they only did it out of fear. They did it because we had more power and we were able to bully them, and that just shows them their actions were right!"

"Hey, Chloé?"

"And that doesn't fix anything! It doesn't stop them from moving on to the next girl. And what if next time there isn't someone to stop them, or to be there on the ledge? What did I even do today that made any damn difference? I just…"

"CHLOÉ!"

Chloé paused.

"Thank you."

Chloé looked up to see Marinette staring at her in the moonlight. Her eyes were glassy, and her smile was genuine.

"What?" Chloé asked, confused.

"This was the single biggest act of heroism I've ever seen from you," Marinette said. "You saved Ashley's life, Chloé. You moved the world for her! You were there for her and you stood up for her, and when you did, you tried using compassion and understanding."

"But it didn't work," Chloé said.

"But they'll remember that you tried," Marinette pointed out. "They'll remember that someone spoke to them and reached out. And maybe this wasn't enough, but what if it happens again? What if it adds up enough that it does have an impact?"

Chloé fidgeted but didn't respond. Marinette reached out and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"You say what you did didn't matter, but it did. Today, you stepped up and you did something. Something huge. That meant the world to Ashley. Tomorrow, she's going to wake up and go to school happy. She's going to make friends and do well for herself, and she's going to do it because of you."

"You're wrong," Chloé said.

"Oh?"

There was a beat.

"It's because of you."

Chloé sat in the patio chair across from Marinette and stared at her cocoa.

"I was just going to catch her with my line and bring her back to her parents if she jumped. And then I saw her face, and I heard her talk about what was happening, and all I saw was you."

"Chloé?" Marinette asked. "I don't understand."

"I saw how I treated you," Chloé said, her voice quiet. "I saw every mean thing I had ever done to you. All the names, the insults, the mean things I had done. I saw all of it in that one moment right in her face, and I realized I was no better than those girls Ashley was talking about. I was your bully for years, and the only difference between you and her is that you were strong enough to endue it."

Marinette set her cocoa down and reached out for Chloé's hands. "Hey," she said. "That's, you never, I never felt like that because of you, okay? It wasn't because of you."

Chloé started trembling. "But you could have," she said. "And then when Lila pulled her stunts and just added to everything…" She looked up at Marinette with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry," she cried.

Marinette swept her into a hug. "Shhh," she said as Chloé gripped her.

"I've been terrible to you! To everyone! For so long! I just… I'm sorry! God, I am so sorry!"

"Hey," Marinette said. "You're not that person anymore. You haven't been for a long time. And we've all forgiven you. All of us."

Chloé didn't respond. She just continued to cry as Marinette held her. Eventually, the tears ran their course, and the two girls scooted back from each other.

"Thank you," Chloé said at last. "It means a lot to hear that. Especially from you."

"Of course," Marinette said, smiling. "We're good, Chloé. But, hey? So we're clear? If you ever give me any grief, I will not hesitate to kick your ass."

Chloé nodded and finally let out a laugh. "Yeah, that's fair. By the way? I'm going to be your kid's godmother. Just so we're clear."

Marinette smirked. "Still getting ahead of yourself?"

Chloé shook her head as she looked at Marinette. "That kid is going to be loved by you. By both of you. I mean, that's obvious. But if something happens? And don't say it won't because you know it can. If something happens, your kids will be safe, and they'll be loved. Always. I promise."

Chloé wiped at her eyes. "Just don't read too much into it, alright? It's just, no one I know is ever going to have a child that doesn't feel loved. Ever."

Marinette looked Chloé in the eye and beamed. "You're fantastic, Queen Bee. You know that?"

Chloé smiled. "Yes. Yes, I am."

Marinette put her hand to her chin in mock thought. "I daresay you're almost as fantastic as me."

Chloé smirked. "Please. You wish you were as cool as I am."

"I could say the same," Marinette countered.

Chloé laughed. "You're actually snarky tonight. Huh. Wonders just won't cease today, will they?"

Marinette shook her head. "I suppose they won't. On that note, um I'm glad you came by, actually."

"Of course I came by," Chloé said. "I had to drop off your earrings. I borrowed these, remember?" Chloé took the earrings off and reached out to hand them back to Marinette.

Marinette ignored her. "There was something I've been needing to talk to you about."

"Oh?"

Marinette reached out and closed Chloé's hands with her own.

"Wait," Chloé said. "What are you doing?"

"My reserve bug can't cover for me all the time," Marinette said. "And it's unfair of me to keep putting your mom on the spot. I need someone I can trust, Chloé. And aside from Chat? No one else has wielded a miraculous longer."

Chloé looked at the earrings in her hand.

"You're asking me?" She whispered. "You're really asking me?"

Marinette nodded. "I need someone out there I can trust. Someone who will never back down, who can think on her feet and lead. And when the situation arises, put everyone through Heck and back to make something right, even if it's just for one person."

"But, I'm your… I'm your bully," Chloé said in a small voice.

"You haven't been that in years," Marinette pointed out. "You've been there for me, and for our class. That's who you are now. And I trust you. I trust you with Tikki. I'd trust you with my life, Chloé."

"What about the other day?" Chloé asked. "I thought you weren't settling on just one user. You've been giving these out left and right. You gave it to Juleka of all people!"

"That wasn't my call," Marinette said. "This right here is. And she did just fine, by the way. Did you even see her outfit?"

Chloé blushed and looked away. "I mean, it was okay."

Marinette stared.

"Yeah." Marinette coughed. "Yeah, it was okay."

Chloé nodded. "Um… I took a picture."

"Oh?" Marinette said, her voice slightly higher than she meant it to be. "Could you, um, text that to me? For design purpose reason things?"

Chloé slipped out her phone and quickly sent off a text. "Done."

Marinette checked her phone as her cheeks turned red. "Yes. Right. Juleka. So hot. Good! So good. As Ladybug. Have some faith in our friends."

"But, but," Chloé was floundering as the conversation shifted back to the topic at hand. "What about Alya? Or, or…"

"Chloé?" Marinette said. She again put her hands over the blonde's. "When you called half of Paris last night to make things right for Ashley, everyone jumped to help. Everyone stepped up. That was because of you. Of who you are."

Marinette held Chloé's hands tightly. "Alya's my bestie and Juleka is a sweetheart, but right now? I don't need a friend. I need the one person on the team that will stand up to me. I need someone that everyone will listen to, and that's you. You're a leader."

"So, we're not friends?" Chloé asked.

"Of course we're friends, but I don't just need a friend for this." Marinette looked her in the eye. "I need a sister."

"Oh," Chloé said, her voice going hoarse.

Marinette stared. "I mean it."

"But I'm not… I, um… Wow. I… Goddammit."

Chloé grabbed Marinette and pulled her in for a hug.

"You just had to play the sister card, didn't you, you bitch?" Chloé growled.

"It's true and you know it," Marinette said back.

They quickly let go of one another.

Chloé turned away and did her best to discreetly wipe at her eyes. "So, what about Babybug? What are you going to tell her?"

Marinette looked away for a moment. "I'll take care of her. She might still help, but for now? I'm putting you in the lead."

Chloé nodded, her heart going a mile a minute.

Marinette smiled at her. "Effective immediately and until I'm able to resume my duties, you're now Ladybug. If you want the job."

"If, if you think I can… Oh Hell. Who am I kidding? Of course I want the job!" Chloé grinned. "This is… This is the highest honor. I won't let you down. I won't let Paris down, I promise!"

Marinette smiled. "I know."

Once upon a time, Chloé Bourgeois was a bully. She was petty, and hateful, and by all accounts, a cruel person in the eyes of Paris.

And then things changed.

Not all at once, and not suddenly, but over time something crept in under the layers of hate and jealousy. Something good. And in time, that something good grew.

It rooted, and it was nurtured by the love of her friends, and the strength of her family.

And one day, it had grown so much that it replaced the person Chloé had been with something far, far better.

She was still Chloé Bourgeois. She still had the capacity to be mean, and petty, and cruel.

But she also knew how to love. She knew how to see something better in herself. And she knew how to use what she had to help others.

And that is why Chloé Bourgeois was exceptional.

And that is why for the next seven months, she was Ladybug.

Notes:

Hi everyone!

A Huge thank you to Kasienda for their feedback on this arc. They helped me add a lot of things I just didn't think about, and I appreciate the feedback!

Would you believe this was where the story was originally supposed to stop? I wanted to end here, but then I realized I forgot one teeny, tiny plot point that needed to be resolved, so there's a couple more arcs coming.

Okay, it's a huge point. Sorry. Kinda got off-focus there for a bit.

NEXT TIME!

It's time to resolve some issues as someone finds out a shocking secret that threatens to destroy a relationship!

Like, for real this time!

This next arc is short but packs a punch, so get ready as trusts are betrayed and the fists start flying! Be here tomorrow, same Bug Time...

Marinette: Please stop. This bit is so old it's rotting.

...Same Bug Channel!