Seconds went by, and no one said a word. If Chloé hadn't been the center of attention moments earlier she wouldn't have cared that much. But she had, both as Queen Bee and as Chloé. It didn't feel right either way and that made her want to leave, go back to her room and hide for the rest of eternity.
It had been a moment in her past when she had welcomed all sort of attention, but not anymore. She still liked the good attention that came from when she had succeeded in something because it felt good. But the attention from being accused of being evil? She'd rather eat pizza, and she did not like pizza at all.
"Maybe it was a stunt?" Rena Rouge asked.
Chloé were moments away from hitting something.
"She was hurt." Viperion said and didn't hide how annoyed he sounded. "Quite badly."
"Oh no." Pigella said and looked at Purple Tigress.
Rena Rouge didn't seem to actually believe any of that until Carapace gave her a short nod to confirm it. She did look a little bit surprised over it and thankfully dropped the conversation after that.
All of the heroes started talking about other things with each other and from what Chloé could hear, none of them were no longer talking about her. It made her relax again, and she went back to sit on the tree that had fallen over to wait for Ladybug's arrival.
It didn't take long for the spotted hero to arrive and when she did everyone got quiet. It wasn't a happy Ladybug that showed up and everyone, including Chloé, could see that Ladybug looked determinated.
She walked up to them and stopped before she greeted everyone and got replies almost immediately. It seemed to make her look a little bit more comfortable being there, but she didn't seem to be able to relax.
Ladybug took a deep breath before she spoke.
"I think all of you already know why I have wanted all of you to come here today."
All of the heroes nodded and none seemed to dare to speak. Chloé had a good idea why they were here and she knew that it was just a matter of time before she got it confirmed.
"It's about Hawk Moth, right?" Carapace asked.
Ladybug nodded.
"We have to talk about what we are going to do when he returns." Ladybug said.
"When, not if?" Polymouse asked.
Chloé wanted to believe that it was a matter of if and not when. But she didn't live in denial. If Chat Noir had disappeared together with Hawk Moth, she was sure that he'd make an appearance very soon as well.
"We have fought Hawk Moth before." King Monkey said.
Everyone heard his words and Chloé knew that the same thought showed up for all of them when they heard King Monkey's words. They had fought Hawk Moth before, but things had changed since then.
"But not Chat Noir." Ladybug finally said.
"Are we even sure that Chat Noir is our enemy?" Carapace asked.
"When I chased after him yesterday, I tried to talk to him and for a moment it felt as if got through to him. But when I let my guard down, he tried to take my Miraculous away from me. I was able to escape before that happened. I don't want to believe that Chat Noir is our enemy, but everything points in that direction." Ladybug explained to them.
"So we have to fight Hawk Moth, Mayura and Chat Noir from now on?" King Monkey asked.
Ladybug nodded.
"What's the plan?" Rena Rouge asked and gave Ladybug a reassuring pat on her shoulder.
"I don't want any of you to be alone from now on. If you go out on patrols you need to be at least two or more and not leave each other behind. We don't know when Hawk Moth will strike, but it will happen soon."
"Maybe 3rd of June?" Chloé suggested.
Ladybug looked at her and seemed to wonder what she was talking about.
"It's what it said on the door." Chloé explained and looked at Rena Rouge to get som backup.
"Someone had written 3rd of June on the door of the building Chat Noir was at. But we don't who wrote it or when." Rena Rouge said.
Ladybug didn't say anything. She didn't even look hopeful. It was clear that she was tired and for the future they were heading towards Chloé doubted that Ladybug would be able to rest anything during the nights.
"It's a good guess. I don't think it will be that far away into the future." Ladybug said.
Chloé had just gotten her Miraculous back and now she was going to have to face three different villains and their powers? She didn't want to see Chat Noir as an enemy, and she doubted she was the only one who thought like that. But if he stayed on Hawk Moth's side she knew there weren't something else to call him than that.
It pained to admit it, but what else could she do? She wanted to protect Ladybug the best she could and she wanted to keep Paris save for it's citizens. She wanted to do everything she could to protect her loved ones and she knew she'd have to train in order to get back in shape.
All the heroes were quiet and for a moment it seemed as if no one knew what to say. We were going to have to fight again and no one was happy over it.
"I pick Polymouse!" Bunnyx announced and grabbed on to Polymouse's arm.
Polymouse seemed surprised and a little bit confused over it.
"For what?" she asked the blue hero.
"For my new patrol partner." Bunnyx said and flashed a big smile at Polymouse.
"That's a good idea." Ladybug said and looked at the others. "Pick someone that you go on patrols with from now on. Decide which days you go and where to meet up."
Most heroes moved quickly and started talking with each other. I didn't surprise Chloé which one it was that seemed to pair up. Some heroes seemed to be closer with each other than with the rest.
"Hi."
Chloé turned around and faced Viperion.
"Hello." she answered even if she wasn't sure if he had been talking to her or not.
"You want to be my patrol partner?" he asked her.
"Aren't you with Carapace?" Chloé asked before she could stop herself.
"Why do you think that?" he wondered.
"Ehm." Chloé said and decided to say the first thing that came to mind. "You are both green?"
He looked at her with confusion before he turned around and looked at the place Carapace where at. He was talking with Rena Rouge and after a few moments Viperion turned back and faced Chloé.
"I think I'm more turquoise than green." Viperion said and sounded a bit amused.
"You have green eyes at least." Chloé muttered.
"Yes, that I have. So, are you saying yes? Or do I have to find someone else?"
"I think it will work." Chloé said.
They talked for a while about which day they would go out on patrols and which time that suited them both. They also decided on where they would meet and when they had finished deciding all the important stuff Ladybug caught everyone's attention.
"This was everything I wanted to talk to you about. If you have any questions, I'm always available." Ladybug said.
None of the heroes seemed to have any questions, at least for now. Most of the heroes left the spot quite fast together with their new patrol partners. Before Chloé had a chance to go Ladybug walked up to her and stopped her from leaving.
"I need to talk to you." Ladybug said and Chloé knew she couldn't say no to the spotted hero.
"Okay." Chloé said and nodded.
When Viperion noticed that Chloé were staying he went to Pigella and Purple Tigress and the three of them left the spot soon after. Now it was only Chloé and Ladybug left in the forest and Chloé wasn't sure if she'd like their conversation or not.
