Guys...GUYS. So I really thought it would be a million years before season 5 of Ladybug and Chat Noir came out but instead, it's airing now. For a moment, I reconsidered my statement that season 4 would be the end of this story, however, I have decided that won't be the case. I have already planned out how I think this story will end for the most part, so I will keep it on track that way for my sanity. I will try to use what I know about season 5 to make the end of this story the best it can be.
That aside, can we talk about what has happened so far? If you have yet to see the episodes that have aired, feel free to just scroll down to the start of the chapter as I don't want to spoil it for you. OMG, the first episode had me in tears almost. All Gabriel had to do was use the bunny miraculous and he would have gotten exactly what he claimed to have wanted. That WAS ALL HE HAD TO DO. IT WAS RIGHT THERE.
But of course, they couldn't have him be reasonable, and then the way Nathalie laid in on him, I was almost certain her ass was about to quit and be like good luck you fucking idiot I gave you the answer on a silver platter and you tossed it to the ground so I am so beyond done now. But no, she's still around, but obviously pissed about it all. And Kagami's mom!? She is in on it bro! How long has that been a thing?! Why?!
The thing that really got me is when we see Gabriel's little flash from the past of him giving his wife the peacock miraculous, he asks her if she's ready. Bitch ready for what? Now I know there are a lot of theories out there that think Adrien is a sentimonster and I will be honest with you guys, that almost seems probable with every passing episode and although that would be an interesting twist, I really hope they are making us think that on purpose to keep everyone on their toes.
I really want a better idea of how Gabriel and Emilie came into possession of the Butterfly and Peacock miraculous and what their intention was for it prior to knowing the peacock's damage and I really hope we get to see more about that in later episodes.
And of course, now we get the classic feelings switcheroo that everyone has been waiting for where suddenly Marinette/Ladybug starts liking Chat Noir while Adrien/ Chat is like eh, Ladybug is great but Marinette...that's my type right there. Like wow bruh.
Excuse me while I slam my head against the wall.
Anyway! On with the chapter!
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It's said that there could be no bond greater than that of a sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, and even your shrink. But for Chloe, she's the reason she wished to go back to being an only child.
Chloe tossed a banana peel at her tv as Zoe's face came onto the screen. The school was once again making a short film, but unlike the last time, they had managed to get a producer as well as a director Thomas Astruc to help them. Chloe, like everyone in school, was offered to participate but that was before she knew they would actually be showing the film to the public. Now that there was even a slight chance the movie would be seen by anyone of importance, Chloe knew she would have to step in. If there was one thing Chloe knew for certain, she would not be one-uped by her half of a sister.
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At the school Marinette, Zoe, Mylene, Lucy, Alya, Nino, as well as the Art teacher, Thomas Astruc, and the Mayor were going over the finishing touches on the project before their meeting with the producer. Like with their last film project, Alya and Nino had written the script together while Marinette had helped with costumes. Lucy had retaken her role as editor while Mylene and Zoe played the lead roles of two sisters while conflicting powers. The power of Creation and the power of Destruction. The story revolves around the two sisters coming to have their powers and wanting to make the world a better place with them, but after a series of events, the sister whose power is of destruction ends up getting her view changed on who is worth saving and turns of her sister. The hero of creation now fights for her sister to see reason and to hopefully bring her back to the side of good.
"You may hate me, but I love you, and I always will—" Zoe was cut off from her rehearsal by Chloe slamming the door open in a huff.
"How dare you all! Giving the lead role to my half-of-a-sister who just came out of nowhere?! And with daddy's money, on top of it all."
Andre who feared this might happen, gently reminded Chloe that he was personally funding the film, the city was. However, as far as Chloe was concerned, it was all the same. She stalked over to Zoe, poking her in the chest accusingly.
"You—I told you that you'd be sent back to New York if you ever crossed my path, and now, not only are you on my path but on TV, too!"
Zoe flinched at Chloe's tone, unsure of what to do. Her stepfather had been doing his best to keep them apart the past week since her arrival, and for the most part, things had worked out fine. When she opted out of the film, Zoe had thought it would be a perfect opportunity to show off her stuff. But of course, nothing was ever simple when her sister was involved.
"Don't let your sister walk all over you, Zoe." Marinette belted with her hands on her hips. "You are made for this part, you deserve it!"
"It's true," Thomas agreed. "and we're meeting with the producer tomorrow, so it's too late to change anything now."
"Might I remind you that you were offered a chance, like all the students in the school, to participate in the film," The art teacher reminded Chloe, pulling out a notepad. "but you refused because, and I quote, "Mylene's sweater is too ugly, Nate draws like a 2-year-old, Alya is useless and Marinette is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous".
"I said that?" Chloe asked.
"Less politely."
"Well, I still mean all of it." Chloe confined, crossing her arms. "But if this stupid, childish film actually gets released in theaters and turns someone into a star, that someone should be me. So, you're gonna give me the part my half-of-a-sister is playing because everything she owns is mine." As she turns to leave, Chloe casts a glance over to Lucy who stands leaning against the desks with her arms crossed and the script in one hand with a bored expression on her face.
"No wisecracks today Lucy?" Chloe teased. Lucy pretend to ponder on the thought, bringing her free hand to her face and resting her chin over her fist while her middle finger pressed against her cheek.
"Hum, no, nothin' from me today." Chloe gives a small sneer before rolling her eyes and strutting out the door. Sabrina who had come with her, chased after Chloe, offering her a banana hoping that maybe the scientists were right about their natural ability to mellow people out.
Andre nervously went to follow after his daughter, knowing she would more than likely expect him to help her get what she wanted. Part of the reason he had been enticed to have the city help sponsor the film was his knowledge of Zoe's acting ambitions, that, and he really did love film. He figured it would be a way they could both be part of something they shared enjoyment of. However, convincing Chloe not to boot her sister wasn't something he was confident that he would be able to do. Hopefully, he could persuade her somehow to let it go.
"Don't worry, kids, I'll go talk to her, everything will be fine tomorrow."
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As it turns out, Andre was not able to convince Chloe to back down. The next day the group had gone to meet the producer and much to most of their dismay, it was Bob Roth. Besides Chloe and Zoe, the rest of the teens had their fair share of reasons why Bob Roth was probably one of the most crooked producers in Paris, and it almost didn't surprise them when he announced that the changes Chloe wanted would have to be made after a little chat with The Mayor who smiled at them with a guilty expression.
Andre knew the others would be upset with the changes, especially Zoe, but from Andre's perspective, he was trying to help. If Chloe didn't get her way she would demand Zoe be sent back to New York, and even as he would try to convince her otherwise, he knew Chloe would go over his head to her mother if she felt the need. It then very well might be out of his hands. This was the only option.
"My old friend Andre told me you'd be okay making a few small changes in the script so that his daughter could be part of the film." Bob informed casually. Marinette was the first to try and put her foot down.
"But it's impossible, we've prepped and gotten everything set!"
"Moviemaking, kid, is the art of compromise. To protect your—I mean, the interest of the film, you gotta be flexible, therefore, Andre's daughter will play the starring role."
"That's not in the best interests of the film! Zoe is perfect for the role of the superhero of creation."
"The next plane for New York leaves in 30 minutes," Chloe announces while looking through her phone causing the others to glare at her. Zoe, not wanting to make a big deal out of the situation placed a hand on Marinette's shoulder.
"Marinette, no big deal if I don't play the main role. There are lots of other positions for the non-act crew." Chloe smiled smugly at her half-sister's compliance.
"Perfect, as long as she's not on-screen, it's fine with me."
Bob clapped his hands together and grinned. "Then it's a deal! See you all tomorrow morning on set." Chloe brushed past the group with her head held high while Andre timidly followed after her.
"Bye-bye, losers!" She spoke, making Lucy adjust her footing causing Chloe to stumble as she walked past. Chloe shot a glare back at Lucy who stuck her tongue out at her. Bob was quick to throw everyone else out of his office leaving the teens to stew over the newly made changes as they began making their way home together. As Nino and Alya broke off in the direction of Alya's house, Lucy, Zoe, and Marinette continued on.
"This is so stupid!" Marinette growled, practically stomping down the sidewalk.
"I told you, it's fine," Zoe muttered, making Lucy roll her eyes.
"No, it isn't." She argued. "Choe is being a pain in the ass and as always she is finding a way to get away with it."
"Maybe she can act really well?"
"She can't." Marinette and Lucy answered together.
Zoe sighed. "Guys, it doesn't matter, really. I'd rather take a back seat with the crew than a plane ride back to New York."
Lucy scoffed. "Okay, and how long are you going to let her hold that over your head?" Zoe didn't answer, bringing her focus to the sidewalk.
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When Zoe got home, she fidgeted with the bottom of her shirt as she made her way up to the penthouse suite where Chloe was sure to be. She had thought over Lucy's words. How long would she let Chloe hold New York over her head? How many opportunities would she give up? How many people would she shy away from? How many words would she leave unsaid in the fear that her sister would use them as a means to send her away?
To say Zoe had become more comfortable knowing she could be herself around her friends was almost an understatement. She didn't want to lose that more than any movie role opportunity that would come her way. That was why she chose compliance, even when the time called for rebellion. Chloe only had one card to play, and yet somehow it was the only one she needed. It left an almost bitter taste in Zoe's mouth. A part of her still craved companionship with her sister but knew she very well would never get it.
It was a sour blend of loneliness and lust for recognition, shyness and extravagance, deep insecurity and self-intoxicated egomania, that drives people out of their rooms to seek each other out, to rub shoulders with one another, bully, joke, condescend, lay a hand on a shoulder, to chat and argue with little nudges, to spy a little, sniff out what is cooking in other pots, flatter, disagree, collude, be right, take offense, apologize, make amends, avoid each other, and seek each other's company again.
Zoe didn't bother knocking, and instead entered Chloe's room with a somewhat determined stride. Chloe's head shot up from her phone while sitting criss-cross on her bed at the sound of someone entering, her eyes narrowing at the sight of her half-sister.
"What are you doing in here!"
"I need to talk to you," Zoe answered, trying to sound more confident than she actually was. Chloe perked a brow before returning her attention to her phone.
"As you can see I am very busy, feel free to try and make an appointment and see yourself to the door."
"What is your problem?" Zoe asked, her brows knitted together.
"Right now? You. But that seems to be something I can rectify pretty easily if you insist."
"What did I do exactly?! To make you hate me so much?" At Zoe's words, Chloe lifted her gaze from her phone and tilted her head to the side with a small pout.
"Aw, is that what this is about? Poor Zoe, why doesn't anyone like her?"
"People like me just fine."
"Yeah, everyone but your family." Chloe shot back, and regardless of the shield Zoe had tried to place in front of her heart before stepping into this room, that statement seemed to pierce right through it.
"You're such a jerk."
Chloe gave a small smirk. "You don't know the half of it." She tilted her head and gave another pout upon seeing the strained look on Zoe's face. "Oh, come now sis, don't cry. This is what you wanted right? To be here with your family? Should you find yourself unhappy here, please," She told Zoe, placing a hand on her heart. "don't hesitate to say something to me. I'll have you on a plane ride out of here ASAP."
"What did I do?" Zoe muttered as Chloe raised a brow. "To make you hate me so much?"
Chloe's amused expression faltered a little, replacing itself with a bewildered one.
"Is that a serious question?"
"It is."
Chloe let out a cruel laugh. "Are you joking? Why do I hate you? When I was only just over a year old my mother decided she wanted to go back to work. And instead of doing that here, she went all the way to New York." Chloe's face grew serious as she glared at her younger half-sister.
"I sat in this house with my darling father, every day, waiting for her to come home. For years, I was told that my mother's lack of communication and presence in our lives, in my life was because of her work, but now I find that she was just off making another family. Because for some reason this one wasn't good enough. I wasn't good enough. She muttered, he thoughts drifting slightly as her eyes went to the floor.
Zoe opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say a word Chloe's head shot back up and sent another glare her way.
"You are a constant reminder of that. And I hate you for it."
"So that's what this is?" Zoe asked, her fists clenching at her sides. "You're mad because you think I got some kind of mommy and me time that she didn't give you? Well, I hate to burst your superficial ball of ignorance but I hardly got to see her either. And the moment I was old enough I got shipped off to boarding school! At least you had your dad! I didn't have anyone!"
"Oh! Well since that's the case I guess- oh wait I don't care." Chloe snapped. "Since her return, mom and I have become much closer.I have decided to let go of my resentment toward her temporarily until a later date. Perhaps when she is old and a choice needs to be made on if she'll be put in a home or not. But you," She smiled. "You I can release that onto any time I see fit."
"You know...I was hoping that my coming here would bring us closer. Our mother has never been the affectionate type. I hoped that our desire to be close to her might somehow bring us together as sisters. You say you hold resentment toward our mother but you're just like her."
"Yeah, and you're nothing like her. You're weak. You lack the backbone that one needs to survive in this family, So tell me, what have you come all this way for again?" Chloe asked with a bored expression.
Zoe bit the inside of her cheek as so sucked in a breath from her nose.
"Still trying to figure that out actually." She answered as she backed out of Chloe's room, closing the door as she exited.
"Let me know!" Chloe shouted after her mockingly while wiggling her fingers goodbye before rolling her eyes and returning to her phone.
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Regardless of the funds, they were receiving from the city, as well as the help they were getting from a producer and well-known director, the class only had a few days to put the film together. With that in mind, one could imagine how frustrating it is when someone insists on constantly making changes to the script.
"In this scene, the entire population has been put into an enchanted sleep, so we need tons of extras." Nino explained, directing those who have been behind the scenes to take places on the ground in front of the camera. "You guys are gonna lay down here. Perfect!"
As they prepared to shoot Chloe opened her trailer door in a huff.
(Unimportant little mess up I noticed is if you watch this scene, Marinette and several others all go lay on the ground as extras, and one of those people is Rose, however when Chloe busts open her door, Rose is in the trailer with her, but then when the camera is back on Marinette, Rose is on the ground with everyone else again lol.)
"Hey! All of you! Someone just told me I'm supposed to play the role of the supervillain of destruction and Mylene is the superhero of creation. Are you kidding me?! I get the lead role, I am the good guy, okay?"
"Chloe, those two roles are equally as impor—" Nino tried to explain only for Chloe to cut him off.
"Blah, blah, blah, I don't care. I get to be the good guy."
"You sure about that Cho?" Lucy called out from the ground. "Being the bad guy comes so much more naturally for you."
Marinette glared at Chloe. "We don't have time for all of these changes, Chloe!"
"Oh yeah? DADDY!" Andre gave a nervous laugh and shortly after the group huddled over the scrip
"You know," Thomas spoke. "it's not uncommon to have to adapt the script on the set at the last minute for production reasons. It's called—"
"That's baloney, a waste of time, giving up on your dreams?" Marinette fumed.
"...a revision."
What was one relatively small change, led to a domino effect of other changes. Chloe no longer wanted to be the hero creation but her own made-up hero Queen Banana. I name Many of the others were pretty sure she made up on the spot. After that, she wanted a car, and then a bigger challenge to deal with other than all the people being in an enchanted sleep. This brought Adrien into the mix and the poor guy got locked into a cage and hoisted into the air via helicopter. As it turned out, even that wasn't enough, because it was then Chloe decided they needed a bigger bad guy. Her suggestion? A giant gorilla that throws sticks of dynamite.
"Are you kidding?" Chloe criticized upon seeing a large ape cardboard cut out. "I want a real, dynamite-slinging gorilla, not some cardboard monkey!"
"But Chloe, giant yellow dynamite-slinging apes do not exist!" Marinette argued only for Chloe to wave her off.
"There are tons of giant gorillas doing stuff in all the good movies, can't you just hire one of those? Ugh, I'm so tired of all of you!"
"Those aren't real Chole! They are CGI!" Lucy shouted, holding her head in her hands.
"Then do that! I'm getting some beauty rest at the Palace, tomorrow you'd better have this monkey business figured out." Chloe demanded, getting into her limo and driving off, leaving the rest behind.
"Maybe the zoo will lend us a Gorilla if we promise to take care of it." Kim suggested.
"I assure you they will not," Lucy told him crossing her arms.
"You're not really gonna look for a giant dynamite-flinging gorilla?" Marinette asked perplexed.
"It's for the good of the film, Marinette," Maz spoke, but Marinette shook her head.
"It's not for the good of the film, it's not even a film anymore, it's just Chloe's fantasy! The only thing we're gonna do right now is getting Adrien out of that cage." She pointed to Adrien who still hung above them looking confused, clearly unable to hear what was happening. "Then we're gonna shoot the story that we all thought of together. That's for the good of the film! "
"This is ground control to bird, do you copy?" Lucy spoke into a handheld radio.
"This is Bird, what's your status?"
"Bring em' down."
"Copy."
Putting the radio onto her hip, Lucy re-crossed her arms. "Alright, but we still have a problem." Her eyes shot to Andre who smiled nervously. "Sorry Mr. Mayor but even if it's the city funding the project, if your name is behind it Chloe is going to use that."
"But if we can't get the funding from the city, then where will we get it from?" Rose asked.
As Adrien jogged over, a light bulb seemed to go off in Marinette's head. "Hey Adrien, do you think if we could put something together for your father, that he might help fund the project? Since he let you be in it and all?"
Adrien shrugged. "Maybe, he did seem pretty interested before."
The other agreed it was worth a shot and with the time in the day they had left managed to shoot the film they had originally planned. Or at least the first scene. Hopefully, with the help of Gabriel Agreste, they might just be able to take the time to make the whole thing.
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When Chloe arrived back the next day everyone was gone. The only person left at the park was a man loading up the last of the borrowed equipment into his truck.
"Where's my giant gorilla? Where are all the others? Why isn't anyone here to shoot my big scene?" Chloe questioned. The man, who didn't get paid enough to know half of what the girl was ranting about gave her the short explanation that was given to him.
"They shot everything last night. Right about now, they're probably over at the movie theater screening it."
Chloe gritted her teeth as she ordered her driver to get her to the theater immediately. As she pushed open the door, there on the screen were Mylene and Zoe.
The pair wore sunglasses and colored ponchos as they fought with pink and green swords. Zoe's character freed the people from their magic-induced slumber, making Mylene's character growl in anger.
"Why did you wake them, Kreatika? Humans have destroyed the planet! They don't deserve to be awake!" She said, preparing her sword.
"You're wrong, Destroika," Zoe says, defending herself from the blow being thrown at her. "Each one of those humans carries the hope of a better world within them!" She blasts Mylene with her light, making her drop her weapon and fall to the ground.
"You're just like them! I hate you!"
"You may hate me, but I love you," Zoe says kneeling in front of Mylene. "and I always will, even if the whole world hates you," She places her hand on Mylene's. "sister."
The girls hug and everyone cheers. Chloe stomps her foot in a fit. "This is ridiculous! Who authorized shooting this without me? Where's my monkey? And what is my half-of-a-sister doing in my movie?!"
Adrien walks over to Chloe with a tablet in his hands, with his father on the screen, while Marinette and Lucy follow close behind.
"Miss Dupain-Cheng convinced me to watch this first scene. I found it very moving and... Adrien is exceptional in it." Gabriel explains earning a pleased smile from his son. "I've therefore decided to privately finance the movie based on the original screenplay."
Chloe, not willing to give up just yet clenches her fists. "DADDY!"
Bob Roth, who sits beside Andre counting money in his briefcase answers before Andre could. "Like we said before, kid," He says shaking some of it in front of her. "movie making's all about compromise." He puts money into the briefcase and shuts it. Andre nods in agree meant and lifts his palms as if to signal that it was no longer in his hands. Something he couldn't be happier about all things considered.
"Sorry, Chloe," Marinette says, crossing her arms. "It was for the good of the film."
Sabrina once again tries to offer Chloe a banana only for Chloe to shove it away and storm off. "Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"
Adrien looked at the tablet finding his father had ended the call and handed it to Marinette. He brought his attention to Lucy as Marinette wandered off to Alya, who still stood with her arms crossed, a finger absently tapping away on her arm as she stared at the door Chloe had disappeared through.
"Hey, it all worked out. What's wrong?" Lucy looked at Adrien and shook her head.
"You know what happens now right? She's gonna run off and tell her mother, and get Zoe sent back to the states." Lucy growled in frustration, clenching her fists at the side of her head. "It's just so frustrating. This was never really about the movie, it has always been about Zoe. I for the life of me can't understand how you continue to put up with it Adrien."
"She's not gonna go that far, Lu. If she wanted Zoe gone she would have done it already." Lucy let out a skeptical snort.
"I don't know why hearing you try and rationalize for her still surprises me anymore."
"Don't do that." Adrien pleaded, but Lucy wouldn't hear it.
"Whatever Adrien. It's your life. If you want to spend the rest of it making up excuses for Chloe to everyone she wrongs then that's your business."
"I'm not making excuses for her Lucy," Adrien explained. "I just...you know how she is!"
"You're right Adrien. I do know how she is. Everyone and their mom knows how Chloe is. You are the one who seemed to not get it."
Adrien let out an exhausted sigh. "What happened to trying to-"
"Oh come off it." Lucy interrupted. "I did try, remember? I tried, and I tried, and I tried and in the end, she threw it in my face. I'm done trying with her Adrien. I'm done trying to change someone who doesn't want to change, I'm done trying to help someone who doesn't want to be helped. But don't you stand there and try to lecture me on trying to do anything, because I did, and in case you haven't noticed, it has gotten nowhere."
"I'm sorry." Adrien apologized. He really did hate fighting with her.
Lucy let out a sigh of her own, placing her chin in her palm while her other hand held her elbow.
"I know you mean well Adrien. You're a good person and a good friend. It's qualities that I love about you. But your goodness is also your vice sometimes. This through the thick and thin mentality that you have in your relationship with Chloe...you have to be able to draw a line somewhere."
"I thought I had. When I told her if she didn't start trying to be nicer, she seemed to really take what I said to heart." Adrien vented, earning a sad smile from Lucy.
"And she did for a little. But you never enforced that boundary and so she continues to step over it anyway. I honestly think she believes that at the end of the day she will always have you to fall back on, and the way I see it, it makes sense for her to think that. You've never given her many indications that would suggest otherwise."
"Damn it." Adrien cursed.
"I'm sorry." Lucy apologized but Adrien shook his head.
"No, you're right." He urged. "but this conversation is going to suck." With that he made his way to the door, leaving Lucy frowning after him.
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Chloe stood in the lobby near the exit of the theater still fuming over the whole ordeal when Adrien approached her. Seeing him made her smile. At least she could always count on him.
"Adrikins, it's sweet of you to want to console me, but I'm fine. I'm going to get my revenge and send Zoe back to New York." She explained as if she expected him to rub his hands together deviously and agree that it was an excellent plan. Adrien frowned at her words. She really did think she could do no wrong by him.
"Actually, I came to suggest that you apologize to everyone."
"Are you ill?! They ruined my film!" Chloe accused.
"It was never your film, Chloe. It belonged to the group. You promised me you'd make an effort to stop being mean to everyone. I warned you that if you didn't, then we can no longer be friends."
The first time Adrien had put his friendship on the line, it had been with determination to get her to make a better effort. This time, it was as if he knew somehow that Chloe's reaction wouldn't be the same as last time. One if the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn. But he had already crossed this bridge before.
"You're as ridiculous as that film!" Chloe shouted. "It's over, you're no longer my Adrikins, you're Adrinothing!" She raged as she ran out of the building and into the limo. She wouldn't let him see her cry. We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke.
One might think that having everyone, even the people you hold closest to you, turning against you might make a person stop and think: Is it me? Am I the problem? Chloe could remember when she was younger, and it was just her and Adrien. Things were so much simpler back then. She missed the days when she was Adrien's only friend. She supposed she always knew this day would come. He would see she wasn't the nice little girl he grew up with and when he did she'd lose him.
Chloe prided herself on being right about most things. But in this instance, she would have given anything to be wrong. He had pinky promised. Was nothing sacred anymore? One might think that perhaps this would be a wake-up call. A reason for her to change. But she was Chloe Bourgeois. And she changed for no one. Not Sabrina, not Lucy, not Nikolas, not even Adrien. The more she lost only seemed to fuel the fire within her heart. By this point, she hardly had anything left to lose anyway. So what was the point?
A tiny purple butterfly flew its way into the crescent on her hat, followed by a tiny purple feather. A moment later, ShadowMoths voice rang through her ears. He hardly needed to explain himself. She had done this dance before. She tried being the good guy, and it was never going to be enough. Besides, being the bad guy was so much more fun.
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Lucy wanted to Laugh when she saw Chloe break open the ceiling while pointing a banana gun at everyone while on top of a giant yellow ape she referred to as Banana Boom Boom. And so she did. While everyone else looked up in horror, Lucy stood there and laughed out loud. Did she get turned into a banana immediately after? Absolutely she did. She regrets nothing.
Zoe rushed out of the theater room and into a stairwell with Marinette who had taken ahold of her hand and raced out with her before they could get attacked.
"It's mainly angry with me. Maybe I can reason with her." Zoe suggested, but Marinette only frowned.
"Unfortunately no one can reason with your sister Zoe. Stay here," She then instructed. "I'm going to...see if I can find a way out..." Not sure what else to do, Zoe complied, staying behind while Marinette ran off.
About 10 minutes had passed when Zoe started to get antsy. Marinette still hadn't returned and Zoe was beginning to think that she might have been bananafied.
"If you don't come out from your hiding place, Zoe, I'm gonna turn all of Paris into bananas, and it'll be all your fault!" Queen Banana rang out.
"All my fault..."
No, she couldn't stand for that. Zoe quickly bolted down the steps and toward the exit to face her sister head-on. She didn't know if she would be able to get through to her, but she had to try. Queen Banana wasn't hard to find as she stood perched on her giant monkey. Running up to her Zoe waved her arms to grab the Villains attention.
"Hey! Chloe!" She called out. Queen Banana smiled down at her.
"Ready for a transatlantic voyage on the banana express?"
"Only if you promise to stop doing evil in Paris."
"Of course, I promise I'll be really good." Queen Banana replies mockingly before taking her banana gun and shooting a random civilian.
"You'll never keep your promise!"
"Of course not, banana head! Banana Boom-Boom, grab her!" The Queen demands, and as the ape reached out for her, Zoe is snatched up by Ladybug on a moped. Calling Chat Noir for cover, Ladybug hands Zoe her helmet and tells her to hold on tight as she speeds off. Chat Noir attempts a Cataclysm, but Queen Banana simply hits a button making her car remove itself from Banana Boom Boom and out of the way. Chat hits the monkey, and like with all Senti-monsters, it begins to go berserk, keeping him occupied while Queen Banana chases after Ladybug and Zoe.
Thinking quickly, Ladybug heads down into the subway, knowing Queen Banana's car won't fit, and that she would rather wait it out than go after them on foot. As they reach the bottom, Ladybug and Zoe get off the moped and Ladybug brings out her yo-yo.
"We don't have much time. I need your help to save Chat Noir and Chloe." Ladybug informs her as she takes the Bee Miraculous out of her yo-yo.
Zoe's eyebrows knit together in confusion, "Me? Help you?"
"Zoe Lee, here is the Bee Miraculous, which grants you the power to immobilize your opponent," Ladybug says, handing the miraculous to Zoe who hesitantly takes it. "You will use it for the greater good." A small beam of light comes from the miraculous and Pollen presents herself.
"At your service, my queen."
Zoe looks to Ladybug with uncertainty. Chloe's time as a hero was well known to Zoe, and it was no secret that she lost her right to call herself a miraculous holder after using it the wrong way. But things with her sister were rocky enough as it was. She wasn't sure taking over her old miraculous was really the way to go about changing that.
"But Chloe's gonna furious, she used to be Queen Bee!"
Ladybug shook her head. "Chloe will never know it's you. Unlike her, you'll keep your identity a secret. And once the job is complete, you will return the Miraculous to me."
"You're weak. You lack the backbone that it takes to survive in this family."
"I can't do it," Zoe objected." I'm not strong enough, I—"
Ladybug offers a gentle smile and places a hand on Zoe's shoulder. "I know you can do this."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Defeating Queen Banana wasn't too hard. But the rage Chloe carried with her was less easy to get rid of. She glared at Vesperia. Her replacement. A knock-off version of Queen Bee if anyone asked her. Ladybug attempted to defuse the situation, and give Chloe the charm that would help protect her from ShadowMoths influence but Chloe swatted it away without so much as a glance at it. She didn't want anything from Ladybug.
Vesperia took the charm from Ladybug. Perhaps Chloe wouldn't accept a gift from the hero she now hated. But perhaps she would accept it from someone else.
OoOoOoO
Chloe stomped over to the theater in a fit, and swung open the door.
"I want to finish shooting my movie!" She demanded
"That's enough, Chloe." Zoe called out as she made her way back inside the theater. "It doesn't matter if you try to send me back to New York, I'm done playing the supporting role for the good of our family."
Chloe snarled at Zoe before calling for her father. Andre, who had some time as a banana to think over his life choices decided that it was now he would put his foot down. He had no problems doing almost anything to make his daughter happy. But this was not one. Chloe, much like her mother found most people to be expendable, and even replaceable. But to Andre, family was never such a thing, and he would not allow Chloe to try and convince him otherwise.
"Zoe is right, Chloe. You can ask me for a new cellphone or to paint the limousine pink, but you can't ask me to hurt your sister."
"Don't call her that. She's not even half of a sister, she's nothing to me! I— " Chloe stops yelling at her father and turns to Zoe. "I hate you!"
Zoe gave a soft smile. She finally understood that, no matter how hard you try, you can't make someone love you. You can't stop them from making the wrong decision. There's no magic for that. She couldn't change who Chloe was, and she no longer wanted to, even if she could. Zoe knew that who you are is a stone set deep inside you. A person can spend all their life trying to dig that stone out, or they can build around it. She thought about the conversation she had with Chloe the day before. How Chloe had this twisted perspective on her existence and the relationship she shared with their mother. "Because for some reason this one wasn't good enough. I wasn't good enough."
"You asked me why I came all the way out here. I came out here to be with my family. I might not be the sister you wanted ad if I'm honest, neither are you." Zoe said, placing her hands on Chloe's shoulders. "But regardless we are sisters. I have to believe that that counts for something. Maybe you hate me. Maybe everyone hates you, but I love you, and you can't shake me that easily. We have the same mother. Look, she even gave me this gift." Zoe tells her, holding out the charm necklace for Ladybug.
Chloe cracks at that. "If it comes from mom, then I'm the one who gets to wear it. Give it to me!"
Zoe smiled and hands her the charm which Chloe quickly places around her neck. "What's mine is yours."
Just then, another Akuma fluttered its way into the room and attempted to place itself on Chloe, except this time she stood unknowingly protected by the charm, rejecting its advances. Chloe stepped closer to her sister, her eyes never losing their cold demeanor.
"Can't sake you that easily huh? Guess I'll have to try a little harder."
Zoe remained unfazed by her sister's words, keeping a small smile on her face. Chloe rolled her eyes and pushed past her sister, nearly running into Adrien in the process.
"Chloe. You okay?" He asked, almost instinctively.
"Leave me alone!" Chloe hissed. "All of you!"
As she stomped away, Adrien let out a sigh and headed into the theater. Inside he found Lucy talking with Zoe, giving her a small pat on the back. Zoe's attention was taken by Marinette as Adrien approached, earning a small smile from Lucy.
"Hey, you." She greeted.
"Hey."
"So you really did it huh? Cut ties with Chloe?"
"It seems that way," Adrien answered somewhat melancholy.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, to which Adrien paused and thought about it.
"Honestly?"
"Preferably."
"I kind of feel...hollow."
"Hollow huh...?"
"Yeah...it's kinda hard to describe. I know what I did was necessary. I know that if I didn't..."Adrien sighed. "Chloe...even after everything...she is a big part of my past. Of my childhood. And now I just..."
"Somethings breaks your heart but fix your vision, Adrien. It sucks to realize that some people can stay in our hearts but not in our life." Lucy said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me when I say that one of the hardest things a person can do is grieve the loss of a person that is still alive."
"Do you think she's gonna be okay?"
"I really fucking hope so."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Alright. There it is. I once again just want to skip and write only the juicy chapters but I can't do that! Thus I have to force myself to sit down and get these ones out. I am kinda looking forward to the next chapter which is guilt trip so hopefully I will be able to get that one out at a better pace but with me who knows? Anyway! I hope everyone is enjoying the story remember to comment and let e know what you think so far! Those are my best motivators!
Till then, chow for now and I will see you in the next chapter!