It was lunchtime at school, and the quartet of friends were enjoying sharing their lunch with one another. Marinette, of course, brought some sweets, cinnamon rolls. Alya's mother had given her some leftover langue de boeuf to have for lunch. Nino had prepared a few grilled fish sandwiches and lastly, Adrien had brought in fruit flavored water.
Adrien took a big bite out of one of Nino's sandwiches smiling. "Ah, this is good Nino. Did you make these yourself?"
Nino laughed hard. "Dude, I'm no master chef. My mom made these for me. Said I need to start eating better."
"Well we wouldn't want you getting porky," Alya teased as she poked her boyfriend in the stomach. He swatted her finger away and started to tickle her. "Ha, ha, ha. I give I give!"
"Someday Alya, your teasing is going to get you in trouble," Nino informed her. Alya was generally good-natured, but it did borderline on hurtful at times.
Alya paused, thinking about what he said. She had been a bit more of a tease since she had used the Fox Miraculous. I wonder if the Miraculouses leave some kind of residual effect on a wielder she thought to herself.
"You're right Nino, I'll try to do better," she told him. She kissed him on the cheek to show him she meant it. Deciding to change the subject; she asked how everyone was enjoying their beef tongue.
"It's a little on the dry side for me, but otherwise it's very tasty. You should be thankful your mom brings so much delicious food home from work," Marinette replied. She took another bite before sipping some flavored water.
"Well, it would go to waste if she didn't. There is only so much food, which can be served at the hotel. My little sisters are always begging for more treats, while Nora is just fine with the meat courses."
Adrien asked what Alya liked about the leftover food. "Eh, I prefer fresh food honestly than the leftovers, but I'm not going to make a big deal out of it. My parents are busy enough without having to cook fresh every day."
They continued to talk about inconsequential topics for a short time when the discussion turned to the appearances of two temporary heroes, Rene Rouge, and Carapace.
"Whoever they are, I bet their super cool and love being heroes. I know Rene Rouge is the best. She has to be if she's been active twice. Once against the Sapoties and the day after Syren's attack, to help capture the zoos panthers that had gotten loose accidentally." Alya boasted about herself. "Maybe Chat Noir and Ladybug will make her a permanent member of their team."
Nino disagreed pointing out the fox hadn't made an appearance during the Anansi attack. "Even if she did, no way would she had been able to take down Anansi. Carapace was super strong, and manly enough, to get the job done."
Alya looked put off by his comment. "Please, men always think they're the best, but Ladybug is the one in charge of the duo, not Chat Noir. He's nothing without her."
"Hey, that's not fair!" Adrien protested, getting hot under the collar. Plagg snickered as his wielder got upset over a little slight.
"He's right you know. Ladybug wouldn't be able to fight if she didn't have Chat Noir and vice versa. Only together can they succeed," his girlfriend pointed out.
Alya and Nino mumbled agreements. They also postulated who in their class would make good temporary superheroes. Although, they did discount Marinette and Adrien, as both agreed Marinette was too clumsy, and Adrien's modeling skills wouldn't transfer over well to doing hero work.
"Hmm, if I had to select someone to become a superhero, I think I would go with Max. He's super intelligent, focused, and he's already got a sidekick in Markov," Nino proposed first.
He looked over to the next table and waved to Max, who waved back to him. He returned his attention to Markov, upgrading him with a new firewall.
Alya scanned the tables, searching for someone with the spunk to be superheroine. Her eyes landed on Alix. "Alix is the perfect person to be a superheroine. That girl is tough enough to take on anything and you've seen the way she handles challenges. Sure as Timebreaker, she was fast in catching all of us to steal our life forces, but think of how that speed would help in capturing akumas!"
Marinette looked mildly convinced by Alya's assessment, but Adrien didn't buy it at all. "There's more to being a hero than being smart, fast, or any special powers. It matters what's in their heart."
"So who would you choose as a superhero? Don't tell me you would pick Chloe," Nino joked heartily. He looked at Adrien's crushed expression. "Dude, you seriously would choose her after all the mean and nasty things she's done?"
"Yeah if anyone didn't belong as a heroine it's Chloe. She's caused half of the Akuma attacks. She's too selfish and never thinks of the consequences of her actions."
Adrien's expression drooped. "I know Chloe has her faults, but the Chloe I grew up with, is worthy of being a heroine. She just needs the right circumstances to prove it."
Marinette bit her lip. She agreed with Nino and Alya about Chloe. There didn't seem to be anything Chloe could ever do to justify her actions or make up for them. Redemption didn't always happen in the real world, despite what books and TV portrayed.
Looking at her boyfriend's crestfallen expression, she decided not to voice her thoughts. Part of being in a relationship was respecting her significant other's views. "Well, it's my turn to decide. Let me think about it."
Since they might need someone's help in the near future, Marinette took her choice seriously. She looked over at the boys but then shook her head. She wasn't as close to them as she was with the girls so it would be better to choose from them. Casting a critical eye, she made her choice.
"I guess I would choose, either Rose or Juleka, as possible heroines." The others raised their eyebrows at her choices. Rose was too naïve to be effective and Juleka was so reserved she probably just freeze.
"I think Rose and Juleka have the potential to be more than they are now," she explained to the others before turning back to her lunch. Shrugging their shoulders, the friends returned to eating their lunch, the conversation over for now.
Honorra was also doing some comparisons. Both Mylene and Juleka drew her attention. Mylene was a good person, not judging people by what she saw. Her relationship with Ivan was proof of this. She was trying to honor her father by participating in a student movie.
She also wanted to help people in the future by going into politics. She wanted to join the city council one day so could help people feel happy and safe.
"Good qualities to have, but I wonder can I help her overcome her meekness. Also, she's afraid of heights and my wielders end up in the air a lot."
Honorra focused her attention on Juleka. The girl's looks drew her attention. Those copper colored eyes really resonated with her. Her purple hair was also a nice touch.
Juleka is shy and timid, but not as much as Mylene. She was fearless when it came to things most people would be afraid. Quiet, yet certain, when she speaks. Supportive and obviously cares about her family. Not to mention she has an eye for detail, the mockingbird thought to herself.
"You require closer observation Ms. Couffaine. I think you and I need to meet in the near future."
The next morning Ning was working on gaining control over her new gift. So far, she had been unable to control it and its arbitrariness made her uneasy. If she had another vision of the past during a fight, she would leave herself open for an attack.
There had to be some kind of trigger, which caused the retrocognition visions. So far the visions had only been from the perspective of the Kwamiis, whose charms she had bonded with. Also, why was her body taking on physical damage? Images of the past shouldn't be accompanied by pain if all she was doing was witnessing past events. So what was causing her body to respond as if it had been physically attacked?
Also, how had she been able to use this gift when she was astral projecting her soul? Was the power connected to her soul or could she just use it anytime she wanted? So many questions and not enough answers.
Sipping a glass of orange juice, she pondered what could have triggered the first episode. "I don't recall anything being out of the ordinary. I just finished reviewing the information on Burundi before typing up a recommendation report when I got punched in the gut.
Wayzz, who was perched on her shoulder, face scrunched up in concentration, as he tried to figure out what had triggered the first incident. Honorra was on the computer once more, researching any information on retrocognition. So far, she hadn't come up with much.
"Hmm, Duusu never properly explained how her visions worked. The best analogy she could come up with was seeing multiple ways to make change for large bills. Not very precise I'm afraid," Wayzz admitted to his future wielder.
She scratched his head letting him know his description was good enough. Ning tapped her pencil and rested her head in her right palm. "Did either of your talk to Kiki, The Kwami of Innocence, during Nooroo's birthday?"
"I did," Honorra spoke up. She levitated over and perched on Ning's other shoulder. "Her wielder's special ability is precognition, but it's not the active type."
Wayzz tilted his head to get a better look at his "cousin". "What do you mean? Precognition means seeing the future right?"
Honorra nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's what precognition is. In Kiki's case, her special ability can only be used if her wielder is asleep."
"Asleep? But how does it help when a wielder needs to be active?"
Ning reassured Wayzz it was a very handy ability when used properly. She listed several fantasy books and one comic character, who had these abilities.
The problem remained though. How was she going to figure out her new ability? Writing out each incident, including her mental state at the time, she tried to find a link. Then she saw one.
The first time, she had been experiencing worry and contentment, in her recommendation. On the plane, extreme agitation. Entering the shop she had been in panic state. With Hawkmoth she was extremely angered.
"Extremely powerful emotions trigger these visions. But how does that connect with which kwami I sync with?"
Honorra suggested her visions of the past might be the timing. Perhaps she was seeing events which happened on the exact same day.
"Perhaps, but it doesn't feel like that when my new power activates." Ning scratched Honorra under her tiny jaw, earning a pleasant chirp from Honorra. The little magpie kwami wasn't upset her suggestion might not be the right answer.
There are a thousand possibilities of why I experience retrocognition episodes of a specific Kwamiis at any given time. Conceivably, I can use the same training process I used to use two charms at once to gain better control.
Gabriel Agreste was visiting his wife. He knew she couldn't hear him in her enchanted sleep. Nevertheless, talking to her made him feel good. It validated his quest to help her by getting the Miraculouses.
"You would be proud Emilie, of how well Adrien is progressing. He's getting top grades in school. He's also a lot happier. I guess you knew he would be with friends. I think you would like his girlfriend. Marinette reminds me of you when we were first dating."
Reaching under his tie, he unhooked his Miraculous and held it in his hands. "The Butterfly Miraculous is powerful. I know there is more I can do with it, but I'm afraid I haven't been able to use them. I'm working hard to decipher the book. With more power I know I can restore you to normal." He clamped the Miraculous in his right hand. "I promise Emilie, I will find a way to unlock more powers to save you. You are my life and our family isn't complete without you."
Nooroo, who was waiting at the door, didn't dare to move. His master had made it clear his time with his wife was a private affair and he was to wait for him and not scurry off.
I know why he wants the other Miraculouses and I know he plans to make up with Adrien once this is over. I don't think he understands even if he makes his wish come true, the cost to make it happen will come back to haunt him.
He closed his eyes as he recalled the last time someone had made a wish. The person had changed history at the cost of thousands of lives. There had been so much blood and the smell of death had lingered for days.
Nobody should have the powers of a god. They lost perspective and compassion, becoming arrogant and cold. Their desires were magnified to the extreme, even good intentions went bad. No, the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses should never be used by one person.
Seeing his wielder returning, Nooroo silently went back to his hiding spot in the man's jacket. His empathy picked up a lot of emotion centered on his family.
Once back in the mansion, Gabriel asked Nathalie to join him in his atrium. She was there within a minute.
"Sir, what can I help you with today?" she asked promptly. There was a slight change in her tone. It was warmer than it had been two weeks ago.
Giving her a curt nod, Gabriel asked her if she managed to contact the linguistic professor in Geneva yet. If Nooroo couldn't translate the pages, he needed to find someone who could.
Adjusting her glasses, Nathalie confirmed she had. "Professor Thatch has agreed to work on translating the pages, once he obtains permission to go on sabbatical." Looking down at her tablet, she reread the last part of the professor's email.
"He will know for certain in two weeks. It's not ideal I understand. This is the best we can do." Looking up from the tablet, Nathalie's eyes crinkled for a few seconds. "I will start looking into finding better translation programs, to help you here."
Gabriel gave her a silent nod as he watched her leave. His assistant was efficient and devoted to helping him. He appreciated all she did for him and keeping his son safe.
Speaking of his son's safety, there was something he had in the works, to protect him. It wasn't finished yet and it would be a last resort if it came to keeping Adrien safe. Pulling out a flash drive, he plugged the device in and brought up the plans inside. A blueprint design for a glass container similar to Emilie's with a few key alterations in it.
Instead of keeping a person in an enchanted sleep, this would keep an awake person safe from any magical harm. The blueprints called for at least three days' worth of oxygen. Small rollers to keep muscles from losing strength. Tubes to deliver fresh food and astronaut style food.
He was hesitant to add a catheter in it. He didn't want to make Adrien feel like he was a coma patient. Maybe the container should be changed into a dome? Yes, enough room to move a few feet around with a small toilet. Yes, that seemed more feasible.
"I'll need to adjust the placement of oxygen tanks. I could store food and water more easily. The material will need to be thickened in some places and thinner in others."
His fingers moved across the screen enlarging the image. He erased certain parts, then started over crafting the dome. He could keep the door, but would need to create a new emergency exit, should the dome fail.
"Hmm, a smaller mattress would fit nicely in there. A change of clothes certainly. The dome can't be too big, otherwise, it will not serve its purpose," Gabriel mused as he tapped a few icons to start placing items in the new dome.
Nooroo had slid out of his hiding spot, curious to learn more. This was something new to him, which was unusual, considering he couldn't go more than two feet from his master without being punished.
"Curious Nooroo? I'm not surprised. This has been something I've been working on, since the incident which started this quest. I will not let magic take my son from me."
Nooroo's wings flapped in agitation. "I don't understand Master. You are doing all this to be reunited with your wife once more. How will keeping Adrien in an even smaller cage keep him safe?"
Gabriel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I don't think you will understand my reasons for saving this as a last resort. Adrien will forgive me if I end up putting him in there for his safety."
Two days later, there was a prestigious fashion show where Adrien would be modeling the pigeon styled derby hat, Marinette had created. It had been a long time in waiting for its debut, but it was worth it.
At the moment, the couple was backstage preparing for the show. Marinette was flustered as she adjusted her hat on her boyfriend's head. "I hope they like it. Maybe I should change something about it. I don't know, maybe add a dash of glitter?"
Adrien laughed. "Calm down Marinette. Its fine the way it is. Why are you so jittery?"
"Are you kidding me? Audrey Bourgeois, the owner of Style Queen, the most successful fashion magazine, will be in the audience today! She can make or break my future career!" Marinette wailed out loud. She started tracing the brim of the hat over and over again. "I had no idea she was Chloe's mom until I saw her arrive with her and the mayor. That woman is the pinnacle of criticism if you don't meet her expectations."
Adrien rolled his eyes and held his girlfriend tight. "I know how hard she is to please. Chloe and I would spend hours having to listen to her mom go on to my father about how to improve his brand when we were small."
A ghost of a smile appeared on his face as thought back to those days. Chloe had been his only friend. They would spend hours listening to their parents or playing a few games with each other before she had to go. "I know Chloe has her faults. A lot of them she learned by watching her mom. When her mom decided to move to New York to start her magazine, it was very hard on Chloe. Her mom rarely visits and they don't have the best of relationships."
Marinette listened to the information and felt a small bit of pity for Chloe. She couldn't imagine not seeing her mom every single day. It was hard to imagine how any long distance relationships worked out. The fashion monger had been very testy with her husband. She kept forgetting Chloe's name also.
Marinette placed her hat on Adrien's head and adjust the fake feather slightly. "I can sympathize with Chloe's family life. Growing up with one parent on another continent sounds hard. Nevertheless, Chloe is responsible for her own actions and shouldn't take her hurt feelings out on other people."
Tikki nodded her big head. "You're right Marinette. A person has to own up to their own actions. Putting the blame on others negates personal responsibility."
Plagg yawned and swallowed a large piece of his favorite cheese. "You two will have to wait a long time for that to happen. If that scary lady can't do it, then I doubt her daughter can."
Adrien glared at his kwami and told him to behave for Marinette because he couldn't keep Plagg on him during the show. Plagg nipped at Adrien for doubting him. His girlfriend and the Kwamiis left to find their seats.
The whole class had been invited to watch the fashion show from the front row. Nino was even in charge of the music! Marinette found her seat next to her parents and Alya. On the other side of Alya, was Rose.
"Marinette, this is so exciting! I'm glad our whole class can be here to show our support for Adrien. I'm sure everyone will love your hat," the blond girl squealed in the delight.
Marinette smiled. "Thanks for the boost of confidence Rose."
"This is unacceptable! Audrey Bourgeois doesn't view fashion shows from the second row!" a loud and demanding voice shouted. Tilting their heads, everyone saw Chloe's mom shouting in Nathalie's face.
Chloe's mom was beautiful. Audrey's golden hair was short, in a sharp bob, with her bangs framing her round face. She had the same color eyes as Chloe. She was about the same height as Nathalie and presences were more commanding than reserved.
She was wearing a white sleeveless jumpsuit with a thick black stripe down the right side along with bare shoulders. On her head, she had on a fashionable black hat with black-and-yellow color stripes on the underside, yellow hat band, and a black-and-yellow flower on the left side. For some strange reason she was wearing long evening gloves, possibly to protect her hands from getting dirty.
"I demand to speak at once with Gabriel. I discovered him so therefore he owes me the best seat in the house!"
"Mr. Agreste isn't here. You can take your seat or leave."
"Give me that! I'll make sure you're fired for speaking to me like that!" The woman snatched the tablet out of Nathalie's hands and made a video call to Mr. Agreste. There was no response.
Infuriated, Audrey whipped off her sunglasses and stomped on her right foot. "This is unacceptable! Gabriel would never refuse my calls! You're the problem here and I'm going to tell your boss in person how you were hindering me!"
She snapped her fingers and ordered Andre and Chrissy, (Chloe), to follow her to the limo. If she couldn't sit in the front, then she didn't want to be here. Chloe mimicked her mom as her father fretted about his wife.
"Whoa, I see where Chloe gets her attitude from. No wonder she's a horror," Alya whispered to Marinette.
Rose heard her and scolded her gently. "You shouldn't say negative things about Chloe." Rose looked directly in Alya's eyes. "Chloe is not the nicest person in the world, but you should not call her names."
Before Alya could retort, the fashion show started. There were a few models who went before Adrien. They were all showcasing hats with matching outfits. There were all kinds of styles of hats.
There was a new take on the beanie, with mute colors with calligraphy swirls. There was a cartwheel hat that was the color of buttercups, which was amazing considering how hard it was to work with yellow. A trilby hat made of faux rabbit fur, which looked very comfortable.
Then it was Adrien's turn. He walked down the runway, pausing every few seconds so the photographers, could snap pictures of the derby hat from different angles. He had just made it to the end of the runway when the room started to fill with golden glitter.
The glitter condensed into a human female figure with sparkling, bright, golden skin. Sunglasses with dark shades perched over her eyes and her head was pulled-back gilded in the style of a crown with five black pointed stones attached around the front. A golden leotard designed with vertical strips of cloth, with a black strap on her left shoulder and pointed black edges around each leg ending in sharp high heels. She held a long gilded staff, having a bud-shaped tip with a black chevron line on top.
"No fashion show is complete without Style Queen. This outfit is not fashion forward, but fashion backwards! Where is Gabriel Agreste? I have some choice words for him!"
Adrien informed Style Queen his father wasn't in the building. Angered, the akumatized woman shot a blast of gold light from her staff. At impact, it turned Adrien into a glittering statue!
"Adrien!" Marinette shouted, drawing the Akuma's attention.
"So, Agreste boy is important to you? Why don't you join him with a glitter makeover?" Style Queen's staff sent a blast of light at her.
Alya shoved her friend out of the way, ending up turned into a statue. At this point everyone was running in a panic, looking for the nearest exit. Marinette's parents got separated from their daughter as Ms. Bustier's class helped some of the photographers get away, with Rose leading them.
Marinette made it to an empty room. "This is bad Tikki! Adrien can't help me with Style Queen and Alya's a statue!"
"You must remain calm! The sooner you defeat Style Queen, the sooner everyone is safe," Tikki reminded her. Holding up her little paw/hand to keep her wielder from saying the magic words, the ladybug kwami twisted her head to look at her counterpart.
"Plagg, your powers are too destructive without a wielder channeling them. You need to go to Master Fu and alert him of the situation."
"Come on Tikki I can help. I won't mess up this time, I swear!"
"We can't risk what happened to the Tower of Pisa or the dinosaurs, happen here. Please go."
Plagg grumbled, but he dashed away, heading for Master Fu's. A quick transformation later and Ladybug was on the runway. Style Queen wasn't anywhere in sight.
"She must have gone to the mansion. I have to get there quick." She was swinging through the city, doing her best to get to the Agreste Mansion as fast as she could. Just then she heard a scream she would recognize anywhere.
"Mom, I mean, Style Queen don't drop me!"
Landing on a roof she watched the golden glitter fly through the air. Anytime it came in contact with a building, the glitter would change the color of the building.
Even Chloe doesn't deserve to be turned into a glitter statue Ladybug thought as she zipped after the Akuma, who was going to the Eiffel Tower. When she got there, the entire structure was covered in the same glitter, making it impossible for her to sneak up on Style Queen.
Style Queen was on the top of the tower and Chloe was in the middle standing next to a huge slab covered in a dome. One second she would pound it and then stop looking for signs of trouble.
Dropping down onto the street, Ladybug dashed between the different trees and street lamps, trying to get to one of the elevators unseen. A small crowd was gathering close to the base. She could be spotted any second.
Except someone had drawn the crowd's attention away, saying the spotted Chat Noir coming this way. Ladybug made it into the elevator without being seen. As she ascended she noticed it was Rose, shouting about Chat Noir.
Had she seen Ladybug approaching and shifted the attention of the crowd away from her on purpose? Maybe, but she couldn't worry about that as the elevator, opened and she was on the same level as Chloe.
"Ladybug, hurry! My mom's going to spot you any minute," Chloe hissed as loud as she dared. She pointed to the dome. Lying on the slab, with a rose in his mouth was Adrien and his body was starting to fall apart!
"The rose is the akumatized object. I tried to get it away, but she threatened to turn me into a statue if I didn't help, and I can't help Adrien if I've covered in gold."
Ladybug nodded and approached the dome cautiously. She had just left the covered area near the elevator when dozens of bursts of lights fell down on her. She started bouncing around doing her best to avoid the glitter, which had hit Chloe.
"So, you're the bug who's going to stop me from harming Gabriel Agreste. You do know polka dots have been out of fashion for decades." Style Queen's staff blasted several attacks in a row.
Ladybug flipped and jumped up the tower avoiding the attacks. She recalled the yo-yo before snapping it back out at high speed, aiming it at Style Queen's head.
The Akuma laughed as the attack went through her, not leaving any damage because she was just glitter. "Time to show you my golden touch!" Style Queen changed into a cloud of glitter going after the Miraculous wielder.
For a few minutes, the two were locked in battle. Ladybug kept trying to attack Style Queen, only for the Akuma to keep turning into glitter and attacking her from another angle.
I need to get help she thought to herself. She tumbled out of the tower and swung away towards Master Fu's place. Halfway there she heard someone calling out to her.
Peace Keeper was standing on the roof of an office building waving her hands. The second Ladybug touched down Peace Keeper got down to business. "We've been watching the attack and saw you struggling. Plagg suggested you give Pollen to someone to help you."
She held out the little box, which contained the Bee Miraculous. "Plagg let us know about a trick Pollen's wielders can use with their special ability. Just tell them to press their tool into the honey and Pollen's powers will do the rest."
Taking the box, she slipped it into her magical pocket for safe keeping. If Peace Keeper had given her the box, it meant she couldn't join the fight. I know who can help me, I just hope she'll agree.
Rose was still near the Eiffel Tower, listening to Style Queen threatening if Adrien's father didn't show up soon, she would turn whole neighborhoods into glittering statues.
Oh, I hope Adrien and Chloe are alright. I can't stand how Style Queen in threatening the whole community, but I'm helpless do anything. Her phone beeped telling her she got a text. When she saw who it was from, she covered her mouth to keep herself from saying who it was to the crowd.
Instead, she followed the text message instructions and walked away from the tower to a gated, small, garden a few blocks away. The gate was open and Rose shut it as she walked in. Ladybug was standing there smiling as she turned off the yo-yo phone. "Thank you for coming so fast. I need your help Rose Lavillant."
Rose was stunned to hear this. "My…my…my help? Why would you need my help when you have Chat Noir as your partner?" she asked in a trembling voice.
"Chat Noir was injured in his civilian form and can't help me. I need someone who cares deeply about the community and who doesn't want to hurt people directly to assist me."
Ladybug held the box out with one hand and placed the other on Rose's shoulder. "Rose Lavillant, this box contains the Miraculous of Community. With it, you can join me in defeating Style Queen to restore everyone back to normal. Once the mission is done, you will return it and never speak of what happened."
The tiny blond looked at the box and wanted to shake her head. She couldn't be a superheroine. Her kind nature didn't allow her to hurt anybody. Rose was about to refuse to help when she saw Ladybug's eyes.
She believes in me. I can be naïve at times, but she still believes I'm the best choice to help. I won't let her down. She took the box and opened it. There was a bright flash of light. When it faded away there was a little bee like being hovering in front of her.
"Hello, young lady. My name is Pollen. I'm here to help you become the best working bee you can. Your offensive power is Swarm and if you put the tip of your tool into your honey, turn it left while saying Venom, you'll be in for a treat. Say Stinger Engage."
Placing the comb in her hair, Rose shouted the magic words. Instantly Pollen went inside her Miraculous. The girl's pink clothes changed into a yellow bodysuit with a high collar. Her arms were black up to her shoulders before they formed an x on her chest, then continued on the outer side of her legs. She wore yellow boots with black rims. Around her waist was a yellow belt, with a black buckle. Attached to the belt were a small pouch and a trompo. Covering her face was a black mask. Out of her back flapped bee wings.
Rose looked down at herself in astonishment. "I look just like a Honey Bee!" Her wings started to flap and she rose in the air. "I'm ready to help Ladybug!"
The two bug girls took off heading back to the Eiffel Tower. Style Queen saw them coming and started blasting them in an endeavor to bash them out of the sky.
Honey Bee dodged out of the way with ease. Her wings seemed to know what do without her consciously thinking about. Another series of blasts came her way. "I hope this works."
Grabbing her trompo she started whirling it around forming a shield. The glitter bounced off over and over again.
"Good job follow my lead!" Ladybug ordered. The two girls landed and started twirling their weapons. Each one striking Style Queen over and over, scattering the glitter in two separate directions.
"I'm going to squash you two like last season's dresses!" Style Queen shouted as she swung her staff around her head sending glitter everywhere. The two girls jumped out the way and hid among the many lattices.
"It's not working Ladybug. No matter how far apart we scatter the glitter she keeps coming back together. What can we do?" Honey Bee asked anxiously. She peaked back towards the area where Style Queen was looking around for them.
Ladybug took a big gulp of air and replied, "We need her distracted long enough for me to use my power. Once I have, you'll have to make sure she doesn't move so I can defeat her. Think you can handle that Honey Bee?"
"I know I can!" Honey Bee flew back into the fray and hovered just out of reach of Style Queen. "A queen should be kind to others. Not yell or punish people for doing their job!"
"Where did you grow up? Nice doesn't get you anywhere!" Style Queen shouted. She swung her staff and missed Honey Bee, who zipped behind her. Touching her Miraculous she shouted, "Swarm!"
A huge swarm of angry bees poured out the Miraculous and merciless started to attack Style Queen. The Akuma was so busy swatting at them, she didn't notice Ladybug behind her using her Lucky Charm power. It was a tube of superglue and her eyes lit up knowing what to do.
Hearing the first beep of her countdown, Honey Bee knew she had to act fast. Reaching into her pouch, she pulled out a glob of honey. Inserting the tip of her trompo into it she whispered, "Venom" as she turned it to the left.
Style Queen launched at her so Honey Bee hurled the glob of honey at the woman's feet. Her shot was perfect.
Style Queen shrieked about honey being on her when she started to stiffen up. "No! I will not be stopped until I get my revenge!" She started to turn back into glitter.
That's when Ladybug swished a flag covered in superglue through Style Queen's body. She repeated what she did three times until Style Queen didn't have enough glitter to transform.
"Looks like your reign is at an end Style Queen! Miraculous Ladybug!" The magical ladybugs moved swiftly through the city restoring everything to normal.
As soon as Adrien was normal, Honey Bee snatched the flower from his mouth and broke it. "Ladybug, get the Akuma."
"Right! Time to deevilize!" In seconds Style Queen was gone and replaced by a confused and flustered Audrey Bourgeois. Chloe and Adrien went to help her up as Ladybug and Honey Bee left.
Returning to the garden, Rose's transformation dropped. She threw her arms around Ladybug. "Thank you so much for trusting me! I never knew I had the potential to do so much."
Pollen patted the girl on her head. "Everyone has potential my little worker. You just need to keep doing your best. Goodbye Rose. I hope one day we get to meet again."
Back in his lair Gabriel was cursing up a storm. Audrey Bourgeois was the most powerful Akuma he had ever made and even she couldn't defeat Ladybug! "Why, why did she fail? She was my best hope of getting Emilie back!"
He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "This can't be happening!" Sweat went down his face as it became clearer he might never return his wife to normal. Taking a calming breath he thought back to the fight. Why had Chat Noir not appeared with Ladybug? Who was this new heroine?
"Nooroo, why wouldn't Chat Noir appear and a bee themed one took his place?"
"Several reasons Master. He could have been caught in a blast as a civilian, been too sick to transform, or maybe even misplaced his Miraculous. Whatever the reason, Ladybug needed help to defeat Style Queen."
Gabriel clenched his hands. "Yes, help. If she hadn't had any help, I would have won! I'm tired of her infernal luck! How can I be losing to a teenager?"
Nooroo waited until his master calmed down some. "Master, you must be more careful. Had Ladybug not succeeded, Adrien could have suffered a grave injury."
That caught Gabriel's attention. He had promised Emilie when he started this quest, nothing bad would happen to their son. "What do you mean Nooroo?"
Nooroo fluttered up and looked his master straight in the eye. "Every kwami's power has limits and dangers to them. My powers can be very unpredictable. If Style Queen hadn't been stopped when she was, Adrien might have lost the ability to use his legs or died, due to him crumbling to dust. Miraculous Ladybug can only fix what is broken, not death."
Hearing this news shocked Gabriel into a stupor. He knew his Akuma's were powerful, but he always believed that any damage would repair itself because of Ladybug's Miraculous Cleanse.
I should have foreseen this! During the terrorist attack, Ladybug couldn't bring back the dead. I need to be more careful and finish constructing the dome to keep Adrien out of harm.
"I'll be more careful in the future. I'm doing this for Adrien after all. I need to speed up construction of the protective dome."
"Master, I don't think you understand something. No matter what you do, you can't keep Adrien a hundred percent safe whenever you use my powers. You can try to control everything, but in the end it's futile. Even magic can't prevent the natural order of the universe."
Gabriel frowned. He knew Nooroo spoke the truth. Emile had reminded him several times, even if he was a control freak, he couldn't go against the universe. Straightening his tie to make sure it covered the Miraculous, he looked at his kwami. "Mark my words Nooroo. I will find a way to keep my son safe and achieve my goals. Come, I need to take care of my business."
At Master Fu's, Pollen was enjoying a small bit of honey in a tiny serving bowl. Her Miraculous was being cleaned by Ning.
Pollen licked her lips. "Hmm, I haven't had honey this good in a long time. It's nice to be out for a little while."
Master Fu smiled at the little kwami. "I'm glad you are enjoying yourself, Pollen. Tell me, what did you think of your temporary wielder?"
Putting her bowl down, Pollen cleaned herself up. "The girl Ladybug chose was sweet as honey and was polite as a queen. I felt she had a lot of potential to grow. I would be very pleased to work with her again." Her wings buzzed in excitement about the possibility of working with Rose again.
"Perhaps you shall. I hope you understand why I don't want you to be needed again." The old man was preparing a healing session for Pollen. "Do you feel any illness?"
Pollen shook her head. "I won't turn down a checkup and healing session. My wings could use it."
Master Fu nodded and informed her he just needed to get something from his residence before he could perform the healing session. Wayzz stayed behind to talk with his "sister".
"It is wonderful to see you active Pollen. How was it to be of use again?"
"Joyful, I miss being able to help people, but I understand the reasons I shouldn't be active."
"I feel so guilty. I have to stay out of my Miraculous for my health, so I can't be of use. You, on the other hand, can be used, but must sleep."
Pollen reassured Honorra she had no reason to feel guilty. Honorra was getting to see and interact with a whole new world and she would have a lot to share when she finally rejoined her Circle.
"I've finished cleaning your Miraculous Pollen," Ning told the little bee. She held out the shining comb. It looked brand new. Any tiny strands of hair which had been stuck on the teeth had been thrown away.
Pollen ran her paw/hands over her Miraculous, smiling pleasantly. "I'm grateful for your kindness young Apprentice. I must thank you for bringing me to Ladybug. I would not have been able to assist her so quickly without you."
Ning replied it was her duty to help Miraculous Wielders whenever she could. "I was created to bring peace and help nations. It is not only a privilege but is also, a rewarding career."
Pollen nodded. "I'm glad you think so. I would like to reward you by letting you carry my Kwami Charm. You have proven yourself worthy of it, and I give you my complete trust."
Pollen plucked the little charm from the box and handed it over to the Apprentice. Unlatching her charm necklace, she placed the new charm on it and put it back on.
Another retrocognition vision happened. She was in a lush jungle area. All around her were people dressed in armor from ancient India. She felt herself holding four weapons at once. A mace, a trident, along with a sword and shield. In fact, it felt as if she had four arms.
In the distance she saw, a large evil demon surrounded by smaller ones. The word, Arunasura, on her lips.
Ning found herself back in the present. While she had been experiencing the past, Pollen had been given her checkup and healing session. "What did you see of my past?"
"I can't believe you were the one who gave Bhramari, the power to defeat Arunasura. That's unbelievable!"
"Nothing is unbelievable if you work hard for it!"
It was the day after Style Queen's attack. Chloe was in her room trying not to get upset. She had hoped after yesterday her mom wouldn't go back to New York without her. Instead, her mom would be returning to New York this afternoon.
"Stupid akuma, stupid heroes, stupid everything! Why doesn't my mom love me?" she muttered to herself.
There was a knock on the door. "Whoever it is I don't want to talk to anyone!"
"Madam Chloe, you have a visitor, who wishes to talk to you about something important," Butler Jean called out.
Hoping it was her mom, she told Jean to let her visitor in. She got off her bed and hurried to the door, only to screech to a halt upon seeing who her visitor was. "What are you doing here Dupain-Cheng?"
Marinette took a deep breath and held out a box of sweets to Chloe. "I came over to thank you…"
"Thank me? What are you thanking me for?" Chloe blurted out.
Despite being interrupted, Marinette kept her voice calm and pleasant. "Adrien told me how you tried to protect him as well as save his life. I'm very grateful for that."
Chloe flicked her hair over her shoulders and put her hands on her waist. "Of course I would save Adrikins, he's my very best friend. Someone had to do something and you sure weren't around."
"Well as a statue I couldn't move, but I still wanted to thank you. I spoke to your mom earlier."
Chloe stiffened upon hearing this. Her mom wouldn't talk to her, but she would talk with the unremarkable Marinette? It wasn't fair!
"She wanted me to join her in New York, to intern with her and learn more about designing, but I declined."
Chloe's eyebrows rose in disbelief and her jaw dropped. Her mom wanted Marinette in New York and she had turned it down? "Why would you turn my mom down? She's going to make sure you are blacklisted!"
Marinette grinned and laughed a little. "Oh, I don't think that will be the case. You see, I told her you are one of my biggest inspirations." Chuckling a little more she continued. "After all, you do inspire me a lot. Your comments and bad attitude really spurs me on."
Chloe started to protest when Marinette talked over her. She explained, that after informing her mom about this and telling her more about Chloe being exceptional in so many ways, Audrey Bourgeois had decided to stay in Paris with her family.
Chloe couldn't believe what she was hearing. The same girl she bullied and was in her way of getting Adrien's affections, had gone out of her way, to convince the fashion critic, to stay in Paris, for her sake?
"Why? Why would you do this for me? Are you doing this because you pity me? Because I don't need your pity."
Marinette let out an exasperated sigh. "Chloe, everyone deserves to have time with the family, especially their mom. I know if I was separated from mine, I would be very sad. I know with your mom's support, you'll become an even better person."
Putting the box of sweets down on a table. Marinette wished Chloe luck and left.
The blond experienced two emotions at once. Happiness, because her mom was staying in Paris, anger because now she owed Marinette a favor for what she had done for her.
"Ugh, I never knew Marinette could cause me so much trouble! Well, I return the favor as soon as possible. Well, better ask Mom if she wants to join me for a spa day." The blond flounced out the room, happier than she had been for a long time.