As usual, I do not own anything

IV

The people of Paris had gotten somewhat used to a new Akuma attacking on a regular basis. But recently, the number of attacks had started to increase. It was close to impossible to zap through television or surf the internet without seeing another report on Ladybug and Chat Noir fighting off another foe.

"Those two must be awfully stressed out", Imme commented the most recent coverage that had just been on.

"Don't forget about our agreement.", Chloé reminded the Kwami.

"Not saying anything.", Imme replied, keeping her thoughts to herself. She was still convinced Chloé would accept being a hero soon, but she did not want to test the girl's patience. All it needed was some waiting and the right motivation.

Even though she had just started, Chloé already regretted the idea of learning martial arts. There were muscles hurting in her body she didn't even know she had. The only thing that kept her going were her ambition and, much to her surprise, Jean. His way of teaching was surely not very different to others, but something within Chloé clicked whenever he spoke to her or corrected her position. As she sorted her gear into her locker after the day's course was done, she was so absorbed in thinking about him she didn't even realize she was the last person left in the locker room. But she was not completely alone. Since Chloé had once again taken the comb to put into her hair – Jean had previously complimented her how it had looked great on her- , Imme had of course insisted to accompany her. At least nobody could see her talking into the pocket of her jacket.

"You like that guy.", Imme said and giggled for whatever reason.

"Well why wouldn't I like him?", Chloé replied, "He's a nice guy."

"I mean you REALLY like him.", the Kwami giggled even more.

"Stop being silly or you go back into that box.", the blonde threatened. She was content when the Kwami indeed remained silent, but she could still feel the tiny creature vibrate from giggling for a few more seconds.

Just a few buildings away, a man who had been working in the sleep research facility located here stared at the notice of discharge in utter disbelief. All the years he had spent helping people with sleep problems seemingly did not account for anything once budget cuts came up. He was both disappointed and angry at the same time. And these emotions were what kept him from noticing the black butterfly landing on his coat. A deep voice started sounding inside his head:

"Sandman, I am Hawkmoth. I can help you make people acknowledge the importance of your work, but you will have to help me as well. All I ask of you is to acquire the miraculous of Ladybug and Chat Noir for me."

He immediately agreed and allowed the Akuma to transform him.

Chloé was still pondering whether she shouldn't just get rid of the Comb- and the Kwami that came with it- once and for all as she heard the unnatural noised from the gym. She carefully peeked through the door only to see masses of what appeared to be sand streaming inside. Jean had been the only one left inside the gym, and immediately had changed into fighting stance. But the moment he made contact with the sand, he just sunk to the floor. Seeing someone like Jean being so easily defeated made Chloé even more scared than she already was. She quickly followed her instincts, shutting the door and hiding herself away in her locker. Not before long, the akumatized villain had thrown open the door, his gaze scouring through the locker room. Chloé held her breath as he passed the locker she was hiding in, praying to all known and unknown gods that she would not be found. She heard him grunt as he turned a corner.

"How much more people will fall victims to their nightmares before those so-called heroes show up?"

Another door was forcefully opened and Chloé waited several further moments in total silence until she quietly opened the locker door to see if the Akuma had indeed left. She made her way to a window to look outside. The sand was already starting to spread outside, and the Akuma followed not long after.

As the people in the street outside started dropping to the floor one by one, the heroic duo finally appeared in the scene.

Judging from what she could see through the window, Chloé figured this foe once again was giving Ladybug and Chat Noir a hard time. And it did not surprise her much when Chat was actually hit by the sand and sent to sleep. Ladybug was giving all she had to not being hit as well.

Imme floated up to Chloé's face with a worried look. "She can impossibly make it all alone", she exclaimed.

"It's Ladybug, she'll be fine.", Chloé retorted.

"It clearly doesn't look like it.", Imme insisted, gesturing outside where Ladybug was just barely escaping the masses of sand that were constantly being directed towards her.

"You really want to see what happens when the hero you admire so much gets defeated?", Imme asked, "Because I can guarantee whatever comes after that will not be pleasant."

Chloé took another glance outside, only to see the spotted heroine starting to go out of breath. She swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat.

"Okay okay fine!", she finally said, "But just this one time, get it?"

Imme's face lit up as she spoke to the girl: "Considering the urgency of the situation, I'll just give you the quick rundown".

The Kwami then repeated the words needed to transform, what sort of equipment Chloé would have at hand and how she could attack her opponent. Chloé was not sure if she would actually remember it, but there was no time to back down now.

"Imme, time to get stinging!", she called out. Her body started to move on its own and she was engulfed in a bright golden light as the magical suit with its yellow and black pattern appeared.

A/N: I'm back and I bring you the queen's first transformation.