Hello everyone! Sorry about the (extreme) delay in uploading. You know how life can get.
This was a very fun chapter to write and even my editor thought the premise for where I was going was interesting.
Well, I hope you enjoy it!
Chloe glanced over her shoulder at the sound of laughter. She sighed as she saw that Marinette was the source of the outbreak. Apparently, whatever she had said had sent Adrien, Nino, and Alya into hysterics. The pencil in Chloe's hand was dangerously close to snapping, she gripped it so tightly. Slowly breathing in and out, she reflected on the first hero lesson Pollen had given her the other night.
Flashback
"Clear your mind." Pollen slowly circled Chloe as she sat in a meditative position on her bed. A small water feature pleasantly trickled droplets as calming scents emanated from nearby candles. "There are many qualities that make a True Hero. We will go over a few each day until you master them all, along with your physical training."
Chloe opened one eye. "I though all a hero needed were superpowers. Surely I can figure it out from there… Ouch!" The girl slapped a hand to the back of her neck." Did you sting me or something?" Pollen lowered herself to eye level with her new charge.
"Listen to me, child. Kwamis have some say in who their Holders are. Master Fu and several of the other kwamis have told me about you and what a brat you are." Pollen ignored the indignant sound Chloe made. "I have been the kwami of Subjection for a millennia. Believe it or not, I may have learned a trick or two in that time. It may be wise for you to hear what I have to say. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Chloe liked how spunky the kwami was. This could be interesting.
"Very good. Close your eyes." The girl returned to her meditative state, breathing in and out slowly. "The first quality that makes a hero is Love. As a hero, love is a desire to protect your city and its people from those who do them harm. Sometimes, it is about finding that one person to motivate you to strive to keep them safe."
Pollen settled on Chloe's knee. She barely noticed. "Do you have a person like this, my Queen?" The kwami noticed Chloe's breath hitch slightly.
"If it were anyone, it would probably be my friend Adrien. He's always protected me; it would be nice to protect him for once. But we had a fight recently. He may hate me now." A tear rolled down her powdered cheek. Pollen flew up and caught it.
"That's the great thing about love! Love is unconditional. If he's truly your friend, he won't hate you. Now, what is the first quality of a hero, child?"
"Uh, love. Love means unconditionally protecting the city and my friends from anyone who would want to harm them, right?"
"Correct!"
"Pollen? What if I'm afraid?" Chloe pulled her knees to her chest as she opened her eyes. "A lot of the akumas out there are terrifying. What happens then?" A puff of yellow circled her head, then settled on the girl's raised knees.
"That's where the next quality comes in: Joy. As a hero, joy is saving people with a smile on your face to put them at ease. You are only human. It is natural to feel fear. However, as a hero, if you visibly show your fear while you are trying to save someone, they will be afraid. Sharing a smile will show them that everything will be alright." Pollen lifted a nubbed appendage to caress Chloe's face. "It's like what parent's do when a child falls down. They smile, take care of them, and set them on their way."
A small grin escaped the girl's notice. "Adrien is almost always smiling. It used to make me feel so safe." The grin fell. "I guess I may never get a smile like that again."
Pollen flew into Chloe's personal space. "What makes you think so? Have you apologized to those who you have wronged? Have you shown them that you are capable of change?"
"Not in this timeline, anyway." Chloe muttered.
"What?"
"No!" Chloe shouted. "I haven't apologized to anyone. No one would take me seriously. I've hurt too many people."
"Then start out small. Start out with your friend Adrien. What about his group of friends you've told me about?" Chloe grimaced. "If you've wronged them and you truly want to change, you have to take this first step. That is the next quality of a hero: Peace."
The kwami fluttered about the room. "You are not a solider, child. You are meant to be a peace-keeper. As a hero, you will be called upon to fight – maybe sooner rather than later – but be ready to extend the olive-branch of peace. Do you understand?"
Return to the present
The ringing of the dismissal bell jarred Chloe back to the present. She packed her bag quickly, wanting to catch Adrien and the others.
"Adrien!" Chloe caught up to them outside on the front steps. Adrien and the others turned to her apprehensively. None of them had spoken a word to her since their altercation in class several days earlier. At the sight of their harsh gazes, Chloe shrank back into herself a little bit. This was going to be hard enough without them being critical of every move she made.
"What do you want, Chloe?" Marinette crossed her arms across her chest. Chloe swallowed the snarl that crept to her lips. "We've got places to be."
A comforting nudge from Chloe's bag gave her the courage she needed. "Believe me, Du-Pain Cheng. You'll want to hear this." Deep breath."I'm sorry." A collective silence.
"Did you just… apologize?" Alya pushed her glasses back up her nose. "I must have heard you wrong."
"No. You heard me right. I. Am. Sorry." The blonde wrapped her arms around herself. "I… uh… have a new… life-coach… who has shown me that I can be a better person than I am now. My first step is to start being a peace-maker. This is me extending an… olive branch." Chloe turned to Nino.
"Nino. I hardly really talk to you, but when I do, I realize I put down something that you are passionate about. I am sorry for trying to make you feel less pride in your DJ-ing skills. Can you accept my apology and find it in your heart to forgive me?" She offered her hand.
No one spoke.
"Yeah dude!" Nino shook the offered hand. Chloe let out the breath she had been holding. "I know that took guts, so thanks Chloe."
Chloe then turned to the reporter. "Alya. I've probably been meaner to you and Marinette than anyone else. Ever since you moved here, I knew that you would be a force of nature. Honestly? That scared me. Your tenacity and willing to go the extra mile to get what you want, but not crossing the line, is something I envy. I also want to thank you for starting the LadyBlog." Alya's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Everyone knows how big a fan I am of Ladybug; however, not everyone knows how much I like chatting with other fans anonymously online about theories and mutual adoration. Without you, I wouldn't have that community. Can you accept my apology and find it in your heart to forgive me?" Again, she offered her hand.
Again, no one spoke.
Finally, Nino nudged his girlfriend. She waved him off. "Yes Chloe. You have been incredibly mean to me and Marinette. This is not something that can be forgotten overnight."
"Nor would I want it to be!" Chloe protested. "I deserve your hatred. I just want to try and make things right."
Alya rolled her eyes. "Well, you'd be on the right track if you didn't interrupt me." Chloe clamped her mouth shut. "But, like Nino said, this takes guts. I do accept your apology. The forgiveness thing may come in time, though." Tentatively, Alya took the girls hand.
Tears began pooling in Chloe's eyes. She quickly wiped them away as she faced Adrien. "Adrien, we've been friends since before we can remember. We've seen each other grow up. I've seen you fight to be your own man under your father's thumb. I couldn't be prouder of the man you've become." Flicking her eyes to the sky, Chloe took a shaky breath. "To be honest, I wish you could have been my man. But I know when to give up. I'm sorry I could not rise to the standards you have. I only ask that you give me another chance to show you that I can be the person you know I can be. Can you accept my apology and find it in your heart to forgive me?" Chloe slowly lifted her hand. Without hesitating, Adrien pulled her into a side hug.
"Of course, I forgive you, Chlo. I remember when it was you and me against the world." He hugged her tighter. "I'm glad that you've got someone you can talk to about this stuff. Just know I'll always be here for you, okay?" He kissed the top of her head and released her. Chloe was glad she decided to wear the water proof mascara today.
Finally, she turned to the person she dreaded the most. A pair of piercing blue eyes met her own. "Marinette Du-Pain Cheng. I have made your life a living hell since kindergarten. I have no excuse for that. I simply hated you. As we grew up, I realized why I hated you." Marinette's face hardened. "You had parents that came to every career day, sent you to school with handmade lunches, actually cared for you. Yes, Daddy cares for me, but he cares more about me liking him than actually parenting me." Chloe didn't even see Marinette's face anymore. She had opened a gate.
"You're not afraid to stand up for what you believe in or for your friends. You actually grew a spine this past year and told me off several times. Yes, it is admirable; however, just know that there have been times where you have been just as ruthless to me as I have been to you." The tears stopped as Chloe's gaze sharpened. "I forgive you for that. You've apologized for a few instances, but even for those you haven't, I forgive you.
"There is too much history between us for me to apologize for every individual thing I've done to you; just know that I am sorry. Can you accept my apology and find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Before Chloe could even lift her hand, she found herself crushed into a bear hug. Marinette herself was in tears.
"Chloe, I am sorry for what I've done to you. I do accept your apology and I do forgive you." Wiping the tears from her face, Marinette pulled back. "Like everyone's been saying, I know how hard that was for you- especially with me. I don't know who your new life coach is, but whoever it is has the right idea." The bluenette pulled the blonde into another hug. "If you ever need to talk or just want to hang out, let us know, okay? We're here for you like Adrien said." Chloe's legs gave out from under her as sobs wracked her body.
The girls sank to the ground together. Adrien, Nino, and Alya knelt down to join the group hug. From her place in Chloe's bag, Pollen buzzed with pleasure and pride. Maybe there was hope for this lost soul after all.
I really do have another chapter in the works, I promise! Just between real life and inspiration, it may take a bit to get it up. Thank you for all of your patience!
STAY CREATIVE!