Wow. Just... Wow.
This is the single longest chapter I have EVER written! I REALLY wanted the next chapter to be the 13th chapter (you'll see when I post it next.)
This chapter completes the "A Hero Is..." story arc. Within each chapter are 9 "elements of a hero". The first person to comment where the inspiration came from will get a shout out in the next chapter opening! (I like to make you guys think and do research ;p) Hint: They're pretty common place and even have a song based on them.
Now onto the feature presentation! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
"Would you like to dance?"
Chloe turned slowly, the sensation of crinoline and tulle at her fingertips. Looking down, she saw that she was wearing a long yellow ball gown; it looked like something a queen would wear. Returning her gaze to the voice, a young gentleman extended his hand.
"You haven't answered my question, My Queen. Would you like to dance?" Without asking, the gentleman lifted Chloe's hand from her side, his other hand resting carefully on her waist. A spotlight landed on the duo as a slow, mournful tune began to play. "My, my. You are certainly exceptional now, aren't you?" A smile spread across his face.
"Who are you?" Chloe didn't want to pull away, but she didn't exactly feel safe. The gentleman's face was blurry, but his hair was a shocking shade of red. "Where are we?"
"Don't you know?" He spun her, showing off the empty space. One by one, more people appeared; a new face with each turn. Chloe was beginning to feel sick. Some faces she recognized, others she didn't.
A girl in a red suit. A boy in a black suit
A girl in an orange suit. A boy in a green suit
A tall man in purple suit. A woman in a feathered blue dress.
"Stop spinning me! What's going on?" A knot developed in Chloe's gut.
"You can never change, Chloe!" The gentleman ceased his spinning, holding the girl in the golden dress in front of the girl in the red suit. "A bee can't change its stripes."
"You've been such a help to me." The gentleman turned Chloe to face the tall man in the purple suit. Chloe could now see that he was holding a cane. "You have caused so many wonderful akumas and kept me in business. Why not join me, Queen Wasp?" The tall man extended his gloved hand.
"No!" Chloe realized that this was Hawkmoth! She had to make Ladybug see that the villain was here. They could stop him once and for all! "Ladybug!" Wrenching out of the gentleman's grasp, Chloe tried to get back to Ladybug.
A mirror blocked her path. Chloe gasped. She now wore a grotesque version of her Queen Bee costume. Her once blue eyes now shone a hateful magenta. "Ladybug, help me!" Hawkmoth must have done something to her costume. Hearing footsteps behind her, Chloe turned. Her heart dropped.
Ladybug, Chat Noir, Rena Rouge, and the green hero all had their weapons pointed at her.
"No, guys! Hawkmoth is over there!" As she pointed, Chloe felt a weight on her shoulder. Shaking, she looked behind her. Hawkmoth with his hand on her shoulder, the blue mystery woman by his side.
"Why make the hard change of being nice when you can do what comes naturally, Ms. Bourgeois?"
"POLLEN! HELP ME!" Chloe begged, tears streaming down her face.
A light appeared amidst the crowd of people. "Wake up, My Queen!"
"Pollen?" Chloe whimpered.
Then everything went black.
xXx
"Wake up, My Queen!"
Chloe brushed the fuzzy feeling away from her face, her fingers connecting with fresh tears. A nudge from Pollen caused the girl to bolt upright in bed. Chloe felt her silk pajamas soaked through with sweat.
"Pollen?" A sense of relief washed over Chloe. She was awake. It was all a dream. A bad dream, but a dream nonetheless.
"I'm here, child. You're not alone." Pollen nuzzled herself under Chloe's chin, trying to comfort her Chosen.
"I haven't had a dream like that… in a long time." A shaky breath escaped from the normally confident girl. The fuzzy bee flew to the water cup next to the bed, indicating that Chloe should drink something.
"It is not unheard of for new Miraculous holders to have nightmares at the beginning. Do not dwell on these negative thoughts, My Queen. They will pass." Chloe nodded as she sipped her drink. "What if we get you some breakfast and do some hero training?"
Chloe swung herself out of bed, looking at the clock. Groaning, she flung herself backwards. "Pollen, it's 7am on a SATURDAY. Do heroes do stuff this early?" Her answer was a poke at her waist until she sat back up. "Fine. Let me find a decent yoga outfit. No way I'm getting my good clothes all sweaty for training."
Pollen flew backwards, her nubs crossed as Chloe shuffled to her wardrobe. "Honey, just shut up and get dressed already. In case you don't know, villains won't wait for you to change into a decent outfit when they're tearing up Paris."
xXx
For this exercise, Pollen elected for Chloe to be dressed as herself. This was something more important for the girl to learn outside of the mask. Yawning, Chloe stretched her arms. Instead of the yoga outfit, she had chosen something a little more versatile to whatever sadistic measures the kwami would throw at her. Over her loose workout tank top, Chloe had thrown on her comfy yellow sweatshirt with the double black stripe due to the morning chill that still hung in the air. A pair of black jogging pants and designer cross trainers completed her effortless workout aesthetic.
"Today's lesson will focus on faithfulness." Pollen was concealing herself in the small white crossbody Chloe now wore. "Sometimes, you may be fighting alone, other times, you'll be part of a team. Regardless, the faithfulness and loyalty you show the people of Paris and your team will give them a sense of security that someone else is looking out for them. This will help deepen their trust in you."
"That's great and all, Pollen, but I can get breakfast first? I'm starving!" Chloe complained. The kitchen staff were barely in for the day when Chloe was walking out of the door. Instead of making them rush to make her something, she decided that a walk to the Dupain-Cheng bakery for a croissant would do her some good. "I hear they have delicious little nonnettesthey make with local honey…" Chloe could hear the kwami's stomach rumble.
"Very well. It would be a disservice to Paris to serve them on an empty stomach." Chloe giggled as she pushed open the door to the busy patisserie, the bell tinkling above.
"Welcome! Take a number, we'll be right with you!" Chloe turned to see Marinette's dad rolling out a fresh batch of bread while her mom served customers at the register. "Marinette? Can you come help, sweetie?"
"Yeah, Papa! The next batch of macarons will be ready in about ten minutes." Marinette emerged from the back, wiping her hands on the apron around her waist. Looking up, she spotted Chloe. "Oh. Chloe! Hey. What are you doing here so early?" The bluenette navigated the small crowd to get to her friend.
Chloe panicked. No one who knew her would believe any reason she could provide as to why she was up and out before noon on a Saturday. "Oh… You know… Checking out the… markets? Yeah! The markets!" She was nodding vigorously now. "I'm picking up some ingredients for something special Chef Césaire is teaching me to make."
"Wow! That's great, Chloe. If you make enough, I would love to try some." The baker's daughter smiled. The mayor's daughter grimaced.
Great. Now she would have to actually learn to make something to show off. "Yeah… sure… Well, I was hoping to get some breakfast and a coffee before heading over. I'll just wait for my number to be called," Glancing down, Chloe saw that she was number 32. They were now serving number 17. Stifling a groan, the girl offered her friend a small smile. "It shouldn't be long." Marinette waved her off.
"No way! What's the point of knowing someone on the inside if they can't help you out?" Marinette gave her a slight hip bump, causing both girls to chuckle. "We've put in a self-serve coffee bar near the door with plenty of fixings you can put together while I get your order together. What can I get you?"
Breathing a sigh of relief, Chloe confessed, "I've heard great things about the croissants and nonnettes, the ones you make with the honey? Could I get 2 or 3 of each to go?"
"Absolutely! Go fix your coffee and I'll ring you up."
Within five minutes, Chloe was waving goodbye to Marinette, walking out with a bag full of goodies and a cup full of coffee. Since the park was just across the way, Chloe thought that would be a good place to sit for a moment for her and Pollen to enjoy their breakfast.
"Okay. So how are you going to teach me faithfulness, O Great Kwami?" Chloe made a pleasant noise as she bit into her croissant. It was flaky, and the coffee wasn't half-bad either.
Pollen made a similar noise as she devoured her nonnette. "Good old community service." Despite the warmth from the coffee, Chloe felt her blood run cold.
"I beg your pardon?"
"This is why we're doing this as you instead of Queen Bee. Queen Bee is still new; she has time to gain the public's trust. It's Chloe's image that Paris needs to put more trust in. You will be helping out wherever you can today," Pollen held up a nub as she heard Chloe begin to sputter. "Without complaining. If anyone asks, just say that 'life coach' line you told your friends." Swallowing the last of her treat, the kwami risked a quick buzz around Chloe's head. "Alright. Finish up and let's get going!"
Chloe groaned as she downed the rest of the caffeine she knew she was going to need. "Let's get this over with."
[Cue montage of Chloe helping elderly ladies cross the street; carrying groceries for a young mother with too many children; handing out food at the local soup kitchen; helping gardeners in the local town vegetable garden]
xXx
"I don't think I've seen that much dirt in my entire life." Chloe dragged herself down the street, covered head to toe with dirt.
"I know! And I certainly did not expect that dog to chase you into that hole and proceed to bury you alive."
"YES, thank you, Pollen. I was there. I don't need a play by play." Lifting the sleeve of her sweatshirt up to her nose, Chloe took a sniff. Immediately, she recoiled. "Aw man! I hope this thing's not ruined. I hope no one sees me looking like this…"
No sooner than the words were spoken, Chloe collided head on with the person who rounded the corner of a nearby building. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" As the girl rubbed her aching head, she noticed the various papers caught on the wind. Sighing, she started picking them up.
"Oh! Don't look at those…" Too late.
"Is this Queen Bee?" Chloe stared into the eyes of an extremely well-done sketch of her alter ego. Looking up for the first time, Chloe saw that she had run into her classmate, Nathaniel Kurtzberg. The blush already on his face deepened.
"Uh… yeah… I sketch all of the heroes, but since she hasn't been around as long, it's harder to find source material." He took the pages, sticking them haphazardly back into his sketchbook. "That one I did from the photo the news took during the akuma attack."
Both teens stood. Chloe crossed her arms with a smirk. "Kurtsberg, there is no way you did a sketch that detailed from a grainy news photo. You've got talent." If it were possible, the blush on Nathaniel's face became even redder. Chloe's face quickly matched Nathaniel's as his eyes roamed up and down her body, taking in the dirt.
Now it was his turn to smirk. "Do some gardening today?'
Scoffing, Chloe flipped her limp pony tail. "For your information, I was doing some community service today. It was my life coach's idea." The girl sobered as she crossed her arms. She couldn't look at the boy. "Nathaniel, I've never apologized for making fun of your sketches and crush on Marinette. I'm sorry for how I've treated you. Could you possibly forgive me?"
Nathaniel ducked his head, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah. I'm glad you've finally apologized for that. But yes Chloe. I forgive you. I'll see you in class on Monday?"
Smiling, the dirty blonde nodded. "I'll see you then."
As the two parted, Chloe had one last jarring thought. That hair is a shocking shade of red…
xXx
"It's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! I've showered twice and I still smell like dirt!" Chloe attempted to pull her still damp hair into a semblance of a pony tail. Garbed in her favorite robe, she was surprised to see Pollen filing her nubs with Chloe's nail filer.
"You know, you don't need to worry about your hair so much. It's always going to look tacky." The kwami suppressed a grin at Chloe's flabbergasted state. This was another method of her hero training; push the right buttons and boundaries will be broadened.
"Yeah, right." The girl sneered. "You're just jealous because you don't have any." She returned her attention to the mirror. Pollen joined her, admiring the collar of fluff around her neck.
"Please, child. I've been beautiful longer than what you've learned about in history class." Her beady blue orbs glanced to the side. "And I don't need that mop on your head to help me."
Chloe let her hair fall in exasperation. How on earth did she get stuck with the Kwami of Eternal Heckling? Snatching the nail file from Pollen, she began gesturing wildly with it. "What are you even filing on those little nubs of yours? What need do you have of my best nail file?" Sighing, she placed the file back on the counter. "Besides, I don't want to get caught looking like something the cat dragged in again. That was embarrassing!"
"You mean it was embarrassing because the tomato boy was the one that saw you like that."
Chloe's face became as red as the afore-mentioned tomato. "NO IT ISN'T! What are you talking about, Puff Ball! Shut up!"
Pollen drifted lazily away. "I believe the lady doth protest to much." It was easy for the kwami to dodge the pillows thrown at her. "Well, child. It's only one in the afternoon. Do you have any other plans for today?"
The teen threw herself on the bed, weary from the hard work she had accomplished. "Not really. I really just want to chill tonight. Oh, Sabrina wasn't able to spend the night last night. Maybe her parents will let her tonight!" As Chloe reached for the phone, Pollen landed gently on her hand.
"My Queen, may I make a suggestion?" Confused, Chloe nodded. "I know it is short notice, but why not see if any of the other girls are available for a slumber party?"
"Why? I'm still not on good terms with everyone. They won't want to come…" Chloe deflated at the very thought of being turned down.
Pollen glided to push a stray hair behind the girl's ear. "Another virtue of being a hero is gentleness. As a hero, it's important to have a gentle spirit. Gentleness allows people to interact in ways that are less harsh, more caring, considerate, and tender in their movements, actions, and how they speak." Floating to the phone, the kwami gave it a nudge. "In other words, providing a safe and calm environment for these girls to interact with you will be a crucial first step to rebuilding bridges with many of them."
Warming to the idea, Chloe grabbed the cell. "That sounds like a great idea, Pollen! I'll send out an invite and see who can come. This will be the best slumber party ever!"
xXx
"This is the best slumber party ever!" Rose threw her squishy unicorn pillow into the air, giving it a well-deserved snuggle when it returned to her arms. Chloe chuckled at the girl's antics, helping everyone get settled.
Even though it was short notice, all of the girls in the class were able to come. Juleka and Rose were the last ones to arrive due to Kitty Section's band practice going long. Alix was currently lounging on a section of the long pink couch, browsing the web on her phone. Mylene allowed Alix's feet to splay across her lap. Alya and Marinette were flipping through Chloe's extensive movie collection, trying to find something that everyone would enjoy. Sabrina was helping Chloe move the furniture into the best configuration to build a blanket fort the girls would watch the movie and sleep in that night. The latest Jagged Stone album blared on the surround sound speakers.
As Chloe looked around the room at the vibrant group of girls, she smiled. She could get used to this. "Hey, can I talk to you for a minute, Chloe?" Sabrina gestured to the section of the penthouse that lead to Chloe's bedroom. The blonde dropped the pile of blankets in her arms, following her friend. Sabrina grabbed Chloe's hands. "Are you dying?"
Chloe dropped her hands in surprise. "What? No! Where would you get a ridiculous idea like that?"
"Well, in the few days since our talk where you, well…" Sabrina gnawed the inside of her cheek. "Let's be honest: you had a break down." It was now Chloe's turn to gnaw. "Sometimes, a health thing, or... depression... can bring on serious life style changes in an attempt to leave behind no regrets." The blonde could see how genuinely worried her friend was for her.
Pulling her into a deep hug, Chloe reassured the girl. "No, Sabrina. I'm not planning on dying any time soon." Releasing herself from the hug, Chloe swiped at a tear that had begun to form. "I've just honestly wanted to make some changes in my life. You and Adrien helped me see that. It's all thanks to you two."
Sabrina wiped away tears that crept their way down her cheek. "I've got to say, that just seeing you these past couple days, I'm proud of how you've managed your self control." Chloe cocked her head curiously. "Well, I mean, if anything- and I mean ANYTHING- didn't go exactly according to your plans, you wigged out! You've learned to keep your emotions under control. I think I've heard Madame Bustier say that it's an important leadership skill."
"Huh." Chloe rubbed the back of her neck. "I have a feeling my life coach would have told me something similar before too long. You just beat her to it." Sabrina looped her arm around Chloe's, escorting the two of them to the blanket fort construction zone.
"I'll have to meet your life coach one of these days and thank her!"
Chloe ducked her head. "Uh, yeah. Maybe…"
"Come on, Alya!"
"No, Marinette! We are not watching Phantom of the Opera!"
I am SO pumped to write the next chapter! (At the time of this being published, Chapter 13 has not been written, but it has been outlined) Hopefully I'll have it cranked out before too long, but quality should never be rushed. Don't forget your "homework"!
Until then, STAY CREATIVE!