Hello everyone! Here is my FAVORITE chapter I have written so far! I hope you enjoy it! (Quick welcome to any new readers. Thanks for the views! ;) )
Chapter 13: An Unlucky Slumber
Paris entered into an unexpected period of peace. Goodwill and positivity were at an all-time high. Hawkmoth rarely had anyone to akumatize anymore. Instead of repairing damage done to the city, Ladybug and her allies saved the day in other ways. The entire team aided fire fighters in putting out the flames that ravaged Notre Dame; Rena Rouge thwarted a mugging her first night on patrol; Queen Bee handed out breakfast at her local soup kitchen every Saturday; Chat Noir starred in an ad for the local animal shelter trying to adopt all of their cats.
Before too long, Queen Bee joined the team's nightly patrols. Splitting the four individuals into teams allowed them to have more eyes surveying the city. Ladybug partnered with Queen Bee to show her the ropes while Chat Noir did the same with Rena Rouge. Once they could handle situations on their own, the rookie heroes would be able to patrol Paris solo. Even though the Paris skyline was missing part of itself, a sense of calm cloaked the city. With her idol by her side enjoying the quiet evening, Chloe Bourgeois herself felt at peace.
xXx
"We have a problem, Noroo." Gabriel Agreste poured over various news reports from the past several weeks.
AKUMAS GO DOWN, STOCK PRICES RISE!
WORKPLACE STRESS AT ALL TIME LOW!
HEROES AND STUDENTS RAISE MONEY TO HELP REBUILD NOTRE DAME!
"You would think that one of the most historic buildings in the city burning down would bring a new harvest of victims. This just seems to unite the city further!" Gabriel angrily closed the browser window on his desktop. Turning to the painting of his wife, the designer pressed the buttons within the painting to unlock the hidden entrance to his lair. Once in front of the massive stain-glass window, Gabriel began to pace.
"Master, couldn't this be a sign to cease our efforts?" Noroo questioned hopefully. Immediately, the kwami felt his skin crawl. Touching his face, Noroo could no longer feel his mouth. A sinister snarl covered the face of the older man.
"If I want to hear your opinion, Noroo, I WILL ASK FOR IT!" he practically screamed. Snapping his fingers, Noroo's mouth returned. Gasping for breath, the kwami bowed his head.
"Th-thank you, Master."
Turning his back on the creature, Gabriel mused over his current situation. "There have been less and less negative emotions going on several months now. Not even the slightest case of teenage angst. What could be causing this?" A pregnant pause filled the space. Gabriel barely turned his head. "That was me asking for your opinion, Noroo."
"Oh! I'm sorry." Noroo flew to his master's side, joining him in looking out the window. "This may not mean anything, but didn't your son mention how nice the Bourgeois girl has become? She has been a driving force in creating many of your victims…" Gabriel stroked his chin in thought.
"Hmm… You have a point, Noroo." Removing his phone from his jacket pocket, Gabriel opened the LadyBlog app. Scrolling back, he noticed the time stamps recording the first reports of the latest two superheroes. "It was when these two joined the fray that akumatizations dropped. Could Ms. Bourgeois be one of these new heroes?"
Noroo floated himself in between Gabriel and the screen. "But Master, that was just a passing thought! Remember the last time you thought you knew the identity of one of the heroes? Adrien almost died!" He instantly recoiled from Gabriel's glare.
"I remember what happened, Noroo." Gabriel growled through his teeth. "That was a hunch based on a coincidence. I will not make the same mistake twice." Suddenly, his Miraculous began to glow. "Oh! I feel an emotion of great intensity. So pure… Noroo, DARK WINGS, RISE!"
Once Hawkmoth completed his transformation, he summoned a butterfly. After filling it with hate and power, he released it. "Fly away my little akuma, and evilize him!" Slamming the cane with a satisfying clang, the villain smiled. "Time to test my theory…"
xXx
"Never!" Chloe shot out of bed. Panting, she checked the clock. 2am. Sighing, Chloe swung her legs over the side of the bed. She ran a shaking hand through her damp hair. She'd had the dream again, where all of her hard work as Queen Bee was undone by people's hatred of Chloe's past. Squinting through the low light of her room, Chloe saw that Pollen was still sleeping. I need something to eat. Instead of traipsing down to the main kitchen, Chloe dragged herself to the small kitchenette within her family's penthouse.
The girl perused the contents of the fridge, finally grabbing a gallon of milk. Jean-Louis used to make me a glass of warm milk when I was younger when I had trouble sleeping. Placing the gallon on the kitchenette's island, Chloe stumbled back.
A lone figure stood in the doorway, cloaked in darkness.
"DADDY! WHAT are you doing, standing there in the dark! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" With her hand on her rapidly beating heart, Chloe slowly realized, this person was too short to be her father. Her battle instincts began to kick in. "You're not Daddy. Who are you?" The figure moved into the light cast by the still open refrigerator.
"Nathaniel? How did you get in my house?" She cried out when Nathaniel was engulfed in a dark aura. In Nathaniel's place stood Evillustrator.
"You can't be a hero, Chloe. You might as well be Hawkmoth's sidekick for all of the damage you've caused." Every word dripped with hatred and venom. Every word pierced Chloe's heart like a thousand daggers.
"Kurtsberg! I thought we already did this! Y-you said you'd forgive me…" Tears began to pool as Chloe looked around the kitchen for something to defend herself with. She whipped her head back towards the boy as he laughed.
"Forgive you? NONE of us forgive you, Your Highness." One by one, more people began to appear in their akumatized forms until it felt like the room couldn't hold anymore; several faces stood out in the crowd.
Lady WIFI.
Princess Fragrance.
Reflecta.
Timebreaker.
Horrificator.
All of her new friends glowered at the now shaking blonde. "Do you really think one lousy sleepover would undo all of the horrible things you've done to us?" Lady WIFI lifted her phone, rapidly drawing her fingers across it. Chloe suddenly felt herself plastered against the wall next to the refrigerator.
Chloe's hair cascaded down the sides of her face, getting stuck on the tears that now flowed freely. In that moment, Chloe regretted sleeping in only a cotton tank top and boxer sleeper shorts. She had never felt as vulnerable as she did now, in her most basic and pathetic state in front of every mask she regretted having a hand in creating. "Why are you doing this?"
Reflecta grabbed Chloe's chin, jerking it up to meet her eyes. "We're doing this because you deserve it. They were wrong to try and make you one of them." She didn't need to elaborate. These were secret fears Chloe harbored ever since she had received her Miraculous. Dread and hopelessness enveloped her in their dark arms. Before she was aware of what was happening, she felt a familiar presence that made her blood run cold.
"Ah. Ms. Bourgeois. It's good to see you again."
"Hawkmoth!" Chloe gasped out. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of his voice.
"So, you remember me? I'm touched. I have been trying to find you Ms. Bourgeois to confirm a suspicion of mine." Chloe could feel his pleasure at her capture. "I know you are one of the new heroes that have popped up. And you're going to become my inside woman."
"NO!" She pulled harder at her restraints. "I won't betray my friends!"
"Good. You don't deny that you are a hero. The question now is, would you be a better Rena Rage or Queen Wasp?" Chloe's jerking stopped at his mention of Queen Wasp.
That's the name from my dream.
"You seem to like that last one. Does this mean that you are the hero Queen Bee? How delightful…"
"Stop it!" Chloe screamed. "I. AM. A. HERO. I will NEVER join you! I was given my Miraculous for a reason! You didn't earn yours!" Her resolve strengthened. "We will save your kwami from you one day."
"But who will save you now?"
"My Queen?" All eyes turned to the doorway. Pollen rubbed her eyes, radiating a soft glow.
"Nightmares, capture that kwami! Mayura, now is the time to use your powers on her Miraculous."
Mayura? Chloe struggled all the harder. Is this the partner the others told me about?
"I don't care if she's not wearing it right now! It is somewhere near her person. If we combine our powers, we can break her spirit. Her will is stronger than it was the last time…"
Pollen dodged the blasts and outstretched arms that attempted to capture her. "Chloe! Now would be a good time to transform!" The girl shook her head.
"I can't Pollen! The comb is back in my room. But what if they're right? I've done such horrible things in my past. I don't deserve forgiveness!" Chloe was startled when she felt a pain in her cheek. "OW! Did you sting me or something?"
"Pull yourself together, child! Remember our talk about unconditional love? I know what you've done in your past, as does Master Fu. Despite that, we both trust you with my miraculous. Use that beautiful brain of yours to get yourself out of here!"
Realizing the truth in what Pollen was saying, Chloe's fear melted away. "Your right! Quick Pollen! The comb is on my bedside table. We can do this together!" Turning her attention back to Hawkmoth, she could feel his frustration mounting. "Sorry Hawky. I'm going to have to cut this short. Don't worry. We'll be seeing you soon to collect your Miraculous."
xXx
With a growl, Hawkmoth severed the connection. "Why did you question my orders, Mayura?" Turning, he stared down the woman standing just behind him. "We just lost a valuable asset because of you!" Hawkmoth made to strike her, but she caught his hand in her own. Her gaze was steel.
"I understand your anger sir, but if you intend to ever strike me again, I will be leaving. Not only as your partner, but also as your employee. Am I clear?"
Composing himself, Hawkmoth reluctantly bowed his head. His pride just took a massive hit, but he could ill afford to isolate another ally. "Yes, my dear. I apologize for allowing my emotions to get the better of me. Let us see if we can still rectify the situation." Turning back to the window, Hawkmoth connected with his current victim.
"Sandboy, the first part of your mission has been successful; I have the information I sought. Now, get me Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous'. And," An evil grin consumed his features. "Be sure to collect the new heroes' Miraculous as well."