Ladybug wasn't sure how this plan would play out, but she had hope that everything would go well. She sat on the roof top as Chloe made her way toward the zoo. She tried not to think of all the things that could go wrong with this sort of plan. The worst case scenario being Hawkmoth gaining a new miraculous.
Chloe began making noise down below. Her voice echoed so loudly in the empty streets that the villain couldn't help but take notice. "Daddy! Where are you?!" Chloe screamed in her usual bratty tone. It was as if she couldn't be less concerned with the empty streets and the dire situation of the city. Ladybug smirked but also wondered how much of Chloe's personality was an act this whole time.
The super villain jerked his head toward the men in the crowd and shouted something. Soon a group of three went off to search for chloe. It wasn't long until they found her and carried her back to the zoo. Now Ladybug moved from her spot. If Chloe was thrown into the cages the plan would be thrown out the window.
"Let her go! In fact I need you to release all of the citizen of Paris!" She yelled and she heard gasps of excitement and relief echo through the crowd.
"Ladybug!" The super villian exclaimed, bolting from his chair. The three men still had not let Chloe go, but Ladybug could see that they were distracted, and that was good enough.
"Not a fan?" She asked sarcastically and began to spin her yo-yo in defense.
"Capture her!" The villain yelled and more men jumped into action. Ladybug felt bad fighting off regular civilians but she couldn't risk getting captured.
"Where is Chat Noir?!" The villain yelled.
"Where do you think Chat Noir is? You've probably brainwashed him along with all the other men in Paris!" She yelled, risking a glance in Chloe's direction. She caught a glimpse of blonde behind the villain's thrown.
"I didn't brainwash them. I helped them to see the truth! All the women in Paris are evil heartbreakers who deserve to be punished. Until they can love us they stay in the cages!" The villain yelled and the bars on the let out a loud ring. Temporarily, everyone including the ladybug pressed their hands to their ears.
"You can't force someone to love you! Believe me, I've been hurt by love too but this isn't the solution." Ladybug said, but she was beginning to become overwhelmed. The men of Paris were closing in on her.
She managed to jump out of the crowd of victims and she aimed her yoyo at the villian. He managed to jump out of the way as she came down with a crash shattering his throne. She began throwing punches but all he could do was block her, honestly of all the powers Hawkmoth had given out this one was pretty pathetic.
"The beautiful thing about love is that everyone is destined for it! You may not have love now, you may even be heartbroken, but one day someone will love you back. I know its hard, but you must believe that love will find you and when it does it will be everything you wanted." She said smiling and for a moment the villain looked like he was considering her words.
She saw tears in his eyes before he closed them and looked away from her. She took the moment to catch her breath, and to hope that he would reject the akuma on his own.
"Actually, I lied before, Ladybug. I know where Chat Noir is and I don't think he would agree with you!" He yelled, almost bursting her ear drums. She saw Chat Noir jump out from the crowd and land on top of her.
"CHat Noir!" She gasped but he was already holding his hand to her throat.
"Don't make me." He said coldly and she realized with a chill that she could feel his ring pressing against her throat.
"Kitty…" She begged trying to bring back her Chat Noir. His eyes were red and so very, very sad.
"There you go with your pet names and playfulness, but only when it's convenient, only when you want something from me. Well, I'm done playing, Ladybug." Chat Noir whispered. His face held so much cruelty that Ladybug didn't dare move. She was going to die. "CATA-" She closed her eyes, but opened them again when the word never concluded. It was as if he was frozen on top of her.
Ladybug's chest heaved rapidly and tears streamed from her eyes. She could still feel his claws digging into the sides of her neck and she relished the feeling. She was in pain and that meant she was alive.
"I thought that was enough of that." Queen Bee, said as she came into Ladybug's view.
Ladybug managed something between a chuckle and a sigh. "Took you long enough." She said as Queen Bee pulled apart the bracelet. Beads scattered around her head as she saw the akuma flit into the sky.
She managed to free her yoyo from her side with her free hand and fling it in the direction of the akuma. Somehow the thing was caught and purified. She saw Chat Noir's eyes turn green once more as she whispered. "Bye-bye little butterfly."
"Ladybug!" Chat Noir yelled pulling his hand away from her throat quickly. "I-I'm so sorry my lady I didn't- I don't." He stammered. She pulled herself up and flung her arms around his shoulders in an embrace.
"I'm glad you're back." She said and though he didn't hug her back he buried his face into her shoulder.
"Ehem! I don't have much time, let's get this over with." Queen Bee said and Ladybug pulled away from Chat Noir.
"Right." She looked toward the villain who had already been deakumatized but sat looking angry and defeated. Ladybug got to her feet and called out. "Lucky charm!" A small watch fell into her palm. She began to make her way over to the boy.
He glared at the floor and refused to look at her so she got down on her knees to face him. "I know rejection is hard. It feels like your heart has been ripped out of you're chest, and you want someone to blame for the pain, but punishing others for not loving you isn't right."
"What do I do then?" He said finally looking up at her with tears streaming down his face.
Ladybug put the watch in his hand and the boy looked at it and then at her with confusion on his face. "With time the pain will go away. With time you'll be given new opportunities for love, but it can't happen if you swear off an entire gender based on silly assumptions. Hate seems easier, but it takes much more energy to stoke those flames than to wait for love to come and go until you find the right fit for you." She said putting her hand over his.
He looked skeptical but then took a deep breath. "I'll try." He said, gripping the watch tightly in his hand before dropping it back into Ladybug's palm.
"I wish you luck." She said and then stood up. "Miraculous Ladybug!" She yelled and the Ladybugs returned everyone to where they were supposed to be.
"Great! Now let's go! I'm about to transform back!" Queen Bee said, grabbing Ladybug's arm.
"Chloe, everyone already knows it's you." Ladybug said as Queen Bee dragged her away.
"Yeah, but it's easier for Hawkmoth to steal the miraculous if we're both de-transformed!" Queen Bee yelled and Ladybug felt ashamed that she hadn't thought of that first.
"Right!" She threw her yoyo as far as possible and she turned back to where Chat Noir had been. He was still stooped on the ground with his head hung low. She wanted to go to him, but there was no time. "I'll see you later, Chat!" She yelled. He looked at her, his eyes still filled with guilt but he waved in agreement. She zipped off before she changed her mind.
Just as the girl's feet touched solid ground the magic ran out, and there they stood average and unassuming. Pollen dropped into Chloe's palm and Marinette handed her a macaron to feed to the Kwami.
Marinette fed Tikki and wondered if Chat Noir was alright. When he got into a mood he often made bad decisions. He looked so sad… why was it always her who put that look on his face?
"Hey!" Chloe said snapping Marinette out of her thoughts. "I'm not above stealing." Chloe warned, waving the miraculous above Marinette's head. Marinette snatched the miraculous out of her hand and then looked around. They were still alone.
"Thanks, you were a big help today Chloe." Marinette smiled. She tried not to let the panic in her stomach take root. This girl knew her identity. This girl who probably still hated her on some level held the fate of Paris in her hands.
"So, what was that?" Chloe asked crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at Marinette.
"What?" Marinette asked. Had she done something to offend her?
"You and Chat Noir? I thought you were in love with Adrien." Chloe stated rolling her eyes.
"I do! What does Chat Noir have to do with anything?" Marinette exclaimed. A bright red blush filled her cheeks at the questioning.
"In a lot of ways you're as dumb as I am, do you know that? Whatever its none of my business. I don't care. Just don't hurt Adrien." Chloe said, sighing with exasperation.
"Wh-what?! Yeah- I mean- of course I would never hurt Adrien!" Marinette stammered. She shook her head and then took a deep breath to calm herself. She had no idea what Chloe was talking about. "You make sure you don't go blabbing about my secret! I'll see you at school." Marinette said sternly before turning and walking away. The moment that Chloe was out of her sight was the moment her identity was in jeopardy, but she had already made her decision.
"Th-Thank you!" Chloe yelled and Marinette turned to look at her. She was clutching her arm to her side and looking at the ground. She looked up slightly to meet Marinette's eyes. "For trusting me." She said in a quieter tone. Marinette smiled and she felt the doubt in her mind ease slightly.
"You're welcome." She said before making her way down the alley once more.