Chapter 26: Despair Bear
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I was inspired to get this out as soon as possible after all the recent episode updates. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
At school, everyone was gathered around Mr. Dupain Chang as he was giving a lecture on how to bake.
"I'll let you all in on a little secret. I always like to add a little extreme cream to the chocolate to make the ganache extra velvety. Then I let the ingredients infuse for one minute." He explains.
"I love it when your dad comes to class to give us pastry lessons." Alya whispers to Marinette.
"So does he." Marinette smiles.
"Do they seriously think I'm going to get my hands dirty cooking, like some maid?" Chloe asks. "If I want a croissant, I just make my butler get it for me."
"He's not making croissants, Chloe, those are macaroons." Rose said.
"Now when you stir the batter you have to be sure not to stir too much or you might spill it." Tom said.
"And soil my Chenal pants? Who's he kidding?" Chloe asks.
"Look at this lovely emulation." Tom said showing them all the mixture.
"I don't know about you but I can't wait to taste those." Adrien said.
"Me too." Sam smiles.
Looking over to Chloe, Marinette notices Chloe had walked towards the window and was whispering something into her phone.
"Now we need to chill it for a half hour. Marinette?" Tom asks snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Yes Dad?" She asks.
"Could you take this down to the cafeteria fridge? In the meantime, I'm gonna show your friends how to whip up egg whites." Tom said as Marinette walked out of the classroom.
"Hmm can I have a taste?" Tikki asks.
"Not yet Tikki. Control that sweet tooth of yours." Marinette giggles when suddenly the fire alarm went off. "Hide, Tikki." She flew into her bag just as Marinette's class walked out.
"I hope it's only a fire drill." Her father said walking up to her while Marinette glared at Chloe.
Of course, everyone soon realized there wasn't a fire and the fire captain had explained the situation to the principal.
"So, some smart aleck had the bright idea of calling the fire department." Principal Damocles said surprising everyone while Marinette looked to Chloe who was playing innocent. "Someone thought it was funny to waste the fire captain's time."
"Yes and if you don't mind—"
"Hold on. I want the guilty party to apologize to you." Principal Damocles interrupts.
"I'm sure it was Chloe, I saw her make a phone call before the alarm went off." Marinette whispers.
"Just because she was on her phone isn't enough proof." Alya said.
"Chloe is always on her phone." Sam said.
"Mr. Damocles!" Chloe calls out getting his attention.
"Yes Ms. Bourgeois?" He asks.
"I saw someone leave the classroom just before the alarm went off. It must have been her." Chloe said.
"Really? Who was it?"
"Let's see if she'll come clean. What do you say, Marinette Dupain-Chang?" Chloe asks surprising everyone.
"Marinette, do you have something to tell the fire captain?" The Principal asks.
"It couldn't have been Marinette, why would she ruin her own father's class?" Adrien asks.
"And I know for a fact she didn't have her phone on her when she left the class." Alya added.
"Mr. Damocles I must be heading—"
"Just one more second." He interrupts again. "We're very close to finding out who the culprit is."
"Well we all know it couldn't be me." Chloe said.
"I'm not gonna let her get away with this." Marinette said.
"Marinette you can't. You don't have any proof." Adrien said.
"He's right, don't stoop to her level." Alya said.
"Look I really have to go, just call me when you figure out who the prankster is." The fire captain said trying to leave but Principal Damocles stops him.
"Fine since no one is owning up to it the whole school will be punished." He declares.
"What? I'm not sure my father will react kindly to me being punished without proof." Chloe threatens.
"Oh no, please! Don't disturb the busy mayor! The whole school is punished except for Miss Bourgeois!" Damocles declared causing everyone to groan.
"That's more like it." Chloe smirks.
"Now you know how we deal with anyone who misuses the fire department's time." Damocles said as the Fire Captain nods and runs out.
As all of them went to deal with their punishment Alya and Sam growled.
"I can't believe what just happened." Alya said.
"I know. Adrien just talked to my ear." Marinette said causing Sam to facepalm.
"Seriously Marinette?" Sam groans.
Soon everyone was cleaning up the school while Chloe sat on a bench with her phone.
"I really hate that girl." Sam growls as Alya walks next to him.
"Tell me about it, this is low even for her. After this I was gonna try to get an interview with Silver Claw." Alya said surprising him.
"Silver Claw? But I thought you were all into Ladybug, why would you want to interview him?" Sam asks.
"Because nobody knows much about him other than that he works with Ladybug and Cat Noir, I want to know why he decided to become a hero." Alya said.
"Wow, that's really cool." Sam said when Alya notices something.
"Uh oh, trouble." Alya said pointing to Chloe who was talking with Adrien.
"Of course it was me who called the fire department, so what?" Chloe asks.
"It doesn't bother you that everyone else has been punished?" Adrien asks.
"No, why would it? They all seemed to enjoy getting dirty making cookies. How's it any different from getting dirty cleaning floors? They should be thanking me if anything." Chloe said.
"Chloe, how long have you and I been friends?" Adrien asks.
"Since we were adorable little tots Adri-kins." Chloe smiles.
"Well, I'm sorry Chloe but I can't be friends with someone who treats others like this. You've got to be nice to people." Adrien said.
"N-Nice?" Chloe said acting like she never heard that word before.
"Yes, nice. It's not that hard." Adrien said walking away.4
At Chloe's suite at her father's hotel, Chloe was sitting on the couch frowning when her Butler Jean walks up to her.
"Mademoiselle does not look very happy today." Opening up a tray it held a bunch of chocolates which Chloe ate in seconds before bursting into tears.
"Adrien says I have to be nice to people or he won't be my friend anymore! How can he do this to me Jean-Michel?" Chloe asks.
"My name is…never mind. Perhaps Mademoiselle can seek comfort with Mr Cuddly." Jean said as he pulled out a yellow teddy bear causing Chloe to smile and hug it. "If you would allow it Mademoiselle, I can help you keep your friendship with Adrien."
"Why would you do a thing like that Jean-Jaques?" Chloe asks.
"Because that's what being nice is all about. I'm sure Mademoiselle can remember when she was a little girl when Mr. Cuddly was always nice to Mademoiselle when she was sad. I'm sure Mr. Cuddly can show you how to be nice." Jean said as multiple memories came back to Chloe.
"I remember Jean-Luc! Adrien's gonna see just how nice I can be!" Chloe smiles.
At Marinette's house, she and Alya were taking pictures of Rose, Juleka and Mylene who were modeling some of her hats and accessories when suddenly Alya got a message from Chloe.
"Chloe?" Alya said surprised.
"What does that bratty snob want?" Marinette asks as Alya opens it.
"She's inviting me to a party." Alya said when Rose, Juleka and Mylene's phones go off.
"Me too."
"Me too."
"Me too."
"That's so nice of Chloe." Rose said.
"Chloe and nice in the same sentence? Can't be her." Marinette denies.
"Maybe someone hacked her phone." Mylene said as Marinette looks at her phone.
"I haven't received a text." She said.
"Then it must be Chloe." Alya giggles.
With Chloe, she was looking at her phone about to send Marinette an invite.
"Ugh seriously? The baker girl?" Chloe asks.
"It's what Mr Cuddly would do." Jean said as Chloe sent the invite.
"Ew! She invited me!" Marinette freaks out.
"Awesome! This will be so much fun!" Rose said.
"Wait. You're actually going to go?" Marinette asks.
"She probably wants to say sorry. Maybe she's nice…very, very deep down." Mylene said.
"Chloe? No, she's the exact opposite of nice. Whatever. You guys can go, but not me." Marinette said when Alya got a text.
"It's Sam. He's going to the party with Adrien." Alya said causing Marinette to freak out.
"Ok, yes, you guys are right. We should give Chloe one more chance." Marinette said.
At his base, Hawk Moth was looking out the window with interest.
"A party thrown by the most spiteful girl in all of Paris? Such a fertile breeding ground for negative emotions." Hawk Moth said as he turned a butterfly into an Akuma. "Fly away my little Akuma, finding a victim to evilise should be a piece of cake."
That night at the Le Grand Paris Hotel, everyone from school was hanging out while Chloe looks down at them.
"Mademoiselle should go down and greet her guests in a welcoming manner, with a hug and a kiss." Jean suggests.
"You're kidding, Jean-Claude? You really expect to let their cheeks touch mine?" Chloe asks.
"Well it's what Mr Cuddly would do. This is your chance to show Adrien how nice you can be." Jean said pointing to the door to show Sam, Adrien, Marinette and Alya walking in.
"This whole party thing is way weird." Marinette said.
"Well I've known Chloe for a long time, and she can actually be cool sometimes." Adrien said when Chloe sprinted down and hugged him from behind.
"Adri-kins! What do you think of me hosting a party? Really nice of me right?" Chloe asks.
"It's awesome Chloe." Adrien said.
"Hey there." Rose said as she, Kim and Max kissed her on the cheeks in the classic French greeting.
When she turns to Marinette both of them had the look of horror on her face before they both leaned in and greeted each other before pulling back.
"Oh man I wish I had recorded that." Alya laughs.
"Don't rub it in." Marinette said.
Up on the restaurant level the party was in full blast with Nino being the DJ, a ball pit, video games and lots of snacks. Little did they know the Akuma had flown in through the window.
"I did it. Adrien seems happy. Are we done now?" Chloe asks.
"If I may be so bold, in order to reaffirm Adrien of her kindness, Mademoiselle should check that her guests are having a good time" Jean suggests.
"And why would I do that?" Chloe asks.
"Because that's what Mr Cuddly would do." Jean said showing the bear, but Chloe quickly hid it.
"Alright fine, I get it." Chloe said.
As Chloe struggles to be a good host she manages to put her selfish ways aside to help in simple things and even brings more ice for Mylene. At his base Hawk Moth couldn't believe this as his Akuma couldn't evilise anyone.
"What are you doing Ms. Bourgeois? Where's that natural cruelty I'm counting on?" Hawk Moth asks.
"This BFF act she's doing is just one big charade. She's just doing it to impress Adrien." Marinette said.
"Funny that reminds me of another girl who didn't want to go to a party until she heard Adrien would go." Alya giggles.
"Please don't compare me to Chloe." Marinette groans.
At the DJ station, Kim gives Nino the signal and he changes the next song to a slow dance.
"Chloe, how about a dance with an awesome guy?" Kim asks.
"I'd love it, where is he?" Chloe asks causing Kim to sulk.
As the Akuma circled over him Chloe looks over to see Mr Cuddly gesturing for her to do the right thing.
"Oh here he is, right in front of me." Chloe said as she pulled Kim onto the dance floor.
As they danced Alya and Sam looked at each other before nodding.
"Marinette, go ask Adrien to dance." Alya suggests.
"What? No way I couldn't possibly—" Marinette never got to finish as Alya pushed her towards him.
"Hey Marinette, want to dance?" Adrien asks.
"Uh sure." Marinette said nervously.
As the two of them began dancing Sam walked up to Alya. "Care to dance?"
"With you, absolutely." Alya grins as he pulls her onto the dance floor.
"See Chloe's being nice after all." Adrien said as Marinette gazed into his eyes.
As Sam and Alya danced nearby, Alya spun and moved Marinette's hands so they were around Adrien's neck and Sam moved Adrien's, so they were around Marinette's waist.
Surprised by this the two of them decided to continue dancing.
Enraged Chloe could no longer stand seeing Marinette dance with Adrien.
"I will not let her dance with Adrien under my roof!" Chloe said storming towards them.
"Hey! The song's not over yet!" Kim said.
"If I may say, Mademoiselle ought to—"
"Move, Jean Jaques!" Chloe orders when Jean takes out Mr Cuddly.
"Oh, please Chloe dear. You've been such a good girl. Mr Cuddly's so very proud of you." He said aloud causing everyone to paus and look at them.
"Chloe, is that your teddy bear?" Kim asks as everyone burst into laughter.
Grabbing Jean, Chloe leads him into the kitchen.
"I've had it with your stupid teddy bear, your stupid advice and you, Jean-whatever-your-stupid-name-is!" Chloe yells.
"Mademoiselle I was trying to help." Jean said.
"There's no more Mademoiselle, no more help, no more anything! You are fired! Now get out!" Chloe orders as she slams the door on her way out.
"Ahh, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed." Hawk Moth grins as the Akuma flew into the teddy bear.
"Hello Despair Bear, I am Hawk Moth. You've always been such a good influence on Chloe. But now you get to be a bad influence for everyone, and a very evil one at that." Hawk Moth said telepathically.
"With great pleasure sir." Jean said as he transformed and a small black Mr Cuddly appeared with Jean controlling him from the inside like a puppet.
"You've been very naughty, Chloe-kins, and Despair Bear is not proud of you. The time has come to make you pay!" Working the controls Despair Bear was on the move.
Back at the party the music playing loud and Marinette was dancing with Adrien while Sam and Alya were watching from nearby.
"This went better than I thought." Sam said.
"I know right." Alya grins.
As Chloe and Sabrina glared at them Despair Bear exits the kitchen and runs to Sabrina grabbing her leg allowing him to control her.
"Come here Chloe." Sabrina said taking out a brush.
"Sabrina? What's gotten into you?" Chloe asks backing away.
"Let me brush your hair. I promise I won't hurt you." Sabrina said lunging at Chloe who let out a scream.
"Somebody stop her!" Chloe yells running behind Kim for safety.
"Touch one hair on Chloe's head and you'll have to answer to me." Kim declares.
"Oh what a gentleman. Despair Bear praises a knight in shining armor." Letting go of Sabrina, Despair Bear grabs onto Kim, but Sam, Adrien and Marinette saw that with wide eyes.
"I think I had too much orange juice. I gotta go. See ya." Marinette said.
"No problem, I have something to do, see ya." Adrien said as he and Marinette ran off in different directions.
"Hey Alya I'm gonna go look around the party, is that okay?" Sam asks.
"Sure, go have fun." Alya nods as Sam ran off.
"Chloe?" Sabrina said confused on what was going on.
"Don't come near me!" Chloe said.
"Why? What's going on?" Sabrina asks.
"Kim, do something!" Chloe orders.
"Would you like to dance, Chloe?" Kim asks in a creepy tone freaking her out.
Running to the staircase, Marinette let out Tikki.
"I gotta transform, Tikki. Too bad I had to stop dancing with Adrien. It felt like I was dancing on a little cloud! An out of body experience. It was like—"
"Marinette focus!" Tikki said snapping her out of it.
"Right. Back down to earth. Tikki, spots on!" Marinette's earrings glowed as she transformed into Ladybug.
Back on the dance floor, Kim was spinning Chloe around like a top.
"Let go you evil dork! You're messing up my hair!" Chloe said.
"I hope you're having fun Chloe-kins." Despair Bear said as he threw Chloe into the air.
Acting quickly Ladybug threw her yoyo and snagged Chloe's leg yanking her into the ball pit.
"About time! What took you so long?" Chloe asks.
Kim rushed towards her when suddenly two feet stick out tripping him, causing Despair Bear to fly off his foot and into the wall.
"You should really watch where you're going." Silver Claw said drawing his sword.
"That's a very slippery dance floor." Cat Noir said drawing his staff.
Ladybug throws her yoyo at Despair Bear but he dodges and runs up the walls before leaping across the room.
"Move aside, all of you!" Ladybug said as the three heroes chased after Despair Bear only to find he was nowhere to be seen.
"Look out!" Silver Claw said pulling them out of the way as Max was throwing chairs at them.
"Who's up for a little game of flying chairs?" Max asks as they looked to see Despair Bear holding onto him.
Throwing her yoyo, Ladybug yanks Max to the ground but Despair Bear lets go and jumps onto Alya who grabs Silver Claw.
Slipping out of her grip Silver Claw holds onto Alya when Despair Bear lets go.
"Huh? Silver Claw?" She said snapping out of it.
"Sorry." Silver Claw said letting go.
Grabbing on Ivan, Despair Bear has him lift up an entire table to throw at them.
Gasping Cat Noir runs over and splits the table in half with his staff.
"Cat Noir?" Ivan asks confused as he was free from the control.
"Huh? Where'd he go?" Cat Noir asks as the three heroes looked around but saw no sign of him.
Suddenly Cat Noir walks over and grabs Ladybug's arm.
"What are you doing?" Ladybug asks as Cat Noir opens his eyes to reveal he was being controlled.
"Not good!" Silver Claw gasps.
"Despair Bear, if you want to continue playing this game, give me Ladybug and Silver Claw's Miraculous!" Hawk Moth ordered.
"Ooh pretty earrings and bracelet!" Despair Bear said as he orders Cat Noir to lunge at them.
"Cat Noir stop it!" Silver Claw said dodging his attacks.
"It's us!" Ladybug said grabbing his arm and holding him down.
"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir said as black energy filled his free hand.
Gasping Chloe runs over and yanks Cat Noir's belt tail. "Paws off kitty!" She yells throwing him towards the couch which disintegrates upon touch.
"Thank you." Ladybug said.
"Hey I was really nice back there. Did you see? No?" Chloe asks as everyone groans. "You're all so lame."
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug throws her yoyo into the air and from it, a fork appears.
"A fork? What are we supposed to do with that?" Silver Claw asks.
"You little brat!" Despair Bear said as he made Cat Noir chase Ladybug and Silver Claw to the rooftop.
"Those two are crazy, they'll never make it without me." Chloe said following them.
Arriving on the roof, Cat Noir looks around but sees no sign of the others. Up above Ladybug looks around and sees how to use her lucky charm.
"Silver Claw can you handle Cat Noir?" Ladybug whispers.
"You got it." Silver Claw nods. "Just give me an opening."
Throwing her yoyo at him Cat Noir deflects it allowing Silver Claw to leap in and they clash weapons.
While Cat Noir is distracted Ladybug jumps behind and grabs a thread from Despair Bear.
"Naughty, naughty Ladybug." Despair Bear said as Ladybug tied the string to the fork and threw it so it stuck to the umbrella Chloe was under.
"Chloe, would you be so kind?" Ladybug asks as Silver Claw grabs Cat Noir and holds him still.
"Okay Ladybug." Chloe said spinning the umbrella causing the thread on Despair Bear to come undone until it was just a head breaking Cat Noir free of his control.
"No, stop! What's happening?!" He said struggling to move.
"Silver Claw? What's going on?" Cat Noir asks as Silver Claw let go.
"Oh nothing. Just saving your skin with the help of our newest sidekick." Ladybug said gesturing to Chloe.
"Give me your Miraculous! You haven't defeated me yet!" A small squeaky voice said.
Looking down they saw Despair Bear out of his Bear head and trying to kick Cat Noir.
"Watch your step Cat Noir." Ladybug smirks.
"I've got this little guy under control." Cat Noir said picking him up.
Picking up the bear head Silver Claw slices the string with his sword releasing the Akuma.
"No more evil-doing for you little Akuma. Time to de-evilise!" Throwing her yoyo, Ladybug captures the Akuma and turns it back into a butterfly. "Bye-Bye little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Throwing the fork into the air it undid all the damage from the fight, turned Jean back to normal and even restored Mr Cuddly.
"Thanks for all your help, that was real nice of you." Ladybug said handing Chloe Mr Cuddly.
"I know, wasn't I?" Chloe smirks.
"Mademoiselle I must confess I don't remember anything." Jean said walking over.
"Well basically, you turned evil and I had to save you. In fact, without me Ladybug, Cat Noir and Silver Claw wouldn't have stood a chance." Chloe said.
"Oh really?" Silver Claw glares.
"I'm better than all three of you and I don't even need a costume." Chloe said as Cat Noir's ring and Ladybug's earrings started to beep.
"Uh Silver Claw could you make sure everyone is okay?" Ladybug asks as they jumped away.
"Fine." Silver Claw sighs as he made his way down.
"You know what? I'm suddenly feeling very generous. I think that thing you said about being nice makes some sense. I've decided to keep you on." Chloe said.
"Mademoiselle is so kind." Jean smiles.
"Don't just stand there Jean-Baptiste we can't let people leave yet." Chloe said as she dialed a number on her phone.
At his base, Hawk Moth was furious about another failure.
"If you hadn't been helped Ladybug defeating you would have been child's play. So you better watch out. Your day of devastation is coming soon."
Back at the hotel, as Marinette's dad was giving everyone a lesson on macaroons Silver Claw was sitting down with Alya and doing her interview.
"I can't believe you actually said yes." Alya said excited.
"Well you've done Ladybug, so I guess it's only fair that I do one too." Silver Claw shrugs.
"Oh man, Sam is not gonna believe this." Alya said taking out her phone to record. "Are you ready?"
"Go ahead." He nods.
As everyone finished making macaroons Adrien walks up to Marinette.
"May I?" He asks.
"Yeah sure. I mean what?" Marinette asks.
"Have a macaroon?" Adrien asks.
"Yes! Of course!" Marinette grabs the tray but fumbles spilling them, but luckily Adrien catches one. "I'm sorry. I'm so clumsy."
"It's okay." Adrien takes a bite. "Wow, this is really good. Your baking is as good as your dancing." Adrien said walking away causing a big goofy smile to appear on Marinette's face.