Chloe is too eager to get into the superhero action, that she makes a horrible impression on a certain spotted insect-themed character. Not to mention that she practically stole the Miraculous and never returned it. But let's not split hairs here.
Chapter 2: A Sting of Hubris
As the people of Paris shut their eyes to the call of slumber, it is the opportune time for certain people of the night to make use of the silence and cover of darkness. That much is said about a certain hero in training an individual. Ever since Chloe made her goals known, she has been using these nights to practice, as pressured by Pollen. Pollen made Chloe know that she must practice if she is to be a part-time hero, let alone a full-time hero to Paris. Chloe wasn't a fan of hard work, especially if it required her to break a sweat. She figured that the suit and powers would do all the work for her but Pollen condemned it and lectured her about a queen needing to be trained before she could rule.
So Chloe, at the suggestion (Forcement) of her Kwami, has been feeling out her powers and taking the streets at night, basically her style of patrol. She leaped from one building to the next, almost missing her step a handful of times.
"Ugh! This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous." She grumbled to herself, as she made it to the next building, relatively okay. "Pollen is ridiculous for making me do this. Who does she think she is, huh?" Just then she hears some fast-approaching sounds and realizes the all too familiar clanks and swings of two certain weapons. She looks around, searching for a perfect spot to hide, and barely makes it out of sight. Ladybug and Chat Noir stop at the rooftop.
"My lady, I could have sworn I saw someone over." Chloe in earshot, could only hold her breath, not wanting the cat to hear her. Ladybug just sighs, "Chat, I didn't see anything. Thanks, but this is the second night in a row, we haven't found that mysterious figure you saw." She said, feeling nervous for some reason that Chat could not understand.
"Okay my Bugaboo, what's up? You have been off these late-night patrols. What's bothering you?" He asked so earnestly. Ladybug wanted to tell her partner about her losing the Miraculous and her fears of it being in the wrong hands, but she couldn't bear the shame.
"It's fine Chat. I just feel a bit anxious a bit lately. That's all." She was barely convincing and Chat Noir could tell easily, but didn't want to push his partner too much if she wasn't so comfortable at the moment.
"Alright L.B., let's just pan out that side of the streets and we can call it a night, okay?" with that, she was happy that he changed the topic. "Besides, I don't think Hawk Moth is going to show up tonight and that just means I get to have my cat nap. You know I am my charming best when I don't miss purr-fect sleep." Grinning as he wiggled his eyebrows at his partner, as he leaned in. The effect makes her smirk, but uses her finger to push him back.
"Come on Silly Kitty, we got a job to complete." Saying that, she swings away, leaving a pouting cat behind.
Making sure that some time had passed before she found that the coast was clear. She moved out of her hiding spot, then without wasting time, she got out of the place, and retreated to the hotel.
As she came through her open window, "Pollen. Buzz off." A yellow light makes its way from her head to her toes, effectively transforming her back into her sleepwear. A yellow and white t-shirt with black pajama pants, with yellow polka dots.
"Ugh! I seriously almost got caught." She said, before landing head-first on to her pillow with a groan. Pollen weaved over to the plate of honey treats that Chloe had initially bought for him. She got to know that Pollen liked honey, but mostly sweet things; though chocolate was a no-go, unbelievable right?
"Another night of this stupid training and another night of me almost getting caught by Ladybug and Chat Noir." She muttered to herself, feeling a sense of annoyance at that.
Swallowing the bite she had in her mouth, "My Queen, why can't you just let the heroes know that you will be Paris's next hero? It must be better than me advising you to do your training in secret." She asked her tired holder.
She sat up, rolling her eyes at that, "Well my simple bug creature-" "I have already told you, Chloe, that I am not a bug, but a Kwami." Pollen said, her voice a bit more stern.
Chloe huffed, "Whatever. I cannot just tell them, but make my debut as Paris's future hero. Like, what's the point of superpowers if I can't make an exceptional entrance?" A certain word she used made Pollen a little bit sad, being that it was a bad event for Chloe some days ago.
"And besides, won't Ladybug be so impressed with how amazing I am, when I fight alongside her?" She gushed at the thought. "And when she and I become the closest of friends, I will reveal my identity and everyone will believe I am exceptional; effectively loving me.!"
"Alright My Queen, I think we are drifting off the reigns here." Trying to douse some of the flames of ego. "You are thinking too far ahead, without considering the ramifications of what your loss of the 'crown' could do to you and everyone you love."
"Listen here, Kwami. I know what I am doing. I just need an Akuma attack to happen and it will be the first step to people worshipping my presence." She gave out a conceded laugh.
Pollen just sighed at her new master's personality, but she could tell that what she was aiming for would not be an easy thing.
"Alright my queen, but I still need to explain to you more about your powers and all." She insisted.
"But I already know about it from your ridiculous lectures." She groaned in annoyance.
She hummed "That is true, but I strongly recommend you need more information and teachings about the ways of being a future bee miraculous holder." She advised, looking at her holder expectantly.
Chloe just rolled her eyes, gave a faint "fine", but took the opportunity to space out.
In the Dupain-Cheng residence, Marinette was on her bed, coming back from another night of patrol. She was still feeling stressed and disappointed about the loss of the bee miraculous that was entrusted into her care. She told Master Wu, and to say he was disappointed was an understatement; he made it very clear that she should retrieve the miraculous back before Hawk Moth did.
"Oh Tikki, what am I going to do? I can't think of where that miraculous could be." Marinette asked her Kwami, as she was on the brink of a full-blown panic attack.
The said Kwami floated over to her holder. "Oh Marinette, I believe you will locate the miraculous soon. I'm sorry for this happening." She said, trying to comfort her.
Marinette barely got to sleep but managed to calm herself down. Tomorrow was another day, and hopefully, she would locate the miraculous then.
Hopefully
-Outside Le Grand Hotel-
"What do you mean you can't do what I asked?!" Audrey exclaimed at the unfortunate Officer Roger. The policeman was busy minding his own business, patrolling the streets, and making sure law and order were being observed. When the mayor's wife ordered him to come to her side immediately. He thought that there was a disorder going on next to the hotel but soon realized it was not the case.
"I mean I won't do the task that you ordered." He calmly but firmly stated.
Audrey was leaving the hotel, on her way to inspect the buildings that might house her Paris-located fashion business, if it was exceptional that is. She was just out the door when she saw certain people who did not look at her as if they even knew what fashion was. Dressing in baggy clothes, absurd colour combinations that in her words, were burning her eyes.
"But these LOUTS are disturbing the beauty and elegance of my hotel with their presence and it is your job to remove them from the vicinity immediately!" She ordered, loud enough to catch certain people's attention off the street.
"I'm sorry ma'am. But these people are just wondering tourists who are observing certain areas of Paris. They do not seem to causing a ruckus or causing any devaluation of the beauty and elegance of the hotel, as you would put it. And as such, I will not use any force or what so ever to move them, when they're doing nothing wrong." He crosses his arms on his chest, making a stand at he believes is right.
"How there you?! Do you not know who I am?!" Her face was showing levels and disgust and rising anger at the officer's audacity.
"I know you are the Mayor's wife, but I am still not going to follow your orders." Not backing away.
Suddenly there were gasps and warnings from the crowd, Officer Roger was confused at first, before he saw what caused the commotion. A familiar-looking purple butterfly was making its way over to the hat of Audrey. He took the opportunity to run away.
Style Queen, we meet again. As the purple outline shows over her face. I am giving you the power to beautify anything and anyone who does not meet your standard of beauty. All I ask is- "Yeah yeah, those unfashionable-looking jewelry that you want so much; consider it done." With that, she transformed back into her old villain form.
"Now, anyone who dares to stray away from my standard of beauty will be…" She turned her head towards the now cowering tourists, "…corrected." Using her staff, she turned them into fashionably dressed, golden statues. "But first, let me punish that mall cop for his failure to carry out instructions." She sent out her statue servants, as she teleported through her cloud of glitter.
Back at the hotel, Chloe was on her phone, researching some more advanced make-up tutorials. She wanted to learn more ways to make her even more beautiful, 'Yeah right.'
Pollen was having her snack when an emergency announcement was present on the news. Nadja Chamack gave the details about an Akuma attack, capturing Chloe's attention. She spoke about how the villain Style Queen was turning everything and everyone to gold, as well as changing their designs, into something of her design. The next scene shows Ladybug and Chat Noir avoiding the golden statue army, as well as familiar-looking golden beams. Chloe switched the TV off.
"My Queen, I know what you might be thinking. But I don't think you are ready to fight, let alone Style Queen." Pollen cautioned, knowing fully well that her holder intends to spring into action.
"What?! I am ready and Style-I means, my mother is the perfect choice. Think of it, I do a great job saving my mother, and the people of Paris, and end up impressing Ladybug!" She exclaimed in joy. "That will lead to my mother praising me and prove I am exceptional."
"But My Queen, I am not certain that this the right battle for you and I strongly suggest that you think this plan thr-"
"SHUT IT POLLEN! I am going to battle and that is final, okay?!" Chloe ordered, and Pollen feeling dejected, could not help but nod, but she felt that this would end up bad.
"Good." Feeling satisfied, she took a ready stance. "Pollen! Buzz On!"
"Chat look out," Ladybug warned her partner, one of the golden statue army making an attack. "Thanks, My Lady." Saying that he dodges some of Style Queen's controlled minions from immobilizing him.
When word got out about an Akumatized villain on the loose, the superhero duo did not waste any time to make it to the scene. When they arrived, they were met with Style Queen once again. She had turned some of the civilians of the area into golden statues, but this time they also dressed fashionably and were able to move according to her commands.
"Ah, if it isn't the resident lout superhero duo." Style Queen commented, "How about this time, you bow your heads and hand over those unfashionable little trinkets you have there, or I would be forced to take it?"
"Really? The famous Audrey Bourgeois will get her hands dirty. Wow, this is one for the ages." Chat said, a mocking smile across his face. Audrey did not find that amusing. Sending forth her army, they attacked the superhero duo, all while Style Queen was blasting beams at them. They managed to dodge and block the attacks, but they were trying to back them into a corner, for Style Queen to finish them off. "How about you fools, just surrender, and I will make your last moments more pleasant."
"Not happening, Style Queen!" Ladybug retorted.
"Suit yourself!"
As the battle between Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Style Queen intensifies, Ladybug takes the opportunity to call upon her lucky charm, which was-
"A bathroom mirror? What am I supposed to do with this?" Ladybug asked, confused. "Maybe it wants us to reflect on our present situation." Chat Noir punned, making Ladybug roll her eyes.
"You think you can defeat me with that cheap convenient store mirror? Ha! The only thing it is good for is to show your heroes, what fashion traits you all are." Style Queen said condescendingly.
As Ladybug was coming up with a plan with the mirror, an object was shot by Style Queen, who managed to deflect the surprise attack by her minions. "Who threw that?!" She hissed, as the heroes were also confused about who did that as well. Right then, a figure suddenly soared onto the scene, her confidence palpable as she struck a heroic pose. It seemed to be another hero, wearing a yellow costume with black stripes on her torso and upper thigh. Her shoulders and upper arms appear to be covered in a yellow fuzz, while her upper rib cage is covered in black. The sleeves of the costume are also black, which end at her palms in a pointed shape. She wears a yellow and black mask and has a round cap on the side of her head from which protrudes two antennae. She carries a small round bag at her hip. She retracted back her top, placing it around her waist as she struck a hero pose.
"Who are you, another fashion tragedy?!" Style Queen demanded, a condescending tone not lost in it.
That comment made Chloe flinch but she quickly brushed it off, holding on to her heroic demeanor. "The name Queen Bee! Fear not, citizens! You have another hero here to save the day." She loudly proclaimed, feeling sure enough that her grand debut was going well.
The few people that were not stylized were busy gawking at the self-proclaimed hero. Some were wondering who this person was but no one was more shocked than Ladybug and Chat Noir.
"Queen Bee? But... how did they…" Ladybug asked in shock. She spent the better part of two days, searching for the whereabouts of the bee miraculous, and now here it was, activated and by someone she did not know the identity of.
"Um, my Lady…did you by any chance call for help without me noticing?" Chat Noir would not be surprised if Ladybug did call for help, he could tell from her reaction, that it was not the case. Before either of them could make sense of the situation, Style Queen, tired of this, sent her stylized army to attack, while shooting her beams. Queen Bee took the opportunity, using her spinning top as a shield, to block the incoming beam. "No need to thank me, Ladybug. It's about time Paris had another hero to protect it." She said all too smugly, much to the spotted hero's liking.
The duo ran for much-needed cover, while the bee heroine was facing off against the army, in an attempt to fight Style Queen.
"Queen Bee? But... how did she get the bee miraculous?!" She questioned, hints of confusion and frustration were seeping out of her words.
And suddenly like a ton of bricks, it hit him. "Wait a minute…You lost a miraculous?!" Ladybug's sudden stiffness was all the confirmation he needed. Chat Noir, shocked at the newfound revelation could not believe that it could be true.
Ladybug quickly recovered from her stiffness, "Need I remind you, Kitty, that you lost your miraculous when Style Queen was first active." She addressed her partner. Chat Noir wanted to retort and say that he did not do so on purpose, but held his tongue; doing so would put his secret identity at risk.
Unbeknownst to Ladybug and Chat Noir, Queen Bee's eagerness to impress her fellow heroes would soon lead to trouble. As the battle with Style Queen ensued, the tension between the two heroines quickly escalated.
"Ah, another insect buzzing around. How quaint. But you're no match for my style, darling." Style Queen spoke condescendingly at the fast-approaching bee hero. "Let me guess, another wannabe copycat that thinks she is me? Ha! Queen Be." Style Queen said in a mocking tone.
"Hmph! We'll see about that, Style Queen. My bees and I are more than a match for your fashion folly." Despite her bravado, Queen Bee's confidence began to waver as Style Queen launched a barrage of insults, making her second-guess her efforts.
"Time to show you, I am just as exceptional." She spoke under her breath before she unveiled her powers.
"Bee Hive!" She said, activating her powers. The duo took a moment to see what the new addition could pull off, Ladybug was just silently praying that whoever she was, was thinking things through.
Chloe threw her spinning top onto the ground, its string wove around before it released, letting the top spin on its own. At that moment a swarm of bees seeped out, flying up and finishing their dance around Queen Bee. Three bees stood around her.
Queen Bee stretched out her hand and commanded 'Valor Bee' to her hand. What came next was as if out of a magical girl's battle scene. At that moment, the spinning top disappeared. Her costume began to change, her jumpsuit now was predominantly black, with accents of yellow stripes on her waist, wrist, and thighs. She sprouted a pair of bee wings that had trims of metallic accents. As the glow died down, she stood with a touch more confidence than when she started.
"What, you think a wardrobe change is going to stop me? Please, this costume is just as bad as the other one." Style Queen commented, seemingly unamused. Queen Bee did her best to shrug as she prepared, "Oh, you'll see." She took a sort of take-off stance, her wings began to flap and like that, she flew straight towards the fashion villain. Style Queen, still not amused, shot blasts of her beams, wanting to shoot the hero out of the sky. But with swift moves, managed to dodge the attacks.
"Whoa…I didn't think the Bee miraculous could give the holder flight." Chat was amazed at what he was seeing, so much so that he didn't notice the gang of the style army charge at him. "Chat, look out!" Ladybug called out, and he was just in time to dodge the attack.
"Focus Chat! I still haven't figured out a plan on how to use this." Ladybug reprimanded her partner. She could not help but feel frustrated at the whole thing.
Queen Bee with her increased strength, agility, and gifted flight, was attempting to battle her mum, aka Style Queen. Attempting is the operative word. Chloe was still not so 100%, especially after what her mother said to her. She tried looking for an opening but was met with her army blocking her way and being met with beams.
"Give it up you little wannabe. You are even more pathetic than my daughter, Charlotte!" She said.
Chloe couldn't take it anymore, and with a brash move, she lifted a car with her two hands and tossed it to the villain. Style Queen merely scoffed before she used her scepter as a bat and struck the object away. Unfortunately, the car was aiming towards Chat Noir, who was so preoccupied with his fight, that he didn't notice the incoming car.
Ladybug saw the situation and with a flick of her yo-yo, jumped in just in time to push Chat out of the way. But in doing so, she dropped the lucky charm object, which got destroyed under the car.
"No!" She exclaimed. Hearing that, Chloe looked back to see the horrors of what she had done. She did not pay attention to the beam that struck her, turning her into a statue.
"Ha ha ha! One pesky superhero down, two to go!" She reveled in the victory she procured.
The duo were at a loss for words, not only was the lucky charm broken, but one of their new allies was petrified.
Ladybug looked at her area, she did not think that the lucky object was necessarily to be used but a key. She spotted a shop with a glass window and then back at her partner. Her lucky vision was pointing to various other reflective objects. "Mirror? Window?" She gasped. "That's it! Chat Noir, distract Style Queen while I work on a plan I have. When I am ready, I will give you my signal." They agreed, splitting up to work on the plan.
Sure enough, Chat was so busy occupying the villain's attention, that she didn't notice that Ladybug was gathering window frames and any reflective surfaces. When it was time to put the plan into action, she signaled him to divert one of Style Queen's beams at her.
He stood at the designated spot and worked out phase 2. "Wow, for someone who prides themselves on having an eye for detail, you sure have terrible aim." He mocked the villain.
"Why you insolent, mangy cat!" She was so angry that she fired a beam at the cat. Chat happily dodged the attack, it ricocheted off certain glass and reflective surfaces, angled just right. Finally, it redirected and shot back at Style Queen, who did not react in time, turning her into a gold statue, with no one to command to move.
"Nice job, Chat." She praised her partner. With the use of his cataclysm, they deduced that the akumatized object was in her sunglasses; with a simple touch, reduced to ashes, and out comes a butterfly.
"No more evil-doing for you little Akuma." Saying that, she opened her yo-yo, to show a white light. "Time to de-evilize!" Catches the Akuma. "Gotcha!" Releases the now-purified Akuma. "Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" She tosses the broken mirror and the Miraculous cure spreads out. The cure works around, everyone who was a gold statue under the villain's control or stuck, has been brought back to normal.
Queen Bee realizes that she has been freed, looking around, everything has gone back to normal, and though she is still in her Valor form, she realizes that her bee comb is flashing; warning her about her time limit.
"Queen Bee," Ladybug called out to her. Queen Bee sees her approaching her. She looks crossed, but Queen Bee brushes that aside.
With her chin held high, she proceeds, "Wasn't I just amazing Ladybug? Granted that it wasn't the cleanest execution today, but I can still practice and get better. Just in time for the next villain Akuma. And with Queen Bee on your team, we will surely-" It is now that Queen Bee notices Ladybug's outstretched hand and angry face. "W-wait…W-what is going on? Is this where we fist pump?" She humorlessly smiles, not understanding what's going on.
"Fist pum-NO QUEEN BEE!" She practically yelled, her voice loud enough to draw the onlookers to the heroes. "You just walked into battle, not understanding the situation and using a miraculous that I never gave you in the first place!" Many people were now listening, wondering what could be happening.
Chat Noir seeing that it was getting awkward, wanted to mediate. "Uh, my Lady…maybe we should take this else wh-"
"No Chat, we will not!" Ladybug was not having any of this
Chloe was feeling nervous and quite uncomfortable with the type of popularity she was receiving right now. "Ladybug, I can explain. I found the Miraculous and well…I-"
"You mean you stole the miraculous and didn't plan on giving it back." Ladybug accused.
"What?! No, no, no, I found it and wanted to give it back, but I knew Paris might need more heroes and-"
"Just stop! Do you know how worried I was about the miraculous? I thought it was in the wrong hands, well it is." That comment stung Chloe worse than what her mother had said. "You found the miraculous and rather than return it to me or Chat Noir, you decided to put people at risk and play hero? Do understand how selfish and dangerous that is?" At this moment, the news crew was capturing all the embarrassment heat.
"I-I didn't mean to…I was a fan and…" Chloe was getting nervous and speechless at this moment.
Ladybug seeing this, took a deep breath and resumed, "Well, it doesn't matter now. What does matter is that you return the miraculous to me now and we can pretend that this never happened." She once more said, determination in her eyes.
"But My Lady…" He wanted to remind his partner about secret identities and keep her safe.
Queen Bee looked positively embarrassed at that, almost to tears. "I-I can't... I need it..." But she said defiantly.
Ladybug shook her head, "You have no say in the matter." She walked closer to the bee hero, to attain the miraculous herself. Chloe would not allow it; she couldn't just end things like how they were.
With a flap of her wings, Ladybug stopped, before she could tell her to stop, Chloe flew away, leaving Ladybug frustrated but also saddened by her stubbornness and loss of the miraculous again.
Chat Noir was looking at the whole ordeal, a tinge of sadness and frustration at how everything escalated so badly.
Chloe made her way to her room, not even caring if she was found out or not. The moment she stepped foot into her room, she called off her transformation, returning to normal clothes. Pollen tried her best to talk to her but was held back. So she flew towards the plate of treats, needing to replenish her strength; hopefully to try to talk to her holder in a short while.
Chloe meanwhile sat on her bed in silence, her mind consumed by shame and self-doubt. She couldn't help but replay the events of the battle over and over again, and how Ladybug called her out in front of everyone; each moment worse than the last. Until tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall. Unable to hold them back, no matter how much she chastised her weakness
Suddenly, a soft knock on the door broke the heavy silence, she didn't know who was there or why, but she just wanted to ignore them. But the person had other plans. "Mademoiselle Chloe, are you in there? It has been some time since you were down for food, so I brought you your favorite. Made by our finest chef of course." The concerned voice came from Jean Fidel, her butler.
Even if he meant well, Chloe was so not in the mood to deal with him or anyone for that matter.
"I am not hungry Armand! Just leave me be…I don't want anyone here, now!" She ordered the man to leave. He could hear the soft sobs coming from the room. Although he thought it was good to check up on her, years of experience have taught him to tread cautiously. He left the cart with her meal, informing her that it was in front of her door. And left, feeling worried for the young girl.
When she heard the footsteps fade away, Chloe full-on bawled her eyes out.
Pollen finally, came over to Chloe. "Please My Queen, do not feel too bad."
"Not too bad? Not too BAD?!" Her voice rose with a crack. "I made a fool of myself, made Ladybug mad at me! What's worse…is that the people of Paris now see Queen Bee as a thief and untrustworthy by Ladybug; I ran away for crying out loud!" Chloe growled and then felt new fresh tears falling, the weight of the situation coming back.
Pollen could see where she was coming from but still wanted to cheer her up. "But my Queen…I think that next time-" Chloe whipped her head at that. "What do you mean 'next time'? There is no next time. I QUIT!" Chloe exclaimed.
Pollen's eyes widened at that. "But My Queen, surely you don't mean that?"
"Yes. I Do." She replied, getting off her bed, to her vanity.
Pollen followed her. "But what about your plans? What about…attaining your mother's acceptance?" Pollen couldn't care less about her mother's mean attitude, what she cared for was her new holder.
"It can all go to heck." Saying that she plopped down on her chair. "What was I thinking? I am not a superhero. I am nothing…useless." She muttered under her breath.
"No, My Queen, you are no-" Pollen was interrupted. "Who asked you?!" She hissed at the Kwami, who looked hurt. Chloe almost looked remorseful, but quickly shook it off.
"I am done with you and your stupid miraculous. Until I can face Ladybug, I am renouncing you and putting you away." She sternly said, mind made up.
"My Queen, please, you can do better…I believe in y-", Pollen tried to reason with her, but in a flash, was gone; once the miracle jewel box was shut closed.
Chloe looked around as if to check if it worked. She wanted to feel happy but funny enough, doing that to Pollen, just made her sadder; the silence was even more painful. She hung her head low, letting her tears run. Her sobs were quiet and erratic; a single word on repeat.
"Useless."
Long after the Style Queen fiasco. Marinette went to Master Fu, to unfortunately inform him of the Bee Miraculous being active. He was not happy in the least, lecturing her about the importance of keeping the miraculouses safe; seeing as two were already gone. Marinette understood and decided to do her best and get it back.
-Hawkmoth's Lair-
"So, it seems that this new superhero is working on her own. This might prove to be favorable to my mission. If Ladybug is preoccupied with a lost Miraculous, it will give me plenty of room for me to defeat her. It might also be an opportunity to retrieve even more of the miraculous jewels."
Author's Notes:
Hello guys. Yeah, I gave Queen Bee new powers, befitting the theme of Subjugation. One is 'Valor Bee' making up one of the 3B's. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
