25. Day 2 Part 10

Zzubo flit through the darkening Parisian skies towards her chosen destination, to seek out help from the oldest, wisest being she knew. The most powerful of all the kwami, and a great friend to boot. She was of course, referring to Tikki.

She knew where the Ladybug Miraculous lived, having mutually exchanged information not long after they'd renewed their acquaintanceship at College Dupont just the other day. The bakery, full of all kinds of delicious pastry-related creations (not for Zzubo though, her sole love was nougat) and of course, her mistress's main rival, Marinette. This is why she hadn't told Chloe where she was headed to earlier on, as the heiress seemed in a tempramental enough mood as it was, and the bee creature certainly didn't wish to provoke her even further.

Spotting an open window on the uppermost floor, the tiny kwami took a chance and dived right in, finding herself slap bang in Marinette's bedroom. She knew this because there were pictures of the blue haired girl's crush Adrien everywhere on the walls, and the usual occupant herself was present, sitting on her bed alongside a surprise guest... Sabrina.

Zzubo couldn't help but stop and stare at the sight of these two so-called enemies together, particularly as there was no sign of animosity between them whatsoever. Sabrina seemed to be doing most of the talking, and her eyes had red rings around them, like she'd just finished a long crying session.

Beside her, Marinette was holding both of her companion's hands, listening to everything the glasses-wearer was saying and nodding empathically every few seconds. Flying close by but still managing to stay hidden behind a stray magazine with a feature length spread about you-know-who, Zzubo was able to catch what the pair were discussing.

"...A-and t-then, s-she t-took b-back h-her f-friendship b-brooch, c-called m-my D-daddy a-a s-stupid f-fat o-oaf a-and s-said s-she o-only h-hung a-around m-me b-because s-she f-felt s-sorry f-for m-my p-pathetic s-self. I-is t-that t-true M-Marinette? D-did y-you o-only i-invite m-me a-around a-after s-school t-today b-because y-you're t-taking p-pity o-on m-me?"Sabrina seemed quite distraught, as she struggled to form a cohesive sentence without breaking down again.

"Listen to me, Sabrina." Marinette softly told the teary-eyed redhead sitting next to her. "You are a wonderful, warm-hearted person who's simply made a few bad decisions in life, included who to emulate in your behaviour. From what you've told me, you were ignored by virtually everyone at school, until one day Chloe turns up, shows you the slightest bit of affection and you two suddenly become as thick as thieves. It's perfectly understandle, under the circumstances, you'd latch onto her to such a degree after spending so long alone..."

"...W-what does that say about me then..." Sabrina continued to sniffle a little. "T-that the only person that would give me the time of day was the most unpopular, biggest troublemaker in the school?! T-that doesn't excuse all of the horrible things I did for just to boost her ego, either! I-if she's the best I can do in terms of friends, and I can't even keep her, I-I must truly be a lost cause..."

"Hey hey, don't be so hard on yourself..." Marinette gently lifted up Sabrina's chin so the two were face-to-face. "Remember when we did that class project together, and I wanted to be your friend? I can't tell you how disappointed I was when you turned me down, just because Chloe let you borrow a hat. Well, I'm telling you right now that the offer is still open, so even if you never make it up with her, you'll always have me and Adrien to hang around with and annoy, if you want. There are only three catches though..."

"...Oh." Sabrina was initially excited, but suddenly felt a little worried at what were sure to be very stringent conditions." W-what are they, i-if you don't mind my asking?"

Marinette smiled at the redhead's anxieties, and spoke her terms in a mock officious voice. "One, you must think for yourself from now on. Two, don't offer to do anyone's homework apart from your own. Three: You must have as much fun with us as you can, no exceptions."

"Oh thank you, thank you!" Sabrina was so overwhelmed at the thought of not being reduced to a hapless loner again after Chloe's rejection, she just couldn't help herself, and soon Marinette found herself pinned against the bedroom wall in the redhead's arms in an embrace which felt more like a wrestling hold than a hug.

"Whoa, easy there girl..." Marinette sheepishly patted Sabrina gently on the back, as she felt the glasses wearer wet her shoulder with more tears, this time happy ones. "As happy as I am that we're friends now, you don't have to be quite so clingy, you know? I'm not Adrien, and you're not Chloe, after all..."

"Oops, sorry...!" Sabrina blushed a little as she slowly withdrew her head from Marinette's chest. " I guess I've never been told by another person before that they value me that way. With Chloe, it was always what I could do for her, rather than who I am and what my needs are..."

"Well, that comes to an end right now." Marinette stated with determination, taking Sabrina's hand again. "Friendship is a two-way street. If one individual dominates everything, then it ceases to be a healthy bond, as far as I'm concerned. If Chloe thinks everything is all about her, too bad. She'll go through life lonely and with no-one to talk to, but her servants and bags of money. It's a shame, but you know what they say: you reap what you sow..."

"Y-yes, I agree." Sabrina wasn't sure whether to mention it or not, but seeing as Marinette had raised the issue... "I-I just wish someone could get through to her. I-I know she's very unhappy at the moment, and she has been for a long time . B-but if I couldn't reason with her, and Adrien failed, I-I don't know what to do next. S-she does have a nicer side, I've seen it before, even though she tries to keep it hidden. I-I think it may be because of..."

At this point, Sabrina quickly shut her mouth, realising that she may have overstepped the line in gossiping about Chloe's private life. Even though the pair were no longer friends, she still was reluctant to break the blonde's trust by discussing such confidential matters to someone who the heiress still despised. Thankfully, Marinette seemed to understand.

"Hey..." the pigtailed girl smiled encouragingly at Sabrina. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, and it's fine. I get that no-one becomes a bully for no reason, and it hasn't escaped my attention over the years that Chloe must have some serious issues to be the way she is. It's just hard to sympathise when you're on the recieving end of her hatred throughout the day, you know? So, while I might feel bad for her in terms of what she's going through, that doesn't give her the right to take her frustrations out on others, do you get me?"

"I-I think so..." Sabrina had just finished wiping off the last of the moisture around her eyes, and now looked a little more settled. "J-just like it was wrong of me to lock Juleka in the bathroom on picture day, help get Alya suspended and steal your diary, to try and get on Chloe's good side. S-sorry about that last one, by the way..."

"It's okay, don't start crying again..." Marinette attempted to console a now guilty-looking redhead. "The past is the past, and besides, at least it's made me more security conscious now. I wouldn't leave something that valuable lying around again..."

She wondered briefly how Chloe would react if she'd actually had the chance to read it, and discovered her greatest enemy and her idol, Ladybug were one and the same person. The freak-out from the heiress would almost be worth her secret identity being revealed. Almost.

In the meantime, Sabrina had just remembered something else. "How do you think Chloe and Adrien are getting along together in detention? Seeing as how she hates his guts now, and all... Oh dear, I didn't mean to put it like that. What I meant to say is..."

"Yes, I know what you're getting at..." Marinette sighed at being reminded of what was currently going on the college. "She just can't deal with the fact that she never stood a chance with him. I don't think Adrien will ever see her as more than a childhood friend, and even if that wasn't the case, her horrible attitude would probably be enough to put him off her for good. I just hope one day she accepts that them as a couple will never happen in a trillion years..."

"E-er, if you don't mind me saying this..." Sabrina didn't fail to notice her new friend's change in tone. "But you almost sound like you've got a personal stake in this..."

"W-what?!" Marinette suddenly lost her cool in a flash, and her cheeks began to turn as red as her costume. "N-no, you don't... t-that is to say we're just... w-where did you get that idea from?! W-who have you been talking to...?!"

Zzubo chuckled as the lovestruck girl stammered her way through the answer to Sabrina's innocent observation, and decided to leave her eavesdropping there. After all, she hadn't flown all the way out here to hear about a teenager's crush, as interesting as it was. Besides, from her experience, the baker's daughter behind the mask of Ladybug had nothing to fear. She and Cat Noir always seemed to end up together throughout history, as if fate itself played a part in their matchmaking.

It was time for the bee kwami to see who she came here to seek help from on that chilly night. Noticing the telltale red and black minature bag protruding from nearby Marinette's foot, underneath her bed, she flitted inside to find Tikki waiting for her... only this time, the normally cheerful Miraculous creature looked anything but, and had her little arms crossed in annoyance.

"Really Zzubo?" She pouted disapprovingly, while shaking her head. "Listening into a private conversation? That's naughty... I'd expect that kind of behaviour from Plagg, but you? I hope you have a good explanation for doing that, and abandoning your new mistress so late in the evening, when she might need you..."

"Chloe is exactly the reason I did stay to hear them talking..." Zzubo buzzed in reply. "I popped down here to talk to discuss my mistress with you, but when I heard her name being mentioned by Sabrina, I couldn't help but stay. I need all the help I can get in dealing with her at the moment, it's like she's out of control..."

"Oh..." Tikki stopped being irritable upon gauging the situation, and moved closer to Zzubo to put a comforting arm on her shoulder. "Well, that doesn't come as any surprise. I thought it might take more than a forced confession in front of the class for her to change her ways. I still don't quite approve with the way you went about that by the way, but considering who you're dealing with, I guess there was nothing else for it..."

"She's constantly insulting people, refuses to be nice to anyone, has a completely deluded view of the world, uses her status to get others in trouble, is self-centred to a ridiculous degree... I've worked with some hard cases before and managed to turn them around, but I'm afraid with her... I may have just reached my limit. How could I ever possibly turn such a damaged girl into a future superhero..." Zzubo wasn't trying to be impolite to Tikki by ignoring her out, she just felt a great need to vent without interruption.

Tikki gasped at the desolate bee creature before her. She was used to Zzubo being over-confident, not on the verge of giving up. "Listen, I know it seems hopeless at the moment, but you have to stick in there. None of us kwami choose who our masters and mistresses are, we simply have to deal with the hand that we're given. I've witnessed firsthand over the last year how disruptive and petulant Chloe can be, and I can't say I envy the task you have ahead. But if anyone can do it, I know you can..."

"What is it, though... that Marinette has that Chloe lacks?" Zzubo wailed suddenly, grabbing Tikki and holding her close. "Why is your mistress so well-behaved, always willing to help those in distress and is popular with every student at her school and mine... is the complete opposite? What can I possibly do with Chloe Bourgeois to make her see the light, that there can be a better way? Why are the two so different? That's why I'm here, for advice. Please... if there's anything at all you can tell me that could help, let me know..."

"U-um..." Tikki felt under an enormous amount of pressure to answer a question when she had no idea of the solution, but she did her best anyway. "Well, let's see... from what I gather, Marinette grew up in a loving family environment with two parents who adore her unconditionally, but aren't afraid to discipline her on the rare occasions she does something wrong. They might not have a lot of money, but they make the most of what they have, and are grateful for it. Because of this, I think she became a wonderful, humble, generous girl. Chloe though... I think you know where I'm going with this. I'm not saying this is entirely the reason your mistress acts out the way she does, but I find it hard to believe that it wouldn't have some kind of contributory effect."

Zzubo stepped back from Tikki, her mind all in a flutter from what she'd just been told. It was like many pieces of a puzzle had appeared in her head, and even now they were being fitted into place. As the jigsaw finished completion, something clicked, and she had her idea.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" A shocked Tikki was suddenly embraced by the now ecstatic Zzubo. "You've given me a fantastic suggestion to try on Chloe, and this time, I'll be sure not to fail! I knew coming here was a good thing to do! Because of you, I might be about to turn Chloe's life around for the better and make things much easier for me, as well. I have to go now, and put this notion into operation. I' m not sure the master would approve as it is pretty unorthodox, but if it works, it's all a means to an end, yes? Get ready for a few surprises, starting from tomorrow. See you later!"

So, without further ado, Zzubo left the stock-still Tikki behind, before the Ladybug kwami had the opportunity to ask any follow-up questions. Gliding again out of the ajar window, the bee creature found she'd departed at just the right time, as a giant slime monster was apparently attacking the city. The last thing she noticed before the bakery faded into the distance, was the ubiquitous call of 'Spots On!', and a dejected-looking Sabrina, who'd just been bustled outside in a hurry, standing in the rain as Marinette/Ladybug went off to take care of business.

As much as I feel sorry for her, Zzubo mused, as she flew in haste back to the hotel, she'll have to get used to that kind of feeling with superheroes who are called into action at the drop of a hat. Ladybug, Cat Noir... and soon, my mistress, too. I'll see to that.

...

Chloe looked around with pride at everything in their designer bags she'd bought that evening. She'd spent literally thousands of euros maxing out her credit card on new clothes at exclusive boutiques, not that anyone could appreciate their true value apart from her. It was safe to say, she'd be spoilt for choice regarding outfits at the upcoming party. She couldn't wait to get the selection process started.

Now she sat on her bed, humming with impatience, waiting for her kwami to return from wherever she'd wandered off to. It was bad enough dealing with that useless driver Jeeves all afternoon, he couldn't even find the first store she'd wanted to browse in at the first time of asking. Never mind, she would have him sacked in the morning, kids or no kids. It was really pathetic to see him cry and beg like that, after he'd been informed of her decision. Didn't the lower classes have any dignity?

Perhaps to avoid any similiar mishaps with Zzubo, the heiress mused to herself, I should get a leash for her. I wonder if she'd like a black and yellow one? I'll ask her when she eventually arrives. Of course, the final decision will be mine...

Funnily enough, that was the very moment a certain bee creature decided to gingerly flutter inside. Upon seeing her, Chloe was momentarily pleased she wasn't alone any longer, but that joy quickly drained from her face upon remembering how mad she should be at her new possession abandoning her so selfishly.

"How dare you fly off, without even notifying me where you're going, or what time you'll be back..." the blonde humphed, while raising her hands in fury. "I don't know how lax your previous owners were with your orders, but that ends right now! You're my pet, and you're living in my hotel! Whatever I say goes! Do you understand?!"

"We're not still on this, are we?" Zzubo rolled her eyes, as any thoughts the bee creature had of airing out her grievances with the heiress peacefully, rather than having to utilise her plan were quickly dashed. "I'm not your pet, I'm your kwami, and you can't just..."

"It's talk like that which is going to stop a certain insect from having any din-dins tonight!" Chloe smirked in a condescending manner, while dangling a bag of nougat. "Now, while you were wasting time sight-seeing around Paris, I've come up with a foolproof scheme how we can get back at those backstabbers and the nerdlinger! First of all, with Maritrash, we'll secretly put the result papers of an exam the class is supposed to take next week in her desk, so the teacher will find it and she'll get suspended! You can handle that part, with your weird powers. I don't care how you do it, just get it done. Next, we'll spread a rumour that 'The Class Hunk' Adrien, and 'The Class Loser' Sabrina, are dating! Both of their reputations will be ruined! For a start, you can forge a love letter, the same way you faked my handwriting on that phony confession to the teacher, and then..."

"Would you like to hear what your powers will be like, once you've transformed into a superhero?"

Zzubo's sudden declaration stopped Chloe's plotting dead in it's tracks, and for a moment the heiress just stared at the kwami, as if sensing a trick. Detecting none, she forgot all about the evil scheme she was hatching, and even the fact that the bee creature had committed the usually unpardonable sin of interrupting her mid-monologue, and quickly sat down on her duvet, all ears.

"Well, glad to see you've finally seen things my way..." She smugly replied. "So, tell me Zzubo... exactly how 'super' will I be? Even more than I am now, as hard as it is to believe, I hope?"

"Let's see..." The bee kwami settled nearby, her antenna twitching in thought. "To start with, you'll have a nice yellow and black costume..."

"Oh, you mean it'll match the colour of your new leash?"

"What?!"

"Nothing."

"...Okay. So, anyway, it'll be furry at the top, stripy, with knee-length boots and long gloves. You'll also be wearing a mask to protect your identity of course, with my comb in your hair..."

"That's your Miraculous, right? That'll be the thing that transforms me, yes?"

"Correct, Chloe! I see those hours of reading the Ladyblog have been well spent. During your metamorphosis, your hair will also grow longer, your skin will be slightly yellower, and you'll gain a pair of wings..."

"What, you mean... I'll be able to fly? That's amazing! Take that, Cat Noir! I'll be a much better helper for Ladybug in the air than that useless feline would be, running around on the ground on all fours! He might as well hang up his ring and bell now!"

"...Yes, Chloe. Please, may I continue?"

"... BUZZ BUZZ! Take that, akumatised hellspawn! There's a new heroine in town, she's even better than Ladybug and her name is..."

"CHLOE!"

"Yes, that's right, her name is Chloe... er, yes, Zzubo? Did you want something?"

"Please try not to get distracted, this is extremely important. Funnily enough though, I was just about to get to your superhero name. It will be..."

"Hang on, let me guess... SuperChloe?"

"Er no, not quite..."

"Chloe The Great?"

"Um, I don't think so..."

"Wait! Wait! I've got it... It's Chloe The Conquerer! She'll conquer all foes, and she'll conquer your heart!"

"... It's Queen Bee."

"WHAT?! But... that doesn't even have my name in it! How are people supposed to know it's me?!" (Pouts)

"Hello? Are we forgetting the whole pointof a secret identity? Your name isn't going to be in your alias, is it?! That way, no-one will be able to recognise you!"

"Y-you mean, I can't show off in front of my Daddy about how cool I am and the rest of my class about what losers they are compared to me?" (pouts again)

"... No, Chloe. I'm afraid not."

"Oh damn, I knew they'd be a catch here somewhere. Oh well, I'll be able to fly and work closely with Ladybug, that'll have to do for now, I suppose..."

"Yes, it will. Next, we move onto weapons..."

"Oh, I've been looking forward to this part. I hope it's something better than a yo-yo or a stick, anyway..."

"It's a sabre, Chloe, which is a type of slim sword. You'll be able to slice through almost anything with it. There are some exceptions, of course. I wouldn't try it on solid steel, for instance..."

"That sounds okay, I guess... but what I'm more interested in is my special attack. You know, like Lucky Charm, or Cataclysm. Tell me... what'll I be able to do to really shake my enemies up?"

"I was just about to get to that. In your case, it's called the Bee Song. Here, allow me to give you a demonstration..."

"Wha..."

No further words past Chloe's lips that day. Before she could move another muscle, Zzubo had flown over to perch herself firmly over the heiress's earlobe, and began to hum and buzz into the most relaxing tune the blonde had ever heard. She instantly felt the urge to collapse into a slumbering heap there and then, but something kept her up for now.

"You can choose how long the individual concerned sleeps for with this power..." Zzubo continued, still pressed up against Chloe's ear. "In your case, I'm thinking a very long time. I have a lot to do before tomorrow, when your new life begins, Chloe Bourgeois. I had the chance to look up the meaning of your first name while I was out by the way, and it translates as 'fresh green shoots blooming'. How apt, considering how different you'll be when this is all over. This'll be the first time a kwami will have authority over their owner, but I think, with the lessons I can teach you along the way, and the loving discipline I can administer if you continue to play up, thing'll work out fine in the end. Now rest easy, it all starts in the morning. I hope you're ready to remember the child you once were..."

Chloe felt a final hug from Zzubo as the kwami finally released herself from the heiress's head and her expensive shoes being slipped off, before she sank into the deepest sleep she'd ever experienced.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I recently lost someone very dear to me. I've been writing in dribs and drabs ever since, but today was the first time in over two weeks I was able to commit any length of time to this chapter, and I've finally finished it. Please forgive me for not answering any PM's, but as I hope you can understand, my head wasn't in the right place. Thank you for your patience. The next chapter should be considerably quicker... Crosses fingers and toes