Chapter Text
Within last few weeks, Zoe managed to acclimate in Paris. She found friends, dyed a strand of hair pink and even gained main role in a movie that her school was producing. That’s why today after class, as usual, she was practicing her role – the heroine’s of creation.
-You may hate me, but I love you and I’ll always will, even if the whole world hates you. – she read one of her lines from the script.
Suddenly the art room’s doors burst open with a bang. On their doorstep stood enraged Chloe alongside Sabrina, who was holding a bowl full of bananas. Seeing them, Zoe cringed.
-What did I said about stepping out of line? – Chloe shouted, jumping on Zoe. – Either my half-of-a-sister will stay away from the attention or else my mom gonna buy tickets to New York right now! Preferably in the luggage compartment.
Hearing Chloe’s complaints, Zoe felt that her legs became weak. She was feeling like her own thoughts were seething from rage and hatress towards herself because she apparently had took everything away from her. Zoe could feel the pain of suffering caused by just her mere existence. Because of the suddens of those emotions, she almost fell over. Her eyes were covered by black little clouds as she was trying to push this hatress out of her mind.
When she managed to calm down, she noticed that there was no sign of Chloe’s and Sabrina’s presence anymore. She noticed through corner of her eye that Marinette was approaching her.
-Are you okay? – she asked worriedly. – You didn’t look well.
-Yes, nothing happened. Chloe just scared me a little bit. – Zoe answered and smiled reassuringly. But in fact, she didn’t feel well at all. Ever since she came to Paris she started to feel that her head is full of weird memories, feelings and thoughts. Firstly she thought that they are caused by stress from moving out. But when Zoe had fit in to her surroundings and this feeling didn’t dissapear, she started to get worried about herself. All of those emotions were that strong that she sometimes even was thinking if perhaps they belong to her, but she knew well that her half sister was their owner. For some time Zoe had suspicions that for some unknown reason she was feeling Chloe’s emotions and thoughts. She wanted to talk to her about it, but when every time she was just approaching her sister she had felt hatress radiating from her, which, in addition, was received by her head like she was the one that despited herself that she just couldn’t bring herself to start the conversation. For now she was trying to control those feelings, which came to her with difficulty.
Marinette looked at Zoe with unconvinced face, but she didn’t ask any more questions. Zoe thanked her mentally: she felt bad that she was lying to Marinette, but she didn’t want to burden her with her problems. She also feared that her friend wouldn’t understand her weird ailment, which from logical point of view didn’t even make sense.
Zoe released her breath – that was not the time to self-pity. She had to practice her role, since the deadline for sending the movie to the distributor, was coming up inexorably.
Zoe was sitting in the theatre, looking at the flashing screen. The day of their movie premiere finally came. She was proud of herself as well as of the others who put all of their hearts in this production. Though it didn’t happen without certain complications…
A few days before the deadline a sudden changes in the team had been made. It has turned out that Chloe, who apparently was upset because of lack of the attention, talked out Andre to allow her to became their movie director. She herself had took over the role of the heroine of the creation and had provided many pointless alterations, such as replacing the main character with Queen Banana, giving her a cabriolet and making a Gorilla the antagonist, who trapped Adrien in the sky. The only thing Zoe could have done was watching how this circus was unfolding and notorically slam her hand on the forehead. The others weren’t impressed with her ideas either, since Marinette decided to take matters in her own hands and through the last 24 hours they managed to finish the movie, the way they wanted from the start. Even though Zoe knew that throwing away Chloe’s ideas was for the movie’s good, she still was worrying that her sister’s reaction will be very fierce.
When the movie was coming to the end, and credits rolled on the screen, Zoe suddenly felt warm in her head. She felt rage towards this ridiculous slideshow, at this ridiculous baker girl and at this ridiculous half of a sister. Zoe loudly gulped – she knew perfectly well, what will soon happen.
A few whiles later the doors to the theatre hall gaped open with noise. In its place showed up none other than Chloe Bourgeois. Zoe didn’t even had to listen what her half-sister was yelling – she felt bitterness and feeling of betrayal emanating from her by herself. The emotions were shifting in her head, they were so loud, that at some point Zoe stopped to realize where she was. But suddenly a powerful pull summoned her back to reality. She immediately sensed that the previous thoughts were shrouding with fog. She turned at Chloe’s direction – she was standing still, staring at Adrien’s tablet. Suddenly she turned around and walked out of the hall, shouting at Sabrina in the process, who was offering her a banana. Zoe bit her lips – she knew well, that Chloe’s emotions didn’t dissapear, they were in fact at the edge of explosing.
„I hope nothing bad will happen” – she thought bitterly.
Zoe ran through Paris’ streets, cursing herself for her naivety. Not long after Chloe’s fury her sister returned to the theatre hall. Though this time it wasn’t Chloe but rather Queen Banana. Not only that – she also had banana cabriolet and banana gorilla. Queen Banana went berserk and proceeded to turn everyone into bananas. Zoe almost would got transformed as well, if it wasn’t for Marinette who grabbed her by her hand and lead her through evacuation doors on the staircase. There she told her to hide while she ran out to find help. As Marinette never came back, Zoe guessed that Queen Banana must have got to her. While sitting on cold, metalic floor she heard that her akumatized sister blamed her for civilians’ sufferings. Zoe felt like smashing her head on the edge of the table – even when her sister was under akuma’s influence, this weird link between their minds wasn’t getting weak even a bit. But eventually Zoe had enough of sitting idle and struggling with thoughts. She decided that she’ll find Chloe and will try to talk some sense into her.
Zoe heard explosions in the distance – it meant that Queen Banana was close. She soon noticed the gorilla, on which head sat Queen Banana in her cabriolet. Zoe sped up and with a slide stopped in front of Akumatized Chloe who was busy with tormenting civilians.
-Chloe! – she yelled with all her strength, feeling like legs were shaking under her. – I know well that this is about me. Stop hurting innocent people, and I will surrender into your will.
Queen Banana stared at Zoe, squinting her eyes.
-Oh, fine, I promise that I’ll be good now. – she finally said cynically, spinning with her banana gun and turned another bystander into banana.
Zoe supressed a sigh. Her sister had no intention to stop whatsoever.
-You’ll never stop, will you? – she asked dissapointedly.
-You were born yesterday? – Akumatized Chloe asked. – Of course no! Banana Boom Boom, Action! – she ordered the gorilla, who swung at her with his hairy hands. Zoe covered her face, being paralyzed from below. She closed her eyes and after a short while she heard whir and smelled stench of fumes. Zoe still felt her limbs – shouldn’t she be turned into banana by now? When she still wasn’t loosing her consciousness, she dared to open her eyes – she saw Ladybug’s back, who carried her on a motorbike. A banana bullet rushed past them – through corner of her eye Zoe saw that Queen Banana was hot on their tail.
They got to the subway, blocking Queen Banana access to themself.
-You can sit there how long you want, but I won’t move from here! – her voice echoed.
Ladybug and Zoe got off the motorbike. The latter looked around nervously.
-What now? – she asked Ladybug.
-I need an extra pair of hands – answered superheroine, opening up her yoyo. – Zoe Lee, this is the Bee Miraculous.– she announced, pulling out the comb in a shape of an insect. – You will use it for the greater good.
Zoe grabbed the comb and almost squeaked when a yellow orb of energy flew out of it, which materialized into weird, flying creature. She noticed also, that the comb change its color to yellow, without black stripes.
-Welcome, my queen. – greeted her the creature.
It’s just now dawned on Zoe what was actually happening. She was about to become a superhero. And not with just any Miraculous – she was supposed to wield the Bee Miraculous, the very same which her sister once owned. At the very thought at this great honor and at potential Chloe’s reaction she felt chills running through her body.
-But Chloe used to be Queen Bee! – she started, her tongue twisting. – She’ll be furious when she’ll fin-
-That’s why you will keep your identity as a secret – Ladybug interrupted her. – And you won’t be Queen Bee, but rather a brand new, bee heroine.
-But I am not good enough! – Zoe continued fearfully. – I don’t have courage, nor strength, nor this something in general! You should pick someone else… - she added, avoiding Ladybug’s gaze.
-Listen to me, Zoe. – Ladybug started, apparently didn’t loosing confidence. – You have this thing to become a hero. I saw how you went to talk to Chloe, how you didn’t want innocent people to suffer because of her personal grundge against you. You have to believe in yourself! Of course I can find someone else, but I can clearly tell that you care deeply for your sister.
Zoe stared at the Miraculous, which she still held in her hands. She still wasn’t sure if she deserved such an honor. But when she thought about Chloe, how because of an akuma she became a monster, ready to terrorize innocent citizens, she felt sick. She knew, that she didn’t have much of a choice at this point. She loudly let out her breath and looked at Ladybug.
-Alright, I’ll help you safe Chloe.– she answered, trying to give her statement a confident tone.
-I knew that I could count on you.– said contented Ladybug. – After the mission, you will return the Miraculous to me. – she added.
Zoe nodded and wore the comb, which took on a pink and blue colors.
-To transform you have to say „Pollen, buzz on”. – the magic creature instructed her.
Zoe calmed her breath. She had to rescue her sister.
-Pollen, buzz on! – she cried.
Almost immiedately a yellow flash of light wrapped around Zoe, who felt how energy and strength was coming to her. When the light dissapeared, she noticed that she was wearing a black and yellow, latex costume that covered her whole body.
-So, what’s the plan? – she asked, ready to act as soon as possible.
-You’ll leave by this entrance. – Ladybug said, pointing at the stairs in front of her. – You’ll look for Banana Boom Boom: Chloe’s sentimonster got cataclizemed while our ride and had lost control over himself at the process. You’ll use your power, Venom, to immobilize him. – she explained, giving to Zoe a pink macaroon. – Then, you’ll hid, detransform by saying „Buzz off”, feed Pollen and transform again.
-And what about you and Chat Noir? – Zoe asked, proccesing the instructions.
-I, in the meanwhile, will take care of Queen Banana. – Ladybug answered. – I’ll try to lure her to the front of the theatre. Chat Noir should be now fighting with Banana Boom Boom, so when you’ll defeat him, go to the theatre. There you will have to distract Queen Banana, so I’ll be able to glue her hands.
-You can trust me Ladybug. – Zoe said, dashing towards appointed to her stairs.
-Wait! – Ladybug called. – What will be your new name?
Zoe stopped mid-step. Without much time, she tried to come up with something which would sound the least similar to Queen Bee.
-Vesperia. – she answered after a short while and ran out of the subway.
Vesperia managed to stung Banana Boom Boom without any struggle. Now she was waiting in an alleyway, hearing Ladybug and Chat Noir, who fought Queen Banana, getting closer. Vesperia heard Chloe snarl and Ladybug’s squeak. Fighting with an urge to jump out from her hiding place, she observed how Queen Banana was getting closer, holding Ladybug as a hostage and threatening Chat Noir. Vesperia stretched her limbs – that was this moment that she was waiting for.
She dashed out of the alleway and stood in front of Queen Banana. Her sister glanced at her with wide eyes.
-Who are you? – she asked dully.
-My name is Vesperia. – Zoe answered, regardless od the shock, that had mirrored in her mind. – I am the new, better Queen Bee. – she added with guilt. She didn’t want to offend her sister, but she had to do it for the mission’s good.
Chloe blinked and tightened her jaw in a furious grimace. Sudden wave of hatress almsost blown Vesperia away.
-How dare you to impersonate me, you… you… - furious Queen Banana stammered.- You nasty bastard!
Zoe hissed from the pain that radiated from her head. She expected that Chloe won’t be delighted with the new Bee Miraculous’ holder, but she hadn’t think that her sister’s hatress towards Ladybug as well as to her would be that strong.
-No, that’s not like that, I don’t impersonate you. – fighting for breath, she muttered incoherently. – I’m just, you know, a succsessor, you get it.
-What am I supossed to get it? That Ladybug doesn’t need me anymore? – Chloe asked enraged and without waiting for an answer pointed to Vesperia from her gun.
Barely maintaining orientation in the field, Zoe had an impression, that asside from rage she felt also a different emotion. Trying to read it, she opened her eyes wide open. She felt… sorrow and dissapointment, that her former idol abandonded her like a piece of a useless trash. But before she could react to this discovery, she felt how a banana bullet pierced through her, and a moment later the world around her faded.
Vesperia blinked. She was in the same place in which, how she thought, was a second ago. Though she knew well, that she got hit be Queen Banana’s banana. She patted her body: everything was alright with it. When she looked above herself and spotted magic ladybugs, she got an answer to her question. Queen Banana was defeated.
A few whiles later the ladybugs dissapeared and, lying a few meters away that Vesperia had remembered, Queen Banana got engulfed by black and purple smoke, that brought back Chloe. Ladybug approached her and pulled out from her yoyo a yellow and black pendant – similar to one, that Vesperia received after being akumatized into Sole Crusher.
-Chloe, this is a magical charm, that… - Ladybug started but stopped when Chloe got up and knocked the pendant ot heroine’s hand.
-I don’t want any ridiculous gifts from you! – she shouted. – And as for you. – she added, approaching Vesperia. – I am not done with you.
Vesperia cringed. She still felt anger as well as despair from loosing Bee Miraculous. Trying to stay calm she observed how Chloe entered a nearby theatre.
She barely noticed that Ladybug was getting close o her.
-What a shame, that I didn’t convince Chloe to take a magical charm – she sighed to herself – You can’t force someone to accept it but it would help her defend herself from akumas.
Vesperia silently agreed with her. If there was a way to convince Chloe to accept the magical charm… Suddenly Zoe got enlighted.
-I think i might have an idea how to convince Chloe. – she said tooking the magical charm from Ladybug’s hands. – Trust me.
-I’m afraid I don’t have any choice. – Ladybug admitted reluctantly. – But first, let’s complete the formalities. – she pointed meaningly at a dark alleyway.
Vesperia ran after Ladybug and took off the comb. Immediately in the place of a latex costume her standard clothes appeared, and the strength that she felt faded. Zoe returned the Miraculous to Ladybug, thanked her for trust and dashed out to the theatre.
In the inside she found pissed off Chloe, who demanded from Andre to send off Zoe back to New York. Zoe cleared her throat, wishing herself good luck.
-I’m not going anywhere, Chloe. – she said, gaining her sister’s attention. – I’m done with hiding in this family’s shadow.
Chloe looked at her with flame in her eyes.
-DADDY!!! – she screamed at the top of her lungs. Zoe felt how her ears buzzed from the scream and her vocal cords suffered from its volume.
-Zoe is right, Chloe. – Andre said. – You can ask for a pink limousine or a phone set with diamonds, but not for sending your orphaned sisrer away from her home.
Zoe didn’t expect that Andre would ever stand up to Chloe. Her sister probably as well, since rage that was seething from her was noticeable even without her weird ability.
-I… I… I hate you! – Chloe snapped. At the sound of these words, Zoe felt how bile rosed in her throat. In this words apart from hatress hid… harm. She sensed how her sister truly believed, that Zoe is connected to her recent problems. She bit her lips – maybe her sister suffered from the same reasons that she had as well?
-You may hate me, but I love you, and I always will, even if the whole world hates you, sister. – Zoe said, repeating one of her lines from the movie and hugged Chloe. – Maybe we are half sisters but we have the same mother. And she recently gave me-
At first, when Zoe felt how Chloe muscles sitiffened from the hug, she hopped that convincing Chloe to accept Ladybug’s magical charm will succeed. But when she was about to mention what she supposedly received from their mother, Chloe rapidly pushed Zoe away from herself.
-Oh, stop pretending that you are so wonderful and lovely! – Chloe said, full of bitterness.– You think that you’re better? Well, maybe look sometimes behind the peak of your nose! – she practically washed out the last words, choking from incoming tears. Zoe concentreated on her sister’s overwhelming emotions – she sensed how in last weeks Chloe’s emotions were very unstable. Sudden attacks of rage, fear, sorrow and even joy were for Zoe very familiar. She barely restrained from scream, when she figured out, what Chloe blamed for this state. Or rather who, since this person was Zoe in person. She suddenly felt sympathy towards her sister, who was convinced, that she was the reason of her weird moods.
-So, what my mother gifted you? – Chloe’s rough voice brought Zoe back. With shaking hands, she pulled out the magical charm. Chloe immediately yanked it out from her hand.
-I’m taking it only for you to stop bothering me. – Chloe announced and left the building.
Zoe watched her sister go. She deciced that today she must talk with her sister about their weird ailment. She couldn’t put off this conversation anymore – she couldn’t let her sister suffer any longer.
Zoe was standing in front of the doors to Chloe’s room. She totally didn’t know how to put into words what she wanted to say to her, but she knew, that there was no point in postpointing this conversation any longer.
„Either now or never” – she thought bitterly, knocking on the door.
Taking Chloe’s grunt as a permission to enter, Zoe pulled the handle. Behind the doors she spotted Chloe staring in the ether with a dull glaze. Though on a sound of creaking doors, she momentarily turned her gaze to her sister’s side.
-It’s you again. – Chloe commented. – You think I’m dumb? I knew fully well, that this pendant was from Ladybug, not from mother.
Zoe blinked. She didn’t expect Chloe to find the truth that quickly. She shook her head though – that wasn’t the reason why she came there – and sat at the edge of Chloe’s bed.
-Actually, I wanted to talk with you about something. – she started, lowering her head at her feet.
-So talk. – Chloe answered her harshly.
Zoe felt how her throat tightened into a narrow tube. She felt how words flew out of her head, how every cell in her body was stressing at the very thought about what was about to happen. But there was no turning back – she finally interrupted the awkward silence.
-For some time, to be more specific since I came here – she started slowly, choosing words carefully. – I feel various emotions, thoughts and memories that don’t belong to me.
-And what about it? – Chloe asked annoyed.
-I have an impression that those emotions are yours. – Zoe admitted, feeling how tension leaves her body like an air from burst balloon. – And I also have an impression, that you feel the same.
Chloe deeply sighed. Zoe saw through corner of her eye that her sister was playing with her fingers.
-You’re right. – she comfirmed. – Since you arrived here, there was no day when I would have clear mind! I always feel something that’s not mine, but… but… - she stopped, thinking for appropriate words.
-But you have a feeling that they maybe belong to you? – Zoe suggested softly.
Chloe nodded.
-Alright, but do you have an idea, what is the reason of this? – she asked.
Zoe was expecting that her sister would ask a similar question, so she had searched the internet far and wide about this ailment.
-The only thing that I found on the internet was that twins oftenly have a special bond. – she answered. – But I don’t think they had something like that on mind. Not to mention that we are not twins.
Chloe loudly sighed.
-But don’t worry! - Zoe quickly added. – We’ll find the reason why we feel this way, and who knows, maybe even a treatment!
Chloe glanced at her – in her eyes reflected the light of hope.
-I hope that we will succeed. – she said and turned her head towards the night sky.
Zoe smiled weakly and quietly left the room. She also had hope to find a sollution to their problems.