Pretty ^

[Narrator's POV]

The car door opens and out steps a fashionable woman wearing expensive designer clothes, using a hand to gracefully flick aside her short, blonde hair as she does so.

Queen Bee's eyes widen with shock. "...Mom?" She whispers shakily.

Cat Noir's heart lurches at the sight of the woman. He immediately takes Queen Bee by the hand and pulls her away.

"M-My mom...That's my mom!" Queen Bee says, her eyes shimmering with tears.

"I know, Chloe, I know. What's she doing in Paris? Did you know she was coming?" Cat Noir hisses.

Queen Bee sniffs, her tears beginning to overflow down her cheeks. "I...I don't know..." She whimpers as she wipes her face.

Cat Noir's chest aches. He slowly pulls Queen Bee into a comforting embrace.

"Are you okay?" Cat Noir asks softly as she strokes her head.

"I don't know..." Queen Bee repeats.

"What's going on?" Rena Rouge asks as she and Carapace jog over.

"Don't worry about Bee I've got her, go help out Ladybug. She looks like she's struggling." Cat Noir answers.

"Did that woman make Bee cry?" Rena Rouge says heatedly.

"Leave the citizen alone, I don't want to deal with her right now." Cat Noir replies, holding Queen Bee protectively. "Just—Just get her away, please!"

Audrey, Chloe's mother, had been too busy chatting on the phone to pay her any attention...as usual.

"I've got to go, I think these people expect me to talk to them." Audrey says into her cell phone. "I'll call you later, ta ta."

As soon as she hangs up, Audrey narrows her cold, blue eyes at Ladybug. She looks as though she has a lot to say and yet she just rests her hand on her hip expectantly until Ladybug speaks up.

"Er, are you alright ma'am?" Ladybug asks.

"Clearly." Audrey answers shortly.

Ladybug shifts awkwardly. "That was a close call just now—"

"Tell me, what exactly are you supposed to be?" Audrey questions as she looks Ladybug up and down.

Ladybug double-blinks in surprise. "I-I'm Ladybug, protector of Paris."

"Well I'm Audrey Bourgeois, wife of the Mayor of Paris. So what business you have wasting my time, I have no idea." Audrey says, jabbing a finger at Ladybug's chest.

Ladybug draws a sharp breath. This is Chloe's mother? The woman who walked out on her and broke her heart...

Ladybug's fingers curl in angrily as she straightens her stance. "You shouldn't be on your phone while you're driving, it's reckless and frankly, idiotic. Not only are you endangering yourself but your endangering others. As the hero of this city, you're lucky that I'm not dragging you to jail!"

Audrey gasps in offense. It is then that Carapace and Rena Rouge join the scene.

"We're terribly sorry, ma'am, my colleague is just extremely worried for your safety." Carapace apologises as he pulls Ladybug back by the shoulders.

Rena Rouge eyes Audrey sceptically. "Perhaps we should properly introduce ourselves. We are the heroes of this city, Paris' beloved protectors—Ladybug, Cat Noir, Carapace, Queen Bee and myself, Rena Rouge." She announces proudly. "You ought to respect us."

"Tch. If that were the case I wouldn't be living in one of the finest cities of the world, I would go join the circus." Audrey says as she slides back into her car. She turns to the heroes through her open window with a fake smile. "But I'll tell you what, how about when I get into the Mayor's office I look up a nice freak show for you all to join?"

With that, she speeds away to leave the heroes in a cloud of exhaust.

Carapace coughs as he waves the smog out of his face.

Rena Rouge huffs and crosses her arms. "What a snobbish witch!"

"Yeah, great job at public relations guys." Carapace says sarcastically. "Heroes are supposed to be kind and mature, no matter what."

"What was she talking about, the Mayor's office?" Rena Rouge rants, ignoring Carapace. "Is she planning to take over our city?"

"That was Audrey Bourgeois." Ladybug says, her eyebrows furrowed. "But the last I heard she had disappeared from Paris, calling herself the wife of the Mayor is quite a statement."

Rena Rouge's expression softens as she turns to look at Queen Bee, but she and Cat Noir are gone.

"Why don't we call it a night?" Carapace suggests.

"I think that's a good idea." Ladybug agrees.

"But I don't wonna go home we still haven't done anything useful!" Rena Rouge whines.

"Actually, I've thought of something useful you can do without the mask." Ladybug says with a smile.

"Ooo secret mission, alright!" Rena Rouge replies. "Let's go!"

.

Cat Noir had taken Queen Bee home where she can dwell in solitude.

"Stripes off."

Cat Noir watches Chloe's transformation for the first time, feeling the familiar shattering of magic.

"It's weird how I can know it's you and yet somewhere in the back of my mind I still doubt it until the illusion breaks." He says.

Chloe looks up into Cat Noir's bright green eyes. She understands what he means; his gaze feels comforting and homely even though her mind tells her she is looking into the eyes of a stranger.

"Can I see you?" Chloe asks.

"Claws in." Cat Noir orders.

Chloe shields her eyes from the green light as he transforms into Adrien. Plagg immediately comes flying out with a devilish grin.

"Oh Pollen!" He calls.

Adrien hears a small groan and out from behind Chloe floats a little yellow kwami.

"Hello, Plagg." She greets dully.

"Why so formal, Polly? Haven't you missed me?" Plagg teases as he squeezes Pollen into a hug.

"Pfft—Polly?" Chloe snickers.

Pollen's furrowed brows twitch with agitation. Her fuzz frizzes up as Plagg gives her a noogie.

"Maybe I should bring round Plagg more often." Adrien says.

"No thankyou." Pollen declines, shoving Plagg off her. "This cat is even more troublesome than Trixx... I already have one child to look after." Pollen's eyes flicker to Chloe.

"Hey!" Chloe snaps, crossing her arms childishly. "You're not my mother!"

Chloe pauses. Her arms fall to her side as she is reminded of the current situation.

"Do you think she's just visiting Paris?" Adrien questions. "Or maybe...do you think she'd visit you?"

Chloe places a hand over her pounding heart. To see her mother again would be....amazing, right?

Just then, Chloe's butler knocks on the door.

"Madam, your mother is here to see you..." He says. "She and your father are in the lounge room."

Chloe looks at Adrien anxiously, who gently grips her hand to calm her.

"We'll go together." Adrien says.

Chloe exhales a shaky breath. "Okay, let's go."

The two leave Chloe's bedroom and slowly make their way down the hall to one of the hotel's spare rooms, which is used as a family room.

"You—You can't just show up here after all these years!" Andre Bourgeois says stressfully.

"I was being suffocated, Andre. I needed to go out into the world and discover myself—but after all these years, I've discovered that who I am is a loving mother. How can you kick me out of my own home when our little Chloe needs me here!" Audrey replies dramatically. "Are you going to deny our daughter a mother?"

Andre sighs in defeat. Adrien crosses his arms, clearly unconvinced. Everyone knows Andre would do anything to make Chloe happy, Audrey is probably just using that against him. Chloe, however, seems to be touched. Her eyes shimmer with tears as she pushes the door open to greet her parents.

"Daddy..." Chloe says before slowly turning to Audrey. "M-Mommy?"

"Awe, Chloekins!" Audrey exclaims as she throws her arms around Chloe. "Come here my beautiful, beautiful little girl. I've missed you so much darling."

Chloe slowly reaches up to hug her mother. "I...missed you too." She says as she snuggles into the crook of Audrey's neck.

Andre smiles sadly as he watches. "Isn't it wonderful? Your mother's home!"

Chloe pulls away to look up at her mom. "You'll be staying here?"

Audrey looks at Andre, who crosses his arms and gives her a nod. She then turns back to Chloe with a big smile. "Of course my little honey bear! There's no place I'd rather be."

Adrien scoffs. It is then that Audrey notices him lingering in the doorway.

"Could it be? Adrikins!" Audrey gasps and squeezes Adrien into a hug.

She's everything that Chloe used to be... Adrien thinks, frowning uncomfortably. I'd almost forgotten how annoying this kind of attention was.

"Aw, I haven't seen you in years my little Adrikins!" Audrey says.

"Since you abandoned your family and disappeared from Paris, yeah, I suppose it's been a while." Adrien retorts.

Audrey freezes up for a split second before smiling awkwardly and patting Adrien on the head. "Awe, come on, don't be like that little kitten. I know you've missed me, it's be nothing but heartbreak being without my family all these years!"

Adrien recoils. "Don't call me kitten."

That is an affectionate name that his lady calls him, one that brings him warmth and love that he would not want to be ruined by this cold-hearted woman.

Audrey giggles. "I suppose you have grown up into a handsome young man now. And I can't believe after all these years you and Chloe are still best friends! Dare I say more..." Audrey brings a hand to her mouth and winks.

"Mom!" Chloe intervenes. "Adrien has his own girlfriend now."

Audrey puts her hands on her hips as he turns to her daughter. "Well that won't do."

"You know what, it's getting late. I'm gonna go." Adrien says. "I'll see you tomorrow, Chlo."

Adrien could not have gotten out of there faster, hurrying his way into a spare room where he transforms into Cat Noir and makes his way home.

.

.

[Adrien's POV]

I stretch as I walk out into the dining room, expecting to have my usual family breakfast with dad.

"You'll never guess what happened last night," I say. "Chloe's mother ca—"

I freeze, for sitting there at the table with my father is none other than Audrey Bourgeois.

"Morning Adrikins!" She says, wiggling her fingers as some sort of wave.

I slump down into the seat on the far opposite end of the table. "Morning." I grumble. "What are you doing here?"

"Of course the first thing to do after coming back to Paris is catch up with Gabey-Wabey!" Audrey says, throwing her arms around my dad.

"G...Gabey...Wabey?" I repeat, too shocked and repulsed to even laugh.

"Don't you know we've been besties ever since we were iddie biddie toddlers?" Audrey replies.

Dad's expression strains with annoyance as Audrey rubs her cheek against his. It's the spitting image of Chloe and I... I'm so glad I managed to change her before it was too late. This could have been my future.

Dad carefully takes hold of Audrey's wrist and unwraps her arms from his neck. "I must say, you haven't changed one bit, Dree..." He says dully.

Audrey smiles brightly as if that was a heartfelt compliment. "Aw, I missed you too Gabey-Poo."

This time I can't help but snort with laughter. My dad shoots me a glare and I immediately clear my throat to recompose myself. It is then that Nathalie walks into the room. She walks up to my father, files in hand, as if on auto-piolet. It is her daily routine after all. When she reaches the table, she stops suddenly, her eyes narrowing.

"Audrey...what are you doing here?" She asks unpleasantly. "Last I heard you abandoned your family and disappeared from Paris."

Ha. She sounds like me. I've never seen Nathalie show this much emotion before, Audrey must really get on her nerves to be able to break that stony expression.

"Such a scary face! What are you gonna do? Shoot beams at me with your glasses?" Audrey elbows my dad as she giggles. "I'm here to visit my best friend of course. Why you're here, I have no idea."

Nathalie tenses up in annoyance. Dad places a gentle hand on Nathalie's arm to calm her. She blinks as if refocusing on her task and turns to face my dad, completely ignoring Audrey.

"Good morning sir—"

"Pfft—Sir? Why so formal, Natty?" Audrey teases as she pinches Nathalie's cheek. "As stoic and bland as ever, I see."

Nathalie swiftly whacks Audrey's hand away from her face before continuing calmly as if nothing happened.

"I have the papers ready for our partnership with that modelling business." She says as she places the files on the table. "Please fill them out and return them to me so I can organise a meeting with the stakeholders."

Audrey peers at the paperwork with pursed lips. "Hmmm?"

"Thankyou, Nathalie, good work." My dad replies. "You should take some time off today for yourself."

"That's quite alright sir. There is still much to help with around here." Nathalie says.

Audrey brings a hand to her mouth and scoffs. "Oh I see...Even after her death, you're still serving Zara like a dog—"

SLAP!

Nathalie had whirled round and slapped Audrey so hard across the face, she goes toppling off her chair. Nathalie flicks aside her fringe, which had fallen astray in the motion, and straightens out her jacket. She adjusts her glasses coolly as she glares down at Audrey.

"And you are still drooling over Gabriel like a dog." She says.

I can't help but grin in excitement, my eyes sparkling with admiration. Nathalie is secretly awesome?!!

Audrey grits her teeth angrily "Why you—"

"Please excuse me, sir." Nathalie says, bowing respectfully to my father. "I have important work to do."

"H-Hey, come back here!" Audrey growls, shaking her fist as Nathalie casually walks away.

"Audrey..." Dad speaks up. "I know we have history, and usually I will give you the benefit of the doubt...but this time you have stepped out of line."

Audrey huffs as she gets up off the ground. "Are you serious? She just slapped me! I was only playing around. Honestly, what has everyone so worked up about little miss Zara Vogel-Devenir?"

I hate hearing my mother's name from her mouth. She speaks it with such disrespect and distaste...

"That's Zara Agreste to you. My beloved wife, as she will always be." My dad says, his voice low and course. "I think it best for you to leave now, Audrey. As you can see, I have work to do," Dad gestures to the paperwork that Nathalie had given him. "And this is also an important time of day for me, as it is allocated to having breakfast with my, and Zara's, beloved son."

Audrey turns to me as if suddenly remembering that I'm in the room. "Of course, there's nothing more important than spending time with your children!" She says, smiling sweetly.

"You would know..." I mutter bitterly.

I cross my arms and turn away, just to make sure that she knows I'm unconvinced. With my dad, Chloe's dad and Chloe herself all playing nice, someone around here has to hold a grudge. Man, I'm thankful for Nathalie slapping her. I've known Audrey for less than a day and I can't stand her—Wait...does that mean she has have some kind of history with Nathalie too?

I look back towards my father to see that Audrey has already left, thank god.

"Hey, Dad, what was that between Audrey and Nathalie?" I ask curiously.

Dad sighs as he gets out a pen to begin his paperwork. "We all went to high school together, you know. Believe it or not, Andre was quite the 'jock' as you would say. A popular, sporty meat-head that was always chasing after Audrey. She and I of course were childhood friends. I was more book smart and creative. I think Audrey only wanted to leach off my success, but then Andre went into politics to impress her with his power. Anyway, didn't matter to me...I only had eyes for Zara. She was amazingly talented and intelligent, and beautiful! And her best friend was none other than Nathalie Sancoeur; they were as close as sisters..."

"What? Really? But—But Nathalie's never talked about mom before!" I say in surprise. "And she's so...so...not friendly."

Dad chuckles. "Believe it or not she was quite spirited back in the day. I mean, you know how loyal she is, and you've just witnessed her short temper. She would have done anything for Zara. But, when Zara passed...that spirit was broken." My father lowers his eyes sadly, his pen pausing on the paper. "She insisted helping me around the house and with my work and especially taking care of you...she wanted the best for you, Adrien. But spending all that time here obstructed her own life, so I hired her as my personal assistant to pay her for her efforts."

"Woah...I feel kinda bad for underappreciating her." I say glumly.

"It's alright, she clearly isn't one for displaying her emotions anyway and as you've seen, Zara is a touchy subject." Dad replies, taking a swig of his coffee. "You should be more worried about getting to school on time."

"Ah!" I shoot up from my seat and grab a waffle off the platter on the table. "See ya Dad!" I shout as I run from the building.

.

As soon as I get to school, I tell Marinette, Alya and Nino all about my morning.

"Woahoho! Nathalie straight up slapped her?" Alya exclaims excitedly. "That's awesome! I wish I could have done it."

"What do you have against Chloe's mom?" Nino asks with a cocked eyebrow.

Alya averts her eyes sheepishly, no doubt thinking of the disrespect Audrey showed us last night on patrol.

"She's a lousy mother, of course!" Alya excuses. "She abandons Chloe and then just shows up one day as if nothing happened? As if I'd forgive her!"

"Still, that's so sad to hear about Nathalie's past..." Marinette says sorrowfully. "I wonna bake her a cupcake."

I can't help but smile at that cute remark. "You're so sweet, princess."

"Man, Nathalie's way cooler than I thought she was. In fact, she kinda reminds me of myself a little." Alya says complacently. "It's just one thing after another!"

"What does that mean?" I question.

"Oh," Alya says as if suddenly remembering something. "Marinette asked me to trace the IP address of the Bird Blog so that—you...could learn more about your mother."

Alya's eyes flicker to Nino and I understand. Ladybug had asked her to trace the IP address of the Bird Blog so that we could get a lead on Le Paon.

"You did that for me, princess?" I say as I hug Marinette. "That means a lot, you guys."

Alya looks back to me and continues, with her story more believable it should be fine to talk about in front of Nino.

"Well, I got the email address of the person who created the blog," She says.

"And who does it belong to?" Asks Marinette.

"Haven't you guessed?" Alya replies. "Nathalie Sancoeur."

.

.

.

Bet you thought it was gonna be Adrien's mom returning? Ha, I'm such a tease. Audrey Bourgeois'' name is so close to Andre that I thought maybe Adrien's mom is actually called something closer to Gabriel. I was gonna make Chloe's mum more professional, like she put work before her family, but as I wrote her character just unravelled into this annoying, childish woman ahahahaha oh well.

By the way, Vogel-Devenir is a last name I made up as well. See, Dupain-Cheng is comprised of two things—Dupain, French for 'bread', and Cheng, Chinese for 'to make'. Yeah, Marinette's name literally means to make bread. So, I made Zara half-half too. Devenir is French for 'become' and Vogel is both Dutch and German for 'bird' so I guess you can choose what her other heritage is. But do you like what I did there?

This next part is a spoiler:

So in season 2 Queen Bee gets akumatised and turns into Queen Wasp, a part of a trilogy known as "The Battle of Queens" featuring two other villains, Malediktor and Style Queen.

Now, Malediktor is obviously Andre Bourgeois, as the name Malediktor has close connections with the term dictator and the villain is seen to be wearing the Mayor's sash. It's Style Queen that I have a problem with because the entire fandom is raving about it being Marinette. In the picture above we can see that Style Queen is much taller than Queen Wasp. As well as this, with Chloe and Andre being akumatised wouldn't it make more sense for the third villain to be Audrey? I always imagined Chloe's mother being, you know, a stylish queen XD It is a trilogy after all, so you'd think all the characters would relate. Idk that's just what I reckon.