[Narrator's POV]

Pollen sits on top of Chloe's dresser, chewing on a slab of honeycomb toffee. Chloe groans as she looks in the mirror. Her eyes are red and puffed from crying and she has hug, purple bags. Plus, she looks paler than usual...and why does she feel so weak?

"Chloe, you're exerting yourself." Pollen says. "You've been patrolling every spare second this past week and now this whole Alya situation has you stressing out. You should stay home today."

"I have to go to school. I have to see my friends, make sure they're safe...I didn't get a chance to see them last night." Chloe argues as she pulls her hair back into a ponytail.

Pollen shakes her head. "You can get sick if you push your body too hard you know. It'll shut down from all the stress and you'll fall ill. At least then you'd finally get some rest, though..."

"I'm doing just the same as all the other heroes." Chloe says stubbornly. "I'm not any weaker than them."

Chloe takes one step and faints, falling limp on the floor face first.

"My, my..." Pollen says as she looks down at Chloe's body.

.

Alya stares at the ground as she walks into school. She can't look at this place without envisioning last night. She's can't look the students she endangered in the eye as if she did nothing wrong...

"Alya."

Alya looks up to see Nino frowning worriedly.

"Nino, I'm sorry for running out on you last night." Alya says.

"Never mind that," Nino pulls Alya into a hug. "Are you okay?"

Alya shakes her head, clinging onto her boyfriend tightly. "No..." She says sadly. "Do you think my activities are causing everyone trouble? Do you think I attract too much attention with my Ladyblog?"

Nino remains silent. The honest answer is yes, but he doesn't blame Alya at all and he doesn't want her to fret over this.

"Alya, whatever happened...you can talk to me." Nino says gently.

And so, Alya tells Nino she had gone to record the fight for her Ladyblog last night and she recounts all that Queen Bee had said to her.

"She shouldn't have blown up at you." Nino says.

"But the things she said were all true." Alya replies.

Nino crosses his arms. "She still shouldn't yell at you."

Alya smiles weakly and kisses Nino on the cheek. "Thanks for listening, Nino."

"E-Excuse me..." Says a small voice.

Alya and Nino turn to see Nathaniel approaching them timidly.

"Oh, hey Nathaniel. What's up?" Alya greets.

"It seems Chloe's not here today." Nathaniel says. "You two were at the party with her last night, right? Do you know if she's mad at me for not showing?"

"Sorry I dunno," Nino replies. "But I'm sure she wouldn't be mad. You were being held captive in the school, it's not your fault."

"Yeah...it's my fault." Alya says guiltily. "I'm so sorry I put everyone through that."

Nathaniel looks at Alya uneasily. "C-Could I ask...what do those people want from you?"

"I don't know..." Alya answers.

The three walk into class to find that Chloe isn't the only one who is absent.

"Where are Adrien and Marinette?" Asks Nino. "Class is about to start."

"Well Marinette is always late but I don't know about Adrien. Maybe they're off making out somewhere." Alya says.

.

"Nathalie..." Adrien says weakly. "I...I don't think I can go to school today. Yesterday really freaked me out."

Nathalie looks curious by this. "I assumed you would feel an urgent need to see your friends and make sure they are okay. I thought you enjoyed school."

"W-Well luckily my close friends, Marinette, Chloe, Nino and Alya, they were all at the party with me last night so I know they are okay." Adrien excuses.

"Oh?" Nathalie says. "I didn't know anyone else would be there besides yourself and Miss Bourgeois..."

"Er, so anyway, do you think you could call the school?" Adrien presses on. "I-I need some recovery and relaxation, and I want to know for sure that those bad people are locked up before I go back."

"Of course, Adrien." Nathalie replies.

"Thanks!" Adrien says before rushing into his room. "Plagg, claws out!"

Once Adrien has transformed into Cat Noir, he leaps out his window and heads towards the city jail. When he arrives, he finds Ladybug already there waiting.

"My Lady," Cat Noir says as he kisses her hand.

Ladybug smiles. "Sorry for asking you to skip school. I just wanted to see these guys as soon as possible."

"I understand. Nothing wrong with a well-deserved day off anyway." Cat Noir says.

"My parents think I'm sick so we should make this quick in case they check up on me and discover my body to be made out of pillows." Ladybug replies.

Sabrina's father, Roger, is waiting inside for Ladybug and Cat Noir. He is the officer that Ladybug knows best so he agreed to let them visit.

"What can you tell us about these people?" Ladybug asks as he leads them to the cell.

"Well, it's an odd group I'll tell you that. We got a bunch of homeless people, some common thieves and even a couple big time criminals." Roger explains. "They got no connections with each other and no motive that we can think of. It's not uncommon for the homeless to commit small crimes in order to get into jail for some free food and shelter but why would they participate in a terrorist attack on a school? As for the criminals, well, it's possible they were looking for a ransom when they attempted to kidnap Alya Cesaire but then why hold those kids hostage instead of taking them? And why repeatedly target Alya when there are kids like Chloe Bourgeois and Adrien Agreste in this city; they're parents would pay anything."

"You're right, it doesn't make sense." Ladybug says. "What about that one man that suddenly got so confused and scared. He said he didn't know where he was or who those people are."

"He's a nutjob as far as I'm concerned. I reckon he's just trying to weasel out of the jail time, but at least he's talking. The rest of the group has been dead silent since they got here. It's as if they've just shut down." Roger replies. "The talkative one, his name is Austin Bradley. Steals alcohol from time to time, probably drugs too. We've tested him of course but with the stuff he's saying, I'm still not convinced he's sober. Here's his cell, ten minutes is all I can give you. I'll be waiting in the hall."

Ladybug and Cat Noir walk into the small jail cell to find Austin sitting on his bed with his head in his heads. He really is a sickly looking man, tall and bony with thinning hair and pale skin. Clearly an alcoholic.

Austin looks up slowly, his eyes widening at the sight of the two heroes. "You're that crazy chick from before!"

"Ladybug, and this is Cat Noir." Ladybug says.

"Yeah, I, I've heard of you but I'd never seen ya." Austin replies. "Y-You're a hero, aren't you? So can you help me out of here? I swear I haven't done nothing wrong. I don't know what they're talking about!"

"We can't help you without proof." Cat Noir says. "If you haven't done anything wrong then why were you doing holding those kids at gunpoint?"

"I told you I don't know! I don't remember that—I don't remember anything!" Austin says frantically.

"Okay, okay, we believe you." Ladybug replies gently. "But surely you can tell us something. What can you remember?"

"I...I was sitting on my couch at home one minute, then the next I wake up in that school with you almost breaking my arm off." Austin answers.

"...That's it?" Cat Noir says. "That's all, really?"

Austin's eyes wonder off and he remains silent.

"Austin, you need to tell us everything." Ladybug says sternly.

"I do remember one last thing, but you wouldn't believe me if I told you." Austin says, keeping his eyes down as he twiddles his thumbs. "It doesn't even matter really. Doesn't make any sense."

"We're here to listen." Ladybug replies.

"Before I blacked out, I guess I was tripping pretty hard. I saw some kind of tropical angel, the other's think I was hallucinating but I could have sworn it was real! It was...gorgeous. An entrancing rainbow of blues, greens and yellows. Like I said, it's not important to the story really. I just can't get over it..." Austin says.

"It could be important," Cat Noir replies. "Maybe someone slipped you something."

"I'll tell ya, I've taken some crazy stuff but nothing's ever made me black out and join a criminal gang!" Austin says.

"Alright times up." Roger speaks up.

"Thankyou for speaking to us, Austin." Ladybug says before turning to leave.

"So we're a little closer to solving the mystery, right?" Cat Noir says as they stroll outside.

"If you're referring to Austin's hallucination, I don't think drugs is the answer to this riddle. It's like he said, how could any kind of substance make you do such a specific crime? Not to mention that he was already an alcoholic, possibly drug addict, so maybe it was his own doing not someone slipping him something." Ladybug says.

"Maybe it's something that we've never heard of before, something that makes you more susceptible to suggestion." Cat Noir conspires. "Someone slips them the drug, and then orders them to kidnap Alya. It makes sense why Roger said those other criminals are acting so dead and quiet, because no one has ordered them to do anything!"

"I think you've been reading too many comic books." Ladybug says with a smile. "If that's the case then why is Austin suddenly not drugged?"

"Hmmm...." Cat Noir snaps his fingers with realisation. "It was right after he looked into your eyes! Your exquisite beauty must have snapped him out of the trance."

Ladybug laughs. "Now you're just being stupid!"

"No, it all makes sense! They were blinded by bees up until that point. When you pinned Austin to the ground, he was the first and only one to look straight at you." Cat Noir continues with a cheeky grin. "Quick, Ladybug, go back in there and charm all of those other criminals!"

"Stop!" Ladybug giggles, giving Cat Noir a playful push. "I'm taking my beauty and going home. See you at patrol, okay?"

"See you then, Bugaboo." Cat Noir blows Ladybug a kiss and waves as she swings away.

.

*Le time skip

.

"Chloe, you're not going out. You fainted this morning when you tried to walk." Pollen says.

"I was just dehydrated." Chloe insists stubbornly.

Pollen clicks her tongue disapprovingly.

"It is crucial that I go out." Chloe continues. "I totally ran out on my teammates last night. I have to tell Ladybug and Cat Noir what I overheard."

"You didn't overhear anything." Pollen says. "I'm sorry but the stuff you say is pointless."

"Alya's family could be in danger and I think I know why, that's not pointless." Chloe replies.

"You know what I'm talking about—Your silly clone theory." Pollen says. "I think you've been reading too many comic books."

Chloe frowns. "You've been reading too many comic books," She mimics in an annoying voice. "Rena Rouge can clone herself can't she? For an immortal, magical, alien-bee creature you sure do have a closed mind."

"I'm just rational!" Pollen argues.

"Pollen, stripes on!" Chloe demands, ignoring her kwami.

Chloe's gold hair comb turns black with five yellow stripes, and sprouts two black antennae. Bright, golden light shines from her body until she has emerged as Queen Bee.

Queen Bee sways slightly, her head pounding. She quickly grabs a bottle of water before leaping out her bedroom window.

.

"Cat Noir and I went to visit that gang in jail today." Ladybug tells her teammates.

"And?" Rena Rouge prompts.

Cat Noir shakes his head. "Useless. They're all silent and braindead, completely lifeless, expect one of them but his word isn't exactly reliable. He's been known to abuse substances."

"Is Queen Bee coming today?" Rena Rouge questions. "She seemed to have a pretty good grasp on what those guys wanted."

"Maybe she is still mad at us..." Carapace says glumly.

"No, there she is!" Ladybug says, pointing ahead.

Queen Bee lands on top of the roof to join her team. She puffs and takes a large glug of water from her plastic bottle. Cat Noir raises an eyebrow.

"What?" Queen Bee says. "Staying hydrated is important."

"You don't look too well—" Cat Noir starts.

"I'm fine!" Queen Bee snaps.

Carapace shifts back fearfully, hiding behind Rena Rouge. Queen Bee heaves a sigh.

"I'm not angry at you, Carapace. I'm sorry for losing it yesterday. I shouldn't have talked to a civilian like that..." Queen Bee grips her arm guiltily.

"I'm sure Alya doesn't hold it against you," Rena Rouge assures her. "You're probably right about everything."

"Well I haven't come to yell this time, I've come to talk." Queen Bee says. "I only heard a small conversation but I've been putting pieces together."

"Tell us." Ladybug replies intently.

"I heard them saying that they expected Alya to come for her friends so we know for sure that they attacked the school to get to her. Then one of them suggested to go to her home and threaten her family instead, but another member waved off the idea. Maybe it was too risky, maybe they are getting sick of chasing around Alya, but their reasoning was interesting. One of them said 'there are other ways to reach the heroes'. That suggests that they are trying to get to us through Alya because they think she has a connection to us." Queen Bee explains.

"The Ladyblog..." Rena Rouge says, her heart pounding.

Queen Bee nods solemnly.

"We have to put Alya and her family into hiding or witness protection or something!" Carapace says urgently.

"We don't know for sure that they're in danger, Queen Bee said that the attackers were hesitant about continuing to target Alya." Cat Noir reasons. "Plus, they are all in jail now."

"There's more." Queen Bee speaks up. "But...you might not believe me."

"You need to tell us everything!" Rena Rouge says.

"We're listening to you, Bee." Cat Noir encourages.

"The way they spoke was weird," Queen Bee replies. "They never used collective terms like 'we' or 'us', only 'I'. Sure, they could only be in this for themselves but why would they openly express that to their team. Sometimes they even finished each other's sentences and spoke in sync. And then Rena Rouge cloned herself and it hit me—clones! Sure, they don't look like each other but what about those creepy siblings in horror movies that speak in unison."

Ladybug puts a hand on her chin, her eyebrows furrowed. "But they aren't related, they have no connections whatsoever...What you're describing sounds more like a collective mind than clones to me."

Cat Noir's eyes light up. "Like the Mind Flayer from Stranger Things!"

"Or a bee hive. You know, something that actually exists in the real world." Ladybug says.

Cat Noir pouts.

"Well, they're humans not bees." Queen Bee says, crossing her arms. "It's most likely that they are in some kind of weird cult."

"Mind Flayer, bee hive, cult—either way, there's one mastermind behind it all isn't there? The queen bee." Rena Rouge replies.

"You mean their leader might still be out there?" Carapace panics.

Ladybug looks at Rena Rouge worriedly. "Maybe we should reconsider that witness protection..."