Chapter Text
The video flickered to life, revealing Alya Cesaire's face.
"Hey there, guys," Alya said, far less chipper than usual. "The Ladyblog is here with the scoop on yesterday's incident. Usually I'd have the whole Miraculous Team giving an interview, but... we've decided to just give Honeybee the floor and let her explain."
With that, she moved out of frame. Behind her, one could see a living room. Likely Alya's. It was empty, except for Honeybee on the couch.
The camera moved closer, refocusing as well. Soon it was just Honeybee in frame. The Hero took a deep breath before she spoke.
"I am disappointed," Honeybee said. "And furious. Because of you, citizens of Paris. We've seen the news reports. We've heard you talk. None of you have asked for us to explain. Nor have you asked Chloé Bourgeois for her side of the story. And I would like to have her here to tell it, but you jackals have barricaded the hotel, and we can't approach without someone saying something. So we came here alone to tell you what happened yesterday."
There was a faint buzzing sound, but it disappeared with a calming breath. Fixing the camera with a glare, she started again.
"Hawkmoth Akumatized Chloé's parents," Honeybee said. "They were powerful enough that our Team needed more help, and when Ladybug went to retrieve Arashi, Hawkmoth managed to steal the rest of the Miraculous from their hiding spot. Then he went to Le Grand Paris.
"He talked to Chloé," she continued. "He confronted her on her balcony and told her that he would let her parents go if she joined him. That he would let her borrow the Tiger Miraculous until she could steal the Bee back from me. And then she could help him as Queen Bee, since Ladybug had abandoned and replaced her."
She paused, letting that information sink in.
"Can you imagine how terrified she must have been?" Honeybee asked. "Not only was her father being held hostage against her, but she was cornered on her balcony by a Supervillain. I mean, a grown man can overpower a teenage girl in most circumstances! Toss in the fact that the Miraculous makes you stronger and more agile? A man like that against a defenseless teenage girl? He could do anything to her.
"None of the Team would blame her for giving in to save herself," she said. "Nor should Paris. As I said, we have seen and heard your comments. News reports of the girl 'working for Hawkmoth'. Speculation on her motive, accusing her of throwing a tantrum over the Bee Miraculous. Snide remarks of "we thought she could be a better person, but we were wrong".
"I know what many of you will say," she went on. "That you didn't know. All you saw was a video of Hawkmoth handing Chloé a Miraculous, and then a Bee-themed Akuma showed up. But you do have the capacity to think. To question. To believe that a teenage girl, despite her previous issues, might have a legitimate reason to do what she does. The facts were all there, and a small amount of people decided to look at them. They are thanked for that."
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. It was easy to see her eyes were beginning to water, as if she wanted to cry. Wiping at her face, she addressed the camera again.
"Thankfully, Chloé did not give in," Honeybee said. "She played along, just until she could safely get away. She tracked me down, and handed the Tiger Miraculous back while informing us of Hawkmoth's plan. Meanwhile, thrown off guard because he also believed that Chloé would be selfish enough to comply with him, Hawkmoth sought out another person to become Miracle Queen."
Another pause. Any tears stopped. This time her expression was not quite as furious, but filled with determination.
"While Queen Bee may never make another appearance," Honeybee said. "Chloé will always be a Hero. She will never give in to Hawkmoth. He's tried to recruit her before, but she has refused every time. And she will refuse again and again, no matter what he offers her.
Her expression shifted, though it was obvious the smile was fake.
"That's all I have to say," Honeybee said. "We might answer more questions later. But for now, this is Honeybee, signing off!"
"Are you okay?" Alya asked as soon as the camera was off.
"Fine," Honeybee said. "It just... hurts sometimes. Seeing how someone who made mistakes has to fight every day to prove they can do better."
"For what it's worth," she said. "I'm sorry. "
"You were one of the ones who believed in Chloé," She said. "That's why we came to you."
"I know but," she sighed. "I've been there before. Believing as I was told or as I saw without thinking further about the situation around it. Sometimes with y- with Chloé. Other times with things like Lila. Or just not realizing that broadcasting things might lead to consequences for my friends."
"We're all getting better," she said. "And as furious as I am at the city for believing, if they change their tune with more information, I'll let it go. Mostly."