Chapter Text
Now Chloe could not remember how this had happened. She could not even remember what object she had touched for this to happen.
But it did not matter anymore.
For as she stared at that great white glow, she felt something else entirely. A new feeling she wasn’t even aware she could feel. The only time she’d ever felt like this before was when Ladybug had given her the bee miraculous.
She sat transfixed at the glow that shone in her eyes. Unmoving and quiet, as it formed into the shape of something. Then its eyes opened.
“Wh-What are you?” She asked. “I didn’t know there were other Kwamii.”
“I am not a kwamii.” It spoke back.
“Th-Then, what are you?”
“I am Null. Nothing more and nothing less, child.”
“Null…” Chloe repeated.
She looked down and repeated his name a few more times. It felt so odd on her tongue. She didn’t even know there was other magic. It made her think about prior things.
As much as it had pained her to hear those words, Ladybug had told her she couldn’t use the bee miraculous again. Her identity being revealed posed a threat to her and her family. She’d made herself a target for Hawkmoth. And she’d never feel the joy of being able to fight alongside her idol ever again. Something that made her feel worthy. Something that made her feel like someone else loved her. Someone else apart from Sabrina and Adrien who both cared for her. At least Ladybug had been kind about it. She’d shown up to the hotel late and knocked softly. Letting her know with a soft quietness the news.
It hurt. It really did. She cried for hours after Ladybug left. And she’d not been able to focus for the next week or so. A few people had noticed. Sabrina and Adrien of course noticed. They were the two she’d known the longest and even if no one believed her, she did care about them. And oddly enough, Dupain-Cheng had looked at her with a look she couldn’t decipher. Though it wasn’t hatred.
And it was only a week later did she realise. Ladybug had given her a sympathetic look before she left. She hadn’t glared or hated her. She left calmly. To Chloe this could only mean one thing.
Ladybug was giving her another chance.
She couldn’t wield the bee miraculous again. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t change. She could change and Ladybug held some hope for that. Ladybug held hope for her. She could be a better person.
Chloe was going to take that chance to be better and never let go ever again.
Besides, she needed to learn to be independent. Independent from her parents. Chloe had come to the important realisation that her mother did not care about her in the slightest. No one else’s parents called their children unexceptional on live tv. Not even Uncle Gabriel had, at least off what Chloe could remember. So why did her mother do that?
And well, she wasn’t sure where she stood with her father. That was something she needed to figure out. She decided it would be best to distance herself from both her parents for the time being. Think about things. A journey of self discovery.
She looked back to Null.
“You said you weren’t a kwamii.” She whispered.
“Correct.” He spoke back.
“You also said there were other types of magic. What types of magic?”
“Mages.” He said.
Chloe tilted her head and looked on quietly.
“Mages use spells. Enchantments. Potions. Enchanted objects. Any magic they can get their hands on.”
“C-Can anyone become a mage?”
“Of course. I have been alongside many mages for hundreds of years now.”
“So can I become a mage?”
“Yes, would you like to become a mage?”
Chloe nodded, unable to respond.
“Well then, if you really want to become a mage then I can teach you as much as possible so you can become a mage.” He spoke softly.
Chloe stood up shakily. The glow of Null being the only light in her dark room.
She would be better than her mother. She’d be better than she had been. She’d make sure Ladybug would never have to regret giving her another chance. She’d claw her way to being better no matter what it took. Whether she ended up bloody and bruised by the end. As long as she got out of that dark all-consuming shadow. And most importantly, so she could be content with herself. She would do anything for that peace of mind and self acceptance.
Her hand was held out, shaking slightly. To which Null slowly stretched out his hand and took hers gently.
“Y-Yes. I want to become a mage. I want to know it all.” She whispered.