#bee!Chloe

[officialprimadonna]

meet post-hawkmoth heroes, psyke & queen bee (the second but you don’t say the second bc it’s a mouthful)

i was gonna post this with peacock!sabrina but i forgot about it and they have been sitting in my procreate app for months now :’)

[imthepunchlord]

Which canon miraculous you think would help Chloé become a better person?

Honestly, Bee was really set up to be the best for her overall growth. Cause everything that bees are tied to is all that Chloe needed to grow as a character. This Miraculous was her perfect foil.

Bees are tied to community, fellowship, teamwork, duty and responsibility, working hard, being selfless, and having self-restraint (for a bee can only sting once). Chloe ultimately needed to learn how to work with others, to be more considerate and selfless, and to actually do her own work instead of passing it off to Sabrina. And self-restraint as she easily lashed out, "stinging" very easily and readily.

Chloe essentially starts out as a wasp, and was set up to learn how to be a true bee.

But that potential went out the window when they made Pollen an eager servant and yes man, and went with "bee sting" power. Cause that's what bees are known for, stinging. These ultimately didn't help Chloe much, as the power and kwami just feeds into how she is.

If Chloe's growth was to be tied to the Miraculous, then it should've been tied to community in some way, and something that's going to have to force her to change, like the power instead is directing a magical swarm of bees that WILL unionize and leave you if you're unfit to direct the hive, and they will not come back until you change for the better. Which until Chloe makes a change and commits to it, she's going to be powerless. Also, Pollen herself would also need a huge overhaul in personality, cause Chloe doesn't need another yes man in her life, she needs someone that is going to challenge her and how she is.

Outside Bee, there is promise for her having the Horse. They are tied to being noble and heroism, which Chloe did admire heroes and want to be like them, so something like that could be worked off of. Kaalki also has similarities to Chloe, so she can be on the same wavelength as Chloe, but still challenge her and how she is as Kaalki should be all for her holders being noble and true heroes. Which Chloe is not.

There is some potential for Cat, but it could also be risky. Plagg and Chloe could be a very funny pair, how she is could practically be begging him to mess with her and have some payback. And it could also be a good destructive outlet for her. But this is also an easy Miraculous to misuse, and do we really want to see Chloe wielding the power of destruction? I'm not sure.

I can also see potential with Mouse. The little we see of Mullo has some similar appeals to Plagg in that she'd mess with Chloe and be hard to control, and her liking to prank her humans can work off some good karma to how awful Chloe is. And the power of cloning is going to mean Chloe's actually going to have to do work, and is going to set Chloe up to deal with herself. It can be set up with her literally looking in the mirror to see who she truly is and need to change, less nothing get done cause she's too busy fighting with herself.

Lastly, there is also similar appeal to her having Monkey. Monkeys are also tied to honor and strong sense of communities, and she's very chaotic so the power will be up her alley; biggest appeal though is Chloe paired with Xuppu. That kinda promises it's going to be hilarious given both have short tempers, and Xuppu is an absolute gremlin and will prank Chloe, make a mess of her life, and call out her bs.

So of the canon, these are what I would vote for, with Bee having the most promise but needs changes, and there's potential for sure with Horse, Mouse, and Monkey. Technically Cat too but that could also be risky.

[wordsofrowan]

The Shadow Court

Chapter 16 - I Dub Thee Shadow Knights

Marinette paced her room, she didn't know what to think, what to feel anymore, the revelation that Chat Noir had been Adrien all along left her feeling conflicted. Hurt and betrayal lingered in the forefront of her heart, but she could also feel her resentment for Adrien bubbling up and consuming her. It made sense now that she thought about it. Why Chat had come into her room that day after her fight with Adrien, why Chat was so angry all her pictures of Adrien were taken down? But did that mean Adrien knew she was Ladybug? No no, he couldn't otherwise he wouldn't have told her and Ladybug that he was falling in love with someone new or about what happened today. 

But there was one thing she knew for sure, she couldn't trust Adrien anymore, she couldn't trust the one person who was supposed to be helping her in the battle for Good and Evil. Her heart ached as she thought about all the times she confided in him, the nights she wept and cried to him. All for him to turn around and become an abuser to her. She felt a fresh bout of tears start making their way down her cheeks.

"Tikki..." She said, her voice barely above a whisper, "What should I do? I can't... I can't go on like this." Marinette said as she pulled her knees to her chest and started sobbing. 

"Oh Marinette, I'm so sorry." Tikki said as she used her hand to pet Marinette's hand, "I wish I could tell you this is the first time this has happened between a Ladybug and a Black Cat but it isn't and I'm going to give you the same advice I gave my bug back then, normally I'm against revealing identities, but you need people you can trust and rely on, you can't do this alone. You need your own team, that you as Guardian and as Ladybug can train and trust." 

Marinette's eyes widened as she considered Tikki's suggestion. She couldn't bring back Rena, or Carapace, not only had they been exposed but she couldn't trust them either so that wouldn't work. But could she really bring Chloe, Jay, Felix, Luka, or Kagami into this fight? She didn't know if she could bear seeing them hurt. Chloe had a miraculous before, she knew of the powers that came with it... But she was the Miracle Queen akuma. But Chloe has also come a long way. 

Chloe was now her loyal and closest friend, who could turn any situation in her favor. Felix was her steadfast companion who was sneaky and underhanded and had a knack for keeping calm in the face of chaos so he would also be a good choice. She could give Kagami the dragon miraculous back, she was very skilled and determined, but they had only just become closer friends and didn't want to do anything to ruin the balance between them. She could give Luka the snake miraculous, but messing with time was a slippery slope and she didn't want to put all that responsibility of maintaining the timeline on his shoulders alone. And then there was Jay, but he had only been in Paris for the past few months, but he was the one who made her believe in herself and the one who made it so she had this current group of friends that she could trust and rely on. 

Eventually, she could give them all a miraculous. A small smile popped on her face as she thought of that. Her knights both in and out of the suits. She would have multiple people she could trust, people she knew would never hurt and betray her. Not like those other people. 

"Marinette, healing takes time. it's okay to feel hurt and uncertain. But remember, you have the power to choose your own path. And when you have people on your side who you can trust and rely on it makes healing even easier." Tikki said, and it made Marinette feel better. 

Marinette smiled and nodded her head as she formulated a plan. She quickly pulled out her phone, if she couldn't rely on Chat and his Cataclysm then she would need another way to stop the villain and Pollen's Venom was perfect for that, and having Trixx's illusions would help in battles as well. She wrote out a quick message 'Fefe Chlo can we meet at the top of Le Grand Paris in an hour?' 

Once she received confirmatory answers from both of them she smiled. She took a deep breath and called out her transformation. She felt the familiar rush of power coursing through her veins. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she felt the familiar embrace of her superhero alter ego. But as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her eyes widened in awe. The reflection staring back at her was nothing short of extraordinary. Ladybug took a step back to fully drink in her appearance. She couldn't help but gasp at the drastic change her Superhero self had undergone. 

No longer was her suit the red and black polka-dot spandex it had once been, instead it had a darker edge to it. she was adorned in a black leather jacket with an array of silver studs that hung loosely to her frame, her wings poking out of holes cut in the back of the jacket. Beneath the jacket was a dark blood-red tank top that hugged her form. She also was now wearing a pair of black skinny jeans with silver chains around her waistline. completing the ensemble was a pair of thigh-high black combat boots with silver laces and black fingerless gloves with silver claw-like tips added to them. 

Her hair was no longer styled in her once-signature pigtails instead now it was pulled into an elegant ponytail with two sets of ribbons, one red, and one silver, coming from her black eye mask and woven into her hair. As Ladybug took in her new appearance she smiled as she felt a wave of confidence course through her. She felt powerful, she felt strong. Ladybug stepped away from the mirror and went into the cool night air. She quickly made her way to the rooftop of Le Grand Paris. Neither Chloe nor Felix were there yet but she was fine with that it gave her time to think over what she would say to them. 

It wasn't much longer before Ladybug heard chattering coming up the stairwell and instantly recognized Chloe and Felix's voice. She let a smile lay on her face. She loved them, she really did. 

"Ladybug... what are you doing here?" Chloe said, a sense of apprehension coating her tone as she hesitantly walked to the center of the rooftop. 

"Because I'm the one who called you here," Ladybug said. 

"Wait but that would mean that your..." Felix said as he put his head down, now actively avoiding eye contact with the Superheroine. 

"I know it's a lot to take in but something has happened and I need people I can trust and rely on to fight by my side. So Will you join me?" Ladybug said as she dropped her transformation and stepped closer to Chloe and Felix. She felt her heart constrict as she watched as Felix took a step back from her. 

"Hold on, wait. Are you telling me that all this time... you've been Ladybug?" Chloe's voice wavered with a mix of awe and disbelief. She took a moment to absorb the gravity of the truth, her mind racing with memories and revelations. She couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her childhood friend, intertwined with a deep sense of regret for the way she had treated her.

Marinette met Chloe's gaze with a mixture of vulnerability and forgiveness. She understood the complex emotions swirling within her longtime friend. The weight of the past could not be easily erased, but the opportunity for redemption and reconciliation lay before them.

"Yes, Chloe. It was always me," Marinette affirmed, her voice steady and filled with sincerity. "I understand if my actions have caused you pain, and I want you to know that I forgive you. We've all made mistakes, but what matters now is how we move forward."

Chloe's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she took a tentative step forward. Overwhelmed with a mix of emotions, she wrapped her arms around Marinette in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry, Mars," she choked out, her voice filled with genuine remorse. "I gave you so much grief, so much undeserved criticism. I was blind to the truth, and I'm deeply ashamed."

“It’s all forgive Chlo,” Marinette said smiling at the blonde girl, "Felix," Marinette's voice was gentle, filled with genuine concern. She noticed his reluctance to meet her gaze, sensing the deep-seated guilt that weighed heavily on his shoulders. She took a step closer to him, her hand reaching out to cup his face, gently guiding his eyes to meet hers.

"How can you stand to look at me, Marinette?" Felix's voice trembled, his self-condemnation evident in his every word. The shame he carried threatened to consume him, casting a dark shadow over their budding connection. He felt unworthy of her forgiveness, believing that he had come dangerously close to betraying her trust.

Marinette's touch was tender, her thumb caressing his cheek as she searched his eyes for any sign of hope. She stood on tiptoe, closing the distance between them, and pressed her lips against his in a gentle, reassuring kiss. It was a kiss filled with forgiveness and understanding, a silent reminder that their shared past did not define their future.

"Felix, I've already forgiven you," Marinette whispered against his lips, her voice filled with unwavering certainty. "Yes, you made a mistake, but so have I. We all make mistakes, but what matters now is how we grow from them."

A flicker of disbelief crossed Felix's eyes, his expression a cocktail of gratitude, regret, and lingering self-doubt. "But you shouldn't have forgiven me," he protested, his voice tinged with remorse. "I almost took advantage of you, Marinette."

Marinette's fingertips gently brushed against his cheek, her touch a soothing balm for his wounded soul. "But you didn't, Felix," she affirmed, her voice unwavering. "In that moment, you stopped yourself, and I stopped you. We both recognized the line, and we chose not to cross it. Things were different then, Fe. And now, it's forgiven."

Felix's lips lingered against Marinette's, a tender connection that spoke volumes of the emotions swirling between them. As he pulled away, his eyes searched hers, curiosity burning in his gaze.

"What changed that made you want to reveal yourself to us?" Felix's voice held a mix of intrigue and genuine curiosity. 

“I can’t trust Chat Noir anymore.” Marinette took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding, her eyes reflecting a profound shift in her perception of Chat Noir. "I discovered his true identity," she confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "And it's not someone I would place my trust in anymore. It shattered the foundation of our partnership, leaving me with no choice but to seek out a team of individuals I can wholeheartedly rely on. As the guardian, I have a responsibility to protect Paris and maintain balance. While I don't want to remove Chat Noir's miraculous since he hasn't done anything explicitly wrong, I need to surround myself with individuals I can trust without reservation, a team with no secrets."

Chloe’s eyes narrowed slightly as she absorbed the implications of Marinette's words. "Are you planning to reveal your secret to Jay, Luka, and Gami as well?" She inquired, her voice filled with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

Marinette paused, considering Chloe’s question before responding. "Yes, eventually," she admitted. "Once I've determined which Miraculous would be the best fit for each of them. I want to ensure that they are ready and willing to take on the responsibilities that come with wielding the Miraculous."

A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of Felix's lips as he leaned in closer, his voice laced with playful banter. "Is that your way of saying that you have a Miraculous for each of us?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

Marinette chuckled, her fondness for Felix evident in her expression. "You're always so clever, Fefe," she replied, her voice infused with warmth. "Yes, I have carefully selected Miraculouses for each of you."

"So, if you're not getting rid of Chat Noir, what do you want us to do?" Felix asked, his voice laced with a mix of intrigue and determination. He wanted to understand his purpose, to grasp the significance of his role in this evolving dynamic.

Marinette's gaze met Felix's, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. She took a step closer, her voice steady and resolute. "You will be my Knights, Felix," she declared, her words carrying the weight of her intentions. 

A flicker of excitement danced in Felix's eyes as he absorbed Marinette's proclamation. The notion of being a Knight, a champion of justice, resonated deeply within him. He had longed for a sense of purpose, a chance to make a difference, and now, that opportunity had presented itself.

Chloe, ever the pragmatic voice, spoke up, her tone laced with curiosity. "What will be our responsibilities as Knights, Marinette?" she inquired, her eyes searching for guidance. She craved a clear understanding of her role, eager to contribute in a meaningful way.

Marinette's gaze shifted to Chloe, her expression filled with conviction. "As my Knights, you will stand beside me in the battles against evil," she explained, her voice unwavering. "You will protect the innocent, uphold justice, and use your skills and abilities to defend the city we hold dear. Together, we will face the challenges that come our way, united in our unwavering commitment to safeguard Paris."

Marinette called out her transformation once again and pulled out two Miraculous. Marinette got up and walked to where she housed the Miracle Box. She pulled out the Fox and Bee Miraculous Jewels and watched as Pollen and Trixx flew out. 

“Felix, this is the Miraculous of the Fox,” She said, gathering all the confidence she could muster at this moment. “Should you choose to accept this miraculous you will become the first Knight. However, know that by accepting, you must vow your unwavering loyalty to me and me alone. Is that understood?"

Felix's gaze met Marinette’s, his expression resolute. "Marinette, I, Felix Graham De Vanily, do hereby swear upon my honor and faith," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering conviction, "to be your loyal and devoted vassal."

He took a step forward and knelt in front of her, his voice unwavering as he continued his pledge. "I pledge to provide you with my unwavering service, to act out your will and interests, and to uphold your authority in all matters," he vowed, his words echoing with a profound sense of duty. "I shall be your sword, at your disposal, ready to face any challenge that may come our way. I promise to never falter in my duty for as long as I draw breath."

As Felix's words hung in the air, Marinette’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of gratitude and trust. She extended her hand towards him, a symbol of the bond they were about to forge. "By accepting this miraculous and pledging your loyalty, you have become an integral part of my team," she affirmed, her voice filled with appreciation. "Together, we shall face the trials ahead, united in our mission to protect this city and restore balance."

Felix clasped Marinette’s hand firmly, a sense of purpose radiating from his every fiber. "I am honored to stand by your side, Marinette," he affirmed, his voice filled with unwavering determination. "With my unwavering loyalty and dedicated service, I vow to support you in all endeavors and to protect the people of this city with every ounce of my being."

“Then Felix, here is Trixx, the Fox Kwamii of Illusions and Mischief. To activate the miraculous simply say Trixx, let's pounce, your power word will be Mirage, think you got it?” The small orange kwamii looked Felix up and down.

“You're so much more mischievous than that last girl,” Trixx said, turning to look at Marinette, “I approve.” 

"Thank you, Marinette," Felix declared, his voice filled with determination, as he gracefully entered into a slight bow. "Trixx, let's pounce!"

With a surge of energy, Felix's transformation began, enveloping him in a dazzling display of light. When the radiance faded, he emerged as a vision of sleek elegance and power. His attire, a testament to his newfound heroism, consisted of a form-fitting black suit accentuated by silver chains and striking blue accents. The fabric clung to his body, enhancing his agility and grace.

A leather jacket adorned with intricate studs encased his upper body, a symbol of his rebellious spirit and unwavering resolve. His hands were sheathed in gloves that featured sharp spikes, adding an air of danger to his already formidable presence. Knee-high boots, crafted with utmost precision, completed his ensemble, reinforcing his image as a force to be reckoned with.

A blue fox skull mask, meticulously designed, now concealed Felix's identity. It exuded an aura of enigmatic mystery, its intricate details capturing the essence of the fox kwami, Trixx. Behind the mask, Felix's eyes took on a fox-like quality, their pupils transforming into slender slits, mirroring the cunning and agility of his kwami.

His hair, once neatly styled, now flowed freely, adding an untamed edge to his appearance. Each strand seemed to be as free and wild as the wind itself, symbolizing his connection to the kwami within him. “What should I call you?” 

He seemed to think for a second. “Silver,” He said with a sly smile on his lips, “You can call me Silver.” 

“Now Chloe, allow me to reintroduce you to Pollen, the Kwami of subjugation,” Marinette said as she held out the bee miraculous. 

Chloe took the bee miraculous from Marinette’s outstretched hand, her fingers trembling with anticipation. Carefully, she placed it in the crook of her ponytail, a radiant smile spreading across her face as Pollen, her kwami, materialized before her. "Pollen, Buzz On!" Chloe called out with newfound confidence, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.

Marinette and Silver watched in awe as the transformation unfolded before their eyes. Chloe no longer resembled the once-queen bee; she had become a completely different person, a hero ready to embrace her destiny. Her once familiar attire was replaced with a striking yellow bodysuit adorned with black V-shaped stripes that ran along her legs and arms. Silver accents traced the edges, adding a touch of elegance to the ensemble.

A black cropped leather jacket adorned Chloe's shoulders, the epitome of cool and edgy. Its design featured yellow stitching, silver studs, and chains draped over her shoulder, creating a dynamic and fierce aesthetic. Upon closer inspection, a meticulously crafted honeycomb pattern adorned the back of the jacket, symbolizing her connection to the bee miraculous.

Chloe's hands were adorned with yellow fingerless gloves, their knuckles embellished with stinger-like silver tips, exuding a sense of power and determination. Completing her transformation were ankle-high black combat boots, their yellow laces contrasting against the dark leather. With each stride, Chloe radiated confidence and strength.

But it was her mask that truly captivated all who laid eyes on her. An intricate black mask, delicately adorned with golden filigree, graced her face. Its design accentuated her features, giving her an air of mystery and allure. Behind that mask, Chloe Bourgeois stood ready to protect the city she once held sway over, a symbol of redemption and heroic potential.

"So, Chloe, what shall we call you?" Marinette inquired, a playful glint in her eyes.

Chloe pondered for a moment, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Call me Honeybelle," she declared with newfound confidence, embracing her new identity as the bee hero.

Marinette chuckled, nodding approvingly. "Honeybelle it is, a name as sweet and fierce as you," she complimented. 

Honeybelle's mischievous grin transformed into a solemn expression as she kneeled before Marinette, a fiery determination burning in her eyes. "I, Chloe Bourgeois, declare this as my solemn oath," she began, her voice filled with unwavering conviction, "to be your faithful and devoted vassal."

With a deep breath, Honeybelle continued her words resonating with a sense of unwavering loyalty. "I am dedicated to providing you with loyal service, carrying out your wishes, and guarding your sovereignty," she vowed, her voice filled with a profound sense of duty. "I shall be your shield, your sworn protector, at your service."

Her gloved hand pressed against her heart, Honeybelle pledged her unwavering commitment. "I shall carry out my responsibilities with unwavering determination until my last breath," she declared, the weight of her words hanging in the air. The room fell into a hushed silence as the gravity of her oath settled upon them.

Marinette eyes shimmered with gratitude and trust as she extended her hand toward Honeybelle. "Rise, Chloe Bourgeois, for your unwavering dedication and loyalty are recognized," she said, her voice filled with both pride and appreciation. "With your pledge, you have become an invaluable member of our team, and I trust that you will fulfill your duties with the utmost honor."

Honeybelle rose to her feet, her heart swelling with a newfound sense of purpose. She looked into Marinette’s eyes, a glimmer of determination shining within her own. "I will not disappoint you, Marinette," she vowed, her voice filled with unwavering resolve. 

"My knights," Marinette spoke, her voice filled with unwavering conviction. The words held a profound significance, cementing their commitment to one another and to the cause they now shared. In that moment, they became more than allies; they became a family, bound by loyalty and a shared purpose.

Chloe and Felix, their eyes fixed on Marinette, felt a surge of devotion and respect well up within them. They understood the magnitude of the responsibility placed upon their shoulders, and they were ready to stand by Marinette's side, fight for justice, and protect the city they loved.

"My Queen," they murmured in unison, their voices filled with reverence. The title held a deep meaning, signifying their unwavering loyalty to Marinette as their leader. It was a symbol of trust, respect, and the unbreakable bond they had forged.

In that moment, a powerful connection formed, transcending words and gestures. The touch of Marinette's hand on their cheeks was a physical manifestation of their trust and affection. It was a reminder of the journey they were about to embark upon, and the challenges they would face together.

XoXo Rowan

[kari-go]

Queen Bee and Prima Queen redesign(s)

I like this Prima Queen wayyy better (here’s the old one for reference). It’s more simpler.

[revolutionary-thoy]

Like i mentioned a few times, Chloe's family has been training her to be the new Bee miraculous holder since Zoe and her were kids. Unlike Kagami who was basically raised by the Supreme, Chloe didn't really know about the Supreme or what exactly her parents were preparing her for. She just knew that her parents were involved in some shady organization, but not any details.

Zoe was the Supreme's original choice for the Bee Miraculous, but due to her running away from home, it was given to the second candidate. Chloe got what she wanted, but she has to deal with lots of angst about being the second choice and constantly getting compared to her sister who excelled at everything. Basically Tahani and Kamilah Al-Jamil, but with magic bee jewels.

As Hornet Queen / Sting (can't pick between those two names) she doesn't usually fight alongside Kagami, Luka and Felix. She usually does her own solo thing, but would occasionally be assigned to missions with the trio, or with Lila, much to their annoyance.

Full Re-Verse lineup below

[wayofthewang]

Chloe Bourgeois

[schsas]

miss bee tells a joke

(original funny was by my pal @halfahelix)

[katydoodles]

Just the girlies and their haul

Took me 4 months to finish this 🤪

[leviaana]

oh that’s not

[catmelot]

It's like 1973 Supergirl #3 comic cover, but Queen Bee 👑 🐝 💛 

A parody 😘

⭐You can get this as a print!⭐

☕💖Buy me a Ko-fi! ☕💖

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

that time TA tweeted "you can behave like the worst garbage, all you need is a micro-good deed for all of a sudden, many will forgive everything." as an insult to people who saw good in Chloé and liked her as a character despite him saying over and over again that she's bad and a bully and yet he wants us to believe Felix is one of the "genuinely good guys" after all that he did in his debut ep and S4-5 like. eugh.

Well, you see, the difference between the two is that while Chloe betrayed Ladybug and stole all of her Miraculous, Felix betrayed Ladybug and... stole all of her Miraculous...

Okay, while Chloe used her Miraculous to endanger innocent lives the second she got it, Felix used his Miraculous to... endanger innocent lives the second he got it...

Give me a minute here. Ah, got it! While Chloe views anyone who isn't like her as expendable, Felix views anyone who isn't like him as... expendable...

Yeah, I got nothing that really justifies this.

[luluy33art]

[imthepunchlord]

Possibly How It Should Have Been

Gosh, I've just thought about it sometimes, as I'm largely trying to turn my creative focus onto something more enjoyable than ML (hence less writing for ML fics), but sometimes I just can't help but focus on it. Cause it's a great concept and it's butchered and that bothers me so much.

And there's SO MUCH that could've been done to improve it. Some of which could be easy tweaks. Some of which needs massive overhauling. Some of it is just picking a lane, staying in that lane, and you follow the road to progress.

It's a great concept with a LOT of possibilities and ways it could've been done. I've actually thought about possible ML Rewrites a few times, I even reached out to a friend to try and help develop a Rewrite that we could've collabed on cause I was struggling to much to decide, and we both just got stuck cause there's so many options for characters and what could possibly be done as we could see so many pros for each option.

And of course, part of the pondering that came to my mind was seeing promising improvement with kwami swaps.

Like, Marinette and Adrien may have developed better if they had each other's miraculous. Plagg could've been the ideal foil to Marinette as he's the opposite of her in every way, addressing her overworking herself, prioritizing others over herself, and caring so much about her responsibilities that it just weighs and stresses her out. And with Adrien and Tikki, she could've helped him develop as an actual, step up in responsibility, learn to take on duty, to care about others over himself. She also would've helped him get the plot rolling, as Adrien is a stagnant character but Tikki is not. She's going to get him involved into the Agreste plot whether he wants it or not, and in turn, he's going to get Tikki to learn to be more attentive and considerate of her holders cause things can go south for Adrien very quickly if she pushes too much.

Gosh, another great kwami swap that could've been done that could've improved a lot was switching up who are the leads. I always wondered if Tikki and Plagg TRULY would've picked Marinette and Adrien, also if they were even the right picks now that we know that Fu doesn't know everything and is running on limited knowledge. As far as we know, they ARE the wrong picks for these two. And considering there was an ep of Tikki and Plagg picking their own users, I now wonder if Alya and Nino should've been our actual leads.

How Alya was initially as Scarabella screams to me that it would've better served in the Origins as a starting hero. Alya also has promising potential arcs as a starting hero, especially as being a superhero is her living her dream:

There's the struggle of balancing her civilian and hero life, she can learn that the civilian life is just as important.

She can learn that being a hero isn't all glory and isn't always easy.

She can learn the importance of secrecy, and what happens if she exposes herself to the public or to a friend (probably Marinette).

And a lot of the lessons Tikki is involved with would make more sense with Alya, who does get tunnel vision and isn't good at listening to others and isn't so considerate and can be very pushy with her own agenda. Alya naturally aims for the leadership position and Tikki wants her Ladybugs to be leaders, so Tikki can help guide Alya to improve as a leader. Lastly, Alya will challenge Tikki on her call outs, which could at certain points help established that Tikki isn't always right and is open to learn and adapt too. And Alya could busy herself looking into HM, making her theories and being nosy about his identity, which Tikki would readily be apart of and encourage. Which Alya should've done in the show than recklessly trying to expose the heroes identity to the public and help HM win. Which, if Adrien wasn't a hero, maybe that should have been his role instead, which Gabriel could encourage and Adrien is even more excited cause he thinks his father is taking an interest in what he does which can be some later Adrien angst for you.

With Nino and Plagg, the BIGGEST plus is that it would actually give Nino SOMETHING outside Alya and Adrien. It would've prompt him to get more focus, and based on what's seen, he's 2nd to Marinette in having the most friends, meaning he can be more engaging and present with what happens to his classmates. Plagg also could bring some needed chaos to his life. You can even expand upon what's seen in Horrificatr where Nino can be controlling, strict, and harsh so Plagg can work on that. Nino does have some similarities to Marinette where he does care a lot for his friends and is hardworking, so there's something there to make Plagg a bit of a foil to him. To expand on Nino's role as Alya embraces being the big hero and savior, could even do the fandom popular idea of him getting Guardian training.

With those two taken, this nicely opens up others getting the Five.

Marinette can work with either Bee or Fox. If you want to work off Chloe vs Marinette, it works best if Marinette has the Bee. Though I think Pollen's personality should be overhauled, but if not, at least there's a perk that yes man Pollen going to force Marinette to take initiative and decide things for herself instead of seeking advise from her kwami. And with Fox, that can work off Marinette being a meddler, schemer, being creative, and her more inclined to work from the shadows. There could also be a fun twist to explore with Marinette not liking liars and she has a miraculous tied to deception, plus her and Trixx could've been an interesting pair to see interact, especially if working off what's seen in Sapotis where Trixx is very observant and manipulative, but also a bit of a chaotic gambler (from what I've seen, later seasons seem to ruin Trixx as a character). And of course, Marinette having Fox could work off her vs Lila, you could even dabble in her vs Felix.

Arguably, Chloe MAY grow as Alya and Nino would NOT have been so tolerant of her unlike Marinette and Adrien, so Chloe could've gotten the Bee and actually be a good hero and character for it. But that can also come down to preference and how you want Chloe to go.

Adrien could've gotten the Turtle, which I think could've been one of the best miraculous he could've gotten as he naturally likes to be a protector, and this miraculous works off that while also giving him protection. Wayzz also could've maybe addressed Adrien readily sacrificing himself, help him learn to be more cautious instead of rushing in, or at least think and be smart about how you go forward. There's even a possibility of Adrien having Turtle full time, as Nino could share his suspicions with Fu about Gabriel, so Wayzz could be there as a spy to check things out, which would have Adrien eventually get involved in his own plot, but still allow things to be at a slower pace. And as Wayzz, ideally, seems to be serious and dedicated but also playful and open minded, I think he would be very engaging with Adrien, which in turn could mean that when Adrien needs a call out, he would listen to what Wayzz had to say more (as most of the time Adrien ignores what Plagg says).

As for the leads, both would have an equal neutral involvement in the plot that can explain why things don't resolve quickly (looking at you Adrien who won't even ask questions about the suspicious book your father has). Alya would be a hero and lead for glory and self-righteousness, Nino would be to genuinely help others. Neither would have a super close tie to Gabriel, allowing him to sit under their noses for a while.

Also, gosh, you even could've had a lot of fun with color coded rivals/foils/personal antagonists for Alya and Nino.

If you really wanted to do Alya vs Lila, let Lila actually have the Fox or maybe she bought the Fox in Volpina, and this has Alya and Lila having the miraculous the other is color coded for. She could work off being a hero initially for the wrong reasons, just like Alya who starts for the glory too, as well as integrity vs deception.

Something could also be done between Nino vs Felix, with Nino really color coded for Peacock while Felix is color coded for Cat. Could play off both being ambitious to a fault and being selfish and nosy, but Nino cares more for others vs Felix is more exclusive.

And if expanding to others...

Of course could do Marinette vs Chloe if Marinette has the Bee, Chloe could have the Mouse, which could be funny to see Chloe deal with herself. That might humble her.

As for Adrien... could do him and Max being foils, work off Max getting Horse while largely wearing green, and I think Adrien is most color coded for Horse. Could work off both being perfectionist and could delve into the shared interest of gaming, with Max trying to bring out the competitiveness in Adrien. Could be thinking vs action.

Either way, ML is frustrating cause it's a show with potential and great concepts and it's irritating that it got butchered so. And the most frustrating thing is that there is just so many options to how it could've been done better. And kwami swap wise, these are my top two picks that would've been better.

Thank you for coming to my TED talks.

[taldigi]

BADA BING BADA BOOM BABEY THE COOLEST FIND YET

[kittygirl346]

[diadraws]

easing myself back into drawing, ever so slowly. carapace and queen bee are by far the characters ive been most requested to draw so here they are c: