CHAPTER 10

You're reading this. Of course you are. You are probably annoyed how I keep asking you this question but I may need to remind you again and again since you keep forgetting. What would pay the price?

In the library of their school…

Alya: Girl, you've been spacing out a lot. What's on your mind?

Marinette: What if you thought you knew what your darkest secret was, but it turned out to be something totally different that you didn't even know about?

Alya: Hold on, you were hit by that girl?

Marinette: Maybe…

Alya: Well, maybe it just depends on the secrets. What were they?

Marinette: They were secrets for a reason.

Alya: Come on, even from your best friend?

Marinette: I'm sorry, Alya, maybe you'll find out what I mean if you figure them out but for the time being I can't tell you. It's kind of confidential.

Alya: Okay, girl. Tell me when you're ready. But you're right. I will try to find out what they are.

Alya leans in, smirking. Marinette chuckles.

Marinette: You're also right. You can try. Now let's focus on the homework. I don't want to get in trouble again for missing assignments.

Marinette sees a flash of yellow from the corner of her eye, followed by a flash of green. She sighs and closes her notebook, knowing that Chloe and Sabrina were going to start their scenes. Alya catches on and closes her notebook too, both of them facing to where Chloe and Sabrina were.

Alya: You can come out, Chloe. We saw you. If you think you're going to get to us, you're mistaken.

Chloe: What are you talking about brat? I was going to get the books for the assignment!

Marinette: You were, or Sabrina was? Besides, who gets books by sneaking around and giggling? We know you're up to something and we aren't in the mood. So if you could please just let us be, that would be great.

Chloe: Are you accusing me? I'll have you know-

Marinette: We'll repeat one more time, Chloe. Leave us be.

Chloe: And if I don't?

Alya: Let's go, girl. We don't have time for arguments.

Marinette: Yeah, I'm sick of it.

They take their stuff and go to another table, leaving Chloe and Sabrina. They sit down.

Alya: I didn't have the chance to ask, but how'd it go?

Marinette: How did what go?

Alya: *whispers* With Kasdeya!

Marinette: She was staring at me, as if she trying to find out where and how she would kill me. Other than that it was… awkward. Silent. And you? I bet you were thrilled to be with your lover.

Alya: *blushing* W-What? Heheh, no way!

Marinette rests her cheek on the palm of her hand.

Marinette: Come on, Alya, you've been together for like, a year, and yet you're still blushing.

Alya: You've been around Adrien for a year and you're still blushing!

Marinette: *blushing* One, it's different 'cause you and Nino are together but me and Adrien aren't. Second, I don't stammer as much as before!

Alya: Yeah, 'cause you can't even get out a word in front of him. Seriously, Mari, you need to be more sure of yourself!

Marinette: *mumbling* It would help if I was my alter ego…

Alya: Hold on, what?

Marinette: Nothing! Now let's finish the homework. Do you know the answer to number seven?

Alya: Yep!

Afterschool…

Alya: Bye, Marinette! Video games at my place at six?

Marinette: Yeah! See you then.

Marinette walks away, but bumps into someone. Marinette's eyes instantly turn black with white slits. Adrenaline rushes through her veins as she glares at the person she bumped into.

Marinette: Why are you still here?

Kasdeya: I don't know. Why are you losing control so easily?

Marinette: *growls* Shut up.

Kasdeya: I'm sure you know Lila, do you not?

Marinette: And?

Kasdeya: How do you feel about a late night visit?

Marinette: Va te faire foutre.

Kasdeya: No need for profanity. You would be surprised at how often people are imprisoned for talking shit.

Marinette: Get out of my face, chienne. I have places to be.

Kasdeya: Where? Protecting the city with that mangy cat of yours?

Marinette: Why you…

Marinette punches Kasdeya, with Kasdeya's neck going completely to the side. With sickening cracks, she rights her head up. Marinette winces at the sound and sight.

Marinette: We are still on school grounds, chienne. Anyone can hear you. Shut up and leave.

Kasdeya: Don't worry. I will.

Kasdeya walks off, with the hint of an evil smile on her face. Marinette tenses and walks to her own home, a little speedily, however. She "greets" her mother and father and goes to her room, shutting the trapdoor.

Mind you, your heroine's eyes have not gone normal for one second. Is she going to let the shadows in? Is she fighting? Will you know? Yes, you will.

Tikki: Marinette, calm down, please!

Marinette speaks, but with a voice that is not her own. It is darker and deeper, with so much hatred her kwami can barely recognize her chosen.

Marinette: Hah! Calm down? When she almost revealed my identity? Calm down when she has insulted my partner? Calm down when she has joined a force with a complete-

Tikki: Mari-no, Umbra-please! Fight the shadows inside you! They are no better than pests!

Marinette: Pests, you say? Ironic isn't it, that you call my beings pests? Even when-

Tikki: I'm sorry, Marinette… Ut auferat obumbratio!

Marinette's eyes go completely white, like full moons. She drops to the ground, unconscious. Tikki, instantly regretful, flies by her side. While feeling regret, she feels relief, knowing that the shadows have dissipated from her mind. While Tikki's decision could have proven fatal to her chosen, she knows that in a situation of her chosen becoming overtaken or using a spell that would remove evil but prove lethal, she would choose the latter. She lies by Marinette's side, slowly falling asleep.

5:39 PM…

Marinette: *thinking* I feel cold… my head hurts…

Marinette looks around, taking in her surroundings. She recalls the events that happened earlier that day, but doesn't remember the time she blacked out. But she does remember something else.

Marinette: Oh god, I'm supposed to be at Alya's!

Marinette stands up, her body sore from being on the floor. She gently takes her sleeping kwami and rests her on the chaise while she goes to get ready. A few minutes later, she takes Tikki and puts her in her purse, careful not to wake her up. She doesn't succeed.

Tikki: *blearily* Marinette…?

Marinette: We have to go to Alya's, remember? I'll grab a cookie on the way for you to eat, yeah?

Tikki: Yeah, okay…

Marinette: I'm sorry about earlier, Tikki, I-

Tikki: You don't have anything to apologize for, I know it wasn't you. Let's go, okay?

Marinette: Okay, but I'm still sorry.

At Alya's home…

Alya: Hey girl, surprised you weren't late!

Marinette: Well, I'm full of surprises, aren't I?

Alya: Of course you are… So what do you want to play? Ultimate Mecha Strike III is completely off the list. Nuh-uh. No way. Don't even try.

Marinette: Eh, we could play Mario Kart, if you want.

Alya: I would play anything that I'm not sure you would win.

Marinette: Getting salty now, are we?

Alya: In your dreams, besides, you of all people should know salty.

Marinette: *smirking* How do you mean?

Alya: Cough cough, Chloe, maybe?

Marinette: What? Never! Where did you ever get that idea?

Alya: Um, do you remember when Mylene got akumatized? The whole Horrificator scene?

Marinette: I wouldn't call that salty…

Alya: You're totally right, I would call it jealous!

Marinette: Shut up, Alya, god. Didn't you invite me over to play video games?

Alya: Yeah, but teasing you is much more fun, you know? I would call it pay back.

Marinette: For what?

Alya: For what you said at the sleepover! That whole, "You're mad he didn't pick Rena Rouge, aren't you?" How did you know, anyway?

Marinette: *thinking* Uh, because I gave you your miraculous?

Marinette: Well, because you're my best friend! It's kind of obvious. When Rena Rouge first appeared, I knew it was you, just like how you and I both know Nino is Carapace.

Alya: What?! How-

Marinette: Like I said, it's so obvious.

Marinette: *thinking* And if I can supposedly "recognize" my best friend, strange how you can't figure me out.

Marinette: So, you wanna play Mario Kart or what? Let's talk secret identities later.

Alya's smile brightens noticeably. She wraps her arm around Marinette's shoulder.

Alya: Don't suppose you have a secret, too, huh?

Marinette: Hah! Only my strategy on how I'm going to beat you. Come on!

Ah, fillers and happiness. Wonderful. Amazing. I can't tell the future, but I'd say to expect the worst. Might not last long. À plus tard.