Chapter 14 - Revelations, Part 2 (from Marinette's POV)

Alya had lost consciousness in my arms, and Chloé ran over to help me with her. I should have planned this out better, but I wasn't sure I would actually go through with it until- well, until I just sort of made a snap decision. And now there was no turning back.

Chloé and I carried Alya over to the chaise lounge. Then I sat beside her and rubbed my temples. Chloé sat down on the floor in front of the chaise.

"Marinette, why did you do that?" Tikki scolded me. "You let your guilt control you, and you've just dumped a huge burden onto Alya!"

"Sorry Tikki. I've just been so tired of lying around her. My main concern now is that she'll forgive me for not telling her sooner."

"Marinette, you know that keeping your identity is a secret is important to protect the people you care about, and to not put them in a position where they can compromise your identity. If she or Chloé ever fall under Hawk Moth's control again, they could help him get to you!"

Chloé looked away with a somber expression. "Sorry," she said, "I'm the reason life got so complicated for you."

I put my hand on her shoulder. "Chloé, no need to apologize. Neither of us planned this, but it happened, and because of it you're finally able to realize your full potential! Look, if you hadn't shown up when you did tonight, I would have revealed myself to Hawk Moth, and he definitely would have gotten my miraculous. You've proven yourself to be a real hero. And Tikki- I do take my responsibilities as Ladybug very seriously, and I know revealing myself to Alya was a crazy thing for me to do. But at the end of the day, I'm still a teenage girl trying to live a normal life with the people closest to me. Alya and I have developed a special bond, and I just couldn't stand keeping this from her any longer. It means I'll have to work extra hard to protect her, but she's worth it."

While Tikki sighed and shook her head, a voice next to me said, "I love you too girl."

My mind had been focused elsewhere, and I jumped at the sound of Alya's voice. "Oh my God Alya, you almost gave me a heart attack! Are you're okay?"

"Yeah yeah, I'll be okay." Alya was now sitting up, and staring at me with eyes twice their normal size. "But holy crap! You're actually Ladybug! Are you friggin' KIDDING me?!" She looked over at Tikki. "Please introduce me to your cute little spotted friend!"

"Alya, this is Tikki. Tikki, Alya."

"Hi Alya," Tikki said. "Of course I've known you for a while, but only from inside Marinette's purse."

"Nice to meet you Tikki," Alya said. Then she frowned, leaned toward me, and pinched me on the arm.

"OWW! What was THAT for?"

"Well, let's see… THAT was for keeping me in the dark all this time. And for all the times you made me wait to get an interview for the Ladyblog, when you were sitting right next to me!" She had her arms crossed and a frown on her forehead, but had a forgiving smile on her lips. "And, for a whole lot of other reasons! My God, you picked me to be Rena Rouge and didn't even let on that you knew!"

I froze at that remark. Chloé cupped her hands over her mouth and let out an audible gasp, while Alya's face turn a bright red. "Sorry, I didn't mean to let that slip, but I'm still shook up." Alya's expression softened a bit. "Okay Chloé, now that I know what's going on, I apologize for being so jealous of you. How did you find out?"

Chloé proceeded to explain how she had found Tikki by the curb thinking she was a doll, then met her again as Ladybug. I also explained that the reason Chloé came to my room earlier was not to 'hang out' with me, but to have me design a dress for Sabrina's birthday.

"Well, I suppose all of this had to be a big wake-up call for you Chloé," Alya acknowledged. "I'll still be keeping an eye on you for a while, but I'll do my best to start trusting you." She extended her hand toward Chloé, who nodded and grasped her hand lightly.

"I wouldn't expect any different from a fellow superhero," Chloé said. She picked the pin up off the floor and handed it to Alya. "Here, I still want you to keep this."

Alya took the pin and clipped it back onto her blouse. Then she went silent for a few seconds and shook her head. "What's wrong, Alya?" I asked.

"Well, what kind of an investigative journalist am I if I couldn't figure out that you were Ladybug? I mean, I'm looking back at it now and I realize the signs were all there. You always disappeared before she showed up, and you always had weird excuses for it. You're the same height she is. And you even sort of look and sound like her! I must be completely blind!"

"Don't beat yourself up over it," I consoled her. "No one seems to be able to make the connection based solely on my appearance. I don't understand it either, all I can think of is that Tikki's magic somehow affects how others see me as Ladybug. And when I'm transformed, I do have a lot more confidence."

I decided I should bring up one other thing with her. "Alya, I know it's going to be hard for you, but I'm going to ask you to please not tell Nino. At least not yet. The fewer people who know, the safer it will be for everyone."

"You're right, that will be a little strange," she agreed. "But my lips are sealed." Then she grabbed my hands. "There's so much we need to talk about, girl. But I'm going to head back home now. I really am tired after all this excitement."

I nodded at her. "Are you really okay with all this, Alya? You aren't mad at me?"

She looked at me with a smirk on her face. "Well, of course I'm a little miffed that you kept it from me all this time. But you know I can't be mad at my BFF, especially one as amazing as you are. I'm grateful you told me the truth, and I'm very proud of you. You've done so much for the citizens of Paris, and both sides of you are a real inspiration to me." I hugged her again.

"If you don't mind," Chloé said as she stood up, "I'll be glad to take you home Alya. My limo's waiting outside. And that'll give us a chance to talk about stuff a little more."

I watched as the two of them headed out together. I never thought I'd see the day when she and Chloé would be on reasonably good terms. Although I didn't know for certain what the future would bring, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me, and I knew I would sleep well tonight.