Welcome to A Gamer's Prize! All translations will be at the end of the story! I apologize for any grammar or spelling errors!
"Selfish, a judgment readily passed by those who have never tested their power of sacrifice."
George Eliot
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"I'm so screwed, Nino!" Adrien ranted, talking with his best friend over the phone.
"Dude-"
"My father is going to have my head mounted on the wall!" He continued, cutting off the DJ.
"Dude-"
"Maybe, I should run away somewhere far away like Canada or something," the blonde thought out loud while pacing the floor.
"Dude!" Nino shouted, making Adrien move the phone away from his ear. He finally stopped his ranting and pacing to hear what his right-hand-man has to say. Nino sighed in relief before asking, "What are you even talking about? Why are you screwed? Is that one Mexican dude still asking for his money?"
"You know how my dad has that super rare and expensive peacock's feathers pin..." The blonde started his explanation.
"Yes," Nino answered, "What about it?"
Adrien gulped, still feeling pale as his green eyes locked onto the said accessory laying on his desk.
"I...accidentally cracked it."
Nino went silent for a moment before replying, "I'll start planning your funeral."
"Nino!" Adrien yelled, "No time for jokes! My dad said if I messed up one more time, he'd send me to a preparatory school!"
"Calm down for a second and let me think..." Nino said. Adrien returned to pacing the floor and combed his fingers through his golden hair. His body is stiff and cursed under his breath every time he glanced over at the jewelry.
He is so doomed!
"Okay, I think I know how to save your skin..." Nino finally responded.
He is so saved!
Adrien let out a sigh of relief, calming down and relaxing his stiff muscles. He knew he could count on Nino to save his butt.
"What is it?" The blonde asked, quickly.
"There's this dude I know named Vincent. He can fix that pin but it'll probably come with a hefty price with how valuable it is," Nino explained. Adrien narrowed his eyes, a little unsure and questioned, "What's the price?"
"I would say around...give or take, five thousand dollars."
Adrien groaned in frustration as things just had to get more complicated. He didn't have that kind of green laying around. Yet, he has to get the money and fix the pin before his father noticed. There has to be a quick way to earn it.
"I know a way you can get the money," Nino continued, reassuringly. Adrien began to listen intently, wondering if he is going to take a safe or dangerous route to get the money he needs.
"Remember that underground gaming tournament that nerd, Max, was talking about?" Nino asked.
"Nope, not at all. Why would I know something like that?" Adrien bluntly asked, sarcastically and rolled his green orbs. It was always like Nino to eavesdrop on other people's conversations but that's how he gets his information.
"Anyway," The DJ continued, waving off Adrien's sarcasm, "the winners get a ten-thousand-dollar prize."
Adrien felt himself brighten as his scheme to get the expensive jewelry fixed is all coming together. He is really good at playing video games. At least, he always beat Nino at them. Then, he frowned after realizing the slight flaw in the plan.
"Wait wait wait, back up for a moment," The blonde said, "Why did you make "winner" plural?"
"Because," Nino said as if it was obvious, "you need a partner to enter the tournament."
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"Where am I going to find a partner on such short notice?" Adrien asked himself, shutting his locker before heading out of the room. Emerald eyes scanned the courtyard for anyone that he knew that is good at video games.
Sabrina is hovering near Chloe as per-usual. Ivan and Mylene are sitting on a bench listening to music. Kim and Alix are having an arm wrestling match with Max refereeing. Nathaniel and Marc are sitting on a staircase, probably working on a comic. Rose and Juleka are watching something on a phone.
Adrien sighed, looking over at Kim, Alix, and Max. Kim is celebrating and getting a nasty glare from his rival while Max stood off to the side, shaking his head. Adrien would've asked Max to help if it wasn't for the fact that he disliked the blonde.
Adrien could care less if Max liked him or not. It was that he would've been useful and nothing more. This meant Adrien is still stuck on step one.
A low growl escaped his lips as he began to head to his next class.
"Hey, dude," Nino greeted, coming out of nowhere and placing a hand on the blonde's shoulder, "Still can't find a partner?"
"No," Adrien muttered, frustrated. The DJ slid his hand off of the blonde's shoulder.
"Do I need to hook you up with some top-notch players that I know?" Nino asked before explaining, "They're all pretty much old dudes, who still live in their mom's basement. But, I'm sure they'll suffice if you give them half of the reward."
"I can't," Adrien rolled his eyes, "Since you obviously have not read all the rules that you gave me, it says that I need someone around my age to participate. The only people I really know around our age are our classmates."
Nino hummed in understanding.
The two friends walked into the classroom and sat at their shared desks. Some students began to file their way into the classroom once the warning bell rang.
"Alright, is there anyone in our class that you think is suitable?" Nino asked.
"The only one I can think of is Max. But, he's hated my guts ever since I beat him by "cheating" at some video games and a physics competition."
Nino gave Adrien a blunt look, saying, "You did cheat."
"That's beside the point," the blonde waved off his friend before the two winced when a high-pitched squeal filled the room.
Everyone's eyes wandered towards the obnoxious noise to see the snobby mayor's daughter, Chloe Bourgeois, glaring murderously at the class president, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, who glared right back.
"Ugh! Would you stop being so bossy? It's really annoying and unattractive," Chloé spat, placing her hands on her hips and overshadowed the short bluenette.
"How ironic," Marinette replied in defiance, "coming from you that is."
Chloe scoffed, "As if! You're practically always walking around stiff as a board and telling people what to do."
"So, what does that make Miss Raincomprix to you then," the bluenette replied, properly. Chloe smirked in victory, "Sabrina is my best friend. Where are all of your friends? Did you lose them with that attitude of yours?"
"Please, I would rather have no friends than be your acquaintance," The bluebell-eyed girl replied, snakily. Chloe tutted, "Everyone adores me!"
The blonde girl's icy eyes snapped away from Marinette and over to Adrien. She placed a fake smile on her face and shoved the bluenette out of the way.
"Adrikins, I didn't see you there! You adore me, right?" Chloe enthusiastically exclaimed, tightly hugging poor Adrien. Adrien always felt awkward in Chloe's hugs when she practically drapes herself on him, dramatically complaining about everything.
The only way out was to agree with her.
"Uh, yeah. Sure," Adrien said, unraveling Chloe's arms from around him. Satisfied, the mayor's daughter happily walked over to her seat and sat down. Marinette gave a look of disapproval at Adrien like she was scolding a child before sitting in the seat right behind him.
Adrien rolled his eyes, not caring.
Marinette and he had a dislike for each other and made some sort of unspoken deal to never cross paths. He was the school's popular bad boy while she was a highly-educated princess. Two people that will never mix.
"Why are women so weird?" He thought, slumping back in his chair.
The teacher walked into the classroom and began attendance.
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"Mister Agreste!"
Adrien and Nino had just exited the classroom before an angry voice called. The two boys turned around to see a short, scowling bluenette stomping over. The blonde sighed, rolling his eyes. Nino snorted, patting Adrien's shoulder in luck before leaving him to deal with Marinette.
"Yes, your highness," Adrien said, placing his hands into his pockets and had a bored expression on his face. Marinette's eyebrows furrowed, glare even more intense.
"Excuse me?" Marinette asked, offended.
"Oh, pardon my foul attitude. There is no need for you to get your panties in a twist," Adrien replied, smirking.
"Look here, you twit-"
Adrien snorted, interrupting a fuming Marinette, "Twit? Really? Princess, I've been called much worse than that."
"Why am I not surprised?" Marinette muttered under her breathe, crossing her arms. She sighed, "I just wanted to tell you to not influence Chloe's behavior. She needs discipline and to respect others, treat them as equals."
"Whatever you say, Milady," Adrien shrugged before walking around Marinette and headed for his next class.
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"You think we might find someone here?" Adrien asked, looking around the arcade.
"Definitely," Nino nodded, getting caught glancing over at the prize table for what felt like the hundredth time. Adrien's curiosity finally got the best of him and looked over at the prize area. There was nothing special over there that caught Adrien's attention but he could see something that caught Nino's attention.
It wasn't any of the prizes hanging on the wall or displayed in the case but the girl with ombré hair looking quite bored.
Adrien smirked, "See a prize that you like?"
Nino turned towards the blonde and shot him a glare, "Shut up."
Adrien merely laughed, patting his best friend's back and gesturing over at the prize table, "Go ahead, I'll look around."
"You sure, dude?" Nino questioned. The blonde nodded, making Nino eagerly walk over to the prize counter to flirt with the girl running it. Adrien shook his head, tucking his hands into his jacket's pockets before continuing to look around.
There were many people of different ages either dominating or failing miserably at a game. Yet, Adrien could not find the right person he was looking for. Someone who knew how to play diligently and keep a level head.
He knew when he would find the right person, his instincts or a gut feeling would kick in. It was like a sixth sense when choosing people he could or couldn't use for his purposes. It has come in handy in dire times as well when he needed to cheat.
So far, there was nothing.
Nobody stood out to him.
Adrien sighed, giving up after looking for about an hour and headed towards the prize table where he knew Nino would be. Yet, something caught his attention and made him pause when seeing a small crowd around the dancing game. Tilting his head to the side in curiosity, the blonde made his way over.
Suddenly, the crowd cheered just as Adrien was able to see what was happening. Two girls were versing each other at the game and were both phenomenal but the blonde could tell the girl with brunette hair was struggling. The other girl played swiftly and calmly like she knew what would happen before it came.
The brunette girl suddenly fell, ending the game.
"Volpina loses!" The girl from the prize table announced before grabbing onto the winner's wrist and holding up their arm, "Lady Luck wins!"
Adrien's eyes blew wide open when seeing the last person he thought would ever step into an arcade. Eloquent lady and class president, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.
The hairs on the back of his neck and arms stood, signaling his sixth sense was going haywire. He groaned knowing what this meant and did not like it one bit.
Marinette was the one.
"Out of everyone in Paris, why her?" He thought, begrudgingly. Yet, this was an opportunity he couldn't miss.
Once most of the crowd dispersed, Adrien saw Nino talking with the girl at the prize table. Yet, the blonde wasn't too concerned about him at the moment. His main goal was to figure out how to convince Marinette to partner up with him for a gaming tournament.
The "Volpina" girl stood up from the ground in a huff and stomped away, scowling.
"I'll beat you one day, Lady Luck and you'll regret ever challenging me," Volpina snarled, walking by Adrien in a huff. Adrien rolled his eyes at the sore loser before making his way over to the bluenette.
Marinette was taking a few sips from a water bottle and scrolling through her phone, unknowing of the presence approaching.
"Never thought I'd see royalty like yourself in a place like this," Adrien said, smirking. Marinette looked up from her phone, staring wide-eyed in shock.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" She asked in a nervous stutter and shoved her phone into her pocket.
"I'm looking for a partner to help me in a video game tournament," the blonde answered, "and I'm wondering if you could be that person."
This earned a steely glare from the short bluenette.
"Absolutely not," Marinette huffed, crossing her arms.
"Why not?" Adrien asked.
"One, I do not find your presence appealing at all. Two, I am not involving myself in any of your tomfooleries," Marinette answered, picking up her book bag and placing it on her back.
"Now, if you will excuse me. I best be heading home. I shall see you in class tomorrow, Mister Agreste," Marinette added before walking away. Adrien followed after her.
"What if I told you, the reward for the winners is a big hunk of cash," Adrien bribed, thinking she would continue walking away. To his surprise, Marinette immediately stopped in her tracks at the mention of money. She turned around and settled her arms at her sides.
"How much?" She asked, quizzically. Adrien raised an eyebrow, wondering why she wanted to know.
"Isn't her family rich?" He thought.
"Ten-thousand," the green-eyed teen answered, suspiciously. Marinette hummed, pursing her lips in deep thought before nodding, "I accept this partnership..."
The blonde was practically pumping his fist in victory until Marinette finished her agreement, "...if I get half of the reward money."
"Deal," Adrien agreed, reaching out his hand. Marinette grasped his hand and they shook on it. The blonde teen smiled deviously as imaginary horns grew from his head. Once Marinette walked away, Adrien removed his free hand from behind his back, fingers still crossed.
"Sorry, Princess," Adrien slyly spoke, chuckling and placed his hands in his pockets, "but our deal is going to be broken."
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"Where have you been?"
Adrien rolled his eyes when the first face that greets him is the last he wants to see.
His annoying step-mother.
"I've been to a lot of places. You're going to have to be more specific, Nathalie," Adrien replied, walking past the fuming woman.
"Adrien Agreste, don't walk away while I'm speaking to you," Nathalie yelled just as the teen slammed his bedroom door shut. Adrien sighed, walking over to his bed and rubbed his tired eyes.
Adrien had always felt alone. His father became very distant and cold. He was rarely ever home, allowing himself to drown himself in work.
As time went on, Adrien had been bullied and made friends with the wrong people, who thought bad stuff was "cool." Just like his father, Adrien allowed himself to drown in the darkness. No one cared enough to help him out so he gradually fell into survival mode.
Adrien used people, tricked them for his selfish desires without any remorse until he got what he wanted. He had a hard time growing close to anyone, making sure to keep everyone at a safe distance but kept close.
There was a line between the people who have met him. There were the people who loved him, whether it was a giant crush or him being a cool guy. Then, there were the people who hated him, whether he bullied them or just plain annoyed and disgusted with him.
Nino was the only reliable friend Adrien was able to keep close with over the years. Besides him, everyone thought of him as the school's bad boy. He ruled the school.
Then, Adrien's father married Nathalie.
Adrien despised her.
He felt as if she was going to replace his mom and kept that thought cemented in his mind. No matter how much she tried to gain some sort of connection with Adrien, he shot her down just as quickly.
He would not allow himself to grow close to another person. He won't allow anyone else to hurt him...not again...not ever.
His cell phone began to vibrate, informing the teen of an incoming call. Adrien slipped his phone from out of his pocket to see it was Nino calling him. Adrien answered, placing the device against his ear.
"Hello?"
"Bro, you left me!" Nino shouted through the phone, offended. Adrien had to move the device away from his ear before returning it.
"You trying to make me go deaf?" Adrien questioned, annoyed with his friend. The blonde was starting to feel a headache form. Nino muttered something on the other side of the line that Adrien couldn't understand.
Adrien sighed, continuing, "Besides, it's not leaving you if you wouldn't come in the first place to flirt with that girl. Now, what's the real reason you called me?"
There was shuffling coming from the other side of the phone before Nino spoke.
"Did you find a partner? I've got pretty much everything filled out on your participation form. I just need your partner's information," Nino explained.
"Yes, but you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you who my partner is," Adrien said.
"Try me," Nino replied.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Adrien answered. The line went silent for a moment, making him think the DJ had hung up on him.
"You're right. I don't believe you," his best friend finally said before asking, "What happened to the "no joking" policy?"
"I swear, dude. She is my partner. Do you think I'd be lying at a time like this?" The blonde questioned. Nino hummed in acknowledgment before relenting and agreed to write down Marinette's information.
"Alright, buddy. You're all signed up. I'll deliver this to the guy in charge of the tournament tomorrow," Nino finished before hanging up. The green-eyed teen placed his phone down and decided to go get a shower.
Hopefully, tomorrow is a better day.
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"You have got to be kidding me."
"I do not kid around, Mister Agreste."
The two teens stood in front of the girliest game in the entire arcade. Adrien grumbled curses under his breath before glaring at the bluenette.
"I'm not playing Pop Pop Princess. I can see the reason why you would but I'd rather blast zombie's heads off," Adrien said, jabbing his thumb over to an apocalyptic game. Marinette placed her hands on her hips and straightened her lips into a tight line.
"For your information, this game is based on skill. It will help you move and find a style of rhythm than your horrendous button smashing," Marinette argued back.
"Trust me, Princess. I can do more than just smash buttons," Adrien slickly spoke, smoothly. A sly smirk adorned his face.
The bluenette's eyes widened and her face instantly heated up when the blonde's face was merely an inch away from hers. Scoffing, Marinette used the heel of her foot and crushed Adrien's foot. Adrien yelped and backed away in pain.
"You are not only a horrendous game player. You are also a horrendous human being. You are very insufferable and disgusting, Mister Agreste," Marinette spat, vigorously.
"Would you, chill? I was just kidding! Sheesh, take a joke for once in your life," Adrien huffed, feeling his foot throb within his shoe.
"Also, you can just say my first name. You don't have to be so formal."
Marinette took in a couple of deep breaths, repeatedly counting in her head to ten. She had to calm herself down and try to work with her moron of a partner. They needed to get along and stop bickering like children if they were to win.
Once she was relaxed, the bluenette stared at her partner before dragging him off to a different game.
"Hey! Where are we going?" Adrien asked, trying to keep up with the surprisingly fast-paced speed the short teen went.
"I made the mistake of not thinking of our very opposite mindsets," Marinette explained, "You need a game more suited for you instead of mine. Henceforth..."
Marinette came to a sudden stop to which Adrien bumped right into her back. The bluenette gestured towards the game in front of her, making Adrien look at what she was showing him.
"...I am introducing you to this game, Ultimate Mecha Strike. It's a pretty well-known video game in this arcade," Marinette said, picking up a controller, "You need skill, strategy, precision, and a level head to win."
"Why didn't you show me this one first? This game looks lit," Adrien exclaimed, watching the fighting robots on the screen. Marinette places in her coins before saying, "This is an elite game. I am unsure if you can handle something like this with how small-minded you are."
"Just for saying that, I'm not going easy on you. I happen to be awesome at video games. I've beaten everyone that I've played," Adrien bragged, giving Marinette a toothy smile.
"I assume the many times you won was either you had the advantage, cheating or unplugging the system before you lost. I also assume that everyone you rivaled is only Mister Lahiffe. Am I correct?" The bluenette said, unimpressed. Adrien's eye twitched in disbelief. Her assumptions were right on the nail but Adrien kept his facade on.
"Of course not, Princess. That's just utterly ridiculous," Adrien replied, waving off Marinette's correct assumptions.
"So is Chloe," Marinette replied, rolling her eyes. Adrien snorted, "Touché."
The game started and was barely a couple of seconds later when Marinette mercilessly claimed victory. Adrien merely blinked in astonishment before snapping his head to the side to look at the bluenette.
"How did you do that?" He asked in disbelief. Marinette was about to make a snarky comment until looking into big emerald eyes filled with curiosity and wonder. The words were lost on her tongue and left the girl gaping. She cleared her throat and turned away, feeling her face warm up.
"I have been playing video games for many years," Marinette answered, calmly, "That is all you need to know."
"Oh, so there is more," Adrien said, smirking and nudging the bluenette's side, "Come on, spill the beans."
"I think you should be paying attention to the task at hand," Marinette said, starting the game and destroying the blonde male again.
"Hey! No fair! I wasn't ready," Adrien complained, flicking the side of Marinette's head. Marinette huffed in return, sending a heated glare at Adrien.
"Also, you might want to pay attention," Adrien continued, slyly when restarting the game and beating up his partner's avatar. Marinette focused, calmly pressing the buttons on the game controller while Adrien wildly smashed the buttons on his.
Adrien was close to winning and could feel victory slowly fall into his grasp. Then, a sudden wind blew it away as Marinette wiped the floor with him for the third time in a row. Soon, the two had to head home and were exiting the arcade.
"Oh, great master! Teach me your ways," Adrien playfully begged, bowing.
Marinette sighed, covering her face with her hand out of embarrassment, "You are an incompetent fool."
Adrien chuckled, putting his hands in his jean's pockets, "Whatever, Princess. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I cannot join you for gaming practice. I am afraid I have somewhere to be tomorrow so it shall be the day after tomorrow," Marinette spoke.
"Really? Where are you going to be at?" The blonde asked.
"That is none of your concern," Marinette replied, defensively and making Adrien raise his hands in surrender.
"Chill, Milady. No need to get so defensive," Adrien said.
Marinette sighed, once again, "You are right. I apologize for my attitude. I will see you at school tomorrow and do stop giving me such childish nicknames, Mister Agreste."
With that, Marinette walked away, leaving a curious and suspicious Adrien raising an eyebrow.
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"Yeah, she is definitely hiding something," Nino agreed after Adrien told him what happened at the arcade yesterday. The two teens decided to meet at the park to talk during lunchtime. The park was full of life for it being around one o'clock on a Thursday.
Adrien nodded his head subconsciously in agreement.
He couldn't figure out Marinette as well as other people. She is very intelligent for her age and knows how to keep a secret. Yet, that just sounded like a new challenge to Adrien. He was going to find out was the prestigious princess was hiding.
"Wait, isn't Marinette's family rich?" Nino said his thoughts out loud, "Why is she helping you with the gaming tournament? She doesn't need cash and hates your guts."
"Yeah," Adrien answered, sitting up, "For some reason, she wants half of the reward money for something. Little does she know, I'm taking it all in the end and leaving her with empty pockets. She doesn't need it as much as I do. Even if I only need half to repair the jewelry, I can use the other half for something else."
Nino grimaced, not liking the idea but kept quiet. He has been Adrien's best friend for years and has seen the blonde drastically change. Nino felt guilty for being unable to change Adrien's beliefs. No matter how much Nino tried, Adrien wouldn't listen unless it would benefit him in the end.
"Whatever, dude," Nino quietly grumbled under his breath, disappointed and mad at his best friend. Adrien watched as the DJ stood up from the bench and walked away.
"Where are you going? Lunch isn't over yet," Adrien asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion. He didn't get a reply back. Adrien decided to head back to school since he had no reason to be at the park anymore. He tried to find Nino but gave up, thinking he already went to his class.
"Miss Bourgeois, I ask that you mind your own business. If you have nothing nice to say then do not say it at all."
The blonde male paused in his tracks and turned his attention towards the argument between two high-respected girls in the class. He spotted a tall emo chick and a short unicorn girl standing behind Marinette. The two of them were holding hands, looking completely hurt and offended by whatever Chloe said.
"I'm just saying that girls should date boys, not other girls. They just look utterly ridiculous and disgusting," Chloe said, examining her talon-like nails. Marinette's eyebrows seemed to narrow even more. The other two girls grew more upset as the argument continued.
"Do not reflect your own problems on Miss Couffaine and Miss Lavillant. They are not reflective surfaces," Marinette spat back. Chloe icily glared at the bluenette before looking around. She spotted Adrien and happily skipped over.
"Adrikins! Marinette is wrong, right? It is really weird to have girls date girls. Right?" Chloe pouted, rapidly blinking her eyes and sticking out her bottom lip. Adrien really didn't care who dated who. All that he knew was to just agree and get Chloe to stop draping herself on him.
Green eyes glanced up and caught bluebell, begging for him to not agree with Chloe. Emo chick and unicorn girl nervously waited for his response. Looking back at Chloe, he sighed and rolled his orbs, "Sure."
Chloe released her embrace on his arm and smirked deviously at Marinette. Chloe snapped her fingers for Sabrina to follow and headed to class. Once Chloe and Sabrina were gone, Adrien turned his attention to the fuming bluenette. He swore he could see steam coming from Marinette's ears.
Emo chick was comforting unicorn girl and lead her away when she started crying. There were whispers from the people who listened in on the argument.
"Sheesh," the blonde thought before something hit his arm hard. Adrien jumped back, wincing in pain and covered the throbbing part of his arm.
"Ow!" Adrien hissed, "Why the hel-"
That's when he saw who had hit him.
Marinette's face was red in rage and her teeth were clenched tightly together. Her hands were formed in fists as her bluebell eyes glared icily at Adrien.
"It's true," Adrien thought, a shiver running down his spine, "Nice people are really scary when they're mad." He didn't show his fear of the short teen, hiding it behind a mask.
"You imbecile! You are quite a lucky man that I am in desperate need of money or I would have cut this deal off ages ago," Marinette hissed, jabbing her offending pointer finger into Adrien's chest. The blonde merely placed his hands in his pocket and forced his stiff body to relax.
"Princess, you need to chill. Why do you need money, anyway? Isn't your family like fabulously rich?" he asked, sounding like he didn't care.
"Of course not, you fool! My parents own the Boulangerie Patisserie across the street," Marinette huffed, arms crossed and chin high as she declared, "From now on, we are not on speaking terms until tomorrow at practice."
"You sound like we're a couple that needs to take a break," Adrien deadpanned. Marinette rolled her eyes before stomping off towards her next class. The blonde sighed under his breath, "Man, she's so weird..."
A small smile graced his lips, "...but interesting."
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