Hey everyone! I just wanted to inform you that I'll probably be ending this book on chapter 30! I wanted to end it with the same amount of chapters as the last book so that's what I'll probably do.
Anywho, enjoy the chapter!
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Alya's P.O.V
As usual, I was researching. I continued to dig for answers and try to see the bigger picture—the entire story of Mallorie Dupain-Cheng. I don't want to jump to conclusions again. I've made that mistake many times and the last one was my biggest. I don't want to do that anymore, especially with the consequences that it gives.
So, I've been doing extensive research. I've found articles, posts, and news reports.
Yet, it still didn't add up to why Mallorie acts the way she does around her own blood. As far as I know, the Dupain-Chengs are as sweet as the desserts they bake. If I had to be adopted by anyone, I would be sure as lucky to be with them. But I'm not Mallorie. She has different ideas and purposes.
She can't have grown into this resentment without planting a seed. There has to be a start and reason for her hatred. I'm sure over the years it's developed due to bad treatment but it usually begins somewhere.
"Maybe, it has something to do with her parents? But why would Mallorie hate Marinette if they're the same age? Marinette has never said anything about a sister, which gives me the idea that she didn't even know of Mallorie's existence. So...why? Why did Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng put Mallorie in the system at all and in an American one of them all?" I thought, letting out an aggravated sigh.
This cycle of questions or answers leading me to more questions is not helping.
"What am I missing?" I added in my mind, staring down at my notebook with notes and theories written down, "There has to be something I haven't found. I would ask Mr. Dupain but I have a feeling I won't get answers. It seems like a private and personal matter that he wouldn't want to talk about with Marinette's ex-best friend (if he even knows about that)."
A thick vanilla folder suddenly lands on top of my notebook and knocks me out of my head. I snap my neck up to see Chloe and Sabrina with smug smiles on their faces. I raised an eyebrow, glancing from them to the folder and then back.
"What is this?" I asked.
"Oh, you know..." Chloe spoke, checking out her nails like it was no big deal, "...just finding all of Mallorie's documents, certificates, papers, and blah blah blah. Reporter nerd stuff and such. Nothing much."
"What?!" I exclaimed, standing from my seat with wide eyes. I notched my voice down into a hiss-like whisper, "Chloe! This is illegal! How did you even get this?"
"I'm the mayor's daughter. I can get whatever I want," Chloe said, flexing her name as usual. I gave her an unimpressed look.
"Sabrina got this, didn't she?" I deadpanned. Chloe's lips thinned out and looked away in embarrassment.
"Maybe she did..." Chloe admitted before quickly adding, "...but how the ugly folder was obtained doesn't matter so long as we got it and helps."
I looked at Sabrina for answers. Obviously, her father is a cop but noting the American flag on the folder, I highly doubt Roger has the power to get these nor would he break the law. So, how did she get the folder?
Sabrina sheepishly scratched the side of her cheek.
"I have an uncle in America, Paul Raincomprix, who was coincidentally assisting on Mallorie's case along with other children in that situation. I managed to convince him to send Mallorie's papers," Sabrina explained. I perked up, intrigued by whatever "that" was.
"Sabrina...what exactly is your uncle working on?" I asked. The redhead placed her hand on the folder.
"It's all in here and you might find all your answers," Sabrina said before removing her hand from the folder. I never thought Sabrina of all people would stun me but here we are.
She actually went through the trouble of getting someone's classified documents for me? I guess it probably helps that her best friend is the mayor's daughter and she's friends with Marinette. I won't ask how she pulled it off since she is letting me take a gander at it.
This might be what solves the entire mystery of Mallorie Dupain-Cheng.
Just to make sure it's the real deal (and Chloe isn't pulling my leg), I flip the folder open. I scan through the first paper real quick before deeming it as Mallorie's actual file. I close the folder and quickly stuff it in my bag. I can't let anyone else see this, especially Mallorie. Who knows what she'll do to Marinette if she found out I have her files.
"Thank you both. There might be a major breakthrough in there but I'll have to look through them at home. I can't let anyone else see these papers or else we might get into big trouble," I explained in a quiet voice.
"Don't worry, we're going to keep our lips sealed," Chloe assured.
"What are you guys whispering about?" Kim asked, appearing out of nowhere and leaning into the conversation. Chloe and I narrowed our eyes at the jock for intruding on our private conversation.
"Kim, leave them alone. I'm hundred percent sure that it's none of your business," Max scolded, dragging his friend away from us.
"And Kim," I added on, "And especially Kim. He'll blabber."
For once, Chloe, Sabrina, and I agreed on something.
The two went to their seats when more of our classmates began to enter the room. It's still weird to be working with the two most disliked girls (aside from Lila) in the whole school. Although, that's a bit hypocritical coming from me.
Whatever the case, I'm glad I accepted their help. I glance down at the folder packed away in my bag.
Now, I'll figure out the truth.
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Adrien's P.O.V
I froze and stared like a deer in headlights at father.
"Crud," I thought.
There he stood with his usual scowl on his face. Yet, I can tell he is angrier than he usually is by the way his face scrunched up more than it usually did. But his facial expressions are the least of my worries with whatever it's compared to what he'll do to me.
I've been caught and there's nowhere to run. Maybe, he'll akumatize me into one of his little minions. Of course, it's not like he didn't ever do that before. Or he'll torture me into being quiet (but that's just a wild theory since nobody has ever been kidnapped by Hawkmoth. I could be a special case since I'm his son).
Unless this isn't what it looks like. For all he knows, I could just be breaking into the safe to check out the superhero book again. Although, I've never disobeyed father's orders once he gave them to me. This'll be the first which is very much out of character for me.
"I will only repeat myself one more time," Father warned with a growl behind his voice, "What are you doing?"
"Time to put my acting skills to the test," I thought. But before I had a chance to say anything, father swiftly walked over and checked the safe for anything that was missing.
Suddenly, my excuse was swallowed down my throat when father averted his now rage-filled gaze onto me. I stiffened and closed my mouth. The peacock miraculous felt like it was burning in my pocket, making it feel like its presence is known to everyone.
"Where is it, Adrien?" he demanded. He didn't only look furious, there was also desperation laced in his voice.
"Come on, Agreste. Just play dumb," I thought.
"Where's what?" I asked, bowing my head in shame, "I'm sorry, father. I-I don't know what you're talking about. I just wanted to see the book again."
I mentally patted myself on the back.
Father's eyes narrowed. I take back my pat on the back. Clearly, he didn't believe my lie. Father extended his hand.
"Give it to me," he ordered. Suddenly, I felt compelled to listen. My eye twitched, trying to hold back the urge. My hand began to shake before reaching into my pocket and pulling out the peacock miraculous.
I handed it over to father. Something in my chest twists into a knot and continued to be pulled tighter and tighter. I'm disappointed in myself for not resisting. Angry for giving in. Sad that I couldn't protect the people I care deeply for (and the Kwami of the peacock miraculous).
All these entangling emotions screamed that I failed.
I failed.
But why did I listen and hand it over so easily? Why couldn't I fight off the urge to stop myself? I didn't have any control at that moment.
Father examined the pin, probably making sure I didn't damage it. Then he turned his attention back to me.
"Why were you stealing your mother's pin?" He asked. Shock washed over me.
"Wait, that's mom's pin?" I asked.
"Yes..." Father slowly answered like he was trying to figure something out, "Why else would you be stealing-"
Father's eyes widened as realization finally hit him.
My breath caught short.
I made a huge mistake.
The light behind his scarf grew brighter.
"Adrien," my father spoke up after a minute of staring at me. I winced. He returned to his calm and level voice, with a cold tone weaved in. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.
"Y-Yes?" I questioned.
"I want you to follow me."
My muscles reacted to his command. I fought against whatever spell of obedience he placed on me. A force having tied strings around my wrists and ankles like a puppet. A puppet that can't do anything except do whatever the puppeteer wants with a simple pulling of my strings at his will.
My father is pulling my strings with only a few words.
I used all my willpower to not move a step, urging my body to escape out the door.
But no matter how much I tried to break away from the order, I followed him.
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Alya's P.O.V
I closed my bedroom door, locking it. Walking over to my desk, I pulled out the folder and tossed my school bag onto my bed. I sat down and opened the folder, starting my night-long investigation. Who cares if I have school the next day and have a test in my history class that I should be studying for.
But some things are more important at the moment (which is a little bit of an excuse for it being more interesting). I spent the next hours reading through the papers, making sure not to place them out of order. I jotted down notes and sipped on some soda to keep me awake.
I'm using what I learned and puzzling it together with the new information I'm discovering. If I can figure out what happened in the past, it might reveal the present problem and give me the answers to solve it. With how many papers are in here, my chances of finding out the truth are high. It seems to start with recent occurrences and goes back through the past.
It might take a long time but it'll be worth every second.
I read through articles and police reports that I haven't seen. I'm probably learning more about Mallorie than even what the Dupain-Chengs know.
"Man, her life was pretty screwed up," I thought, flipping through a few more papers. Mallorie's been tossed around from home to home. She must have been so lonely. Although, there is one place she seemed to stay for a long time.
"I wonder what was so special about Chicago for two and a half years," I wondered, quietly. In most places she stayed, the average seemed to be a little under a year or less. Then, she was tossed to another town or state.
I continued, gradually running out of papers to look through until I was on my last one. I still haven't found the missing piece. I sighed, rubbing my eyes and checking the time.
It's almost four in the morning.
The last paper I read was Mallorie's paper on entering the foster system. I just have one paper left then there's nothing else.
"Was this all for nothing?" I thought. I shake away my doubts. No, there might only be one paper left but that doesn't mean it won't have what I need. I just need one more piece to fill in the gap and answer all my questions leading up to this point.
I grab the last paper, noticing it's an article.
I read through it my eyes slowly widening the more engrossed I get in the story.
Suddenly, things slowly start to click.
"No way..."
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Mallorie's P.O.V
I managed to get the flying rodent to tell me how to transform. I feel alive and powerful in this suit. I wonder why that blonde feline gave it up. This power is addicting...but it's still not enough.
I need more.
I clench the picture of Ladybug and Chat Noir, knowing Marinette's identity is behind the Ladybug mask. I have to be more powerful than her. She has the advantage over my power.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something near my hand before it disappeared. I was about to search for whatever it was when I hear a deep voice start to talk.
"Hello, Shadow. My name is Hawkmoth," the voice of Paris's villain introduced.
A giant, wicked smile formed on my face.
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