La Red

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D/C: I own nothing.

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Navrée, The Heartbroken Queen, did her best to spread the feeling of heartbreak all around. Alya's new akumatization form made her look like the Queen of Hearts, but instead of red it's purple. Everything about this Akuma screamed heartbreak, pain and sorrow. All she wanted to do is to spread the pain that she is feeling at that very moment to everyone around her. "WHY! TELL ME WHY!"

Navrée held out a long metallic purple scepter, dangling from it is a necklace Nino recognized as one he had given Alya in the beginning of their relationship. That is probably where the Akuma is in and the object they needed to defeat Navrée.

Nino dodged an attack by rolling behind a bookshelf to avoid it. Avoiding another attack and Navrée kept on screaming for him to come out for them to talk it out. Looking around, Nino could no longer see Adrien and wondered what happened to the blonde. Did he manage to escape?

"Talk to me, Nino! Why? Why did you walk away!"

'Why did I walk away…"

Flashback~

Nino knew that confronting his girlfriend about what he just found out, that this could very well make or break their relationship. After talking to Ladybug and her whole experience with helping with Marinette and dealing with Lila. He finally opened his eyes and realized just how much everyone changed when Lila came into the scene. How Lila's lies has caused everyone to turn around against one another, to be more precise, against Marinette.

The only person that has ever called out Lila. Marinette quickly became isolated due to Lila's lies. How those lies caused everyone to believe Marinette to be the bad person in every situation. Every. Situation. Not matter what it was, Marinette was always the bad buy and Lila the good one. Lila could do no wrong, but Nino finally opened his eyes and saw exactly what was going on.

The seating arrangement.

Jagged.

The sprained wrist.

The paper napkin.

Knowing so many famous people.

Knowing the prince.

The paper napkin.

The constant need to be in the center of attention to every situation.

Then all the lies that included Ladybug.

THE PAPER NAPKIN!

Then… there were the videos Alya had put in the Ladyblog. Ladybug debunk every single statement and so on. At this point, if Alya attempts to ignore all this, then there is nothing else he could do for her.

What he did not expect is for Alya accusing Marinette for brainwashing him. That everything that Ladybug had said is nothing but lies. Lies. That it was just Marinette manipulating Ladybug to make her hate Lila, nothing else.

"Stop, just stop." Nino gripped his head, in a failed attempt to calm his mind. "This isn't about me getting manipulated, this is about you and everyone else being manipulated by Lila. Ever since she came, it's all about her. Everything about her. Before her, you would defend Marinette but now, you are more than happy to throw her under the bus just to please Lila."

"That's not true!" Alya defended herself.

"How many times have you avoided inviting Marinette to places, because it made Lila uncomfortable? Or how whenever Lila wanted something to be done, and you manipulate Marinette's emotions to make her feel bad to get it down. WHEN you know it's impossible and it goes against her?" Nino ignored the tears that ran down Alya's cheeks. He could tell nothing he is going to say that will convince Alya that Lila is the monster he and Marinette tried or trying to make her see her as. "You make Marinette feel like her feelings are not valid."

"She's bullying Lila!" Alya spurted out.

Nino paused. He slowly lowered his arms down and are now on either side of himself. Hands clenched into fists, nearly turning white by how hard he's clenching him. "Marinette? Bullying Lila? Where's the proof? All I've seen is everyone, including myself, not standing up for Marinette when it is obviously clear that we all are in the wrong. I'm done. I am done."

Nino turned on his heel to head towards the door. "You need to start fact-checking yourself.

End of Flashback~

Nino didn't bother to hide his glare from Navrée as she glared down at him. She couldn't use her specter as it was being held back by Ladybug's yoyo. "Ladybug, the akuma is in the necklace wrapped around the weapon!"

"Got it!" Ladybug called out, she yanked on her yoyo causing Navrée to lose the grip of her weapon. The specter flew into the air and Ladybug caught it before taking off the akumatized item, destroying it in the process.

Nino kept his gaze on Navrée as Ladybug used her power to purify the Akuma and rectify the damage it had done during the attack. The library, where the majority of the fight took place went back to his previous state. Navrée turned back to Alya, and she fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands. Nino looked over at Ladybug to see her giving her supposed partner a look of complete annoyance. Can't blame her, Chat decided that Ladybug need to go on her own for this fight.

Nino doesn't know what Chat Noir said to Ladybug for his reason for not fighting, but it was clear the cat themed hero wanted to prove some stupid point. Something that shouldn't be debated during a fight and act like a child when not getting their way. Which reminded him…

Alya started to babble through her sobs and Nino could only shake his head; it was just a repeat of what happened the other night between them. With a disgruntled sigh, he sat up and wondered what he should say or do at this point. He already said his piece the other night. "You're doing it again, blaming Marinette for something that is completely out of her control."

"Li-Lila said-" Alya attempted to say through her sobs but was stopped when Nino finally had enough of it. The mention of the liar's name finally tipped him over the edge.

"Of course, whatever she says has to be the truth! THAT is why I broke up with you! Lila said this, Lila said that, and of course Lila is telling the truth, everyone else is lying!" Nino attempted, wanted to hold back his fury but that was easier said than done. "At this point, you are more of a gossiping blogger than an actual reporter. Did it ever occur to you that Lila is lying?"

"Nino, that is enough." Chat Noir interjected. "I'm sure there is some misunderstanding is all."

Nino rolled his eyes at the sight of the leather clad hero. He sounded like Adrien with that high road attitude of his. He looked over to see Ladybug staring at Chat in complete disbelief, he couldn't blame her. Chat Noir just made an appearance, after everything was taken care of and only decided to make an appearance to just add more fuel to the fire. "I'm pretty sure there's no misunderstanding, Chat Noir. It's Alya and my business, you have no right to intervene into our business and former relationship."

Ladybug wanted to say something, but she was down to her final minute. "I'll talk to all of you at a later time, that includes you Alya…"

Alya flinched from her spot but didn't say anything. There was nothing left say at that point. She did turn around to see Ladybug shooting Chat Noir a glare before running out of the library. This left with Chat wondering when would be the next to he would see his Lady to talk about what happened today. It was clear whatever happened between her and Alya, had possibly caused the Akumatization… along with two others. One of them being in the room.

Chat turned to see Nino standing up from the floor, his hat fell off his head in the process. "Maybe you two should talk things over? Clear some things up, perhaps?"

Nino could only shake his head as he reached around to pick up his hat. "Until she starts to think for herself and stop blaming Marinette for everything, there is nothing to talk about."

"Bu-"

"Stop… just stop. Sometimes, some things just can't be fixed."

-.-

"He blames me for everything and put me at a massive risk just to prove a stupid point."

Tikki watched from the safety of Marinette's purse as the girl blustered over what had occurred earlier. Chat Noir arrived shortly after Ladybug made her own appearance but refused to help just to prove a point. Said point, so meaningless at this point that Marinette is just debating with herself if she should just let it slide or confront Chat for his unnecessary behavior.

"Ladybug for talking to Nino about Lila and Marinette for talking to Nino about Lila. There is no in-between!" Marinette whispered furiously, Tikki could see frustrated tears began to fill her eyes. "He's just as bad as everyone! I have feelings! I have my own say to it all!"

"I know, Marinette. Please, breath." Tikki asked softly to her wieldier, she could sense so much dark emotions that began to grow within Marinette.

Marinette did her best to calm down, to ensure Hawkmoth doesn't get the chance to use her for his own games. "I wish they all believe me…"

"Nino and Sabrina believe you; I believe you." Tikki assured softly, mentally thinking over what needs to be done for help Marinette.

"Thank you Tikki, you're the best." Marinette used the back of her hand to wipe away a stray tear that managed to stray away.

"Marinette? Are you in here?"

Marinette quickly stuffed Tikki into her purse and kept the item tucked into her person. The door of the classroom she took refuge in slowly swung open to reveal a frantic Sabrina. "Sabrina? What's wrong?"

"I found out Chloe is coming back sooner than later!"

Oh… this could be either a good or bad thing. At this point, Marinette would rather deal with Cho- "Sabrina… how much does Chloe know?"

"…enough? I think?"

TBC.

R/R.