In the days that passed, Marinette's world was distorted.
It hurt so much that Marinette was racing against the clock, trying to find Viperion. At the same time, everyone's lives went like normal. Marinette had to fight off angry tears because Viperion always ensured the world was in the best timeline.
Marinette would show her appreciation for Viperion carrying Paris on his back by finding and bringing him back, but she searched everywhere. When you lose the one you love, everything starts to remind you of them—every offhand remark, every beautiful thing in the dark world, even when the sky turns a particular color.
And the bracelet Marinette wore, that still had the tiniest spark.
The bright sunset reminded Marinette of something. She nearly wore out her tiny pink shoes, searching all of Paris, and found herself walking under a bridge where you could hear the sounds of the water. The bridge that Viperion took her to so long ago.
And then Marinette finally saw it, under the bridge! A broken piece of Viperion's harp.
Marinette's eyes sparkled as she ran for the piece of harp, not anticipating being blinded by the light again.
In front of her was her past self and Viperion sitting under the bridge and smiling as they listened to the sounds of the water. The sounds of the water echoed in present Marinette's ears. She tried to reach out for past Viperion, but the vision shattered, and Marinette fell to the ground while still keeping the broken harp piece close to her chest.
She sucked in her breath and picked herself up, knowing that she was closer to Viperion than she was before.
"Don't worry," Marinette breathed. "I'll find you…"
"I'll find you Viperion!"
Days later, Marinette went to the garden rumored to attract lovers. Many people were smiling, holding hands, and hiding among the flowers on this beautiful sunny day.
Marinette only watched the couples from under her hoodie, even if she felt a familiar presence. It wasn't until the garden became quiet and mostly empty that she searched. And this memory was already vivid for her. She could never forget when she begged Viperion to come to the garden with her and how Viperion eventually agreed with a smile…But they decided to go at night when nobody would be around to not attract attention.
Marinette's thoughts stopped as she saw another sparkling broken piece of the green harp before the bush of pink roses. She quickly grabbed it, not anticipating more bright light when her hand touched the fractured piece, but this time, Viperion was right in front of her, smiling at her.
Marinette remembered they went to the garden together on a starry night, and Viperion took an interest in the pink roses, making Marinette slightly confused. She questioned if pink roses were Viperion's favorite. Then she couldn't help but gasp when she saw a garden snake peeking his head outside the rose bush and greeting Viperion.
Realizing Marinette was slightly frightened, he shielded her and gently held out his hand for the garden snake. And Marinette brought herself closer, seeing Viperion be so sweet to a tiny garden snake. Viperion took notice but still kept the garden snake and Marinette safe. Still, Marinette felt a moment of triumph when she petted the garden snake and rejoiced over her courage and how cute the little creature was.
Marinette even felt comfortable letting the garden snake play on her hands and was in awe of its adorable, innocent black eyes. She didn't expect Viperion to be so bold as to pick a pink rose from the bush and present it to her, smiling sincerely.
Marinette was so shocked that she didn't say anything; she just looked at Viperion, then at the rose, and then back at Viperion.
"I never felt this way about any other girl; you're truly extraordinary, Marinette."
Marinette smiled as she slowly reached for the pink rose, but before she knew it, the vision shattered, and she was back in the present day. Her legs felt weak as she realized Viperion and the garden snake were gone again. Strangers turned their heads as they saw Marinette having a moment, but they didn't bother her. She fell to her knees, and tears started to form in her eyes.
Marinette took a moment to cry softly to herself; it took her a while to notice a familiar garden snake slithering toward her.
When Marinette opened her eyes, she wondered if she had gone back in time again as she saw the garden snake that looked oh so familiar. Marinette fought back tears as she held out her hands for the little snake to slither on.
But she couldn't help but sob again, having to tell her little snake friend that Viperion wasn't with her this time.