Adrien was shocked. Taken aback. Marinette – the thief, the obsessed, the liar – saved Mylene and then was accused of the worst by Chloe?

He couldn't believe it.

When Tikki came to him, she said a pedestrian needed help and that Ladybug was preoccupied with something serious. He didn't waste a second; he transformed and ran straight to the school rooftop where Tikki was leading him. He saw Marinette and assumed the worst was going to happen. Even if he didn't like her anymore, she was still under his protection, and he wouldn't let her die.

But then he saw Mylene.

About to jump.

If it wasn't for Marinette, Mylene would...

Adrien shook his head – he would've saved Mylene himself! Marinette did nothing – she's useless!

"Chloe's gone!"

"She was useless anyway!"

A memory...?

Adrien turned to Marinette.

"No one's useless."

Adrien gasped. What was he doing?! How could he have treated Marinette this way? His fists clenched as he remembered every time he accused Marinette of something with no proof, every time he laughed at her misfortune, every time he saw tears in her eyes – held back but clearly there.

"Is this true?"

"Is what true, Adrien?"

"This!"

"Ahh...! My room! Those photos..."

"Do you really have all these pictures strewn around your bedroom?"

"I..."

"Do you really know my schedule off by heart?"

"It looks bad, but honestly I-"

"How dare you! You stalker!"

"A-Adrien, please..."

"I refuse to be friends with you anymore."

"Please – stay! Y - you're all I have left..."

"Maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe look yourself in the mirror before forcing people to stay with you through pathetic begging."

"Adrien... this isn't you. Something's going on..."

"Nothing's happened besides me realising who you truly are. Now leave me alone, I don't want to be friends with you anymore."

Looking back at the memory he used to be disgracefully proud of, he now sees how cruel he was. He distinctly remembers how Plagg flew to whisper in his ear to stop his heartless abuse but he'd brushed him off. He still remembers Marinette's response:

"... alright, I'll leave you be. This isn't you Adrien. Please don't use these words you've said to people who don't deserve them."

And she'd walked away.

Adrien gasped for the second time. That's it – he couldn't stay back any longer.

"Plagg – CLAWS OUT!"

"Wait – wha?" was all Plagg was able to say before he flew into the Miraculous. Immediately after, Adrien – Chat Noir – ran straight to Marinette's house. He needed to see her – to talk to her.

He needed-

He stopped, on the balcony, peering down into Marinette's room.

What? What was this??

She – she had to stop!

Chat Noir kicked down the balcony window, shouting at her: "Marinette! Please – stop!"

"K – Kitty?" Marinette said, startled, as her blood-stained razor slipped from her hands and onto her carpeted floor.

Hey guys, me again! I hope you're enjoying the series!! I'll probably have a chapter or two before the next verse of My R starts, I just need some in-between parts to help the story flow.

I'll post again soon!

But for now...

Peachy out! 😊