lila's revenge

Chapter 20

marinettes pov:

What is she on about? Of course she knows me, i'm her best friend. I'm still frowning at the message when two blondes poke their heads through the trapdoor.

Chloe shivers almost immediately and I come to my senses. The temperature has plummeted and my toes are numb from the evening chill.

'Hey guys.' i say, walking towards the trapdoor, hand still clutched against the lit up screen of my phone.

Adrien notices my mood and gives me a peculiar look. I take a deep breath before raising my arm and showing them both the messages. Chloe gasps and grabs the phone before walking into the room and sitting down at my desk. Adrien and I make our way down after her, Adrien gently holding my arm in emotional support.

"So we can all agree this isn't like Alya?" Chloe comments when we're standing around her. Adrien and I nod so she continues. "And where did we leave Alya last?"

"Lila." I gasp. "But why aren't you two affected?"

Chloe shrugs, as equally confused as I am.

Adrien looks lost in thought, before muttering, "She offered me some sort of drink just before I left."

"She never offered me a drink." Chloe grumbles.

"But why didn't she care if you remembered me?" I ask curiously.

"I'm not sure. And I can't exactly ask because everyone at that party would ignore my messages anyway." she says, glancing at her phone as if willing a notification to pop up.

"So Adrien, you said no to the drink?" I ask, drawing my attention back to the blonde boy.

"Yeah.. well no, not exactly. I knew she'd make me drink it so I acted normal and took it before walking out and tipping it in a plant pot." he remembers.

"So that drink contained some sort of memory potion?" We conclude, glancing around for confirmation. 

"So Adrien, what exactly happened whilst I was gone?" I ask, and he sits down on the chaise to recall the last few hours.

adriens pov: *flashback*

Marinette's gone. I don't know where they took her, but we lost her in the maze of corridors. Chloe is with me, I think we're heading back to the main foyer. I try not to be distracted, knowing this is an essential escape route. Left, left, straight, right, down, up, right, past a bay window, right, left, left. At this point the guard clamps his hand down on my eyes. I assume i was mumbling directions to myself.

Given that I can no longer see directions, I focus on the knowledge I already have. There's a bay window, which means there is probably a few others around the castle. A perfect escape for a certain Cat. I smile to myself, knowing that's exactly how i'll save Marinette. Before I know it, we're back in the party room, met by the confused looks of our classmates.

After a mildly irritating conversation with Lila and the stupid guard, I follow them back to Marinette, leaving Chloe with the others. We get to Marinette, who is chained into a dungeon and Lila utters four words that sends shivers down my spine.

"Say goodbye I guess." she says, before walking back up the stairs.

After a while I finally get Marinette out of her cell and we make our way towards another bay window. I leave her there to find Chloe and transform.

As I enter the party room, Lila sees me immediately and hurries over to offer me a drink that i notice everyone has in their hands. Except Chloe. I trust Chloe's instincts around Lila, so know not to drink it. However, I accept the drink politely, trying not to cause another scene that will result in me drinking the contents.

I make my way towards Chloe, leading her away from the crowd of classmates. In my peripheral view,  I see a guard enter the room and Lila leave frantically. I know they're looking for Marinette.

"Chlo, I need to transform and get Marinette out. You should be able to leave, but if not, call me and I'll get you out via a bay window." She nods gently, her eyes trained on Alya who is laughing a bit too loudly whilst sipping the amber drink. I glance down to realise I'm still holding the drink, and tip it into a plant pot. Chloe smirks at the action, knowing the amount of champagne we get offered at modelling shoots. 

I smile at her before hurrying towards a nearby toilet to transform into my alter ego. Once I've finished, I peek outside and see Chloe is keeping everyone a safe distance away by arguing with Alix. She spots me and winks, and I dive behind a seat as Alix turns around in confusion. Deciding there is nothing there, Alix turns back around to Chloe who looks bored out of her mind, but continues the act until i've left.

Darting out of an open window, I scale the castle, looking around until I spot an open bay window with a bluenette sitting on it's cushions. Smiling I reach for her, accidentally scaring her in the process. She calms down when she realises it's me, reaching for my hand to pull her out of the castle walls. I'm about to jump away when Lila runs up the stairs, an angry expression on her face.

When she sees us both, she looks frustrated but not surprised. Without giving her a second to act, i grab marinette and we both jump away to the bakery.

Once I've settled Marinette onto the balcony, I rush off to transform back and catch up with Chloe. Deciding Chloe could be anywhere, I wait by the side door of the bakery. A while later, Chloe approaches the bakery and sees me waiting. She waves and comes over, giving me her coat when she realises i've been there for a while.

"I told her you left with me." she mutters, before pushing open the door and making our way upstairs to Marinette.

*flashback over*

I tell the girls most of the story, slightly switching the events to suggest I left with Chloe. I don't think Marinette is too bothered with that part, just interested in the drinks that Lila was distributing around. Especially as to why Chloe was never offered one.

"What if... what if that drink erases peoples memories of me.... and you?" Marinette mumbles after a moment, turning to look directly and Chloe.

She raises her eyebrows but doesn't argue with the suggestion.

"I mean she has always had it in for us both." Marinette continues thoughfully. "What if she wants us both gone but just never got the chance to threaten you?"

After the events of tonight, the one thing i've decided is that Chat Noir is going to be essential in Marinette's protection. Especially as aside from her family, me, and chloe, no one knows enough about her to stand in her defense.

I know she's ladybug, but there's a reason we're a duo.