Le Loup: The rise of the Spade Clan

Chapter 8: Conflicted opinions and Silver's plan

Marinette POV

"I can't believe it." I said at school as a week passed by ever since the robbery. The news, and the Ladyblog, were buzzing about Le Loup going rouge and joining The Spade Clan. Some were enraged by this and stated that Alex should be arrested. Others stated that Alex could've been brainwashed. Even after we tried to talk some sense into him, it backfired on us.

"No kidding. Alex joining The Spade Clan? That doesn't sound right." Adrien said. His arm was in a sling and cast.

"Yeah. Considering the fact that Alex hates their guts. They killed his parents." Alya said, tapping her pen on the desk.

"Maybe we should accept the fact that Alex is long gone and he is now our enemy." Kim sighed.

"No way! We can't do that! Alex's our friend." Zoe exclaimed.

"I'm with Zoe on this one. I say we track down Alex and talk some sense to him." Luka added.

"Are you nuts!? You saw what he did to Adrien, Tina and Nino! What if he did the same to you?" Kim argued.

"I don't know, guys. Alex doesn't look like the type who would stab his friends in the back." Lukas said, petting Fang.

"Maybe he's been drugged. Like Adrien from last year." Alya said.

"I thought we agreed not to talk about that." Adrien growled.

"Sorry. It's hard to not think about it. But enough about that. I think we should track down Alex and talk some sense into him." Alya replied.

Everyone, except Alya, Nino, Lukas, Sabrina, Luka and Zoe, shuffled in their seats.

"Are you serious?" She cried.

"We all saw the news. After all the times he's been with them, I think we should beat Alex and hand him over to the cops." Kim said.

"As much as I hate to admit it, we should consider that the Alex we all knew is gone and Shadow Wolf is our enemy." Max added.

"Sorry, guys, but I'm with them on this one." Ivan said. Mylene nodded.

"I don't believe it. He risked his neck for all of you. And this is the thanks he gets!?" Alya shouted.

"You guys are so lame." Nino added.

"Fine, if you guys want to kill yourselves Be our guests. As of now, Alex is our enemy. That's that." Kim said.

"Hold on, maybe we should-." I said.

"Sorry, Mari. But Kim's right. He almost killed us last time. I'm not risking it again. The police are already looking for him." Mylene said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Alya scoffed and left the classroom. Nino just shook his head and followed her. Adrien and I decided to follow the Fox and Turtle couple to the park.

"By the way, where's Tina?" Adrien asked.

"She said she's not feeling well." Nino answered.

"Yeah. Those injuries really did a number on her." Alya said.

Suddenly, my phone rang. 

"Hello?" I asked.

"Marinettte, right? It's me. Rodrigo." A voice said.

"Rodrigo? Yeah, I remember you. From the fight against Shadow Spade." I replied.

"I know where Alex is. He's in a factory in Lile. The same one you were kept in." He said.

"Really!? How did you know?" I exclaimed.

"I placed a tracker on the van from the robbery. It took me a while to get the signal, since they wrecked the van. But that's beside the point. I say we sneak into the factory." Rodrigo said.

"Ok. When?" I asked.

"Tomorrow, after school. I'm free after 5:30. Let's meet up at the train station. I already arranged the tickets." He replied.

"I don't think I can come. I got a text from my parents that our house is going to be repaired soon. So I need to help out with restocking the bakery." I replied.

"Is anyone available?" He asked.

I asked the others. Adrien has a broken arm and needs plenty of rest. Nino stated that he has to look after his brother since his mother works at night until the end of the month. Alya said she has to help repair the zoo with her dad. Luka already has guitar practice with Zoe. Lukas and Sabrina stated they have patrol after school.

"You could ask Tina." I replied.

"Vale. I'll do that now." He said and hung up.

Tina POV

I sat on the bench, sighing with dread. Any hope of freeing Alex has died. It's already been a week and not much has changed, apart from Alex. He's still with Lie-la. The akuma attacks have been getting more intensive and everyone is getting exhausted.

"Muchacha?" A voice asked me. I turned around and saw Rodrigo wearing a dark brown crop Anarchy jacket with a black t-shirt, grey jeans and black combat boots. He has a bandage his cheek.

"Rodrigo? What are you doing here?" I asked, tugging my beige jacket.

"I know where Alex is. We can go and rescue him." He said as he sat down.

My heart twinge as I heard Alex's name.

"I don't know if we can save him. It's already been a week and he is loyal to Lila." I replied.

"What if it's not him? Maybe it's a stunt double. Or Vex 2.0 himself." Rodrigo said. 

I sighed as I clutched my pendent. The words Alex, better yet Shadow Wolf, said echoed in my head. 

I should've just left you at their mercy.

The real Alex would never say that. Nor would he hurt his friends. But, part of me said that Alex is long gone and that it's too latte for him to be saved.

"I don't know if Alex can be saved. I think it's best that we should focus of dealing with the akumas." I said.

Rodrigo gripped on my shoulders and glared at me.

"Are you saying that your lover is dead to you and that he can't be saved? You told me that Alex risked his neck for you once. Hell, he'd do it again. Now you're saying that you won't save him because of what he said to you?" He asked. 

I couldn't bring myself to look at him. My partner sighed and released me. 

"Fine. I'll go alone if I have to. You can stay here if you want." He said with a disappointed look on his face and walked away. 

I gripped the pendent around my neck.

What am I doing? Alex risked his neck for me. And here I am  feeling sorry for myself. I thought angerly.

"Rodrigo, wait!" I called. He turned around and met my gaze.

"Let me go and get my gear." I said. He smirked and nodded.

"Meet me at the train station at 5:30pm." He said.

I nodded and made my way home.