Shadowteer

Chapter 20

Chris was confused.

He broke the wand and watched the butterfly leave, expecting Manon to try to run after all the Puppeteer had told him but she was completely baffled.

Manon was confused.

The boy wasn't making any sense. Talking about what her villain counterpart had said, trying to get her to remember but she didn't know clueless. Both of them were just standing there, trying to figure things out when Chris fell to the ground.

Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw were hands gloved in black leather. And the hands were in chains. He winced when he heard a voice he hoped he'd never hear again and scowled as he looked up.

"Hey there Chris. How are you?"

"Papillon! How did I get here?! Where's Manon? What did you do to her? She doesn't remember anything and-" I got out of my chair, the chains melting off my hands and falling to the floor. He gaped at me. "Wh-what?"

"What? It was pretty easy dude. Ooh, I think I triggered a few dozen alarms. We need to get out of here."

"But-" I grabbed his arm and teleported out of the place. We were surrounded by darkness. Ah. Home sweet home. "Where have you taken me now? And you're supposed to be in jail lady-"

"Welcome to My Zone! It's beautiful, is it not?" He winced when I let in some light and sat on a chair I conjured cautiously. I sat on one as well.

"Liked it better with no light."

"Same. Now I've got things to do so let's hurry this along, shall we?" I tapped my foot impatiently. He took a deep breath and continued.

"You akumatised Manon."

"Correct."

"The Puppeteer said all those things to me about Manon's... situation." He felt uneasy saying it. He had suspected it for the longest time but for the Puppeteer to actually confirm it, that the Princess Sunshine wasn't all that sunny... it felt unreal. He had hoped his theory was wrong for weeks but now the truth was out. His theory was right but he really didn't like it.

"Why doesn't she remember? We remembered everything when we got deakumatised last time, heck we were actually us while we we're villains... if that makes any sense. We had control. How can she not remember?!"

"Chill dude. The old guy Hawkmoth akumatised people like this. Maybe I've decided to go back to tradition-"

"BACK TO TRADITION?!"

"Why do you care so much? Thought you hated her." He bit his lip, guilt on his face.

"I don't hate Manon. I never did. She was my best friend. All I want is to keep her safe. So tell me, Poopillon. What exactly did you do to her?"

"Ooh, sassy. I like it. Well, I'll tell you something Chris. You should be a lot more worried about what I'm doing to you right now. A lot more worried. And as for Manon? You're a big boy. You can help her out on your own. You're gonna have to. The worst is yet to come for Manon Chamack. Or you. What was it Puppeteer said? That last line at the end?" He went slightly red.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But what exactly are you doing to-" his mind went foggy as pain filled his head. He moaned and held it, hearing a voice calling out for him. "What the he... Papillon? Who is that?"

He opened his eyes to find he was in a hospital bed. His friends and family surrounded him, the news crew crowded at the door taking pictures and videos. He frowned immediately, hating the attention and froze when Manon hugged him. He was about to shove her off when he remembered Puppeteer's words. After a deep, shaky breath he hugged the surprised Manon back and cursed himself for not doing it sooner. Manon had always been fun to hug growing up. They used to hug all the time.

"H-hey..." He mumbled. She swallowed and smiled. Progress. She was going to get her best friend back if it killed her.

"You've- you've been in a coma for three weeks. Exams are really close-"

"WHAT?! I'm so dead! This is bollocks Manon! Bloody hell I'm scre-" he coughed when Alya sent him a sharp look, nodding her head towards the Agreste children. He sighed and pulled away from her, feeling slightly better but still uncomfortable with it. After mumbling something to Nino everyone quickly cleared out to give him some alone time but Manon demanded to stay and he let her immediately, shocking everyone. She watched her mother leave from the corner of her eyes, pretending she didn't look.

Nadia Chamack was worried for her daughter. She was, first and foremost, surprised by the girl's boldness. To stay alone in a room with a male? If not for her job she would have dragged her out. She needed to keep an eye on Christopher Lahiffe. Childhood bestfriend or not, they weren't children anymore, they were teenagers. Hormonal teenagers. She needed her daughter safe.

"Chill. What happened? I've been so worried and I... I mean you fainted right in front of me... you were so pale. Paler than normal anyways Mr. Vampire." He chuckled, appreciating her attempt to make things less tense.

"You really don't remember, do you?" She groaned.

"If this is about all that stuff about me telling you as Puppeteer that I was... you know, whatever, just forget it. We can agree to disagree. I'm happy, see?" He stared at her smile and shook his head sadly.

"I'm afraid not."

"Just drop it okay?! If I even said all that stuff, which I didn't, it was probably me exaggerating. It happens at times. Oh, I got you something." She pulled a stuffed bear out of her bag. He chuckled.

"Wow. A black bear with purple ears and a blue nose. I'm so grateful." She folded her arms sassily, sitting down next to him on the bed. She didn't really expect him to let her but he shifted and she slid in.

"What? I know you like black mister but I just so happen to like purple and blue. Deal with it."

"I'm gonna call it... Nightlight."

"Why?" She watched his shoulders sag, an angry frown forming on his face. He swallowed and shook it off, fixing his eyes on the bear.

"Memories. Just memories."