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Chapter 10 – Shadows at the Party
(MC POV)
A month slipped by faster than I realized. School days blurred together, punctuated by training, late-night planning in the Timeless Zone, and afternoons spent sketching with Marinette.
She was different when she drew. The usual stuttering, flustered girl faded into someone calm and focused, every pencil stroke precise. And now, after weeks of effort, we had it—Chapter One of Your Lie in April.
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At Lunch
I laid the printed pages onto the cafeteria table. "Here it is. Be gentle."
Gwen leaned forward first, flipping open the cover. Ned, Ava, and Randy crowded close. Marinette sat beside me, fingers twisting nervously.
"This is…" Gwen's eyes widened. "Adrien, Marinette, this is gorgeous."
"Like… professional," Ned added. "No joke. I'd buy this."
Marinette ducked her head, mumbling, "I-I just drew what Adrien wrote…"
"Don't sell yourself short," Ava said warmly. "The emotion in these panels—it feels real. You two make a good team."
Marinette blushed. I couldn't help smiling.
Across the cafeteria, laughter burst out. Sam and Luke were showing something around on their phones.
I didn't need to see the screen to know. The infamous "butt picture." Spider-Man, caught mid-swing, unflattering angle immortalized forever.
The Defenders howled with laughter. Luke reenacted the pose, nearly toppling his tray.
My eyes flicked to Peter. His jaw clenched, his eyes dropping to his food.
And at another table, Harry Osborn frowned.
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Harry's Plan
By the end of the week, the rumor spread: Harry was throwing a mansion-sized party.
"He invited… everyone," Gwen told me as we left class.
"Whole school?" Ned asked.
"Whole school," Gwen confirmed.
Ned smirked. "Sounds like a cry for attention."
I stayed quiet. Inside, I was connecting the dots. This is it. The Venom incident.
If the timeline held, Dr. Octopus was about to create something very, very dangerous.
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The Party
The Osborn mansion was alive with lights and music. Students packed the halls, dancing, laughing, raiding the buffet.
Marinette stayed close to me, wide-eyed. "This is… huge. I've never been to something this—"
"Over the top?" I offered.
She laughed nervously. "Y-Yeah. That."
Ned shot me a sly look but said nothing. Gwen rolled her eyes at him, muttering about "wingman schemes."
For an hour, it felt almost normal. Music, noise, Harry trying too hard to look like a host instead of a lonely kid.
But when I noticed Peter slipping away, unease curled in my stomach.
Then came the first scream.
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Venom Arrives
The wall exploded inward. A black, hulking shape with a jagged maw tore through the mansion.
Venom.
He roared, lunging for Spider-Man, who barely dodged. The fight spilled outside in seconds.
"Everyone out!" I shouted, herding panicked students away.
I wasn't here to fight. My job was simple—protect the people who mattered.
"Ned, Gwen, Marinette—this way!"
I shoved aside debris, pulling them into a side hall.
Marinette trembled, clutching her bag to her chest. "W-What is that thing?!"
"Don't look at it," I said firmly. "Look at me. You're safe with me."
She bit her lip but nodded, clinging tighter.
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Harry's Frustration
Elsewhere, Harry stormed through the halls with MJ and Gwen.
"Where's Peter?!" he demanded. "He's supposed to be here!"
MJ hesitated, glancing toward the sounds of battle outside. "Harry, maybe he—"
Another crash shook the walls, silencing her.
Harry's frown deepened.
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Outside – Nova Joins the Fight
I caught glimpses through broken windows as I guided students out. Nova blasted Venom with energy beams, cocky grin plastered on his face.
"Stand back, Spidey! Time for the real hero to—"
Venom swatted him into a parked car.
I grimaced. Classic Nova.
But as I shoved open a blocked door, something caught my eye—Danny Rand, one of the new transfer students. He'd been helping guide kids out, calm and efficient. But now, he was looking at me.
Really looking.
The way I lifted a beam, the ease I carried two students at once—his gaze sharpened. Measuring. Curious.
But he said nothing.
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Ned's Trick
After we reached a quieter corridor, Ned muttered, "I'm gonna look for Peter," and darted off.
"Wait—Ned!" I called, but he was gone.
Marinette looked panicked. "He just… left?"
"Yeah," I sighed. "He's got ideas."
Her eyes darted to the shaking walls, then to me. "Adrien, I-I don't know if I can handle this. The screaming, the—"
I rested a hand on her shoulder. "Marinette. Breathe. Remember how scared you were to show your art? But you did it anyway. That's strength. The same strength you have now. And you're not alone. I'm here."
Her trembling slowed. She gripped my sleeve. "…Okay."
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Aftermath
The fight raged, but eventually Spider-Man and Nova forced Venom away. Students whispered rumors, shaken but alive.
Harry was furious, more distant from Peter than ever.
And me? My friends were safe. That was what mattered.
But Danny Rand's eyes still lingered on me, thoughtful.
Too strong for a normal high schooler.
He didn't say a word.
But I knew.
Sooner or later, he'd start asking questions.
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Later That Night – (MC POV)
Back in my room, the Kwamis teased me relentlessly.
"Adrien and Marinette, sitting in a tree…"
"Kwamis," I groaned.
But beneath the noise, one truth stayed sharp in my mind:
Venom was just the beginning.
And I had to be ready.
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