White Shadows

Chapter 4: White Shadows

I stared at the green-blue Peacock miraculous. It had been a long while since I had last held it. I slowly exhaled as the memories of Cat Noir's akumatiztion drifted through my mind. Fear pulsed through me as I stared at the glittering jewel. I had stopped being a miraculous user because I had become a father, but mostly because my wife went missing. Now being a father wasn't enough to protect what I cherished most.

I grit my teeth before I grasped it, staring at the green jewels resting at the end of the nine feather tips. The blue gem, resting on the bird at the base of the feathers, glimmered with promise. I took a deep breath before clipping it to my vest; Ladybug and Cat Noir need my help. A gentle sigh escaped the blue Kwami that flew out of the jeweled miraculous.

He released a yawn as he stretched his arms and legs, his tail fanning out before hanging limply behind him. He blinked his deep blue eyes before rubbing them. His feathered tail swaying to an invisible breeze. "Hello Seher." I said softly as he turned his blue gaze to me. He blinked then rubbed his eyes. He stared at me before they went wide, surprise tinting his stare.

"Many seasons has passed from long enough time." Seher responded with his poetic words, a soft chime to his voice. "Are thou prepared to take the gauntlet once more?" He watched me as I gave a slow nod. "Then say thy command." He bowed low before looking at me with a smile.

"Seher, me." I whispered as he closed his eyes, his smile turning into delight before he was sucked into the peacock miraculous. I inhaled sharply when turquoise light fell over me like falling feathers. I blinked and looked at my elbow length turquoise gloves. It had been awhile since I last wore the miraculous.

I took a step forward, my nostrils flaring at the scent of greens coming from outside. I frowned. I don't remember opening the window. My teal boots clicked on the floor as I walked toward the window, the of the coat dragging behind me. Thrill heated my blood as I stepped onto the windowsill, my gaze latching onto the white pearl in the sky. I couldn't help the smile that curled my mouth as I pushed myself off, the pleasure of freedom flowing through me once more.

I flipped before landing on my feet, my tail feathers slowly falling to the ground as I rose. I slowly approached the fence that surrounded the perimeter of my home. A heated thrill rushed through me to be once again out in the world as the hero I used to be. I also felt a little out of place.

I glanced back at the house. For too long I had been cooped up doing work after work. How sorely I missed gliding over the rooftops. I sighed as I leaned against the stone fence. Guilt berating me as I thought of how I neglected my son. I took a deep breath before returning my attention to the stone fence, wondering how I was going to get over without alerting my assistant.

It had been a long while and things were slowly returning to me. I glanced at my feet to see I was hovering a few inches off the ground. A smile curled my mouth as I willed myself to the top. A streak darker than the sky caught my attention before I quickly followed after, running along roof tops and leaping over alleyways.

The black streak stopped, revealing Cat Noir. I inhaled sharply before landing on a nearby building; I was growing used to being a miraculous user little by little.

I watched him as worry gnawed at me. I wanted to know how he was coping with his past of being Cat Blanc. His cousin had told me that he was struggling with it. His nightmares only seemed to worsen as of late. Cat Blanc had started talking to the Black Cat instead of trying to kill those he loved in his dreams. His words always filled with such poison.

I took a step forward, prepared to leap to his building when an akuma appeared beside him. I grasped the jeweled hilt of my rapier, the weight of the fan on the other hip. Cat unclipped his staff, prepared to fight the one who called himself Red Wasp. My heart thrummed in my chest. Cat Noir viciously attacked the akuma, after searching the vicinity for who watched him.

I found it strange the way Red Wasp was moving, almost like he was a marionette. The butterfly surrounding his mask never faded as he fought. The sounds of metal singing against each other echoed as another black flash caught my attention.

I glanced about to see nothing; but, my senses told me that another was here, also observing the fight between the hero and the akuma. I returned my attention to Cat Noir in time to see his fist make contact with Red Wasp's head. My eyes widened at his violence. His eyes were impossibly green and his suit was a dark gray, not black.

My heart hammered with worry. I had no way of contacting his guardian. I would have to wait for him to come to me. I watched as Adrien took a bite out of the butterfly before the black cat kwami was forced out of his ring. I wanted to approach him and offer comfort but instinct held me back to sit and watch. Something was wrong with Adrien and no one was going to know if he was not ready to tell.

I took a deep breath before ducking into the shadows of a domed roof. I froze when I heard jean scraping against stone. I resisted the urge to look at Adrien. I took a deep breath before forcing myself to return home. There were things that needed to treaded carfully

I released my transformation as soon as I slipped into my bedroom. "How many seasons has the Chosen of the Black Cat been possessed by the power of poisonous witchcraft?"

"He was Cat Blanc for a few months until four weeks ago. Félix tells me that he was taken to Master Fu but the Miraculous Guardian couldn't find anything wrong with him." I sighed as Seher nodded, his eyes narrowed as he folded his arms, hovering beside me.

"But of course not." Seher looked at me. "The dormant poison had lain within the budding flower. Recently has it awakened. We must watch to learn more." I groaned softly but I knew of the wise words spoken by Seher. We needed to see how deep the power went before we could do anything. That was the bad thing about miraculous users; you can't really do anything to help them. "'Tis troubling for the youngster."