White Shadows

Chapter 14: Volpina

Hawkmoth growled, glaring at the city tops. His spy had been killed.

A roar escaped him while he threw his staff against the large window. It bounced off before rolling into a half circle. The butterflies scattered while he glared at the white cat, curling into a ball into the humanoid Kwami cat.

His akumas were dropping like flies with Ladybug and the two other heroes. It didn't help that Cat Blanc was eating them. A sigh sounded behind him. "Calm down. Exploding isn't going to bring Copycat back, he's already been cleansed." A feminine voice sounded disinterested and a little irritated.

Hawkmoth turned and glared at the woman standing behind him. She was leaning against the wall, her fox tail-like tail sash swaying back and forth. Her fox ears turning towards him as she stared at her black gloved claws. "Why haven't you gone out there and fought them yet?" Hawkmoth demanded as Volpina looked at him with an unimpressed expression, her green eyes glowing. She snorted as her orange lips turned into a frown.

"I'm watching them." She grabbed her flute and twirled it. "I'm learning about them." Hawkmoth stared at her.

"Tell me what you have learned." He growled as she rolled her eyes.

"Phantom Cat and Bleu Royale don't really like each other. Phantom Cat acts like a father to Cat Noir/Blanc while Ladybug has a thing for him." She paused. She had observations about Cat Blanc too. He wasn't just possessed. Something else was at work here. He had two somethings fighting for control in his body. She didn't want to tell Hawkmoth about that. After all, she must keep some of her secrets for herself.

Hawkmoth growled. "Those don't help you or me." Her tail twitched as she sighed. She brought the flute to her lips. Hawkmoth flinched as she played a simply melody. Hawkmoth watched as the heroes of Paris appeared before him. "What about them?" He growled as Volpina gave a wolfish smile.

"Their interactions with each other." She waved to Cat Noir. "We already know who he is. He is Adrien Agreste. Boy Model." Cat's suit faded to Adrien. "Phantom Cat acts as a parent to Cat Noir, suggesting that he knows who Cat is. So Cat must know who Phantom is." She waved her hand towards Phantom Cat.

Hawkmoth growled as he opened his mouth. "Yes Hawkmoth, Phantom Cat is male." She gave an irritated sigh as she tapped her nose. He closed his mouth with a scowl. "That leaves us with two options of who they could be. His father or his cousin." She played her flute. Félix Agreste, the other famous fashion designer, appeared beside Phantom Cat as well as Gabriel. "Same thing with Bleu Royale." She motioned for the illusion to join the Agreste family.

"Now for Ladybug. She talks to the Agreste boys like they are her family. What do they all have in common?"

"They know Cat Noir's identity."

"Exactly." Volpina grinned, her canines peeking through. "Now," She waved her flute through Ladybug and Bleu Royale, causing them to disappear. "I believe Phantom Cat is Cat Noir's current guardian. Bleu Royale is also a good candidate. But I believe since both Cats' are bad luck. Something is going to give sooner or later. We find where the luck is at its worst. We find Cat's ring and Kwami and possibly Phantom Cat's home."

"So you're saying that the Black Cats stick together?"
"Mhmm." She hummed as she licked her lips, waving her flute through the rest of her illusions. "From what you have told me. The black cat Kwami is fond of his 'kittens'. He will find a way to help Cat Blanc. So he is bound to be with either, the father or the cousin. Since the black cat Kwami is bad luck; if he is with Phantom Cat, he will be exposed sooner or later."

Hawkmoth took this into consideration. "Volpina." Hawkmoth turned to her as she looked him.

"Hmm?" She hummed as a sly smile curled her lips. She already knew what he wanted.

"Find Cat Noir/Blanc's current guardian." Her smile grew before she turned, sashaying towards the exit as she brought her flute to her lips. Prepared to play her hypnotic melody.

Hawkmoth grasped the nearest white butterfly, filling it with dark energy. He still wanted to get rid of the white cat. He sent it out, his thoughts stirring as a pink butterfly outline appeared before his face. "Hello Arachna. In exchange for your power, I simply ask that you kill Cat Blanc. Any means possible. I do not want him after my Akumas anymore."

"Why of Course Hawkmoth." Chiming laughter filled the cavern as theoutline faded.