White Shadows

Chapter 16: Cleansing Light

I watched as Plagg leaned in close, his tail whisking behind him. His black hair looking more ruffled than usual. Ladybug kneeled beside Phantom Cat. "How are you still alive?" She asked as he shifted, probably testing his body. Blood coated his suit, causing him to flinch.

"You're alive." I purred in his ear as I tightened my grip. I didn't want leave his side, not after what I had witnessed. It seemed like every akuma here wants him dead. I felt his gaze burning into me as I placed my forehead on his shoulders, finally allowing the tears I was holding to flow.

"Of course he is alive." Plagg sniffed. "He is a cat after all. All users of the cat miraculous have nine lives." I could hear him shrinking as he zipped towards Phantom. "He has already lost seven. This being his seventh." Phantom Cat growled as he pried my hands from around him. He quickly rose to his feet.

"We don't have time to sit around." He pulled a yo-yo from one of his compartments as I rose to my feet. "Do you have any idea what this is for?" He pointed to it as Bridgette grabbed his collar, her ribbons trailing behind her, and jerked him down to her level as their mouths collided.

A muffled mewl of surprise escaped him as I slipped away. I went through the crowding T.V men unnoticed. They called themselves Commercial Chaos. I was surprised when they paid me no mind. I scaled a building wall away from the gathering Akumas. I knew Félix had trapped them, but I didn't understand why they wanted to kill him still. As far as I know. Hawkmoth didn't control them. It was the original Akuma.

I stared at the group below before a few dozen black butterflies flew past my nose. I didn't want to catch any more. My stomach turned at the thought. Even though I had the feeling that they didn't sit there but went elsewhere. I still wanted to throw up. I scrunched my nose before trotting to other side of the building's edge. I still had to find that one being who had rescued me from the snake akuma's jaws.

I squatted at the edge and closed my eyes, using my ears and nose to find what could not be seen; after all, the view was getting thicker with purple black demons. Screams filled the air as I sighed. There goes that plan. I opened my eyes as the scent of smoke filled my senses. I wrinkled my nose again as I drew back. An akuma covered in flames rose before me. He stared at me long and hard. "You are not the Cat Noir. Your suit is white." I raised an eyebrow as he narrowed his fiery orange eyes. He had no pupils. I folded my ears back and hissed at him as cataclysm bubbled in my hand. He stared at me for a moment longer before taking off.

The building rumbled beneath me as I fell back, my hand landing on the building. I groaned. I quickly got to my feet as the white bubbles of cataclysm faded. The building creaked and groaned as I sprang away from it, clinging to the side of another. I watched it crumble before I climbed upward, cursing under my breath.

I froze when teal boots came in to my line of vision. I looked up to see Bleu Royale staring down at me. A spotted yo-yo attached to his other hip. "Where hast thou been, you blasted white cat?" I glared at my father as he reached for me. A hiss tore from me as my tail clicked against the brick wall. I released my grip, falling as strangled sound escaped him.

I flipped around and landed on my hands and feet as a kaleidoscope of butterflies flew past me. I gasped when my legs and arms slipped out from under me. I huffed, cursing my luck as I raised my gaze. I froze.

I stared at a pair of silver armored feet. I inhaled sharply as I slowly looked up, following the silver armored boots that quickly gave away to white scarred legs. He had a tattered leather skirt about this waist. I proceeded to his scared chest and stared into his pale blue eyes.

I groaned. Of course. One of the akumas Fé caught was a Lord of the Rings fan. I sighed. At least it wasn't Saruman. He had magic whereas the white orc didn't. A startled yelp escaped me when he grasped my belted tail with a meaty hand. "I know you!" He bellowed as spittle flew into my face. I hissed, my clawed hands flying for his face. He howled and dropped me.