In theory, our new mission was simple; Find someone in Hawkmoth's inner circles who secretly was willing to betray him. In practice, not so much. We couldn't just go around yelling at akumas, asking them if they would be willing to switch sides and risk being cursed into oblivion. Mainly due to the fact that Hawkmoth actually controlled the akumas. He granted them powers, and if they plotted to use the powers against him then he could inflict terrible pain on the said man or woman. Most people believed that little tidbit of information to be a myth like the cursed one, but seeing as that I was the living proof of those tales to be true I decided to believe it wholeheartedly.

Chat discussed it non-stop at the market. Chat was adamant that we could turn someone to our side, for the right price. I wasn't so sure.

"Money can get you a lot of things, but turning against Hawky is a total suicide. No akuma will accept it."

"But maybe-"

"No." I sighed. By the looks of it, it seemed impossible to bring Alya home. Oh, I missed her. I knew that if she were with us, she would make some sassy remark which would brighten the whole day; But it would not be needed if she wasn't being held captive. We wouldn't feel so depressed. It also didn't help that Queenie was a no show today. We could have used her quick thinking.

Every time we met to discuss how to save her, I felt guilty. It was my fault that Alya had been taken, all because I was too attached to a stupid pair of earrings. Tikki constantly told me that it was all Hawkmoth, but if I had just given him what he wanted we wouldn't be in this situation. Chat, Queenie and Nino wouldn't be trying to clean my mess. I couldn't even help. Ladybug couldn't attend the meetings because Marinette attended the meetings. From the looks Chat kept shooting at me, I could tell he wasn't pleased by this. He obviously thought I just didn't want to go, that I was putting my own desires over Alya's life. He thought I was selfish. Maybe I was when I chose my powers over Alya. Maybe I am a terrible person. Maybe I deserve my curse.

As Marinette, Chat annoyed me. I wanted to rip his face off while shrieking at the top of my lungs. I think it was because he joked around and flirted too much in a serious moment. If he did it with Ladybug, no big deal. We weren't under any immediate pressure unless you count the doom and suffering slowly creeping up on us. Also, he didn't take Nino and me seriously. It was like we were cute little accessories who were mildly useful but couldn't do much. To him, we were bottle openers or something. It infuriated me to the point of wanting to strangle him or blast him with a fireball, a spell which I had now perfected.

Shields and fireballs seemed pretty powerful. I didn't think there were many more spells I could learn. Boy, was I wrong? There were enchantments which could allow me to grow plants at a mere touch. There was magic which could bend water. There was a charm which shifted the landscape itself. However, the spell I wanted to use most of all was a little thing which creates the object you need the most in the certain situation: Lucky Charm. Sadly, it was difficult. Tikki insisted I start with some easier enchantments.

"Well, do you have any other ideas, bugaboo?" Chat Noir ripped me away from my thoughts.

"I think you shouldn't call me bugaboo," I said with a hint of annoyance, then continued,

"Honestly, I have no clue. I don't think anybody would betray Hawkmoth."

"Betray Hawkmoth?" A customer asked sharply and I cursed under my breath. I hadn't considered the fact that we were running a stall, and the stall had eavesdropping customers. I turned towards the speaker.

"Erm, hello," I said. "What can I help you with?"

She glared, her eyes reprimanding me.

"Please, I'm not an idiot."

I sized up the girl. Chestnut hair, olive skin, green eyes. She looked to be around my age. I glanced at Chat. He looked alarmed. Luckily, she was the only shopper at our stall; People tended to avoid us to try to stay on Hawkmoth's good side, even though he had no good side.

"I didn't say you were one," I said smoothly, trying to ease the situation. "How can I help you?"

She groaned and tapped her foot impatiently.

"You're plotting against Hawkmoth."

We stared at her, trying to work out a way out of the situation. When we found none, Chat slumped and I slammed my head against the wooden table.

"So it is true!" The girl looked proud of herself, then said words which made me jump.

"I can help."

There was a moment of stunned silence as Chat and I took in this runt of a girl. Then Chat burst out laughing.

"Yeah, right." He chuckled. I slapped his arm, but he kept giggling. I don't think he had been getting much sleep.

"I'm sorry about him," I said to the girl.

"It's fine. He'll just have to live with the fact that he let the one girl who could get you guys into Hawkies castle slip through his fingers." She turned to leave and Chat stopped laughing. His look of humor was replaced with a look of fear.

"No, wait!" He called out. "What do you mean?"

She turned back to us and smirked.

"The only reason I came here today was to see if the rumors were true. If you guys were actually serious about your 'I need to get into the castle and save Alya thing'."

"How did you know about that?" I gasped.

"I've been watching you guys for awhile now. Anyways, I can get you in. I also know where the castle is."

It sounded too good to be true.

"How can you?" Chat asked. She sighed and pulled a necklace out from under her shirt. It was shaped like a fox tail, mostly orange but fading to white at the tip.

"My name's Lila Rossi, but they call me Volpina."

MLBMLBMLB

Chloè walked quickly towards the alley. Her white shoes were cloaked with a layer of dirt and filth from the filthy ground in the area of Paris which Hawkmoth insisted they meet at.

He was waiting for her.

"You're late." He said and she shrugged.

"I tend to be late when I get word of last minute meetings."

He scowled at her, his temper rising.

"Watch your tongue."

"You can't replace me, I'm too important to the plan."

Hawkmoth tapped his foot.

"You made me loose my most trusted servant, Rodgercop. You let him give information on where I'm keeping the girl. And you still have not brought me any information of worth! Ladybug's power is growing. She is close to being ready to defeat me. I can sense it. You claim to be my most valuable asset, yet you do nothing!" He bellowed. A ball of purple fire ignited in his gloved hand.

"They're planning on finding a spy." She spluttered, trying to save her skin. "They don't have one yet, but they will. There are any number of akumas who could turn against you."

The fire fizzled out.

"Finally! You bring information of use! I will make Volpina do a search of the akumas and find any possible spies."

Chloè sighed with relief. She wasn't going to die. Oh, this was so much work to marry Adrien.

"They do not suspect you?" Hawkmoth asked suddenly.

"No, but they do suspect a spy. The boy... before I killed him, he told Ladybug that there was someone plotting against them. They don't think it to be me, but my time may be limited."

He sighed.

"Then be of use. I need the ring of the black cat as much as I need the earring of the ladybug. Keep an eye on Chat Noir. Find out who he is behind the mask."

"Sure thing." She grinned.

Ugh. Don't like this chapter. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T PLAN.