Caitlyn was silent as the train rocked on the tracks as it sped along. The Ionian Railroad was little more than a long stretch of track going from one side of Ionia to the other, with some rails branching off to service several processes. And the "services" were limited to traveling government officials who couldn't afford to travel by traditional means. Donated by Piltover in an effort to help "modernize" the nation, Caitlyn couldn't help but feel now that this small effort was more patronizing than helpful.

She was in the caboose, her hat on a rack next to the door. Her eyes often wandered to the moon outside, and her teeth worried the end of a pencil as she racked her mind for what they knew about the people behind Jhin's escape from Tuula Prison. Currently nothing added up and her frustration was growing. Based on what the ninja told her, her first instinct was to suspect the elder who governed Tuula, Elder Rovar.

Didn't he assign one of his attendants to watch Vi and myself while we investigated? Caitlyn thought, her pencil twirling in her fingers. We would be investigating with a third wheel hovering over us at every moment. Then again, he could be innocent but used as a cover. His servants may be a part of the organization and use his flawless record to hide behind.

She decided then that she wasn't going to make any progress like this, and got up from her chair. Her boots made no sound on the lush carpeting and clicked once hardwood flooring met them. She crossed several empty cars and stopped when she found the three ninja in the passenger car right behind the engine. "How much longer do you think this will take?" She asked as she sat down next to Shen.

The flippin' ninja replied, "At least two more days. We will arrive at Tuula where you can look for clues to Jhin's whereabouts."

Akali was stretched out on the seats, her shoes were next to her makeshift bed as she prepared for sleep. She had taken some blankets and wrapped herself so tightly the effect reminded Caitlyn of a sleeping bag. She was currently laying on her side, propped up on her elbow. "You might as well get some sleep." Akali suggested. "This journey will take a while, and it's best to keep the body rested and alert."

Caitlyn shook her head. "I'm sorry but I can't sleep until I find Jinx and bring her back to Piltover in handcuffs. When we find Jinx we will find Jhin. I am fairly certain they are working together."

Kennen was fast asleep; his only response was a snort as he rolled over. The flippin' ninja answered, "Jhin is a very deliberate person. He likes to meticulously plan every single one of his kills. He is a stage performer at heart however, so I do not think it is impossible for him to get an accomplice, especially if he sees her as a stage hand. Can you describe her personality?"

Caitlyn sat back and thought for a moment. "Jinx is, as best as I can describe, a loose cannon. Whatever comes to mind she will do it. Unfortunately most of what comes to her mind to do is wanton destruction of property. I wouldn't say she is maliciously trying to kill people, but whether a building is occupied or not never crosses her mind. She will destroy it regardless."

Akali thought briefly before responding. "Then I can't tell you why Jhin would team up with her, even for a moment. She sounds like the complete opposite of what Jhin would want in a partner."

Shen nodded. "Jhin would likely go mad at Jinx's chaotic methods, and would likely part company with her, if not kill her himself." He stroked his chin, still hidden beneath his mask. "Do we have any evidence that they are even working together aside from that brief incident in your hometown?"

Caitlyn shook her head. "All we know is that Jinx must have survived the encounter, because the following day she continued her rampage through Piltover. Then she just disappears later, and we cannot fathom where she went."

"She could have retreated to Zaun to hide out." Akali offered. "Zaun is filled with hiding places and thick smoke, it isn't hard to hide there."

Caitlyn's eyebrow raised. "And how exactly would you know that?"

"We travel." Was all Akali said.

"Well," Caitlyn decided to get back to the subject at hand instead of pressing further. "For one thing running to hide isn't Jinx's style. At least for long. It has been over a week since her last attack in Piltover, and my men there have not reported a single incident of hers since. If she was hiding back there she would have struck by now out of sheer boredom." A thought crossed her mind. "Perhaps I should check in again." She took her hextech radio handset and activated it before putting it to her lips. "Vi, do you copy?"

A pause, then Vi's voice. "Yeah?"

"How are things in Piltover? The radios there are stronger than what I have on hand, have there been any signs of Jinx being there?"

Another pause. "Glad to hear the spa is going well." Vi said a little too casually.

Caitlyn knew instantly that Vi was currently being watched, or at least had a guest in the room with her. "How is the food up there? Do they have running water?" Caitlyn asked in code.

Another pause. "I'm doing just fine cupcake, thanks for asking. How are the baths there? I've heard they can get pretty hot."

She's in hot water. Caitlyn's blood chilled a fraction. "Fine, how are things back home?" She asked in a rushed whisper, though she doubted anyone else but Vi could hear what she said.

"Jayce got another Hero of the Month award, I guess that's bad news." Was all Vi said.

So she is being watched. Caitlyn thought. "Is Karma there? I would like to ask her if I can get a discount on the services there."

"Karma isn't here. Just Elder Rovar's assistant who by the way is gracious enough to take care of me until I get better." The last words were ground out through clenched teeth, and Caitlyn couldn't help but smile slightly at Vi's failed attempts to hide her anger.

"Alright, just checking in. I should be back soon."

"Nah Cait, you might as well move over there. At least the people that tend to you don't look like they fell out of a moving cart." With that Vi cut the connection.

"How are things?" Shen asked.

"It's Vi. She's being watched right now by Elder Rovar's assistant."

Akali nodded. "Explains why you spoke in code. The assistant of one of the Elders cannot know why we are really here. Good thinking."

"Vi is your deputy?" Shen asked.

Caitlyn blinked at the abrupt change in topic. "Yes, I picked her up a couple of years ago. She was once a criminal, but I convinced her to join the police force."

"Good friend of yours?"

"Very. She has saved my life more times than I can properly count." Caitlyn said with a small chuckle. "The funny thing is, despite her having an armored suit that comes with giant fists, I feel responsible for her a lot of the time."

"It is a common feeling." Shen said, leaning back in a stretch. "You redeemed her from a life of crime, and so you feel responsible if anything happens to her on the path you set her on."

"I... suppose." Caitlyn said, not expecting Shen to understand so quickly. "You are quite insightful."

Shen nodded humbly. "My duty is to balance the spirit and living realm, I know quite a bit about emotions and other things hidden beneath the surface of a heart."

"It is a good skill. I wish I was that insightful."

"All things come with practice." Shen leaned to gaze to the moon through the window. "I should retire now, and so should you."

Caitlyn quickly got to her feet. "Oh, if you want to change I should leave."

Shen raised a hand. "No need." With that Shen lay down on the hard floor, with his head resting on his sword scabbards wrapped in cloth. Akali had already pulled the blanket over her head so only some of her hair was visible.

"Wait, you sleep in your uniform?" Caitlyn was genuinely confused. "Did you forget to pack something?"

"I didn't forget." The flippin' ninja said as he gazed up at the ceiling. "Our clothing is quite comfortable to sleep in. When people insult us by calling us warriors in pajamas, they weren't completely wrong." His head turned to Caitlyn. "Would you turn off the light when you leave?"

"Of course." Caitlyn switched off the light and left the room. The very next car had several beds. Caitlyn wanted to turn around and let the ninja know, but part of her knew that they were well aware the beds were there. She didn't even try to understand the ninjas' strange choice in sleeping locations. By the time she got to her quarters in the back of the train fatigue was starting to set in. Her timepiece alarmed her with how late it was, so she quickly went to change into bedclothes. As she pulled off her boots and uniform and slipped into a nightgown, the mystery of whether Jinx and Jhin were really working together continued to churn in her mind.

The wooden floor was uncomfortably cold, but fortunately carpeting surrounded her bed. For what wasn't the first time she wished trains had running water for baths, or even showers. There were some experimental trains in Piltover with the technology, but of course Ionia's second-hand train lacked this technology. Second-hand. Caitlyn thought with a twinge of guilt. Is it really a gift if it's second-hand? One worthy of putting Piltover's name on it?

Caitlyn sighed as she pulled the blankets over herself. I can forget my worries for one night. I can't help anybody if I'm too tired to move. With this reasonable line of thought, her mind had no qualms about letting sleep take over.

Caitlyn woke groggily and forgot where she was for a moment. The sounds of the rails beneath quickly reminded her. She dragged herself out of bed and headed to the window to open it. She was surprised to see that it was still nighttime. The moon had made significant progress on its journey across the sky, but it was still clearly visible. Sighing, she knew that attempting to sleep again would be fruitless. I might as well grab a drink of water and try to figure out our next moves after visiting the prison.

The moonlight was not sufficient light, as Caitlyn stubbed her toe on the dresser in an effort to turn on the lights. Biting back a curse she ignored the light and walked to the washroom to splash water on her face. The cold water quickly washed away the last vestiges of sleepiness that weighed her eyelids, and she went back into her room but past her bed. She went all the way to the end of the car and opened the door, walking into the balcony at the back of the caboose.

The sound of the rails was significantly louder now, and Caitlyn could see them flying away towards the horizon. She walked to the side of the balcony and leaned to see where they were going, in an effort to gauge the rest of their journey. She couldn't see far as there was a forest just ahead. She quickly went back inside before they reached the forest, as she didn't feel like spoiling her nightgown.

She went back to her window and watched the trees pass by. It was a soothing sight, as nature in Ionia seemed the most pure and perfect out of any landscapes in Runeterra. She heard scratching sounds on the roof, and recognized them as low branches from the closer trees they passed. The scratching stopped as soon as the train broke the treeline, and rolling plains could be seen once again, punctuated by a large lake in the center. Caitlyn wasn't keen on starting her investigations just yet with the view being this beautiful, so she spent some time looking at the lake move slowly past her.

The faint scratching noise started up again, briefly but Caitlyn picked up on it. She stiffened with tension, knowing that nothing could be making that kind of sound with no trees around unless somebody, or something, was on the train. Sparing barely enough time to throw on a bathrobe, Caitlyn ran across several cars to reach the ninja to warn them. Images rushed through her mind, as she expected ninja from the mysterious shadow order that recently set its roots in Ionia or simple bandits. Whoever was after them, she was certain that three ninja could handle it.

The three ninja were fast asleep; Caitlyn reached for Shen first to shake him awake.

"I am awake." Shen replied before Caitlyn touched him.

Caitlyn jerked back in shock. "What? When did you wake up?"

"I am a ninja." Is all Shen said in reply. He sat up and pulled his sword scabbards from the ground and strapped them to his back. "We need to move. Someone is here."

"I agree." Akali said, already on the side of her makeshift bed pulling her shoes on.

Caitlyn was startled by her sudden voice as well. "You were all awake this whole time?"

"Nah, we're just ninja." Kennen piped in, already up and fully clothed.

Caitlyn blinked in surprise but snapped out of it when she heard the sounds of scratching footsteps on top of the train. The three ninja tensed when they heard it, and moved slowly to the front of the train car to get outside the train. "You may want to get dressed." Shen said as they left, noting Caitlyn's bathrobe.

Caitlyn flushed with self-consciousness as she moved to her room to change. As she entered her room to change, the footsteps moved her to throw on her clothes as fast as possible.

Running to the balcony, she grabbed her rifle and hastily clipped some traps to her belt on her way there. Throwing open the door with a loud bang she ran to the ladder next to the door and climbed onto the roof of the train. She was glad she decided against putting her hat on, as the wind was fierce outside the train. A quick glance over the top revealed two very important pieces of information.

One, they were going to be traveling through open plains for quite a while.

Two, there were two interlopers.

Both were wearing heavy cloaks with capes. They were both shrouded in shadow as the moon was covered with clouds. They turned when Caitlyn pulled herself onto the roof completely, and she saw only their eyes with any hint of clarity.

One of them had amber eyes, the other had eyes of a sparkling blue. Both pairs were glowing vividly.

Caitlyn immediately raised her rifle, clicking off the safety. "Freeze!" She commanded. "Who are you?"

The clouds continued on their way, and the two were revealed under the silver light of the moon.

"Oh hey!" The taller one said in an voice that Caitlyn could only describe as excitable. "It's a human!" Caitlyn raised her eyebrow at the remark, but soon saw why he made a point that she was human. He was a chimera of sorts, Caitlyn guessed a mix of human and bird, and she saw the "cloak" was actually a wing made of golden feathers. "Hey Xayah!" He said, elbowing his companion. "It's a human! What's she doing up here? Ain't it dangerous up here without grip or wings?"

"Don't call me Xayah in front of her!" The shorter bird-person said with a very obvious note of irritation. Clearly female, this one sported purple feathers and a hood to accent her cloak, or wing. "This was supposed to be a stealth mission, you don't tell the enemy your name on a stealth mission!"

"Well when do you tell them?" The male asked. "I want the whole world to know the name, RAKAN!" He shouted the last word with a musical flair, and Xayah ran a hand over her face.

"You don't tell them ever, Rakan. You're supposed to kill them and move on."

"Ah-ha!" Rakan said in triumph. "You just used my name! Can't use my name in a stealth mission remember? Oh yeah! One point for Rakan!"

"You already said your name." Xayah deadpanned.

"I did?" Rakan asked, a note of confusion crossing his face. "Huh, I would think I would remember doing that." He looked at Caitlyn and shouted to be heard over the wind, although Caitlyn could hear him just fine. "Hey human! You may want to get down! It's dangerous up here!"

"Why do you care what happens to her? She's the enemy remember?"

"Well she seems nice enough."

"She's holding a gun."

"Yeah but most people would have fired by now."

Caitlyn was more confused than frightened at this point. "Are you two lost?" She asked. "Looking for a ride somewhere? You're two of those Vastayans right?"

"Why we're here is none of your concern." Xayah said curtly.

"And don't bother asking me!" Rakan pitched in. "I don't even need a plan!"

"I mean, if you two are just hungry I can let you in. We have food. What do you eat? We have bread."

Xayah's eyes flashed in anger. "Breadcrumbs? What do you think we are, birds?"

"Ah," Caitlyn began, realizing too late the mistake she made. "To be fair-"

"I got this." Rakan said, walking past Xayah to confront Caitlyn. His eyes had the same anger Xayah's had, but he expressed his feelings a different way. "What did you just say 'bout my lady?" He asked as he sauntered over. "Did you seriously just call my lady a bird? An animal?"

"No! No!" Caitlyn protested, her hands up in a placating gesture. "I promise it wasn't on purpose! It was an honest mistake!"

"Fool I atta slap the stupid out of you. Just like what I did to that one guy at a bar the other day. It's actually an interesting story." Rakan abruptly dropped to the ground and lay on his back. "It was this one day in the Rishi forest, Xayah was doing something and I was doing something more interesting..."

As Rakan talked on, Caitlyn looked around and noticed that Xayah was nowhere to be found. It only took a moment for her to realize Rakan was serving as a distraction. She had no idea where she went, but she was confident the ninja could take care of her.