Shout out to my beta reader Kiss316!

Warnings: Swearing.

Seth kept running. Then, right before their eyes, he turned into a stag and bounded through the trees up the steep slope of the mountain. Within a span of heartbeats, he was out of sight.

Phenomenal One Chapter 21

For several seconds no one moved. The only sound was the steady trickle of water over worn rocks. With a sharp intake of breath, AJ broke the silence. "Fucking Skinwalker!" he growled. He fixed a look at Mark, annoyed. "Why'd you stop us?"

"Wait, Seth is a now Skinwalker too?" Dean asked, confused and going into shock from blood loss.

"God damn it no! The Skinwalker was pretending to be Seth, and I didn't catch it," Mark admitted, resisting the urge to slam his fist into the ground in frustration. He'd known something wasn't right, given that Seth inexplicably could no longer heal. However, it never occurred to him to think that it hadn't been Seth at all. And he hadn't trusted AJ's instincts. This was his fault. He had to do better!

"Kenny and the others must have taken Seth during the night when they grabbed Randy, and had the Skinwalker impersonate him," Finn said, impressed. "Pretty smart."

"What the fuck are you taking about?" Dean wanted to know in righteous anger. He couldn't believe Finn was complimenting Kenny.

"Well, if you thought Seth was here with you, your focus would be on finding Randy, who in all likelihood would be with Charlotte. Meanwhile, Kenny could have Seth out of the country by the time you'd figured it out, if you ever did," Finn shrugged. "You have to admit, that's brilliant. It was just bad luck on Kenny's part that we ran into you guys."

Kicking a rock into the river, Roman cursed steadily. He felt like absolute shit, but his anger and fear for Seth and Randy gave him the strength to stay on his feet. Damn it, Finn was right. If Bullet Club hadn't come by, they never would have realized Seth was gone until it was far, far too late. "We've been fucking around here for hours."

"Didn't have a choice, given we were all shot to shit," Mark sighed. "I gotta admit, Kenny's good."

"I don't care how good Kenny is, he's got Randy and Seth. We should be going after them," Dean argued. Hearing them praise Kenny was seriously grating on him.

"They're long gone," AJ pointed out, rubbing tiredly at his forehead. His ribs were bothering him again but he ignored them while he turned over possible plans of action in his mind.

"All the more reason we go after them now. We've wasted too much time here already!" Dean snarled at AJ. Dean was hurting, physically and emotionally, and Kenny wasn't there to take his pain and anger out on. But AJ was.

AJ, who had the nerve to be there,alive and whole and safe, while Seth wasn't.

"Are you a fucking idiot? Kenny planned everything out to the last detail. If you go running after him right now, you'll just get yourself killed," AJ told him, standing his ground. Dean obviously had a problem with him, but Dean's issues were inconsequential compared to everything else AJ had endured.

"Hey, watch it Styles," Roman warned, taking a threatening step towards AJ. Calling Dean an idiot was something only Seth was allowed to do.

"I'm just saying that going after Kenny and the boys without a plan is a bad idea," AJ said, watching Roman warily. He wasn't sure what to make of Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. Supposedly they were all on the same side, even though Reigns and Ambrose were US Marshals not too long ago. AJ couldn't trust them because he knew old habits died hard, especially for ex-lawmen. But antagonizing them was counterproductive so he did his best to keep his temper.

"And what would be a good idea, Styles? Sitting here on our asses while Kenny gets away?" Roman asked, dark eyes narrowed.

Exhaling, AJ pinched the bridge of his nose to ward off an oncoming headache. He understood that Roman and Dean were angry. Their brothers had been stolen from them. AJ could understand that, he really could. But right then, AJ didn't have the wherewithal to care. Fuck it. He didn't need the attitude when he was genuinely trying to help. "Look, I'm willing to work with you to save Randy and kill Kenny. Seth is lower on my list of priorities but I'll do my best to help him. However, if you're going to act like bitches, you can just stay out of my way."

"Who are you calling bitches?" Dean growled, his left hand settling on the butt of his revolver. "Listen here, short-stuff, if anything happens to Seth or Randy, anything at all, I'm holding you personally responsible," he trailed off, a threat left hanging unvoiced in the air.

"How are you going to go after them? Your horses are gone," AJ pointed out, while Karl and Doc came over to stand behind him. They weren't happy about Roman and Dean threatening AJ. And knowing what AJ had been through, both really wanted to knock Dean's teeth out. But AJ never needed help with his battles.

"Maybe we'll 'borrow' yours," Dean responded with bared teeth. He really hated that AJ was being logical, the cocky bastard. His shoulder throbbed incessantly, fueling his rage.

"Try it," Doc challenged. Both Doc and Karl moved their hands to their gun belts. Finn came over to stand beside them. He didn't want to get on the bad side of the Saint of Killers, but neither would he let the Saint's men take what wasn't theirs. Mark didn't say anything, he just waited to see how AJ would handle the situation. Hideo stood back and stayed quiet.

"For fuck sake. This isn't getting us anywhere. You, if you have an idea for getting Randy back that's feasible, let's hear it. If you don't, then just fucking shut your mouth!" AJ pointed at Dean. "And you guys just relax. No one is taking your horses," he told Bullet Club. Doc and Karl didn't quite stand down, but they nodded at AJ. "We need to get our shit together and make a plan."

"I've got a plan," Dean replied, without missing a beat. "Find Kenny and his bunch of yahoos, kill them and get Seth and Randy back."

"Jesus fucking Christ," AJ muttered through gritted teeth, determined not to lose his patience and his temper. The mark on his side was starting to get warm, but he ignored it. "You're out in the middle of nowhere with no horses, no supplies and you're wounded. You have no way of catching up with them. For fuck sake, you didn't even know that it wasn't your friend!"

"So what?" Dean raged. AJ's words cut like knives. "You think we're just going to sit around here twiddling our thumbs while you come up with a plan? Meanwhile Kenny does whatever the fuck he's planning to do to Seth and Randy?" His eyes narrowed with contempt. "You don't seem eager to go find Randy. Are you scared? Is that it?"

"I'm not scared," AJ said. His voice was level. He knew what he was dealing with: a man who was scared for someone he cared about, and was hiding that fear under a thin veil of rage. Dean was itching for a fight because he was terrified for Seth and Randy. But AJ refused to give it to him. Dean was badly hurt and AJ truly didn't want to compound it. And he knew if he did put Dean down, Roman would get involved. Then things would get really ugly. "But I know Kenny and the kids and how they operate. They know how to deal with possess. If we're not careful, they'll kill us and that won't help Randy or Seth."

"Really? You know them? If you know them so well, why'd you get caught?" Dean demanded, taking another step closer.

AJ glanced at Mark, who made no effort to intervene. Fine. He would do this his way, just like he did in Bullet Club. Folding his arms across his chest, AJ waited. He knew his lack of response would really piss Dean off and hopefully it would get whatever Dean's issue with AJ out in the open where he could address it.

"The only reason we're in this mess is because of you! Randy was safe with Mark and now he's not, because of you! Kenny has Seth because of you! This whole mess is your fault!" AJ's jaw tightened as Dean's words struck home, but he refused to respond. And that drove Dean over the edge. He drew the revolver on his uninjured side and pointed it right in AJ's face.

Time is a funny thing, when it stops. In the eternity where the shadows didn't lengthen and violence hangs like a shroud in the air, AJ did…nothing, except slowly grinned his arrogant, side-sliding grin that practically screamed you don't have the guts to shoot me.

Dean saw red. He pulled back the hammer and his finger tighten on the trigger, a mere few inches from at AJ's smug face. Behind AJ, Doc and Karl kept their hands away from their guns and waited with an air of anticipation.

"Ambrose!" Mark barked, making Dean flinch.

In that same instant, as quick as lightning, AJ backhanded Dean across the face lightly with his left hand. Not enough to hurt, just enough to distract the lunatic. While he did that, AJ yanked the gun out of Dean's grip with his right hand and reversed it to point directly at Dean's face. He shifted his gaze to Roman, freezing the big man in place as his blue eyes flashed an unspoken warning don't interfere. Dean shook his head and looked directly into the barrel of his own gun. He glared at AJ but didn't move.

"Christ," Finn breathed. Doc and Karl just smirked knowingly. AJ Styles was unbelievably fast.

"Dean, settle down," Roman said, laying a hand on Dean's uninjured shoulder before the lunatic did something he'd regret, like making AJ shoot him. He could feel Dean's body shaking. Dean turned his head to look at him, his face was a study in rage and helplessness. And terrified for Seth, though Dean would never admit it. Roman understood exactly what Dean was feeling because right at that time and in that place, Roman felt just as helpless and just as angry. But Roman knew there they needed help to save Seth and Randy from this nightmare. Dean looked back at AJ, who hadn't moved. It galled Roman to admit that Randy and Seth's only chance was standing in front of them, pointing Dean's gun at him. With a jolt, Roman realized that AJ had deliberately goaded Dean into drawing his gun. And he had done it so AJ had an excuse to neatly disarm him, shocking Dean out of his unthinking rage. It was obvious that AJ had a phenomenal amount of confidence in himself to even attempt such a feat, let alone succeed.

Because AJ had to know a person like Dean would pull the trigger.

AJ waited patiently for Dean to decide what he was going to do. As the seconds ticked by, he could see Dean's rage quieting. He would be ready to listen soon. "If you go after them now, you'll be on foot with no supplies. That means you'll be probably be dead by morning, and Randy and Seth will both pay for your stupidity," AJ said, breaking the tableau. His voice was deadly quiet as he lowered the revolver's hammer, opened the revolver's cylinder and dumped the bullets into his hand. When the gun was empty, he spun it on his fingers and held it out, butt-first to Dean who snatched it back and stuffed it into his holster. But the lunatic looked thoughtful, rather than humiliated, which pleased AJ. He accomplished his goal: he had their respect. And they would listen to him.

On the ground, Mark was shaken by the way AJ had handled the situation. AJ had known exactly what he was doing, but it was still a hell of a gamble. Any closer and he would have been dead. Mark had no doubt AJ pulled that stunt before, if Doc and Karl's expressions were anything to go by. AJ had been the ace of Bullet Club, now they all knew why.

"Okay. Now that that's done, Hideo, see what you can do to get Roman and Dean patched up. Mark, sorry but you're gonna sit this one out." Which was frustrating. AJ really wanted Mark's presence to help buffer the two's volatile personalities but he'd make do. He'd had lots of practice. "Doc, you and Karl get to Helena and get some horses, guns and supplies. Enough for at least a week on the trail. You got money?"

"What about you, AJ? You gotta get those chains off and you can only do that in Helena," Doc said.

"Pick up a hammer and chisel." AJ raised one hand to look at the chain, black and cold. He couldn't see any locking mechanism, only a vague seam. He hated them but Hideo's seals helped a great deal. "If that doesn't work, I'll live with them until we rescue Randy," he said ruefully. Karl and Doc nodded and untied their horses.

"Wait," Mark said. Settling in the saddle, Doc turned his horse to face him. "Get a message to John Cena, tell him what happened."

Surprised, Doc hesitated and looked to Finn for orders. Cena was the sheriff, and could arrest Doc and Karl just for entering the county.

But Finn knew Cena and nodded. "He's a friend," Finn said. As he watched AJ take the lead, Finn got the feeling that AJ was moving, had moved beyond Bullet Club. He could tell the Doc and Karl had felt it too, by the way Doc had looked to Finn for orders. He knew AJ Styles would never ride with them again. Not when he was working for the Saint of Killers. But ever since Finn and Hideo had found Doc and Karl outside Bannack and heard what Bullet Club had been up to, Finn had been toying with the idea of forming a new Club. Not necessarily an outlaw gang, but one that offered haven to others who had been hurt by the supernatural in one way or another. He wanted to discuss it with Hideo.

"Okay," the big man said doubtfully then touched his horse with his spurs. Together, Doc and Karl set out, splashing across the river and onto the road on the far side, breaking into a gallop. Soon they were out of sight.

After helping Dean sit on the ground next to Mark, Roman took a closer look at AJ who happened to look his way. Again, Roman didn't see any fear or hesitation in those blue eyes, even though they all knew AJ had to have suffered while being held captive. The stiff way AJ held himself indicated he was in pain. But the man standing in front of them hadn't been broken. And Roman saw the cocky intelligence, determination and incredible stubbornness that was the outlaw's trademark traits. With a flash of insight, Roman realized that AJ wouldn't let anything stop him, he would get his vengeance. But vengeance would be planned and executed just as meticulously as any bank heist. Suddenly Roman felt a small spark of hope rise in his chest. Hope that AJ could somehow do the impossible and help them get Randy and Seth back.

Inclining his head, AJ understood Roman's unspoken plea. "Devitt, I need to borrow your horse," AJ said, running a hand through his hair and ignoring Dean's scoff. "I'm going to scout around and pick up their trail, just to make sure they're really gone."

"Is that smart?" Finn frowned, concerned. "What if they're still around?"

AJ hesitated then smirked with a bitter twist to his lips. "They won't be expecting me. They think I'm still chained to that tree, so I'll take that free shot at them."

"I'll go with you," Finn offered but AJ shook his head.

"Better I go alone and you stay here with them," and Hideo, he didn't say. "Kenny implied he might send more demons after these guys once he got what he came for. Besides, I'm only scouting, and that's easier for me to do by myself." Dean's words still rang in his head. This is all your fault! Well if that was the case, it was on him to fix it, not Finn.

Finn nodded and AJ was getting ready to leave when Mark sat up, wincing as fresh stab of pain shot through his hip. "Wait. I'll loan you my guns. I won't be using them for a while." He dug in his saddlebags, which were lying next to him and pulled out a pair of beautifully-maintained Colt's Dragoon revolvers in an unadorned leather gun belt. He handed them to AJ, who took the belt and buckled it around his waist. AJ looked ready, but Mark wasn't fooled. He could see the pain AJ was hiding, down to his very soul.

What did they do to you, boy?

"Thanks," AJ said, unexpectedly touched. He made the mistake of meeting Mark's pale green gaze. Unbidden, he remembered Mark holding Randy in an embrace in the early morning, like a father comforting his son. And he understood why Randy had needed the big man so desperately. If Finn and Hideo had arrived a few minutes later…Part of him suspected that he hadn't fooled Mark, not completely. But he didn't want them to know. He couldn't stand their pity. And damn it, Dean was right. Randy had only been there because of AJ. And AJ owed Randy. He would repay that debt.

Mark smiled. He genuinely liked the Saint's newest recruit. AJ had guts in spades, in addition to intelligence. Thoughtfully, Mark decided he could give the outlaw one more advantage. He whistled sharply. The pale mare ambled over to him and lowered her head to nuzzle Mark's shoulder. "Take her," the big man told AJ. Though AJ was strong, he would need more than luck.

"Fuck no," AJ said, eyes wide and stepping back. He didn't know what it was about that horse, but he knew he couldn't ride her. And from the looks of the others, they agreed.

Rubbing her muzzle, the Undertaker said something softly to her in a language none of them understood. "She is willing to carry you," Mark told AJ, holding her reins out to the outlaw. AJ looked from Mark to the horse and back. Hesitantly, he took the reins from Mark, and glanced at him again just to be sure. At Mark's nod, he took a deep breath and mounted up. The pale mare's head came up. At the feel of an unfamiliar rider, she snorted and danced sideways, eyes flashing a deep red under the black. But she made no attempt to buck him off. Or rend his mind to pieces. She's just a horse! AJ told himself sternly, settling in the saddle and gathering the reins. But there was no way he believed it.

"Watch your back," Mark told him.

Nodding, AJ set out, following the path of the Skinwalker. The stag's hoof prints led up the steep slope of the mountain behind the small campsite, through thick stands of pine trees. The mare followed them without much guidance from AJ, who was hanging on to her mane to keep from sliding off the back of the saddle. Eventually they reached the top of the mountain and AJ pulled the mare to a stop and dismounted, examining the prints and listening for anything that didn't belong up there. It was quiet. He remounted and tracked the Skinwalker for a little over two miles. There, it joined several tracks made earlier by a group of horses. If he had calculated correctly, Kenny, the Young Bucks and Charlotte were together, leading Seth's, Randy's, Roman's and Dean's mounts. By the pattern, they were moving at a steady lope, heading northwest.

AJ followed the trail for another few miles around several more mountains before he pulled the pale mare to a stop. She wasn't breathing heavy despite the steep climbs and stood patiently, waiting for AJ to decide his next move. The Boulder Mountain range spread out in front of them until they were out of sight, their tops covered in lodgepole pine trees and granite peaks. In the silence only broken by the whisper of wind through the trees, he sat on the pale mare and thought. Where could they be heading? Northwest was only mountains and long valleys, with a few random settlements. Kenny had to have a destination, but he never mentioned it within AJ's hearing. But, given what AJ knew about Kenny and the rest, he could extrapolate what Kenny might do.

Kenny would deal with Randy and Charlotte first. Randy posed the most danger to Kenny. And they'd have to stop somewhere to do it. That would allow AJ and the others to catch up if Reigns and Ambrose could ride, which AJ had serious doubts about. Neither Dean nor Roman looked like they could stay in the saddle for an extended length of time. Ambrose especially.

And AJ knew better than to underestimate his own injuries. But he could work around that. He eyed the trail through the pine trees heading northwest, while in his mind he considered and discarded his options. He had no intention of involving Doc and Karl any further in this business. They were vulnerable to Kenny's power and AJ would not allow them to be hurt again.

Mark, holding Randy in an embrace in the early morning, like a father holding his son.

The smart plan would be to get a good night's rest and set out after Doc and Karl returned with supplies from Helena. But there was Randy to consider. What the witch had done to that Irish girl… "Fuck!" he said aloud, voicing his frustration. He keenly felt time slipping away and every part of him screamed that he should just set the spurs into the mare's sides and take off. Fighting the impulse, he reined Mark's horse around to go back. Whatever he thought, whatever he wanted to do, he had no supplies, was in no way ready to hit the trail and take on a large group of killers. He had to wait.

A horse's nicker in the distance behind him had AJ pulling the mare up and drawing one of his guns. He slipped off the pale mare, tied her reins to a tree branch and quietly picked his way through the underbrush. Years of experience as a scout taught him how to move like a native. He made his way around the side of the mountain and above a ravine. Using the rise of earth as a cover, he looked down. Two horses were tied to a tree. One was black, and the other was sorrel. They were saddled and carrying saddlebags. AJ carefully observed the area, but there was no sign of anyone else. The black pawed restlessly at the ground and nickered again. Taking his time, and stopping frequently to listen for any noise that would indicate the presence of humans, AJ made his way to the horses.

He checked the saddlebags of the black, looking for the identity of the owner. Two R's had been scratched into the leather. He bit back his anger. Kenny and the kids had left the animals tied deep in the forest, with no water or food within reach, abandoned to wolves or mountains lions. The sorrel reached over and nipped at his arm but AJ grabbed its reins and untied both horses. He climbed into the black's saddle, even though the stirrups were too long for him and ponied the sorrel back to where Mark's mare was waiting. When he got there, he jumped off Roman's horse, wincing as his ribs complained and opened the saddlebags. They contained food and other supplies. Same with Dean's.

This is all your fault!

He glanced up at the afternoon sun, gauging how much time he had before he lost the light and made his decision. After securing Dean's now bulging saddlebag to Mark's saddle, AJ tied the two horses' reins around the saddle horns and turned them loose to find their way back to their masters. Then he hauled himself up onto the mare's back and set out, heading northwest.

TBC