Here's chapter fifty. Thank you Twilight's Shad0w, caitlinkeitorin, Eddie Camp, and explosivebagel for reviewing last chapter!

Chapter Fifty: Searching

Gillick remained where he was for several moments, trying to grapple with his raging thoughts. He sheathed his sword, clenching his fists. Damn it, Trevor. Why the hell can't you see he's just using you?

Then he shook his head and whipped around, walking at first but slowly increasing his speed until he was running through the hallways of the Dark Army fortress. Fine. If you want to be an idiot, go ahead. If you want to break family ties, I'll let you. I'm tired of trying to help someone who's not smart enough to let me.

He broke out of the fortress and continued running, his anger and regret pulsing through his limbs and hurrying him forward, on to the safety of the trees. He continued running for a ways after he entered before he finally slowed to a stop, breathing heavily. Then he closed his eyes, thinking about what had transpired. If Tollun really knows about the X - blade, then the Silver Fang are in trouble. I might want to warn them.

Then he clenched his fists and shook the thought away. Why the hell should I warn them? I owe them nothing. Let them die. I don't care.

Then he thought of Mala and Riun, and it was almost enough to change his mind. He forced the images of the two out of his head. Why do I care about them? They were annoying tag-alongs, and nothing more. He ignored how hollow the words sounded.

Gillick flicked his eyes back open as he began to head further out into the forest. He felt numb, as if he could no longer feel anything. I'm through with bothering with others. And image of Trevor flashed through his mind, silver - eyed and looking down at him. Trevor, the next time we meet…maybe I won't go so easy on you.

"Master Tollun, why are we leaving now?" Trevor asked as he followed the Light Army leader.

Tollun glanced back towards him, silver eyes glittering. "Is there a reason we shouldn't?"

Trevor blinked at him in surprise. Hesitantly, he continued, "What about the X - blade?"

Tollun's eyes glittered with understanding, making the boy feel weak with relief. "I suppose you wouldn't know yet, would you? I already discovered where the information is hiding."

"You did?" Trevor exclaimed, surprised.

Tollun nodded. "Yes. It is with a group of anti - Keyblader warriors called 'the Silver Fang'."

"Anti - Keybladers…?" Trevor murmured, frowning. That sounds like something Gillick would go along with…

Tollun seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Surprising Gillick isn't affiliated with them, isn't it?"

"Yeah…"

Neither made another comment about the fact, leaving Trevor to his thoughts as they strode purposefully down the hallway. Normally, he would've been moving at a faster speed, but if Tollun was walking slowly, then surely he should be going the same speed…? Besides, he had plenty to think about, and he wasn't anxious to be forced to push his thoughts aside at the moment.

What bothered him most was what Gillick said: that if Master Tollun found out about his eyes and newly awakened light powers, he'd betray him. Master Tollun wouldn't do that. Master Tollun wouldn't do that. He repeated the thought over and over again, a silent mantra raging through his mind. But after what Gillick had told him, he couldn't stop the doubt.

He hated himself for doubting. Hated himself so much it hurt.

He stopped abruptly, one hand clutching at his heart. It's not true. It's not. I know it's not! Gillick's serious face appeared in his mind, and he tried to push it away. He knew, in his heart, that Gillick still only wanted to protect him, but…this time he was wrong. He had to be.

"Trevor?" The young general looked up at the sound of Master Tollun's voice. The light Keyblader was a few paces ahead, looking back at him quizzically. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes! Of course, Master Tollun!" Trevor replied, though he knew the response was too quickly.

The man narrowed his silver eyes at him. "Really?" came the skeptical response.

Trevor nodded earnestly, looking up at him with clear blue eyes and hoping he could see the sincerity in them. "Really, sir." Tollun didn't look as if he entirely believed him, but he let the matter drop. "Very well; shall we collect the others, then?"

Trevor nodded his assent, and the two continued off down the corridors and out of the stronghold.

Mala sighed, crossing her arms across her chest as she looked awkwardly around at the people who surrounded her. What am I supposed to do now? She felt uncomfortable around so many other people, and felt useless in helping to set up camp. She chewed her lip, resisting the instincts screaming at her to run for cover.

She felt a tug on her shirt, and looked down to see Riun looking up at her with bright blue eyes. "Mala, we should help."

She managed a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You go ahead…I'll help in a minute."

Riun looked at her curiously, then shrugged. "Ok." He raced off into the forming Silver Fang encampment, nearly causing several people to trip in the process.

Mala laughed quietly at the sight, a sound that quickly turned into a sigh. He fits in so much better than I do. It was hard to erase a lifetime of living on the streets, never being able to come in contact with other human beings. Or…whatever some of these guys are, she added silently as she looked at a bipedal dog who was helping to put up a tent.

"A bit odd, isn't it?"

Mala jumped at the voice, turning her head to look at Allia. "Don't scare me!" she breathed, eyes wide.

Allia gave her a wry look. "It's not a difficult feat to accomplish," she commented dryly. "Besides, shouldn't a thief have keener hearing than that?" Mala frowned, but didn't respond verbally. Allia chuckled at her reaction. "Well, that offends you, does it?" The assassin shook her head.

The two stood in awkward silence for several moments, looking out across the forming camp. Finally, when it appeared Allia wasn't planning on leaving, Mala hesitantly asked, "What'd you mean by 'a bit odd'?"

Allia looked at her curiously. "You don't think it's odd, being here with so many other people? Funny, that's not what your look said."

"I didn't say I wasn't," Mala protested, looking away. "I just didn't know what you meant."

Allia snorted. "Sure. Whatever."

Silence descended again, and Mala began to fidget when the assassin still didn't leave. She was beginning to believe the woman was trying to make her feel awkward. "So…it's strange for you, too?"

"Well, I am an assassin. I typically don't associate with people unless they're offering a job or I'm trying to kill them."

"Oh. Right."

Silence fell again, and Mala again began to feel the awkwardness creeping up. "Do you know where Silver is?"

At this, Allia looked thoughtful. "Hmm…she was with me for a while, but I don't know where she went off to."

"Maybe I'll go find her, then," Mala offered, jumping at the chance to get away from the strange woman who stood beside her. She hurried away into the Silver Fang encampment, trying not to focus on the people swarming around her.

Silver found herself pacing agitatedly along a long stretch of a woodland border, her hands folded behind her back. Normally, she would be overseeing the preparations for setting up camp, but since this encampment was only temporary, she felt that gave her some leeway in surveying the setup. I'll feel better when we're in a safer spot, further away from Keybladers, she commented silently. I always do.

It still irked her that her secret had been found out by the Dark Army. She clenched her fists, remembering who exactly had prompted her to reveal the information on the X - blade. Gillick Nogard. She shook her head furiously. How could he have managed to trick me so easily?

She was convinced that he'd known about the X - blade, and gotten her to spill her secrets on purpose. After all, he was a Keyblader; he'd always side with Keybladers over others. That was a fact. He may have said he hated Keybladers, and told them his past, but that didn't mean he'd been telling them the truth. He'd obviously become an adept liar, since he'd been able to hide the fact that he was a Keyblader for so long. Besides, he couldn't hate Keybladers; he was one.

…Unless, of course, he hated himself. That was a thought, however, that she refused to let gain purchase in her mind.

Silver stopped finally, closing her green eyes. Well, perhaps mulling over it is worthless, hm? she thought. If I'm really so worried…then I should get back to camp, where I'll be needed. The decision made, she spun around on her heel and headed back the way she'd come.

Allia watched from the ground as the Silver Fang warriors finished setting up camp, looking proud of themselves. She snickered at them. They take pride in such foolish things. Her abilities as an assassin were something to be proud of; their abilities at setting up tents were not.

Well, she thought, leaning back and resting her hands on the ground, do I want to stay, or do I want to leave? She wasn't entirely healed, true; she wasn't even close. But she was well enough to leave, if she really wanted to. The problem was, she didn't know if she wanted to.

She'd been over it time and time again in her mind: stay and become a member of the Silver Fang, or leave and return to her life as an assassin? She snorted. Well, I doubt the Silver Fang would want me dead if I revealed my ability to sense different amounts of light and darkness; they'd probably love it. She shook her head. Well, I guess that's supposing I can really trust them, isn't it?

The thought was tempting, though. She shook her head. Well, I still have time. I don't have to decide just yet.

She couldn't ignore, though, what felt like a creeping sense of impending doom. She sighed. God have mercy on our souls, she prayed, because I get the sinking feeling the end is coming.

Xuren arrived at the Dark Army prison when he heard what was happening. "The Light Army's attacking?" he questioned, just to make sure he'd heard right. His eyes glittered with a lust for blood, and a wide grin had stretched across his face.

"They were," a Dark Army Keyblader replied, "but they retreated."

Xuren's smile fell, his excitement replaced by fury. "They what?"

"They left," the Keyblader repeated; being of a similar mind set as the other man, he wasn't as afraid around him as most were.

"One must presume it is because they found the information they were looking for," another added. He gave Xuren a pointed look. "Information about the X - blade."

"Well, then we'd better let Master Viril know," Xuren said, the grin suddenly back.

The other Keybladers echoed the sentiment shone on his face in their own ways. "And what do you think his order will be?"

Xuren's eyes glittered with a manic light. "To find the Silver Fang," he purred, "and kill anyone who stands in our way."


And that'd be the end of chapter fifty. If you want to review, I'd appreciate it!