A/N - Thanks for all reads, reviews, faves and follows! I've had a busy week and I'm absolutely shattered, so I apologise if there are any mistakes I've missed while proofing this chapter. This is one of the ones I was most excited to re-write. In fact, pretty much all of Part 3 and 4 could fall into that category. I hope you enjoy! =D

31 - The Watch

Enigma had spent most of the night clambering through the branches, his mind elsewhere, not allowing him to take anything in. The forest was oddly silent, not so much as a murkrow's raucous caw to shatter his thoughts.

Harlequin…

Enigma clenched his jaw so tight it hurt.

He didn't need the zorua. He didn't need anyone. So why was it bothering him so much?

The banette landed on the sturdy branch of an aspear tree and dug his claws into its smooth bark. Warm, sticky sap leaked out from the wound, clinging to his fur and slipping its way around his paw pads. He clenched his fist against the tree, the bark splintering beneath his paw. It almost wrenched his claws free, but his mind was spinning too much to care. He glared into the distance, lost in the chaos of his own mind.

Why didn't he kill Harlequin when he had the chance?! Why did he have to keep letting others get under his skin?!

He took a deep breath and retracted his paw from the aspear's trunk. Letting his breath out slowly, he took a moment to gain his bearings. His heart clenched when he spotted a familiar large knotted oak only a few feet away. Had he really been going in circles? His blood began to boil, and he slumped sideways against the sticky bark with a groan.

This was exactly why attachments were forbidden. They caused too much trouble. At this rate, he'd be killed by his own 'allies'.

His stomach growled, a painful rumble that made him wretch, but nothing came up. He sank down onto the branch, gasping as his ribs complained with the effort.

Alone…

What was he to do now? He had no reason to go back to the Shadow Lands. He'd uncovered what information Boomer had been given, but unloading that onto Hydreigon would only fuel the dragon's desire to be rid of anything that wasn't dark- or dragon-type as rapidly as possible. Enigma would either find himself fighting against the Outcasts and Heretics until his use ran out, or he'd be eradicated for not falling under the requirements of Hydreigon's ideal world.

He clasped a paw over his right side as his muzzle twisted into a grimace. Right now, it was safe to say his survival was wildly unpredictable.

All strength left his body, and he rolled his head back against the trunk, gazing up at the rust-coloured canopy. Dry leaves drifted to the ground as a wintry breeze rustled through those still clinging on to their home. Disrupting. Scattering.

Enigma raised a tired paw and rubbed it over his face, catching the sweet scent of aspear sap. A sticky smudge marred his nose as he massaged the dark rings beneath his eyes. Only a few days ago, he was in the Shadow Lands clowning around with Harlequin, poking fun at Yurlik, and pranking the deino herd. A few days… Why had things become so complicated?

"Any idea where we are?"

The high-pitched voice sliced through Enigma's thoughts like a hot blade. He raised his head, following the voices towards the undergrowth a few feet away. The faint light from the rising sun revealed four shadows creeping out from beyond a low bramble.

"I'm afraid not."

That female meowstic clambered carefully over tree roots, leading her friends along the forest path. Harlequin trotted after her with a lot more enthusiasm than Enigma had seen the zorua show towards their captors before. And with them was that mawile Harlequin had mentioned. The sight of the small steel-type set Enigma's blood on fire, and his lips twisted up into a sneer.

"Without the river to go by, I'm not even sure if we're heading in the right direction anymore," the meowstic went on.

"Can't you use your map?" the whimsicott asked.

"My map won't show us a way through the forest, Mischief."

"I wouldn't be too disheartened!" The mawile sounded awfully cheerful despite their situation. "If we keep heading this way, I'm sure we'll make it out of the forest sooner or later!"

"Yes," said the dedenne, just visible in the meowstic's fur. "And we'll probably be miles away from our destination, too!"

"That's an awfully dour way of looking at things," said the mawile with a smile. "Think of it as an adventure!"

"So long as the adventure takes us out of these trees," said the whimsicott. "I really don't want to run into those Heretics again."

The dedenne grimaced at that. "You and me both, brother."

Enigma's heart did a somersault. The Heretics. He'd almost forgotten about them.

He watched the group vanish further into the forest, his pulse racing. Harlequin faltered, turning their head towards the canopy. Enigma dropped his density instantly, fading into a grey mist. The zorua's nose twitched for a moment, before their head jerked back towards the meowstic.

The feline turned, noticing Harlequin's distracted gaze. "What's wrong, Harlequin?"

Harlequin sniffed the air for a moment longer, then shook their head. "Nothing. I thought… I thought I saw something."

"I hope it ain't murkrow," said the dedenne. "I can't be bothered with them today."

The meowstic appeared to ignore her small companion, but her nervous glance of the canopy gave her away. Searching for murkrow, or curious as to what Harlequin had claimed to notice. She soon brushed it off, rejoining her companions as they advanced through the forest.

Enigma returned to his solid state, staring after the retreating pokemon. The whimsicott had reminded him of Rio. If it really was one of Rio's experiments, Enigma still desired to know what that crazy meowstic was up to. However… Enigma's eye lingered on the mawile's back, just before she vanished amid a thick patch of curling ferns.

Enigma had questions. That mawile was new to the mix, and he wanted to know exactly what she had done to Harlequin.

...

Spark yawned and stretched, her tiny spine popping near Cleo's ear. The dedenne gazed up at the inky blue stretched above the bare canopy.

"We're losing daylight," she said quietly.

Cleo nodded, casting her eyes left and right. She kept her footsteps light, but the dry leaves blanketing the forest floor crackled and crunched at the slightest touch.

"I'm worried we're gonna have to sleep in this forest," Spark added.

"That was always the case," said Cleo. "Although I was hoping we'd have found the river by now. We'll look for somewhere sheltered."

"At least there's more of us this time," said Spark.

"Won't that make us more of a target?" Mischief asked.

Faith beamed at him. "Don't worry. We'll be fine."

"Yeah, more of us to fight back," said Spark. "Let's just hope it won't come to that, eh?"

"I think the odds are in our favour, if I'm honest," said Faith.

"Really?" Spark twisted to look back at her. "How often do you leave the Fairy Garden? Never just assume that."

Faith waved a paw at the trees. "I've not seen a single murkrow tonight. The last time Hope and I left, they were everywhere."

Cleo followed the mawile's paw. She'd noticed it herself, but now Faith had pointed it out, it was much more obvious. When Cleo was an espurr, murkrow patrols were a common sight. Yet over the past couple of seasons, they'd seemed less frequent. Perhaps their constant presence had ingrained on her mind, making her wary? Yet there wasn't one in sight. Where were they?

Her eye fell on Harlequin, questioning.

The zorua cowered back from her, their sapphire eyes flitting to the sides. Harlequin licked their lips a few times before saying, "I don't know. All I know is the murkrow patrol are being sent out to certain areas unknown to us." They paused, then added, "Hydreigon doesn't tell the assassins what his plans are."

Cleo stared at the zorua, trying to read them and work out if they were lying.

Faith dropped into a crouch before Harlequin. "You really don't know anything?"

Harlequin shook their head stiffly, avoiding Faith's violet eyes. "He doesn't tell us anything. But there are rumours… that they're looking for something. But what, I couldn't tell you."

Faith inclined her head on one side. "No one has said what they think it is?"

Harlequin shuffled their forepaws, digging up the soft soil beneath the leaves. "A certain pokemon, or a weapon. I've even heard rumours it's a settlement." Harlequin paused and forced eye-contact with Faith. "That is honestly all I can tell you."

Faith was silent, looking past Harlequin. After a moment, she let out a sigh and pushed herself up. Harlequin watched her, shifting with unease.

"I really don't know anymore," said Harlequin. "I'm telling the truth!"

Faith jerked her head towards the zorua as though taken by surprise, and forced a smile where one had faltered. "I believe you! I do. Just… I'm not sure."

"To be honest, this makes me feel a lot better," said Cleo. "If anything, a lack of murkrow is in our favour."

Faith smoothed out her fur, not that it needed it. "Perhaps. Let's sleep on it for now."

Cleo watched the mawile as she moved off the path towards the shrubs dotting the undergrowth. Faith had always seemed cheerful, but since they'd left the Fairy Garden, her demeanour had altered. It was as if they were now travelling with a seasoned Guild Warrior, one who knew the risks and how to deal with them. But what Harlequin had said seemed to have had an affect on Faith. The mawile didn't seem unsettled, but rather distracted. Was there a chance she was concerned the murkrow would be sent their way? The thought pushed Cleo's fur on end, and she had to remind herself that she was equipped to deal with them now. It had been a very long time since she'd learned a new attack. The feeling was both nostalgic and alien to her. And with Faith on their side, too, their party's strength had increased significantly.

Cleo joined Faith as they looked for somewhere to camp. Their search took them well off the path until Cleo finally found a low branch from an oak with very little undergrowth around it. She grabbed it with her paw and waved for her friends. Faith had been stood with Mischief, examining a large leafy shrub.

"This will do," Cleo said in a low voice. "Help me set up the tent."

Together, they tossed the blue sheet over the branch and pinned it into the earth. It took very little time between them, and before long they were nestled in its shelter.

Harlequin stared out at the forest from their position between Cleo and Faith.

"We won't lose the path, will we?" Mischief asked from Cleo's left.

His fears weren't without reason. He'd been concerned about it since Cleo had suggested they not follow the river given how open it was. It was by the river they'd encountered the Heretics and she wanted to increase their odds of avoiding them as much as possible.

She shook her head. "No. We're not too far from it. We'll find it again in the morning."

Mischief yawned widely. "Good. So… who's going to take first watch?"

"Well you look like you're about to fall asleep on the spot!" said Faith. "I can take first watch if you like?"

Mischief's shoulders sank. "I really feel like I should be doing it. It doesn't feel very fair to force you to stay awake. We're all tired."

"No, I'm fine!" Faith grinned at him. "I'm happy to do it."

Cleo was too busy watching Mischief. He slumped beside her, restlessly looking from Faith to the dark forest beyond the tent.

"You do seem more tired than usual," said Cleo.

"It's not the pokerus, is it?" Spark whispered.

Mischief heard it anyway, and flinched at the words. Spark muttered an apology and sank further into Cleo's ruff.

"It's not the pokerus," said Mischief. "At least… I don't think it is. I just… I didn't sleep well. I haven't for a few nights."

Harlequin grunted. "Sounds like insomnia. Unfortunately, I don't have a remedy for that in my bag."

"Not that I'd trust it," said Spark.

Harlequin started to growl, but it died in their throat. Instead, the zorua's chin dropped to their paws and they stared sulkily outside.

"I don't know what it is." Mischief rubbed his face with his paws. "I keep seeing these horrible images in my head."

"Nightmares?" Faith offered.

Mischief shrugged.

"Well… I hope you sleep better." Faith gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm happy to take your watch for you, too, if you like?"

"I can't let you do that," Mischief muttered.

"Nonsense! What are friends for?"

Mischief lowered his paws and gave her a weak smile. "Well… okay."

"We'll split it evenly," said Cleo. "And Mischief can be excused for the night." She turned to Faith. "You really don't mind going first?"

Faith shook her head and made an 'mm-mm' noise. "Mawile are actually really good in the dark. We used to live in caves many years ago."

"That's handy." Cleo laughed and closed her eyes. "After many years of being diurnal, meowstic have kind of lost their night vision."

Faith's smile fell and she pushed herself up. "Sleep well, okay? I'll be just outside if you need me."

Cleo nodded and bade the mawile 'goodnight', while Harlequin skulked off to the furthest side of the tent to curl up. Cleo watched the zorua for a moment, considering whether or not she should remain awake to keep an eye on them. Since their visit to the Fairy Garden, Harlequin had seemed a lot more withdrawn. No snide remarks, obediently following along… Somehow, Cleo felt the risk the assassin posed was significantly reduced. And if it came to it, Faith could certainly handle them.

With that reassurance, Cleo settled down beside Mischief, keeping him separate from Harlequin. It was still best not to take risks. Sleep embraced Cleo shortly after she'd closed her eyes.

...

Enigma crouched in the branches with his eyes fixed on the blue tent. The slender silhouette of the mawile was almost hidden by the shadows of the forest. She sat sheltered beside a fern, her violet eyes reflecting the faint moonlight. It was the only thing that gave her away. If Enigma hadn't been so intent on watching her and her friends, he'd have missed her entirely.

Enigma had wanted to make his move much earlier, after he was certain the other pokemon would be asleep. However, Harlequin had crept from the tent and sat with the mawile for a while. Their voices had been very hushed, too quiet for Enigma to pick up from his position. Both of them had seemed oddly calm, not jumping at the wind rustling through the canopy or stirring the scattered leaves beside the tent. Enigma had expected that from Harlequin. Harlequin knew the world from their experiences, and working for the Darkness, they'd have no reason to fear an assault. Outcasts were jumpy, flinching at every little sound and fleeing to cover, or leaping to the defensive. This mawile… Faith, as Harlequin had called her… didn't seem remotely bothered. Fearlessness? Or foolishness? Enigma wanted to say it was the latter. She wasn't working for the Darkness, and her entire species had been wiped out years ago. How had one lone mawile survived?

Enigma raised an eyebrow at that thought. Hadn't Rio mentioned an absol? Had he actually seen one, or was it a fabrication of an addled mind? Either way, absol had also been wiped out. If there were survivors, then perhaps there were even more 'extinct' pokemon living freely somewhere.

Perhaps there were even ghost-types?

Enigma shook his head sharply to dispel the wandering thought path and returned to watching Faith. Harlequin had slunk back into the tent with their tail between their legs, but not without one glance back at the mawile. Whatever words passed between them faded out on the breeze long before it reached Enigma.

Enigma had no idea how long it had been since Faith took her watch. There was every possibility it would be coming to an end, and one of the other pokemon would emerge to take her place. Enigma wasn't bothered about the others. Not at the moment. He wanted answers. Faith was new to the mix. In the time that had passed since Enimga had seen Harlequin last, Faith had appeared and the zorua was being drawn away from the Darkness. Enigma wanted to know exactly what Faith had done to warp Harlequin's mind. Having her sat outside in the dark while the rest of her friends were asleep was the perfect opportunity to catch her alone. If he missed that chance, or revealed himself too late, he might find himself in a battle he couldn't win. Not in his condition. Enigma didn't feel like following the Outcasts again to wait for the next night. What if they reached an Outcast town in that time? They'd be indoors, offered a bed, with no need to keep watch.

He shifted on his perch, warring with the desire to move closer and snatch her aside. But if she heard him, or spotted him, there was every chance she'd wake the others.

He had to do this tactfully. Lure her out. She seemed confident enough. Enigma wouldn't put it past her to want to investigate a curious sound before raising an alarm.

The banette slipped from the tree, landing lightly, his bell creating a soft chime. The mawile didn't move an inch. Had she heard it? Enigma frowned and searched the ground for something - anything - to catch the lone pokemon's attention. His claws found a small twig and he tossed it towards her where it landed with a soft thud in the debris. She looked up then, her eyes fixing straight onto it. For a moment she stayed like that, as still as a statue. Then she looked past it, in Enigma's direction. He was well hidden, but it was as if those violet eyes were staring right into his own.

She shifted slightly, then looked away, turning her gaze to the sky. Enigma followed her eyes towards the canopy. The stars were clear against the inky backdrop, with hardly a cloud in sight. Not even a murkrow stirred amid the canopy. It was almost peaceful.

Enigma shook it off and fixed the mawile in a glare. His attempt to draw her out had failed miserably. He cursed under his breath, searching the forest floor for something else he could throw. But if he tried another stunt like that, she might very well wake the others. Did he really have no other choice but to sneak up on her and snatch her aside?

He straightened, clasping his paw to his side. His breath came in rasps, and he clenched his teeth. Frustration bubbled up inside him, emerging as a repressed growl. In ordinary circumstances she'd be nothing. He could shadow-sneak over there and silence her, whisking her aside into the forest and none of her companions would know until they awoke. After clambering through the branches all day he didn't have the strength to sink into the shadows. His body complained with every effort to move as it was.

But he had to try something. He wasn't going to lose this chance. Just creep over there slowly… and snatch her aside.

Muttering under his breath, he clambered from beyond the tree, keeping his steps as light as possible. His bell made little more than a metallic grating sound, barely audible. His paws crunching over the leaves was louder, despite his efforts to step where little had fallen. Either way, those in the tent shouldn't hear it. As for the mawile…

Her head snapped around towards him, and Enigma faltered, cursing inwardly. But there was no fear in her eyes. Slowly, she pushed herself to her feet, keeping her eyes fixed on his location. Enigma tensed, expecting her to go into the tent and wake her friends. But instead, she moved away from it, making her way towards him. Her paws barely made a sound over the debris, her steps light and delicate, and oddly quick.

A sly grin spread across Enigma's muzzle and he stifled a chuckle. He hadn't expected that. Was she really willing to waltz straight into danger?

He remained in the shadows of the trees, watching her as she drew closer. But before she could reach him, Enigma darted out from the shadows and grabbed her, clasping his paw over her mouth. She let out a startled gasp, which was cut off sharply as he rammed her back against the tree. He secured his free claws around her arm so she couldn't squirm away, not that she tried. Her violet eyes widened, fixing on his, but there was no fear in them. Just surprise at being caught off guard.

Enigma let out a grunt of surprise. So she wasn't scared? Did she have no idea who he was?

Faith relaxed, her eyes softening. She lifted her free paw and placed it on his, gently trying to remove it from her mouth. The action set a fire roaring in Enigma's gut, and he narrowed his eyes at her. No… she definitely wasn't afraid. Enigma wanted to fix that… but at least it meant she wouldn't be likely to scream for help.

A smirk spread across his muzzle and he removed his paw from her mouth to brush the long fur back from her face.

"Well," he crooned. "Aren't you a pretty one?"

The mawile met his eyes, unwavering. "You're Enigma. Am I right?"

"Oh, so you have heard of me?" Enigma chuckled, and his smile melted into a deadly glare. "Because you're not acting like it."

"I'll be honest, I've only heard of you recently," Faith explained. "Few assassins would be confident enough in their abilities that they wear a hidden bell to shock fear into the hearts of their targets."

"Really? Then why aren't you afraid?"

"You didn't exactly sneak up on me," Faith explained. "You were obviously trying to lure me out."

Enigma's grip on her arm lessened as he gave her a dumbfounded look.

She inclined her head on one side. "So… what do you want with me?"

Enigma felt his face twist with confusion. Was this mawile serious?

"You knew I was trying to lure you out and you came alone?" he snorted.

"It clearly wasn't an ambush," she explained. "You threw a stick. It was pretty clear you're working alone."

"Really?" He chuckled and gave her a sinister grin. "You were the only one awake, mawile. And would you look at that, you've left your friends completely unprotected."

Her eyes widened as she cast a glance in the direction of the tent. Well… She'd not considered that.

Enigma laughed painfully, trying to mask his discomfort. "How foolish."

She let out an exasperated sigh and met his eyes. "What do you want with me?"

"I want to know what you've done to Harlequin," he said. "He's become all soft, turning his back on the Shadow Lands. I want to know what lies you've fed him that have encouraged him to pal around with you Outcasts."

Faith blinked a few times. "He? I…" She shook her head slowly then met his eyes again. "I've not done anything to Harlequin. She willingly entered the Fairy Garden, and the change went from there. And as far as I'm aware, she is not with the Outcasts by choice."

"That collar," Enigma muttered. He frowned at the mawile and tightened his grip on her arm. "He told me he's not going back, and you're telling me he's not with them willingly?! Whether or not he's a prisoner, you've done something to him. You've been feeding him lies."

"They're not lies."

Enigma's eyes flashed and he dug his claws into her shoulder. Faith flinched, but she didn't break eye-contact. Her lack of fear was infuriating him. He wanted to shake her. Claw at her until she choked up the truth through screams of fear and pain.

"She said she wants to look for her friend," Faith went on. "That path doesn't cross with Cleo's, but Xerneas has assured her that her friend is still alive."

Xerneas? There was that name again. He tore his eyes off her and stared blankly into the shadows. A friend? That absol?

"Is that everything you want to know?" Faith asked. "Are you going to let me go back now?"

He snapped his attention back onto her, realising he'd relaxed his grip enough for her to slip away. Yet she was still standing there, watching him curiously. Something about her really unsettled him. No… it angered him. He dug his claws into her shoulder again, causing the mawile to suck in her breath, and took a step closer to her.

"Oh, not quite yet." His voice came out as a purr and he raised his free paw, letting it turn translucent. "You see… I don't believe you've told me everything. I might be an assassin, but my job first and foremost is to gather information, and I have ways of getting it out of even the most stubborn pokemon."

"Then all you have to do is ask me," said Faith, keeping her eyes on his. "I won't keep anything from you. What do you want to know?"

"I want to know what you've done to Harlequin."

"I already told you, I've not done anything."

"And I don't believe you." He stared at his smoky paw for a moment and gave a mock sigh. "You're really taking time out of my assignment, mawile. But I suppose I can put off dragging information out of a bunch of stubborn Heretics for a while." He chuckled and flexed his claws. "Something makes me think I'm going to enjoy this."

Faith watched closely as his translucent claws drifted towards her chest. In one fluid motion, she jerked her body around, bringing her massive horn up in an arc. It struck his left shoulder, sending him soaring away from her. He landed hard in the foliage and pain exploded through his chest. His body wracked with coughs, and he shoved himself up off the ground.

"Oh my goodness!" Faith gasped, her paws flying to her mouth. She trotted over to him, her eyes wide. "Are you injured? I had no idea, I'm-"

"Shut up!" Enigma hissed.

Faith actually complied. She stood awkwardly beside him, her claws flexing at her sides.

He swiped a paw across his mouth and coughed again. Warm blood splattered his fur. Every breath hurt.

"You really need help." Faith edged closer to him and dropped into a crouch. "Here, let me-"

He swiped her outstretched paw and she retracted it before finding herself trapped in a livid, crimson glare.

"Get out of here," he growled. "Before I slaughter you."

Faith sighed and dropped her paw to her knee. "Please… I can help."

"You really can't tell when your life is in danger, can you?" Enigma scoffed. "You'd really help someone who wants to kill you? Good grief, you're pathetic."

She sighed again and rose to her feet. "I honestly don't think you're in any condition to fight me right now."

He said nothing, wishing that the mawile would disappear. But she just stood there, watching him in his weakness. He resented it.

"If you don't want my help, then fine," she finally said. "But you really need to learn who your friends are, because the Darkness is no one's friend. It just destroys." She turned away then, walking lightly back towards her camp. She paused a little away from him, keeping her voice low. "I can't imagine a life like that. A life of destruction, taking from others, and making nothing but enemies. But I can imagine that it must make one feel very, very lonely."

Enigma stiffened, listening to her walk away.

Lonely…

If anything, after all that, he just felt sore and bitter.

He coughed into his paw again and shoved himself painfully back to his feet. That whole endeavour hadn't been as insightful as he'd thought it would be. Hopefully, his visit with the Heretics would yield more valuable information?

A voice reached his ears and he straightened as best he could to see through the shadows. A flash of blue caught his eye, and he inched closer for a better look. The mawile had returned to her tent, and was reassuring a concerned Harlequin. Enigma's heart twisted and he withdrew, trudging away from the campsite.

Yes, he felt sore and bitter. Sore, bitter, and alone.

...

Please R&R! =D