Here's chapter forty - nine. Thank you the traveler90, caitlinkeitorin, and explosivebagel for reviewing last chapter!

Chapter Forty - Nine: Past Master

When Tollun emerged from the Planes of Light, a shiver ran through his body. The effects of traveling via that method were not pleasant, but he arrived at his destination in a much quicker time than he normally would have.

He looked around at his surroundings. I see…so I'm inside the fortress. That made things convenient, but he could see no sign of his Keybladers. He frowned, walking over to a window nearby and peering out.

Across an expanse of open ground, he could see the dark shape of figures fighting. Though their features were indistinguishable, he knew it must be his Light Army Keybladers fighting those Dark Army bastards.

Tollun smiled at the sight. This is perfect. While his Keybladers kept the Dark Army occupied, their attention focused on the Keybladers down below, he could focus on the task of finding information on the X - blade from within. So what if a few of them died? After all, sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. Without another thought, the leader of the Light Army turned and stalked off down the hall.

Gillick's sword clashed against his brother's Keyblade, sending small sparks off into the darkness of the night. His amber eyes narrowed as he looked as Trevor's blazing silver. Shit. What can I do to get him to stop fighting? Currently, the only thing he could think of was knocking him unconscious, and with so many Dark Army Keybladers around, he wasn't sure that was the best idea.

But how the hell am I going to stop him? For the moment, he had no answer.

Trevor spun in a low circle, his flaming blade creating a momentary ring of fire around him. Gillick quickly took a step backwards, placing his sword in front of him to take the brunt of the blow. His opponent spun back to his feet, lifting his Keyblade and slashing it down. Though the weapon itself missed Gillick completely, the line of light it fired did not. He let out a hiss of pain through clenched teeth as the light seared into his shoulder.

The runes on his sword pulsated briefly with light, as if responding to the attack. Gillick's eyes flicked down to the weapon. No time to test theories now, he thought; it wouldn't be good if he made a mistake in the battle field. Instead, he dropped to the ground beneath Trevor's swing, smirking at his brother's surprised look and remembering the battle he'd first used this technique in. Was it really only a couple of days ago that I fought in there? he wondered, though his eyes didn't dare flick to the imposing figure of the Dark Army prison. It seemed as if an eternity had passed.

As Gillick fell to the ground, he kicked out, hitting Trevor in the stomach and driving the air out of him. When the older boy landed, he swept the younger's legs out from under him, quickly rolling over himself to return to his feet. He hesitated before striking, however. Shit. Why can't you just give up? he wondered, watching Trevor as he struggled back to his feet.

Trevor seemed to take not of the fact that he'd stalled his blade. "Why didn't you attack?" the boy barked, looking surprised. Gillick didn't answer, his mind still swimming with ideas on how to stop his sibling. Trevor looked as if he'd suddenly grown conflicted, which his opponent deemed was a good thing. But the Keyblader quickly shook his head. "No, don't answer; I know why. The difference between us is that I have something to fight for; something bigger than family."

A light went off in Gillick's head. Of course! What would be more devastating to him than to lose his armor? Gillick himself had been hurt, and he'd been disillusioned with the Armies for a long time before he'd become armor - less. "And what would you do if that thing was taken away?"

Trevor, who'd lifted his weapon to strike again, hesitated, silver eyes flickering. "What are you talking about?"

"What do you think will happen if Tollun finds out about your eyes?"

Trevor frowned. "My eyes? What are you talking about?"

"You're eyes are silver now," Gillick responded. "Didn't you wonder why they were burning before?" He silently hoped that he was right in assuming that the same thing that happened to him happened to his brother, too. Trevor's silver orbs widened in response, and he slowly lifted his free hand to touch the skin just below his eye, while he lowered his weapon. Yes! Now to press the advantage… "Didn't you notice that you shot light from your Keyblade? Amber eyes, and red after that, are the sign that someone has been touched by darkness; gray and silver eyes are the sign that someone's been touched by light. And you're eyes are silver, like Tollun's; meaning, you've just become a lot more powerful."

Trevor still looked surprised, but now there was suspicion flickering in his eyes. Gillick hoped he hadn't just screwed up his plan, but he had to keep pressing forward with it. "Why are you telling me all this?" Trevor questioned.

"Like I said before: what do you think Tollun will do when he finds out?"

Trevor went back to a state of shock. "Why would he do anything?" he spluttered.

Gillick knew his younger sibling would never believe the truth: that Tollun would resent Trevor and do everything he could to make his life a living hell. No, the boy looked up to the leader of the Light Army too much for that. So he'd just have to lie. "What if you're more powerful than him? He'd have to make you the leader of the Light Army in his place."

At these words, Trevor looked horrified, and Gillick wanted to let out a cry of triumph. Trevor's only strong when he has someone to lean on. He wasn't one of those people who wanted to lead, because, if he led, then there'd be no one left to tell him what to do. He'd be hopelessly lost, and all that former strength would disappear. This, he knew, would convince his brother to stop fighting, because he would be too afraid of what would happen if his continued, and he did prove to be more powerful than Tollun.

He didn't need to know how minuscule the addition of power with the change was; that in order to reach a higher level, he'd need to do extensive training in his element. Minor details could be left out.

But as he watched his brother struggling to go back to normal, his eyes flickering between blue and silver, a sudden chill ran down his spine. What if he really is stronger than Tollun? he asked himself quietly. He remembered how the runes on his sword had glowed, something they'd never done before, and a sickening thought entered his mind; a thought of something else with eerie eyes, something that possessed immense power. What if…he's the Knight?

Then he quickly brushed the thought away. Idiot. He was there when you faced the Knight all those years ago, remember? He couldn't be the Knight. But he couldn't help the flicker of doubt.

"The X - blade." Trevor's voice broke Gillick out of his musings. He looked at his brother, whose eyes had returned to their previous shade of blue. "I can still find out how to create it…then, maybe Master Tollun won't be mad at me!" Without warning, Trevor turned around and raced off towards the Dark Army fortress.

Frustration seethed inside Gillick. Damn it. His plan had just blown up in his face; instead of fighting, he was running headlong into the territory of the Light Army's greatest enemy. "Trevor!" he called, racing after him.

Tollun was looking through some documents when he heard something that sounded like footsteps approaching from below. Frowning, the silver eyed man peered out the nearby window. Down below, he saw two shapes racing into the Dark Army fortress relatively unopposed. The first looked like Trevor. The second…

Tollun's eyes widened, then he closed them and allowed himself a faint smirk. Well, how interesting. The wayward student has returned. He glanced around the room, his gaze resting on the limp form of a Dark Army Keyblader who was hidden in the corner. Yes, he had a sufficient amount of information; he may not know how to forge the X - blade yet, but he knew where he could find out. The Silver Fang.

But he didn't feel the need to leave yet. After all, while Gillick was here…why not stop and reminisce?

Gillick pounded through the relatively empty hallways, feeling the same sense of unease he had when he'd been here with Silver and Mala. He quickly pushed the thought aside. That's past. I have to find Trevor.

His brother had managed to slip by the guards, who were unprepared for someone to come rushing through, but they were ready for Gillick, who came only moments later. While he'd been held up fighting, his brother had escaped further into the prison. Gillick flicked his sword, a few drops of blood flying from the tip. Damn it! Where'd he go?

"Hello, Gillick. Are you looking for someone?"

Gillick froze at the sound of the voice. He closed his amber eyes in frustration before turning around, reopening his eyes. "What do you want, Tollun?"

The man looked at him calmly. "I thought it was obvious, armor - less. I want to stop the Dark Army."

Gillick glared at him. "That's not what I meant, and you and I both know that's a lie."

Tollun shook his head, silver eyes glittering. "Yes, you've known since the day I recruited Trevor, haven't you? Or at least suspected it."

"You confirmed it by making Trevor your favorite," Gillick retorted.

"You sound a bit angry. Understandable, I suppose…but you were always too strong willed."

Gillick's anger was growing rapidly. "Go back to whatever hole you crawled out of. I don't have time for you."

"I'm curious, why did Trevor run in here so fast? What could you have done to upset him so badly?"

Gillick froze for a second time. "I did nothing!" he spat at the older man. "You did!"

"Oh, really?" Tollun asked. "I'm intrigued; what could I have possibly done?"

Gillick shook his head, furious. "What you did to me."

"Oh? You think so?" Tollun looked amused. "Don't worry, Gillick, your brother is much more compliant with you." The boy turned burning amber eyes to the man. "Of course, I know the boy could become powerful, and rebellious; he shares your blood, after all. And he might take away from me, considering he was made a general so young. But that's why I rarely send him out on public missions; he doesn't have the chance to grow popular. If he ever grows too powerful…well, he needs support. So all I have to do is reel him in."

Infuriated at the comment, Gillick lunged forward with a war cry, his sword clanging against Tollun's summoned Keyblade. "You bastard…why are you mocking me?"

"No particular reason," Tollun replied calmly, amusement glittering in his eyes. "I just wanted to see how you'd react to seeing you old master."

Gillick gritted his teeth, trying to force his mind to think rationally as he jumped back, dragging his blade with him. Tollun may enjoy playing with people's minds, but when he has a goal, he doesn't just shrug it off. If what Trevor said is true, then why is he here, talking to me?

Then the realization hit him, and he mentally kicked himself for his stupidity. Because he already knows that the Silver Fang hold the secret to getting the X - blade.

He was jerked back to the present as Tollun lunged towards him. He whipped his blade up to parry the Keyblader, then ducked low and swept out a leg. Tollun easily jumped over it, pushing down with more force on Gillick's sword. The black - haired boy dropped completely and kicked up with both feet. Tollun, who was left falling with nothing to push against, had the breath knocked out of him as he was sent flying. Gillick smirked. Well, I think I have a new favorite move.

He rolled back to his feet, lunging forward with his sword drawn back. He whipped his weapon up quickly, the silver blade a blur. Unfortunately, Tollun was quick enough to parry the blow, sidestepping in the same instant. He forced Gillick's weapon further away, then jerked his Keyblade back and slashed across the former Keyblader's left shoulder. Crimson blood sprayed from the wound, and the pain made Gillick's heart pulsate with increased anger. He quickly spun around against Tollun's blade, going into a powerful barrage of strikes. Tollun parried each, though apparently with increasing difficulty by the end of the combo. When the boy paused to catch his breath, the Keyblade Master stabbed his weapon forward. Gillick spun to the side, bringing his weapon up to knock his opponent's higher into the air. Then he continued the swing, aiming towards the man's exposed stomach.

"Master Tollun!" a voice cried in alarm from behind Gillick. Then he felt something hit his back, preventing him from completing the blow. Hissing through gritted teeth, Gillick looked back to see Trevor, standing, though shaking, with his Keyblade pointed towards his brother.

Tollun's amused voice came from behind him. "Well, it appears you're outnumbered now, Gillick." He cocked his head to the side. "And it sounds like we've finally been discovered." He nodded to Trevor. "I've found the information I need; let's go."

"Ok," Trevor agreed.

Gillick stood stunned for a few moments. When Tollun passed him, he hissed in an undertone. "Don't misunderstand me; I'm only sparing you because it would alienate Trevor if I didn't."

Fury once again rushed through Gillick. "You bastard!" he snarled, whipping around and lifting his sword. Tollun and Trevor, however, were already heading out of sight.

And that's the end of chapter forty - nine. Please review?