Here's chapter fifty - four. Thank you Draconet, explosivebagel, and caitlinkeitorin for reviewing last chapter!

Chapter Fifty - Four: The Plan

"Master Viril, I have urgent news."

The leader of the Dark Army lifted his head at the voice. "What is it?" he questioned, an eyebrow raising involuntarily behind his long bangs.

"The Light Army have attacked the prison in the eastern area, sir," the Keyblader responded.

Viril jerked upwards immediately. "Why? Do you know?"

"We've heard they were searching for information on the X - blade, sir."

"You said they 'were' searching," Viril said slowly. "They aren't anymore?"

The Keyblader shook his head slowly. "They left, sir."

Viril's bangs parted slightly, revealing the eerie, angry color of his red eyes. "Why wasn't I informed of this earlier?"

The Keyblader quailed at his leader's anger, but responded, "T-there wasn't time, sir."

Viril walked down towards the Keyblader, who looked at his leader with eyes wide with fear. The dark man lifted his subordinate by the collar of his shirt. "Next time, make sure you inform me before everything's over. Do you understand?"

The man nodded, eyes wide, and swallowed as best he could. "Y-yes, sir," came the hoarse reply.

"Good." Viril threw him across the room, and the man went skidding across the floor, rubbing his throat and gasping for air when he came to a stop. "Now go."

After he'd watched the Keyblader scurry out of the room, Viril slowly lowered his head, lost in thought. Tollun…you may try to beat us all you like. However, your light blinds you to the truth. His red eyes began to glow, creating an eerie light in the room. You will not beat us.

Gillick walked towards the Silver Fang's encampment with brisk strides. He'd spent the previous night thinking, unable to convince himself to fall asleep, and had ended up heading back towards the Silver Fang before the sun was up that morning.

During the course of the night, a plan had been taking shape in his mind. To fulfill the course of this plan, though, he had to make sure he reached Mala and talked to her…without getting caught by the Silver Fang.

He slowed down, treading more carefully when he thought he was getting close. He soon discovered he wasn't as close as he'd though he was, and was about to pick up speed again when he started to see tents through the trees. He continued to edge forward cautiously, listening carefully for the sounds of anyone who was up early or on patrol. His amber eyes darted about him as he practiced the unfamiliar art of caution. I guess this is one of those things Mala's better at than me, he thought, frustrated with the slow pace. He forced himself to keep going as he was until he was just outside the Silver Fang's camp in the deep shadows of a tree.

Gillick leaned against the tree, looking out through the Silver Fang camp. Now…which tent is hers? He frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. Shit…if I get the wrong tent, I'm screwed. Resigning himself tiredly to a tedious search, he slipped quietly from tree to tree, glad that the Silver Fang had decided to camp in the middle of the forest rather than in a clearing. When he neared a tent, he'd tentatively edge around to the front and lift the corner of a flap to glance in. Every time he discovered the person wasn't the one he was looking for, he'd feel his frustration flare but, remembering what he'd promised himself, would do his best to quell it and move on to the next tent. This is ridiculous. Where the hell is her tent?

When he peered between the flaps of the next tent, he felt a stab of relief to see a familiar form sleeping inside. Finally! He pushed his way inside and intended to head over and shake her awake.

He hadn't anticipated her being a light sleeper.

Mala jumped up, opening her mouth to let out a warning cry. Gillick hurried forward and slapped a hand over her mouth, stopping it before it escaped. "What the hell, Mala? Do you want to get me caught?"

Mala blinked her blue eyes in surprise. "Gillick?" she asked, the sound muffled by the boy's hand. Sensing that she wasn't going to try and screech an alarm now, he removed his hand, leaving her to ask, "What are you doing here? And…why are you in my tent?"

"Because I need to talk to you," Gillick responded.

Mala frowned at him, though curiosity flickered in her gaze. "What about?"

Gillick hesitated, wondering how the girl was going to react. Then he said in a rush, "I want to help the Silver Fang."

Mala blinked several times in surprise, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What?"

Gillick's eye twitched, but he repeated, "I said, I want to help the Silver Fang."

Mala shook her head, looking stunned. "Yeah, I heard that, but…why?"

Gillick hesitated for a second time. Great…now I have to tell her… Looking away, he began awkwardly. "I kind of…realized…that I don't want you or Riun to die…or something like that."

Mala's surprise seemed to grow for a few moments. Then, a smile crossed her face, and she stifled a laugh. Gillick turned a glare on her. "What's so funny?"

Mala smiled at him, her eyes glittering but the danger from laughing subsided. "You're actually admitting…that you care about us?"

"That's not the point!" Gillick snapped, almost forgetting to keep his voice low. Pausing to collect himself, he continued, "Obviously, the Silver Fang aren't going to let me back in. At least not while Silver hates me, that is."

"Yeah," Mala agreed, looking suddenly subdued.

Gillick wondered why, but brushed it aside, deciding he didn't have time to worry about it. "I don't think I really want to join back up, anyways, after being kicked out. So if I'm going to help them out, I'll need your help."

Mala looked at him in surprise. "My help?"

Gillick nodded. "I'll need you to tell me information about what's going on inside the Silver Fang, and I'll relay information about what I know the Armies are up to."

Mala frowned, looking nervous. "But…what if your caught? And how will explain to Silver how I know about all this?" She looked away. "She's already got a lookout for you, since I told her about the Light Army."

"Wait…you told her I-" He cut himself off, shaking his head and quelling his anger. "Damn it; don't have time for that now." He looked at her seriously. "You're good at lying, right? Make something up."

"How do you know I'm good at lying?" Mala protested.

"You're a thief."

"And that explains every-"

"Just make something up!" Gillick hissed, cutting her off. Seeing light begin to pierce the fabric of the tent, he hurriedly stood, heading towards the entrance and calling over his shoulder, "I'll come around each morning."

"Wait! I haven't said yes yet."

Gillick stopped and turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. "Well?"

Mala pretended to deliberate about it, making Gillick's eye begin to twitch in annoyance. Finally, she replied, "Sure. I'll do it."

"All that just to tell me 'yes' anyways?" he growled, glaring at her.

"I thought you were in a hurry," Mala responded, grinning.

Gillick shook his head and, muttering under his breath, left the tent and hurried away from the camp. As he did, a thought crossed his mind, and a small smirk crossed his face. Same trusting Mala, he thought. Didn't even stop to think this might be a trap. He'd have to talk with her about that later. Right now, though, he had a job to do.

Mala waited until she heard the camp begin to stir before slowly rising and leaving her tent. Upon seeing the Silver Fang camp stirring, she felt her nervous fear pulse back in full, almost overwhelming force. She closed her eyes briefly to steady herself. How am I going to do this…?

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. Gillick asked you to do this…he needs you to do this. He admitted that he actually cares about you…you and Riun. So don't let him down.

She knew, though, that her task wouldn't be easy.

Sighing, she decided to go and find Riun. After all, the three of them seemed to be continuously entwined together; it seemed natural to include him in this.

She found the boy still sleeping soundly inside his tent. Entering, she shook him gently awake. "Riun. Wake up."

He blinked open sleepy blue eyes at her. "Mala?"

Mala nodded. "I have something to tell you, Riun."

Riun sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "What is it, Mala?" Then his sleepy expression turned alarmed. "You're not leaving too, are you?"

Mala quickly shook her head. "No; I'm staying right here."

Riun sighed with relief. "That's good. It'd be lonely without you, too."

Mala smiled at his comment, but knew she hadn't come here to talk about her. "Gillick came and found me earlier."

Riun's eyes widened at the remark. "He did?"

Mala nodded. "He wants to help the Silver Fang, but is going to need help, since he can't get back in." Or wants to be back in, she reminded herself silently.

Riun's eyes lit up. "Our help?"

"Yes. He'll be here every morning, and we're going to tell him everything we know about what the Silver Fang's doing, while he tells us all he knows about what the Armies are doing."

Riun jumped up. "Great!" Then his excitement suddenly seemed to dampen. "But…we'll be fighting Keybladers…"

Mala felt a pang in her heart; she hated the fact as much as he did, but knew it couldn't be helped. "We're a part of the Silver Fang, Riun. We don't have a choice about it."

Tollun paced slowly through the corridors of one of the Light Army strongholds, hands folded behind his back. I wonder where this 'Silver Fang' is hiding? he thought. He frowned, closing his eyes. It could be difficult to flush them out.

"Master Tollun!"

The Light Army leader stopped and looked behind him. "Yes?

The Keyblader skidded to a halt before him, panting. "We've received word about the Silver Fang."

His interest peaked, Tollun faced him fully and gave him his full attention. "Well? What did you find?"

"There was no sign of them in the area my group was searching in, sir."

Tollun's excitement faded into annoyance. "Is that all?" he asked, wondering why the man had bothered.

The Keyblader quickly shook his head. "We were able to find out about their leader."

"Really?" Tollun asked, surprised.

The Keyblader nodded, then handed his leader a paper. "Here. This is what she looks like."

Tollun took the paper, and blinked in surprise when he discovered it was a bounty poster. On it was the image of a woman with short ash blonde hair and piercing green eyes. Below the picture was a name; 'Silver.' "Well, well," Tollun muttered. He turned his silver eyes back to the Keyblader. "And you're sure that this is the leader of the Silver Fang?"

"Not completely, sir, but it would make sense."

Tollun's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I don't want assumptions; I want answers." He handed the paper back to him. "Go, and don't come back until you bring me proof!"

That's the end of chapter fifty - four. Please review?