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The Ravager, the current flagship to the Dark Crusade, was alive with activity as the latest additions to the Crusade's army were brought over from the shore. The ship was scheduled to depart as soon as the recruits were brought aboard, and the crew was working quickly to ensure the ship was ready.

One by one, the rowboats arrived, and were directed to the lifts to bring them up. On the deck of the massive ship waited one of the Crusade's chief lieutenants - a Midnight Lycanroc, with deep red fur and slightly brighter red eyes, standing straight-backed rather than hunched over as her kind usually did, her paws folded across her abdomen.

Asya was the very picture of authority, watching impassively as the recruits came over the side and lined up along the rail. Only when she was informed that everyone was aboard did her mood change, a tight smile forming on her muzzle.

"Welcome, recruits," she said, " to your new lives in service to the Dark Crusade. For those of you who do not know, I am Asya, first lieutenant to the Dark Crusade, second in command in our great mission to reshape the world."

She began to pace along the deck as she spoke to the newcomers, taking on a tone sounded encouraging and inspirational. "You have all taken your first steps into being part of the new order that will change the world. A world that has wronged you all, left you in squalor, forced to spend every day of your lives working for a future that will never come. Coming home to empty dinner tables and suffering families. But no longer."

She began to walk the other way and continued her speech. "By your actions, and the strength you bring, the Dark Crusade shall shake the very foundations of the world, and from its ashes shall arise a new order. Where the strong rule, and the weak serve, as it should be. You shall be included in that new order, and all that comes with it."

She turned to face them again. "So once again, welcome aboard the Ravager, and into the ranks of the Dark Crusade."

The recruits were awash with cheer, save for a few among them who seemed to hold onto their silence. Including one among them, who was not as they seemed. A Fraxure kept his gaze firmly set on the Lycanroc even after she made her speech, and only when the others around him started cheer as if they had already emerged victorious did he start to slink away into the shadows, shuffling further into the rear of the recruits and moving around them toward the closest door he could find.

Once there, he took a quick gander to check if he was being watched, then nodded to himself when the coast was clear. With a quick flick of his claw, he subtly picked the lock and pushed the door open, then stepped inside and began silently moving through the corridors of the Ravager.

The inner workings of the ship were confined, with the halls barely wide enough for two Pokémon to safely traverse them without getting in one another's way. No crew were present in the halls he followed, with the rest of the recruits having been moved to bunk areas below decks. This, however, was the wing that belonged to the leadership, including the one he was there to find.

However, the Fraxure's intrusion did not progress for long. By the time he reached the stairs that would hopefully take him up to the bridge, a voice spoke behind him.

"Don't move," they said, and he heard a sound like a string being drawn tight.

Despite the warning, he turned his head just enough to see an avianic figure standing behind him. A Decidueye, who had seemed to appear from nothingness. His arrow was trained upon the Fraxure, and his wing - serving as his bow, sat perpendicular in front of his chest, the arrow resting upon it and pulled back into a bowstring between his wingtip and shoulder.

"...You caught on rather quickly," The Fraxure remarked, narrowing his eyes slightly as he continued to gaze back over his shoulder at the Decidueye, "Perhaps I made my move too prematurely."

"You might wear the skin of a Fraxure," the owl stated, "but you move with the grace of something else; your footsteps are far too silent, too deliberate." His eyes flashed with points of redness as the shadow of his hood fell over them. "You are not the first of your kind I have encountered... Illusionist."

The Fraxure's body started to shimmer slightly. There was no point in holding the disguise any longer now that he was outed. "I might very well be the last," he said.

The Zoroark threw something at the ground, and a large plume of smoke erupted from the object. The Decidueye leapt back, launching his notched arrow into the fog as he soared down the corridor behind him for where the intruder had been before. Before he even landed, a clawed contraption shot out of the smoke and latched onto the Decidueye's arm before he could react.

The line attached to the claw suddenly went taut and pulled him forward, right toward an outstretched claw prepped to attack with a Night Slash attack. With his free arm, rather than try to draw another arrow, the Decidueye ignited a Leaf Blade from the end of his wing and blocked the Night Slash with an overhead parry. The surprise attack had brought the two almost nose-to-beak with each other, both glaring into the other's eyes as they struggled. Eventually, the Decidueye kicked away from the intruder and slashed the cord still attached to his wing with the leaf blade, successfully gaining some distance from his opponent.

The attacker then rushed out of the smoke, this time with a sword drawn and bearing down on the Decidueye. They exchanged slashes a few times before meeting in a deadlock, and it was here that the ghostly owl managed to get a proper look at the infiltrator.

The Zoroark was advanced in his years, parts of his fur having adopted streaks of gray, and visible age lines around his eyes. The gear he wore on his body suggested that this individual was highly skilled in his trade; a tactical vest covered most of his torso, and was lined with multiple pockets and compartments for all sorts of tools and small weapons. He also wore a belt along his waist that not only housed the scabbard for his sword, but more sections that housed several tools and trinkets.

Whoever this individual was, he came prepared...

The Decidueye said nothing as he ignited a second leaf blade in his other wing, flourishing them before facing the Zoroark again, their eyes fixed on one another as they stood there, facing off in the corridor. The Zoroark then exhaled a cone of fire from his mouth, discharging a Flamethrower attack in an attempt to force the Decidueye to back away. Then just as he closed his mouth and ended the attack, his off claw shot forward and fired three Shadow Balls before his body started to distort, until he vanished from view

The Decidueye blocked the first of the Shadow Balls with his sword, before jumping and spinning in the air to let the other two pass around him. He landed on his feet again, seeing the Zoroark had vanished, but he knew he hadn't fled. He narrowed his eyes, rolling them side to side as he watched and listened for any clue to his target's whereabouts.

The infiltrator suddenly appeared right in front of the Decidueye, swinging his weapon and managing to catch him with the hilt of his sword across the cheek. He then followed through with the attack, spinning once and swinging his sword for the Decidueye's waist, intending to cut him in two with his attack. The Decidueye was a fluid combatant though, turning with the hit he had suffered and managing to bring his swords around to create cross-guard to catch his enemy's weapon.

He then snapped his leg forward, delivering a kick to the Zoroark's chest, and when he stumbled back, the Decidueye lunged, ready to take advantage of the opening...

"Stop!"

The voice came from the corridor behind the Decidueye. He did indeed stop, the tips of his blades hovering only inches from his target - one aimed at his head, the other at his chest. The Zoroark, for his part, had his sword ready to parry the strike at his head and his claws ready to block the other. But his attacker had stopped at the command from a familiar, feminine voice.

Behind the Decidueye, two figures approached. One of them was Asya, easily recognized by the intruder having seen her only moments ago. Beside her, a Gallade walked at her side, elbow blades already extended in preparation for battle.

The Zoroark let out a scoff, silently cursing himself for letting himself get carried away in the heat of the fight. He was hopelessly outnumbered now, yet he still held onto his weapon, poised to attack if any of them so much as flinched.

"This one has risked much by coming here alone like this," Asya commented, staying a respectable distance from the Zoroark even as the Decidueye stepped aside. She breathed in deeply through her nostrils, eyes narrowing as she took in a scent. "...He carries the smell of death upon him."

Then, addressed the Zoroark directly. "Tell me, stranger; what is it you hoped to gain by coming here? You clearly were not intent on joining us, lest you'd see no reason to hide yourself, and you are most certainly not a Guild lackey."

"I'm insulted that you'd even consider the idea I'm with those soft-hearted fools..." The Zoroark growled, slowly straightening up and lowering his sword to his side.

"Recent events have shown they are not above using more... Clandestine tactics," she offered as explanation. "But is far from their forte. You, however, are different."

"My business isn't with you or any of your compatriots, nor do I share your interest in world domination... My business is with your leader." He added.

"You seek Calhoun?" Asya asked. "And why is that?"

"That's for him to know and share at his discretion." The Zoroark remarked firmly. "Either take me to him, or I'll find my own way to him. Interfere..." He lifted his sword across his face, the surface shining briefly as if reflecting his rising bloodlust. "...and I'll cut you all down where you stand..."

"You're more than welcome to try, intruder." Sash remarked, his face contorting into a twisted grin as he sensed a battle coming, his arm blades twitching in anticipation.

A tense silence fell over them then, with the Crusade Lieutenant and two Enforcers facing the intruder that had dared come onto their ship and refused to explain why to them. Tory, having not dismissed his leaf blades, raised them again and stood alongside Sash in preparation, the eyes of the two deadly killers fixed upon the Zoroark...

Then, there was a footstep behind the Zoroark; just one, but it was close, and the two enforcers lowered their weapons, no longer looking at him. He turned sharply to look behind him and had to elevate his gaze to look into the face of the Blaziken that stood only a half a meter behind him, arms crossed and wearing a devilish grin as he peered down at him.

The Zoroark beheld the Dark Blaziken in full, with charcoal-gray feathers and ashen undertones, but nothing stood out nearly as much as those eyes. Each the colour of an amethyst, they seemed to shine with their own light in the dimly lit corridor of the ship.

"Well. Here I am," the dark Blaziken stated. "Anything you can say to me, you can say to my lieutenant as well." He leaned forward, never losing that smile. "So, let's start with introductions, shall we?"

The Zoroark continued to measure Calhoun from head to toe in silence for a moment, then he turned and lowered his blade once more, though he never sheathed it. "...Sakakku." He said, then gave Calhoun a small sneer. "They say meeting you face to face is like staring in the face of death itself... Seeing you in the flesh, I'd say the rumours were greatly exaggerated..."

"Bold words, from an intruder who now finds himself surrounded," the Blaziken pointed out, one eyebrow arching. "So, Sakakku... What do you want from the Dark Crusade?"

"I've faced worse odds..." Sakakku answered firmly before he answered the Dark Blaziken's question. "I've sought you out because I may or may not have intel on something you might be seeking... intel that I will share only if you agree to help my cause."

Calhoun uncrossed his arms, his smile finally lessening, but only slightly, as he eyed the Zoroark studiously, as if sizing him up. "And what is it you think we're seeking?" Heasked, pointedly.

"The corrupted fountains that exude the Devourer's essence to the world." Sakakku answered, not even batting an eye at Calhoun's change in demeanour.

Calhoun's eyes widened at that, now eyeing the Zoroark with greater interest. After a long, tense moment, he looked over Sakakku and made a lowering gesture with his hand. Behind him, the two enforcers lowered their guard, Tory's Leaf Blades extinguishing and Sash's elbow blades retracting though the Gallade never lost that blood-thirsty look in his eyes.

"I'm listening," Calhoun stated.

"If you have a war room, I suggest we head there," Sakakku countered, "Preferably one with a large map of the Eastern Continent..."

Calhoun nodded, and then looked over Sakakku to his followers again. "Sash, Tory, resume your duties," he said, "Asya, with us." He looked at Sakakku again briefly. "Follow me," he said before turning from the Zoroark and walking up the corridor, toward the stairs Sakakku had been heading to before Tory had intercepted him.

They climbed the stairs and made a U-turn before following another corridor until they reached a bulkhead door that hung open. The door led to the ship's bridge, with a full crew at work at the control panels near to the window. At the rear of the bridge, there was a table and chairs, and on the wall behind it, a complete and detailed map of the East Continent was stretched out over the metal plating, secured by rivets at each corner.

"This is where we make our plans aboard the Ravager," said Calhoun, "I trust it will suffice?"

"It will do," Sakakku answered with a nod, sheathing his sword back in its scabbard before turning his attention to the map. He lifted a claw and pointed to a section of the Eastern Continent, tapping a few times to leave a few marks behind. "The cursed fountain you seek is deep within this area, underneath a temple hidden deep within this section of the Eastern Continent." He stated, turning his attention back to Calhoun and Asya.

The two stepped forward to study the area Sakakku indicated, noting the name of the area listed above on the map. "The Aporagorev Boglands," said Calhoun, testing the words as he considered them. "A vast and treacherous land, so I'm told. I confess, I'm a stranger to this part of the world, as is Asya." He looked at Sakakku. "And you say this 'cursed fountain' is there?"

"Treacherous is putting it mildly. The entire area is one giant death trap to any unsuspecting traveller." Sakakku replied. "Territorial fauna of many shapes and sizes, limited visibility due to thick pockets of stagnant fog, and several concealed sinkholes and peat bogs that will swallow you before you can even cry for help." He listed off, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Even if you had managed to locate it yourselves, you would never be able to navigate the area without suffering several casualties."

He then flashed a knowing smirk. "Fortunately for you... I just so happen to know the safest routes through the Boglands."

Calhoun shared a look with Asya, who said, "we _would_need a guide, to navigate such a place," she said, "sending our entire army into such lands would be a disastrous outcome - most would perish to the elements or the hostile fauna he has described."

Calhoun then turned to Sakakku. "And what about you?" He asked. "What have you to gain by showing this to us?"

"Traversing through the Aporagorev Boglands is only one obstacle." The elder Zoroark stated. "Once you successfully navigate the elements, you will be faced with another obstacle to overcome... That being an ancient temple, home of the Brotherhood of the Kaeru Assassins." He explained. "Which is where my end of the bargain comes into play."

Calhoun did not look pleased. "So, the Nexus is protected by these assassins?" He asked.

"And just how many would we be facing if we were to do this?" Asya asked, suspiciously.

"No more than a few hundred." Sakakku answered, "but do not let their numbers fool you. They are touted as the greatest assassins throughout history." He said, then his face contorted into a hateful sneer. "...I would know. I was once a part of their order before I was betrayed by their leader... and routed by that damned son of his..."

Calhoun shared another look with Asya, and then looked at the map again, putting a hand to his chin as he considered. "The Kaeru Assassin brotherhood," said Calhoun, piecing together the unspoken clues from Sakakku. "This dark fountain you speak of... Can you describe it to me?" He asked.

"I cannot," Sakakku answered. "I have never seen it for myself. It was sealed off behind a heavily armoured door leading deep into the lower levels of the temple. Only the leader had access to the chamber."

At that, Calhoun and Asya both turn to look at him. Neither of them looked pleased.

"You haven't seen it?" Calhoun asked, "and yet you would ask us to go to war with the Kaeru Assassin Brotherhood, for something that may not be of any value to us?"

"Consider this," Sakakku remarked. "The temple, which may or may not house the cursed fountain you seek, was concealed in a dense bogland that's far too treacherous to cross without knowing what to expect, and is guarded by the most feared assassins the world has ever known." He listed off, lifting a claw digit for every point he made. "Seems like quite a coincidence that they would set their base of operations in such a dangerous part of the world, don't you think...?"

"It may well be just that," stated Asya, "there is more at risk for us than a possibly fruitless expedition, Sakakku. We are hunted by the Guilds; their most elite Rescue Teams scour this continent in search of us. An expedition like this could expose us to them and open our backs to an attack while our attention is elsewhere."

"Not to mention," Calhoun continued, "if what we seek is not there, we risk the wrath of the Kaeru Assassins themselves for our trespass - an enemy that is not to be taken lightly. We could well find ourselves battling not only the Guilds, but another, even deadlier enemy that strikes from the shadows."

Sakakku growled in annoyance, but decided to double down on his bargain. "During my tenure with the Assassins, oftentimes I would notice either the master himself, or his personal elite guard heading through those doors with trays of food in hand... and then they would return much later on without them," he stated, "I can't be the only one that thinks it's rather an odd place to have a meal... The only logical thing they could have been doing was feeding something behind those doors... Perhaps a guardian of the cursed fountain of sorts."

That seemed to have Calhoun considering, but even as he did, his face suddenly contorted with pain and he lifted a hand to his head, as though suffering a headache. It was Asya who was the next to speak.

"That could simply be a prisoner, or even a pet for all we know," she stated, "as you cannot even be sure yourself, we have only your word to act on, and it is not much."

"Hmph... Fine then," Sakakku remarked, "you're well within your rights not to believe me, but you'd be wasting an opportunity to further your goals. True, traversing the boglands themselves is a risk, let alone fighting the Assassins, but the way I see it... what other choice do you have but to investigate?" He asked, stepping closer to the Lycanroc. "Even you cannot hide your curiosity, no matter how well you try to mask it..."

"Where I come from, Sakakku, curiosity is often fatal," she countered, "to investigate something you don't know or don't understand could often bring you in the waiting maw of Palossand, or worse."

"...You speak as if you've had firsthand experience with such a situation." Sakakku pointed out. "Tell me... how many brushes with death have you-"

But then, Calhoun spoke up. "I... Seem to be unwell," he said, rubbing his head before turning to Sakakku. Indeed, in the few moments that had passed, the Blaziken seemed... Weary. "Sakakku, I will give some thought to what you propose. In the meantime, you are welcome to stay aboard the _Ravager_as our honoured guest. Asya will ensure you have accommodations," he rubbed his head again. "I... Must rest."

Sakakku glanced at Calhoun for a moment, taking note of his sudden fatigue before turning his head to look away from him. "...Don't take too long. Every moment you waste lessens your chance to attain the power you seek, and then the world will truly be out of your reach." He pointed out.

Asya watched Calhoun curiously, her red eyes showing her puzzlement as she watched Calhoun leave the bridge, still holding his head as he went. He nearly walked into the bulkhead, as though he was having trouble focusing on where he was going. She had never seen him behave in such a manner before...

Pushing that thought aside, she shook her head and looked at Sakakku. "There is a cabin on the next floor up; number five. It used to belong to one of our former lieutenants. If you want it, it's yours."

"I suppose it will do." Sakakku returned with a nod as he began to walk past her, lightly brushing his shoulder against hers as he passed by. "You are a smart young woman... and I admire a woman who thinks with a level head. That being said, with how far your back is against the corner... Can you truly afford to continue playing things safe without biting back?" He asked with a knowing smirk, then proceeded out of the bridge and toward his quarters, leaving Asya with his last words as food for thought.

She watched him as he departed, her red eyes narrowing as she considered the meaning behind them. She couldn't help but admit, even silently, that he had a point. The Midnight Lycanroc crossed her arms over her chest, looking up at the map on the wall, seeing the various settlements along the Eastern Continent's coastline that they had once controlled, received recruits from and additional workers.

But with that, Asya had to remember where they had also been driven out... Their first great defeat at the Islands had only been the beginning, when they had lost the fortress they were using as a staging ground. Other settlements dotting the islands had also been taken from them, their recruiters apprehended by local Rescue Teams, including Team Warmachine according to reports.

Then, at Hadleigh, an assault Asya had led herself, their attack had been thwarted, and their former flagship, _the Oppression,_now lay in ruins at the bottom of the river, its only purpose now a home for the fish. That defeat had also cost them most of their army, and one of their former lieutenants - the traitor Jora, worked against them alongside the guilds, giving her insight into their operations. Asya had always thought Jora too spineless to do such a thing, too afraid of the risk it would pose to her clan... But she had underestimated the Salazzle matron.

But then, they had also lost Blackcoast. The breakout at the Siphon Prison, contrary to what the Guilds believed, had not just been about releasing dangerous criminals to be taken into the world, but to make use of their former connections in the crime-infested hub. Holgan and Sandjaw especially had once led entire gangs, and she had been counting on them finding new recruits in the filthy city. They had been doing that...

Then, Team Phalanx had come, and put a stop to it. They had even lost the mighty Typhlosion, Sol, along with all the criminals they had helped escape. Eberon was still under their command, but they'd nearly lost him to the Team Captains in Hadleigh, serving as a temporary council for the Guilds, followed soon after by the setbacks on the South Islands that had cost them the second nexus. The city would not bow to the Crusade without the influential crime lords to represent them.

All in all, their Crusade was in tatters. They were losing...

"Set a course for Marilogne," Asya commanded the bridge crew, more to give them something to do, and looked at the map on the wall again. "I need time to think..." She thought aloud.

While heading to his cabin, Calhoun fought hard not to stumble as he made his way through the corridors. More to keep the crew from thinking he was anything less than their all-powerful leader, and thankfully his charade lasted until he was able to make it to the cabin door marked with his name.

He opened the bulkhead, stepped inside, and shut it. Then, his head throbbed once more, and he nearly fell back against the wall, hands over his earholes. "Ugh... What is this?!" He demanded.

A voice. He could hear a voice. It wasn't the first time he had heard the voice either, but before, it had been quieter, and it had eventually stopped. Now, it was pounding in his ears again, trying to be heard but the words were coming through unintelligible, like they were being spoken through a filter.

"What do you want?" He demanded. "Who is speaking to me?"

The pain in his head only continued to grow the longer he kept fighting to block it out, however through the jumble of the strange incoherent gibberish, Calhoun did catch onto a few words that came through slightly clearer than the others.

'...Nexus... East... Guardian... Temple...'

Calhoun stood, frozen. He had managed to hear the words, but he didn't understand what they meant. "Is this... Are they trying to tell me... That Sakakku is telling the truth?" He asked aloud.

The dark Blaziken was fatigued, and had to stumble over to his bed to lie down. He had not felt tired in a long time; sleep was more to let his mind heal than his body, as his dark gift gave him stamina that never seemed to run out. But for the first time in what seemed like years... He truly felt tired.

The whispers stopped as his eyes closed, and soon he was asleep, his dreams filled with the same questions his conscious mind had about the voices, the eastern nexus, and about their visitor and his connection to it all...