Sirens filled the air, breaking the silence he loved so dearly. Sirens that signaled everyone's worst fear. 

Someone had failed.

Harley's eyes snapped open. The stone ceiling of his room greeted him. He sighed and heaved himself off his bed. His Psychic Gem was still around his neck. It sparkled in the entering sunlight. 

The Meowstic opened the door to his room and stepped into the empty hallway. He dragged his hand across the wall as he walked. His eyes stayed on the doorway that was steadily growing closer. 

A door opened in front of him without warning. Harley's vision was suddenly filled with the iron that the door was made up of. Harley staggered back and unfurled his ears, ready to bring pain to the one who opened that door. 

A Banette stepped out from behind the door. Half of his face was covered by a hood that was designed like a Mega Banette. A small sachet was around his waist. He stared at Harley with dark blue eyes and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry about that, Harley!"

Harley let his ears return to their normal position. "Watch it next time, Kasper."

"I said sorry."

Harley continued towards his original destination. Kasper walked beside him, his sachet's contents occasionally hitting each other and making small sounds. 

A small crowd of Pokemon were gathered around a Cinccino. She raised her hands, and the murmurs of the crowd fell silent.

"Now, I'm sure you all heard the sirens this morning, and I'm sure you all know what that means.  A failed mission has been reported."

The Cinccino waited as a collective gasp swept through the crowd. She cleared her throat and the crowd fell silent once more. 

"The southeast border patrol reported a fight between a Conkeldurr mercenary and A108, a Klang you may have known as Mecha. This is the 5th assassin we've lost this week. As a result, I've added some rules."

She pulled out a list. "1: All trainees must have an escort when leaving the castle."

A groan came from the smaller Pokemon. The Cinccino delivered a glare that silenced them.

"2: Aces are to report to all training and hunting sessions. Failure to do so will result in consequences.

"3: Patrols will be replaced with guards. Guards will be stationed at every entrance in this land.

"4: All assassins will now be called by their ID numbers. Names are not to be used unless absolutely necessary."

The Cinccino folded the list. "This concludes the meeting. Dismissed."

The crowd began to disperse. Harley turned to leave but was stopped when he felt a hand on his back.

"Harley. A word please."

The Meowstic turned to face the Cinccino. "Yes?"

"I want you to take the other aces on a mission."

Harley arched a brow. "Is this just a way of getting rid of us?"

The Cinccino sighed. "Ok, fine, yes. But it was Scizor's orders, not mine."

Harley glance briefly to the large castle. He knew the Bug/Steel-type was a ruthless leader. He did not want to get on his bad side. 

"And you're aware there's a low number of aces, right?"

The Cinccino nodded. "That's a good thing. You'll go unnoticed around here, but I can't say the same thing once you leave."

"And I assume this mission is also an assassination?"

"Correct. Our patrols have learned about a small camp of outcasts nearby. They are not to be underestimated. Their leaders are strong, despite their species. They increase their numbers with every passing day. We fear an ambush is close. This is why we are sending the aces. You have proven yourselves useful, in both combat and intelligence."

Harley folded his arms. "You're aware of the war that is tearing this land apart, right? There's bound to be more groups of these outcasts, plotting ambushes and growing in number."

"Correct again. This is why I also want you three to search the region. There are rumors of a secret city hidden away from us. Find it and end their plans. Do not return until this is done."

She turned away. "Dismissed."

Harley watched as she disappeared into the training assassins. He turned and scanned the area. 

Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned to see a Murkrow dive bombing him, talons poised to strike. Harley ducked and the Murkrow continued its flight. It barreled into the assassins. Many of them moved out of the way, but the Murkrow found its target. The force of the blow drove both of them to the ground. 

Harley pushed through the assassins, who had gathered around the two. He pushed a Mawile aside to see the Murkrow clawing at Kasper. The Banette was swiping at his attacker. Harley sighed. He knew this specific Murkrow. She would never willingly harm Kasper. 

Harley stepped forwards and separated the two. "Knock it off, both of you. Come with me. We have a mission."

He turned and walked through the crowd, which parted as he drew near. Kasper got up and followed him, the Murkrow perched on his head. 

"Honestly, it's hard to believe you two are aces with how you act sometimes," Harley berated. 

"Some of us like to have fun," the Murkrow replied. "You're no fun."

"If having fun also means being killed, by all means, keep at it." 

"Gloria has a point, Harley. You do seem emotionless," Kasper piped up. "Anyone else would've gotten payback if I hit them with my door."

"You hit him with your door?" Gloria asked. 

"It was an accident."

"Yeah, and it still hurts," Harley said, pushing the castle doors open. He led his companions to an empty hallway that led to the indoor training room. "Now, Frisk informed me of a mission that we were assigned to." 

"The Cinccino?" Gloria asked. 

Harley nodded. "There's a group of outcasts that have a camp nearby. Their numbers are growing every day. Frisk fears an ambush. She wants us to find this group, take care of them, and exterminate the source, which she believes to be a hidden city."

"So we're being sent to kill this group and find where they're coming from, which we're not even certain exists?" Kasper asked, arms folded. 

Harley nodded. "To put it simply." 

The Banette cracked a smile. "Thank Arceus. I was looking for a chance to get out of here for a while."

"It's not a vacation."

"It's the closest thing we'll get to one."

"Yeah right. We all know the forest surrounding Scizor's land is heavily watched," Gloria said. 

"And the Ninjask know who we are and what we do." Harley waved a hand. "Besides, we're not going to try anything."

A door opened at the end of the hallway, attracting the attention of all three Pokemon. A Mawile walked out, heavily bleeding from one arm. A Shedinja floated behind it, its expression stoic and its claws covered in blood. Harley raised a brow as the two passed. 

"Training's getting more and more ruthless nowadays," Kasper commented when they were gone. 

 "Of course it is. War is spreading from region to region. Scizor wants all of us ready for combat," Harley said. 

"I suggest we leave before Frisk finds out. We all know how impatient she gets," Gloria said. 

"Agreed. We'll meet by the southern entrance. Come when you're ready." Harley turned and walked away, leaving the other two alone in the hallway. 

Harley tapped his foot impatiently. It was almost dusk. Where were they?

"Sorry we're late," Gloria said, swooping down to land nearby. "Kasper lost his sachet."

Said Banette gave a small huff as he followed. His sachet, Harley noticed, was now more blood red than the brown it was before.

Kasper seemed to notice. "I spilled some poison onto it. I like the color though."

Harley sighed. "Good to know. Can we go?"

Gloria strapped iron claws onto her talons. "I'm ready."

Kasper adjusted his hood so it covered one eye. "Same here."

Harley turned. "Good. Let's go."