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Seeing the Lightning	By : Coelacanth Category: Pokemon > General Views: 4696 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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A/N: I don’t think there will be any sex in this for at least a few chapters. This is mostly story driven, but when I get to sex scenes I promise they’ll be rather detailed. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Italics means a character is thinking to his/her self.

[Text in box] is when a trainer is speaking to their Pokemon through a bond. That’ll be explained later.

Anything else should be pretty simple.

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All that ran through his mind as he lay against the wall was buzzing, like a swarm of angry Beedrill inside his head. Blood flowed from the wounds he had been dealt, and it pooled around him. With his remaining energy and one working eye he turned to see that his Pokemon - his mate - was now an undistinguishable, mangled heap on the floor. She was still smoldering from the incredible heat that demon’s fire punch had unleashed. His mate was strong ,and yet that monstrosity had snuffed out her life with ease; after being hit by her strongest frenzy plant attack the opponent didn‘t even flinch.

[Salise…I love you and…I’ll be joining you soon.] He knew she couldn’t hear him. The mating bond had snapped as his beloved Pokemon’s life force drained completely, and it had been the most painful thing he had felt in his life. Far greater than any pain his attacker could ever hope to cause. He would give anything to trade his life for hers. However, it was too late for hopes or dreams now; he understood that his dreams were forever beyond his reach.

“Ted, I was told your Sceptile was near level 40, but she fought like she was at least 10 levels higher than that. Looks like I’ll need to make my employer take that information into account when I make my report, and have him adjust the pay for this job accordingly.” The voice of the man who had killed his mate spoke harshly, and even knew his name. Ted, barely conscious, didn’t even have the strength left to feel rage or fury anymore. He just hoped that it would end soon, and that he would find his beloved quickly in whatever afterlife awaited him. The buzzing was coming closer now…the attacking creature put electrical storms and power plants to shame when it let its power flare.

“I guess we should finish up here and collect our payment. This was surprisingly easy. I was sure you would be on guard, Ted, or at least expect someone to come for you.” Ted cursed inwardly at himself as his thoughts became less coherent, drifting apart like debris in an endless ocean. He thought back to when this man and his unstoppable Pokemon had walked into his home as he was about to show his mate just how much he loved her. They had both dropped their guard. Not like it could have mattered. Even if he had known this man was coming for his life there would have been nothing he could do other than run and hope for escape, but he doubted even that would have been a possibility. He had to know who this man was, had to know his name. Ted held on to the hope that if he couldn’t find his way to Salise’s side in death that he could haunt this seemingly emotionless man from the afterlife.

“Who…you…” was all Ted managed at first. His attacker heard his attempt to speak, however, and walked over to stand in front of him staring down with a look that showed he was mildly surprised that someone so badly injured could still speak any more.

“Sorry, I couldn’t hear you, what was that?” Ted’s attacker spoke. It wasn’t in a smart ass way to taunt him, but in a way that made it seem as though he was genuinely curious to hear the dying man’s final words. Almost like there was some emotion hidden behind that stony face that had sent his lover, and himself, to the next life.

“Who…are you…why?” he stammered, the taste of blood all but fading with the rest of his senses. His first thought was that it was because he had somehow figured out he was mated with his Sceptile, a sin in the eyes of the ’devout.’ The man had made no mention of it. Anytime a member or the Church of Arceus -Arceans for short- attacked a ’sinner’ they made sure to let the ’sinner’ know they were passing judgment on them for their unholy act. This man made no religious speech, had no visible religious symbols -another quirk of the average Arcean- and just didn’t carry himself like a religious person. Was he a common thug or robber? Surely not, he knew Ted’s name. What did he have to gain from this? Before he could consider it any further, the man spoke.

“First, allow me apologize. I meant for my partner to kill you quickly. It’s not in my nature to make others suffer or torture them. So, I’m sorry you’re suffering and promise to end this after I answer your question, even though I’m sure you know the answer. I came here to kill you because it is what I was paid to do. On a personal level though, I’m here because you’re scum. You killed an innocent girl who had been a trainer for no more than a year. I can’t imagine what kind of sick bastard would do something like that. From the report I received, it also appeared that she was raped. So, I’m going to guess that you’re a Arcean zealot, and that you killed her because you believe she was involved with her Pokemon. While I don’t condone such activity, I also don’t believe it’s anyone’s right to kill someone for their beliefs. As for who I am? I suppose there is no harm in telling you as it no longer matters what information you possess. My name is Auren Cole, and if I was given a title, it would be…Eliminator. I‘m a bounty hunter, and your name was given to me by an...employer of sorts.” Auren now stood looking down at the nearly-dead man, and a pang of sympathy almost surfaced when he noticed the tear that was slowly making its way down from his remaining eye. When he looked into his eye, he couldn’t quite identify the look the man was giving him. Was it…confusion?

What is he talking about…murder? I…I’ve done no such thing. Religion? Not even close. Ted tried to speak, to tell this man he was mistaken, but no longer had the energy to form words. He looked up at his assailant one last time, not wanting his last image to be of his beloved Salise as a charred heap. Auren had short, gray hair despite the fact that he only seemed to be in his early twenties. He was wearing a dark gray shirt that fit tightly against his tone chest and was around six feet tall. He kept his left hand in his pocket…in fact Ted was sure he had never seen him take it out, and wore fingerless gloves that looked like they were meant for fighting.

“May you find peace in death, even if you don‘t deserve it.” Auren reached down and took the Sceptile’s ball from Ted before turning to his Pokemon and gave the order. “Let‘s go, Electivire.” The dying man watched as his attacker left the room, and was ready to accept his death. His last thought was of his love and how maybe now they could be at peace together, no longer afraid of the threats everyday life held. He almost smiled at the thought of it. That smile never came as an incredibly powerful jolt of electricity stopped all his brain functions instantly, bringing death before Ted could even realize it was coming. Auren watched as his Electivire unleashed a powerful Thunder attack on the house. In no time at all the sparks from the bolts caused the house to catch fire.

“An Eliminator…is that what I am? I suppose it is fitting but to actually admit it is kind of depressing,” Auren spoke out loud as he watched the house begin to burn. He looked to his Electivire, and immediately any doubts about his ’profession’ dissipated. He was killing off murderers and rapists. Auren tried to shrug off the lingering feeling of guilt as he thought of the face that Ted had made moments ago. Why would he appeared so confused? His employer had never been wrong before, to his knowledge. Auren didn’t even have to bring in a body, only one of the mark’s Pokeballs. His boss knew he didn’t fail, had never failed.. Again, Auren shook thoughts from his mind. It was always better not to ask too many questions about a job or look into simple matters too deeply, lest his conscience kick up and cause him to second guess himself. Casting one more glance at the now burning house, Auren turned away. They cast long shadows as they left the fire behind, heading back onto Route 214 north into the city.

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Some time later, Auren and his Electivire were walking calmly down the street in the bustling Veilstone city, plenty far enough away from the scene to be unnoticeable but close enough to hear the fire squad’s sirens blaring through the night. Auren waited patiently for the information that he knew would be arriving any moment, and as if his pokenav was reading his mind it began buzzing in his hand. He memorized the information sent to him, a simple address and a congratulatory sentence, nothing important. However, when he programmed the address into his locator, his eyes widened slightly. Through their trainer bond his Electivire felt a coldness that made her fur stand on end. It was very unlike her trainer to lose control of his emotions to such a degree.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Auren mumbled, “what the hell?” Now she knew something was wrong, and she laid her hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

When he looked at her, she gave him an inquisitive look. He knew what she was asking, and could practically hear her asking him what had so suddenly put him on edge. He stared at her for a moment before deciding not to answer her question yet. “You’ll see, but for now let’s keep walking, we don’t want to be near that blaze. While Veilstone gets plenty of traffic, I’d hate to look suspicious to any of the locals.” The two continued walking, with purpose now that a destination was set. Auren was beginning to regain control of the feelings that had momentarily gripped him. He nearly had them completely tuned out when he arrived at the coordinates given to him, but arriving at the given meeting place brought those feelings rushing back to the front of his mind. “A church. A damn Arcean church.” Auren gritted his teeth a bit. Electivire understood what he was feeling now, and the same feeling was now burning through her mind. If he so much as thought about giving her the order, she’d burn this place to the ground as well. “Easy, Tonitrus, we don’t want to draw anymore attention. Besides, our employer is in there and it wouldn’t be wise to kill those we work for, it would give us a bad reputation.” Auren calling her by her name always calmed her greatly, it sent a strange feeling through her that just made her…happy.

They both looked at the building before them, each reliving the memories that made them hate the place, and the religion itself. Auren looked at his closest friend and glanced at the scar that stretched around almost the entire width of her neck, a wound that would keep her from communicating verbally for the rest of her life. She didn’t deserve what those religious bastards had done to her, and neither did he. Before he could rein in his thoughts he found himself drifting back to that day, the day that changed him from an innocent child into a seemingly emotionless bounty hunter, an eliminator.

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It started when Auren’s father, a well known trainer and breeder, brought him an egg on his twelfth birthday. His father knew what was in the egg, but he refused to tell Auren, said it would spoil the surprise. All he would say was that the Pokemon that hatched from that egg was bred to be powerful, and that he trusted Auren to raise it to be a strong member of his future team. When it hatched he would be given everything he needed to begin his trainer career provided he finished trainer school in acceptable standings. For Auren that would be no problem since he had always been at, or in any case near, the top of his class.

“Take care of it, keep it with you, keep it warm and it’ll hatch before you know it.” His father had told him. He was planning on doing just that until his new companion joined him so he could begin his journey. Auren knew he still had a few months left before he was finished with the academy, but there was no reason he couldn’t start practicing with wild Pokemon in the area, they were all relatively weak. He would have to remember to carry plenty of medical items to heal anything he fought as well, he wasn’t just going to go around beating on every unfortunate thing and leave it to die. Other kids often made fun of Auren for his views, for believing that no creature deserved to just be beaten and left to die. He understood that not everyone could afford to run around healing the wild Pokemon that they injured, but to take pride in being able to wipe out a creature’s life…it was a disgusting thought.

“Don’t you think so?” He asked the egg he was carrying in a backpack as he walked, enjoying a stroll though the woods of Twinleaf, the town where he had been born and raised. It was one of the smallest towns in Sinnoh, but Auren had a love for the place and its quiet nature, tucked away from the bustling cities. He was never much of a people person, preferring to quietly spend time with his father’s Pokemon instead, or sitting and observing the wild Pokemon who were common to the area. Starly and Bidoof were the most common, but there was the occasional Kricketot playing a strange tune during the night. “You and me, we’re going to do things differently,” Auren said, now holding the egg in his hands, “we’re going to treat all Pokemon with the respect that they deserve, and we will follow our hearts and help those in need. How’s that sound?” The egg shook slightly in his hands, and Auren couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, and then one day we’ll beat dad in a battle, right?” The egg didn’t move this time, and Auren let out an exaggerated sigh. “Ok, one step at a time, then.” His one sided conversation coming to an end, Auren began his walk home.

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Auren snapped back to the present as his Electivire shook him slightly. “Sorry about that. I zoned out for a moment. I couldn’t help but think of the past. This place, it stirs up plenty of memories, good and bad. Let’s just get in here, report to our employer, and get going. We’ll take a break for a while, go on a vacation. How’s that sound, Tonitrus?” He looked to his partner, who simply nodded in agreement. It had been too long since Auren and his Pokemon had relaxed. For now though, they had money to collect. Auren turned, and silently opened the doors to the church. He took in his surrounds as he walked into the very spacious church. There had to be at least a hundred rows of pews. At the front of them all there was an alter, and above that a podium where a preacher would give a weekly sermon. The windows were all tinted, and most showed the image of varying Pokemon. What caught Auren’s attention, however, was the huge window behind and above the podium. In it stood Arceus in all his glory, above man and all other Pokemon. “Arceus be praised” was above his imposing figure. It was mesmerizing, more beautiful than almost anything Auren had ever laid eyes on. He turned to his Electivire to see she was also admiring the large stained window.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Auren straightened up, caught completely off guard. He spun around to see his employer seated three rows behind him, sitting with his hands in his lap with a briefcase beside him. He was wearing a black suit, with black dress pants and black shoes. His dark hair was short on the sides and flat on the top, resembling a military cut. He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to always be looking through those he spoke to. Auren knew there was no way the man was there when he walked in. That was one thing Auren hated about this particular employer - he seemed to be able to sneak up on anyone. Auren had never once seen the man first, he had always been the one spoken to. The man continued, “That window is ancient, hundreds of years old. It was taken from a worn down temple, somehow unharmed.” The man then turned his eyes to meet Auren’s. “I’m sorry, did I surprise you?” Auren knew damn well that his employer had purposefully caught him off guard. Every time he did so, he apologized like it was an accident. “It was not my intent. Now then, I believe we have some business to attend to. I’ve heard through my contacts that our friend Ted, as well as his Sceptile, have been dealt with. I trust you brought the Sceptile’s Pokeball with you?” Auren reached into his right pocket as he walked over to his employer. He pulled out a Pokeball and handed it to the man.

“The Sceptile was stronger than I was led to believe. Your Intel said she was around level 40. She was easily a level 50.” Auren said, not accusingly. This was the first time his employer’s information had been incorrect, so he had no reason to believe he had been set up.

“Oh,” the man responded, “is that so? Well, I’ll have this ball analyzed and I’ll adjust the pay accordingly. One thousand for each level, as we agreed. As well as a solid twenty thousand for Ted himself.” He turned to his briefcase, and put his thumb to a scanner. It slid away to reveal a code pad, where the man quickly punched in a long sequence of numbers. The locks clicked on both sides, and he opened it. Inside sat more money than Auren had probably made from every job he’d ever done. Also inside the briefcase was a small device that Auren had seen used plenty of times before. It scanned the Pokeball and told what kind of Pokemon it belonged to. It would tell the user gender, level, and even the Pokemon’s move set. The man set the Pokeball on the device, which quietly beeped a few times before making a louder, more defined ‘ding!’ The device spoke, much like a Pokedex would.

“Sceptile. Female. Level 53. Moves list: Frenzy Plant, Slam, Agility…” The man cut it off before it could go any further, the relevant part being the Pokemon’s level. “Well, you’re correct. I’m terribly sorry about that, it’s not very often that the information that I gather is incorrect.” The man looked a bit irritated himself. Auren figured that he didn’t like it when the information he was given was incorrect, and that someone was probably going to be in deep shit after he left. The man shook it off, and continued, “Well, I suppose it’s only fair that I bump the pay up, and I’ll throw in a bonus for your trouble. How does fifty-five thousand for the Sceptile sound? That’ll bring you seventy-five thousand dollars, not a bad haul for you I’d imagine.” Auren nodded. He hadn’t had any problems, but it was nice that his ‘employer’ had given him a bonus for the incorrect job description. “Oh, and I had something else for you. I’m sure you’re wondering why I had you meet me at a church. Well, I was wondering,” he turned and reached back into the briefcase, pulling out a medallion, “if you’d be interested in joining the Church of Arceus as a Holy Knight. It’s a huge honor to be considered for Knighthood, and since you’ve hunted and cleansed the region of so many horribly criminals, you’ve been considered for the position. I’ve spoken with other higher ups in the church, and they agree fully with…”

The man stopped speaking when he noticed Auren shaking his head. “Sorry, I’ve never been one for religion. Besides, I wouldn’t be welcomed into the church, I assure you.” At this, Auren pulled his left hand out of his pocket. He held it up for the man to see, and watched as the mans eyes widened a bit. The ring finger on his left hand was missing.

“Are you…” the man began. Again, Auren was shaking his head.

“I know what this looks like, that’s why I never show people this hand. It’s a long story, but I assure you I’m not what I’m marked as.” Auren explained. It was as much of an explanation as he was willing to give this man.

“Well, I’m sure we could work something out. Even if you were what that marking says you are, I won’t condemn you. It is not my place to judge, only Arceus holds that right.” The man said. “If you say you didn’t deserve your mark, we could have something done to clear you of any wrong doing. I know someone who makes excellent prosthetics, I could give him a call and…”

“No.” Auren said bluntly. “I’ve had this mark for too long. It reminds me of what fanatical people will do. It reminds me that even those claiming to be holy can be evil. I’m sorry, but I don’t wish to join your church. I don’t hunt criminals to seek access to Arceus’s love, I hunt them to rid the region of murderers and evil. I know it sounds cheesy and clichéd, but I simply wish to uphold peace and justice.” The man smiled, and nodded his head. He turned to his briefcase and counted out the money they had agreed upon. He quickly counted and recounted a wad of bills before handing Auren seventy-five bills, one thousand each.

“Well, I’m glad there are those who wish to clean the streets. Arcean or not, I’m happy to know there are people who do things to bring good to the world. I know the law would have these evil men and women put on trial, but they may get away with their actions. Then they are free to repeat them, and more might die.” The man closed the briefcase, and the panel covering the number pad slid shut as he did so. “Speaking of, I have another job for you, if you’re interested.”

Auren shook his head for the third time. His employer had to be getting annoyed with all his negative responses. “No thanks, I believe I’m going to vacation for a bit. Spend some of the money I’ve saved up. Take my team and do something nice.”

“Team? I was not aware that you had any Pokemon other than your Electivire.” The man responded. Auren smirked, the only emotional response that he had shown the man through the entire meeting. “Either way, are you sure? I could make this one really worth your efforts. I’ll pay you double the normal going price for the Pokemon. Two thousand per level, and one hundred thousand for the mark. You don’t have to start immediately, you can go wherever it is you like. The information we have on this mark is very limited, you’ll have to travel quite a bit to find her anyway. I know having to gather information as you travel takes away a bit, but traveling would serve as a good vacation.”

“One hundred thousand for the mark? What did this person do for you to be so desperate to have them eliminated?” Auren hadn’t planned on taking another job, but this offer was almost too good to pass up. He could travel and spend some of the money he had saved up, well over a million dollars. He could buy his team some nice things, and take them anywhere they wanted to go. “What is the Pokemon I’m after, and what level is it supposed to be?”

The man smiled. He knew Auren would accept this job, the price was too good to pass up. This was a mark that absolutely had to be dealt with, though, no matter the cost. “Blaziken. At least level 70. Probably higher, but no higher than 75. As for the reason, you’ll know if you accept the job, as usual. You know I don’t give information directly.” Auren did indeed know. Every time he accepted a job, he had received the complete rundown on his mark via his Pokegear, and always from a different number. He suspected that the device used to send him info was used only once, to keep the supplier from being traced in case the police were involved. “This will be the most difficult job I’ve ever given you, I assure you. But, if you’re still not up for it, I understand. I’m sure I can find someone else willing to do it.”

Auren looked to his Electivire, who nodded slightly. He turned back to his employer, and sighed. “Fine, I’ll accept it. Expect it to take some time, though, I’m not going to go days without sleep as I travel for this one. I’ll hunt at my own pace, and on my own time.” The man stood as Auren finished, and extended his hand. Auren took it, sealing the deal between the two men. The man turned and sat back down.

“That’ll be fine, Auren,” the man said, “take your time. You’ll have everything we know about the mark within 24 hours.” Auren picked up on the man’s use of the word ‘we’. It was surely a rare slip on his part. “Until you receive the information, why not get a room in Veilstone, see some of the sights. Maybe pay the Game Corner a visit! Have a good time, you’ve earned it. As for me, I think I’ll stay here for a bit and offer a prayer to the great Arceus. Have a good night.” With that, Auren knew the conversation was over. He nodded his head and walked towards the door, Electivire close behind. As the doors closed behind him, the man’s smile disappeared completely. He closed his eyes for a minute before quietly giving an order to no one. “Follow him. He’ll find them eventually. You know what to do.” On the back of the man’s pew, in the shadow, a pair of light blue eyes materialized. They blinked a few times, waiting for further orders. When none came, the eyes closed and disappeared.

Outside, Auren was walking towards his hotel, thinking about where he’d be going first. Hopefully he’d be provided with enough information to know at least a general starting point for his hunt. He arrived at the hotel quickly, checked in, and went to his room. It was in the early hours of morning, and the sun would be rising soon. He made sure to get a two-bed room so Electivire could sleep outside her ball; she hated to be put into it. Even though Auren had spent a large sum on her luxury ball, she refused to go in it unless it was very important. He didn’t particularly mind, she was good company even if she was mute. As he fell into his bed, he thought about the events of the day. Laying waste to Ted and his Sceptile, the look of confusion - for Auren was almost sure that’s what it was - on his face, the meeting with his employer at a church and the memories that it brought to the surface. He hadn’t thought about it since before walking in, but he was sure his dreams would take him back to those memories while he slept. Finally, he thought about the job to come, and the journey that he might soon embark on. Who knew where he’d be going, and what all he’d see on the way. His mark could be on the other side of Sinnoh for all he knew. Hell, she could be in any region. The possibilities were endless. As Auren fell asleep, he never considered that his mark could be in the very same town as him. The very same hotel, even. That would simply be far too preposterous.

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“We have him. He’s staying at a hotel in Veilstone. The bastard was seen leaving the local Church of Arceus. Should we move on him here?”

“No. Wait until he has left the city. That Pokemon can do some serious damage, we don’t want it near any civilians. He should only be there for another day at the max. Your orders are to continue observation for now. Once you’re far enough out, you’re free to engage. Over and out.”

“Roger. Well, we’re finally gonna get this murdering bastard. I hope you’re ready for this, Mercury.”

[I am indeed.]

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A/N: Well, that’s the end of the first chapter! Feel free to tell me about any grammatical errors I’ve made, and of course please leave a review if you enjoyed it, or if you hated it! I know this chapter doesn’t explain much, but that’s the point! Get people asking questions so they come back for more. I’ll try to update at least once a week, more if I have time.
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Seeing the Lightning