PMD Eye of the Storm: Team Searchlight

Chapter 0 - Pilot

Thalins sighed deeply as he regained his eyesight, his Aura sensors lowering over his shoulders once more. He looked over the burnt remains of the village as he reported his findings to his comrades. "There's someone around here."

"Are they in trouble?" Aaron questioned further, looking up at the Lucario scanning the surroundings with his golden eyes.

"They seem... angry. They don't seem to want help, though, so they must not be caught in rubble."

The Murkrow atop Aaron's head squawked in surprise as he fell off when the young Mudbray tilted his head. "Well? What Pokémon is it?" Walter asked as he leapt into the air and started circling Thalins's head.

"I can't tell all that," the Lucario answered, a little ashamed. "I may be great at fighting with it, but I never did learn to read Auras that well..."

"Ugh, you're useless! C'mon, Aaron, let's get searching for him!" Walter shouted as he flew over the other two.

"Hold up, Walter!" Thalins shouted after the bird. "I think we should split up from here. Something's up with him, I don't want you kids getting hurt. You two go search elsewhere, I'll try to handle this."

"What!? And let you get all the glory!?" Walter questioned the Lucario, flying right up to his face. He was met with a steely-eyed gaze that radiated seriousness.

"I swore that I would protect you two," he told them, his voice solemn. "Whoever is emitting that Aura is not happy, and the pain they're feeling is gonna explode on whoever or whatever they can get their hands on. I know that pain. It overtakes someone and comes raining down like a storm. I'm not letting the two of you get in the path of that."

Walter looked him up and down, and after a moment, said, "Psh. Drama queen. C'mon, Aaron, let's go look over there, away from this nerd."

Thalins sighed as he walked toward the furious Aura he had sensed earlier.

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Galit punched the remains of a wall, making it fall over with a loud thud. In front of him, among the ashes of what was once his childhood home, was a simple wooden staff, seemingly untouched by the flames that had decimated the rest of the village. It was the very staff that his father wielded.

I should've been here, Galit fumed to himself. I'm such an idiot! He picked up the staff, the ancient wood holding up to his anger-fueled grip. I'll find who did this... and when I do, I'll make them- his thoughts were interrupted by a noise. The sound of footsteps running toward him.

"Of course..." Galit muttered. "The culprit always returns..." He looked around as he readied a fighting stance. A lone Lucario was sprinting at him.

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Thalins skidded to a halt when he saw the Infernape ahead prepare to fight, and held his hands up harmlessly.

"I'm not here to hurt you!" Thalins offered the Pokémon. "I just want to-"

"I know exactly what you're here for!" the Infernape shouted back angrily. "You're here to finish the job, aren't you!?"

"I'm a member of a Rescue Team, I didn't burn down your village. But if you come with me back to town, then maybe I can help you find who did."

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" The staff in the monkey's hands erupted into flames. Thalins stepped back. "Are you gonna face me or run away like the scum you are!?"

Thalins sighed. "Have it your way," he mumbled as he readied his own fighting stance.

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