Story opening theme: Strength, by Abingdon Boys School (The 4th ending theme of Soul Eater.)

Chapter 1
Not My Mother

I awoke in a small cell, without my metal arm and in a white jumpsuit. The cell was dimly lit by a single, solitary lamp hanging from the ceiling. Two chairs and a table were the only furniture, and I decided that sitting in a chair was more comfortable than sitting on the floor.

Minutes turned into hours, and I waited. For what, or who, I don't really know. Food was given to me by a Cipher agent now and then, and I ate it hungrily. It consisted of an odd gray mush, which was rather bland, and a cup of water. However, a small cookie-like treat was with each meal, and I savored that- it tasted sweet, and was the best thing I had.

Later, my cell door opened. The figure entering was my mother, who was carrying a briefcase. I sat down at the table, not talking, as she did the same.

"I hope you're not having too bad a time, son." She said.

I replied, "Well, I've only been locked in a cell for who-knows how long, after going on an almost pointless quest into hell itself, only to find out that the girl I love was not dead, but merely held captive by my crazy-ass mother, who is also responsible for me being half-Pokémon. All due to the fact you wanted to 'perfect' an experiment. Did I miss anything?"

My mother just sat there. "I thought you would be more grateful for the gift I gave you." She said.

I slammed my fist onto the table, causing the flimsy surface to crack. "Grateful? This 'gift' has caused me almost nothing but sorrow and loss! The only good thing that came out of it was that I met and could talk to Kiara, but now look where she is!"

"I see. I'll have to put that into the report. But, first things first, I need you to do a little work for Cipher." She said.

"By Arceus, why the fuck would I do anything for you?"

"Because if you don't, I can't guarantee Kiara's safety." She said. I relaxed a little; I was the prisoner here. "Now you're understanding. We have you under lock and key. I know doing anything to you won't faze you; your father raised you better than that. But, you'll crumble if anything happens to her."

I growled. Must be the Pokémon side of me coming out. "What do you need me to do?"

"Straight and to the point, then? I like that, it saves time." She opened up her briefcase, and pulled out several papers.

"Now, I need to inform you of what exactly we do here, so you'll understand. We try to find ways to use Pokémon, human, and yes, even Plant DNA to help speed along evolution, and to further increase the human body's capabilities. You are the culmination of years of research, and was once called Project XD-032."

"Yeah, you injected your unborn kid with the DNA of a Gallade. How noble."

"…Furthermore, all of our failed test subjects have been terminated. All except four." She revealed to me four photographs. Pointing to the first, "This is Christopher. We thought that maybe the DNA of the legendary Mew was perfect for this trial, but ended up disfiguring him instead. He has the properties of a Ditto, and is a shape changer. He was last seen in Kanto."

"The second is Hayley. She was injected with Buneary DNA a while ago. We're sure her last whereabouts are Hoenn. However, she is sure to use trickery to stay hidden."

"The next one was Dante. The reclusive Absol was hard to get the DNA of, but we did it in the end. He ended up turning into a shiny version, and his whereabouts are…"

"The Reverse World." I finished for her. "I saw him die, and he changed his name to Abita. He was a noble Absol; I'd honor him."

"He is dead, and I will not honor the wishes of any traitor. However, I'm sure he has a daughter, one who can speak our language. We wish you to capture her and bring her here, for study."

"The last is Dmitri. He was given seedot DNA. We're not sure where he is, since he was lost so long ago. He is old, and wise. When you find him, do not take him lightly."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Except for Dante's daughter, kill them. Nobody must be a witness to our imperfections." She finished.

"Why can't you do it? Cipher must have soldiers." I asked. A perfectly viable question.

"You are part Pokémon, and can track them easier. Plus, we have been trying for some time now." She gave me the three pictures of my targets. "Good luck, my son."

"No."

"No, what?"

"Don't call me that." I stood up, taking the pictures. "You may be the woman who gave birth to me, but you are not my mother. A mother would never do this to her child. A mother would never use her kid's love as ransom for murder!" I said, storming out of the cell.

A few hours later, my arm had been replaced, along with Rex, Joshua, and Ace in their Pokéballs. Aelita must have sent them over; she was my parent's assistant. I wonder if she knew about Kiara all along. Meanwhile, I was being marched by Cipher guards, but we stopped in a hallway.

"Mrs. Dakol has given you one hour to talk." One said, pushing me into a cell. This one was nicer than the one I woke up in, and even had a desk, bed, and a deck of cards on a table. However, the nicest thing in here was the Pokémon sleeping on the bed.

{Kiara!} I said, scrambling to my feet. Her eyes fluttered open, looking up at me.

{Zack, I was so worried!} She said, wrapping her arms around me. I returned the hug, happy to see her once again.

{I was too, Kiara…} I said. I had to tell her about what happened, after the incident in the desert. I told her all about my adventure to the Hall of Origin, the Reverse World; I included Abita, Pandora's name change back to Talia, and the reunion with Rex. While I talked and told her about what happened to me, she sat there, patiently listening. {…and that's when you saw me get electrocuted by my parent. But, Kiara,} I asked, {What happened to you? Have they treated you alright?}

{Well, I woke up in this room, after the desert explosion…} She started. {I was covered in bandages, and I could barely feel my own body. When I could, I felt nothing but pain.}

I reached over and brought her into a hug, trying to comfort her. {When Mrs. Dakol walked in, I thought I was being let go. No, she simply stated that I am a 'special case' and that they wanted to study me. They put this collar on me, like they do to any other Pokémon.} She pointed to a small black strap I hadn't noticed before, wrapped around her neck tightly. There was a small black box on the back of it, and it was humming softly.

{What does it do?} I asked.

{It's two things; a locator, so they can track me down if I escape, and it restricts the abilities of Pokémon. Right now, I have no more abilities than a human girl. No attacks, no special powers.} she sighed. {But, now that you're here, they will let us go, right?}

I hesitated for a second. However, I'd have to tell her anyway, so I did. {No. they're not letting you go. In order for that to happen, I need to be their little mercenary for a bit.}

{Why can't we just go? It's cruel, to have to see you for just a short time.}

{Because if I don't do as they say, they'll hurt you… I couldn't let that happen.}

{Well, at least they let you see me before you left…} she said, sounding downtrodden.

{Hey, Kiara, cheer up.} I said. {I will come back for you. I know where you are, I can rescue you, when I can…} I said. {but right now, I need to do this, to make sure you stay safe.}

{But what if you don't, Zack?} She said. {What if you don't come back? What if you… die?}

{I won't. you know me better than that. Plus, I've already been to hell and back; how much worse could a search-and-destroy be?} I could see the worry in her eyes. I grabbed her shoulders, looking straight at her face. {I will come back, and we will leave together next time. That is a promise.} I said.

Guards came in then, each holding a small gun. "You're time's up, come out now." One said.

{Just… hurry, please…} she said. I waved goodbye to her as I left the room with the guard, and walked out of the HQ by myself.

"Ace, on field!" I said. The bird-god popped out, preening his feathers.

{What's up, Zack?} He said, as I jumped on his back.

{I'll explain on the way. For now, we're headed for Kanto.} I looked back one last time at the Lab.

"I'll be back, Kiara."

(NOTICE OF NANOMAN: Greetings, programs! Welcome back to my story, the third installment in the To See the World Saga. You're going to be in for a bumpy ride, that I'm sure of. Also, don't forget to look up NightISkye's story, The World Through an Absol's Eyes. It coincides with this one, and you might miss important plot details if you don't read his side. So, without further ado, let the hunt begin! ~Nano)