I've re-written my once-most-popular story and re-posted it (Oh, I was earlymorninglight12 and AuthorOfHope). I promise you I will finish it this time. Please, enjoy!

Summary: If you were an Assassin, you had no life. You were dead, existing to only follow the Commander's harsh orders. If you had a spark of life in you at all, the Commander and his ward Veil would kill you or break you. If you had a true life in you, Veil would dispose of you without a moment's thought. The perfect Assassins—Ash, Drew, Gary, and Paul—will be no exceptions, even if they fulfill the ultimate test. PokéShipping, IkariShipping, ContestShipping, OldrivalShipping.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or the characters. I only own the story idea and whatever OC's I've created.

Prologue

Many Schemes

Follow my footsteps

To the darkest domain

A place of hatred and death

Of sorrow and pain

Here amidst the 'fire'

People lay

Their sleep disturbed

By the price they paid

Killing and slashing

Is what they do

No mercy or compassion

Will they give you

Trained from a young age

Their hearts are dead

No emotion can stir them

Except for dread

The Commander rules over all

A question equals death

No arguing; it's too late

It'll be your last breath

But a scheme is hatched

Or maybe two

And they start to unfold

Will they concern you?

"…. It points to Assassins—"

"Witnesses tell of a shadow that came and went. One man, brother to the victim, spoke of a, and I quote, 'devil of death, for angel cannot and will never describe the assassins'. A quick slash across the neck or something quick and easy in most cases. No ties to the Assassin organization is showed, and everyone wonders why the Assassins would attempt to kill both—"

"She was found dead in a crumpled heap at the bottom of her house's stairs. It looked as if she was stumbling for the telephone but didn't make it, thanks to what seems to be a quick-acting poison in her system. Seems to be a premeditated case and a large, bolded 'A' points to who it may be—"

"…The Assassin organization seem to have a knack for getting into houses and slaying their victims easily, and could do so without leaving any trace behind. But they proudly show off who they are and where they were, and the head of the Assassins meet weekly with authorities but always manages to escape. They are a tough, cunning type that always evades captu—"

Officer Jenny sighed and turned off the T.V., frustrated. No Assassins had ever been captured that has been reported, and it seemed as if they never would.

The Assassin organization was a band of trained people and Pokémon, fierce and deadly. From what her police force had managed to uncover, they were merciless and hateful. They never missed, and their victims always were killed no matter the circumstances. Their plans were well-organized, researched, and flawlessly carried out in teams of one, two, three, or four.

The police force were searching madly for a weakness. Jenny was almost positive they've found one: the victim had to be alone. It would never do for a witness to be able to identify the Assassin, no matter how much the Assassins displayed what organization they were part of. Jenny wasn't sure if it was a true weakness, but she would hold onto that piece of information for the future.

The Assassin organization was a hidden organization. Not that no one knew of them—on the contrary, they were most feared. But no one knew the other's identity unless specifically placed so in an elite team.

The Commander's name was also kept secret. There was one girl, however, who the Commander had absolute trust on, and knew almost everything that the Commander knew. Her name was Veil—that is, her codename. Everyone knew her as Veil, and no one but the Commander knew her real name. She was sly, cunning, and loved to tease. Veil knew the personality of anyone just by having a conversation with them, and could tell what emotion they were feeling by studying the movements of the person. The Commander was lucky—for lack of better words—to have Veil on the Assassins' side.

There were four boys that held promise as well. The Commander had found each of them under different circumstances, taken them into the Assassin organization, and taught them the way of Assassins. Veil, then a young girl, watched from the shadows as each of the boys were trained harshly and coldly until they mastered what the Commander wanted them to be able to do. Over time, Veil befriended one, adored another, admired one, and was transfixed by the last. The Commander watched the relationships and crafted them to become beneficial for the Assassin organization.

The first one to be trained was a boy the Commander immediately named Shadow. Swift, deadly, and harsh. The name fit him very well. His given name was Paul. Shadow had an air of authority about him that proved well for the future years, as he became the unofficial leader of the group. Shadow was the one that Veil befriended, and even the Commander was astonished at the outcome. Veil truly could make friends with anyone, but Shadow seemed to be the exception, because of his personality—yet Veil managed to at least become 'tolerable' in Shadow's eyes, though the girl could never understand him or his way of thinking. And he didn't want her to.

The second one was named Forest. Besides the fact his hair and eyes were green, the name Forest was perfect for him. Each codename matched the person's personality and ways. Forest's real name was Drew. He was rather arrogant but had a sense of loyalty to the Commander that proved easy to make him become a top Assassin. He was the one that Veil admired, and it would be an understatement to say that Forest merely tolerated her.

The third boy was called Sky. Knowing him, the codename was easy enough to think of. Sky's real name was Ash. Sky could seem stupid, but he had sharp wits and what he lacked of intellect he made up for with instinct. He was the one Veil adored as an older brother, and Sky was good friends with her.

The last one, the one Veil was transfixed by, was named Auburn. The true name of Auburn was Gary. He was harsh, but had loyalty, and was cocky at times as well. The Commander knew that girls found him 'irresistible' and it seemed that even Veil was no exception. But there was a different reason why Veil was fascinated by him: she couldn't figure him out. The way he often took charge but sometimes didn't and stepped back at the most frustrating times. It wasn't as if she was infatuated with him or anything, she just wanted to overcome the obstacle, as was the Assassin's way of living.

Veil grew unfocused and thoughtful over time as she spent her moments thinking of them, which displeased the Commander—and whatever displeases the Commander would get removed. Removed, of course, meaning: executed. Killed.

But the Commander had other plans for the intriguing Gary Oak and the rest of them…while disposing of other individuals as well. But only time would tell if the Commander's brilliant scheme would be successful, and Veil, who feared for Auburn's safety, could only watch with growing dread and panic as the Commander carried out this ingenious plot.

The Commander's favorite has always been Veil. The Assassins whispered that it was both a blessing and a curse to be the favorite of the Commander, and Veil felt the cursed side all too keenly.

All Assassins saw her as a tall, pretty girl with ebony hair that reached her waist. Her clothes were black, however, so it was hard to distinguish the length and how straight or raggedly it was cut. On her head was always an assortment of blood-red flowers, and around her slim waist was a white rose on a silver belt. Her eyes were ice-blue and hidden under her dark, long lashes. Veil was playful and teasing, and had a devil-may-care attitude that everyone found either annoying or captivating, or both. She was very outspoken and wanted her way. In some areas, she acted like a spoiled girl, but Veil—though it would be hard to see under her Assassin exterior—had a kind heart. But thanks to the Commander, the kind heart was hidden underneath her careless personality.

Veil felt trapped. She was always underneath the Commander's eye, and could never act how she longed to. But whenever anyone tried to recall, it seemed that Veil never went on missions. And it was true—Veil had never killed anyone in her life. Not a single person. Still, it seemed as if the Commander was biding his or her time, and Veil despaired of ever escaping the Commander's shrewd authority.

Someday, she vowed she'd find her freedom. Somehow, she'd get free. And she'd do anything to get it.

The Commander was kept a secret. Of course, people talked about their commander and about who it was, but no one knew the Commander's identity, looks, or features.

From what Veil herself could gather, the current Commander could be either. There was a deep voice, and short hair from the shadow Veil saw behind a thin curtain. The build was strong but undefined. No Assassin knew what the current Commander was like.

The Assassin organization had been bred on hatred and a cold malice for killing. It was founded by the first ever Commander that no one knew the name of except for the current Commander. Veil wished for knowledge, but received hardly any—and even that was considered plentiful.

Thirst for information was the reason many Assassins were killed. When the Commander found out, that Assassin was quickly executed and what little information the Assassin knew was carried with them to their graves. The phrase 'a dead man tells no lies' was also used frequently in the Assassin organization.

The Assassins were feared, but the Assassins feared other things. They killed so many, but they were afraid of death—of dying. They were taught that a sacrifice was necessary in missions, and not to be afraid—but they were anyways.

Life and death. Those were the Assassin fears.

"Head Officer Jenny!" A man barged into her study. "They've managed to capture an Assassin! He isn't speaking but we've disarmed him. We're ready to interview him."

Officer Jenny gasped and shot up from her chair. "I'm ready, Tom."

Tom grinned and headed out the door. Jenny followed him out to the room where the captured Assassin was held.

He was chained at the ankles and the wrists to avoid him getting away or fighting to get away. His clothing was black, and his face was covered with a cloth mask that covered his entire head, face and hair. On a table which three policemen were guarding were an assortment of daggers, a small gun, and a wicked-looking, long, jagged knife. Beside it was a crimson length of silk, rather like a ribbon.

"Assassin," Tom said in commanding voice, "Tell us who you are, where the Assassin headquarters are located, and what your intent was."

The Assassin refused to answer, his head held high defiantly. Jenny noticed something.

"It's a female," she said, surprised, recognizing the way her head was held in defiance.

"Lift her head covering," Tom ordered. Another policeman did so, and Jenny found herself being gazed at by emotionless ice-blue eyes. Jenny was stunned at the depth of them.

"Talk," Jenny commanded. "At least your name."

"Victoria." The Assassin said her name in a level voice. Hair tumbled down her back when the cloth was removed. A rich shade of ebony. Beautiful, really.

"Are you telling the truth?" Tom questioned, his voice cold and expressionless.

"I have nothing to gain by lying," Victoria replied harshly. She spoke the truth.

"Answer me," Jenny said, "Why are you an Assassin?" Victoria didn't answer. "Who is the Commander?" Jenny tried. Victoria kept her mouth in a firm line, refusing to respond.

"Where is the Assassin base? Tell us, Victoria." It was Tom who took charge. Victoria laughed, but the laughter had no humor.

"If I told you, you'd attempt to go and infiltrate it, wouldn't you?" she assumed. "And you'd be killed. Every last one of you." The room grew silent.

"She makes a good argument," Jenny had to say after a few moments. Tom frowned.

"That's true. So, Victoria, we have a preposition for you," Tom suggested. Victoria looked at him. When he explained, Victoria was nodding eagerly.

"I'll do it. In exchange, I want my freedom."

"You're an Assassin," the policeman who had lifted the mask protested. "You will be charged with murder."

"Henry—" Tom said warningly. But Victoria shook her head.

"I don't know if you'll believe me, but I have never killed anyone in my life. The Commander has never sent me on assassination missions and kept me shut up in the Assassin headquarters as far as I can remember. I'm merely the Commander's messenger, and act out his orders." She scowled. "I want my freedom. I want to taste the air of a free girl."

Jenny felt sympathetic, but she wondered how far she could trust the Assassin. If Victoria's words were true, then they would be able to shut down the Assassin organization forever.

"Can we trust you?" Henry demanded.

"You can trust me. I'd kill the Commander, challenge the Commander to a battle, do anything to destroy the Assassin organization." To prove her words, she pulled out a Poké Ball from her pocket. "You can keep my Eevee here as a pact."

"Oh!" Jenny reached for the Poké Ball, and instinctively knew that she could trust Victoria. "Alright."

"But before we start," Victoria said in a soft voice, "Let me tell you the truth. Every last bit of information that I know."

"Veil."

The Commander's voice was harsh. Veil blinked and turned around, a white rose in her hands.

"You snuck out of the Assassin headquarters and was captured by the police. And released almost immediately afterwards."

"Your spies spoke the truth," Veil replied. She wasn't afraid of the Commander at all, and at the age of eighteen stood as tall as the Commander, who seemed to be unusually short.

"You do not fear me." It wasn't a question, but a dangerous statement.

"I don't. And you can't do anything to hurt me." The Commander chuckled coldly.

"Ah, intriguing idea. Though I do know your identity."

"Yes. You can do nothing with it." Veil half-smirked, her eyes glinting. "You can't do anything to me. I have information that is crucial, and you can't kill me. So you can't do anything."

"You're incorrect." The Commander spoke, undaunted. "But your loyalty has disappeared, Veil."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Veil said softly. "I'm still loyal." The Commander took a swift step forward and held a dagger to her throat. Veil closed her eyes briefly and opened them again as she continued her explanation. "I'm still loyal. I won't betray you. You know I speak the truth."

"Yet you would kill me when you get the chance."

"An Assassin is unpredictable," Veil replied coolly. "You said so yourself."

The Commander sheathed the dagger. "You passed the test. I'm proud of you."

"Empty words," Veil sneered.

"Very well. Until we talk again, Veil." The Commander turned and walked out the door, and Veil ran to it, slamming it closed and locking it with shaking hands.

Her brave front could only last so long. She collapsed onto her bed, trembling in fear. Though her words were true, the Commander could kill her, and she knew it.

But she also spoke the truth. Veil wouldn't betray the Commander or the Assassins, and she hadn't betrayed them in the least.

There are other ways of bringing the Assassin organization down—and Veil had her own plan. Partially following Officer Jenny's plan, she formed her own arrangement, and turned to the only few she could trust.

She lifted her communicating device and contacted them.

"Guys," she whispered, "I'm going to be needing a few favors." She explained rapidly in a hushed voice that no one could hear unless they were listening very closely or standing very close to her.

"I'm on it, Victoria."

"The Commander has ordered you to come to the study," Veil sang out to the Ice-types.

"What? Already?" Sky asked, surprised.

"What do you mean, already?" Auburn questioned his friend.

"He's probably talking about the mission that matches against you and proves how loyal to the Assassin organization you are," Veil replied. Her face was carefully blank, but her eyes were haunted, as if she was scared and was trying to warn them.

The Ice-types were stunned to see the fear in her eyes. Veil was never scared. Ever.

"Well, let's go," Forest said, getting up.

"Be careful," Veil whispered, but Shadow caught it and stared at her quizzically for a moment.

Be careful of what?

"Ah, Ice-types. Good to see you," the Commander greeted. They couldn't see the Commander since he or she was behind a thick curtain.

"What did you call us for?" Auburn asked evenly.

"Your mission, of course," the Commander replied. "This is the mission that will prove your loyalty to the Assassin organization."

"What is it?" Forest inquired.

"One at a time to make it easier," the Commander ordered. "Auburn, you first."

Veil led Auburn into another room that they all knew was soundproof.

"Oh, and Veil?" The Commander's voice stopped her when she was going back. "I want you to stay."

Veil's eyes widened slightly, but she followed after Auburn regardless of the fright that showed clearly across her face.

The Ice-types were back in their room after the Commander had spoken to each of them separately.

"Now we tell each other what our missions are," Shadow said.

"I'll go first," Forest volunteered. "As I'm sure all you know, we're to go to Darkstone Academy and kill these four—"

"Hey, where's Pikachu?" Sky interrupted. "I swear he was on my bed." He looked around for his Pokémon.

"He's underneath your bed right now," Auburn informed Sky.

"As I was saying," Forest continued, acting as if Sky had never interrupted, "We're to go to Darkstone Academy and kill four boys that I've never heard of."

"We're to be students there, but we don't have to pay attention during classes," Sky added with a grin.

"Eventually, we kill them, and we stick around until the Commander calls us back," Shadow finished.

"Fun," Auburn concluded. "Really easy."

Oh, if only you knew how wrong you are, Veil thought desperately outside the room, listening in on their conversation.

"I hope my plan works," Veil whispered to herself.

Well, what do you think?

Give me your opinions in your reviews—I'm begging you! Don't just say "I like this chapter" or "This chapter was good" or something similar to that: please take the time to tell me what you like, what you didn't like, what seems interesting, and share your views on this chapter and where it seems to be going! A good review does wonders on my motivation!

Well, the second chapter will be up soon! And it will involve more development of the three schemes…I wonder what will happen, and who will get caught between. I hope you love it!

So…please review!