Fifth Elite of the Pokemon World

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Bocci walked straight toward Luther, prompting Luther to quickly stand up while holding Marill in his arms.

"You're still eating!" Luther snatched the chips from Marill and stuffed them into his own mouth. Marill looked pitifully at the departing chips, launching a pleading gaze in hopes that Luther would give her a bit more.

Fat chance. If you hadn't been so good at running, would we be caught up in this bizarre situation now? Luther completely ignored Marill's silent request.

Bocci was half a head shorter than Luther, but he carried a powerful presence. The look in his eyes as he stood before Luther was far from friendly.

Luther had no idea how he had offended the guy... He barely knew him.

"Excuse me, "

Luther had just opened his mouth when Diantha cut him off.

"Luther, go back to your room."

Though unclear about the situation, hearing Diantha's words, Luther obediently turned to leave.

"You're not going anywhere." Bocci blocked Luther's path, turning to Diantha. "Hand him over to us."

"Bocci, it seems you haven't realized, Luther is my guest."

"The Kalos Pokémon League will also treat him as a VIP."

"My guests, as far as I'm concerned, have nothing to do with the Kalos Pokémon League."

The air grew tense between Diantha and Bocci.

"You're going to ruin your career!"

A sharp rebuke. Diantha paused, her voice rising slightly.

"That's enough, Bocci. I know the League has been grooming you for the role of Tournament Operations Director. After working together all these years, of course I'm happy for you. I know you don't want things to go wrong at such a critical time, but you're overreaching. Since when did the Pokémon League have the right to meddle in my personal relationships?"

"Don't forget, as an actress, I still have some degree of freedom. The only binding part is my cooperation with the League after becoming Champion. Don't push me into making a choice I don't want to make."

Diantha could no longer tolerate it, Bocci's unrelenting pressure finally made her realize how foolish her past concessions had been.

"So you have changed, just like everyone's been saying. Do you even know what you're saying? Are you going to betray the expectations of all those Pokémon Trainers who support you?"

Diantha trembled inside, conflicted. It took her a long while before she slumped, exhausted, into a chair.

This was what she had always been afraid of, that the version of herself seen by Trainers and the real her were vastly different. Those who supported her wanted a perfect Diantha. It was as if only by fulfilling their ideals could she truly exist.

Cynthia had told her to leave Kalos's chaotic stage of idol worship. Diantha completely agreed, yet she never knew how to start.

She didn't want to disappoint those who supported her, but neither did she want to maintain this charade forever.

Seeing that Diantha had nothing more to say, Bocci let out a sigh of relief and turned to Luther.

"Mr. Luther, please, come with us. We'll arrange your itinerary. Whether you wish to return to Sinnoh or stay in Kalos for sightseeing, the Pokémon League will cover all your expenses, as long as you don't appear here again."

"Rumors about Diantha online have already begun stirring trouble. You're a smart man. You should know what to do."

Luther had already figured out the nature of the conflict between Bocci and Diantha. Hearing Bocci's words to him, he couldn't help but smile.

"You'll cover all my expenses? That's very generous."

Luther's comment brought a faint smile to Bocci's face. He believed he had already convinced Diantha, and with his years of professional experience, he was confident he could deal with this guy too.

"Not only that. We can even provide you with a substantial sum, courtesy of the Kalos Pokémon League."

Luther gave Bocci a curious look. "Bocci San, you seem to be talking only about money... Doesn't that feel a bit... insincere?"

"I believe money is the sincerest gesture. Whether you're a breeder, Pokémon Trainer, Coordinator, even a Pokémon doctor, you need money to raise your Pokémon. Some might tell you that basic training methods are enough. But in my view, there's a world of difference between having money and not having it."

Luther nodded in agreement. "I once heard someone say that there's only one kind of illness in the world, poverty. I never thought I'd hear such wisdom on this side too, and from your mouth, no less."

Bocci and Luther both burst out laughing. Diantha hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.

"Alright, I'll agree to your terms. You'll rarely see me again."

Diantha stood up, attempting to say something to Luther. But he gave her no chance, he grabbed Bocci's hand and asked, "You just said you'd cover all my expenses. Is that true?"

"The Pokémon League doesn't lie."

"Oh, that puts me at ease."

Diantha then saw Bocci's body suddenly jolt as if electrocuted. He bent at the waist, hands clutching his stomach, slowly sinking to the floor.

"Don't come any closer!" Diantha had just taken a step forward when Luther's angry shout froze her in place.

Luther bent down, grabbed Bocci by his rose-colored tie, one hand holding it while the other gripped Bocci's shoulder, lifting him up effortlessly.

"I've been meaning to say, your pushy attitude really rubbed me the wrong way. I've wanted to set you straight. Now's my chance, so let's get started."

Luther threw another punch into Bocci's stomach. Thanks to his experiences with Oleander, he now had a good sense of where to strike effectively.

As expected, after that punch, Bocci's groans became faint and broken. The smile that had just filled his face twisted into a grimace.

"Luther… he's with the Kalos Pokémon League…"

The door was gently pushed open. Cynthia walked in nonchalantly, sucking on a lollipop. She came up to Diantha, wrapped an arm around her, and helped her sit back down on the sofa.

"Luther," Cynthia called out.

"Sorry, Cynthia. Can it wait until I've had my fun?"

"I'm afraid if you finish, it'll be too late. Besides, I think you're going about this the wrong way."

Luther, holding onto Bocci's tie, looked at Cynthia in confusion.

"I just think his face looks really annoying. Don't you?"

Diantha looked at Cynthia in surprise, then turned to the suddenly enlightened Luther.

Without using his hands, Luther headbutted Bocci in the face, then casually let go, allowing Bocci to roll on the floor, clutching his bleeding nose and mouth.

"I think it's his mouth that's more annoying."

Cynthia added, "Did you beat up Alon like this too?"

"Not quite. I was more inexperienced back then. But after Oleander's insightful lecture, my punches have really improved."

"When did you learn from Oleander?" Cynthia wondered aloud. The two didn't seem to have had any private training time.

"Oh, just got some insights from where she got hurt."

Tears and blood mixed on Bocci's face. After a long struggle, he finally managed to stand up on the slick marble tiles.

"Assaulting a Pokémon League official, Luther, you won't get away with this!"

"You said you'd cover all my expenses. Well, me beating you up is my expense." Luther said, then kicked Bocci in the ankle. The just-upright Bocci fell again. "Sorry, just in the mood."

Luther grabbed the dazed Bocci off the floor, gave his face a couple of slaps, and said:

"Lately, I've been in a pretty bad mood over some things. There's this little fire inside me that won't go out. And you, why'd you have to disgust me like this?"

"Lance doesn't have these issues in Kanto. Steven doesn't have them in Hoenn. Cynthia in Sinnoh is fine. I haven't heard anything like this from Alder in Unova either. But here in Kalos, I run into a Pokémon League official acting all high and mighty, thinking it's natural to meddle in a Champion's personal life. What a joke. So tell me, are you acting on the League's orders, or is this just your bright idea?"

"I am a Pokémon League official, what do you think? What you're doing now already violates League law. Let me go immediately!"

"Oh, now you're threatening me?" Luther looked at Diantha. "You gave me guidance before, so now I'll share something from my experience. Kind people get bullied. The only reason he dares to push you this far is because you've always tolerated and backed down. You think about others' feelings, but they think you're easy to manipulate. If you don't learn to say no, people will drag you around by the nose."

Normally, Luther wouldn't speak to Diantha like this, but Bocci's tone had stoked the suppressed fire in his heart.

He had seen this before, back in college, he had a roommate who couldn't say no, constantly exploited by family and relatives. Even after starting work, he still endured it because of them.

In his past life, Luther had seen it all, but was afraid of being accused of meddling in family affairs, so he never said anything.

Now, he had no such reservations.

Cynthia raised both hands in agreement. "See? Luther and I think the same. Hasn't tonight woken you up yet? Since when did the title of Champion become a shackle?"

"Cynthia, you're Sinnoh's Champion. This is Kalos Pokémon League's affair. Don't teach Diantha your ways. Diantha is Kalos's Champion."

"Wow, nice one. Should I take that as a regional slur? Anyway, I only care about Diantha the person, not the Kalos Champion title." Cynthia chuckled.

Lance yawned and stepped out from behind the door.

"So noisy… can't a guy get some sleep?"

Luther looked at the Dragonite pillow in Lance's hand and the Altaria-themed sleep cap on his head. Suddenly, he was curious about how his own room had been decorated…

Then he glanced at Bocci. "Oh, Cynthia said what I wanted to say, and I did what I wanted to do. I only came out to tell you, I'm in this villa too. Want to try taking me away?"

Oleander also walked in, yawning. Who knew how many people were hiding behind that door?

"I figure, if you want to take someone away, you need a reason. If Luther really committed a crime, we at the International Police would be more than happy to take over."

She walked over to Luther and pinched his abdomen, hard.

That familiar spot… ouch!

Bocci gulped, eyes locked on the slightly open door nearby.

Terrified that there might be… yet another person inside!

Mai crept in wearing Eevee-print pajamas and a Shellder hat just like Slowking's, carrying Luther's camera and crouching as she moved.

Finding a good angle in the corner, she snapped a family photo of everyone.

Bocci stared at that door, his entire body trembling…

(End of Chapter)