Fifth Elite of the Pokemon World

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"Stay away from her."

Luther had heard that warning more than once. It seemed that anyone familiar with Oleander regarded her with caution.

After stepping out of the room, Luther spotted Oleander at the end of the hallway, playing by the window with the Delcatty. He hesitated for a moment, considering his next move, then walked over.

Just after he left, the two inspectors emerged from their private room and entered Diantha's suite.

Oleander glanced up and smiled. "What's wrong? Not going back for seconds?"

"I'm full."

"Then how about hanging out with the cats for a bit?"

Delcatty was sprawled on the floor, belly exposed, flicking its paws toward Luther as if beckoning him. Unable to resist, he crouched down and gently stroked its soft fur.

It was an odd scene, two people petting the same Pokémon in silence.

Eventually, Luther broke it.

"Sorry."

Oleander's tone was unreadable. "So, did you badmouth me?"

"No. I just… didn't defend you."

Raising an eyebrow, Oleander said calmly, "Well, it's not surprising. A young fox getting outplayed by a seasoned one, it happens. I appreciate you didn't sell me out, so there's no need to feel guilty."

She stood and leaned against the window, gaze drifting.

Luther reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of Poké Puffs and Poké Beans that Mai had given him. In an instant, a small crowd of curious Pokémon gathered around, startling Delcatty into springing up with a surprised meow.

"What else did the inspectors say to you?"

As Delcatty licked the treat from his hand, its tongue brushed against Luther's palm, making him chuckle as he scratched its head.

"They told me to keep my distance from you."

"Oh."

Time passed quietly before Oleander finally turned, curious. "So you're ignoring that advice now?"

"I like to make up my own mind," Luther said with a grin. "I can tell right from wrong."

Oleander burst out laughing. "You really are like Diantha. Someone once said the same thing to her, and she gave the exact same answer."

She reached out and gave Luther's shoulder a friendly pat. "I'm counting on you."

Luther shook his head. "Enough with the dramatic lines. Didn't you say the Kalos Daily's reporters are a handful?"

Oleander stretched lazily and gave no reply. She pushed open the door to the private room and slipped inside, leaving Luther alone in the hallway, still petting Delcatty, deep in thought.

When the meal ended, it wasn't Harold who came to pick them up. After some fierce complaining, Diantha had Minami assign someone else.

The car didn't head back to Diantha's estate in Lumiose City. Instead, it drove out of town, taking nearly half an hour before stopping.

The moment Luther stepped out, he froze. The villa before him was breathtaking. But before he could take it in, something dark blocked his view.

He instinctively reached up and found himself holding Mismagius, who grinned and gave his cheek a playful lick.

"Looks like you've been doing just fine here," Luther said, giving her a vigorous rub on the head.

Behind Mismagius came Igglybuff, Swirlix, and Cottonee, chasing after her. They'd been playing together, but Mismagius had suddenly sensed something, tossed a toy into the air, and vanished, leaving the others scrambling after her.

By the fountain, a Marill lounged lazily. When she saw Minami leading the way, she rolled over, offered a sleepy greeting, then flopped back down.

Minami marched over with a scowl.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to play in the fountain? It's not a kiddie pool! We have an actual swimming pool, what's the obsession?"

Marill squeaked in protest, clinging stubbornly to the edge of the fountain.

Luther's own Marill gave him a smug look, puffing out her chest in silent pride. Luther chuckled. He got the message: I'd never misbehave like that.

"Sure, but I can't exactly build you a mischief playground either, can I?" Luther muttered under his breath.

Eventually, the fountain-clinging Marill gave in. As soon as she spotted Diantha, she transformed into the picture of innocence, rubbing sweetly against Minami's leg as if promising never to cause trouble again.

Diantha's villa was massive, fitting for someone who raised and bred Pokémon. Inside, Luther noticed various Pokémon bustling about, carrying pillows and bedding into different rooms.

"Minami's already done the prep. Once they've got everything in place, you can rest. There are plenty of rooms, take your pick," Diantha said.

Just as she finished speaking, Minami whispered something in her ear.

Diantha sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Tell them I can only spare ten minutes. I'm exhausted."

After Minami left, Cynthia asked curiously, "You've got guests?"

"League officials," Diantha replied with a tired breath. "They got spooked after my last call. Now they're scrambling to meet in person."

"Turn them away!" Cynthia snapped. "What time do they think it is? If the Sinnoh League tried this with me past eight, Garchomp would have them flying out the front door. If your Pokémon are too polite, mine's available for hire."

Diantha smiled, genuinely admiring Cynthia's boldness. She had the Pokémon turn the visitors away and left the rest in their care, heading off alone to the front hall.

Mismagius tugged on Luther's sleeve, pulling him toward the side of the swimming pool.

Goodra, lounging regally beside the water like a king sunning himself, turned its head to look. Recognizing Luther and Mismagius, it gave a happy cry, and with a swing of its hefty tail, sent both of them tumbling into the pool.

Goodra let out a delighted bellow, splashing water everywhere as it began a playful water fight with Mismagius.

Luther surfaced, coughing and laughing, relieved he'd left his backpack in the hallway. If he hadn't, Goodra's "warm welcome" would've left him soaked and without a dry change of clothes.

Seeing the two Pokémon having such a good time, Luther released the rest of his team to join in.

Jumpluff and Chansey emerged from their Poké Balls only to be immediately doused by Mismagius's spray. Before they could react, Goodra's tail swept underwater and gave Chansey a gentle but unexpected nudge, knocking her over with a splash.

Any semblance of order vanished. Luther, now leaning against the pool's edge, found himself repeatedly bombarded with water until he could barely keep his eyes open.

Nearby, Ralts sat nervously, nibbling on its fingers, unable to swim and hesitant to get close to the chaos.

Luther scooped up a handful of water and, spotting Ralts distracted, flicked it toward the little Pokémon. Startled, Ralts leapt up, eyes wide.

Before it could retaliate, Luther swiftly pulled it into his arms, chuckling.

Meanwhile, the ever-hungry Marill overheard Minami mention that some fresh Poké Puffs had just been set out in the kitchen. Without hesitation, she bolted inside, her instincts guiding her straight to the snacks.

Musharna, having spent too much time at the old estate, had been asked by Professor Rowan to undergo a full check-up, so it was currently staying at the regional lab for observation.

"What a shame," Luther muttered. "I should've turned Rowan down while I had the chance."

Eventually, the raucous water fight died down. Goodra stretched its long neck and called softly toward the flowerbeds beyond the patio.

A fluffy gray head peeked out. Covered in leaves, the Espurr hesitated as she took in the unfamiliar Pokémon clustered around Goodra and Luther. Cautiously, she approached the pool.

Luther watched with surprise as the wild Espurr picked up a towel from the corner and began drying off Goodra's slimy skin with great care.

Once her task was done, Goodra looked visibly more comfortable. In response, it gently tossed a small box of Pokémon food toward her. Espurr caught it neatly and beamed at Luther.

"Hey, no thanks! I don't need a turn!" Luther said quickly, scrambling out of the pool. He darted into a nearby bathroom to rinse off and change into dry clothes.

When he returned, he found Chansey and Jumpluff happily lined up for Espurr's "services," handing over their own Pokémon snacks as a tip, mimicking Goodra's earlier gesture.

That's when a realization struck Luther. He turned to Mismagius.

"Wait a second… Isn't she one of Diantha's Pokémon?"

Mismagius shook her head, then paused, pantomiming hunger by going limp and faint. She floated off, grabbed an empty food dish, and offered it to Luther the same way Goodra had done earlier.

"So... she was a wild Espurr who couldn't find food, and Goodra found her nearby and invited her to eat. And she decided to help out around here in return?"

Mismagius nodded enthusiastically.

Incredible. This little one had pride. She didn't want charity.

It made sense, Diantha certainly wasn't short on Pokémon food. So for Espurr to show up and offer labor in exchange meant she wasn't a resident Pokémon.

She must have gotten to know all the Pokémon in the villa, and after finishing her rounds, she dropped by Goodra's post to collect her daily "wages."

Luther glanced around. Al Lance had gone to take a shower, and this… this was a perfect opportunity.

He'd been intrigued by this Espurr back at the Tulip Restaurant. Now that fate had brought them together again, it would be a shame not to act.

"I've got to figure out how to win her over," he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Mismagius floated nearby, gently swaying like a pendulum, keeping him company as he schemed.

A sudden burp snapped Luther out of his thoughts.

Marill stood nearby, clutching a strawberry-flavored soda in one paw and a half-eaten bag of potato chips in the other, her belly visibly round from indulgence.

"Are you sure you're not a Snorlax in disguise? Still eating?"

Luther reached out and snatched the soda from her. Marill looked up at him with watery eyes, then, sensing he was going for her chips too, spun on her heel and bolted.

Luther wasn't letting this go. He gave chase.

Mismagius didn't follow. She gently swung back and forth, her eyes drifting between the pampered Espurr now massaging Chansey's back and the pile of damp clothes Luther had just discarded. A devious glint sparkled in her eyes, she had an idea.

Meanwhile, Luther, still chasing Marill, was amazed by her agility. How was she this fast after eating that much?

It felt like trying to catch a kitten, if that kitten were a sneaky, chip-stealing mouse.

Marill darted through narrow gaps, nearly dropping her snacks but somehow always recovering just in time.

With nowhere else to run, she squeezed through a partially open door.

Luther didn't think; he followed right behind her, not even noticing that Cynthia was standing on the other side.

As he burst into the brightly lit front hall, the man sitting across from Diantha stood and watched in silence as Luther lunged forward to grab the runaway Marill.

Turning to Diantha, the man asked coldly, "This… is your assurance?"

(End of Chapter)