CHAPTER 4 — Now You See Me

The first thing I did after our handshake was toss a manila folder Diantha's way. It slid wildly across the table, and its momentum only stopped when she slapped a hand down on it. One brow was then delicately arched in my direction in a sign of puzzlement.

"No time like the present," I told her, making myself more comfortable in my chair. "Our cooperation is already underway. That folder there has everything useful I've found in the last year. I'd like to know how it holds up against what the League has found."

Understanding dawned on Diantha's face.

"Charming coincidence. I actually have something for you as well," she replied. Without further ado, she reached into the bag she carried and pulled out — surprise, surprise — a manila folder of her own that she passed to me.

Simultaneously, we opened the gifts we'd been given and began flipping through their contents… which, sad to say, was not a lot.

Twenty years, forty-six different victims. Maddeningly enough, our infamous serial killer never left behind any traces during that time period. He didn't even leave behind calling cards and the like.

To that end, the League called him the Phantom. The media had other ideas. Sometime in the last decade, they had coined a much more dramatic and controversial nickname: the Noble Killer.

It didn't just refer to how he only killed nobles. No, it held a more disturbing connotation, one loved by a very small minority of people living in Kalos: that he was doing the country a favor by getting rid of the last traces of the old monarchy. They thought what he was doing was righteous.

How absurd.

Quietly, I continued my perusal of the League's confidential information. They'd talked to family, friends, and acquaintances of victims over the years, anyone who they could possibly glean information from in regards to potential motives. Some of the victims were from fallen noble households and poor financial situations. Others were perfectly normal or even fine, upstanding citizens who donated their excess wealth to charities. Then we had victims who, upon further investigation, had secretly engaged in unscrupulous activities over the years like Pokemon trafficking. Trainers, civilians, the young and the old… they came from all walks of life.

The point was they were all too different. Some could have had enemies with grudges who wanted them gone, but others didn't. My parents went into that latter category. They'd never done anything bad or pissed the wrong people off.

The only common denominator was that the victims were all authentic Kalosian nobles.

"Either he hates the nobility, or he simply wants victims who would make more of a splash in the news," I murmured with furrowed brows. "The latter doesn't make sense. If the Phantom was after fame, you'd think they'd want to leave something of themselves behind at the crime scenes… something to provoke us further or otherwise express his emotions and desires. Or maybe he's just very careful."

"Those of us at the Kalos League are of the same belief," Diantha quietly replied. "We're under the impression the Phantom has a grudge against nobles. We don't know why, but at least it helps us narrow down suspects."

I held up a highlighted paper taken straight from the folder in my hands.

"You mean these? The Sons of Marro, the True Brotherhood, Calvin Durani…" I read off a few more names before pausing to stare at Diantha. "They're all radical factions or criminals known for wanting to carry on the revolution in modern-day Kalos."

Diantha grimaced. "Indeed. They want to wipe out the nobility. Some of them even want to tear the League down. We haven't heard of any trainers in their ranks who are strong enough to take down Gym Leaders, but perhaps they've been keeping a low profile all along."

"So you think this is the work of some whackjob revolutionary?" I raised a brow.

The woman sitting across from me shrugged. "It's the best we have right now, I'm afraid. It even lines up with why they specifically target nobles."

"You have a point. Let's keep it within the realm of possibilities."

A few moments of silence passed as we continued looking through papers. Eventually, Diantha raised her head with a questioning glance.

"You've listed gangs and criminal organizations here that we weren't aware of, not to mention new information about past incidents. Two shadowy figures… an oppressive, heavy presence… a sound like air being cut… which people did you get this all from and how? We talked to everyone we could."

"Not people," I politely corrected her. "Pokemon. You'll find it's surprising how much they sense and hear in the dead of night. My Ability has helped me build a fairly vast information network of wild Pokemon."

Both of Diantha's brows flew up in agitation, but I was quick to placate her by raising my hands.

"Yes, I'm an Ability Holder. If you want to check the international registry, I should be on there. I do apologize for not bringing it up sooner," I sighed. "I pray that won't be an issue?"

"No," Diantha said. She eyed me with newfound interest. "The League needs any additions in strength it can get right now. What is your—"

"Dark types," I helpfully supplied, already anticipating the end of her question. "My Ability lets me communicate with them among other things. For example, the blessing to see through darkness."

Diantha tapped a finger against her chair's armrest. "I'm guessing that's related to what you said before about not needing much sleep?"

"Bingo."

She looked like she wanted to question me further, but she held herself back. I took the chance to refocus the conversation back to the true matter at hand.

"Some of what the League has found interests me." I hit the paper I currently held twice with the back of my hand. "A person you interrogated — a housekeeper who worked for one of the victims — said she didn't hear anything even though she was right next door when her employer was murdered. Gym Leader Meyer's case was quite similar. None of the gym trainers who were there with him for overtime that day knew there was a battle going on within the Prism Tower's walls. They didn't even sense something was off."

Meyer's death hadn't been a pretty one, either. Most of the people the Phantom killed were civilians or average trainers who died without a struggle, but obviously not Meyer. Like my mom had done years ago, he went down fighting. The League knew that because the training room his body was discovered in had been rendered nearly unrecognizable from a hard-fought battle.

Diantha pursed her lips. I wondered if she was still mourning the death of the friend and person she'd worked with for many years.

"Your observations bring us to the question of how," she finally said after a moment of silence. "To be able to infiltrate a place with as high of security as the Prism Tower… that is no small feat. As one of the symbols of our nation, the League has always made sure it's well guarded. I don't understand how they were able to get the jump on Meyer as well."

"We might not know anything motive or identity-wise, but I at least have some guesses regarding what kind of trainer the Phantom is," I replied. "Based on all the cases so far, it's obvious the Phantom is good at sneaking around. They're also clearly able to manipulate sound, space, or even reality itself."

I paused here to cross my arms, frowning. "I wouldn't be surprised if they were a Specialist of one of the more esoteric types: Fairy, Dark, Ghost, or Psychic. All of these types are able to defy common sense, and when you put them in the hands of an Elite trainer, things get trickier."

"You may be right. I fear they're getting bolder as the years go on, too," Diantha murmured in a solemn voice. "The murders used to have much more time spread out between them, sometimes even a year or more, but that's no longer the case. Meyer's death happened only three months after the last one."

"It'll be the last death," I assured her. With a wry smile, I pointed at myself. "I did agree to become bait after all. I'm planning on doing a damned good job of it. If we can't find the Phantom, then we just need them to find us."

For the record, I didn't plan on dying anytime soon.

"So, when's my swearing-in ceremony going to be?" I continued, cupping my chin with a hand.

"You said it yourself earlier: there's no time like the present," Diantha quipped back. "I'll convene a meeting with the National Assembly after I leave. They already knew I had a candidate in mind for the next Lumiose Gym Leader, and your appointment is likely to be overwhelmingly supported. The Phantom has been a thorn in all of our sides for far too long."

"Then…"

Diantha flashed a smile as she stood up from her seat. "You should expect your first public appearance to be in two days, Ray."

"Noted."

After exchanging phone numbers and one last solemn handshake, Diantha disappeared from my office with the help of her Gardevoir. I was left to ponder the future in silence.

There was no turning back now.

A whole slew of items was on the immediate agenda. I had businesses to take care of before I officially assumed my shiny new role as Gym Leader and a ceremony to prepare for. An idea had sprung upon me like a bolt out of the blue while talking to Diantha.

Like I'd told her, if I was going to do this, I was going to fulfill my end of the deal perfectly. For all intents and purposes, I was going to execute things in an exaggerated style to catch the Phantom's attention.

I looked up the best tailor shop in Lumiose — Maison Shariel — and held the phone to my ear.

"Good afternoon. It's a bit of a rush order, but I'd like to request your establishment's services. There are some clothes I'd like to order and garments I wish to have altered…"

Shortly after, I spent a few hours flitting busily from one end of the city to the other.

Lumiose was a big city and one of the largest in the world. I happened to own quite a few businesses scattered around it, everything from cafes to clubs to bookstores and more. All of them were part of the information network I'd spent a year building.

One by one, I visited each store under different guises and informed the staffers that I'd be busy for the foreseeable future. The managers of each establishment were to collect any intel they received from customers and send it back to a certain PO Box in the meantime.

I was going to be living as Raynard Odaria the Gym Leader from now on. No more running around wearing a hundred different faces.

Along the way, I checked in with some local crews of Rattata and Murkrow. We had a friendly partnership where I gave them food or shiny baubles in exchange for being my eyes and ears around the city. Alas, they didn't have anything useful for me today. I only had three breaks in between all the traveling: a quick pit stop for lunch, a visit to the tailor shop I'd called earlier, and a coffee break. Then I looped around.

Eventually, my feet carried me all the way back to where I'd started: the Little Star.

This particular jazz club was a little more special to me compared to the other establishments under my ownership. For one thing, it was the first place I'd bought since coming back to Kalos a year ago. It was also my living space, my main base of operations, and…

I'd named it after what my mom sometimes called me when I was a kid, so there was some sentimental value.

I took a long and careful look around my office. In a few days, most of it would be emptied out and brought to my new office at the Lumiose Gym. The stuff in the adjoining hall, my makeshift bedroom, would be ferried through shadow travel back to the Odaria Estate.

A brief twinge of sadness passed through me. I'd gotten more attached to this place than I thought I would. For now, I picked up my desk phone and called Mathis to my office.

He arrived within the minute.

"Need me to take care of something, boss?" he asked before the door even swung shut behind him. Always so eager, that one. Mathis wasn't going to like this conversation.

"I'm going to need you to take care of the Little Star—" I began.

"Oh! Of course, always—"

"Hold on, I haven't finished yet," I said, holding up a hand. Mathis snapped his mouth shut. "It's not like usual. I'm not going to be back for a while."

He blinked twice.

"When will you be back?"

"Probably after a year I suppose." I couldn't really put a timestamp on when we'd catch the Phantom.

Upon hearing my words, Mathis's face instantly adopted the horrified expression I thought it would.

"Boss, don't leave me here by myself!" he blurted out. He nearly toppled over in his haste to bow. "T-Take me with you please! I can be useful. I still owe you so much."

I refrained from sighing out loud. I knew this would happen. It was partially why I'd saved the Little Star for last on my to-visit list.

Mathis Berrou was the first person I'd become acquainted with after returning to Kalos last year. He was only four years older than me, but the thirty-year-old man treated me like I was his savior, which… technically was not wrong, but he truly overdid it sometimes.

I'd met him on a dark night in the back alleys. Mathis had crippling debts at the time because of loans he'd taken out to help his ailing father, and I came across the scene of loan sharks beating him up. I decided to help him out since I was passing by and even paid all the money he owed.

He'd sworn to stick by my side ever since then and became what he called 'my right-hand man.' Any errands I needed done? Mathis insisted on doing them all. It needed to be said again that he had a tendency to overdo things, but he was a good man.

"I've told you this countless times before, but you really don't owe me anything—"

"Please, boss! Working for you has been fun!" he insisted, still with that same pleading tone. He didn't let up his bowing posture. "I can, um, brew coffee for you everyday. You also know I'm good at keeping my mouth shut. You can trust me."

Ugh, Mathis's coffee. I would miss that dearly if he stayed behind. It was also true that he'd never questioned any of my decisions before and had always done whatever I asked of him with complete and utter discretion. He was admittedly a good assistant and a person that I had grown fond of over the last year, same with the jazz club.

I stared at him while drumming my fingers against the table I sat at.

"Have you been keeping up with your training?" I asked all of a sudden.

Mathis quickly straightened and gave a vigorous shake of his head. "I have! I've been doing everything you told me to with Persian, Murkrow, and Scrafty, I promise."

I believed him. Mathis had been so eager to work for me back then that in a bid to become more useful, he'd followed in my footsteps and decided to be a trainer at his late age. I'd given him special tips and pointers straight from a seasoned Dark Specialist like myself in appreciation for his enthusiasm. He wasn't talented, but you didn't need talent to become a good trainer. Hard work and the right attitude could carry you further than anything else.

A satisfied smile bloomed across my face. "That's good. Now, do you really want to come with me?"

"Yeah!"

"Even if I ask you to be a gym trainer?"

Mathis's brows furrowed, but he bobbed his head up and down again. "Yes!"

"Alright. Then one last thing: you're going to need to stop calling me boss. That's not gonna fly in our new workplace."

"But…" Mathis's eyes widened. I pointed a finger at him.

"I've been trying to get you to drop it forever, so now's a good time to finally reinforce this new rule of mine. Call me by my name like everyone else. Call me Ray."

I practically saw question marks light up in Mathis's eyes as he tilted his head. He only knew me as Charles Fabreau.

"I'm holding you to your promise of being trustworthy," I said simply, and I gave a subtle nod to one of the two Morpeko lazing around in the office. Zoroark promptly undid the illusions around me and her.

If it was possible for Mathis's eyes to widen further, then they did. The way he stared at my actual appearance with his mouth agape was reminiscent of a Magikarp.

"Didn't you say you were my right-hand man?" I smirked. "There's a lot I need to fill you in on if you're coming with me."

Mathis quickly closed his mouth and beamed at me.

"I'm listening!"

Ten minutes later, the office was filled with loud bawling from none other than Mathis Berrou. I'd given him an abridged story of my childhood and the whole Gym Leader mess I'd gotten myself into, but he recognized me now that I had told him my real name. The Odaria Tragedy had been in the news for weeks back then.

"Boss—"

"Ray."

"—Ray, I didn't know that's what you were doing all this for… The Problem Solver business… the information gathering, e-everything…" Mathis sobbed.

I sighed fondly and patted the big oaf on his shoulder. What was the use of looking so scary if he broke down so easily?

"If someone saw this, they'd think you were the one who suffered a traumatic memory instead of me. Now stop crying, or I'm not taking you with me to the Lumiose Gym later."

"Anything but that!"

I'd never seen someone sniff back their tears or snot so quickly before.

When I finally wrapped up all my business for the day, Sableye transported us to the Odaria Estate. Traveling through shadows and the border between this world and the Other was always so eerily calm, and I loved it. Some of my Pokemon and the staff helped me carry luggage inside while Sableye went back to fetch the rest.

It took two hours, but we managed to get everything where I wanted it. I'd completely redecorated my bedroom and filled the barebones closet with clothes.

I'd also taken over mom and dad's joint office.

It was just how I remembered it from my childhood. The dark purple and ivory accents… the armchair that dad loved sitting in while he tinkered with random gadgets he'd made… the custom-made desk he'd gifted mom for her birthday…

My eyes were drawn most of all to the family crest emblazoned into the wall above the fireplace.

Incredibly detailed leaves and flowers twined together beautifully on either side of the coat of arms. They cradled a crescent moon and a single wing that arched from the celestial entity's back for the heavens above.

"Only when you bloom in darkness can you flourish in the light," I murmured to myself.

House Odaria had a lot of teachings and quotes passed down from our ancestors, but that was one of the more notable ones dad had loved. I found myself repeating it again in my mind as I walked closer to the fireplace. One step, two steps, three steps to the left… I found the spot I was looking for and glanced at the Morpeko sitting on my shoulder.

"Astre, the honor is all yours," I said with a small smile.

He was happy to oblige. Astre swapped modes faster than I could blink and let a small but controlled wave of dark electricity pass through the wall. I couldn't see it, but I knew he was manipulating the electricity to pass through in a certain, not to mention complicated, pattern. When he finished, he transformed back.

We didn't have to wait long. The wall eventually slid open to reveal a box hidden in a small space. I popped it open without further delay.

A gold and purple ring stared back at me, its surface gleaming bright with years of told and untold history. A familiar crest was marked on it. This wasn't just any old piece of jewelry but House Odaria's signet ring. Grandfather had wanted to take it with us when we moved to Galar, but he'd ultimately decided to leave it here in case I ever felt ready to go back.

The cold surface of the ring turned warm as I grasped it in my hand.

I was ready to reclaim not just the ring now but House Odaria itself.

Time drifted by.

It was odd waking up in the Odaria Estate again in the mornings, but I got used to it. Sadly, I did go back to having nightmares again. On the bright side, they were more subdued in the presence of the ancestral home. I exhibited the most impeccable behavior around the household staff so they wouldn't suspect anything. Their good cheer at having me back home didn't need to be ruined with news about my long ongoing condition.

On the day of the fateful swearing-in ceremony, I left the estate hours before anyone else woke up. I shadow traveled not to the Kalos League's HQ near Victory Road, but directly into a pitched tent set up in Centrico Plaza.

Gym Leader appointments and the like were typically done at the League's headquarters, but Diantha and I had both agreed to overturn tradition and hold the ceremony publicly in Lumiose City instead.

The bigger and more unique the splash, the better.

My name was all people had been talking about for the last twenty-hour hours. Diantha had made good on her promise to convene the National Assembly and get my appointment approved as fast as possible. The League then spread the news to quell any unease the public felt in light of recent incidents. They also brought more attention to the ceremony.

It was effective, very effective. I couldn't see it from inside the tent, but there was a sea of locals, tourists, and reporters outside. Their excited chatter filled the air with a lively atmosphere. Every single one of them was here to see the new Lumiose Gym Leader and the Odaria who'd returned to his homeland.

I did a quick check of my appearance in the mirror provided to me. Maison Shariel had done an excellent job on the rush order I placed.

A black suit jacket with purple lapels and cuffs covered a high collar lavender shirt. Matching dark slacks and dress shoes covered the rest of my tall frame, but the ensemble didn't end there. A portion of my left side was obscured by a black half-cape that nearly reached my knees. Its hems were lined with white borders and intricate embroidery. Across the cape's top, white fabric draped over a matching epaulette, and the whole cape was secured by gold strings and a white strap that ran around my back. The final touch was a golden, jeweled brooch modeled after the Odaria coat of arms.

And of course, I couldn't forget the white gloves that covered my hands or the Odaria signet ring I wore.

Everything felt as expensive and extravagant as it looked. All the clothes were made of special breathable fabric and materials from Pokemon that bypassed the summer air. Otherwise, there was no way I'd be able to wear so many layers in this kind of weather for more than a few minutes. Some parts of the outfit had been taken from my time as Monsieur Nuit in the Battle Chateau and altered to suit a new purpose.

For the foreseeable future, this was what I was going to wear on a daily basis as my Gym Leader uniform. It was eye-catching, dignified, and screamed nobility. Full marks for Lumiose's best tailor shop.

This outfit was perfect for rubbing a certain someone the wrong way.

My internal thoughts were interrupted moments later when a League Trainer came in. It was time.

I took one last glance in the mirror as the tent flapped shut again. I brushed a part of my styled hair. I wasn't nervous, but I had to check something else. My lips tugged upwards experimentally in a smile three times before I was satisfied.

Good. Normal and genuine or so I believed.

Nodding, I turned and walked through the tent. Bright sunlight and cheers engulfed me as I stepped out. A smile was already there on my face as I turned and waved with practiced ease to the crowd. Camera flashes went off. Reporters threw questions at me. I heard the words 'Odaria Tragedy' fly around in the cacophony of sound but didn't let my smile fall.

It had already begun.

Diantha was waiting for me on a raised podium. With a single glance, I could tell she'd worn a little more makeup than usual for the occasion. One of her brows rose when she caught sight of my outfit. She'd known about it in advance, but she hadn't actually seen it until now.

I smiled innocently in her direction as I walked up the steps of the podium.

None of the Gym Leaders were here because they had to focus on closing the end of the current League Circuit. Only the Kalos Elite Four, president, and prime minister were seated nearby. I felt their eyes on me as I took my place next to Diantha on stage.

With just a single raise of her hand, the Champion rendered the crowd silent. The smile she was known for now graced her features as she spoke into a microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Beloved people of Kalos…" she said in a clear, bright voice. "Today marks the day a new individual takes up the mantle of Lumiose Gym Leader. We have gathered here to bear witness to Raynard Odaria as he ascends into not one but two roles."

There were murmurs of confusion in the audience as she paused. Meanwhile, I placed a hand over my heart in a solemn gesture and bowed my head ever so slightly. This was all a part of the altered version of the traditional ceremony she and I had come up with.

"Raynard Odaria, you are the last and rightful successor to your noble house. From this moment forth, you shall be known as Duke Odaria," Diantha proclaimed. "Though no power may flow through your hands, may honor and virtue be kept close to your heart."

The shocked murmurs in the crowd grew louder. One, they hadn't known my grandfather had passed, and two, Kalosian noble titles weren't typically passed on like this in a League-officiated ceremony of all things.

It was a show to emphasize the blood that ran through my veins. We ignored all of them in favor of continuing.

"I, Raynard Odaria, acknowledge your words and the country's will."

"May your vow be faithful," Diantha raised her chin. "I, Diantha Carne and Champion of Kalos, acknowledge your promise. By my decree, I now officially welcome you into the ranks of the Kalos League as Lumiose Gym Leader."

Any confusion disappeared as cheers erupted in their stead. The crowd became a sea of color and movement as people clapped, shook their arms, and even waved mini Kalosian flags around. In spite of the Phantom that haunted our country, the people still came together as one to celebrate.

Amidst all the cheering, Diantha moved away from the podium and took a seat next to the Kalos Elite Four on stage. I took her place at the microphone now and waited patiently for the cheering to end.

I didn't have to clear my throat or anything. All sounds gradually died away on their own. The curiosity the crowd possessed was far too strong, and they looked eagerly at me for what I would say.

"As the new Duke Odaria and Lumiose Gym Leader," I began calmly, "I swear to uphold and enforce the ideals of our proud nation. To always be on the side of liberty. To treat all fairly. And… to prevail in the face of any injustice."

The words came out of me effortlessly. I'd drafted the short speech in advance and had it memorized, but the emotions behind them were all true. They came from the heart.

"We, the people of Kalos, have always remained grounded in the hopes and ideals of a better humanity. We have always come together as one against a common evil, and this has never been more true than it is today. No matter who or what tries to break the peace and prosperity we've built for ourselves, we will show them that Kalos is not afraid, that we remain true to ourselves and what we stand for."

I paused, eyes gleaming as my lips curled into a smile.

"I will do everything in my power to protect our beloved city and country, guide aspiring trainers on a path to the future, and refuse to bend in the face of any evil. I am not afraid of the encroaching night. I swear this upon the name of Raynard Odaria."

The ensuing camera flashes nearly blinded me, the patriotic roars of approval threatened to burst my eardrums, and the stage quaked under my shoes from people stamping the ground in a rhythmic beat.

All of it filled me with a strange, indescribable feeling. They were clapping for me, for Raynard Odaria. How long had it been since I last stood out in the open like this as myself?

I wasn't going to live in the shadows anymore. I had stepped out into the light of my own volition.

Smiling, I turned from side to side and raised a gloved hand to the throng of people. I made sure I looked the part of a confident, charismatic leader. It wasn't just to make an impression on my fellow countrymen and women but someone else… a certain assassin who still lurked in the abyss I had returned from.

If the Phantom wanted to kill nobles so badly, well… here stood one who wasn't afraid to bask in their identity. I'd issued the challenge already.

The smile on my face didn't disappear as I continued waving at the crowd.

I'm here. Come and get me.

Author's Note: There's a song I played on loop while writing Ray's swearing-in ceremony. For maximum feels, you can look up the Lumiose City remix by Qumu (it's on Youtube and Spotify). The beginning part of that remix with the vocals hit me in a way I didn't know was possible and fit extraordinarily well with the end of this chapter. Inspirational, thrilling, moving, take your pick.

Thank you for all the kind reviews, comments, favorites, follows, etc. by the way! Your support is greatly appreciated.