You can read ahead up to 15 chapters on my Patreon, and I've also activated a (date-to-date) subscription model on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
Cyrus's disappearance was abrupt. He vanished not long after Looker escorted him out of the Eterna City Pokémon Center.
Looker had only stepped away briefly to buy some cigarettes for Cyrus, but when he returned, the man was gone without a trace.
At first, everyone assumed Cyrus had stormed off in frustration.
But two days later, when the Black Hole Squad, Cyrus's own unit, began making inquiries about his whereabouts, the situation grew far more complicated.
No one could reach him. No signals, no updates, no contact with the International Police headquarters. Every communication method they tried came up empty. It was like Cyrus had vanished off the face of the earth.
"He is a member of the International Police," Luther said. "If he doesn't want to be found, he's got plenty of ways to stay hidden. And from what you're saying, bringing him back was really just to push him into retirement. If he wasn't okay with that, it makes sense he'd disappear."
"That's what most of us think, too. Cyrus always took his duty seriously.
He once told me, 'No one can make me step down unless I drop from old age.'"
Luther had only met Cyrus once, but the memory was vivid. He came across as a man who meant every word he said.
"If that's the case," He asked, "Then why is the International Police so set on forcing him out? I know it's your internal business, but since you brought it to me, I'll say this: the guy's a veteran. He deserves some respect."
Looker shut his eyes. After a long pause, he said gravely, "He's changed."
"Back when the Black Hole Squad was first formed, Cyrus was its cornerstone. Everyone looked up to him. But now, he's become an outlier. No one wants to partner with him anymore. Lately, only Lucian from Sinnoh's Elite Four seems to work with him willingly."
"The cases he handles? They're brutal, there are too many casualties. It's understandable when you're dealing with serious threats, but he's lost his edge. More and more innocent bystanders have been caught in the crossfire. Things have spiraled out of control, and it's straining relations between the International Police and several regional Pokémon Leagues."
"We've never questioned his commitment. But he's like a double-edged sword, cutting just as deep into friend as foe. He's become a lone wolf, ignoring advice, operating outside the pack that is the International Police. That's how we see him now."
"Retirement was the last dignity we could give him. Everything was set: farewell party, pension, even a fresh identity for his new life. But then... he disappeared and now the rumors are spreading inside the agency. Some are tying him to the recent explosion case. They think it's connected to the chaotic investigations he led in the past."
Looker leaned in, voice lowered. "There are whispers that Cyrus might have intentionally helped certain suspects slip through the cracks."
Luther shot to his feet, staring at Looker in disbelief.
"So that's why you're here. You suspect Cyrus… and by extension, me, because I was involved in the amplifier case. The second you decided that his break-in at the underground lab was to destroy evidence, I became an accomplice, didn't I? Even though I was the one who got ambushed!" Luther's anger flared, and Misdreavus, sensing her trainer's fury, locked eyes with Looker, eyes glowing with menace.
Luther pulled up her sleeve, exposing still-fresh scars. "That night, Misdreavus and I fought side-by-side. We both came out injured. You were the one who visited me in the hospital. You know that."
"I'm one of the majority who believe in you," Looker said quietly. "We still trust you. We still trust Cyrus. But before I left, the minority… they insisted I deliver this message to you."
"You could've been one of the agents tracking the escaped Pokémon from the underground lab. You've already told me Misdreavus was part of those experiments, and there's no denying that she and Slaking were key subjects. Sending someone to keep tabs on Misdreavus makes perfect sense," Looker said flatly.
"I have a clean record. Director Shiran and Professor Rowan have both vouched for me.
And I've only been a Pokémon Trainer for less than a month."
"A Trainer for under a month, yet you swept Professor Rowan in a Blind Pick 6v6 battle. You gave Roark a tough time in a 3v3 Gym Match. Your life took a sharp turn just weeks ago. Before that, you were practically paralyzed by fear. And now? You shine like the brightest rising star in the Sinnoh League sky."
Luther fell silent. A change that dramatic wouldn't escape suspicion, especially from people trained to question everything.
The former soul that once occupied this body had long since faded, and his own performance since taking over had been too different, too exceptional.
After a pause, a realization struck him and he narrowed his eyes at Looker with a wary look in them.
"So that whole speech... it was just leading up to this? What do they really want from me? They're trying to manipulate me with all that emotional build-up, aren't they?"
Luther finally caught on. He couldn't believe the International Police would jump to targeting a Pokédex holder over a few ambiguous leads. Professor Rowan still carried authority in Sinnoh, and any accusation involving one of his protégés wouldn't be taken lightly.
"Figured it out, huh?" Looker sighed, pointing at the tie around his neck. "She's been dealing with criminals too long. Threats and pressure— it's become her default method. I've said before, this isn't the way to handle things."
"I'm done playing the villain. Just state your request already. I've got other matters to handle."
A woman's voice came from Looker's tie— clear, calm, but firm: "You know we never wanted to suspect Cyrus, but his behavior lately has been too erratic. Being part of the International Police means living with doubt. It's a hazard of the job. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize to Cyrus personally. As for you, Luther, if he ever shows up again, we ask that you contact us immediately."
Luther clenched her fists, furious. "That's all you wanted? You could've just asked!
Why the theatrics? Doubting me, questioning my motives, all just to push me into agreeing to a simple request?"
"When I first met Looker and Cyrus, I had so much respect for you both. You operated from the shadows, took risks others wouldn't, and protected the world behind the scenes. But after hearing what you just said… I feel nothing but contempt. You're nothing but a pile of garbage! If you want my cooperation, dream on!" Luther yelled at Looker's tie with every ounce of fury in his voice, then stormed out without a second glance.
Long after Luther had left the lounge, Looker remained seated, smirking bitterly at the voice receiver on his tie. In truth, he thought Luther had never looked cooler— his outrage had been cathartic, even for him.
"Do you think I was wrong?" The woman's voice asked, clearly picking up on his thoughts.
"Of course not. You always assume the worst in people. So go ahead, keep guessing," Looker replied. "But Luther isn't interested in playing your guessing games. And he sure didn't appreciate your melodramatic guilt-tripping."
"I'm just being cautious! Don't tell me you never doubted him— not even once?" The voice snapped, now laced with frustration. "Do you honestly believe there are that many geniuses out there?"
"To be honest, no, I've never doubted Luther. From the moment I met Misdreavus, I knew what kind of person he was. But you... You never saw it. You never looked past the numbers on your report. You didn't see the warmth in Misdreavus's eyes. You just stared at cold data, filling in forms, judging people like math problems— adding and subtracting them based on whether they 'fit.'"
"That's why you're pushing to dig into Cyrus's files and casting suspicion on Lucian, just because he's closely associated with Cyrus. Even though most of the International Police believe it's impossible for Luther to be involved, you're still using the changes in him to pressure him into cooperating. Don't you think you're going too far?"
"I'm doing this for the greater good, it's my responsibility. Do you think I want to doubt people on our side? But Luther needs to cooperate. Cyrus's actions demand a clear and logical explanation."
Looker's expression chilled as he spoke. "Then don't count me as one of your comrades. Find someone who fits your standards for a partner.
I'll continue my investigation into Team Galactic, but I'm not getting involved in anything else happening in the Sinnoh Region. Luther is a Pokédex holder, and that title carries weight. Only one Pokédex holder has ever ended up behind bars. If you keep throwing around baseless suspicions like this, you'll drive Luther away. And if the Pokédex holders start turning against the International Police over this kind of treatment, you won't just be facing a resignation letter."
"Also, just so you know, there are more people inside the International Police who are unhappy with you than with Cyrus. Your behavior's making the whole team uneasy. Your push to investigate Lucian has already caused friction with the Sinnoh Pokémon League.
You'd better take a long, hard look at what you're doing."
"The International Police have the authority to intervene in regional matters during emergencies!" The voice from the tie snapped.
"Then you'd better be prepared for Bertha's pushback. Champion Cynthia usually stays neutral, but Bertha? She's different. Your baseless accusations against Lucian will be seen as a direct insult to the Sinnoh Elite Four."
"You've already offended Lorelei and Agatha over in the Kanto Pokémon League. Lance only tolerated your overreach because he understood the circumstances; he even helped smooth things over. But Bertha isn't Lorelei or Agatha. And Cynthia sure isn't Lance. Both of them have the clout to go head-to-head with the International Police."
"I act in the name of justice!" The voice declared before cutting the communication abruptly.
Looker sat back in the lounge chair and let out a heavy sigh.
The voice's actions weren't entirely wrong— there was logic behind the suspicions.
The International Police had suffered internal leaks before, and back then, Looker had supported the voice's call for internal audits and crackdowns.
But now… he just felt lost. The voice had gone too far, casting the net too wide, doubting too many.
How long can a person withstand being doubted endlessly?
Long before Cyrus retired, the voice's so-called "reasonable suspicion" had already pushed him away from the Black Hole Division.
And the codename "the Voice" suited her too well. She was like a toxic vine, choking enemies, yes, but just as likely to strangle her allies if they got too close.
The only comfort Looker had was that many in the International Police still supported Cyrus, even if they couldn't reach him anymore.
But is everything really done in the name of justice?
The scariest thing in the world is someone convinced they're acting justly… Because even when they're wrong, they'll still feel like the victim.
Looker signaled Rorak that the lounge surveillance could resume, then disappeared into the bustling streets of Oreburgh City.
(End of Chapter)