Tryst with Destiny: The Beginning of the End (Main Story)

41 : Master vs Champion

(Next Day in Diantha's Office)

"So this Dragon Emperor is requesting an audience with me so that he can persuade me to let Ash and Serena go with him. I must say he does have some balls. Tell him I agree. He can come in an hour's time," Diantha replies to Clemont who bows his head and leaves.

"You are inviting him here? Why?" Cynthia asks.

"Of course I am. Why shouldn't I? When we get to meet him face to face then we can get a really good measure of who this guy is who thinks he can do whatever he wants," Diantha replies.

"What if he decides to cause trouble?" Oak questions.

"Don't worry, we shall take all the necessary precautions," Diantha answers.

"Still, I don't like this one bit," Sycamore says.

"Your concern is noted, Sycamore," Diantha replies.

(One hour later)

"Where is he?" Cynthia asks as she impatiently paces Diantha's office.

"He's on his way. My Elite Four are escorting him as we speak," Diantha calmly replies.

"Here comes Drasna," Sycamore remarks as he sees Drasna approach the door.

"Drasna, what's wrong?" Diantha immediately enquires when she sees Drasna is clearly not right and seems jumpy.

Drasna, however, doesn't reply and continues to peer outside the corridor. Cynthia and Oak watch with a puzzled expression as Drasna clearly appears unsettled and bothered.

"Drasna?" Diantha repeats in a louder tone.

"You can take it from here," Drasna quickly replies before leaving the office, much to everyone else's confusion.

"Wait, Drasna. What about?" Diantha asks when she sees hears the faint sound of footsteps coming.

The pace of the footsteps is slow, too slow perhaps as it slowly grows louder in volume with each passing moment. A few moments later, a man they don't recognize appears in the doorway. His eyes are closed, his face is slightly bent forward, his posture is completely upright and his fists are gently clenched. But what impacts everyone the most is the expression on his face, so calm yet at the same time extremely intimidating.

Diantha takes a few quick deep breaths to reinforce herself. Then she walks towards the man and out of an act of professional courtesy extends her hand, "Welcome to KIP. Mr Dragon Emperor, I presume?" 

Dragon Emperor doesn't reply. He simply opens his eyes which causes everyone to get unsettled. The Dragon Emperor simply walks past Diantha as if she was not there in the first place, turns around and seats himself in her chair.

"That's my chair," Diantha says, in a rather cross tone.

Dragon Emperor raises his left eyebrow at Diantha's remark, causing her to mumble, 'Never mind.' the very next instant, causing him to relax his eyebrow as well.

"Thank you, for your gracious invitation. Tell me, can this expensive institution spare a cup of tea? I wish to have one," Dragon Emperor says. 

Diantha opens her mouth to say something but Dragon Emperor simply closes his eyes, swings his left leg over his right one, joins his fingertips together in a classic power pose and appears to lean back into the chair, clearly not wanting to interact in any way till his tea has been brought to him.

Diantha and the others look at each other, pondering what to do. A few moments later, Diantha presses a button on her pager and informs her assistant to fetch some tea. The assistant promptly leaves as everyone returns their focus to the person at hand.