Alex, Robert, and I walked along Route 7 with a wide river snaking to our right and fields of flowers to our left. I had Arcanine and Riolu in their pokeballs, Froakie on my shoulder. Combee and Flabebe were fluttering around Alex, who occasionally chuckled at their happiness. Robert meanwhile was tinkering with his Holo Caster, doing who knows what to it.

I pulled out my map and opened it. I scanned it until I found where we were at. "Hey, looks like we're coming to a castle of sorts up ahead somewhere."

"Really?" Robert looked up. "Cool. Any details on it?"

I nodded. "Just the name. The Battle Chateau."

Alex stopped in the middle of playing with her two Pokemon. "A battle facility huh. Maybe it's like the Battle Frontier. That would be something."

"Well," Robert pointed up ahead. "We're about to find out."

In the distance, the Battle Chateau was coming into view. Another ten minutes of walking and we were standing near the stone bridge leading to the castle atop the river.

"Go inside?" Alex asked.

I shrugged. "Might as well. I'm kinda interested to see what goes on here."

I walked across the bridge, Alex and Robert close behind me. I pressed my hands on the large wooden doors and pushed. They opened with a large creak and immediately I was blinded by the lustrous floor inside. Everything from the ivory carpet and the floor, walls, to the ceiling looked highly expensive.

A butler walked over, a monocle on his right eye. "Good day trainers. Have you come to join the Battle Chateau League?"

"Uh," I wasn't too sure on what to say. "We just came to check this place out and see if we could battle."

He eyed us carefully. "You'll need to be part of the league to battle against members. I'm afraid though you can't just join on a whim. You'll need a letter of recommendation or the voice of a Marchioness or higher to stand for you."

His eyes seemed cold. "If not, then I must ask you three to leave."

Sharing an uneasy look with my two friends, I said, "Yeah, alright. We'll go."

Just as we turned to leave, a voice rang out, "Wait! I will voice for them."

Turning back around, I saw the last person I expected to see here. Clara stood in an open doorway across from the main doors, dressed in a Gothic black dress with black boots. Her medium length black hair was combed nicely to one side, covering her left eye. She smirked at us as she strode over, her boots clacking on the marble floor when she stepped off the rug.

"Please give them the titles of Baron, Wilson," she said. "And have a match set up for me against him."

She pointed a black painted fingernail at me and Wilson nodded. "Right away Duchess Clara. I shall inform the other members once I am done here."

She nodded and before she left, she grinned at me. "Well then, Baron Zeno, our rematch comes up soon."

As soon Wilson was done with giving us our titles and everything, he led us through the Chateau.

Hanging back with my friends, Alex whispered fiercely, "Duchess!? Her!?"

"Appears so," I muttered. "But how the heck is she one?"

"Doesn't matter at this point," Robert whispered. "You'll have to battle her. What were her Pokemon again?"

"A Scizor," Alex said. "And a Barbaracle. Two powerful Pokemon."

"Arcanine will wipe Scizor away completely," Robert muttered. "But against Barbaracle, he's at a high disadvantage."

"You able to back out?" Alex asked.

I shook my head. "Even if I can, I won't. I want to see if she grew stronger."

Sighing, Alex said, "Alright, but how are you going to beat her? At most she could ask for a three on three match if she has a Pokemon we haven't seen before. And if she does, I don't know if you can win with just Arcanine, Froakie, and Riolu."

I smiled. "We'll do our best."

We entered a room with the left wall comprising of windows and a walkway leading to a stone platform on the lake. Inside the room, comfy chairs and couches were placed about, people in fancy suits and dresses milled about. Amongst them I was sure I had spotted Viola of Santalune Gym with a guy standing next to her. His skin was a chocolate brown and his black hair stood up, several brightly colored stones in it.

Everyone was talking animatedly until Wilson rang a bell. "Everyone, a battle will begin shortly between Baron Zeno and Duchess Clara."

The crowd of people eyed me as Wilson directed me towards the walkway outside. I heard them muttering curiously as I made my way to the platform. There, Clara stood on one end, pokeball in hand.

"Come forwards Baron," she said. "Let us do battle."

Wilson came to stand as referee. "This will be a three on three battle between Duchess Clara and Baron Zeno. The winner will be the one with the remaining Pokemon. You may begin."

Clara simply tossed her pokeball into the air, releasing Scizor. The Bug type's wings buzzed for a second before he spotted me. His eyes narrowed, but he recognized we were about to have an honest battle.

I tossed out Arcanine. He shook himself, noticed the castle and all the fancy clothes, and straightened himself, looking regal as the sun shone on him. I noticed many amongst the onlookers look at him with adoring eyes.

"Stop milking it," I said to him.

"Baron Zeno," Clara called. "You may have the first move."

I ran my hand through my hair. "Geez, I have a bad feeling about this."

I grinned, raising my hand. "But let's fight at our best! Arcanine, Heat Wave!"

Flames flickered on Arcanine's fur, a wave of heat blasting from him. It rolled over the stone battlefield towards Scizor, hot enough for me to feel from behind it.

"Up," Clara said simply and Scizor shot into the air, avoiding the attack. "Now, prepare Razor Wind. Make it as strong as you can."

Scizor held back his right claw, wind gathering in swirls.

"Don't let him," I warned. "Flamethrower!"

Arcanine planted his huge paws and fired a jet of flames from his maw. Scizor's eyes flashed and Clara yelled, "Now!"

He thrust his claw forwards, the wind slicing the flames in half. The wind continued and slammed into Arcanine, who was moved back half a foot.

"Now use Bullet Punch!" Clara commanded.

"She's getting in close," I shouted. "Fire Fang!"

His mouth burst into flames as he lunged forwards, biting down. Scizor managed to dodge by swinging himself slightly to the left as he battered Arcanine with punches on his side.

"Extreme Speed!" I yelled.

Arcanine twisted his body around with surprising agility and slammed into Scizor, sending him skittering across the ground.

"Finish him with Heat Wave!" I commanded.

Arcanine blasted Scizor with a wave of heat as he tried to stand, but fainted from the intensity.

"Scizor is unable to battle," Wilson announced. "Duchess Clara, send out your next Pokemon."

Recalling Scizor, Clara shrugged. I had expected more of a tantrum, but then I remembered where we were. She had built up a reputation here, being a duchess and all. Maybe it was all for show, but I felt as if she wasn't entirely putting on an act.

Tossing out her second Pokemon, Clara said, "Barbaracle, Razor Shell!"

He appeared on the battlefield and a blade of water formed in his right hand. He charged forwards, slashing Arcanine in the chest.

"Bear with me here," I encouraged Arcanine. "Flame Wheel!"

Arcanine spun into a ball of fire and began going in circles around the Water type.

"Use Agility as well," I said as Clara shouted, "Stone Edge; Full Circle!"

Barbaracle slammed a fist on the ground, huge stones bursting up around him in a circle, slamming Arcanine into the air.

"Razor Shell!" Clara yelled.

Barbaracle swung the blade of water as Arcanine fell, making him crashing into the ground and roll a couple feet.

Clara smiled as Wilson began to speak, but I held up a hand. "Not yet. We aren't finished."

Arcanine placed his paws on the ground, heaving himself up. When he turned his gaze towards Barbaracle, his eyes glowed orange. A blast of flames, then an orange aura had enveloped the Fire type.

"Arcanine," I said. "Been a while since we had to use this. Reversal!"

He bounded forwards, glowing with energy. Just as he neared the Water type, Clara shouted, "Low Sweep! Follow up with Ancient Power!"

Barbaracle dropped to the ground, swinging out his leg, tripping Arcanine over him. He swung his arm up, fossil rocks pounding into the Fire type. He crashed to the ground, fainted.

I was stunned. I had to remember Clara wasn't some beginner. She had her Pokemon for who knows how long, training. She probably had gym badges if not all of them by this point. I couldn't underestimate her. That was my folly.

"Arcanine is unable to battle," Wilson said. "Baron Zeno, please send out your next Pokemon."

I returned my partner and tucked the ball away. I was gonna have to be smart about this. Since Clara's Pokemon were powerful, maybe more so than Arcanine, Froakie and Riolu couldn't match them with just strength alone.

"Improvising," I thought, as I grabbed Riolu's pokeball. "Time to do what I do best."

Riolu appeared on the battlefield and he observed the situation. Seeing his opponent loom over him only made him adopt a battle stance, right paw on the ground. I felt a slight breeze filter by me, carrying with it an emotion. An eagerness to battle, but also one of acceptance.

I looked to Riolu, who turned his head slightly to look at me, nodding. I grinned. I don't know how, but I could feel his emotions. I knew he could use his emotions to communicate with Pokemon, but could he do the same with humans?

Shaking my head, I called out, "Alright then Riolu! Wait for Barbaracle to attack!"

Clara tilted her head slightly, smiling. "Letting me go first? How nice of you. Barbaracle, Aerial Ace!"

The Water type's claws glowed as he shot forwards, swinging them.

"Now," I announced. "Force Palm!"

Riolu pressed harder on the ground before he shot upwards into the air, slight crackles of electricity sparking where his palm had just been. Barbaracle's claws swung widely, but Riolu was out of his reach now.

"Bullet Punch!" I shouted.

Riolu skidded on the ground behind the Rock type and shot forwards, striking Barbaracle in the back repeatedly.

"Night Slash!" Clara yelled.

Barbaracle swirled around, dark wind battering against Riolu. He was thrown backwards, but immediately got to his feet, rushing back towards his opponent.

"Counter!" I shouted and Riolu leaped into the air, fist glowing as he struck Barbaracle in the face with twice the power.

"Use Fury Cutter," Clara commanded.

Barbaracle slashed Riolu, sending him further up in the air, before slashing him again, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Keep using Counter!" I shouted.

Riolu shot to his feet as he jumped, fist drawn back.

"Razor Shell!"

Barbaracle slammed Riolu back down, creating a small crater, stone pieces flying away. I saw pain in Riolu's eyes, then anger. I felt a surge of emotion from him as his foot struck ablaze. He shot upwards, blazing right foot first as he slammed it into Barbaracle's face. The Water type took a step backwards, face singed, as Riolu dropped to the ground, fainted, foot slightly scorched. I returned him to his ball as Wilson announced Riolu had fainted.

I gripped the pokeball tightly. He got lucky this time, not being too injured by the Blaze Kick, but still, I had a feeling his emotions played a big part in his fighting capability. I held out my arm and Froakie leaped onto it from where he had been watching from behind me.

"Do your best out there," I said. "The odds aren't too great, but we can still win this."

Froakie nodded and leaped onto the battlefield. "Froakie, use Water Pulse!"

Froakie formed the sphere and launched it at Barbaracle. It barely hurt him as Clara shouted, "Stone Edge!"

Barbaracle slammed his foot on the ground, huge rocks jutting out of the ground towards Froakie.

"Dodge using Quick Attack!" I shouted.

Froakie zigzagged between the rocks towards Barbaracle.

"Ancient Power!"

"Bounce off of them!"

Froakie leaped onto the first rock sent his way and leaped onto the others.

"Stop him with Slash!" Clara commanded.

"Use your bubbles to stop his attack!" I yelled.

Froakie launched his bubbles, which stuck to the Rock type's claws, rendering them useless. Froakie then proceeded to throw his bubbles at Barbaracle's feet, making him unable to move.

"Now," I said. "Use Cut!"

A small glowing blade formed in Froakie's hands as he leaped at Barbaracle, slashing at his middle.

"Combine Cut with Quick Attack!" I shouted.

Froakie was becoming a blur, slashing at the Rock type every second.

"Break free with Night Slash!" Clara ordered.

Barbaracle clenched his body as a fierce dark wind formed around his arm and he directed it at the bubbles at his feet. Now free, he swung the wind around blasting Froakie away. Froakie was injured, close to fainting maybe, but we had whittled away at Barbaracle, so he must be close as well.

"Now then," I said, throwing my fist out. "Let's finish this! Water Pulse!"

Froakie leaped into the air, launching the sphere at Barbaracle.

"Stop it with Clamp!" Clara shouted.

Barbaracle slammed both hands down on the Water Pulse, but failed to notice Froakie running low towards him.

"Cut!" I yelled and Froakie leaped upwards, slicing at Barbaracle's chest. "Water Pulse!"

Twisting midair, Froakie launched the attack, striking the Rock type in the back. Barbaracle collapsed to his knees, falling face forwards.

"Barbaracle is unable to battle," Wilson said. "Duchess Clara, please send out your last Pokemon."

Clara returned Barbaracle without much regret on her face as she sent out her third Pokemon.

Smirking, she said, "Heliolisk, Thunderbolt."

I clenched my teeth as the bolt of electricity struck Froakie, making him faint on the spot.

Wilson raised a hand. "Froakie is unable to battle. Baron Zeno is out of usable Pokemon. That means Duchess Clara is the winner."

The crowd watching clapped and I sighed as I went over to Froakie, who blinked at me.

He looked sad, but I smiled as I shook my head. "We lost. Remember it well. Because next time we'll be stronger."

Froakie croaked, fire burning in his eyes, and I recalled him to his pokeball. Standing, I met Clara in the middle.

"Thanks for the battle," I said, shaking her hand. "You showed me I have some training I need to do."

"It was my pleasure," she said, and as we both turned to walk back into the Chateau, I barely heard her whisper, "How does it feel to be weaker, Baron?"

I ignored her, still keeping a smile on my face. Sure, this was all in act for her, but I still knew, she had enjoyed that battle. Not just for beating me, but because she simply felt thrilled from battling. I would cling to that, and maybe, maybe be able to show that to her.

Robert clapped me on the back. "You did your best out there. But man, to think you would lose to her of all people."

I saw Viola and the guy she was with walk over.

"A wonderful battle," Viola said. "Shame you lost. I would like to introduce you to Grant, the gym leader of Cyllage City."

I grasped his hand. "Nice to meet you. I guess you're my next challenge?"

He chuckled. "More like a wall for you to climb. From what I saw, I have a feeling I'll enjoy our upcoming match."

I grinned, then I heard shouts and the rushing of feet. We all whirled around towards the door that lead back to the main entrance hall. Everyone was rushing away from it as people ran into the room, either holding pokeballs or Pokemon following them.

My eyes widened. Those jumpsuits, those colors. No, it couldn't-

"ZENO!"

My eyes turned to the voice belonging to a woman wearing a midnight black jumpsuit, the emblem of the sun and moon on each of her shoulders. Her long red hair swayed as she came to a stop in front of her grunts, hands on her hips.

Her blue eyes met mine, sending a chill down my spine. "Hello Zeno. Team Radiance has a score to settle with you."

Not only has Zeno lost to his rival, but now Team Radiance has made a return! What an unexpected turn of events. Why is Team Radiance in Kalos and what do they want from Zeno? Find out next time readers. Toodles