Chapter 40 Meeting the Knight
Before leaving the Shalour City, Ash and Clemont are training with Honedge against Bunnelby. In the end, Honedge evolves into a Doublade, and then it learns the move Iron Head, knocking out Bunnelby.
"That was a nice battle, Clemont." Ash says as he shakes hands with him.
"You are also the same, Ash." Clemont says.
Serena rushes up to Ash and gives him a kiss. She says, "That is awesome, Ash. And your Doublade as well."
"Indeed, now it goes from one sword to two swords, that means Doublalde is double better!" Bonnie says as Dedenne also agrees.
Doublade blushes a little as then they hear a sound of the metal, "Indeed. That is a fine battle, young lad." They turn around and see a man in a knight's suit standing in front of them.
"Um...who are you and why are you wearing armor?" Ash asks in confusion as to the man bows to them.
"Sir Ash Ketchum, it is an honor to meet you. The man's name is Wikstrom, I am a knight who lives at a castle close to this place." The man named Wikstrom says.
"A Knight?" Bonnie and Dedenne are confused, and Serena says, "I thought that knights only appear in fairy tales. I never knew that there are still existing in this modern world..."
"To protect our masters and give our life to them, the knight's spirit won't die even it goes past centuries." Wikstrom says. "And on my way back to my castle, I have noticed the battle with honor. Will you have the honor to come to my castle?"
Ash says, "It sounds interesting, we can go check it out." The other three members also agree as they go there. The castle they see is just like what they will see in the historical movies and the garden is very clean.
"This is my place, the Castle of Chivalry." Wikstrom says.
As they enter the castle, they see a lot of rare items such as the golden cup and the paintings that could be sold for millions of dollars. "Amazing..." Clemont says, "I have never seen such a place..."
Serena says, "It is just like a fairy tale..."
Ash says, "So Mr. Wikstrom, where is your owner of this castle?"
Wikstrom sighs, "You see, there actually is no owner of this place." This causes them to get confused. "But you said that you would protect your master and that is the knight's spirit, why are you saying that there is no owner?" Bonnie asks.
Before he can answer, they hear the sound of the battling, so they go out to check and they find a boy and a girl battling with a Ferroseed against a Probopass. The Ferroseed uses the Power Whip on the Probopass, causing it to get backward.
"Amazing..." Clemont says as the two trainers finally notice Ash and the group. "Oh, Ash, long time no see."
"David, Flora. What a surprise." Ash greets the two people along with Pikachu and Sylveon. As for the others, they are confused as Serena asks, "Ash, you know them?"
"Oh, everyone, this is my cousins David and Flora. David, Flora, this is Bonnie and Dedenne, his brother Clemont and my girlfriend Serena."
"It is an honor to meet you all." Flora says.
"Indeed. My mother and sister have told us a lot about you." David says. "Why don't we go inside so we can chat some more?"
"Sure." Ash says as they all head indoors. Once they are seated, Flora mentions to them about her sisters, which causes them to get surprised. "Eve and Alice are your sisters?" Serena asks. "No way..."
"Well, they are my younger sisters and they have quite a dream." Flora sighs. "My dream is to become a designer, I want people to like my clothes."
David says, "And for me, I like inventing. And I just graduated recently and I will like to build more stuff."
Clemont says, "I am glad to meet someone who is similar to me." Bonnie says, "But your inventions always explode." This causes him to be embarrassed.
Ash says, "So Mr. Wikstrom, can you tell us about what happened in this place?"
Wikstrom says, "Since Sir Ash Ketchum asked about it, I shall reveal."
(Flashback)
When Wikstrom was little, he has been in harsh training from his father, from bonding with Honedge to wield it like a true sword, to fighting in a sword fight with his father. His father is a famous knight who has been severed under the royalty of this castle and he swore on his life that his family will protect the owner no matter what.
But as Wikstrom grows up, his Honedge evolves into a Doublade after many battles, the castle is attacked by people in red suits. They have killed the owner and his family, leaving a wounded Wikstrom on the ground with Doublade fainted.
"I am sorry...I failed...master...father...everyone..." After the people in red leave, Wikstrom kneels down with tears on his face. Then he notices a shadow on the ground and the person who approaches him is a woman.
"I have watched everything. It is not your fault that you lost everything, it is those people in red that are at fault. You are a strong knight, why don't you help out my sister so you can avenge your family and your master?"
Wikstrom stares at the eyes of the woman, who holds out her hand to reveal a Dusk Stone, he accepts the stone and goes to Doublade, causing it to evolve into an Aegislash.
"Aegislash..." Wikstrom mutters as Aegislash nods at the man. "With the sword and the shield by my side. I will not fail again." He yells in the sky.
(Flashback ends)
"And the woman that gives me a new light, it is no other than your mother, Aurora Ketchum." Wikstrom says.
"Wow...that is amazing." Ash says. "So did you avenge your family yet?"
Wikstrom says, "I haven't. Which is why I am here, I am going to fight those guys in this place where my family has fallen."
"I see..." David says. "No wonder you are the Famed blade of hardening steel in the Elite 4."
"Elite 4? He is the Elite 4 member?" Bonnie asks.
"Yes, young lady." Wikstrom says, "Mistress Aurora gave me the new light and brought me to Champion Diantha. It is then I was accepted into the Elite 4."
Ash says, "Then can I have a battle with you? It will be a nice warm-up if I am going to challenge the league."
Wikstrom says, "From what I have seen with your determined eyes, I have been trying to know what is in your heart. That's why I want you to take on the tasks of the facility."
"Tasks?" Serena asks in confusion.
"Each pair of Trainer and Pokémon must pass three tasks within the castle, and those who reach the top of the castle are rewarded with Knight Medals for their accomplishment." Wikstrom says.
"Then I'm going to try it out." Ash says. But after a while, Ash is now standing in front of them in an armor suit.
Bonnie says, "Wow, Ash. Now you look like a knight."
"Indeed..." Flora says. "I must say it is very cool."
Serena is blushing a little as she thinks, "Ash like a knight in shining armor...is this for real..."
"So are you ready for the task?" Wikstrom asks.
"Doublade and I are ready." Ash says as they head out of the castle.
The first task for Ash is running ten laps around the castle. Despite the heavy armor he wears, he takes the task on with stride. However, their task is suddenly made harder when Wikstrom's Probopass appears on the track and starts using its magnetic powers to pull him backward. But Ash is not going to give up as he struggles, and the same goes with Doublade.
"That's enough. You've shown enough strength of body and spirit." Wikstrom says as he has Probopass to stop.
The second task for Ash is the Labyrinth of Doubt, as it is meant to test their bravery within a trap-filled maze. On the way, they find Escavalier and other Steel Type Pokemon trying to block their path, but with Doublade's help, they manage to complete the maze without any problem.
"It's a good thing that you're a Ghost Type, Doublade." Ash says with a sigh.
"You have passed the second task." Wikstrom says. "And for the final task, you'll have to fight me and my Aegislash."
Wikstrom throws a sword onto the ground, and Ash picks it up.
Bonnie says, "Ash is having a sword fight?"
"Amazing...I mean, I have only seen those in movies..." Clemont says.
"Ash..." Serena mutters with worry.
"Now let the match begin, En Garde." He says.
"Doublade, start off with the Shadow Sneak." Doublade then goes into the shadows, but Wikstrom stays still and says, "Protect with the King's Shield."
Then Doublade hits the barrier and then it feels its Attack goes lower. Bonnie asks, "What is going on here?"
"That is the King's Shield...a Signature move for Aegislash." Flora says. "King's Shield can lowers the attack of the attacker if it uses the physical move."
"Then use Fury Cutter." As Ash yells, Doublade charges and then Aegislash starts to change its form. "Its form changed." Bonnie says as Dedenne is also surprised.
"Night Slash." Wikstrom says as the attack super effectively hits Doublade, causing it to be down on the ground. "Doublade, are you alright?"
Before Doublade can reply, Wikstrom is striking Ash with his sword, causing him to use his own sword to protect. "If you can't trust your Pokemon, how are you going to fight both me and my Aegislash at the same time?"
"Grr..." Ash mutters as his sword is now sent flying behind him. As Ash notices that he is nothing to protect himself, Doublade rushes in to protect Ash.
"Doublade!" Ash gasps.
"It seems that Doublade has tried to protect you, that is good loyalty. Shall we continue?" Wikstrom asks as Aegislash, who is in Blade Form, looks at Doublade.
"You bet." Ash says, but then, a net appears and it traps Aegislash.
"What's going on?" Flora asks.
(Insert Team Rocket Motto)
"You guys again?" Bonnie yells.
"It is us again, we are going to take this Aegislash." Meowth says.
"A true knight will be able to wield a sword and a shield, and that will be us." Jessie says.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt." Ash says as Pikachu tries to use electricity to break the net, but it fails. "It is no use, like usual, we already have precautions for Electric Pokemon." James boasts.
Wikstrom says, "A Knight is served to good masters, but all I can see is the evil inside you." He takes out the Pokeball and says, "Scizor, use Metal Claw."
As the Pokemon appears, it breaks the net easily, causing the trio to get shocked. "What?"
As Aegislash floats back down, Jessie says, "Then we will force you to give it to us! Yanmega! Ancient Power!" "Ammonguss, use Hidden Power!"
As two Pokemon are attacking at both Pokemon, Wikstrom says, "Iron Defense." Then they are shielded as Wikstorm opens a small door on his armor and reveals a Key Stone.
"Let the Mega Evolution wipe the evilness. Let's go, Scizor." As the Pokemon Mega Evolve, Ash and the others are in awe. "A Mega Scizor..." Clemont says.
"Use X Scissor." Then the Scizor slashes the Yanmega, sending it to Amoonguss and then the trio, causing them to fall on the ground.
"And Aegislash, Flash Cannon." Then Aegislash uses the move to send the trio flying.
"We're blasting off again!" They yell as they disappear once more. Scizor also returns back to normal and Ash says, "I am sorry, Mr. Wikstrom. Our battle is interrupted."
"That should be fine, sir Ash Ketchum. I have the answers from your battle, you reminded me of when I was little. Therefore, you have passed the third task and this Knight Medal belongs to you now."
Ash is happy as he gets the medal of the knight, and then Wikstrom asks, "And if you don't mind, will you have the honor of letting me teach you some of the tricks of the knights?"
Ash, Doublade, and Pikachu are interested as they agree, and then they have been training in the yard as the others are watching.
In the evening, Ash asks, "So it is your turn to come with us?"
Flora says, "Yeah. We have been waiting for this after all."
David says, "Besides, we know the route to Coumarine City after all. So it will be great if we come with you."
"Not at all." Serena says.
Wikstrom then takes out an egg and says, "Sir Ash Ketchum. If you must, I want you to take this egg."
"An egg?" Ash is confused as he accepts it, then Wikstrom says, "A knight also cares for Pokemon, so I trust you to take good care of this egg."
"I will not fail you. Thanks for everything. Mr. Wikstrom." Ash and the others bid farewell to him as they leave the Shalour City.
Well, an original chapter featuring the Elite 4 member Wikstrom, and the reveal of two new companions for Ash and his group. I hope you like this chapter.