Savoir-faire – To Know and To Do

Bulbapedia says that Kalos is based on real-life France. I tried to give Kalos a bit more historic background than was really featured in the games, but most of that history seems to be wrapped up with European history and legend. Am I the only one who sees Yveltal as a Morrighan figure? Or Xerneas as a Cernunnos?

V: Amuser – To Amuse

Day 8: As a favour to Viola, we set out to catch a rare shiny Caterpie for the Santalune Gym. Hence, it was not until Day 7 that we set out towards Parterre Way. Young Trainers, I analyse, do not seem curious about the unusual shape of the parterre gardens that give the Way its name, but rather more preoccupied with the Gardeners that challenge them for disturbing said jardins. I cannot blame them; it is to be expected...

The Pokéball opened, revealing Liz with its tentacles waving about and pinkish form heated in the sun. It grouchily glared at the two Corphish that the two gardeners used to team up against us. Beside Liz, Donar's Froakie looked terrified.

"What's that-" Donar was about to say, but I was pondering about my next move.

"Would it be more important to give Froakie training, or to win the match?" I questioned Liz, who giggled and waved her flower towards Froakie. "Very well. You are to provide support then."

"What do we do?" Donar mumbled.

"In a Double Battle, both Pokémon support each other," I replied. "In this case, Liz shall restrain those Corphish while Froakie attacks them. Use Pound; Lick might not do much to these crustaceans."

"Okay... how is she going to do that?" Donar blinked. "I mean, she's too light-"

"Liz!" I called. "Grass Knot!"

My Floette giggled as it lifted her flower. The grass rippled, knots of grass tangling their legs together.

Deneb roared, the Ivysaur tangled in the Grass Knot as we battled Ramos's Gogoat, the old goat that would outlast anyone-

"Froakie, now!" Donar called, having clearly caught on. Froakie dashed forward – or, rather, leapt forward – and pounded one of them. The other Corphish moaned, stumbling into its fallen partner and tripping flat.

I shook my head, realising that it was not a hectic Gym battle, but rather a casual interference of two gardeners. "We win."

Having collected the purse from the two gardeners, we then proceeded down Parterre Way.

"Is this a glorified garden or something?" Donar frowned. "'Cause I've been to Celadon, and this is way too manicured compared to the Celadon Gym."

"A parterre is a formal garden constructed on a level surface, consisting of planting beds arranged to form a pleasing, usually symmetrical pattern, with gravel paths laid between," I recited. "The beds are edged in stone or tightly clipped hedging and need not contain any flowers. The jardins of Parfum Palace near Camphrier Town are held to be the height of Kalosian landscape architecture. This is a remnant of that history that Santalune City maintains yearly."

"Why?"

"Tourist attraction."

"I can't imagine why would anyone want to just... walk through these gardens," Donar mumbled as we passed the gold fountain featuring a Clampearl and four Horsea set in the middle of Kalos Route 4.

"The point is symmetry," I argued. "Fliers from above can spot the symmetrical patterns of the mazes formed by the hedges. It is also within this garden that the extremely rare Ralts linger, hence it is also a form of nature reserve."

The boy had the audacity to yawn as we passed by another young Trainer setting camp. "People camp out in the gardens?"

"It's illegal," I replied as one of the draconian gardeners spotted the camp and went over. "Hence the phrase I have just used, nature reserve."

Yelling in Kalosian became our accompaniment for a brief moment before we came upon the exit of the Way into Lumiose, where two students in white were waiting for us.

"Dr du Bois!" Both girl and boy screamed.

For Augustine's students who were also Trainers, I thought of them as surprisingly cowardly. Sina cringed as I approached, and Dexio turned surprisingly pale. From the Trainer supposed to be taming that Garchomp, he was really going to have to work on that. Both of them tried to recover, but the boy caught them.

"Guess you inspire fear wherever you go, Doc?" Donar asked.

"Sina and Dexio were at the laboratory when I was in my Pokémon voyage," I replied. "I suppose they're wondering about Serena. She should have arrived in Lumiose right before us."

"That's about right," Sina replied. "Erm, you look as malevolent as always."

"There's no need to stand on ceremony, Sina," I said. "We are all part of the Kalos academia, are we not?"

Dexio stepped back. "Erm, Professor Sycamore got us to escort the both of you to the lab! Please, come along!"

"Dexio is a Pokémon voyage veteran," I commented. "You could ask him about the Kalos region and sites to see."

As we set out to Lumiose and the Laboratoire de recherche Pokémon, I distantly heard Dexio comment: "So, you're the poor chap that got stuck with Dr du Bois?"

"Erm, I don't know about poor, but yeah, I am," Donar answered as we entered the capital of Kalos, the Dazzling Metropolis, Lumiose City.

"Figured out why she's going to be tagging you yet?" Dexio asked. "'Cause you should shake her off before her Chandelure roasts you."

"Dexio," Sina interrupted them. "Hi, I'm Sina! It's a beautiful name for a beautiful lady! This is Dexio. We're Professor Sycamore's research assistants, which means that we train Pokémon for research purposes! We're still trying to match up how does the Fairy type perform against others, you know."

"That sounds interesting," Donar agreed. "Do you guys work with her?"

Silence.

"Not... per se..." Sina answered, her voice strained.

"Dr du Bois only just got her professorship," Dexio explained. "She's definitely higher than us who are just associates, but she still reports to Professor Sycamore, though she calls him by his first name."

"We also work in different fields," Sina continued. "Professor Sycamore specialises in Kalos's regional secret of Mega Evolution. Dr du Bois takes Pokémon and human sociology; basically branching out in Oak's speciality, but in a more theoretical field."

"Ten years ago she entered the lab under mysterious circumstances," Sina agreed. "And she looks so much like her."

"Her?" Donar blinked. "What are you talking about?"

"The Kalos Champion," Sina whispered. "The heroine of Kalos, Daisy Linden! She won against Diantha at only sixteen years old!"

"She disappeared after that last major strike against Team Flare, right?" Donar asked, frowning. "What does Dr du Bois have to do with anything?"

"We don't know," Sina imparted.

"But she's terrifying," Dexio continued.

I left for my apartment when Augustine was talking to the new generation of Trainers for my house. My landlord was out again, so I let myself in with my keys. I rifled through my mail – nothing outstanding – and cleaned a bit before I left for Lumiose, where I dropped into Coiffure Clips for a trim and style, if only to keep my bangs out of my face for the next year of fieldwork.

I snorted at the latest Looker Bureau leaflet. Its founder was gone, but it looked like Emma, or rather, Essentia, was still going strong. The layout of the leaflet was atrocious, though. Probably Nix.

I dropped the mail, checked through my computer, and paused at one. Then I signed out, checked through my house, locked up and left for the Sycamore Research Laboratory. Since Augustine probably had a script for the new generation, I estimated that it would take him about half an hour to amaze the new Trainers with the Kanto starters and run through everything of importance.

The five Trainers were not around when I arrived, but Augustine was, and he looked nervous as he dropped the cordless phone back into its cradle. "Marguerite... it's Bertie."

"What?"

"It's Bertie," Augustine repeated, his eyes dancing to either side of his head. "He... Parfum Palace."

"No," I whispered. "W- What about Jeeves?"

"Down for the count," Augustine swallowed. "Marguerite-"

"Say no more," I huffed, turning around. "I'm going to Camphrier."

Much unlike the systems I knew of Kanto, Kalos's Professor Sycamore tended towards the busy side of life. Thus, the few times he and I – or rather, my mother and he – had communicated, it was via Holo Caster, the Kalos region's hot new method of communication that was now League property due to the Lysandre mess, apparently. This would become relevant in the next bit of my life.

It was being surrounded by the rumours about Dr du Bois that I met Professor Sycamore face to face for the first time. The youngest of the regional Pokémon professors gave me a bright grin that seemed to disappear about ten years off of his face, and he was the consummate flirt, if Dr du Bois's expression was any indication as she left me to attend to other business regarding her Lumiose house. I hadn't been aware that she owned a house.

"So, anyway, we've met in Aquacorde Town before, but... welcome to Lumiose City!" Professor Sycamore began. "Many thanks for coming all the way from Vaniville Town, all of you! It's a real pleasure to finally meet all of you when I'm not busy. Have you met many Pokémon?"

"We've seen thirty-nine different kinds," I volunteered. "But I've only got two Pokémon, and well..."

"Well, both of you have a certain je ne sais quoi," Sycamore was giving us a sly look. "At first, I was going to only choose one child from one town when I was giving out Pokémon. In Vaniville, it was going to be the daughter of a veteran Trainer I know."

Serena, my mind supplied.

"Certain events, though..." Professor Sycamore looked down, suddenly reflective. "I made that mistake once, to underestimate the wrong child. I wouldn't want to make it again."

"Hi Prof!" Shauna arrived with Serena in tow.

"Très bien," Professor Sycamore exclaimed. "Now, let's all have a Pokémon battle! Your opponent shall be me!"

I looked around. Serena was the first to step up, smiling.

"Just so you know," Professor Sycamore mentioned as he led us to an indoor field, "I'm not that tough! Go, Bulbasaur!"

I saw Dexio stare, unblinking as a small, quadruped Pokémon with bluish-green skin and dark patches appeared. Its thick legs each end with three sharp claws. Its eyes has red irises, while the sclera and pupils were white. A pair of small, pointed teeth were visible as it gave a battle cry, the bulb on its back flashing.

"Go, Elmo!" Serena called.

Instead of the tiny fox, a bipedal, fox-like Pokémon appeared. While the majority of its fur was yellow, it has black legs, white arms, face and neck, and a dark orange tail tip. The fur on its cheeks was longer, and a small mane of white fur covered its shoulders and chest. Long, wavy tufts of dark orange fur grew out of its large ears, and its eyes and small nose matched. Above its legs, the fur swept out to either side like a skirt. A stick in its tail poked out.

"Oh, it evolved!" Professor Sycamore whistled.

I immediately pulled out my PokéDex. Braixen, the Fox Pokémon. It has a twig stuck in its tail. With friction from its tail fur, it sets the twig on fire and launches into battle.

"It's a Fire/Psychic dual-type," Serena commented. "Bulbasaur, in comparison, is a Grass/Poison dual-type, rendering him doubly vulnerable. Elmo, Psybeam!"

Rings of energy surrounded the tiny creature, putting it out of its misery soon enough.

"Bulbasaur is unable to battle," Sina declared as the Professor recalled it. "Braixen wins."

"This next one won't be so easy!" Professor Sycamore warned. "Go, Squirtle!"

The famous turtle Pokémon appeared next.

"Elmo!" Serena snapped. "Psybeam again!"

The Charmander that came out got this same treatment again, prompting Professor Sycamore to laugh. "You're too much! You're really something, aren't you, Serena? I think I've figured it out!"

"Figured what out?" Shauna gaped.

"It'll be interesting if Serena were to take along another Pokémon," Professor Sycamore said. "Here, pick one!"

Serena's hand automatically reached for the Squirtle, releasing him to cuddle immediately.

"You two, pick one too!" Professor Sycamore volunteered.

"There's too many choices!" Shauna exclaimed. "What do I choose?"

"You'll be together for a long time," Professor Sycamore replied. "Best you choose one you get along with."

Being a gentleman, I let Shauna choose first, thus leaving the Bulbasaur in my hands.

"Because you guys chose their respective Pokémon, you can have this Mega Stone," Professor Sycamore volunteered, giving me a stone that glowed momentarily.

I put the stone away, before releasing Bulbasaur. The Seed Pokémon gaped at me as I opened my PokéDex. "For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back."

I looked from the entry to Bulbasaur, who squealed. "Bulba, bulba!"

I knelt down to be level with those large, trusting red eyes. "Bulbasaur... listen. I'm a new Trainer, so I might not know too much about the care and feeding of Pokémon, but I promise... I will try. Will you be my partner?"

"Bulba!" it cheerfully replied in a way I took as yes.

"I've got a feeling everyone might show us soon." Professor Sycamore mentioned as Tierno and Trevor entered.

"Hi, Professor Sycamore," Trevor greeted.

"Look, everyone's here," Tierno said.

"Self-fulfilling prophecy," Dr du Bois dismissed.

"Très bien," Professor Sycamore said. "Everyone's here. So now that we're all gathered here, allow me to say a few words. Be the best Trainer that you can be, and remember to have fun travelling with your Pokémon! Also, I'd like to ask for your help in solving the Kalos region's biggest secret; the secret and potential of Mega Evolution, a new kind of evolution that occurs in battle! That Mega Stone holds an important clue!"

"Mega Evolution?" Trevor gaped. "What should we do about the PokéDex?"

"Trevor, my boy," Professor Sycamore explained. "If that's what being the best Trainer means to you, then I want you to go out there and complete that PokéDex!"

"Mega Evolution sounds really interesting!" Shauna commented.

"If you're so interested in it, why don't you check out Camphrier Town?" Professor Sycamore suggested. "That town has a lot of history; you might just find it! But I'll caution you first."

"Caution?" Serena echoed.

"Mega Evolution has been mastered by the Champions of Kalos since the phenomenon begun," Professor Sycamore stated, completely serious. "The power that can be reached through Mega Evolution is how Daisy Linden took the Elite Four by storm. And even before her, Diantha is a master of Mega Evolution. Lysandre of Team Flare, even as he did terrible things, he amassed great power through Mega Evolution. That power is one that deserves respect and is accepted by the best."

"Now listen," the Professor finished his speech at last. "If you visit many different places to complete the PokéDex, you will probably see Pokémon with many ways of living and people with different ways of thinking. First, accept the ways of living and thinking that sometimes conflict with your own, and think about what's really important – this will truly broaden your horizons!"

The Professor held me back for a private speech as the rest left, Serena with a vague mention of meeting up at Café Soleil. "How are you getting along with Dr du Bois, Donar?"

"I'm fine," I replied. "Dr du Bois is just... a bit strange, but she's nice. She gets along with Froakie and Fletchling."

"I see," Professor Sycamore looked nervous. "You're fine with being her case study, right?"

"Yeah," I nodded in trepidation.

"Well, erm... maybe..." Professor Sycamore hesitated for only a brief moment before he plundered on. "As you might have noticed, the researchers are all rather nervous about Dr du Bois."

I nodded, silently waiting.

"Dr du Bois... Dr du Bois survived the Geosenge implosion caused by Team Flare," Professor Sycamore cringed. "She is not completely... intact, though she has a marvellous mind. And her Pokémon... they're monstrously strong, even if half of them are Ghosts she adopted from outside Lumiose. I hope you can understand that... if you don't want to continue, I understand. I'll pull Dr du Bois's fieldwork right away. I have your Holo Caster number, and you can always give me a call. Alright?"

"Yes, Professor," I nodded quickly. "But, Dr du Bois... she needs this work, right?"

Professor Sycamore fixed me with a very serious look. "It is not worth your life, Donar."

A- Are you serious? Really? "She's been helpful. She's a genius in battling, she could probably give any Champion a run for their money."

"That girl..." Professor Sycamore sighed. In that light, he looked very tired. "It's not my story to relate. Just know that... please look out for yourself. Dr du Bois can take care of herself, but she frequently ignores the safety of other humans."

"Why?" I asked. "Does she hate them?"

Professor Sycamore shook his head. "The opposite. But, even the love of people won't save her from heartbreak."

Professor Sycamore's warning haunted me all the way to Café Soleil, where Serena's declaration of rivalry was nearly lost on me until Elmo blew a stray Ember.

"Ow!" I screamed. "What?"

"Are you even paying attention?" she demanded, her blonde hair a mess under her red hat. "I said, we're going to be competing to be the best, so let's have a battle some time!"

I was about to open my mouth to refuse, but then a thought occurred to me. Shauna was, to put it kindly, a tourist with a Trainer's license. Tierno was more obsessed with the PokéDex, and Tierno the same with Pokémon dances. Plus, there was the fact that Serena had trounced all three Pokémon, one with a type disadvantage, and her starter had already evolved. "Sure. But... I need more Pokémon first."

Serena gave me a grim smile. "First to the Coumarine Gym? That's the fourth one," she added, almost remembering that I was new to the Kalos region.

"I think Dr du Bois might know the way, but thanks."

Her smile immediately dropped off of her face as she looked at me. "She's not... threatening you, right?"

"What? No!" I shook my head. "She's been nice, really. Bit odd, but nice."

"She's creepy," Serena hissed. "Are you sure?"

"I'll... I'll watch out," I lamely finished, aware on some level that Dr du Bois would be very aware of what we discussed.

My Holo Caster beeped, and the contents of the message was about to become very relevant to my life in the next few seconds.

Meet me at entrance to Route 5. We're setting out now.

That wasn't it. It was what came on the heels of the first message:

Bring your friend along.

Bertram Wooster was one of the silliest Trainers I had ever met; that air of someone whose head was so far up in the clouds that he had forgotten that the ground existed was dangerous for him. Luckily, fate had given him an inherited Granbull that did its job as attack dog, and a devoted retainer Gallade who could put any human butler to shame. His main priority in joining the Château, taking the inherited seat of Baron Yaxley, was meant to attempt to distribute his millions in as exciting a manner as possible. He told me once that his losses would go to feed hungry Trainers; I have studied his win-loss record, and concluded that against the well-to-do, his valet was absolutely ruthless, while the Granbull was content with just lying down to take the attacks on the battlefield, or even slow its reflexes.

Either way, in the times that followed Team Flare, I found a friend in Bertie, and when he acquired partial ownership of Parfum Palace I almost looked forward to seeing him on a regular basis. He is not a reliable man, but he tries, and Jeeves makes it possible. That Gallade was a mean butler, a terrifying valet, and he knew Psycho Cut and could use those skills with great prejudice.

Augustine told me that Parfum Palace and Bertie were under attack. I could barely think.

"Are you psychic?" was what greeted me as I turned to face the two young Trainers. "How'd you know that I was with Serena?"

Altair growled lowly, daring the boy for disturbing our reminiscence. I huffed, reminding him via telepathy that the boy did not know that we had met here when Altair was still under Korrina's training. My assurance might have lacked strength, distracted as I was.

"Good, you're here," I began. "To that end, I have an errand to perform in Parfum Palace, hence us leaving Lumiose post-haste. You'll have to return for your Voltage Badge, so no harm done, really. This route, Versant Road, will take us to Camphrier Town. I will leave you at Rivière Walk while I perform this errand."

"Why?" Serena demanded. "Aren't you supposed to follow our schedule instead of the other way around?"

"There is a major conference to be held in Parfum Palace, and I need to notify the new proprietor," I informed her, leaving out a few minor details. "If you do so, I will sponsor your team to receive Super Potions."

Serena hesitated, her desire for better-quality healing tools winning out. It was open bribery, but my investment accounts could take it, and the shortfall could be won at the Battle Château nearby. Hence, we ran along Versant Road, only stopping here and there for a Trainer battle that, to my surprise, Donar took to easily.

"That's... interesting," Serena finally pronounced as Donar finished his fifth battle. "How did you train?"

"Huh?" Donar blinked. "I just pitched him to play a prank on Altair."

I looked towards my Lucario, who looked awkwardly contrite. The battle-honed instincts of Lucario used to train a Froakie would make-

Serena made a brief shout, but it was no ambush; rather, Froakie gave an abrupt croak and began glowing. Light enveloped its lengthening and increasing form, before it gave a startled shout and then... the light died.

"Frog?" the blue Pokémon gave a croak. It looked more humanoid, the dark blue skin over its face, back and paws shaped like a hood, a cloak and gloves on a Koga shinobi. A length of white cotton-like substance was wrapped around its neck, and as part of it broke off to pop, I realised that it was, in fact, a wreath of bubbles.

"Frogadier, the Bubble Frog Pokémon," Serena had pulled out her PokéDex. "Its swiftness is unparalleled. It can scale a tower of more than 2,000 feet in a minute's evolved!"

"Alright!" Donar dived, giving the stunned Frogadier a high-five that was reluctantly returned. "Frogadier, have a Galette!"

The regional delicacy won out, the frog taking the treat with relish.

"Now we can have that battle!" Serena offered.

"Frogadier needs to get used to its new form," I corrected hurriedly. "The process can take up to two days. No intense battles until then."

"Y- Yes, Dr du Bois!" Donar answered, before turning to Frogadier. "Let's try walking, partner!"

"Frog!"

We reached through the gates of Camphrier Town in a flash, and then I turned to the two of them.

"Do you see that?" I pointed to where the river flowed, emptying past the tree-line of Camphrier and towards the ocean. "You may go as far as the end of Rivière Walk, but no further. Donar, find the Hotel Camphrier; there shall be two rooms under Linden, already paid for. Serena and you will take those rooms. Most likely, I will be delayed as Parfum Palace. Call me at ten pm. if I have not found you, understand? Serena, your money. You can buy your Potions at the Pokémon Centre."

"Dr du Bois?" Donar gaped at me. "What's wrong?"

"A Pokémon," I replied, before turning away and setting out for Palais Lane with Altair in tow. Palais Lane was shady, trees growing on either side of the walkway that led to Parfum Palace. As I ran with Altair, I unleashed the Ultra Ball on my belt, letting Aegis have free reign. "Shadow Sneak!"

I closed my eyes as the familiar cold wash of shadow shrouded Altair and I. The shadows passed for an indefinite moment, before they vanished and we dropped on the lawn of the pathways to Parfum Palace.

I remembered this building; after two years of litigation, the owner was brought up on charges of illegal property holding and affiliation with Team Flare. Since that was a guaranteed lynching right there, on top of a bankruptcy, he packed up and left with his stupid Furfrou. Parfum Palace was reclaimed by the Pokémon League, and was partly acquired by the Kanto millionaire Wooster, who paid for the entire reclamation in exchange for a few conditions. Parfum Palace shouldn't have been attacked-

"Aegis!" Purple sash wrapped around my hand, the shield easily detaching to my left arm as I hefted Aegis's main body with my right arm. "Good. Altair, come in from the fences."

I went for the direct approach, charging the gates that featured Serperior and other serpentine Pokémon I had no interest in identifying at the current moment. The gold gates fell as I swung Aegis, cutting through the bolts. There were no guards about as I ran up the paved driveway; that was my first clue that there was something very wrong here. If there was no sign of a struggle-

My sword met a near-identical shield, more battered and dented than should be possible, and I leapt back, brandishing Aegis. An Aegislash, even its corpse, made for a surprisingly useful set of weaponry even after the original possessor had gone; this was the reason why Dusk Stones were rewarded as weapons for the princes du sang of the Dynasties era. Honedge were the companions of the soldiers, Doublade the squires of swordsmen; Aegislash were the weapons, compatriots and followers of knights and kings.

There were only two people I knew who had the ability and interest to befriend an Aegislash long enough to swing its body around so easily. I was one of them. Therefore...

I straightened my posture. "Why is the Elite Four here?"

The gates slammed shut, and a female Pyroar gave a small hiss behind me.

"This Parfum Palace is a precious memento, isn't it?" my armoured assailant replied, shifting. His armour clinked as he walked, but otherwise he was completely silent. Overhead, a large, bat-like Noivern squawked as it guarded the surrounding airspace.

"What about Bertie? Jeeves?" I retorted. "This is their home! They paid for the restoration of the whole castle, in exchange for one wing!"

Water pumps broke, their spray enveloping the walkway. A huge Pokémon, presumably the Barbaracle to complete the bunch, ran its claws on the gravel path about ten metres behind me. I surreptitiously checked the reflective surface of Aegis's under-shield. Nine metres. Yes, it was the Barbaracle.

"All four of you just for me?" I glared at the brown-haired man in armour. "This is overkill."

"I told him that, princess," a familiar drawl echoed by my right as the red-haired Holo Caster star, Malva, appeared.

She was joined on my left by a sighing, masculine voice. "Ah, the memory of you remains as fresh as the spring that feeds the thirsty."

"Goodness, hello again!" the older, feminine voice sang from above. "I'm sorry for the ambush. Rest assured that Bertram is fine, as is Jeeves. We wouldn't want to offend either them or McIntosh now, would we?"

"Given that McIntosh is a Granbull, I can see why you would be reluctant to piss him off," I bit back in reply. "The blade of the Elite Four, Wikstrom. The raging spectre, Malva. Dragon mistress, Drasna. First-order Chef of the Water, Siebold. Just need one more to complete the set, I see."

"That title is not mine to accept. You should know that."

Slowly, I turned to face the woman in white. Age had not diminished her beauty in any respect, from how her greying hair still curled into that bun, to how her skin seemed free of wrinkles and she floated along life as if suspended from a breeze. She was still the elegant, cultured and learned icon of Kalos that she had been when Lysandre tried to destroy everything with the power of the Legendary Pokémon of Kalos. Beside her floated her signature Gardevoir, the one that all Trainers that had fought the Elite Four and lived through to see before she destroyed their ambitions until the next round.

"You look good enough to accept the Ditto Awards," I spat back at the current reigning Champion of Kalos, who had continued reigning after the disappearance of Daisy Linden. "Which you did, in full view of the Prism Tower. Congratulations on another milestone in your career."

"Thank you," Diantha replied, toying with the charm on her necklace. The light kept flashing at me. "But you know as well as I do that, in the eyes of the Pokémon League, the Kalos throne is no longer mine to award. Even though you have resigned, and even though I have retaken it, to much of Kalos, their champion remains the heroine who destroyed Team Flare, Daisy Linden. Ten years ago, after the destruction of Team Flare's Geosenge base, the Champion disappeared."

"I gave you my reasons and resignation-"

"I may have burned it," Malva commented.

"How dare you." I then looked up at the smiling Drasna astride her Noivern. "What about you?"

"Oh, dear," Drasna waved a hand. "I forgot. To me, it just felt like Her Serene Highness has not stepped into the Crystal Palace for a long time. Ten years long, in fact."

"The skill of your sword has yet to stiffen with time," Wikstrom offered, smiling fondly.

"Daisy Linden disappeared from public life ten years ago," Diantha continued her narrative, her clear bell-like tone surely a factor of her success upon the silver screens. "But her Trainer license remained active, her Training progress logged via Holo Caster, and her location known to certain personnel."

I was reduced to helplessly gesturing with Aegis in hand, the blade dangerously wavering. "Augustine told you, didn't he?"

"He was... concerned," Diantha replied. "For your welfare as much as that of the Kalos League."

"The traitor," I snapped, but without heat. "So after ten years, it looks like you haven't found Daisy Linden. Looks like you'll have to wait for someone else to title themselves SAS."

"I admit, it took a while before we realised that Wikstrom taught you Kalosian," Diantha nodded in acknowledgement. "Linden du Bois... that wasn't very thorough, hiding your middle name as your family name."

I could feel my breathing quicken.

"Furthermore, the style of the Champion of Kalos is a secret," Diantha continued. "You have just confirmed my thought, Dr du Bois. The Kalosian name for the daisy flower is Marguerite. Linden du Bois, the lime of the woods."

My fingers tightened around Aegis's hilt.

"By returning to the woods, you destroyed your own identity, and by the blessing of Xerneas is reborn," Diantha pronounced. "Daisy Linden... no, the-"

"Shadow Sneak!" I screamed, throwing myself into the shadows.

The Noivern shrieked overhead, before I dodged the Pyroar that latched itself to my calf. Wikstrom sent his own Aegislash into true battle against Aegis. Altair leapt down, finishing the Pyroar off and beginning to do battle with the Barbaracle.

"Aegis, Shadow Sneak!" I called as I backed towards Altair. My partner Lucario looped a paw around my elbow as both sword and shield somersaulted and wrapped around us.

"Gourgeist!" Diantha released that irritant as we disappeared. "Phantom Force!"

I could not see anything, but Aegis was ducking from shadow to shadow, trying to shake off the spectre of Samhaine that was tailing us. We reached the entrance of Palais Lane before erupting from the shadows, and I let go of Aegis's hilt to use its shield and whacked the pumpkin over its head. Using any other weapon, it would not have worked, but Aegislash were part Ghost. "Aegis! Night Slash!"

Dark as night and twice as black, the attack sent Diantha's Pokémon away and we ran. Before long, Altair skidded to a halt as a Noivern bellowed overhead before landing before us, a Chandelure appeared from the shadows, and Wikstrom had taken me down from behind by the application of a jump and full-body pin.

An armoured man is a heavy burden, and Wikstrom was no lightweight to begin with. He crashed down on my back, and we rolled down the path until Wikstrom had gained the upper hand to weigh me down by sheer application of mass. I tried to knee him, but that armour was authentic in the extreme that it carried a groin guard.

"Let go," I hissed towards the self-proclaimed remainder of the Kalos chevaliers. "If you value me as a Champion, you will let me go now."

"Ah, you remain as independent as the girl who challenged the elite of Kalos and won," Wikstrom rumbled as he reached down, undoing the buckle deftly with a gauntleted hand. "This is not a fair, or honourable battle, it pains me, sooth. Yet I am but a blade, and a blade will find any way to succeed for its master. You have mastered your Aegislash well, as befits your majestic dignity."

"Wikstrom," I whispered as the belt came free, and with them the rest of my creatures. That was right as Diantha Teleported to the scene with an anti-climatic pop, her Gardevoir's arm hooked by her elbow.

"At least listen before you must return to the woods, Pucelle," the Steel Master persuaded as he got to his feet, holding the belt up. I felt my body lift, imprisoned with Psychic forces and held at the will of Diantha's Gardevoir. Altair and Aegis quietly followed, aware that one side had won and our side had lost. For the moment. Always for the moment.

I was somewhat pleased, though, that the commotion had disrupted Drasna's serenity, had given Malva a split lip, and that somehow Siebold had been drenched by his own Barbaracle – the reason that he did not give chase was apparently because he was drying out. Even Diantha was not unscathed; her iconic white outfit bore singe marks and other assorted markings that made it a casualty of the Pokémon battlefield.

"I apologise," Diantha sighed as we moved up the driveway of Parfum Palace. "I kept seeing the girl I spoke to in Lumiose City and Coumarine City so long ago. I kept seeing the Trainer that excelled far more in battles, far more than Augustine could predict, far more than anyone could foresee. With no one your age to share this burden... with no one who could possibly comprehend, we turned a girl into a weapon, alone, friendless and cursed. Daisy- No. Marguerite Linden du Bois. Please listen to us, before you escape once more."

"Let me go," I struggled futilely. "I quit. I feel silly and stupid, you know? Everyone is older than me. It's even more obvious now."

"You still look yourself," Diantha persuaded. "Fresh as a daisy flower, barely sweet sixteen. Will you listen?"

"I don't have a choice, do I?" I admitted. "Wikstrom has the rest of my team."

"Very well," Diantha motioned for Gardevoir to bring me towards the main entrance of Parfum Palace. "Let us talk. At last."

In the half-hour since Dr du Bois took off at top speed towards Parfum Palace, Serena and I had found a Smeargle, challenged Tierno and Trevor to a double battle and won, especially Frogadier, and become covered with paint near a fancy building, only to come face to face with Leader Viola while being covered in paint.

As to how these series of events came to be unfolded, kindly attend.

Serena recalled how Flabébé gathered along these quarters. Well, now that we were here at Route 7, she was hunting high and low for the elusive Fairy-type Pokémon before Trevor popped up, challenged us to that double battle, and revealed that he had caught one.

Needless to say, Serena set it on fire with Elmo, declared that she could find other Fairy-type Pokémon, and then stepped back to accidentally find a Smeargle by virtue of having stepped onto its tail.

They were, though rare in the wild, were the staple Pokémon of the Artists that littered Rivière Walk. Hence, the owner of that Smeargle thought I was attacking it, and threw his paints at us.

To cut a long story short, we ran, got into the Battle Château, and then realised that not only was the interior of the unassuming stone building too posh, that Gym Leader Viola herself was looking at us. "If it isn't Donar and Serena," Viola greeted us, camera in hand and clearly itching for that shot. "What's your title in the nobility?"

"Nobility?" I echoed.

"What?" Viola echoed in dismay. "You don't have a title? That's a surprise. No one could doubt that a kid as strong as you should have one. See, your title at the Battle Château reflects how strong you are."

"Really?" Serena brightened.

"Only a handful of Trainers can join the ranks of the nobility and earn those titles!" Viola agreed, clearly enjoying showing off.

An older man stepped forth, so silently that he may as well have oiled over. "Lady Viola, are you acquainted with these young gentleman and lady?"

"They won a badge from the Santalune Gym against yours truly!" Viola showed off. "Hennessy, you know that I am skilled at finding talent. After all, I found your second Grand Duchess, didn't I?"

"Mademoiselle Linden was a fine Trainer, excelling even Duke Calem," Hennessy agreed.

"Hey, that's my dad!" Serena excitedly told me.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both, my lord and lady," the man bowed. "My name is Hennessy. Might I ask for your names?"

"Donar Oak." I stiffly replied.

"Serena Calme," Serena offered.

"Fine names, one and all," Hennessy replied.

"I will gladly recommend them, so could you grant them beginning titles?" Viola enquired. "They have the makings of wonderful Trainers, and I'm sure they will both contribute to the Battle Château."

"If you are willing to speak for them, Lady Viola, then that is more than sufficient." Hennessy declared with a grand wave. "Sir Donar, Lady Serena, you are hereby granted the titles of Baron and Baroness!"

"So... what's the point?" I asked after that declaration, waiting for maybe Ho-Oh to swoop down and carry me to heaven on rainbow wings.

"Trainers with noble titles can do battle against other Trainers with titles here at the Battle Château," Hennessy stiffly explained. "The title of barony places both of you at the lowest rank of nobility, nobles though you may be. Continue to battle here, and your victories will increase your rank and your title. Then, higher-ranking members of the nobility might appear to do battle with you, good sir. If you have any enquiries, the two clerks at the main entrance shall be delighted to receive them."

I pondered it, thinking the most ridiculous thing about what seemed to be a high-ranking circle of the Kalos region's most powerful Trainers. "It sounds like a super-secret clubhouse."

Viola giggled as Serena gave a hoarse choke on empty air. Hennessy looked like he was about to have a real, full-on conniption fit. "Very well, Sir Donar. I shall take my leave now."

"I'm a Marchioness, so let's battle again when you reach my level!" Viola offered cheerfully, showing the gap in her teeth.

A passing butler handed up hot towels that made short work of the Smeargle paint, even on clothes. It was as I was dabbing off that I looked at the entrance, and I was struck by the papers that hung on the notice above the main counter. Silver, gold, red, blue, white and black, all bearing writings and names and dates, dotted the counter, heaped upon each other. As an irate woman in a furisode passed, I saw a passing maid fill out a silver paper and paste it over the stack.

"Those are Writs of Challenge," Viola informed me when I asked. "They're papers we fill out for a small fee amongst the nobility of the Château. Depending on the colour, over the course of the day they will have an effect on the type of Trainers we pair up against each other. For example, a normal and Silver Writ would invite more battles, Gold Writs increase winnings, Blue Writs make battles easier but cost a bomb to fill, Red Writs call for a more demanding battle rotation, and Black increases both the difficulty of the battle rotation and increases winnings. You can fill in more than one Writ at a time, but all will expire at midnight."

"Then what happens to that pile?" I motioned.

"They set it on fire," Viola replied. "The ash is recycled to fertiliser to grow the Berry trees at the nearby farm that we make our paper from. They also keep the Château warm throughout the year. The only thing worse than a Sinnoh winter is the Kalos winter."

I absently agreed, staring at the entire stack of paper that was stuck onto that wall with spit and prayer, that was apparently incinerated each day for the warmth of an entire castle.

Over the top, I spotted that there were no Black Writs, and asked.

"The Black Writ is limited to the Grand Duchy." Viola frowned. "I don't blame them. It's basically a challenge to the entire Château, a battle royale against the best Trainers of Kalos."

"So who's that guy?"

"Diantha was, until Daisy Linden unseated her."

I whistled. "So if the Champion is equivalent to their Grand Duchess, that means that whoever becomes Champion also becomes Grand Duke or Duchess, right?"

Viola shook her head, motioning to the very top of the wall, where a single white square hung. It hung wide enough to see visibly, but time and age had rotted it until the gilt edging and letters were barely visible.

"That's where my name comes from!" Serena pointed towards the banner at the apex, the topmost that could still be read, in faint gold gilt: SAS.

"Special Army Service?" I asked, earning myself a punch on the upper shoulder.

"It's an old style conferred amongst the nobility of Kalos under the Dynasties, along the equivalent of royal princes," Viola explained as I was beginning to get weird looks. "Donar, you were born in Kanto, right? You might not know this, but these letters represent the highest office in the Kalos League."

I stared from the faded banner, only just realising the implication. "You mean...?"

Viola nodded. "Compared to the other regions, the Kalos League was born in human conflict. The surrounding regions that attacked Kalos invaded, and a hundred years of conflict was born. The climax of the conflict took place at the infamous Route 13. The siege of Lumiose was the worst event in Kalosian history. Even the Destruction Pokémon, Yveltal, took to the skies of Kalos, ravaging the land until nothing could grow and the storm winds tore through. Today, that mark outside of Lumiose City is called the Lumiose Badlands, and it is a stark reminder of the War."

"Route 13," Serena whispered. "It's the only desert in Kalos. A mar against the face of Kalos."

Viola gravely inclined her head. She did not look bubbly or serious; she sounded honestly... respectful. "Within this chaos of war, a girl with an Eevee became a Trainer."

"What?" I blinked at the sudden change of subject, earning myself a jab in the kidney with Serena's elbow.

"The Eevee evolved into a Pokémon unprecedented in history, a Pokémon that was known only to this region," Viola related, ever more solemn. "Taking it as a sign, that maiden took her Sylveon, donned armour, took on training, and she led an army of Trainers and Pokémon alike to lift the siege of Lumiose. Legend had it that the Life Pokémon, Xerneas, appeared that time to do battle against Yveltal to buy time for the maiden.

"The army continued onwards, eventually sweeping through the Kalos Alps and landing in Snowbelle. There, on Île-de-l'arc,Jeanne established her fief of Notre Dame, with her castle at the end of Victory king crowned her as Princess of Notre Dame, and her companions as knights."

"Hence the SAS," I supplied. "So what does it mean?"

"Today, Notre Dame might not be a fief. Its name might not even be known to Trainers. Charles Goodshow has assumed the Pokémon League to the Kanto model. However,Notre Dame remains as the building that houses the Kalos Pokémon League, and the letters SAS represent the style and title all future Champions take to honour the maiden who first established what would be the Kalos League."

Here, Viola looked at me for effect. "Son Altesse sérénissime. Her Serene Highness, the Champion of Kalos."

...today, my past was beginning to catch up with me.

– Marguerite Linden du Bois

For those who played X and Y, they might have noticed that the Elite Four are fought in a church. There are several famous churches in France, I acknowledge that, but the most famous would probably be Notre Dame, literally 'Our Lady'. Add that in the Radiant Chamber – where Diantha is present – there are several feminine-looking knight figures. I leave it to you to figure out what I'm referring to.

On the part about the siege of Lumiose; the Tearjerker notes in TV Tropes states that Kalos was the subject of at least two major wars, which makes Kalos the region with one of the bloodiest histories in the Pokémon world, short of perhaps Sinnoh. The first one featured AZ, and was the driving force of the Pokémon XY plot. The second one was probably their equivalent of the Hundred Years' War, with probably Unova taking the place of England. Though the Kalos League building was supposed to be based on the Château de Chambord, it was never named as anything other than Pokémon League. I mean, at least Hoenn named theirs Ever Grande City.

So since it was never named, and its origins never specified, I made something up that was shamelessly based on French legend.

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