Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own the Pokemons

A Mad Trainer is a Bad Trainer

"Wow." Ash admired the large medieval like building that reached across the entire river. It towered majestically over the group, "The Battle Chateau."

"It is quite impressive" Clemont began, "definitely an architecture achievement."

"Wow Clemont, it's so big. Not Prisim Tower big, but I've never seen something built on water that big" Bonnie said.

"Well what are we waiting for" Serena took a few steps ahead, "let's go."

"Right" Ash responded. Ash suddenly became stapled to the floor as Paul abruptly passed by him and then Serena, before entering the building. Ash sweat dropped for a moment, "wait, I was going in first!"

Ash quickly followed, with the others in tow. The entrance of the castle like building led to a long corridor.

"It looks beautiful." Serena cooed in response to the elegant form of the hallway. The floor seemed to sparkle as light from the decorative lamps. Artifacts that seemed to belong in medieval times adorned the walls.

At the end of the hallway, a woman in a traditional maid's clothing bowed slightly towards the group, "welcome to the Battle Chateau. How may I help the young guests with?"

Ash gave a confused look for half a second before advancing forward, "I would like to battle here. My name is Ash and I come from Kanto."

"From Kanto?" someone else abruptly entered the hallway from a different room. An older man with monocle and wearing a butler's outfit, " I am duke Turner, and it would be my pleasure to welcome a guest all the way from Kanto."

Duke Turner and the other woman turned towards another door, "please follow us."

"Our battle chateau provides a fulfilling battle experience as well as a meeting place for all the various trainers that visit here." The group was led through the chateau.

"Ash, this place sounds perfect for you" Serena said excitedly.

"Yeah, can't wait to do some battling." Ash said, equally excited.

"Ah yes" began Buke Turner, "here at the battle chateau, we refer trainers as knights."

"Knights?" Serena responded.

"Yes, and we bestow noble titles among our knights by the number of their wins. I wish you luck on earning the highest possible title you can."

Cleemont and Bonnie were bringing up the rear when Clemont suddenly stopped, and began to look closely at something mounted on the wall.

"Clemont, what are you looking at." Bonnie looked at the object on the wall, not sure what it was

"It's a crossbow" Clemont answered, before he grabbed it began to inspect it more closely.

"Um Clemont, are you sure you should be touching tha?" Bonnie said.

"I know, it's just that I realized something." Clemont slid his hand across the crossbow, "I've been struggling with my inventions and I thought about it. Everything that is man-made is an invention." Clemont began to pick around the crossbow, "all technology is connected. Without the simplist knowledge, more complex ideas will never come to fruition. I'm just hoping looking at something different, at the basics of mechanics to give me some sort of push."

Clemont began to become engrossed into the Crossbow before he heard a click and the bolt that was loaded into the crossebow went firing across the hall. It hit the wall harmlessloy…just a few millimiters in front of Paul who slowly, his gaze becoming fixated on Clemont,

"I'm putting it back! I'm putting it back!"

Bonnie shook her head slowly in disapproval.

"I wish you all the best as you aim for the highest noble title possible" Said Duke Turner as they reached a beautifully crafted wood door.

"I will now show you the Battle Chateau sitting room" began the woman before as she stood in front of the wood door, "this is where you will find your opponent."

She then opened up both doors, and the entire group entered. The various people who were already residing inside the room quickly took note of the new faces.

"Wow" Ash took a few steps ahead, "so many trainers. I wonder how I'll choose my opponent."

"Pika-Pi" cried Pikachu suddenly. Ash quickly turned to the direction Pikachu was referring to.

"What the-What is he doing up there." Ash was taken aback by someone who was hanging onto the wall like they were climbing a cliff.

"Looks like a good time" Paul said, stepping in out of nowhere.

The man only responded by looking down silently at Ash and Paul from his position.

"That guy is always climbing walls" began a familiar voice, "but he's a pretty strong trainer."

Ash and Paul turned to find a familiar blonde and emerald eyed woman.

"Viola?" Ash responded, while Paul gazed at Viola silently in response.

"Didn't except to see you guys around here" Viola said, her arms crossed.

"We could say the same thing" Clemont responded.

"Viola" Serena began "what are you doing here?"

"What else? To battle." As Viola finished her sentence, the man came down rather quickly, "I see we have new faces here" he began, his gray eyes going from left to right looking at the individual faces, "and it seems you're familiar with them."

Everybody introduced themselves except for Paul. Then Viola continued,

"Ash here challenged my gym recently" Viola said.

"I see, and did he escape there with a badge?" The man advanced towards the group,

"Of course!" Ash said with a fist pump.

The man chuckled, "I see. A lot of energy. That's impressive, Viola doesn't go easy against anybody."

"My name is Grant, a pleasure to meet you all." Grant suddenly felt his gaze pulled towards Paul,

"And who else do we have here."

"Oh" Viola began, a bit less enthuastic, "this is Paul. We had a gym battle as well."

Both Paul and Grant met each other's gaze for a long moment. Silence befell the group and they sweatdropped a bit, feeling the atmosphere became heavy all of the sudden.

"I see" Grant said as he broke the silence. Then seemingly as a random gesture, Grant took a pair of white silk gloves, and placed them on Viola's shoulder, to the confusion of the group.

A smile, a similar smile Ash saw when he was battling Viola appeared, "I was wondering when you were going to finally ask me."

"Duchess Viola" Grant took a slight bow with a hand over his chest, "I would like to challenge you to a battle."

"And I accept."

The battle turned out to be as intense as expected. Especially since both Viola and Grant held the title of Duchess. Titles only given to those who have excelled in the Battle Chateau.

Grant proved to be a match for Viola, both strength and skill-wise. Viola battled with her Surskit, while Grant chose Onix. The battle was turning out to be a stalemate, both trainer and Pokemon matching each other move for move.

Viola was forced to use all of her manuvers, including her ice battlefield. Grant then showed a spectacular maneuver himself. He ordered Onix to use Rock Tomb. But unlike any Rock Tomb the group had seen, Onix seemed to be able to control the attack at will.

This proved to be Grant's trump card. With Rock Tomb, Onix was able to trap Surskit and neutralize its best attribute, speed.

Onix's Rock Tomb clearly impressed Ash and the rest of the group. Paul was also paying close attention to the battle. If he was impressed, he didn't show it.

After the battle, Grant was awarded the title of Grand duke.

"Viola" The Santalune gym leader heard her name called out.

"That was a great battle" Clemont said.

"Thanks" Viola gave off a sad smile, "but I still lost."

"They are correct" Grnat said as he came into the lobby from the balcony, "it was a most fulfilling battle."

"But next time I will win" Viola answered.

"Battling against yoou Viola will always be a pleasure."

"Now" Grant continued, "I think it would now be appropiate to give our new arrivals a battle that could only be held at the Battle Chateau."

"Yeah, can't wait to battle" Ash began, "so I can challenge anyone?"

"Not exactly" Ash turned towards Viola, "there's a catch."

"You can only challenge somebody of the same noble title" continued Grant.

"And at the moment, there are only two unranked trainers here."

"You mean…?" Ash turned towards Paul ever slightly. Paul didn't return the look. He instead looked outside one of the windows,

"I guess that'll have to do" Paul said.

"The winner of this battle will be granted the noble title of Baron" said the woman in the maid outfit and now ref, "let's get underway."

Ash raised his Pokeball, following the same thing Grant and Viola did before starting their battle, per custom. Paul looked straight ahead and then glanced at Ash's pokeball, he then raised his Pokeball, and the two red and white capsules touched.

"To a good battle" Ash said, holding his Pokeball tighter then he usually did.

"…to a good battle." Paul responded. Both knights began to walk back to their respective positions.

"The atmosphere here seems to be different from gym battles" Clemont said while looking up towards Duke Turner who was on a higher balcony. The battle would take place on a battlefield outside which was connected to the main building. This allowed the rest of the knights to spectate from the balcony, providing a beautiful backdrop of the river for the battles.

"Very true young man" Turner looked at Clemont in response before looking back outwards towards the river, "here we like to elevate Pokemon battles though the ideals of chivalry. At the Battle Chateau, battles became more than just two trainers pitting their strongest partners against each other, but a battle culture that held civility in high regard was born."

"Froakie, let's win!"

"Vivillon, stand by for battle."

"Froakie and Vivillon" Clemont muttered.

Serena on the other hand stayed relatively silent. She then found herself focusing closely, realizing this was the first time she would see the two battle each other, well Pokemon that is.

"So you battled those two before" Grant began, as he and Viola sat at a small white table as they viewed the battle that was about to get under way.

"Yup" she began, "Ash is a gutsy trainer, and so are his Pokemon. They're amazing. Once you see their passion and drive, I think you'll agree."

Grant looked towards the battlefield, "and how about Paul."

"Paul is calculated, and he expects nothing but perfection from his Pokemon" Viola then took a small sip of her drink before continuing, "he's a strong trainer."

"I would say that they are complete opposites" she continued, "but I don't think that wouldn't be the right way to put it."

"Froakie, Water Pulse!" Ash punched the air as he commanded his Pokemon. Froakie obliged and fired a Water Pulse straight away.

The water Pulse curved upward towards Vivillon. Vivillon institively protected itself with is wings as the water pulse landed. A light smoke insued after the collision, and it soon cleared, showing Vivillon was still afloat.

"Froakie, Bubble!" Froakie continued on the offensive, and the Bubble attack reached its mark. Once again, Vivillon took the attack while defending itself with its wings.

"Froa-kie!" Froakie started to charge, per usually in Ash's battles, but Froakie stopped when his trainer didn't give an order.

"Froa-kie?" Froakie looked over its shoulder, confused by Ash's silence. Ash didn't respond. Ash instead continued to look ahead. Paul stood without responding at all.

Ash grounded his teeth silently as he thought about what were Paul's intention's this battle.

"What's the matter, why is nobody moving?" Bonnie said as she looked down below, her height being just enough to see the battle, or lack there of.

"I may have the answer to that" Clemont said suddenly.

"What do you mean?" Serena said, just as confused as Bonnie, and probably as the other knights watching from the balcony.

"Paul probably has no intentions of winning this battle. And Ash knows that."

"Huh?" Serena responded, "w-what do you mean."

"Paul chooses his fights carefully" Clemont focused his gaze on Paul, "When Paul battles, he focuses and maximizing the experience and strength his Pokemon gain."

Serena was still new to the language of Pokemon battling, so she was trying hard to keep up, and she mostly understood what Clemont was saying,

"Many times" Clemont continued, "that means Paul doesn't put wining battles as his priority. He'll probably be more than willing to take a loss, if it means he'll maximize what he gets out of a battle. Many times that could mean challenging his Pokemon, far from their capabilities."

"You mean like he's battle with Penelope" Serena responded, remembering Paul's…sister.

"Something like that" Clemont said, he then when silent,

"It is effective, but it's also insensitive and egotistic. He probably think Ash is beneath him. I'll kick him off his high horse when I get the chance."

"Um brother" Bonnie said, curiously looking up to Clemont, "you're looking scary all of the sudden."

"So that's what you think." Ash felt his blood boil, "how can somebody give a noble battle when you act like this."

Ash took a deep breathe, to keep himself from going crazy. He began to hear murmurings from the balconey. Ash knew that if he wanted Paul to really battle him, he would need to get creative.

"Intresting" began Grant abruptly. Grant suddenly stood and walked towards the balcony railings while receiving a confused look from Viola.

"Apologies for the interruption" Grant began as he called out from the balcony, his voice carrying throughout the battle chateau.

"But I would like to make a proposal."

This caught the attention of everybody, especially Duke Turner.

"Simply put, I will challenge the winner of this battle between Ash and Paul."

"Grand Duke Grant, what is the meaning of this" Duke Turner responded quickly and firmly.

"Of course, the battle will take place outside of the Chateau walls, to avoid breaking tradition" Grant responded without looking at Duke Turner.

"That is a very dangerous technicality Knight Grant" Turner looked at Grant with a serious look, he was not messing around. "I cannot stop you, but I wish you would refrain from making such declaration ever again in the Battle Chateua."

Grant turned to face Duke Turner who was in a balcony that was one level higher than were Grant was.

"My apologies" he began with a slight bow, "but I felt it to be a necessary measure for this situation."

Duke Turner returned to his chair without a word.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Viola's voice caused Grant to turn.

"I just want to see a good battle."

Ash, as everyone else, were looking as Grant and Turner exchanged words. Ash began to turn to look ahead again as his gaze lingered towards Grant a bit.

When he finally looked towards Paul, he jumped.

"Whoah, when did you get scary looking all of the sudden!" Ash then quickly glanced back at Grant, "this is why you did that."

Ash gripped the brim of his hat tightly, and his expression became hard. He then looked up again, "Froakie, we have to win this."

"Fro!"

Paul's eyes seemed to became harder than usual, and a moment passed before he decided to take the reins of this battle,

"Struggle Bug!"

"He's going on the offensive" Clemont let out, startled by Paul's new aggressiveness.

"Froakie, Water pulse!" Both attacks met midway causing a small explosion.

Vivillon quickly flew through the smoke. Ash reacted quickly,

"Pound" Ash said, pointing towards the sky.

"Gust!" Froakie closed in quickly, but the Bubble Frog Pokemon soon met resistance from a strong gust of wind and Froakie was sent back to its starting point.

"Struggle Bug, now!"

"Froakie, Bubble!"

The multitude of green projectiles collided with Froakie's bubbles and the attacks canceled each other out.

"Well, it's definitely more exciting" began Viola, but-"

"-they're not battling anywhere near their fullest potential." Grant finished.

"They both don't look comfortable out there" Viola said as the two Pokemon below traded another slew of attacks.

"From what I picked up" Viola began, "they are always at odds. That could be the issue."

"It is impossible to battle at full strength if you don't respect your opposition as a trainer."

Cubone dragged his Thick Club as he slowly walked down a dirt path which followed a sparkling river. Tall flowers and bushes spotted on both sides of the path, but Cubone made little note of them.

At this point, Cubone was only guessing the direction the humans had gone. They could be anywhere. The best thing to do would be to go back home. Problem was that getting back was no easy task. He was lost.

Cubone continued to hang his head as he passed a large building that was balanced over the river. He made little note of it, as well as the sound of a struggle nearby.

"Froakie, pound!" Froakie put more power in its next jump and charged at Vivillon which was diving towards the battlefield with full force.

Their timing was off and Froakie was hit by a talking Vivillon. Froakie went wide eye in pain as it was hit right in the center of its body. Froakie endured a hard landing and slowly stumbled to his feet.

Ash grounded his teeth again

"Why hasn't he smiled yet?" Bonnie began said suddenly, causing Serena and Clemont to look at her, "he usually looks like he has fun when he battles. Him and his Pokemon. But he looks like-he just looks angry."

"I think I see it" Serna responded.

"I guess it comes with being a trainer that runs on emotion" Clemont's glasses became foggy, "Paul isn't battling that great either, but he doesn't have the same issue Ash has. I wish there was something I could do."

"Ash!" Bonnie yelled, startling Clemont and Serena while catching the attention of everybody else, "don't forget to have fun!"

"Huh?" Ash looked at his hands. And know that he was paying attention, he did feel tense, "I'm not having fun?"

"She's right!" his eyes widened in realization

He began to swing his right arm in circles, "I need to have fun, of course! Hahaha."

Paul sweat dropped, "you look more psychotic than anything right now. And it'll take more than having fun to beat me."

Ash suddenly froze, "but how can I have fun, if I'm facing him?"

"That girl, she's so young" Grant began, "but she already understands. You wouldn't believe how many trainers I've met who don't even realize that much."

"And it looks like she got through to Ash" Viola then looked at Ash, "but in some situations, it isn't easy."

Ash found himself sitting on the floor, his chin resting on his hand, as he pondered.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Paul said as Ash's action hit a nerve.

"Time out" Ash gave a signal, "I need to figure out how to not hate you."

"What the hell!?"

All the while, Duke Turner felt his blood heat up to the point of boiling over. There was nothing noble about this battle. They were making a mockery of the battle chateau.

"Maybe I'm focusing too much on the negative" Ash thought, "maybe if I just think about something positive, it'll help."

Paul stared in desbbelief. What was that moron doing? Was he serious about before. And why was he just standing there like a statue,

"Vivillon, finish this!" Vivillon charged at Froakie, and the bubble frog turned to its trainer for a command. Nothing. The Trainer was lost in thought. So Froakie made the most logical move: Run for its life.

"Well, he did help and save Vivillon."

"Fro! Kie-Fro!"

"But all he's done since is leaving it to hang dry."

"Fro! Fro! Froooo!"

"Well, I guess Penelope was nice. Maybe if I just think about that, it'll keep me calm," Ash finally got up from the ground, "she did there was more to it that him just being a jerk. Maybe there is."

"Froakie! Pivot, and jump!" Froakie stopped on a dime and spun on its pivot foot. Froakie gave out a grunt as it performed one of its super jumps.

Froakie's movements caught everybody off guard, including Paul. This was the sharpest Froakie was looking this entire battle.

Froakie finally had the alttitude advantage on Vivillon and was behind the Scales Pokeemon, and then it quickly fired a Water Pulse, and hit a bulls eye on the back of Vivillon,

"Yes!" Ash let out as he seemed to have a lot more energy now, "good job Froakie."

"Now, let's go!" Froakie was out and running at mid sentence, charging at a still recovering Vivillon.

"Shit!" Paul suddenly went eye wide, "what's with this pressure. I've never felt something like this from him."

"Vivillon, Struggle Bug!" Vivvillon attacked with no rhytm what so ever and Froakie avoided the green projectiles easily.

Froakie leapt into the air, at lethal range.

"Bubble!"Ash let out with force. Neither Vivillon nor Paul reacted. Even if they could register what was happening, there was no countering the attack.

The Bubble attack felt much stronger as Vivllon had no time to put up a defense, and almost no resistance was given.

"So this is Ash's real battling" Grant said.

"Somewhat" Viola said, sounding unsure for some reason. "Though it wasn't quite like this."

"Get up or else" Paul ordered. Vivillon began to rise into the air again, but it would have no chance,

"Froakie, quickly" Ash ordered. Froakie didn't waste time as it flinged its frubbles at Vivillon. Vivillon began to juke to avoid the frubbles, but Vivillon proved to be too big of a target, and its wings became mucked up and Vivillon lost altitude.

"Go, Pound!" Ash punched the air as Froakie followed his trainer's motion. Froakies paw glowed a bright white.

"A full offense battle style that puts all the pressure on the opponent. His Pokemon transition from one attack to the next flawlessly and in rhythm"

"Fro-Kie!" Froakie followed through as it landed on both of its hind legs, and at the same time, Vivillon dropped flat onto the battlefield, unable to battle.

"Froakie that was awesome!" Ash gave off a large smile and thumbs to Froakie, to which the small frog like Pokemon smiled calmly too.

"And barely gives you time to breathe" Grants gaze focused on Ash, "it's a bit rough, but if he can perfect it, he might actually have a chance."

Viola gave a quizzical look as Grant finished his statement.

The ref/maid of the battle Chateau called the battle and declared Ash the victor. Paul returned Vivillon without a word and quickly made his way off the battlefield. Halfway up the stairs, Paul glanced back to see Ash in a white cloak with gold string, officially making his title Baron.

"Hey Grant, so how about that battle." Ash said with a closed fist and a confident glint in his eye.

"Uh, about that…" Grant replied while rubbing the back of his head, "would you mind if we postpone our battle."

"Aw. Why?"

"My apologies. But I promise we will have our battle soon, probably in Cyllage city."

"Huh? Why Cyllage?" Ash was a bit puzzled. But the mentioning of that city reminded him of his gym battle.

"That's because Grant here is the gym leader of Cylllage City" Viola said, walking up next to Grant with her hands on her hips.

"What!?" Ash let out as he took a step back in surprise.

"No wonder he was so strong" Serena said.

"It looks your next gym challenge isn't going to be any easier" Clemont said.

Ash nodded in response, "Good, it wouldn't be any fun if it wasn't."

"We better get going then" Serena began, "we still have a bit to go before we get there."

"Don't worry Ash, I'll be waiting for you at the gym" Grant said.

"Take care all of you" Viola said.

"It was great seeing you again Viola" Ash said before him Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie began to say goodbye. Then they made their way out of the main lobby through the fine wood doors.

After the group left, Grant and Viola stood in a brief silence. Then the sunset caught Gramt's eye, causing him to turn and look out the large glass windows.

Viola followed his motion and found herself asking something that was lingering in the back of her mind. "Grant, what did you exactly mean when you said you think Ash has a chance?"

Grant gave Viola a puzzled before a nervous grin appeared, "actually, I'm not sure myself."

"Seriously Grant" Viola sweatdropped.

Grant quickly returned to a calmer look as he continued to admire the sunset with soft shades of orange streaking across the sky.

"But all just say that he impressed me today, and I hope he impresses me again in our gym battle."

"Is that the case?" Paul said as he stood a few feet behind, his body only turned partly towards the Kalos gymleaders.

"Yes, in matter fact it is" Grant began as he turned to face Paul, "and I'll also say that you seemed to be off today."

"And how would you know that exactly?" Paul returned quickly.

"Well, for starters, if you battled against Viola like that, she would have mopped the floor with you." Both Viola and Paul responded by raising an eyebrow.

"Plus, all trainers have an off day, even the best" Grant then nodded slowly, "I know you'll give me a very difficult battle as well."

Ash,Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were talking amongst themselves as they walked down the dirt path that followed the river and led them to their next destination. They were mostly talking about the battles and how beautiful the battle chateau was.

They quickly became quiet when Paul passed by without recognizing their existence. Walking briskly, as usual, the space between him and the others widened.

Whatever was on Paul's mind at that point must have had most of his focus, because he did not hear the rustling of a nearby bush, nor did he see the small black figure jump out of the bush. Instead, he felt his face crash into the ground as he tripped over said figure.

With his face covered in dirt, he looked ahead, to meet a pair of dark eyes, like his, except softer and with a hint of surprise and excitement.