Chapter 91: A Knight's Training

Alain wiped the sweat off his forehead, his heart still beating fast after such an exciting battle.

"Alain!"

He was stirred from his thoughts when Mairin ran right to him, giving him a big hug.

"I just knew you could do it! You and Charizard were amazing!"

Alain smiled, and returned the hug.

"Well, I did have my number one fan cheering for me."

Mairin blushed, and tried to turn away.

"Alain, that match was awesome!"

Alain and Mairin looked up to see Ash coming their way. Alain momentarily tensed up, but shook his hand

"Ash! Professor Sycamore mentioned you'd be coming."

"Congrats on the win, Alain! But you better get to training, because I'm in the World Coronation Series too."

Alain smiled, and gave him a thumbs up.

"I look forward to it."

"Say, where'd you get a new Mega Ring and keystone? I thought you surrendered yours after…you know…"

Alain nodded sadly, silently acknowledging the event in question.

"I did, but when I entered the World Coronation Series I realized Charizard and I needed to get stronger. Then I heard Wikstrom, the Steel Type trainer of the Elite 4, was offering a special training in his castle of chivalry, so Charizard and I signed up. It was hard work, but in the end it was worth it, and he gave us these as proof of our dedication."

"Wow! Do you think he has a Lucarionite? My Lucario saw how awesome you guys were and wants to get stronger too!"

"It wouldn't hurt to ask. Good luck, Ash!"

"You too!"

After reuniting with the group, the quartet set off for the Castle of Chivalry. It was a grand, massive building, everyone gasping in awe at its majesty.

"Do we knock on the door, or…"

Suddenly, the door to the castle, and a butler stepped out, eyeing the newcomers curiously.

"Can I help you?"

"We were wondering if Wikstrom was in? We were hoping he would take us on as students."

"Follow me."

The butler led them through the castle's long hallways until they reached an indoor training area. There, they found the elite 4 member in knight armor sparring with his Aegislash.

"Pardon me, sir, but you have someone interested in your training."

Wikstrom signaled for Aegislash to stop, before stepping down and walking over to them, accepting a water bottle from his butler.

"Thank you, Antoine. So, you wish to undergo my knight's training, do you?"

His eyes then fell on Ash.

"Ah, I remember seeing you in the Kalos League. Tell me, what purpose do you seek?"

Ash gestured to his Lucario before explaining.

"My Lucario and I were watching the latest promotion match, and Lucario saw how their Pokemon Mega Evolved and became stronger. He wants to attain that power as well, and I always want to help my Pokemon reach their full potential. So when one of them said they got a Mega Stone and Key ring from you, we just had to come here!"

"I see. I should warn you, this will not be an easy feat. My training was designed to push you, your Pokemon, and your bonds to its limits. Once you begin, there can be no going back. So, do you really want to go through this?"

Ash looked to his Lucario, who nodded.

"Absolutely."

Wikstrom nodded, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Then I hereby accept you as my apprentice."

He then turned to the other three.

"What about you? Do you wish to undergo my training?"

Goh and Chloe shook their heads.

"No thanks. We're just here to support Ash."

"I do!"

To everyone's surprise, Lillie stepped forward with a look of sheer determination on her face, her Jangmo-o right behind her with the same expression.

"Are you sure, Lillie?"

"Someone needs to keep a close eye on you, Ketchum! Besides, my Jangmo-o and I could use some training, isn't that right?"

"Jangmo-o!"

Wikstrom smiled.

"Very well. But first, come with me! We need to get you fitted with armor!"

Ash and Lilllie shared a look. Armor?

"God, this stuff is heavy…"

Ash clanked about, barely able to stand in his armor suit.

"I don't know, I kind of like it."

Lillie stepped out, and Ash's jaw dropped. Unlike his suit, which was full body, her suit was more simple, the form more easily fitting her body.

"Wow, you look amazing!"

Lillie giggled, and kissed him.

"Good, you're both suited. Now, for your first task: a full 10 laps around the castle!"

"What?!"

"In full armor!"

Ash and Lillie groaned, but knew they couldn't back out now.

"Well, I guess there's only one thing to do."

"Race ya!"

Before Lillie could respond, Ash took off as fast as he could, which wasn't very fast with his armor on. Lillie smirked.

"Oh, it is on, Ketchum!"

After a while Ash became used to the armor, and he could move more easily. It was still no easy feat to run, but he could at least keep a steady pace. Currently, the two were neck in neck for their last lap.

"Alright, I kind see the finish line!" Ash cheered as he and Lucario charged forward.

"Not if I have anything to say about it! Come on, Jangmo-o!"

"Mo-o!"

Suddenly, the two of them froze dead in their tracks. Despite their best efforts, something was keeping them from their goal.

"What's going on? I can't move!"

Looking behind her, Lillie saw a Probopass behind them, using his magnetic powers to freeze them in place.

"This must be part of the challenge!"

"Well, I'm not going to fail!"

With a great effort, Ash managed to force himself forward. Lucario, seeing his trainer not willing to give up, pressed on as well. Lillie, not wanting to be outdone, put all of her strength into fighting the magnetic force, as did Jangmo-o.

"Come on…just a little more…"

"Almost…there…"

"Lu…cari…o…"

"Jang…mo…"

FInally, with one last push, all four crossed the finish line before collapsing to the ground, panting heavily.

"Phew! That wasn't fun."

"No kidding. I feel like my whole body is about to fall apart."

Just then, they heard a clapping sound. There was Wikstrom, looking impressed as he helped them to their feet.

"Well done, you too! And you managed to complete it in record time, too!"

Ash and Lillie bowed respectively.

"Take a break. The next challenge will begin in 10 minutes."

After they got a while to rest, Wikstron led them to another part of the castle. Opening the door, he led them into a long, dimly lit hallway.

"Next is the labyrinth of Doubt! This challenge is simple, make your way to the end of the maze. But be careful: one wrong move could spell your doom!"

With that dramatic statement, Wikstrom left, locking the door behind him so that they couldn't get out.

"Well, looks like the only way to go is forward."

With that, the four set off down the hallway. At first it was easy, with nothing to block their way. Until they reached a wall, where the path split off into two. Ash and Lillie looked down the corridors, trying to decide on a path to take…

When a huge metal bar came crashing down, separating them unexpectedly.

"Ash, are you alright?"

"I'm fine! Where did that come from?"

The two of them examined the large metal gate. It was too heavy for them to push over, and there was no space for them to crawl underneath it.

"Looks like this is where we split up."

"Maybe the paths meet up again later. Stay safe!"

"You too!"

Ash and Lucario walked down the long hallways, their eyes straining to see ahead. Even with Aura, the two of them had trouble finding their way around.

"He sure doesn't want to make this easy on us, does he?"

"Cario."

Soon, they came upon another fork in the road. Ash and Lucario stopped for a minute, trying to decide which way to go. Closing his eyes, he tried using his aura sense…

Only to sense a very familiar aura coming from the left path.

"Lillie's down this way! Come on!"

"Lucario!"

If Ash was having a difficult time, then Lillie was having an absolute nightmare. Her and Jangmo-o were stumbling about, constantly bumping into walls as they struggled to see in the dark. However, they refused to give up.

"Ash wouldn't let this set him back, and neither will I! Come on Jangmo-o, we're almost there, I can feel it!"

"Jangmo!"

Suddenly, a trap door opened underneath Jangmo-o, and he fell into it.

"No, Jangmo-o!""

Luckily, he had managed to grab onto a foothold, and was struggling to hold on for dear life. Lillie bent down as far as she could, trying to reach him.

"Just stay calm, I've got you!"

The Dragon type tried to grab her hand, but the distance was too great. He strained and strained…

Only to lose his grip and fall down even further.

"Jangmo-o!"

Without a second thought, Lillie leapt down after him, catching him in her arms before landing at the bottom. Luckily, the landing was padded, but now they had no way to get back up. Lillie didn't care, as long as her Pokemon was okay.

"You okay, buddy?"

Jangmo-o smiled, and nuzzled her chest to let her know he was.

"Good. Now to just find a way out."

"Someone call for a rescue?"

A rope was lowered down to her, held up by Ash and Lucario. Lillie smiled and sent Jangmo-o up, with her following close behind.

"Thanks, Ash."

"Of course. Come on, I think I can see the exit up ahead."

Indeed, the exit was just right around the corner. Wikstrom, Goh, Chloe, and their other Pokemon were waiting for them, and applauded them for their success.

"Well done, squires! You've passed the second test."

Ash and Lillie smiled, and bowed.

"Now, on to the final test! Follow me!"

Wikstrom led the group back to the training area where they first met him. Once he had stepped onto the battlefield, he took out another Pokeball.

"Now, for your final assignment: a game of keep away!"

The Pokeball opened up to reveal a Klefki. On its ring was a very special gold key.

"Your objective is to take the gold key from Klefki. This will open a very special room, where you shall find the treasure that you seek!"

Ash grinned confidently.

"Piece of cake!"

"Oh? Just wait until you see who your opponent is!"

Wikstrom then took out another Pokeball, this time releasing his Scizor.

"Now Scizor, Mega Evolve!"

Wikstrom brandished his sword, a key ring built into its hilt, and sent a wave of energy into Scizor, transforming it. Lucario and Jangmo-o faltered for a minute, but stood their ground.

"Scizor, use Bullet Punch!"

"Aura Sphere, Lucario!"

"Jangmo-o, use Dragon Breath!"

Scizor launched itself towards the two, metal claws ready to pummel them. Lucario launched his Aura blast, while Jangmo-o let loose a toxic breath, but these attacks only served to make Scizor angrier as he met them, striking them faster than they could defend against.

"Force Palm, Lucario! Force him back!"

"Dragon Claw!"

Lucario grunted, and began pushing back, using one fist to block Scizor's claw and the other to punch back. Jangmo-o went for Scizor's legs, trying to topple the Bug/Steel type. As this was going on, Ash and Lillie observed the Klefki. As Scizor was busy with their Pokemon, no one was guarding Klefki.

"You know, he only said we had to grab the key. He didn't say we had to beat Scizor to get it."

Understanding what Ash was implying, Lillie smirked.
"On three, ok?"

"Got it. 1…"

"2…"

"3!"

The two charged, ready to grab the key…

Only to be blocked by WIkstrom, his sword at the ready.

"Come now, you didn't think it would be that easy, did you?"

Ash and Lillie, undeterred, drew their swords and charged. Although the swords were only practice ones and wouldn't actually harm anyone, they still carried the same weight and feel of the real thing, and while Ash and May were novices Wikstrom proved to be a master, easily deflecting their strikes.

"Come on, don't you want to win?"

Ash grunted, forced to fall back as Wikstrom forced his sword away. Glancing over at their Pokemon, he could see that they were struggling just as much as they were. It was then that he thought about what Wikstrom had said.

"Push our bond to its limits…I wonder…"

As he blocked Wikstrom's sword with his own, he closed his eyes, focusing on Lucario's aura.

Lucario panted, the battle taking its toll on him. Mega Scizor was fast and strong, the two of them just able to keep up working together. Scizor used Psycho Cut, which Lucario barely managed to deflect with Bone Rush.

Suddenly, he could feel Ash calling out to him. Closing his eyes, he felt their auras intertwine for a moment, giving him more energy. Opening his eyes once more, he rushed forward with Bullet Punch, throwing Scizor off guard.

Ash opened his eyes, a blue hue surrounding them as he felt empowered. WIth a heavy swing, he brought his and Wikstrom's swords around in a circle, overpowering the older trainer, much to Wikstrom's surprise.

"What the-"

Before Wikstrom could react, Ash forced his sword away, pushing past the Elite 4 member and rushing toward Klefki. Wikstrom tried to stop him, but Lillie used the distraction to move on the offensive.

"Oh no you don't!"

Likewise, Jangmo-o took advantage of Lucario's distraction, jumping up and using Close Combat to pummel into Scizor's stomach, Lucario joining him as Scizor struggled to push them back.

Before anything else could happen, Ash leapt up, snatching the key from Klefki.

"Got it!"

Wikstrom smiled, and stood down.

"Well done, Ash and Lillie! You've passed my three tests."

"Yes! Great job, Lucario!"

Lucario managed a weary smile, and gave Ash a thumbs up. Lillie was much more affectionate, running over to hug Jangmo-o.

"You were great, Jangmo-o!"

The little dragon type smiled, and hugged her. Suddenly, he started to glow, making everyone gasp in shock. When the glowing stopped, Jangmo-o was now a Hakamo-o.

"Hakamo-o!"

"Wow Lillie, Jangmo-o evolved!"

Lillie smiled, and gave him an even bigger hug, which he happily reciprocated.

"And now Ash, come with me for your reward!"

Wikstrom led Ash to a large metal door.

"Open it."

Curious, Ash inserted the key he'd received and turned it. The doors slid open to reveal a grand room with multiple Mega Stones lined on a wall.

"Wow."

"An impressive collection, isn't it? I keep these on hand in case any of the trainers who have passed my test wish to push their limits even further with their Pokemon."

Ash scanned the room, searching for the one he was looking for. At last, he found a Lucarionite and picked it up.
"Wow. Are…are you sure it's okay for me to just take this?"

Wikstrom smiled, holding out a Mega Ring for Ash to take.

"After your impressive display, you two have more than earned it."

Ash smiled, and accepted the gift.

"Thank you, I won't let you down!"

Lucario flexed his arm, his lucarionite fixed to a band around it.

"Looking good, Lucario!"

"Lucario!"

"How do I look, Ash?"

Ash turned, and blushed. Lillie had a knight's medal fixed to her hair like a hairband, and it made her look even more beautiful.

"You look, uh…wow."

Lillie giggled, and kissed his cheek.

"Glad to know you approve. So, are you guys going to test it out now?"

"What do you say, Lucario?"

Lucario was about to agree, but he was cut short by a yawn, which Ash soon followed.

"On second thought, maybe tomorrow."

"Cario."