"Aegislash, the Royal Sword Pokemon. Type: Steel/Ghost. Apparently, it can detect the innate qualities of leadership. According to legend, whoever it recognizes is destined to become king."
Castle of Chivalry (Day)
"So, this is the place Professor Sycamore talked about." Dominic said. According to the professor, the Castle of Chivalry was created by Wikstrom, the Steel-Type expert of the Kalos Elite Four. He put both hands on the large doors, pushing them open. On the other side was Wikstrom and his Scizor.
"Salutations, Lord Xiao-Long!" the knight greeted. "I trust you came here to train?"
"Yep! I figured that a place run by an Elite Four member would be an incredible chance to get stronger." Dominic said, getting a Poke Ball from his pocket. Tossing it, he let out his Aegislash. "Sycamore told me that you run training exercises meant for a single Pokémon. I'll choose Aegislash as my partner."
"A strong choice." Wikstrom said with a smile. "The goal of this place is to strengthen the sense of chivalry in both trainers and their Pokémon. I have set up three trials, and passing all of them will reward you with a Knight Medal, a symbol of your chivalry. For the first exercise, you must run ten laps around the castle while wearing these suits of armor."
"Of course. Just what I needed after several hours of walking." Dominic said dryly, accepting the armor. Both he and Aegislash put it on, giving them a regal look. "Anyways, let's get going, partner." And so began the first of several grueling hours running around the building. If you listened closely, you could hear Dominic's bones scraping against each other. After a few laps, a Probopass appeared on the path. Dominic and Aegislash recognized it as Wikstrom's.
Probopass' Ability, Magnet Pull, caused the armor both Trainer and Pokémon were wearing to be pulled backwards.
"Agh! You really don't go easy on people who take this challenge, do you, Wikstrom?" Dominic asked rhetorically, pushing through the magnetic force. Seeing Aegislash struggling, he got behind the Royal Sword Pokémon and pushed it as hard as he could, even as the combined weight of his and his partner's armor made the task of escaping Magnet Pull much harder.
"A knight must be willing to put their own victory on the line for the sake of their comrades." Wikstrom said, smiling proudly. "I can say with confidence that these two have passed the first exercise." As he said this, Probopass released its magnetic pull on Dominic and Aegislash.
After doing the rest of the required laps, the boy nearly fell over from exhaustion. Aegislash acted quickly and grabbed its trainer's arm, helping him onto his feet. "So, what's next?" he asked the Elite Four member.
"Your next task will be to enter the Labyrinth of Doubt." Wikstrom said, guiding Dominic and his Pokémon to the entrance of the dungeon. "A knight must be aware of their surroundings at all times. You must find your way through the labyrinth and locate the exit."
The blonde accepted the challenge and walked down a dark corridor with Aegislash floating at his side. The most unsettling thing about the ordeal was the fact that there was no way of knowing when, where, or even if they'd be attacked. "Gotta hand it to Wikstrom. The guy has liminal space down to a science."
While the boy was admiring the design of the dungeon, he didn't notice a secret entrance open up behind him. From it, a Honedge appeared and lunged at the trainer's back. Noticing this, Aegislash used its shield to block the ambush.
The metallic clang alerted Dominic to the event, and he watched as his partner used its shield to fling Honedge back to where it came from. Recognizing its defeat, the Sword Pokémon retreated back into the secret passage. "Heh, guess I should be more careful." the boy laughed.
Wikstrom saw all of this through various cameras he has set up in the labyrinth. He smiled at how quickly Aegislash reacted to defend its trainer. The sight reminded him of his own Aegislash, which he chose as a partner due to the species' extensive history with his family.
After a few minutes, most of which consisted of running into dead ends, Dominic and Aegislash managed to navigate their way out. "You know, maybe I shouldn't have pawned off that compass." the blonde joked.
"Well done to both of you for making it this far." Wikstrom praised. "Up next is the much-anticipated third trial. You'll need this." The man handed a rubber sword to Dominic.
The boy and his partner were led to an empty room in one of the castle's towers. Aside from the support pillars, there wasn't much to say about the room other than that it was big.
"This trial will be the deciding round." Wikstrom stated, standing next to his Scizor. "As I informed you in the beginning, passing this last trial will earn you both a Knight Medal. The object of the trial is quite simple. You must reach the door on the opposite side of the room. But to do so, you must first take the door's key from Kelfki." As he said this, a Klefki bearing a regal-looking key floated down from the ceiling.
"Something tells me this won't be as easy as it sounds." Dominic said, holding up the sword he was given.
"Right you are!" Wikstrom said as he and Scizor took fighting stances. "We won't stand idly by and just let you win! You'll have to earn your victory, like any good knight!"
"Aegislash, you take care of Scizor. I'll deal with Wikstrom." Dominic told his partner. "Whoever defeats their opponent first has to grab the key and make a mad dash to the door, got it?" The Royal Sword Pokémon unsheathed its blade, nodding in understanding. "Then start the show with Night Slash!" Aegislash lunged at Scizor, slashing with its steel blade.
"Swords Dance, Scizor! Then use Psycho Cut!" Wikstrom shouted as he engaged his own opponent. Scizor's body became bathed in red light before it met Aegislash's attack with one of its pincers, covered in psychic energy. With a slash, it threw the Ghost-Type into the air before striking again with Psycho Cut.
"Use the momentum of your fall and use Shadow Ball!" Dominic commanded, using the rubber blade he was given to defend against the older knight's relentless attacks. Forming an orb of darkness in one of its ribbon-like arms, Aegislash spun its body around before lobbing it at Scizor, landing a direct hit.
"As resourceful as ever. Scizor, X-Scissor!" Wikstrom said. His Pokémon crossed its arms before running towards its opponent.
"Now's our chance!" Dominic said with a grin. "King's Shield!" With a flourish, Aegislash equipped its shield and a spectral barrier appeared before it. Scizor's attack struck the barrier, nullifying its attack and sapping its strength. "Now, counter with Close Combat!" In a flash, Aegislash entered its Blade Stance once again and slashed repeatedly at its opponent, sending Scizor crashing into a pillar.
Taking the opportunity it was given, Aegislash reached out and grabbed the door key from Klefki. At the same time, Dominic pushed Wikstrom away and followed his partner to the exit. When they made it through, they found themselves on a balcony high above the rest of the castle.
"Congratulations!" Wikstrom praised, Scizor at his side. "You have successfully passed all three trials. As such, I bestow these upon you." He took out a small case with two gold medals resembling Aegislash inside. "The Knight Medals. You have both proven your dedication to becoming true knights."
"Thanks, Wikstrom." Dominic said with a smile. He and Aegislash both took a medal, proud of how far they've both come since that first adventure in Kalos.
AN: The Aegislash in this chapter evolved from the Doublade in the first chapter.