Hard Enough - Chapter 315 - Jousting in Rota!

Trumpets blared out as banners flapped in the wind on what was a perfect day to be out and about. 

The Knights competing in the joust rode their trusty steeds through the streets as crowds cheered and waved small tokens. Flower petals rained down from windows overlooking the knights.

At the side of each knight, a faithful squire marched with their knight’s banner held high.

For most people, that meant that they had a young boy marching on their sides.

However, not all had a child. 

Some had pokemon.

One rather portly knight, with his visor raised to reveal a bushy beard spilling out and a bombastic laugh, had a Ludicolo tromping along next to him with a banner of lilies on a pond. 

A short yet well-built woman rode with a Nidoqueen at her side, her banner emblazoned with blue and pink slashes. 

Another had a Poliwrath with what looked like bubbles as their heraldry. 

And then there was Sanchez, who strode forth with a hastily made banner of lavender encircled by an II symbol. It was relatively simple but still striking. 

Mewtwo rode along with all the others, his head straight ahead, ignoring the crowd. Wrapped around his arm a small strip of cloth fluttered while atop his helmet a crown of flowers rested. 

Sanchez gamboled and danced at his side, waving and earning the crowd’s delight like a natural showman.

Rapidash shot him the occasional fearful look.

I had to hand it to that Rapidash, it had good instincts. I gave a few other Knights a casual look over, only to lock onto one riding the side saddle. “It seems Mewtwo might not be the only pokemon taking part,” I whispered to Sabrina. 

Sabrina glanced towards the pokemon I’d singled out. “Hmmm a Gardevoir Knight? Interesting, he should do quite well for himself,” she said. 

I blinked. Oh right. Male Gardevoir existed. 

Sabrina nodded further down the line of knights to the final knight, who was revealed to be a Machoke wearing an armored suit. Well, they were wearing a chest piece at least. 

I glanced down and noted that the Rapidash that they were riding were bigger than any other horse.  

“They look like they’re taking some advantage into this tournament with how much horsepower they’re riding.” 

“Indeed. Also? That’s a female Machoke,” Sabrina informed me with a slight twitch of her lips. 

I chuckled. “It should make for some interesting showing. How are our seats for the event?” I asked. 

“It's not too bad considering we were late and aren’t locals,” Sabrina flashed the tickets in front of my face, and I referenced them against the map of the jousting stands. 

“Huh, almost at the midpoint,” I said, eying what took up most of the room. “They’ve got a sizable space for the VIP boxes.” We entered the stands as the final knights entered and joined the line facing towards the royal booth where two women were sitting.

One was the Dowager Queen, judging by her age, while the other was the current presiding Queen of Rota, Queen Ilene.  

“So should we just present ourselves at the Palace to talk to the Dowager Queen abou—” I started to ask Sabrina, only for a polite cough to interrupt me. 

I turned to find a butler standing behind me with impeccable poise. He also had the almost signature suit with waistcoat and boots polished to such a shine I could see myself in them. Atop his head, a foppish-looking wig rested over no actual hair. 

“Mistress Sabrina and Master Brock? Her Majesty wishes to extend an invitation to the both of you to observe the demonstration with her from the royal pavilion,” he said as he stepped and gestured, expecting that, of course, we would follow. 

I shot Sabrina an amused look and rose to follow the man’s lead towards the secure section of the stands, where we passed by a pair of guards before entering the royal booth. 

The Butler turned before we reached the section where the Queens were seated. “As you are not subjects, you need only give a shallow bow to show respect to their Majesties,” he said, demonstrating the bow. “This would not typically be asked of you, however you are in public, and it does wonders to preserve prestige when traditions and our ways are followed.” 

He shot us both looks. “It also avoids stepping on the toes of those who fervently support the crown.”

I got the impression he was one such supporter, but didn’t bring that up as we were led to the Queens. 

“May I present Sabrina of Saffron City and Brock of Pewter City, both Gym Leaders of Indigo, to your Majesties!” announced the Butler with a flourishing bow that saw him almost headbutting the floor. 

He shot back into a straight position, and I had to bite my tongue as the rather silly wig he wore fell to the floor.

I noticed both Queens giggled at the man’s antics, and the small Mime Jr. clapped its hands from Queen Ilene’s lap. 

A moment later, the wig rose telekinetically and landed atop the butler’s head. 

“Thank you kindly for escorting our guests, Jasper,” said the older woman whose title I believed was Dowager Queen with a twinkle in her eyes. 

Sabrina and I both stepped up and gave polite bows, which the Queens responded to with simple bobs of their heads. 

“Please be seated and make yourselves comfortable,” said the Dowager Queen. 

Sabrina inclined her head as she sat, and I took the chair next to her. I cast a glance out onto the field and found this seating much better for watching the joust.

“Welcome to the Kingdom of Rota Gym Leaders,” said Queen Ilene with a smile. “We must admit we were rather intrigued when both of you applied to enter our humble kingdom.” 

I noted that she was using the royal ‘we’ when talking about herself. An interesting inflection that I didn’t completely understand beyond knowing it gave her a certain gravitas when she spoke. 

“I’ve wanted to come for many years now, but sadly, duties at home have always restrained me,” I said honestly. “And humble? I think Rota is quite beautiful, from what I’ve seen so far.”

Sabrina nodded along at my comments. “And we have yet to go on a tour of the Cameran Palace.”

Queen Ilene tittered. “Oh that little tour? That barely scratches the surface of our home, we assure you.” 

“I can only imagine,” I replied honestly. 

The two Queens looked at each other. “Seeing as you are both foreign dignitaries of some renown, it would not be considered strange to extend an invitation for you both to stay in the Palace. We would like to learn more about both of you as you are each rather widely celebrated for your various contributions,” declared the Dowager Queen Yvette.

Mime Jr. laughed and made a show of clapping its hands, which caused two servants who had been standing at the back wall to peel away. 

Ilene smiled. “We shall have your suitcases and personal items delivered to the guest wing of the Castle,” he declared.

“Oh that’s perfectly fine, I wouldn’t want to impose,” I said, only for Sabrina to flash me an annoyed look. She had no qualms with upgrading from our penthouse hotel room to a castle. 

“It shan’t be imposing at all. You would be guests and quite special ones at that,” declared the older woman.

She nodded to Sabrina. “You stand as a wonderful role model for many a young woman, my dear.” She then turned to me. “Your charity work is also very commendable.”

I blinked. That hadn’t been what I’d expected her to compliment me on.

Queen Ilene nodded as she leaned past her mother to speak with us. “If you were a subject within our kingdom, we would have knighted you officially for your commitment to youth support.”  

“Oh, thank you kindly, your majesties,” I said, giving them both a more heartfelt nod of appreciation for their words. I coughed. “Also, I was to hand this over to your guards,” I said as I offered Yvette Agatha’s letter.

“Oh! I recognise that scrawl anywhere! Agatha that old hag!” she said with a cheery laugh. “She might finally come around once more now that she’s no longer tied down in Indigo as one of your Elite Four!”

She gave the letter a quick perusal. She then folded it and handed it to a servant to hold for her. “Hmmm, it seems she thinks rather highly of both of you as she wrote what amounts to a letter of introduction.”

“Oh? Well, we have crossed paths and worked together quite a bit,” I said neutrally. 

“Heh, she’s a tough old bird to deal with. Not at all how she used to be!” declared Yvette.

“I’ll take your word for it,” I replied.

We momentarily paused our chatter to observe the tournament's first pass with the Machoke thundering down the list to smash her lance into a hapless man who was soaring off his Rapidash. 

I grimaced. “Bad luck that,” I said.

“No, it was poor technique,” declared the Dowager Queen primly. “You see there is a certain method of couching your lance that allows you more control of it. You also need to be able to work with your mount, rising in time with it and making sure that the cadence is just so when you decide to strike at your foe.” She demonstrated this by making her two hands move together while maintaining a slight gap between them. 

“If you don’t wish to commit a strong blow, you need to marshal your strength and brace through your core to keep yourself upright,” she said, making a show of tensing up. 

It was then that I noticed that despite all the frill and lace the woman was wearing, she had enough muscle on her to make me think she might have given Trixie a run for her money in her youth.

Yvette, which was the name of the Dowager, continued to detail the key points to look for each joust along with her personal thoughts on each matchup

I had to admit that, although I’d never witnessed a joust before, I found myself drawn into the specifics of how she quickly listed off what to look for in a ‘good knight’. Yvette also had a natural charm with her words that made the entire event just that much more enjoyable to learn about. 

“I think you’d make an amazing announcer for this sport. Have you ever thought of broadening it to Indigo or further?”

Queen Ilene offered me a faint smile. “We feel it is too niche for the masses to enjoy. It requires a certain upbringing.”

I hummed, not really agreeing with her comment, especially after the show Bruno and Marshal had put on a few nights ago. Jousting could be quite popular. It wouldn’t be any different than rodeo events after all. 

When it finally came time for Mewtwo to join the list, I was less confident in his chances. 

Sanchez knelt and offered up the lance before jogging across to the other end, where if Mewtwo made it through the first exchange, he would take up another lance and ride out again. 

“Is that not your Golem Brock?” asked Ilene. 

“Yes, I’m… letting him experience something new as a squire for… Sir Twain,” I said.

“How novel,” declared Yvette grandly as Sanchez paused to bow in our direction like the other squire was doing. He then straightened and shot finger guns at us before continuing on his way. 

Mime Jr. and Ilene giggled. “We enjoy his candor,” she declared before the trumpets blared and the joust began.

I could only watch helplessly as Mewtwo nudged his Rapidash into a headlong sprint down the list. 

Yvette’s breath hitched and it was thanks to her commentary that I had half a clue what was going on. 

Mewtwo thundered straight down the list, lance perfectly couched, or as near to as I had seen from any of the competitors so far today. 

Dowager Yvette sat bolt upright, her eyes locking onto Mewtwo’s form. “Exceptional form!” she whispered.

Both lances slammed into shields, and Mewtwo twisted deftly, avoiding the strike and sending his opponent’s lance skittering harmlessly away while his own Lance held firm. 

It was like watching a Beedrill run into a Rock Throw. Mewtwo’s foe folded around the lance and was hurled backwards, where they rolled across the sand. 

Yvette shot to her feet. “Well struck!” she roared, surprising everyone in the vicinity. She clapped her hands and hooted. “Ha! That there Knight has skill in spades! I haven't seen a more natural seat on a Rapidash in nearly all my life!” she declared. 

I turned and stared at Mewtwo. How had he done that? Had he learned from observing the previous jousts? I was about to lean over and ask Sabrina for her thoughts when I noted the glow in her eyes. 

I leaned over to Sabrina. “Are you feeding Mewtwo everything that Yvette just told us?” I asked quietly. 

Sabrina nodded. “He’s very receptive to it and he’s been able to adopt it very quickly.” 

I leaned back, mystery solved. 

“I think we’re watching the future Champion of today’s joust,” I announced, and Yvette nodded seriously. 

“He’ll need to account for the scoring system. It’s better to strike the helmet as that’s worth more points which if a joust goes for ten rounds without unhorsing your opponent will mean much,” she declared.

“Does that happen much?” I asked.

“Several times each tournament, although one shouldn’t discount how unnerving it can be to be struck in the helmet. The chest piece and shield are much larger targets and therefore worth less points,” Yvette stated.

Mewtwo trotted his Rapidash past the royal box and saluted us with his lance, only to turn and dip the lance towards a certain section of the stands where a blue-haired girl was dancing and waving her arms madly at Mewtwo.

I smiled. This still wasn’t how I thought things were going to go, but so far this holiday was off to a smashing success. Yvette turned to me. “How do you know him?” she asked. 

I blinked. Ah, I hadn’t expected to be questioned over that but now it seemed rather obvious. 

“He’s a distant cousin of mine,” Sabrina supplied. “I mentioned to my family that I would be holidaying with Brock in Rota after the Trinity Nations departed.”

The Queens both leaned back into their seats, and I could practically see a formal mask slip into place as they nodded at the same time as each other. 

Queen Ilene spoke first. “We would also like to discuss the implications of the new nations opening their borders. Due to the speed at which the nations appeared, we were not able to properly establish ties with any of the new nations.” Queen Ilene looked down at Mime Jr. pensively.

Dowager Yvette coughed. “But perhaps that would be best left for this evening in a more private setting,” she stated formally, earning a nod from Ilene. 

Sabrina and I shared a look. It would make sense that a small nation like Rota might be a touch nervous about other large nations linking up with Indigo, especially when almost all trade had to go through Indigo to reach any of these other nations. 

“We would have no concerns about that,” Sabrina offered easily, and I nodded to show my support.

Both royals relaxed slightly at this and we returned to watching the joust which allowed us to relax. Ilene took the time to discuss care of young psychic pokemon with Mime Jr. waving merrily as knights struck out at each other. 

During that discussion, I emailed Lance to see if we could get any more information for the monarch of Rota, which resulted in a kludged-together file that had been made up. Huh, it seemed Rota wasn’t the only minor nation asking some questions. That, or Lance had been prepared for this. 

When it was time for Mewtwo’s second match, Sanchez once more tumbled and spun his way from end to end with a bombastic laugh, earning himself a smattering of applause from the crowd.

When the actual joust occurred, Mewtwo once again thundered down the list, riding like a hero of old.

Both lances struck with Mewtwos’ slamming home like a bolt of lightning, rocking his foe back while Mewtwo once again rolled with the blow.

His opponent held firm in his saddle, and when they reached the end both squires offered each Knight another lance. 

The trumpets rang again, and once more the thundering staccato of hoofbeats came alive. 

Just before the two clashed, everyone held their breath causing a silence before a deafening bang rang out. 

This time, both knights took solid hits, and Mewtwo was rocked back. 

He held his saddle, however and rode to the end to take up his lance once more. 

“This is more like it!” Yvette crowed as she leaned forward eagerly. 

It took another two exchanges for the victor to be decided. Mewtwo held his line perfectly and that appeared to be enough to bowl over his foe who was struck cleanly from his mount. 

When the victor was called, the crowd surged to their feet like Mewtwo had just won the entire event. 

Yvette clapped merrily only to sink into her chair. “Ah! Wonderful show that! Truly, it is a shame that they met each other so early into the tourney. Now I’m afraid your cousin Sir Twain will fall away in the coming rounds,” she stated. 

“You do not think he will win the day?” Sabrina asked. 

Yvette shook her head. “Unfortunately, no. You see, a match like this drains the strength and endurance of those who take part. Sir Twain will struggle in the coming matches as people grow more skilled. Sometimes luck of the draw can be one of the biggest deciders in a Jousting tournament,” Yvette stated firmly. 

She patted Sabrina lightly on the hand. “For a new entrant, he has done marvelously,” she said in a manner that was only slightly condescending. 

I glanced away, biting my lips to hold back my laughter. 

Sabrina knew, though and when Ilene and Yvette were distracted, she raised an imperious eyebrow. “Something funny?” she asked.

“Doesn’t Mewtwo know Recover?” I whispered. 

Sabrina smirked and patted my hand. 

We proceeded to watch as Mewtwo stormed through his competitors. Some of them obviously assumed much like Yvette had, that he would tire and grow weaker. 

If anything, he got stronger, or at least better at applying his strength. 

He started chambering his thrusts after witnessing one competitor perform the trick, only to match it in an exchange later. 

When he reached the semi-final, he had gained a loud following thanks in part to Sanchez’s antics, while others applauded him for his saluting towards the young girl whose favour he wore. 

I noted that throughout every blow he’d taken, the crown of flowers stayed firmly attached to his helmet. 

In the other bracket Gardevoir came up against Machoke. I chuckled as I raised up my pokedex and started recording, if nothing else it would be an interesting video of pokemon in sports that Salvadore and Oak would love. 

The field rang with the clash of lances as both combatants exchanged no less than seven blows before they cantered out to regather their eighth set of lances.

Dowager Yvette shot to her feet for it and shouted encouragement. “That’s it! Fight on both of you!” she roared, forgetting herself. Her daughter tugged at Yvette’s sleeve helplessly. 

“Mother! Please! Have some decorum!” pleaded Queen Ilene. 

“Not now, dearest!” Yvette replied tersely as her eyes remained locked on the two thundering knights as they closed for their eighth exchange. 

Once again, everyone held their breaths at the strike only for Machoke to roar her defiance and hammer Gardevoir out of his saddle. 

As the victory was announced, Machoke beat at her chest and raised her shattered lance to the heavens, only to start glowing, setting off a round of gasps from the crowd. 

“Huh, I suppose these conditions would fit,” I said as I held the pokedex firm. I’d heard of Machoke evolving from completing particularly insane workouts or battles before, so I suppose an intense joust could trigger the same conditions. 

When the light faded, Machamp was revealed. She practically burst out of her armor, and the shrill shriek of metal announced that some parts, like where the extra set of arms had emerged, hadn’t been able to handle the strength of the super power pokemon.

“Machamp!” she bellowed, and the crowd shouted their praise.

I quickly sent off the video to Salvadore and Oak before, after a moment’s consideration, adding Rachel to the list.

She sent back a still image that she’d captured of Gardevoir and Machoke about to exchange hits with each other. Only instead of lances, Rachel had swapped out a picture of Lance Blackthorn. I chuckled and showed Sabrina the image, earning a giggle from her.

When Yvette coughed politely, I suddenly felt a touch awkward. 

What was the etiquette on sharing memes with a royal?

I showed her the meme, and she chortled while Ilene hid her mouth but tittered as well.

When it was Mewtwo’s turn, something different occurred than the usual exchange of blows. 

Sanchez and the squire once again ran out, only this time the human squire got in Sanchez’s way to whisper something to him. 

Sanchez paused momentarily, adopting a more serious expression before nodding and rolling back to Mewtwo.

Everyone watched as the squires, instead of moving to their stations, returned to their respective knights. 

Yvette sighed. “Ah, I did think that Sir Reginald was looking a bit off in that last exchange. It seems he held through to win but doesn’t rate his chances,” she said.

I glanced at her, only for her to wave a dismissive hand at the list as both knights, rather than emerge at a gallop, fixed their lances upon each other until the halfway mark, when they raised them into the air and bobbed them up and down at each other. 

Yvette nodded. “An honour exchange,” she declared. 

I coughed. “I’m sorry, but I’m in the dark about this. What is the significance?” I asked.

“Sir Reginald is too injured to partake but wishes not to merely concede without riding out. It’s an old tradition, but at least stepping on the field is viewed more honourably. Sir Twain didn’t have to agree to this as there have been occasions where people have used it to trick a foe with a last-minute betrayal.” 

Ilene sniffed. “It is something we feel should be ruled out of Jousts.”

Yvette sighed and shook her head. “Not every knight can be white, dearest. Some people like having Dark Knights that do whatever it takes to win. Let some people be rat bastards, and let some others learn to be ready for them. It’s healthy unsanitized competition,” Yvette stated with the tone of someone well used to stating her argument. 

Ilene sniffed delicately but didn’t respond any further as Mewtwo was announced as the victor to the crowd's polite applause. 

Sir Reginald also received a small cheer when it was announced that he’d broken eight ribs and fractured an arm, two  jousts ago. I whistled, impressed that he’d held out so long.

Yvette and Ilene both rose to join the applause, and everyone quickly joined in properly. 

When it was time for the final, Mewtwo lined up across from Machamp. 

I eyed the much larger Rapidash that Machamp was riding as it pawed at the ground. “Impressive mount. I have to say the breeder did well.”

Yvette scoffed. “Oh? That little filly that Machamp is riding? Hmmm, she’s alright, I suppose. She has nothing on my Thunder that I used to ride however.” 

I raised a disbelieving look at her. “Thunder sounds impressive.”

Yvette nodded, and her eyes became a little misty. “He was yes… we used to have such gay times together. We galavanted about the plains and explored much of Rota’s forests. Agatha joined us a few times back then.” 

I nodded, understanding that Thunder was no longer with us.  

Sanchez once again flipped and rolled his way across the arena only for Machamp’s squire who was a Machop, to lock eyes with Sanchez. 

The two pokemon paused at the centre of the field and began hopping back and forth at each other only for Machop to perform a backflip. The little pokemon landed it perfectly.

Sanchez roared with delight as he made to copy the move.

I facepalmed as instead of landing it he over committed and landed on his face. Sanchez rose none the worse and laughed at his mistake while Machop poised like they’d just won some great challenge. 

The crowd laughed at their antics before both pokemon darted to their respective positions. 

A herald announced both competitors before raising his hand. When he dropped it trumpets rang out, and for perhaps the final time, Mewtwo and Machamp charged forth.

Immediately, I noticed something worrying. 

Machamp had previously only been able to cough her lance with one arm. Now she did so with two, allowing for a deadly accurate lance that I could only assume would have at least twice the power it previously did if not more. 

Mewtwo held position, lance adjusted perfectly as he closed. 

A moment before the lances struck, I realised Machamp had one disadvantage: she hadn’t adapted to her new evolution with both her own methods of positioning herself along with her armor.

She hadn’t found a helmet big enough. 

Mewtwo, as though sensing the weak spot, adjusted his lance to target her head for the first time. 

Machamp, rather than balk at the oncoming weapon, lowered her head and growled. 

Both sets of lances hammered into each other, and Machamp’s head rocked back while Mewtwo was sent flat in his saddle. His Rapidash continued on for a moment and it took Mewtwo several seconds to right himself. 

“I don’t think he was ready for how hard Machamp could hit,” I declared. 

Sabrina sat up, a little worry flickering in her eyes for the first time. I rubbed my chin. Mewtwo would crush Machamp in a proper pokemon battle, there could be no questioning that fact. 

Mewtwo would barely need to flick a finger at Machamp, and she’d fold. 

This however, was not a normal pokemon battle. 

This was a joust, which was the bread and butter of this particular Machamp.

Mewtwo rose back into his saddle and shook himself off, earning a round of applause. 

Across the field, Machamp raised her lance in salute before lowering it to indicate she was ready once more.

When Mewtwo had his own lance, they charged once again.

The thunder of hooves filled the arena for a second time, and as they closed thunder rang out as both lances crashed into each other. 

Once more, Mewtwo aimed for the head only to be laid flat by Machamp with her counterstrike. 

Mewtwo took a few moments to sit up once more while Machamp shook her head, sending broken bits of lance and sawdust flying.

When the third exchange occurred, everyone was on the edge of their seats. 

It played out precisely as the others had.

Mewtwo struck the head and in reply got flattened in his saddle. Yvette shot to her feet. “Marvelous!” she roared. 

I noted that this time Ilene didn’t chastise her.

By the sixth exchange, I had noticed a shift. 

Mewtwo was struggling. He must have been relying on Recover to keep him in the fight but as Sabrina and I had proven before, even a Legendary pokemon could struggle if you kept on the pressure.

I wasn’t the only one to notice, though.

The crowd rose after each strike watching as Mewtwo struggled to retake his seat. It started with Amber.

“Don’t give up Sir Knight!” she shouted.

From there, a tidal wave of support sprang forth for Mewtwo with people chanting for him, urging him to keep fighting.

They knew he'd win on points if he could hold out. 

Machamp seemed to realise this as well as she adjusted her aim for Mewtwo’s head on the seventh pass.

For the first time in the final joust, she missed.

Mewtwo ducked his head and shoved his own lance into her chest piece, shattering it and earning himself a single point. 

A chant went up through the crowd. 

“Hold Strong! Hold Strong!” they shouted for Mewtwo. 

Mewtwo acknowledged them with a deft nod before kicking his Rapidash into another charge. 

For the eighth exchange, Machamp once again targeted Mewtwo’s chest. Her lance thundered into him and laid him flat, causing Mewtwo to miss for the first time in the entire tournament. 

I grimaced. I might not like Mewtwo, especially with our first interactions resulting in Will almost beating me, that and the whole Silph Co incident where he dangled me off a skyscraper but damn he’d earned some respect for being able to weather those blows.

I laced my fingers together and watched on, wondering how he would handle this.

People gasped in shock as Mewtwo’s Rapidash slowed, allowing Mewtwo to grab the pommel and lift himself back into his saddle. 

He wobbled only to appear to shake it off and straighten. 

I glanced at Sabrina, curious to know how he was actually doing. 

Sabrina watched on stoically, but her lips were pressed tightly together.

For the ninth exchange, Machamp struck once more for the chest, and once again, Mewtwo missed. He barely made it off the field with Rapidash before righting himself. 

Sanchez patted him on the leg and gestured towards the crowd, which had taken up shouting and cheering for Mewtwo so loudly that it had almost become deafening.

Across from Mewtwo, Machamp raised her final lance in salute, with Mewtwo matching her.

And then they charged each other, lances held in perfect positions to unleash devastation upon each other.

Ilene shot to her feet, joining Yvette. “Do it! Win!” she shouted, forgetting all about decorum to cheer with the rest of the crowd. 

Mewtwo aimed for the chest, and Machamp appeared to mirror him, only to change at the last moment. 

The tip of her spear tilted up and slammed home into Mewtwo’s helmet, landing a critical hit with the metal warping from the blow.

Mewtwo was twisted in his saddle but in such a way that his own blow came back stronger.

He struck Machamp squarely in the chest, and for the first time, she flopped back in her saddle only to right herself.

Mewtwo wobbled, swayed, and righted himself with what had to be a monumental effort of willpower.

The crowd erupted in applause and the Queens hugged each other while bouncing up and down in delight. Ilene was quick to regather herself though and broke the hug to resume a more polite standing clap to give Mewtwo.

The herald stepped forward and declared loudly, “The victory, via points instead of the typical unhorsing, goes to Sir Twain of Saffron City!”  

The crowd roared their approval as Machamp bowed her head in acceptance. 

When Mewtwo rode back to the royal pavilion, the herald stepped forward to present a sash signifying his victory along with a cheque. 

The crowd continued to holler and hoot without any signs of stopping, only for Queen Ilene to step forward.  

The crowd quietened quickly as she raised her hands for peace. “Congratulations, Sir Twain! That was the most exciting joust we have had the pleasure of witnessing in some time. You have overcome great odds. Now we beg for an indulgence, may we see the face of our victor?”

Sabrina and I both stiffened. 

Oh shit. 

Mewtwo tapped at the warped metal. “My apologies to Your Majesty, the last exchange… I’m afraid I will have to see to it being taken off delicately, as I can feel some metal spikes in my skin. I fear I might lose an eye if I am not careful.”

I had to give it to Mewtwo. That was a smooth deflection.

Queen Ilene nodded. “Well, we shall have to talk face to face later then." She raised her hands towards Mewtwo. “People of Rota! We give you your Champion!” 

The crowd once more cheered.

The cheering swelled in volume when Mewtwo made a slow circuit of the arena with his Rapidash. Sanchez trailed behind him with a gigantic grin on his face.

Mewtwo paused before Amber. He tapped the favour on his arm and then the flower crown on his head. I frowned. Had Mewtwo protected that in the final exchange?

Mewtwo tossed the cheque up to Amber and then, like a hero of old, he spurred his Rapidash to exit the arena, leaving everyone stunned with his departure.

“Dramatic much,” I murmured to myself. 

Yvette laughed loudly, “I like his style!” 

Sabrina and I shared a look. Sabrina coughed. “My cousin is… very taken with stories of old knights, I’m afraid he’s going to fulfill the dramatic ride off into the sunset,” she informed the Queens.

Both Queens blinked. “Oh… is he… a special case?” Yvette asked.

I opened my mouth to say yes only for Sabrina to pinch my hand lightly. 

Ilene whipped around. “Mother! You shouldn’t say things like that anymore!” 

Yvette waved it off, and I got a glimpse of what Agatha might have liked about this woman. They were both blunt in their manners of speech.

When it became clear that Mewtwo wasn’t coming back, the herald declared the event over and we joined the royal procession back to the castle.

Sabrina and I rode with the Queens in their carriage which was led by no less than four shiny Rapidash. 

When we reached the castle grounds, the Queens led us to the front entrance, where we were handed over to a servant to be led to the guest wing.

It took us another twenty minutes of walking past rooms to reach ours. 

“How many rooms are there in the guest wing?” I asked of our guide.

“Eighty-six,” he replied without missing a beat. “We’ve set you up in the foreign dignitary suite, however.” 

He swept past a third ballroom, and I paused as I saw a painting depicting a man in a blue cloak with a swept-back blue hat, wielding a staff above his head. At his side, a Lucario was poised to fight whoever they were facing.

The guide paused. “Ah, that is a painting of the hero, Sir Aaron and his faithful companion, Lucario. They saved the kingdom from a great calamity,” he announced. 

I nodded and took a long moment to commit the staff to memory. If we were going to the Tree of Beginning anyway, it might be worth looking out for the crystal. 

We entered our suite of rooms as the guide led us around, listing off the functions of each space.

“—and this is the reception hall for guests you might wish to entertain, along with the sitting room, the lounge which opens onto the balcony overlooking the gardens.” 

I stared as he continued to list off more and more rooms only to pause in front of our bedrooms. “And this will be your bedroom where you may sleep and… ahem,” he cleared his throat and stepped back. “If there is anything you require, each room has a small white button. Press it and you will have a maid or butler check in within a few minutes, he declared. 

I nodded, still a little stunned at learning how much of an upgrade getting to stay at a castle actually was. I eyed the piano in the corner of the lounge. 

I blinked as another artwork caught my attention. It was a large, almost one-to-one scale artwork detailing a much younger Queen Yvette riding what looked like the father of all Rapidash.

“Is that an accurate representation?” I asked.

The guide chuckled. “Yes, that is Dowager Queen Yvette and her Rapidash, Thunder.”

Thunder appeared to be some nightmare version of a warhorse that was easily two times larger than the normal Rapidash. Instead of normal saddle and bridle, Queen Ilene rode Thunder in full plate armor that made him only more intimidating.

I stared. “Was he part fighting type?” I asked, referencing the musclebound body. 

The guide chuckled again. “No, just fire typed,” he said fondly before making his exit. 

I flopped onto the lounge as Sabrina released Kirlia, Alakazam and her Espeon. 

I considered releasing Golbat and Gible, but they might make a mess, so I decided against it. Instead, I released Ursaring, Link, and Selene to spend some time with us. 

I’d released the others into the garden later if they promised to behave themselves.

I suspected Bertha would be ropeable with me if I didn’t let her out to wander the grounds of a castle, but I could hold off for now.

Alakazam ambled over to the piano and started playing what I vaguely recognised as an arpeggio. “He plays piano?” I asked. 

Sabrina nodded. “He’s dabbling,” she mentioned offhandedly as Kirlia moved to watch Alakazam, while Link bounced back and forth in time with the tune.

“Sooo, this is a bit of an upgrade,” I murmured as I inspected the chandelier in the room.

Sabrina nodded. “I think I’d like to own a manor in Rota,” she declared. 

I just laughed. What even was my life that I’d left home for all of a day only to find myself in a castle with my fiancé after spending most of the day cheering for a Legendary pokemon?

I had to admit I was very fortunate and looking forward to what tomorrow delivered. 

                                                                                 ____________________

A.N. Thanks go to my patreons. This chapter draws upon vague understandings of jousting with the kirks of pokemon!

Writing this made me really want to read an ASOIAF where the MC was a knight going around winning tournaments cause I feel like it’s a crying shame we haven’t had a Knight Tale/ASOIAF cross over yet. 

Thanks also go to Twmmy for proofreading this chapter!