Hard Enough - Chapter 443 - Old versus new (Patreon)

We adjourned to the conservatory.

In another’s home, this would be a simple room.

Queen Ilene’s conservatory was a full on greenhouse that gave Erika’s Gym a run for its money. Where Erika had a field with functional creeks and multiplied gardens with hills and segmented areas for various climates, Queen Ilene had a towering cathedral of green.

Pots hung from thin chains with overflowing vines and vines that made it almost look like they were floating. There was just enough internal airflow to cause them to shift, making the hundreds of pots drift on idle currents as some great mechanism sent the entire array moving through a pattern that I was sure if I sat and watched them for long enough, I could decipher.

It was a splendid venue for tea, especially following the recent altercation with Lucarios.

Cynthia’s Lucario had taken up a position behind his trainer while Sir Lucario stood behind Queen Ilene.

On her lap, a small Riolu munched on a biscuit, causing his mentor to scowl in annoyance only for the Queen to coo at the little jackal.

Erika sat to the side, eyes flitting back and forth between the heavyweights of the room.

Cynthia and the Queen were merely sitting, enjoying the tea with soft bliss showing through. Despite one being a Queen of a nation and another being a Champion. They weren’t able to overshadow the third lady.

Sabrina hadn’t taken up a regal posture but had instead claimed a couch so she could lounge against me. Something Sir Lucario had disapproved of greatly but hadn’t been able to voice due to Ilene giggling at Sabrina’s actions.

Sabrina didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, but she likewise didn’t allow herself to fade.

My lips twitched, knowing she was staking her claim on our wedding well in advance. 

She’d told others to try their best and she held to that. It was rather interesting how simply her mindset shifting caused a change in her very presence.

Instead of casting a shadow of my own, I sat and enjoyed my tea and cake, present but not looming. I was too amused by what I knew would come.

“So the diplomatic party will be a few days away still,” Queen Ilene commented idly.

“Indeed, as I mentioned, I realised that with our entrance there was going to be a lot of pomp and faf so I decided to cut to the chase and get where I would eventually be!” She announced. Cynthia with a coy smile. “I might have annoyed a few people, but being Champion should come with a few perks!”

“It does not entitle you to entering Rota’s Castle! Have some shame!” growled Sir Lucario.

“Sir,” chided Queen Ilene. “We’ve been over this. She was merely overeager to experience Rota and all that our fair nation has to offer.”

“Tch!” responded Sir Lucario.

“Hmmm, that’s certainly quite the Knight in shining armour you have there, your Highness,” remarked Cynthia. “I have to admit I’m intrigued as to where you trained. I have yet to encounter a being that has handled my Lucario with such… ease.”

She glanced over her shoulder where her Lucario was boring its gaze right into Sir Lucario, who in turn was ignoring the look.

“The only pokemon I can think of that has done such was my Garchomp.”

“Ah, it is quite a tale. Sir Lucario, would you mind overly much if we shared your story?” Queen Ilene asked.

“You may do as you wish, Your Highness,” replied Sir Lucario loyally.

Queen Ilene let out a soft sigh. “We suppose that means it is fine with you.” Turning back she smiled. “It actually began with Gym Leaders Brock and Sabrina. They came to our nation looking to rest and experience our nation’s culture. During the event, we invited them to stay within our castle, and an old artifact that has been passed down within our family for generations was brought forth.”

She inclined her head. “The staff was activated, and Sir Lucario was released from temporal prison that none had known he was within for hundreds of years.”

“You’re… a pokemon from a bygone age?” Cynthia murmured with clear surprise. 

It might have been missed by others, but I caught the slight tremor in her fingers and the quick inhalation. I think the Queen had just given Cynthia a more appealing target than any castle or ancient library. A being that had lived through the past ages?

Few could claim such.

Fewer still could articulate it easily.

“My goodness, that must have been a wonderful story,” Cynthia remarked, gaze shifting from Sir Lucario to Sabrina and I. The unspoken desire to ask more questions evident in her eyes.

Sabrina’s teacup floated down to clink on the table before her. “It was an interesting holiday,” she replied drolly, like going on holiday with Mewtwo and experiencing the Tree of Beginning had been a simple traipse through the garden for us.

Not at all worth commenting on.

“Hmmmm, yes, holidays would be important for you considering the events that followed,” Cynthia said, alluding to the Shamouti incident that came right after the Rota holiday.

That got a response from me. “Well you’re not wrong,” I huffed in amusement.

When nothing else was offered Cynthia’s gaze gravitated back to Sir Lucario. “I must ask, would it be possible for my Lucario to train with you? I think he could learn a great deal from such a distinguished pokemon.”

Queen Ilene raised an eyebrow and glanced once more to Sir Lucario, who predictably looked right back at her, awaiting her command.

Queen Ilene’s lips twitched upwards. “We think that would be a marvellous idea. The young pups could do with having an older pokemon of their species to show them the differences that will come.”

“Hmph, if it can show the required discipline, I will allow it to train with the other Pages,” added Sir Lucario with a rather subtle jab.

Cynthia’s Lucario must have picked up on the snub; however, his ears flattened and a trio of teeth were bared before they vanished a moment later.

“When do you train?” I asked, knowing I didn’t want to miss the sparks flying as two powerful pokemon would be forced into close quarters.

“Before the sun has risen,” Sir Lucario declared smugly.

“Oh, so five then? Nice,” I replied easily. Erika, Cynthia and Sabrina all nodded while Ilene looked pensive.

“That is rather early…” she murmured thoughtfully, eyeing the pup in her lap. She began to worry her lip and Sir Lucario shifted from behind her.

"Perhaps I could—” Sir Lucario started to say only for Cynthia to beat him to the punch.

“Although I suppose I should verify that you do have the skills to back up your earlier victory. I wouldn’t want it to be just a fluke,” she said calmly, like she hadn’t just thrown fuel on a smouldering firepit.

Both Lucario's ears shot upwards in a display of shock before they locked eyes.

“That sounds like a capital idea!” chimed the Queen, either unaware of the subtext or very aware and more than happy to let the fight play out.

I found I was very much a fan of this.

For a long moment no one spoke, instead we became very aware of the two aura pokemon radiating palpable intent.

“No moves,” Sir Lucario stated. “If this is to be a test of our skills then it shall be merely our knowledge of martial arts.”

“Lu,” growled Cynthia’s Lucario with a firm nod, gaze still locked in place.

“Is a training yard available?” Cynthia asked pleasantly as she set her tea cup down with a soft clink.

“It shall be made so,” declared Queen Ilene. She then leaned down and whispered something into the little Riolu’s ears that had it perking up and wiggling in glee.

“Ri!” it barked, hopping off her lap and nodding.

“Ahem,” Sir Lucario cleared his throat, which, considering he was projecting his aura to ‘speak’ was quite the feat for him to do so. Did he have to learn how to do that specifically, or was it all intent?

Regardless, Riolu stiffened and adopted a more formal pose before bowing towards Queen Ilene who hid her mouth with a fan, but from my angle, I could see the smile.

“You may go,” she suggested regally. 

Riolu scuttled off quickly looking more like a pokemon with hot gossip than one with an order from their liege.

“Well, then, shall you escort us to the eastern training ground, Sir Lucario?” suggested the Queen.

“Of course,” he agreed easily, stepping forward and offering her a hand to let her rise up gracefully.

Erika followed to her feet while Cynthia unfolded her legs to stand.

Sabrina and I floated to our feet without any apparent effort. With a short walk we found ourselves relocated from the conservatory to a training field that had a pack of Riolu pups performing simple tasks while pointedly watching for our group.

Sir Lucario clicked his tongue at their appearance before giving his Queen an amused look. He led us to the wooden stands. A twitch of his paw sent the Riolu that had been performing their duties on the stands.

“They can sit with us,” declared the Queen. “We shall require an honour guard.”

Instantly the Riolu that had been vacating the stands shot back in, crowding and fighting amoung themselves to get into position to be around the Queen.

The losers looked despondent until Cynthia reached out and plucked two little jackals to begin scratching behind their ears. “Ooooh, so cute!” she cooed.

I claimed my own seat without any Riolu, instead giving the group a thoughtful look over. Then I glanced up and around the courtyard, noting that there were multiple passageways and small balconies that had another number of Riolu.

I began to quietly count them out only for Sabrina to notice.

“There are twenty Riolu in the training pack,” she informed me. 

“Ah, that’s an impressive number to garner so quickly,” I offered. “May I express my praise for the breeders that were able to secure such a force so quickly,” I directed my statement towards the Queen.

She nodded. “It has been a process that we have been building towards for quite some time. We had other trainers being reviewed for their ability to train Riolu appropriately, but your discovery of Sir Lucario once more has allowed us to choose a very apt instructor indeed.”

“Glad to be of assistance,” I said, directing my attention to the field where two powerhouse pokemon had stepped forward into a small ring. Neither had attempted to buff up in the lead up to the fight, not that I expected them to do something underhanded.

At least not until the fighting started.

Both inspected the other carefully as they shifted into loose positions.

Sir Lucario unclasped the short cape that was draped across his shoulder and tossed it to the side.

The cape fluttered through the air and through unspoken agreement, both pokemon projected that they knew that when the cape touched the ground, the battle would begin.

The cape caught in the breeze and swirled, flashing red and gold through the air, catching everyone’s attention.

For a moment silence held the courtyard.

Then the cape drifted down.

It touched the ground, and the two pokemon exploded forward.

Both struck out with powerful punches only for the other hand to shift up and deflect the blows. Then kicks shot forth and strikes were exchanged in a furious flurry that sent  shockwaves radiating outwards.

The field cracked as both pokemon adjusted their footing with rapid short movements.

I whistled, impressed with the skill that both pokemon were putting on display only to be surprised when Cynthia hummed before clicking her tongue.

“He’s baiting my pokemon,” she murmured quietly.

In another situation, it wouldn’t have been noticed, but with the silence but for the two pokemon striking at each other it may as well have been a shout within our group.

“Oh, what makes you say that?” asked Queen Ilene entirely too innocently.

Cynthia glanced towards the Queen with a flat expression. “You knew he’d do this.”

“You are the one that questioned his ability. Is not using the modern fighting style touted by Sinnoh for Lucario a demonstration of skill?” she replied casually.

I blinked. There were different ighting styles for the regional Lucario? It made sense in hindsight but it wasn’t something I’d considered before this moment.

Inspecting the fight I could see that the two pokemon were fighting with identical punches and kicks.

Erika stiffened. “But the Sinnoh region has only been open to Indigo and Rota by extension for a few months now! For him to have learned an entire fighting style from only videos, he must be a savant!”

“Sir Lucario is a genius when it comes to fighting,” Queen Ilene declared. “It is not just the sinnoh style he picked up.”

She snapped her fan closed and held it out to the fighters like a general about to direct her troops.

“The Unovan style!” she declared.

Sir Lucario shifted,and rather than breaking contact he tightened up his form, weathered two punches only to unleash a staccato of jabs that slammed into his opponents body.

The shift caught Cynthia’s pokemon by surprise and he grunted as he slid back.

Sir Lucario held his position rather than continue the barrage.

Which made it all the more apparent that this was going to be a lesson and not a fight.

I sat up, aware that I was about to watch something truly grand.

Sir Lucario began to fight with tight, controlled strikes that were lightning fast, and when Cynthia’s pokemon tried to catch them he found himself feinted and tricked with small movements into reacting only to take a shot at a different angle.

The strikes piled up but as the fight continued, I could see how Cynthia’s pokemon was adjusting. There was obviously a known style to him but it had thrown him off that sir Lucario knew Unovan style.

Before it could be nullified completely however Queen Ilene spoke again.

“Kalosian!” she barked and once more Sir Lucario shifted.

This time he shifted so that his body was side on to his foe, and he rifled out a devastating kick that stopped right in front of Cynthia’s pokemon only for it to drop.

At first I thought the strike had connected but instead it had been Cynthia's pokemon adjusting to the move and dropping into a spinning kick.

“My pokemon also knows multiple styles of fighting,” Cynthia added, with a hint of bite in her words.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was assisting, or rather coaching her pokemon with their bond. It wouldn’t even need to be conscious. Her emotions and thoughts could bleed through, it was something I’d noticed with my pokemon when we trained. 

If I watched my pokemon and considered certain moves often, my pokemon might do so without me even projecting the order.

“Hmmm, it is good to see some talent in his future student,” Queen Ilene declared. “Finish it,” she announced.

And like that sir Lucario changed styles once more, this time leading with his shoulder into his foe’s chest, knocking the air out of him only to twist with his legs and trip him up.

Rather than let him fall, however, Sir Lucario caught the other Lucario and slammed him into the ground where he held the spike on the back of his hand into his foe’s neck.

“Match,” he declared firmly.

Cynthia’s Lucario slumped to the ground, chest struggling to take in air as he blinked rapidly, no doubt still trying to work out what had just happened. He nodded, accepting the defeat and growling quietly.

I had no doubt that it was a promise not to end up like this again.

Cynthia nodded once and that seemed to serve as a signal to the Riolu as they began to howl in support of Sir Lucario.

Rather than stop them he nodded in recognition as he stepped away from his down foe.

“Well, I’ve certainly learned something new today,” I murmured, feeling especially privileged to have witnessed these two pokemon who were pinnacles of their species fighting like this.

I suspected that the Riolu were going to be particularly motivated in the coming days having seen their teacher win.

Sir Lucario strode to the Queen and bowed. “My Queen,” he stated.

“Sir Lucario, that was a fight well done. We praise you for your skill and apologise for using you as both entertainment and motivation for the young pages.”

“It is of no concern. A knight’s duty is to that of their liege,” he replied instantly.

Rather than be pleased, Queen Ilene sighed softly. “You can have your own desires Sir, you are greater than a simple tool to us.”

No one spoke for a while only for Cynthia to hum. “I knew that coming to Rota would be a wonderful experience, but I must admit I am taken aback with how quickly I have been taught a lesson.”

“The Kingdom of Rota does not lack strength,” Queen Ilene stated.

“I see that,” Cynthia responded. Then she cocked her head. “Sir Lucario is certainly strong but I must admit to being curious as to the other knight that you have observing us.”

Sir Lucario tensed up while Queen Ilene’s breath hitched. Eh? They had someone else watching us? I hadn’t detected them. Who was it? I frowned, glancing around only to go still as I felt Sabrina, of all people, stiffen.

Oh.

Cynthia turned her head and directed an amused smile right at Queen Ilene before looking up into the sky. “I’ve gotten very good at knowing when people are looking at me with all the paparazzi that comes with being a Champion of Champions with the Trinity nations.”

I glanced up, knowing who I’d see.

Far in the sky, barely perceptible with the way the sun hid them was a small figure floating in the air.

“Who is that pokemon in the sky?” Cynthia asked. “I think you know, don’t you?” Cynthia looked back down to Queen Ilene, who had regathered herself and was giving Cynthia an appraising look.

“It is not our duty to introduce all of our friends,” she stated firmly. “Know that any trouble that occurs within the Land of Rota will be dealt with.”

Cynthia glanced up. “Ah, it’s gone.”

“He,” Sabrina, Queen Ilen and I all said together.

Cynthia’s eyebrow rose as she turned to look between the three of us. “Well well, a mystery in a castle. How dramatic! I think I’m going to enjoy my time here greatly!” she said with a smile. “Now I just need to find a good ice cream stand and my trip will be perfect!”

I stared at her. Really? That was her priority right now?

Queen Ilene threw her head back and laughed with no restraint. “Oh who knew that hosting our friends’ wedding would be entertaining! Truly having guests such as yourself come will brighten up our lives immensely! You must dine with us this evening!” she commanded with a swipe of her fan.

Her gesture shifted to encompass all of our group. “All of you, of course!”

“E-even me?” squeaked Erika in surprise.

“Of course, you’re a charming young lady that I’d make one of our ladies in waiting in an instant if you weren’t tied to the Celadon Gym. Having you around would be adding quite the flower to our garden!” laughed Queen Ilene. “We shall have to instead pluck some of your proteges! They have caught our attention with all the work you’ve been doing of late!”

Huh, was the Queen shopping around for talent and using the wedding to scout people? That was rather clever. She’d be getting the elite of society and would have a chance to pick up quite a few people from all walks of life as Sabrina and I hadn’t restrained ourselves to merely the high society groups but the brains from the universities and other business owners and managers.

Now it was my time to give Queen Ilen an appraising look.

I hadn’t considered that by offering us the wedding venue of her castle, she’d benefit just as much, if not more than us.

I shared a look with Sabrina.

“We’d be glad to accept your offer, Your Highness,” she said a moment later with a small nod to me.

And that was how we found ourselves once more seated at an elaborately long table being served by various maids and butlers while Queen Ilene smiled happily.

Erika also looked extremely pleased with this arrangement, while Sabrina, Cynthia and I just relaxed.

I suspected that for Cynthia, this was just another meeting with a local high-ranking official that must be a dime a dozen for her.

The entree was served quickly and I didn’t need Erika glancing at me to know better than to pick up my outer cutlery before the Queen sampled the meal.

“Hmmm, delectable!” she announced as she set her soup spoon down and nodded towards the serving staff.

From there the food and the conversations drifted with Ilene well in control of the flow. I noticed right away that she deflected or redirected anytime Mewtwo was potentially being hinted at, that or the Tree of Beginning. She kept Cynthia’s attention pointed within the city of Rota, pointing out the several landmarks that had stood as a testament of time along with their meanings.

She even went so far as to direct Cynthia to several landmarks that weren’t known but were still carefully maintained.

I could see Cynthia twitching at the idea of investigating said landmarks. “What does your museum look like?” she asked at one point.

“Ah, the Kingdom of Rota has no museums. We keep our history where it happened and have plaques or gardens or signs erected. There are hundreds of small sites across our nation if you care to look.”

Queen Ilene looked towards me. “We have begun negotiations with Pewters Museum for two pieces of a Knight’s armour that they secured some decades ago that we wish to return.”

“Ah, did you want me to talk with them?” I asked, curious if she wanted me to weigh in on the issue. I wasn’t sure I was comfortable doing that and began to wonder how I would politely deny her. I didn’t want to get involved with that as it sounded like something that would suck up a lot of time.

Which was the last thing I wanted.

I wanted my wedding, an easy adventure in Alto Mare to find the Aeon duo with Sabrina, and then to coast on into the end of the circuit for young trainers. No big upheavals, no crazy assaults on mad scientist bases or anything of the like.

It was in the off-season that I was looking into the options for the Graveyard of Giants and any other areas that the Crusher Tribe had highlighted as points of extreme interest for us.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to reply the doors opened to the side and I mentally pumped my fist. Alright, saved by the dinner bell, or in this case, the dessert bell!

I turned, expecting to see a cart piled high with awesome snacks, only to find Mewtwo in his knight outfit marching up to sir Lucario.

“There has been an incident,” he declared, his deep voice filling the suddenly silent room.

Queen Ilene straightened. “We thank you for attending us but we must see to important matters!” she said, giving us a clear dismissal.

Mewtwo coughed into a gauntleted fist. “Actually, your highness, this involves Champion Cynthia’s entourage.”

That made Cynthia sit up. “What happened to them?” she asked, a flash of worry in her eyes.

Mewtwo glanced towards Queen Ilene who nodded. Mewtwo stood tall. “There has been an assault upon their convoy. Some of the officials have been injured and have had to start limping towards the Fior’s port. At this point, it is thought that Team Aqua were involved with the heavy concentration of water pokemon that attacked them and the tactics that were reported.”

I grimaced. Oh dear, Fiore was prickly at best for times but to have people from the Trinity Nations pull into their port. That was going to create another political drama.

I rubbed my forehead. While I was glad this wasn’t going to be my issue to deal with I also knew there was going to be some issues eventuating from this.

“What of Chief Diplomat Hauser?” asked Cynthia as she tried to call someone on her transceiver only for nothing to go through. 

“Injured and unresponsive at this point,” stated Mewtwo firmly.

“Damn it! I shouldn’t have left them!” Cynthai growled as she clenched her fist and slammed the table.

She took a moment to take a long, drawn-out breath before nodding. “I apologise. That was unseemly. If I might still depart your Highness, it would appear I have a task that I have let lapse.”

“We understand and wish you all haste,” Queen Ilene declared with a regal nod. 

Cythnia strode out of the room with a pinched expression, leaving the rest of us to consider the implications of this incident.

The doors shut behind Cynthia and for a moment no one spoke.

Then Sabrina raised her head. “That was rather sneaky of you, Sir.”

I blinked along with Erika in surprise at Sabrina’s tone before frowning. For her to say that, something had to have happened but what?

“Rather smooth of you to disable her call out features on her transceiver. She didn’t even notice you do it,” Sbarina praised.

Erika hissed in a breath and glanced from Sabrina to Mewtwo, eyes wide.

Mewtwo scoffed. “I just saved her from getting a lot of egg on her face and from her poking around where she wasn’t wanted.”

He inclined her head. “It was a good attempt, but she is an intelligent woman. She knew you were obfuscating about myself and the other site, Your Highness.”

“So you… lied sir?” Queen Ilene asked.

“No, I merely reported an incident before it occured,” he replied easily.

That caused me to blink again. Oh. Premonition. That is rather terrifying. “What is going to happen now?” I asked.

“She will depart from Rota, fly to the convoy only to find them perfectly healthy. She will discover the trick with her transceiver and become annoyed only to be in precisely the right position to fight off the pirates that will attempt to strike the Trinity Nations and cause a great deal of turmoil.”

He turned his head. “This will handle Fiore as well and stop it from becoming a worse neighbour for Indigo and Rota.”

Queen Ilene hid her face with her fan but I knew she was smiling. “Ah, we must praise your cunning then Sir, that was deftly handled. Expert tactics indeed.”

Considering that they’d just bumped Cynthia off to handle the issue before it became a true problem I had to agree. They would also have Cynthia in their debt, as if they hadn’t told her she would have been in serious strife on multiple fronts.

Instead, they’d wrapped everything up in a neat bow for Rota.

How terrifying it was to have the most powerful psychic in the world serving your nation.

I suppose it was a good thing we were such close friends with Queen Ilene, Mewtwo and Rota.

At least with this, we could focus on our wedding without any interruptions.

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A.N. Thanks go to my patreons for your continued support!

It also goes to Twmmy for proofreading this chapter.