On the Wings of Death

Why Everybody Hates Rain Dance

The next morning, Harry decided to relax and explore around Santalune before heading for Cyllage. Route 22 was first on his list.

What's so interesting about Route 22? Fletchling tilted her head.

"It's the route that leads to the annual Kalos Pokemon Conference – the Nôtre Dame Conference. Only trainers with all eight Badges can compete in that, and the winner gets to challenge the Elite Four, the strongest trainers in the Kalos region," Harry answered, flicking through a guide in the lobby of the Santalune Pokémon Centre.

And if they win, they are acknowledged as the strongest in the region?

"If they win," Harry said, "they get to challenge Madame Diantha. She is the strongest trainer in Kalos, and if they win against her in the Radiant Chamber, they become Champion – and are formally acknowledged as the best."

The Radiant Chamber?

"Yeah, all formal battles against the Champion are held in the Radiant Chamber. Even if you win outside the Chamber, you're not formally acknowledged."

Interesting policy... hey, why are we still here and not heading off already?

Honedge groaned. How are you always so happy-go-lucky?

Because I am, fencer. Can we go can we go can we go can we go? Harry?

Harry snorted and stood up. "Okay, Fletchling, let's go."

It was a slightly chilly morning, and Harry shivered slightly at the cool air. He decided to recall Honedge, in case someone freaked out upon seeing a sentient sword. Honedge was all too happy to oblige.

I like being outside, but the moisture will make my sword rust, he complained.

Oh, yeah, I remember now! Only aegis-wielders don't have to worry about water. Sorry I'm not polished up on your lore – what was the famous one again? Clarence?

Clarent, the Honedge corrected. There were four – Clarent, Excalibur, Joyeuse and Durandal.

The names were vaguely familiar to Harry. "Weren't they the ones who stopped a rebellion by themselves or something?"

His Honedge stared at him for a long moment. Close enough, he finally hummed. I'll tell you the full story when people aren't gaping at us.

He glanced around, realising that Honedge's words were correct. "Oops," he said sheepishly, recalling him to his Poké Ball.

Fletchling hopped into his hair. Harry decided not to bother calling her off. Harry, even I know more or less what they did, and I'm not even of the fencer line, she complained. We should totally teach you Pokémon lore or something... Didn't anyone teach you?

"To be honest," Harry admitted, "I never thought to ask."

His Fletchling twittered in reply. Oh, well. We'll teach you when we're bored enough, I guess. By the way, apart from the Nôtre Dame Conference, what else is at Route 22?

"Well, it's supposedly a beginning route for trainers as well," Harry answered, walking towards the edges of Santalune. "Or rather, not really beginning, but I think the trainers who can't defeat Viola go there. We probably should have gone too, before Viola, but what's done is done, isn't it?"

Live the day and forget the past, Fletchling answered. A very wise Alakazam once said that.

Harry passed into Route 22 proper, trying to remember what else the guide book had said. "There's also supposed to be a tiny chamber carved into the walls of the route, but nobody really knows where it is. The people who found it won't say anything except that it's a creepy place. So it's been dubbed the 'Chamber of Emptiness.' Could be fun to find that, right Fletchling?"