Trevor's Pokémon partner for this trial was Sandslash, while Wikstrom sent out the Steel- and Fairy-type Mawile.
Mawile was certainly powerful, but its base Speed was only 50.
Just like Misty's Marill, it wasn't particularly fast.
However, Mawile was a Deceiver Pokémon, and as a Fairy-type, it could also take advantage of its deceptively cute appearance to employ charm-based tactics.
And as it turned out, Wikstrom's Mawile did exactly that.
Unfortunately for Mawile, although it possessed a charm every bit as formidable as Marill's, its opponent, Sandslash, was nothing like the slow-witted Probopass from Misty's trial.
This time, Trevor had already discussed a strategy with Sandslash before the trial even began.
"Come on..."
Mawile immediately put on an adorable act and used Fake Tears, attempting to destroy Sandslash's fighting spirit and lure it closer before following up with Crunch.
But Sandslash didn't even spare Mawile a glance.
It simply leaped forward.
Dig!
Its body spun like a drill before plunging straight into the ground.
Using the underground tunnel to completely bypass Mawile, Sandslash immediately headed straight for Klefki.
"Ma...w..."
"Clang, clang!"
Mawile's attempt at acting cute had failed miserably.
Not only had Sandslash shown no sympathy whatsoever, it had simply ignored Mawile and used Dig to escape underground.
Mawile instantly became furious.
The enormous, terrifying steel jaws growing from the back of its head snapped open and shut angrily, grinding their teeth in frustration.
But Sandslash was already gone.
There was nothing Mawile could do except lift its little "skirt" and chase after it with its dainty, ladylike steps.
Unfortunately, Mawile's short legs weren't exactly suited for running.
Worse still, the enormous steel jaws attached to the back of its head created additional weight and resistance, slowing it down even further.
Mawile could only desperately chase after Sandslash.
At the same time, the hidden weapon behind its head began grinding its teeth together.
Metal Sound!
Mawile attempted to interfere with Sandslash by unleashing the shrill metallic cry.
But Sandslash was underground.
With a thick layer of earth separating the two Pokémon, most of the sound was filtered out before it could reach Sandslash.
The move had almost no effect.
Mawile tried again.
But the result was the same.
Sandslash continued burrowing underground, completely unaffected.
Seeing the distance between them steadily increase, Sandslash eventually stopped paying attention to Mawile altogether.
Instead, it concentrated entirely on chasing Klefki.
Klefki wasn't particularly slow either.
However, because it had no idea that Sandslash was traveling underground beneath it, it relaxed its guard.
That mistake quickly cost it.
Sandslash rapidly caught up.
"BOOM!"
"Clink?!"
Klefki had just stopped to catch its breath when the ground beneath it suddenly exploded open.
Rocks and sand erupted into the air.
Klefki was caught completely off guard and nearly jumped out of its frame in terror.
It hurriedly tried to escape.
But Sandslash wasn't about to give it the opportunity.
With a powerful cry, Sandslash immediately unleashed Sandstorm.
A violent torrent of sand swept through the area.
Klefki's vision was instantly obscured.
The swirling sandstorm also formed a natural barrier around it, effectively trapping Klefki inside.
"Clang!"
Klefki had no idea what to do.
At that moment, Sandslash—possessing the Sand Veil Ability—quickly disappeared into the sandstorm.
It silently approached Klefki.
Two powerful digging claws suddenly reached out and clamped onto one of the keys hanging from Klefki.
With a sharp pull—
The key came free.
There was no need for an extended battle.
Sandslash had effortlessly obtained the key required to pass the trial.
Having secured the key, Sandslash didn't waste another second.
It performed a clean backflip before diving straight back underground.
Then it followed its underground tunnel and quickly headed back toward the entrance of the Castle of Chivalry.
"Pant... pant..."
"Clang?!"
By the time Mawile finally caught up, it was already gasping for breath.
It looked furious as it demanded to know where Sandslash had gone.
Klefki's response was simple.
Sandslash had already stolen its key and escaped the Castle of Chivalry.
"CLANG!!"
Mawile stomped its little feet repeatedly in frustration.
It had been completely outplayed.
"Boom!"
Outside the castle, Wikstrom and Trevor were still engaged in their fierce sword battle.
Then, suddenly, Sandslash burst out of the ground between them.
Its digging claws were holding the stolen key.
Sandslash narrowed its eyes into a proud little smile and called out to the two Trainers still fighting.
Wikstrom glanced down at the key in Sandslash's claws.
"You got the key?"
He immediately understood.
"Then congratulations, Trainer. You've successfully passed the Knight Trial."
Wikstrom returned his knight's sword to its sheath and announced the result.
"Sandslash! You did it!"
Trevor's face immediately lit up with excitement.
He rushed over, hugged Sandslash, and enthusiastically praised his Pokémon.
"You were amazing!"
"Congratulations, Trevor! You passed!"
"Congratulations!"
"Well done!"
Everyone gathered around to congratulate Trevor.
Trevor normally kept a low profile.
Compared with the cheerful and confident Tierno, Trevor was much quieter and less conspicuous.
Yet while Tierno had failed his trial, Trevor had successfully passed.
Serena, Joy, and the others were all somewhat surprised by the result.
Tierno's failure had partly been due to bad luck—he had encountered Scizor, a Pokémon particularly suited to speed-based combat.
But regardless of the circumstances, Trevor's success was still something worth celebrating.
Everyone was genuinely happy for him.
"All right, everyone."
Wikstrom looked around at the participants.
"That concludes this afternoon's Knight Trial."
"Of the Trainers who participated today, three successfully completed all three trials: Ash, Misty, and Trevor."
"Each of you will receive a Knight Honor Badge, as well as a set of custom-made knight's armor."
Wikstrom continued.
"As for Kemar and Tierno, who both made it to the third trial and performed exceptionally well, each of you will receive a Knight Honor Badge."
"In addition, every Trainer who participated in today's Knight Trial will receive a Knight Trial Commemorative Badge."
With the Knight Trial officially concluded, everyone gathered near the entrance of the Castle of Chivalry on the first floor.
Wikstrom then announced the final results of the day's event.
"Whoa!!"
"Awesome!"
"Yay!"
"That's great!"
Although many of the Trainers hadn't managed to obtain a Knight Honor Badge or knight's armor, everyone who had participated would still receive a commemorative badge.
The Trainers who had been eliminated during the first two trials immediately erupted into cheers.
The Knight Trial Commemorative Badges and Knight Honor Badges were brought out on trays by the staff and distributed on the spot.
As for the knight's armor awarded to the three Trainers who had completed the final trial, that would take some time to produce.
Wikstrom therefore had Ash, Misty, and Trevor fill out their mailing addresses.
Once their custom knight's armor had been completed, it would be shipped directly to those addresses.
The afternoon's Knight Trial had finally come to an end.
Ash, Misty, and Trevor had emerged as the three Trainers who completed all three stages and earned the full rewards.
The others might not have obtained the armor, but the Knight Trial had nevertheless left every participant with something to remember.