Serena stepped forward as well and said, “Since we are already here, let’s go take a look together.”
After several days of travel, the group finally arrived at the base of Prism Tower.
A large number of Trainers had gathered outside, all hoping to challenge the Lumiose Gym.
However, judging from their expressions, Ash could already tell that things had not gone well for them.
Many of them looked shaken, and some were still rubbing their arms as if recovering from something unpleasant.
Clemont felt uneasy as he listened to their complaints.
He quickly stepped forward and asked, “Um… what exactly happened here?”
“This Gym is outrageous!” a Trainer in green clothes complained angrily.
Clemont’s voice trembled slightly as he asked, “Could it be… you didn’t have four badges?”
The Trainer shook his head and said, “That’s not it at all.
I already had four badges and challenged the Gym, but the opponent wasn’t even a real person.
It was some strange robot, ridiculously strong.
And after losing, I got electrocuted, then the floor suddenly opened and threw me outside.”
“That’s unacceptable!”
“It’s completely unreasonable!”
“I’m never coming back to this Gym again!”
Several Trainers left the area while venting their frustration.
Ash glanced at Clemont and said calmly, “It seems this is exactly why Meyer told you to come back.”
“But what should we do?” Serena asked, looking at Clemont with concern.
Clemont and Bonnie both lowered their heads, clearly struggling to find a solution.
Ash placed a hand on Clemont’s shoulder and said, “Think carefully about the day you set the password.
What exactly did you say back then?
If this situation continues, the Lumiose Gym could lose its official status because of all these complaints.”
“Lose its status?”
Clemont’s expression changed immediately as he realized the seriousness of the situation.
Ash continued, “Let’s go inside first and take a look.
If you really can’t remember, then we’ll have to dismantle the system and reset it by force.”
Clemont hesitated.
“But Clembot is using my main Pokémon.
And Diggersby is not strong enough to defeat them.”
Ash shook his head slightly.
“You won’t know unless you try.
Clemont, you need to trust yourself and your Pokémon.”
“Pikachu, Pikachu!”
Pikachu nodded firmly, showing its support.
Serena looked at Clemont curiously and asked, “Why did you become a Gym Leader in the first place?”
Bonnie quickly answered for him, “My brother is known as the Electric type genius of Lumiose City.”
Clemont adjusted his glasses and explained, “I want to push Electric type Pokémon to their limits.
When challengers know this is an Electric type Gym, they will prepare strategies specifically against it.
If I can overcome those strategies, then I can also grow stronger as a Trainer.”
Serena smiled slightly.
“If that is the case, then you should reclaim the Gym even more.”
Ash nodded in agreement.
“Exactly.
If you give up now, everything you worked for will be meaningless.”
“Alright.”
Clemont finally regained his determination.
Since Prism Tower was essentially their home, the group entered through a ventilation duct and made their way into the corridor leading to the battlefield.
A Magnemite quickly noticed their presence and floated out from around the corner.
Clemont’s eyes lit up.
“That’s my Pokémon.
Magnemite, it’s me!”
At first, Magnemite seemed to recognize him and moved closer, but in the next moment, it was taken over by Clembot’s control and launched an attack.
Ash reacted immediately, throwing a Poké Ball.
“Gible, use Dragon Claw!”
Gible dashed forward and knocked Magnemite out with a single strike.
[Ding…
Battle settlement in progress…
Evaluation: D]
[Ding!
Congratulations on obtaining reward: TM Dragon Pulse ×1]
Ash narrowed his eyes slightly.
“It seems Clembot is treating us as intruders.
Clemont, focus on recalling the password.
Leave the rest to me.”
Although Magnemite was not particularly strong, it was still useful for accumulating battle rewards.
As they continued forward, more Magnemite and Magneton appeared, but none of them could withstand Gible’s Dragon Claw.
After defeating more than ten Pokémon, Ash obtained several rewards, including five Technical Machines, along with Alliance Coins and system points.
The five TMs were Swords Dance, Scale Shot, Rain Dance, Surf, and Sleep Talk.
The first two were clearly suitable for Gible, while Ash planned to use the remaining ones to further strengthen Pikachu.
Before long, they reached the central battlefield of the Lumiose Gym.
Clembot stood in the Gym Leader’s position and said mechanically, “Welcome to the Lumiose Gym.”
Clemont stepped forward and shouted, “Clembot, initiate master control mode.”
“Voice password required.”
Clemont took a deep breath and tried to recall the moment he had originally set the password.
When his gaze fell on the dent on Clembot’s head, a memory suddenly surfaced.
He spoke slowly, “Please take care of me from now on.
I am Clemont, the Gym Leader.”
“Password confirmed.
Master control mode activated.”
Ash and the others immediately moved to the spectator area.
Clemont stepped into the challenger’s position and released his Pokémon.
“Diggersby, I’m counting on you.”
Clembot responded by releasing Heliolisk, one of Clemont’s core Pokémon.
[Pokémon: Heliolisk (Clemont)]
[Type: Electric, Normal]
[Gender: Male]
[Strength: Gym Leader High-tier (50)]
[Ability: Sand Veil (Raises evasion during a sandstorm)]
[Held Item: None]
[Moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Stomp, Parabolic Charge, Dragon Tail, Charge, Thunder…]
Upon seeing Clemont, Heliolisk appeared excited and energetic.
Clemont raised his voice.
“This battle will prove my worth as a Gym Leader.
Heliolisk, give it everything you’ve got!”
Hearing this, Heliolisk’s expression became serious.
Clembot immediately issued a command.
“Thunderbolt.”
Clemont’s eyes sharpened slightly.
“Starting with Thunderbolt… just as I programmed.”
“Diggersby, use your ears to defend.”
Facing the incoming Thunderbolt, Diggersby plunged its ears into the ground, dispersing the electricity through the earth and minimizing the damage.
“Now, Double Slap!”
After withstanding the attack, Diggersby charged forward, its ear-arms swinging powerfully.
“Dragon Tail.”
Heliolisk leapt into the air and struck with Dragon Tail.
Although Dragon Tail would not force a switch in a one-on-one battle, the damage remained significant.
Diggersby blocked the attack with its ears and immediately countered, jumping behind Heliolisk and delivering a powerful kick that sent it sliding back several meters.
“Now, Dig!”
“Stomp.”
Heliolisk slammed its foot into the ground, causing a tremor that disrupted the terrain.
Diggersby, which had just burrowed underground, was forced back to the surface.
Clemont’s eyes widened in shock.
“What?
I never programmed that move…”