Ash already understood that Clembot had evolved far beyond its original design.
What had once been a rigid program created by Clemont had now developed into a form of artificial intelligence capable of independent learning and growth.
Judging from the earlier battle and its adaptive behavior, this transformation was very likely connected to the dent on Clembot’s head, which had triggered some unforeseen evolution in its system.
“Dragon Tail!”
Heliolisk leapt forward and struck Diggersby midair, its tail sweeping across with force and sending Diggersby crashing to the ground.
However, whether it was because Heliolisk had subconsciously held back or because Diggersby’s fighting spirit had surged at the critical moment, the impact did not cause serious damage.
Diggersby rolled twice along the ground, then used its ears to stabilize itself and quickly regained its footing.
Clemont’s mind raced as he searched for a way to turn the situation around.
“Diggersby, use Double Team!”
Diggersby sprang upward, creating numerous afterimages that surrounded Heliolisk from all directions.
Heliolisk lifted its head, its eyes scanning rapidly as it tried to identify the real target.
Seizing the opportunity, Clemont continued, “Now use Mud Shot!”
Diggersby prepared to attack, but Clembot immediately responded using its advanced scanning ability.
“Parabolic Charge.”
Heliolisk unleashed a powerful electric wave in the direction Clembot indicated.
The electricity spread outward in arcs, shattering multiple afterimages before accurately striking Diggersby’s real body.
At the same time, Heliolisk absorbed the energy and restored its stamina.
The moment Diggersby landed, Clembot pressed the advantage.
“Thunderbolt.”
Faced with the relentless assault, Clemont suddenly smiled, as if he had already found a solution.
“Diggersby, use Dig!”
Diggersby burrowed underground, narrowly avoiding the incoming Thunderbolt.
“Stomp.”
Hearing this command, Serena felt a sense of déjà vu.
“This is the same move as before…”
Bonnie covered her mouth anxiously.
“It’s over!”
Ash, however, remained calm and even smiled slightly.
“Don’t worry.
Clemont has already figured it out.”
Clemont’s voice rang out with renewed confidence.
“Diggersby, use Double Team underground!”
Before the tremors from Stomp could reach it, Diggersby created multiple afterimages within the tunnel.
In the next moment, countless Diggersby burst out from the ground simultaneously.
“Dig!”
Every afterimage made the same motion, making it impossible for Clembot and Heliolisk to distinguish the real one.
“Parabolic Charge.”
Heliolisk released another wave of electricity, sweeping across the field and destroying all visible afterimages.
However, the real Diggersby was nowhere to be found.
From his Aura perception, Ash could clearly sense Diggersby moving rapidly underground, closing in on Heliolisk.
By the time Heliolisk realized what was happening, it was already too late.
Diggersby burst out from beneath it and launched a surprise attack.
The sudden reversal overwhelmed Clembot’s calculations.
“Finish it, Diggersby, Mud Shot!”
Diggersby, which had endured the pressure throughout the battle, finally unleashed its counterattack.
The Mud Shot struck Heliolisk directly, sending it flying and knocking it out.
With the battle decided, Clembot’s system completed its ownership verification, and Clemont successfully regained control of the Lumiose Gym.
Afterward, Clemont sincerely apologized to Clembot and began reprogramming it, carefully correcting all the problematic commands one by one.
While Clemont worked, Ash and Serena, accompanied by Bonnie, explored Prism Tower and took in its structure and facilities.
That evening, Clemont brought Clembot and Ash to his father Meyer’s electronics shop.
After hearing the full explanation of what had happened at the Gym, Meyer’s expression changed dramatically.
At first, he had assumed that Clemont was venting frustration on challengers due to being unable to focus on his inventions, but the truth was far more unexpected.
Bonnie quickly added, “Dad, please listen to everything first.”
Clemont explained earnestly, “That was indeed the case before, but now it’s been fixed.
I’ve corrected Clembot’s program, and it can properly fulfill its role as the acting Gym Leader.”
Clembot clasped its hands and bowed repeatedly in apology.
Meyer looked at them for a moment before breaking into a smile.
“If that’s the case, then you can come home more often now, right?”
Clemont hesitated slightly before answering honestly.
“Actually… Dad, I want to continue traveling.
After meeting Ash and the others, I found the courage to move forward again.
Even though it hasn’t been long, traveling with them has helped me grow a lot.”
He spoke sincerely, expressing everything he had been holding back.
Fixing Clembot had been necessary so he could continue this journey without regrets.
Bonnie also voiced her wish to keep traveling together.
Meyer’s eyes grew moist as he said, “I’m… I’m so moved.
Clemont, Bonnie, I’m really happy.
You’ve come to understand that friends are the most important treasure.
I feel at ease knowing you have companions like Ash and Serena.”
That night, before going to sleep, Ash and Clemont agreed that they would have a proper Gym battle after traveling together for a while.
At that time, Clemont himself would be the opponent, not Clembot.
After spending two more days exploring Lumiose City, the group, following Serena’s suggestion, returned to Professor Sycamore’s laboratory.
…
On the outskirts of the city, inside an abandoned factory, the Team Rocket trio was watching footage of the events at Prism Tower.
Jessie stared at the screen, her eyes fixed on Mega Pidgeot.
“What kind of Pokémon is that brat riding?”
James adjusted his glasses and replied, “According to the research paper published by him and Professor Oak, that should be Mega Evolution, specifically Mega Pidgeot.”
“So that’s Mega Evolution?
It looks incredibly powerful.”
“When did that brat get something like this, Meowth?”
“It probably happened at Professor Oak’s laboratory.
But that doesn’t matter now,” James said, his tone turning calculating.
“This time, our plan is to make Meowth undergo Mega Evolution, capture Pikachu, and then take that Pidgeot as well.”
Meowth blinked.
“Can that even work, Meow?”
It was not that he doubted James, but they still did not fully understand how Mega Evolution worked, making the plan seem risky.
James continued, “Professor Sycamore specializes in Mega Evolution research.
As long as we can get his data and input it into a machine…”
The three of them began discussing enthusiastically, refining their plan step by step.
At the center of the factory stood a large, tightly wrapped mechanical device, waiting to be activated.
…
Back at the Sycamore Research Institute, Ash and the others were about to enjoy macarons with tea when they suddenly noticed that some of the pastries had disappeared.
This led to an impromptu search for the culprit.
In the end, it was Sophie who discovered the thief hiding behind a potted plant.
It was a Chespin.
Sophie sighed apologetically.
“I’m sorry, that little one can be quite mischievous.”
Ash glanced at Clemont, who was staring blankly at Chespin, and asked, “It must be difficult to find a Trainer for it, right?”
Sophie nodded with a troubled expression.
“Yes, that’s exactly the problem.
Its situation is even more troublesome than Froakie was before.”
Gluttonous, short-tempered, prone to tantrums, and even willing to prick others with its spines, Chespin was clearly not an easy Pokémon for new Trainers to handle.