The morning sun was warm but not overbearing, filtering gently through the canopy of trees that lined the road to Coumarine City. The path itself curved lazily along the coastline; whenever the trees parted, the group could glimpse the glittering sea below, waves flashing white as they crashed against the cliffs. A salty breeze carried gull cries overhead, mixing with the chatter of their Pokémon.
Ash walked ahead, full of energy as always, his cap tilted forward with determination. Pikachu rode easily on his shoulder, its tail swishing in rhythm with Ash's stride. Beside him, Serena matched his pace, a small smile playing at her lips as her Absol walked gracefully at her side, its crimson eyes calm but alert.
Korrina and Lucario kept close behind. Korrina's usual enthusiasm bubbled over in conversation, her gestures animated as she spoke about the many Gym battles she had seen. Lucario walked tall, occasionally glancing at its Trainer with a quiet, approving rumble.
Bonnie skipped a little ahead, cradling Chespin in her arms while Dedenne nestled comfortably on her head. She hummed a tune, half-distracted by the wildflowers dotting the roadside, reaching out to pluck one and tuck it gently behind Chespin's ear.
Clemont brought up the rear, slightly weighed down by his heavy pack. Every so often he adjusted the straps, pushing his glasses back into place with his free hand. He had been unusually quiet that morning, and when the group reached a gentle rise in the path, he finally slowed to a stop.
"Everyone," Clemont said, his voice carrying just enough to halt their chatter. He set his backpack down carefully, kneeling as he began pulling pieces of equipment free. "I think it's time I showed you something."
Ash turned, curiosity lighting up his face. "Another invention?"
Clemont smiled faintly, though his fingers trembled with anticipation as he assembled the device. Metallic clicks and whirrs echoed as coils locked into place, forming a structure that resembled a tall shower stand crossed with a scientific antenna.
"This," Clemont declared, adjusting a dial and tightening a bolt, "is one of my oldest projects. Something I worked on back when I was still a student at the academy." He stepped back and raised a hand with a flourish. "I call it... the Clemontic Shower!"
The device hummed to life, glowing faintly as arcs of contained electricity formed around the shower frame. The sparks buzzed gently, releasing a faint ozone scent into the air.
"It produces controlled electrical currents, designed specifically for Electric-type Pokémon. Think of it like a shower, but instead of water, the Pokémon bathe in energy—recharging their strength safely whenever they need it." Clemont's voice grew more confident as he explained, a glimmer of pride in his eyes.
Bonnie gasped in delight, clapping her hands. "That's amazing, Clemont!"
Pikachu's ears perked, and Dedenne leapt down from Bonnie's head, both of them gazing wide-eyed at the shimmering arcs.
Clemont chuckled, kneeling with a small, encouraging smile. "Go on, you two. Try it out."
Pikachu and Dedenne exchanged a glance, then bounded under the shower frame. As the arcs touched their fur, sparks danced harmlessly across their bodies. Pikachu's cheeks glowed brighter, and Dedenne let out a squeaky cry of joy, its tiny tail twitching happily. The two spun in circles beneath the shower, soaking in the energy like playful children.
Ash grinned from ear to ear. "Wow, look at them go! Pikachu's loving it."
Serena folded her hands together, smiling warmly. "It's so thoughtful, Clemont. You really made something special."
Clemont's cheeks flushed at the praise, though he tried to hide it by adjusting his glasses.
Before anyone could say more, a clear, familiar voice drifted toward them from farther down the path. "Clemont? Is that really you?"
The group turned in unison. Approaching with steady, graceful steps was Miss Éclairisse. Her attire was neat and professional, her expression bright with recognition. She carried herself with the calm confidence of a teacher, her eyes softening the moment they fell on Clemont.
"Miss Éclairisse!" Clemont blurted, standing abruptly. His face turned pink in an instant, and he fumbled to straighten his jacket. "I... I didn't expect to see you here."
She smiled warmly. "It has been years, hasn't it? To think I'd find you on the road like this... and still tinkering with inventions." Her gaze flicked to the Clemontic Shower, sparks glimmering faintly in its frame. "That certainly brings back memories of your student days."
Bonnie instinctively opened her mouth, old habits bubbling up—this was usually the moment she'd try matchmaking—but she stopped herself. Her eyes shifted to Korrina, who had been quietly watching Clemont with a small, knowing smile. With Clemont and Korrina so close now, Bonnie hugged Chespin tighter instead, deciding to let things be.
Éclairisse approached the group, her eyes warm as she regarded them all. "I'm actually teaching at the academy now. If you have the time, I'd love to give you a tour."
Ash's eyes lit up immediately. "An academy tour? That sounds awesome!"
Serena nodded in agreement, her curiosity piqued. "It would be wonderful to see where Clemont studied."
Clemont hesitated, fiddling nervously with his sleeves. But eventually he nodded, voice soft. "I... I'd like that."
As Éclairisse led the group down the path toward the academy, laughter and chatter filled the air once more. None of them noticed the figure lingering in the tall grass behind them. A Luxio crouched in silence, its golden eyes locked firmly on Clemont. Sparks crackled faintly across its mane as its tail lashed once against the ground.
It did not move, but its stare burned with something deep, something unresolved.
[Line Break]
The road dipped into a valley where the trees thinned, giving way to rolling hills and wide meadows. Nestled at the foot of the landscape was a sprawling campus of stone and glass, its buildings gleaming in the sunlight. Paths wound between the structures like veins, lined with trimmed hedges and flowerbeds. The steady hum of activity—students talking, Pokémon calls, the faint clang of training equipment—hung in the air like a familiar rhythm.
Clemont slowed his steps as the academy came into view. His expression softened, though his hands fidgeted as if unsure whether to wave or adjust his glasses. "It hasn't changed a bit..." he murmured.
Éclairisse smiled at him gently, her pace steady and sure. "The heart of the place never does. Though, of course, we've had some renovations. New training fields, updated labs. The students are just as lively as when you were one of them."
Ash craned his neck, taking in everything with wide-eyed excitement. "Whoa... this place is huge! They even have their own training fields? That's amazing!"
Serena walked closer to Clemont, her eyes soft as she studied his expression. "You must have so many memories here."
Clemont's lips tugged into a small, reluctant smile. "Yes... both good and difficult ones. I spent long nights tinkering in the labs, sometimes failing more than succeeding. But... I learned a lot. And the people here helped me grow."
Bonnie darted ahead with Chespin and Dedenne bouncing along beside her. She stopped at a statue near the entrance, tilting her head. "Clemont! Is this you?"
The statue depicted a young boy in a lab coat, holding a small gear in one hand. His face was etched with determination, glasses perched proudly on his nose.
Clemont went red instantly. "Ah! N-no, Bonnie, that's not me. That's a memorial to Professor Doric, one of the academy's founders." He hurried forward to usher her along, voice cracking slightly.
Korrina chuckled behind him, Lucario crossing its arms with a quiet rumble of amusement. "You haven't changed at all, Clemont," she teased lightly.
Éclairisse led them into the main building, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The air smelled faintly of paper, ink, and machine oil—a blend that spoke of knowledge and invention. Students moved briskly between halls, some carrying stacks of notes, others leading Pokémon by their sides.
One by one, Éclairisse guided them through the classrooms. In one, students clustered around a desk as a Magnemite floated above it, projecting holographic diagrams of circuitry. In another, a group was working with a Luxray under careful supervision, recording data as sparks leapt from its mane.
Ash leaned forward, his eyes shining. "This is incredible... they're learning all kinds of ways to work with Pokémon!"
Serena pressed a hand to her chest, her expression bright. "It feels so alive. Like everyone is chasing their own dream here."
Clemont trailed slightly behind, his gaze flicking to every corner of the rooms. Memories came flooding back: late nights bent over schematics, missed meals because he was too absorbed in calculations, failures that left him discouraged until a kind word from a teacher reignited his spirit. His throat tightened, but there was warmth, too—a fondness he hadn't expected.
Éclairisse noticed his silence. She slowed her pace, tilting her head toward him. "You always carried a heavy burden back then, Clemont. Always expecting perfection from yourself. But you also had the brightest spark of curiosity I'd ever seen."
Clemont stopped in his tracks, blinking at her. "You... really thought that?"
Her smile was soft, touched with sincerity. "I still do."
He swallowed, adjusting his glasses as his ears flushed pink.
Before the moment could stretch further, Bonnie bounded over, tugging at his sleeve. "Clemont! Can we see the labs? Pleeease?"
Her enthusiasm cut through his nerves, and Clemont chuckled. "All right, all right. The labs are just this way."
The group moved on, laughter echoing faintly in the halls. Outside, however, a pair of golden eyes watched from the shadow of the trees. Luxio had followed them to the academy grounds, its gaze sharp, unwavering. Every step Clemont took, every laugh he shared—it watched, silent and tense. Sparks flickered along its mane, faint but restless, as though some memory stirred within it.
The laboratory wing was brighter than the rest of the academy, wide windows letting in the golden afternoon light. Rows of benches stretched across the room, cluttered with half-finished devices, test equipment, and stacks of notebooks. Machines hummed softly in the background, their blinking lights giving the space a quiet rhythm.
As Éclairisse guided the group inside, Clemont's steps faltered. His eyes swept over the benches and the tools, the smell of metal and oil instantly familiar. He exhaled slowly, his voice a low murmur. "This... was my world. Every evening, every spare moment. I practically lived in here."
Ash stepped forward, running a hand along one of the benches. "I can imagine you building all kinds of stuff here. Did you... you know... come up with your inventions in this very room?"
Clemont nodded, his throat tight. "Most of them. But one in particular changed everything. It started with a friend."
Serena leaned in gently, her eyes warm and encouraging. "You mean Shinx."
The others turned to him, surprised, but Clemont's gaze remained fixed on the bench before him. His fingers brushed over its smooth surface as though tracing an old memory.
"Yes. Shinx..." he said softly. "We met here, when I was just a boy. It had collapsed near the campus from exhaustion. It couldn't generate enough electricity to sustain itself. I remember panicking—I didn't know what to do. But I brought it to the Pokémon Center, and Nurse Joy explained... there were many Electric-types suffering in the same way."
His voice steadied as he spoke, the recollection pulling him back into the moment. "I promised Shinx I'd help. Together, we worked on a solution. That's how the Clemontic Shower was born. It wasn't just an invention to me... it was our project, our bond."
Bonnie hugged Chespin close, her usual chatter subdued by the tone of her brother's words. Even Dedenne, perched on her shoulder, tilted its head, listening intently.
Korrina, standing with her arms crossed, broke the silence gently. "And yet... Shinx isn't here now."
The words landed heavier than she intended, and Clemont's shoulders slumped. He looked down, glasses catching the light. "No. Because I failed him."
The group stayed quiet, giving him space. Even Ash, normally quick with reassurances, held his tongue.
Finally, Clemont spoke again, his voice trembling. "The day before my graduation, I wanted to ask Shinx to be my partner. I even had a cake prepared... something to celebrate us, our dream, and the future we'd share. But... before I could deliver it, the mayor arrived. He insisted I come to a celebration for the Clemontic Shower. I had no choice. They whisked me away in a car, and when I returned—" His words broke. He swallowed hard. "Shinx was gone. He must have thought I abandoned him for fame."
Éclairisse stepped closer, her eyes full of quiet sympathy. "You didn't choose that, Clemont. Circumstances did. Pokémon can be deeply sensitive, but bonds aren't broken so easily. Perhaps... that bond still lingers."
Clemont lifted his gaze to her, torn between hope and guilt. He wanted to believe her.
Outside, hidden in the shadows of the trees, Luxio's claws pressed into the soil. Its body tensed with every word. Sparks began to crackle faintly through its mane, golden eyes narrowing with a storm of emotions it couldn't suppress. The memory of that day still burned within it—standing alone in the empty courtyard, waiting for someone who never returned.
Lucario, quiet until now, turned its head suddenly. Its crimson eyes sharpened as it caught the flicker of energy outside the window. A low growl rumbled in its chest.
Korrina noticed immediately. "Lucario?" She followed its gaze toward the glass, but the courtyard looked calm, empty, bathed in warm sunlight. She frowned slightly but said nothing, choosing to stay alert.
Meanwhile, Clemont adjusted his glasses and turned back to his friends. "Shinx and I dreamed of creating a world where all Pokémon could be happy, where none would have to suffer from a lack of resources. That was the foundation of everything I've built. And if I ever see him again..." His voice caught, softer now. "I just hope he can forgive me."
Clemont's hand lingered on the workbench, his fingers tracing invisible lines across the metal surface. His voice faltered, caught between memory and regret.
"It was... the day before my graduation," he began, eyes fixed on the tools as though they could anchor him. "I had spent weeks planning. Shinx and I had done so much together—every test, every failed circuit, every spark of progress. I wanted to thank him properly, to show him I wasn't just thinking of myself. So I... I baked a cake."
Ash's eyebrows shot up. "You baked?"
Clemont gave a weak chuckle. "It wasn't... good, exactly. The frosting was uneven, and the sponge sank in the middle. But it didn't matter. Shinx wouldn't have cared. What mattered was what I was going to say."
Serena leaned closer, her voice quiet and supportive. "You were going to ask him to be your partner."
Clemont nodded slowly, his throat tight. "Yes. I rehearsed the words a hundred times. But before I could give him the cake, the mayor's car arrived at the academy. He insisted I attend a celebration for the Clemontic Shower's success. They said it was non-negotiable. I told myself it would be quick, that I could still make it back in time."
He drew in a shaky breath, shoulders curling inward. "But when I returned... Shinx wasn't there. The cake was untouched. I looked everywhere—his favorite training spots, the courtyard, the fields. He was gone. I..." His voice cracked, and he pressed a hand to his chest. "I abandoned him, even if I never meant to. And the look on his face, the moment I was taken away... it's burned into me."
The lab was still. No one moved, no one interrupted.
Korrina's footsteps were soft as she closed the distance between them. Lucario's gaze followed her silently, its presence steady but unobtrusive. She reached out, gently placing a hand on Clemont's shoulder. Her touch was firm, grounding, yet full of warmth.
"Clemont," she said, her voice low and steady, "you didn't abandon him. You were just a kid, and you were pulled into something you couldn't control. Shinx... Luxio... whatever he is now... he needs to know that. He needs to see the person you've become."
Clemont's glasses caught the light as he turned to look at her, his eyes wide, uncertain. "But what if he doesn't forgive me?"
Korrina smiled faintly, tilting her head. "Then you keep trying until he does. That's who you are. You don't give up on the people you care about." Her hand squeezed his shoulder gently. "You've already proven that with Bonnie, with your friends... with me."
His face flushed, the words striking deeper than he expected. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, overwhelmed. For a moment, he simply let her presence steady him, the warmth of her reassurance chasing away the cold knot of guilt that had followed him for years.
Bonnie peeked up at them, hugging Chespin tighter. She looked from Clemont to Korrina, her expression softening into a smile she didn't voice aloud. Even Dedenne seemed calmer, nestling into her hair.
Ash rubbed the back of his neck, smiling gently. "She's right, Clemont. I think Shinx... or Luxio... probably still remembers your dream. You've just gotta remind him."
Serena nodded, her eyes warm. "Sometimes it takes time, but bonds that strong don't disappear."
For a moment, Clemont felt surrounded—not by judgment, but by quiet encouragement. The burden he'd carried alone for so long felt lighter, though the ache remained. He pushed his glasses up and gave a small nod. "Thank you... all of you."
Outside, unseen by the group, Luxio's claws dug deeper into the earth as it watched through the window. Its mane sparked faintly, tail lashing. The words stung and soothed at once—old wounds torn open, but something deep within stirring restlessly.
Its dream, their dream, had never died. But the hurt was still raw, a scar it had carried alone for years.
[Line Break]
The hum of the laboratory equipment was steady, filling the silence left after Clemont's confession. Then, without warning, the lights above flickered. Once, twice—before plunging the entire room into darkness.
Gasps echoed through the group. The soft mechanical whir of machines sputtered and died, replaced by an eerie stillness. Outside, the campus buzz faltered as voices rose in confusion.
Éclairisse straightened, her expression tight. "A blackout... here?" She turned sharply, already moving toward the door. "This isn't normal. The central generators should never fail."
Ash clenched his fists. "That's Team Rocket for sure!"
Bonnie's arms instinctively wrapped around Chespin, Dedenne's cheeks sparking nervously in the sudden dark. Korrina kept close, her voice steady but firm. "Stay together. We'll find out what's happening." Lucario padded silently at her side, its senses sharp, ears twitching as it picked up disturbances deeper underground.
Clemont adjusted his glasses, the faint glow from Braixen's flame-tipped branch casting shadows across his face. "If the blackout's this widespread, they must be tampering with the central power grid." He frowned deeply. "That... could destabilize everything."
But outside the lab, something else stirred.
Golden eyes gleamed in the courtyard. Luxio stood in the open now, no longer content to watch in silence. Electricity crackled violently across its mane, arcs of light dancing against the darkened walls. Its body was taut, every muscle coiled like a spring ready to snap.
Ash spotted it through the window first. "It's that Luxio again!"
The Electric-type's growl carried through the glass, low and rough, filled with bitterness. It wasn't random destruction—its eyes were fixed on Clemont.
The sparks intensified, spilling from its mane in jagged bursts, scorching the stone beneath its paws. The building air filled with the sharp, metallic tang of ozone.
Serena's breath caught as realization dawned. "Clemont... it really might be Shinx. But..."
"But it hates me," Clemont whispered, unable to look away. His heart pounded against his ribs, every instinct torn between stepping forward and stepping back.
Luxio's mane flared brighter as the blackout deepened, the storm outside mirroring the turmoil within it. Its gaze was sharp, accusing, and yet beneath the anger there was something raw, almost pleading.
The lab remained dark, the only light the faint glow from Braixen's flame and the sparks spilling wildly from Luxio's mane outside. Every flicker illuminated the courtyard in jagged bursts, like lightning trapped in the body of a Pokémon torn between rage and longing.
No one spoke at first. The silence was thick, broken only by the low growl rolling from Luxio's throat and the faint crackle of unstable power in the distance.
Clemont's breath caught in his chest. His glasses glinted as he tilted his head, staring through the glass as though searching for the Shinx he once knew. "It really is him..." he whispered. The words were barely audible, but everyone heard them.
Luxio's eyes narrowed at the sound of his voice. The growl deepened. Sparks flared brighter, bursting into the air with sharp pops that made Bonnie flinch and cling tighter to Chespin. Dedenne hissed softly from her shoulder, cheeks sparking in reflexive warning.
Korrina stepped closer to Clemont, her hand brushing against his arm—not pulling him back, not urging him forward, just steadying him. "Don't look away," she said softly. "He's testing you."
Clemont swallowed hard, his knees trembling slightly. "I... I don't want to fail him again."
Luxio lowered its body, muscles tense, tail lashing. Its gaze locked with Clemont's, sharp as a blade. The air between them seemed to pulse with an unspoken history.
Ash's fists tightened. "It's like he's daring you to prove yourself..."
Serena shook her head, eyes soft but troubled. "No. It's more than that. He's angry... but he's hurt, too."
The sparks grew wilder, crackling arcs leaping from Luxio's mane to the stone at its paws. With each burst, the tension thickened, until the air itself felt charged and brittle, ready to snap at the slightest movement.
And yet Luxio did not strike. Not yet. It held Clemont's gaze with a ferocity that made his chest ache, as though demanding something he could not yet give.
Sparks crackled furiously around Luxio's mane, and for an instant it looked as though it might unleash all of its rage straight at Clemont.
But then a sharp crash echoed from the distance—the sound of metal clanging deep within the sewers. The hum of machinery surged back to life for a heartbeat, then sputtered out again, plunging the academy into deeper blackness.
From the shadows, laughter rang out. High-pitched, mocking, unmistakable.
"Looks like the blackout's working like a charm!" Jessie's voice carried, smug and triumphant.
James followed with a sneer. "All the Electric Pokémon in town are bound to come running straight to us!"
"And that includes Pikachu!" Meowth cackled, tail swishing.
Their silhouettes emerged from a service tunnel near the courtyard, Pumpkaboo and Inkay hovering close. The trio's grins widened as they spotted Ash and his friends framed by the laboratory windows.
Luxio's growl sharpened instantly, its body whipping around to face the intruders. Sparks leapt higher, lighting its mane like a stormcloud ready to burst. Its fury refocused, no longer bound to Clemont but aimed squarely at the ones who threatened the fragile dream it still held.
Meowth's ears perked as Luxio barked out a cry, its mane flaring. He blinked, then his eyes widened slightly as he translated. "It says... it says it ain't gonna let you creeps mess things up! It wants a world where Pokémon and people can live happily... the same dream it once shared with someone it called a friend."
The words landed heavy in the courtyard. Clemont froze, his breath caught, eyes wide as the meaning sank into him. That dream... their dream... had never left Luxio.
Luxio crouched low, electricity roaring through its fur like a storm unleashed. Its gaze flicked once toward Clemont, then back to Team Rocket, as if daring him to stand with it.
Clemont's chest tightened at Meowth's words, his hands trembling at his sides. The dream they once shared, the one he thought lost forever, was still alive in Luxio's heart. He could almost hear Shinx's younger voice, full of energy, echoing in his mind.
He drew in a breath, steadying himself, and stepped forward. His friends started to speak, but Korrina gave a subtle shake of her head, holding them back. This was Clemont's moment.
"Luxio!" Clemont called, his voice breaking slightly before it found its strength. "I know I failed you once. I know I hurt you when I didn't keep my promise. But I never stopped believing in our dream! A world where Pokémon and people can live happily—that was never just my dream, it was ours. Please... let's fight together now, just like we always wanted to."
Luxio's golden eyes snapped to him. For a heartbeat, its expression was unreadable, caught between pain and recognition. The sparks around its body flared, then steadied, not with rage but with resolve.
"Enough mushy talk!" Jessie snapped, throwing out a hand. "Pumpkaboo, Shadow Ball!"
James pointed sharply. "Inkay, Psybeam, now!"
Twin attacks streaked across the courtyard, cutting through the dark.
"Luxio, go!" Clemont shouted, his voice firm, confident.
Luxio surged forward, mane blazing with electricity. It ducked under the Psybeam and leapt high, teeth glowing as it lashed down with Thunder Fang, shattering the Shadow Ball midair. The energy burst apart in a flash, lighting up the courtyard.
Ash pumped a fist. "Yeah! That's the way!"
"Lucario, cover it!" Korrina called, and Lucario rushed in alongside Luxio, deflecting stray sparks with a swift parry of its arms.
The combined force of Luxio's Thunder Fang and Lucario's sudden strike sent Pumpkaboo and Inkay tumbling back into their trainers. The ground shuddered from the impact, dust kicking up around Team Rocket.
Meowth yelped, tail puffing. "Uh-oh, this ain't good..."
Luxio growled low, mane sparking brighter, ready to strike again. Clemont clenched his fists, his voice rising with conviction. "Luxio, with me—we'll end this together!"
The storm broke. Luxio leapt, mane exploding in a surge of electricity as it unleashed a fierce Discharge, the attack racing across the courtyard in a wave of light. Pumpkaboo and Inkay shrieked as the energy swallowed them, Team Rocket caught in the blast.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaaain!"
Their voices faded into the distance, a twinkle vanishing against the darkened sky.
The courtyard fell silent, save for the faint crackle of sparks lingering around Luxio's mane.
[Line Break]
The courtyard was still again. Only the faint crackle of fading electricity lingered in the air, slowly dying down as Luxio's mane dimmed from its battle fury. The academy grounds lay draped in shadow, though faint emergency lights began to flicker back to life along the walls, bathing the scene in a soft glow.
Ash exhaled, relief flooding his voice. "That was amazing... Luxio's power is incredible."
Serena placed a hand over her chest, smiling gently. "But more than that... it was fighting for something it believed in."
Bonnie loosened her grip on Chespin and stepped forward, Dedenne perched on her shoulder, eyes wide. She gazed at Luxio with quiet awe. "It's strong... but it's also kind, isn't it?"
Clemont approached slowly, his steps hesitant yet drawn by something stronger than fear. He stopped just a few feet away, close enough to see the rise and fall of Luxio's chest, the sparks still glimmering faintly along its fur.
Luxio turned, its golden eyes locking with his. The hostility that had burned so fiercely before was dimmed now, replaced by something rawer, unguarded.
Clemont's throat tightened. "Luxio..." He knelt down, his voice soft but steady. "I don't expect forgiveness in an instant. But I want you to know... I never stopped caring about you. Even when we were apart, even when I thought I'd lost you forever... I still carried our dream in my heart. And I still want to make that world with you, together."
Luxio stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, it stepped forward. The sparks softened, fading into a gentle glow as it closed the gap between them. Clemont held perfectly still, not daring to breathe.
Then Luxio pressed its head against his chest. A rough, quiet sound rumbled from its throat—half growl, half sigh. It licked at his hand once, the gesture awkward but unmistakable.
Clemont's vision blurred as tears welled in his eyes. He placed a trembling hand gently on Luxio's mane. "Thank you... thank you for giving me another chance."
Korrina smiled softly, Lucario nodding its approval beside her. Serena touched Ash's arm, her smile warm as he grinned wide. Bonnie's eyes shone as she clapped her hands together. "See? I knew you'd find each other again!"
Luxio pulled back, its expression steady, as though waiting for what would come next.
Clemont wiped at his eyes, then pulled an empty Poké Ball from his belt. He held it out, his voice clear and sure. "Luxio. Will you be my partner... for real this time?"
The ball gleamed faintly in the dim light. For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then Luxio gave a firm nod, crouched low, and tapped its forehead against the ball.
Click.
The ball rocked once, twice, then stilled with a faint chime.
Clemont clutched it to his chest, his tears falling freely now, though his smile was radiant. "Welcome back, Luxio."
His friends gathered around, their warmth surrounding him, the moment sealing itself into their shared journey. In the shadow of the academy, a broken bond had been reforged, stronger than ever.
And with Clemont's new partner at his side, their journey to Coumarine City carried a new light.
AS THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!
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