Battling with a Clean Slate! (Japanese:はじまりはゼロ！シトロンの決断！！Starting from Zero!Citron's Decision!!) is the 137th episode ofPokémon the Series: XY, and the 936th episode of thePokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on October 6, 2016 and in the United States on December 24, 2016.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
The Lumiose Gym has been through a lot, but everyone is working together to get it up and running again. Clembot is back, too, although Clemont hasn’t been able to restore its memories. When someone arrives to challenge the Gym, Clembot experiences its first Pokémon battle all over again—and it loves every minute! It asks Clemont to teach it all about Pokémon, and he’s pleased to start rebuilding their friendship.
The rest of our heroes are making plans, too. Ash wants to go home for a fresh start. Alain returns to work for Professor Sycamore. And Serena remembers Palermo’s offer to take her on as a student...
Plot
Following theTeam Flare incident,Lumiose City is getting back to normal whilstAsh,Serena andBonnie work to rebuild theLumiose Gym alongsideMeyer and hope to get it up and running again the next day.Clemont is busy working on a newClembot and manages to get it working, and the two introduce themselves. In a cafe,Team Rocket is speaking toGiovanni, who has heard of Team Flare's downfall, and Team Rocket take a lot of credit for bringing it down. Giovanni requests a full report, and the trio promise to return to Headquarters once the airport reopens and decide to bring back a surprise for him as well, in the form ofPikachu.
Joining the others in their conversation, Clemont informs them that, despite his best efforts, the rebuilt Clembot has none its previous memories. As they talk, aTrainer calledAlvin shows up to challenge the Gym, who having watched theLumiose Conference, is excited to meet Ash in person. Clemont introduces himself as theGym Leader, causing Alvin to wonder about Clembot. Clemont explains the entire incident of Clembot's destruction, causing Alvin to be sad; Alvin explains he had previously challenged the Gym, but was defeated, and has been training hard since then so he can battle Clembot again. Clemont explains that Clembot won't have any memory from before, but Alvin is intent on his wish. So, due to the battlefield not being ready, Clemont asks Alvin to come back the next day to battle, and Alvin agrees. After he leaves, Meyer informs the group thatProfessor Sycamore has called them to meetAlain who is coming back.
At Professor Sycamore's lab, a clumsyMairin is seen tripping overChespie when Ash andhis friends arrive. Mairin is surprised to see them and explains that she has decided to throw a party on account of Alain's homecoming. Clemont and Bonnie smell something burning. In the kitchen, Mairin moans about the burnt food as the others offer to help prepare for the party. Professor Sycamore drives a still distant Alain back to his lab. As the others prepare for Alain's return, Bonnie can't help but wonder howSquishy is doing but Ash assures her that Squishy shall be doing fine. Later, Alain and Professor Sycamore return and Mairin welcomes him home.
During their lunch,Chespin andPancham get into another fight over food, but Chespie manages to break it up. Professor Sycamore hears the Lumiose Gym is reopening and Bonnie informs him about the challenger. Professor Sycamore inquires the group on their future plans, and Ash claims that he plans to return toKanto and start his journey afresh. Later, Alain visits the Pokémon in Professor Sycamore's lab, who are pleased to see him. Ash joins him, saying it's been a while since he saw them.Garchomp comes over and greets Alain as well, as Ash asks Alain what his plans for the future are; the latter, who still feels guilty over helpingLysandre even though he was unaware of his true intentions, is unsure. Ash tries to cheer him and asks him to battle again in the future. Alain promises to do so, just as an alarm starts blaring. Joining the others, they discover that Team Rocket has captured Pikachu. After reciting their motto,Jessie andJames send outGourgeist andInkay to battleAsh's Greninja andAlain's Charizard. A battle ensues, during which Greninja frees Pikachu withCut and destroys the device. With the efforts of Greninja and Charizard, Team Rocket is sent blasting off, and Ash thanks Alain for his help.
Alvin facing Clembot
The next day, Clembot is ready for his battle against Alvin. Meyer acts as the referee, and the battle begins with Clembot sending outMagnemite for the battle. Alvin responds by sending out hisVivillon as Clembot comments that Vivillon is at a disadvantage against Magnemite. Magnemite starts the battle withElectro Ball, but Vivillon counters withFlash to blind Magnemite, and usesQuiver Dance. As Clembot wonders what to do, Clemont tells him to remain calm, focused and observant to predict his opponent's next move. As Clembot tries to reflect on Clemont's advice, Alvin has Vivillon put Magnemite tosleep withSleep Powder and knock it out with anEnergy Ball. Clemont reminds Clembot to not get nervous and keep his eyes open at all times. Clembot sends outMagneton as the next Pokémon. Vivillon starts with Sleep Powder, but Magneton usesRain Dance to dispel the Sleep Powder and knocks out the Scale Pokémon withThunder. Next, Alvin usesPyroar to attack withFlamethrower, but another Thunder quickly faints Pyroar. Clembot claims to Clemont that the feeling of victory is good, as Alvin sends outCubone as his last Pokémon. The Lonely Pokémon starts the round withBonemerang, which Magneton counters withSonic Boom. Cubone successfully knocks the Magnet Pokémon out withBrick Break. As Clembot recalls Magneton, Clemont says it is upsetting to lose but adds that by losing, one can learn to become stronger. Clembot takes his advice and sends outHeliolisk. Determined to get theVoltage Badge, Alvin commands his Cubone to use Brick Break, but the Generator Pokémon dodges the attack. Clembot commands Heliolisk to useDragon Tail, but Cubone blocks and usesBone Rush. Heliolisk counters withFocus Blast, heavily damaging Cubone. A determined Alvin remembers Clembot's advice from before, and commands Cubone to use Bonemerang. Heliolisk counters with Focus Blast but the Bonemerang breaks through and knocks out Heliolisk, giving Alvin the win. Clembot claims that he found the battle to be enjoyable and gives Alvin his Voltage badge. Ash congratulates Alvin, and Serena and Bonnie commend Clembot and the Pokémon for their brilliant battling skills. Clembot thanks them for the cheer and informs Clemont that he wishes to learn more about Pokémon, which Clemont happily agrees to.
Later, Professor Sycamore takes it upon himself to give away the medals to the Kalos League finalists due to theKalos League award ceremony never being completed. Bonnie suggests awarding everyone for their efforts in stoppingTeam Flare instead of just Alain and Ash, which is well appreciated. Giving Ash and Alain their medals, the Professor invites Alain to be his assistant again; however, the latter is still unhappy and guilty of his work with Team Flare and declines. Professor Sycamore tries to convince him by stating that he andLumiose City could use his help, and Alain finally accepts. Later the group, along with their Pokémon, receive medals for their assistance and a photograph is taken. That night, a crowd gathers around Prism Tower to witness the Gym reopening. A countdown commences and Meyer pulls a switch to turn the lights on and the fireworks go off. As they celebrate the Gym reopening, Clemont asks Serena what her future plans are, but she states that she is not certain, as she remembersPalermo's offer frombefore.
This episode marks the last timeTeam Rocket blasts off, recites their motto, and attempts to catchPikachu and other Pokémon inPokémon the Series: XY.
This episode marks the first time thatAlain's Charizard is shown not wearing itsCharizardite X, and also the first time outside of flashbacks thatAlain is shown not wearing hisMega Ring.
When Braixen usesFlamethrower on Gourgeist, Ash, Pikachu, Greninja, Alain, and Charizard disappear, only to reappear when Pikachu is commanded to useThunderbolt.
WhenCubone'sBonemerang is about to hitHeliolisk, the upper part of Heliolisk's mouth is colored yellow instead of black.
WhenVivillon usesSleep Powder, the top half of its head is colored light-gray like the bottom half of its head for a frame.
In the English dub, Alvin commands Vivillon to useStun Spore when it is actually Sleep Powder.
Vivillon's miscolored head
Heliolisk's miscolored mouth
