"Eh, Luxio?"
Clemont was stunned at first, as if he hadn't reacted. Then, memories quickly flooded back—he thought of the little Shinx he'd met during his school days years ago.
He naturally knew that Shinx evolves into Luxio, but he hadn't abandoned Luxio, had he?
Lucas's serious gaze fell on Clemont, as if seeing through his thoughts. He spoke clearly and forcefully: "You want to say you didn't abandon Luxio, that you just regret missing your chance, right?"
On the way here, Lucas had been thinking: Even if Clemont missed his appointment due to unforeseen circumstances and rushed back later, Shinx's figure had already disappeared.
But after that, no one had forced Clemont to leave Lumiose City. In all those years, had he ever tried to look for Luxio, even once?
Oranguru had said, Luxio isn't exactly a secret—if you ask around, you'll hear of a Luxio guarding the city's power tower.
"..."
At a loss, Clemont looked to Meyer for help. As someone already awkward at socializing, he was more nervous than ever, his mind a mess, unable to think of where to start.
Meyer folded his arms and stood aside, not speaking up for Clemont this time.
Just as he'd said before, even if it wasn't intentional, Clemont had objectively abandoned Luxio. Meyer believed Clemont needed this lesson to understand what responsibility and duty truly meant.
"Brother… Dad?"
Suddenly, the elevator behind them opened again, and a slightly confused little girl's voice rang out.
The three looked over. Out stepped a cute girl, about seven or eight, with hair the same color as Clemont's. She clearly didn't understand what was going on, her eyes darting between the three.
Meyer frowned, "Bonnie, why are you here?"
"Because you guys weren't coming home! I figured big brother was skipping meals again while inventing, so I came to make sure he eats lunch properly. Only by getting strong can he find a dependable bride!"
Bonnie's lively and innocent arrival instantly broke the tense atmosphere, as if fresh air started to flow again. Clemont suddenly dropped to his knees, his voice choked.
"I just thought Shinx wouldn't trust humans anymore because I missed our appointment. I was afraid that if I found it, I'd see distrust and coldness in its eyes. That's why I didn't dare to look for it."
"I didn't dare gamble on whether Shinx could forgive me."
In front of Lucas, Oranguru, Meyer, and Bonnie, Clemont tearfully admitted his own cowardice—his fear of taking the first step.
He was terrified that the accident had made Shinx lose faith in him, so he chose to bury his head in the sand. As long as he didn't look for Shinx, the precious memories could stay perfect in his heart, and Shinx would remain his close companion in his memories.
After hearing everything, Lucas glanced thoughtfully at Meyer. On the way back, Meyer had talked about Clemont's character—how his lack of confidence often left him stuck.
Turns out, the root of the problem was an unfortunate accident and Clemont's own lack of self-confidence.
Lucas and Oranguru exchanged a glance. Meanwhile, Bonnie, like a little grown-up, sternly watched her kneeling brother, ready to lecture him.
"Bonnie doesn't know what to say, big brother. Luxio's so pitiful, waiting all alone for so long. The important thing isn't whether Luxio is willing to trust you again, but that as a man, you have to take responsibility, find Luxio, apologize, and explain why you missed your promise."
"Even if you have to grovel, you must get Luxio's forgiveness! Really, big brother, you're hopeless. My idea of finding you a bride is clearly the right one!"
At fault, Clemont didn't dare talk back—he could only hang his head and accept his sister's scolding.
Meyer came over to Lucas and Oranguru, sighing: "Sorry about this. Clemont's even less clear-headed than Bonnie, but I think after this lesson, he'll change."
Lucas nodded: "Clemont isn't a bad person. As long as he faces the issue and goes to the academy to resolve it, that's enough."
"Even if it takes time to earn Luxio's trust again, after this setback, they'll surely become close partners. Luxio will become Clemont's new teammate at the Lumiose Gym."
Lucas felt today had gone pretty well—not only did Arcanine get to battle, but he also got a famous Lumiose Gâteau as a souvenir, and Bonnie managed all the scolding so he didn't have to.
A lucky day indeed!
Suddenly Meyer asked, "Lucas, how long do you plan to stay in Kalos? To thank you for helping Clemont face his issues, I'd like to show you around Lumiose's surroundings."
Caught off guard, Lucas considered his schedule.
It was his second day in Kalos, and his main goal was already half done. The only thing left was the battle dinner two days later, at Clemont's friend Siebold's restaurant.
The invitation said Siebold had invited many friends, hoping trainers would socialize, swap rare items, and discuss battles. There would also be surprise prizes for the most outstanding guest.
Lucas wasn't too interested—he just planned to enjoy the food and maybe battle a bit.
Beyond that, he had no other plans, and was already thinking of flying back to Paldea the day after the dinner.
He missed his farm.
He shared his plans with Meyer.
Meyer looked surprised but said nothing with Clemont and Bonnie present.
…
For the next two days, Clemont temporarily closed the Lumiose Gym and set out with Bonnie to his former academy, apparently to win back Luxio's heart.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Meyer toured Lumiose's surroundings, experiencing Kalosian culture.
Meyer also met Lucas's other three Pokémon, besides Arcanine and Oranguru.
Especially when Meyer learned Swampert had a Swampertite, he enthusiastically took Lucas to a craftsman he knew, who made a special armband for Swampert to hold it.
Sadly, Meyer didn't have a spare Mega Key Stone, or he would have gifted one to Lucas.
Finally, it was evening, and the dinner Siebold was hosting was about to begin.
Lucas arrived in a limousine arranged by Siebold at his restaurant—a luxurious manor on the outskirts of Lumiose City.
The restaurant had no name and seemed to accept guests only by reservation, looking very high-class.
Night was falling, streetlights illuminated the road, and after Lucas got out, the driver bowed, "I'll go pick up other guests now. Just follow this path, Mr. Lucas."
"Alright."
Lucas nodded, watched the black car leave, and was about to move on when a second car arrived. Out stepped a man in an outfit completely at odds with the elegant surroundings, looking like a Kamen Rider from a tokusatsu show. Under a red cape, he wore a skin-tight suit, and on his head was a Blaziken-themed mask. The man immediately looked at Lucas.
Their gazes met for a moment. The masked man, with a hearty laugh, came forward and said, "Hey there, are you here for the dinner too?"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Blaziken Mask, the hero who secretly protects Lumiose City!"
Lucas: "..."
Blaziken Mask wilted under Lucas's deadpan stare.
Wait, why am I nervous? He shouldn't know who I am, right?
"Meyer, what's with the getup?"
Lucas's calm voice made Meyer freeze. Suddenly, he felt the embarrassing urge to curl up in shame at being seen by an acquaintance, but forced a laugh: "Meyer? Haha, what are you talking about? I'm Blaziken Mask! You must be mistaken!"
"Maybe."
Lucas didn't expose him and just walked up the path.
Eating was more important. If the food was good, he might ask Siebold to pack some for his Pokémon.
Seeing Lucas leave without a backward glance, Blaziken Mask snapped out of it and hurried after him, saying, "Well, since we've met, let's walk together?"
Lucas didn't refuse and nodded.
They walked in silence for a while, then Blaziken Mask casually said, "Most of tonight's guests are Siebold's influential Kalos acquaintances. There's even Kalos Champion Diantha and Lysandre of the Lysandre Labs."
Lucas paused: "Lysandre?"
Blaziken Mask nodded, "Lysandre is a famous Kalos philanthropist, and an investor in Siebold's restaurant."
"That's just what I've heard. The prize tonight is a newly unearthed Mega Stone, and Lysandre wants to use this chance to connect with outstanding trainers."