XY137

←	XY136 : Forming a More Perfect Union!

Battling with a Clean Slate!

XY137

EP936

はじまりはゼロ！シトロンの決断！！
Starting from Zero! Citron's Decision!!

First broadcast

Japan	October 6, 2016
United States	December 18, 2016* December 24, 2016*

English themes

Opening	Stand Tall
Ending

Japanese themes

Opening	XY&Z
Ending	キラキラ

Credits

No additional credits are available at this time.
Animation	Team Kato
Screenplay	藤田伸三 Shinzō Fujita
Storyboard	尼野浩正 Hiromasa Amano
Assistant director	西田健一 Ken'ichi Nishida
Animation directors	上田美由紀 Miyuki Ueda
Animation directors	入江健司 Kenji Irie

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 of Pokémon the Series: XY, and the 936th episode of the Pokémon 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.

Blurb

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 the Team Flare incident, Lumiose City is getting back to normal whilst Ash, Serena and Bonnie work to rebuild the Lumiose Gym alongside Meyer and hope to get it up and running again the next day. Clemont is busy working on a new Clembot and manages to get it working, and the two introduce themselves. In a cafe, Team Rocket is speaking to Giovanni, 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 of Pikachu.

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, a Trainer called Alvin shows up to challenge the Gym, who having watched the Lumiose Conference, is excited to meet Ash in person. Clemont introduces himself as the Gym 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 that Professor Sycamore has called them to meet Alain who is coming back.

At Professor Sycamore's lab, a clumsy Mairin is seen tripping over Chespie when Ash and his 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 how Squishy 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 and Pancham 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 to Kanto 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 helping Lysandre 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 and James send out Gourgeist and Inkay to battle Ash's Greninja and Alain's Charizard. A battle ensues, during which Greninja frees Pikachu with Cut 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 out Magnemite for the battle. Alvin responds by sending out his Vivillon as Clembot comments that Vivillon is at a disadvantage against Magnemite. Magnemite starts the battle with Electro Ball, but Vivillon counters with Flash to blind Magnemite, and uses Quiver 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 to sleep with Sleep Powder and knock it out with an Energy Ball. Clemont reminds Clembot to not get nervous and keep his eyes open at all times. Clembot sends out Magneton as the next Pokémon. Vivillon starts with Sleep Powder, but Magneton uses Rain Dance to dispel the Sleep Powder and knocks out the Scale Pokémon with Thunder. Next, Alvin uses Pyroar to attack with Flamethrower, but another Thunder quickly faints Pyroar. Clembot claims to Clemont that the feeling of victory is good, as Alvin sends out Cubone as his last Pokémon. The Lonely Pokémon starts the round with Bonemerang, which Magneton counters with Sonic Boom. Cubone successfully knocks the Magnet Pokémon out with Brick 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 out Heliolisk. Determined to get the Voltage Badge, Alvin commands his Cubone to use Brick Break, but the Generator Pokémon dodges the attack. Clembot commands Heliolisk to use Dragon Tail, but Cubone blocks and uses Bone Rush. Heliolisk counters with Focus 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 the Kalos League award ceremony never being completed. Bonnie suggests awarding everyone for their efforts in stopping Team 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 and Lumiose 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 remembers Palermo's offer from before.

Major events

Professor Sycamore's medals

Clemont rebuilds Clembot and reopens the Lumiose Gym.
Team Rocket plans to return to the Team Rocket HQ once the Lumiose Airport reopens.
Alain is revealed to no longer possess his Mega Ring or Charizardite X.
Ash reveals that he is planning to head back to Pallet Town.
Clemont's Magnemite is revealed to know Electro Ball; his Magneton is revealed to know Rain Dance, Thunder, and Sonic Boom; and his Heliolisk is revealed to know Focus Blast.
Professor Sycamore gives medals to Ash, his friends, Alain, Mairin, and their Pokémon for their heroic efforts against Team Flare.
Professor Sycamore requests Alain to become his assistant again.
Serena considers accepting the offer that Palermo made to her earlier.

For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Pokémon Quiz

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Psyduck (US and international)
Pokémon Quiz: Magneton (Japan)

Pikachu (Ash's)
Meowth (Team Rocket)
Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
Dedenne (Clemont's)
Greninja (Ash's)
Talonflame (Ash's)
Hawlucha (Ash's)
Goodra (Ash's)
Noivern (Ash's)
Braixen (Serena's)
Pancham (Serena's)
Sylveon (Serena's)
Bunnelby (Clemont's)
Magnemite (Clemont's)
Magneton (Clemont's)
Heliolisk (Clemont's)
Chespin (Clemont's)
Luxray (Clemont's)
Gourgeist (Jessie's; Super Size)
Inkay (James's)
Garchomp (Professor Sycamore's)
Charizard (Alain's)
Chespin (Mairin's; Chespie)
Vivillon (Alvin's; Meadow Pattern)
Pyroar (Alvin's; female)
Cubone (Alvin's)
Machamp (Trainer's)
Timburr (Trainer's)
Diggersby (Trainer's)
Plusle (Trainer's)
Minun (Trainer's)
Patrat (Trainer's)
Watchog (Trainer's)
Pachirisu (Trainer's)
Zygarde (Zygarde Core; Squishy; flashback)
Zygarde (Zygarde Core; Z2; flashback)
Zigzagoon
Linoone
Helioptile
Psyduck
Marill
Azurill (×3)
Caterpie
Weedle
Combee (female)

Other

Clembot

Trivia

The title card segment focuses on Clemont for this episode

Poké TV: "Pokémon 24 Hours!" focusing on Professor Sycamore and his Garchomp.
The English dub was released on iTunes and Prime Video on December 18, 2016, six days before the episode aired in the United States. The same occurred for all episodes in Volume 4 of Pokémon the Series: XYZ that aired after an all-day marathon of Teen Titans Go! on November 26, 2016, and before January 11, 2017, when the error was fixed (The Right Hero for the Right Job! through Till We Compete Again!).
This episode was followed by a preview for Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.
This is the final episode of Pokémon the Series: XY to feature a character of the day.
This episode marks the last time Team Rocket blasts off, recites their motto, and attempts to catch Pikachu and other Pokémon in Pokémon the Series: XY.
This episode marks the first time that Alain's Charizard is shown not wearing its Charizardite X, and also the first time outside of flashbacks that Alain is shown not wearing his Mega Ring.
This episode marks the first time in the anime when Bone Rush is used by a Pokémon other than Lucario.
Mad-Paced Getter is used as an insert song at the end of Alvin's Gym battle.
Brilliantly is used as the ending for this episode, with this version being sung by Clemont's Japanese voice actor, Yūki Kaji.

Errors

When Professor Sycamore and Alain arrive at the laboratory, Serena's Braixen's ear tuft is shown to be behind Serena, but when the shot changes, it isn't.
When Ash commands Greninja to use Water Shuriken, Jessie commands Gourgeist to use Shadow Ball, but she uses Dark Pulse instead.
When Braixen uses Flamethrower on Gourgeist, Ash, Pikachu, Greninja, Alain, and Charizard disappear, only to reappear when Pikachu is commanded to use Thunderbolt.
When Cubone's Bonemerang is about to hit Heliolisk, the upper part of Heliolisk's mouth is colored yellow instead of black.
When Vivillon uses Sleep 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 use Stun Spore when it is actually Sleep Powder.
In the Polish dub, Clembot states that Water-type and Electric-type moves don't work on Ground-types.

Vivillon's miscolored head
Heliolisk's miscolored mouth

Dub edits

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		從零開始！希特隆的決定！
Czech		Zápasení s čistým štítem!
Danish		I kamp for en ny chance!
Dutch		Vechten met een schone lei!
Finnish		Ottelu puhtaalta pöydältä!
European French		Un débutant à nul autre pareil !
German		Ein unbeschriebenes Blatt!
Italian		Lottare ricominciando da zero!
Korean		시작은 제로! 시트론의 결단!!
Norwegian		En kamp med blanke ark!
Polish		Bitwa z czystą kartą!*
Portuguese	Brazil	Batalhando com um novo começo!
Portuguese	Portugal	Combater da estaca zero!
Russian		Битва с чистого листа!
Spanish	Latin America	¡Luchando desde cero!
Spanish	Spain	¡Empezando a partir de cero!
Swedish		En nystartande strid!
Thai		เริ่มต้นที่ศูนย์! การตัดสินใจของซิตรอน!!
Turkish		Temiz bir sayfa açıp mücadele etmek!