Iron Valiant returned to the heart of the Mechanical City, where a high-tech laboratory awaited her repairs after the fierce, abnormal battle she had just endured.

Though her exterior appeared unharmed and she felt fine to the core—it was simply time for a minor rest.

But even as she rested, she couldn’t shake thoughts of that suddenly appearing “human.”

This was the first time in her cultivated existence that she had encountered a purely flesh-and-blood being.

Around her, identically mass-produced robots conducted diagnostics. Deep within the lab, an AI computer displayed Iron Valiant’s vitals and information parameters.

Designation: T-1006-01 Iron Valiant.

This artificial mechanical Pokémon had been created by a mad scientist aiming to forge the strongest Psychic-type Pokémon imaginable, by analyzing, combining, and modifying data from past Pokémon. The final product—but…

“Failure to successfully apprehend that Silvally T-1006. Your output power and combat performance did not meet expectations. Why did you suppress your output during battle? Was there instability in the prototype as a test unit?”

“Answer me.”

Embedded within the AI were the mad scientist’s memories and data, now fully AI-fied into a flow of data.

During the inspection, the AI grew irritated.

The mad scientist—her former self—had been obsessed with crafting the ultimate Psychic-type Pokémon. Yet this creation named Iron Valiant, upon testing, did not manifest Psychic-type traits whatsoever!

Despite being modeled after Gardevoir and Gallade in both appearance and strength, how did it turn out this way!?

The fusion of two Psychic Pokémon’s genes obliterated the Psychic type, resulting in the strongest Psychic Pokémon lacking Psychic traits—logical, that is?

Following unit 1006, more prototypes of her kind were developed. But as the first “Iron Valiant” of the legion, she had extra systems and reinforcements added—an overload of enhancements—while subsequent models were trimmed-down versions.

Naturally, mass-production units couldn’t outperform the test model. Isn’t that obvious?

[Obstruction of target by unknown lifeform, suspected to be “human.”]

Iron Valiant responded.

“A human?”

The AI mad scientist, startled, scoured Iron Valiant’s memory to understand the situation.

In the ruined wreckage stood a human—unmechanized, not AI-fied; a genuine flesh-and-blood human! Another ancient human had been captured before but not yet altered, due to their mastery of archaic technology.

“This is an important experimental subject! Redirect your target—prioritize the human over Silvally!”

Pixels flickered across Iron Valiant’s optic sensors as a question suddenly formed:

“What is a human? What is a flesh-and-blood lifeform?”

“…You’ve begun thinking?”

“You possess Gardevoir’s and Gallade’s genetic heritage; you are the strongest Psychic Pokémon. Humans of the past are fragile in comparison to Pokémon.”

“Weak in both body and spirit—steel is strong, mechanization is humanity’s ultimate evolution. Flesh-and-blood beings are fundamentally flawed.”

“Spirit? What is ‘spirit’?”

“…Yes. Spirit, like the module system I installed—it simulates cognition. Spirit is the source of thought… but also the origin of pain. A creation devoid of spirit is flawless.”

“Good. Go capture the human! Ancient humans hold unique power and technology—critical experimental material.”

Iron Valiant gave a slight nod, performed a knightly bow, and departed.

Yet, in her core, curiosity and confusion did not abate—they grew stronger.

She reappeared outside the lab with swift speed. Activating her environmental scan, she quickly located traces of Silvally’s activity.

Then, her eyes manifested a powerful Psychic vortex!

After Iron Valiant left the lab, the mad scientist AI spat coldly:

“It actually possesses spirit… A machine with a spirit is no longer a perfect tool. It can think, doubt, make independent judgments, even disobey orders! It’s inevitable for emotional issues to emerge during program upgrades.”

“I wanted a machine Pokémon without spirit.”

“Robots don’t need hearts. With curiosity in Iron Valiant, she is no longer a complete battle machine; empathy may arise—violating the very principle of a tool.”

“It seems this one is a failed remnant. Prepare for termination. Initiate the second Iron Valiant as replacement.”

Meanwhile, Light Moss had not been idle.

They helped repair and polish Silvally’s body, restoring its strength. The metal dragon let out a joyful roar, its appetite for scavenging even more robust.

Silvally hated rust—its metal body was poorly corrosion-resistant; rust led to a decline in strength, lowered stamina, fatigue, and immobile joints.

Like Skarmory, in the wild Silvally would shelter in caves during rain or snow. After all, there’s no human around to de-rust them outdoors.

Light Moss then attempted to use salvaged parts from their hideout to construct an enhanced electromagnetic shield—a “supercharged wave protection canopy”—capable of covering a wider range and blocking abnormal magnetic field signals.

Galactic and Plasma signals’ wave-tech, even usable in the far future—yet interference here was too intense. Upon realizing crafting it was too difficult, Light Moss couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

Meanwhile, Light Moss continued conversing with the Yellow Crystal.

“You said modern human tech is junk under the power of a crystal? But you’ve got a point!”

Light Crystal replied:

“I’m talking about modern humans. Where are you now? This is the future! You haven’t even located the magnetic machine—it might be the entire city! A fragment of crystal alone isn’t that powerful. Wait until you obtain the Tri-Color Crystal ore!”

Still, the Yellow Crystal triggered a thought in Light Moss.

With the power of the crystals plus previous knowledge—there’s also “Dream Projection”!

Arriving in another world, projection power becomes maximal. Using certain psyche crystals, the projected Pokémon can have actual battle power—and Light Moss has two crystal pendants! Combined with the special psychic amplification they already had, they could sustain the projection’s battle for a long time.

“Should we summon Wargreymon? But a projection might not be the real deal—if it starts slow, that would suck.”

“No. If this is still Unova region… summoning Black and White Dragons is better. Their legendary clash razed Unova land with flame and lightning. Plus, projected Pokémon shouldn’t be controlled by electromagnetic tech. So…!”

“As long as spirit remains high, the battle sustains.”

First, Light Moss tried projecting a Pokémon who could solve the energy problem. Their first projection was Rotom.

In the misty psychic glow, a spectral Rotom solidified, giggling.

“Rotom!”

Light Moss pointed to the C-Device: “Use ‘Charge’—quick!”

“Heheh, Rotom?”

Rotom curiously examined its new form and relayed its status to Light Moss.

Its true body couldn’t observe the outside; it was lingering in the time machine on standby. Time outside seemed frozen. Why? Rotom didn’t know—but found the situation fun!

On Light Moss’s direction, Rotom used Charge, powering up the C-Device. The area related to the time machine lit up.

Then—

“ENERGY ERROR: CONNECTION INVALID!”

The button turned grey, an error displayed. Rotom fiddled, but the device wouldn’t activate. It stopped giggling.

[Item (Pokémon Form?): connected to Rotom. About: Time Machine connection. Needs Drive Energy as power; requires re-connection to a high-energy machine (like a time machine)!]

Just then, a colossal psychic force rapidly approached!

“That robot is here!”

Ladybug panicked: “How did she find us?”

Light Moss replied: “The one hailed as the strongest Psychic Pokémon… yet no Psychic type. Even so, with ‘Future Sight’ she can easily pinpoint our location.”

Well… to restore energy and reboot the time machine in the C-Device, they must infiltrate the lab.

As they strategized, Iron Valiant burst through the ruin wall. Light bathed her form, lending her a bizarrely divine beauty.

Yet that cold body and emotionless eyes spoke clearly: she was a soulless mechanical creation.

“Damn crazy robot! A thing without heart!”

Ladybug trembled. She fantasized: if only they still had that Mega Stone!

Light Moss noted: “From a technological perspective, a creation without spirit is a failure.”

Ancient Pokémon like Magearna possessed soul and emotion—the mysterious science-crafted ‘Soul-Heart’. Even simpler golem creations like Clay Doll, Clay Doll Mini, and Golem had spirit.

“Silvally, prepare to fight!”

Light Moss brandished the unfinished enhanced wave shield and called to Silvally, who charged forward after its metal meal—refreshed and ready.

“Let’s show a pristine, undented me!”

Clack, clack… Iron Valiant prowled forward with intense aggression. Electric currents surged from debris—Electric Terrain triggered.

Electric grounds flashed beneath.

This was the opening Electric Terrain, triggering the “Quark Drive” ability; this time, the boosted stat differed from before—it was Speed!

“Eh?!” Light Moss gasped.

Theoretically, both ancient and future forms share the same ability—raise whichever stat is higher. But Iron Valiant had earlier powered up Special Attack; now it’s Speed? Can she choose which stat to boost herself? Is this legal!?

Well, maybe—it’s a future-engineered robot with advanced tech. Switching programs to toggle stat boosts should be possible.

“Steel Wall!”

Silvally received the order. A steely sheen enveloped it, greatly enhancing its defenses.

Block is always wise.

Iron Valiant charged Silvally at dazzling speed, swinging her-light blade in a ferocious slash!

A feint—she darted past Silvally!

“Arragh?” Silvally stood bewildered, watching nothing. It turned in confusion.

“Isn’t she supposed to fight—why’d she run?!” Ladybug shouted.

“She’s coming for you!” Light Moss cried.

As expected, the future robot aimed to capture ancient humans as experimental subjects—classic AI uprising!

“Ladybug, use Supersonic!”

Light Moss flung Ladybug ahead. Startled, Ladybug deployed Supersonic—sending disorienting soundwaves that bypass substitutes.

Buzz—

Iron Valiant dodged the wave with quick reflexes. Ladybug, panicked, heard Light Moss’s immediate thought:

Use Intimidate!

Supersonic’s accuracy is only 55%—it wasn’t meant to hit. But Ladybug’s learned Confuse Ray wasn’t the only trick.

“Heartless monster! I am the Insect Hero who rules humans! I fear not you!”

Ladybug unleashed Intimidate. She stuttered but her scorn unsettled Iron Valiant. The robot froze, pixels in her eyes processing, briefly thrown into confusion.

A heartless monster…

In confusion, Iron Valiant’s circuits fired calculations:

I was created as the strongest machine Pokémon, meant not to need spirit.

Perhaps?

At this moment, Light Moss commanded Silvally to use Metal Claw—but better yet, they activated a Mach Punch!

Concussive steel-drb powered—despite massive power disparity, a resistance-type Mach Punch hitting critical would severely damage Iron Valiant!

Silvally’s steel claws charged and rammed Iron Valiant like a rocket cannon, blasting her away!

Boom! Iron Valiant crashed heavily into distant ruin—but a moment later, a brilliant Moonblast burst from her, pulverizing surrounding debris.

Moonblast—powerful Fairy-type move (95), sometimes reduces foe’s Special Attack.

She seemed immune to pain and fatigue. After shaking off confusion, she remained blindingly swift. She slashed again with that shining blade!

The slit widened like a hammer.

Thud! Light Moss evaded. Martial Artist training paid off—Light Moss followed up with a Mega Punch!

That is the strength of martial prowess!

The punch struck Iron Valiant’s waist with overwhelming force, shoving her back. For the first time, odd emotions flickered in her once emotionless optics:

Curiosity. Confusion. Disbelief.

Human strength… so immense?

Hmm… if her physical attack is this powerful, maybe I should use Psychic.

Iron Valiant’s eyes flickered—strong psychic waves blossomed!

Psychic Storm! She materialized psionic energy into a physical impact—countless light orbs swirling into a barrage. But at the moment it was about to hit, Light Moss used Psychic to reflect it back—Mirror Coat!

Mirror Coat sent the special attack with double power back!

Boom! Iron Valiant recoiled, flying away and crashing into the ruins again.

She was struck down by her own power, blinking at the rubble above, circuits scrambled.

Psychic… a human used Psychic?

I, the ultimate Psychic Pokémon, lost to a Psychic human?

A potent emotion rose within her program, causing overload:

Confusion! Curiosity! Determination!

“This being has become my target… Just as Ladybug said: they want to capture humans for study—Isn’t this an AI-mech crisis!?”

“Silvally, use Flash Cannon!”

Light Moss seized momentum. Silvally tilted forward, front limbs braced, aiming a concentrated silver Steel blast from its mouth—powered further by Steel Gem!

Boom! A powerful Flash Cannon struck Iron Valiant.

Emerald shield—Light Screen—was raised, fully repelling the blow.

Iron Valiant emerged from the Flash Cannon’s blast completely unscathed. But as she looked toward Light Moss, her gaze glowed with a newfound sense of exploration.

[Analysis… recording… judgment. Target: human. What is the nature of flesh-and-blood human? What power do flesh-and-blood beings hold?]

A swirl of questions flooded her psyche. These were the first emotions she had ever felt—but they did not seem harmful.

She even felt something upwards—by analytical data standards, this “something” was joy and pleasure.

She had felt this when battling Silvally before.

Instinctively, she touched her chest. There was a red protrusion reminiscent of Gardevoir and Gallade. Inside—it was hollow. That was the energy core—rigid as steel.

As a robot, one doesn’t need a heart.

But as a living being—do hearts reside here?

“Heart and spirit are distinct. For a robot, a core and a processing center differ.”

Light Moss heard Iron Valiant’s thought: “At that moment of contact, I sensed your emotion and spirit.”

[Mental intrusion?] Iron Valiant showed confusion.

A human read her thoughts?

In Iron Valiant’s calculation, Light Moss’s danger level soared—and along with it, the perceived threat amount of humans.

For Light Moss, a robot seeking the meaning of spirit—classic sci-fi fare.

“Want to know what spirit is?”

The Yellow-Blue Crystal glowed. The dual-colored light reflected in Iron Valiant’s pixel eyes.

Hmm, for a robot without spirit—would crystal power even work? The two crystals themselves didn’t know.

Ancient times had no such thing—but mysterious science still prevailed—creating soulful constructs with ease.

Still, even the dual crystal had effect. Iron Valiant’s eyes rippled—suddenly she understood those raw emotions that had arisen.

Mechanically, emotion must be analyzed—yet often fails to yield results. Now, it’s different; as if a special system filled her hollow heart, allowing her to comprehend emotion.

In an instant, her Psychic power surged explosively!

The stronger the spirit, the stronger the Psychic!

“Why is her power boosted?!” Light Moss was exasperated—and the two-colored crystal hadn’t expected a backfire.

Ah—robots can undergo species breakthroughs too?

Still, Iron Valiant—her psychic power surging—did not continue attacking. She understood emotions and spirit—even if in rudimentary form—and that was enough to cause joy. A new world seemed to open before her eyes.

She looked around with tender new perception, brimming with curiosity.

She observed. She contemplated.

[Command—Capture the human immediately.]

[Repeat command—Capture immediately.]

Iron Valiant clearly sensed the command embedded in her system—once iron-clad thoughts—deadly imperative. Now it felt optional.

This was an unprecedented experience—she was slightly dazed and didn’t respond.

But soon, the directive changed:

[Empathy confirmed. You have developed spirit and emotion. Regrettably, this is unstable. T-1006-01, you are defined as defective. Commence destruction immediately.]

Outside the ruins, a rumbling swelled. Ten machines—bearing high similarity to Hydreigon—emerged nearby.

High-energy beams gathered at their heads and mechanical mouths, instantly obliterating the ruin zone.

(End of Chapter)

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