"Scep…tile…"
Sceptile's body was sent flying by the crushing blow of Greninja's Night Slash, slamming into the wall behind it with devastating force.
The impact left it embedded in the cracked surface, no longer able to continue the battle.
"S-so fast… such incredible power…" Sawyer muttered in disbelief. His legs gave out as he fell back onto the ground, shaken by what he had just witnessed.
When Greninja had been engulfed by that massive sphere of water, the sheer pressure it released had been something Sawyer couldn't possibly withstand.
Greninja soon returned to its normal form.
"This match is over!" Clemont declared, acting as referee.
In Ash's mind, the system's notification of Greninja gaining experience rang out, but Ash ignored it. His attention was already fixed elsewhere.
He had sensed it. Someone was coming.
Alain.
You finally arrived.
Ash walked over to Sawyer.
"Sawyer, Steven wasn't lying to you. Your Sceptile can indeed Mega Evolve. Do you want to see it with your own eyes?"
At that moment, Serena and Bonnie were out shopping, leaving only Ash, Clemont, and Sawyer at the field.
And now Alain had stepped forward to join them.
"Yes, Ash! Please, I must see Sceptile's Mega Evolution for myself! Mr. Steven told me that when it Mega Evolves, it even gains the Dragon typing!" Sawyer said eagerly, scribbling into his notebook as he spoke.
Ash nodded calmly. "Then just wait here and watch. Our new guest is the one you'll want to see it against. Come out, Sceptile."
"Cha-mo!"
"Pikachu?" Ash's partner perked up, its ears twitching as it noticed the young man who had walked up and stopped in front of Ash.
Alain.
Alain looked at Pikachu for a moment, then raised his eyes to Ash. His stare was steady, sharp, as though measuring him.
"Hello. You're Ash, the one who proposed the theory of Mega Evolution. My name is Alain. Was that what you just showed us—your latest research on Mega Evolution?"
He was in awe. To achieve a transformation like that without a Key Stone or Mega Stone… it was beyond belief.
Alain could hardly contain his excitement. He felt incredibly fortunate to have run into Ash here of all places.
Ash gave a small smile. "In a way, yes. I call it Bond Evolution. It's different from Mega Evolution that relies on stones. Right now, it seems to be unique to Greninja and me. I'm still studying it."
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu called, narrowing its eyes.
Ash nodded knowingly. "Yes, Pikachu. I feel it too."
The electricity in the air was unmistakable—Alain radiated an overwhelming battle aura.
"Please battle me," Alain said firmly. "I know you have a Charizard. Let me see which of ours is stronger!"
"Charizard?"
At that, Sceptile took a step forward.
"Cha-mo!" It cried out defiantly.
Ash chuckled. "You heard him. If you want to face my Charizard, then first—you'll have to get past this guy."
"Pika-chu!" Pikachu agreed enthusiastically.
Alain studied Ash closely, then nodded. He had seen Ash's matches at the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh. He knew this Sceptile had the ability to Mega Evolve.
"Fine then. I'll defeat your Sceptile first!"
With a flick of his wrist, Alain released his Charizard. The mighty dragon let out a roaring "Aaarghh!" as its wings spread wide.
Sawyer immediately stepped back to the sidelines. His heart raced with excitement. Ash's Sceptile against a Charizard like that—this was something he had to document carefully. His notebook was ready in his hands.
Clemont stepped forward again. "This will be a one-on-one Pokémon battle between Ash and Alain! The match will end when one trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue! Begin!"
When he announced the rules, his voice faltered briefly—hesitant at first—but he settled on allowing two Pokémon per side.
"Respond to my will, Charizard! Transcend evolution—Mega Evolve!" Alain cried.
"Roooaaaar!"
The Key Stone on Alain's wrist shone brightly, resonating with the Mega Stone on Charizard's neck. A powerful surge of energy enveloped the dragon.
Charizard's body shifted, its color deepening into a fierce blue-black. Flames blazed from its maw.
Mega Charizard X had arrived!
Ash did not immediately order Sceptile to Mega Evolve, which made Alain frown slightly.
"Charizard, use Steel Wing!"
Mega Charizard X shot skyward, its wings gleaming like sharp blades of steel as it dove at Sceptile.
"Straight to the point, huh? Sceptile—meet it head-on with Leaf Blade!"
"Cha-mo!"
Sceptile's gaze locked on the incoming dragon. Both arms glowed with razor-sharp green energy as it slashed across to intercept the blow.
The clash resounded like steel meeting steel. Sparks flew as Sceptile managed to hold back Mega Charizard X's Steel Wing!
Alain's face remained calm. He had studied Ash's battles—he knew Ash's Sceptile had this kind of strength. He wasn't surprised.
"Dragon Claw!" Alain snapped, his hand curling into a claw.
Charizard mirrored the motion seamlessly, its steel-coated wings shifting into vicious glowing claws.
"Keep it up, Sceptile—block it with Leaf Blade!" Ash countered.
For a moment, Ash's eyes flickered toward Greninja, who was watching from the sidelines with Clemont.
Greninja, this Charizard will be your greatest rival in the Kalos League. You must keep growing stronger.
Blades clashed violently—Dragon Claw against Leaf Blade—sparks and shockwaves erupting from every collision.
Despite not being Mega Evolved yet, Sceptile's level—an astonishing 89—kept it evenly matched against the dragon's sheer might.
"Flamethrower!" Alain commanded.
"Protect!" Ash ordered.
A dome of shimmering energy shielded Sceptile from the roaring flames.
After a few more exchanges, Ash nodded slightly. "Your Charizard is impressive, Alain. Very impressive."
His eyes sharpened, determination blazing.
"But now—it's time for you to see the true power of Mega Sceptile. Sceptile, let's Mega Evolve!"
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