Chapter 528: Mega Sceptile, the Wood Dragon Lizard

The students from Classes 1 and 2 were already furious, and seeing Aaron step forward only gave the ones who disliked him a new target.

The outcome was already decided.

What difference could a single Sceptile possibly make?

The guys who already resented Aaron were convinced this was nothing more than another attempt to show off.

And, technically, they were right.

Aaron absolutely had come here to show off.

He just had no intention of doing it halfway.

If he was going to put on a show, he was going to leave the entire crowd stunned.

...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

On the Pokémon battlefield, fierce winds howled and the sandstorm raged.

Quincy looked completely self-assured.

As far as he was concerned, no freshman here could possibly defeat Tyranitar.

The sight of Sceptile standing alone only made Quincy laugh.

He sneered at Aaron.

"Hahaha!"

"Aaron, this is what you're sending against me?"

"You really think that little lizard can beat my Tyranitar?"

"Hahaha... Number one on the Hidden Dragon Rankings?"

"Today I'll crush you in front of everyone and make sure you never forget it."

Quincy laughed, savoring the thought.

"Tyranitar... crush it."

"Dark Pulse!"

Quincy swept a hand forward.

Tyranitar answered with a thunderous roar.

It opened its mouth wide, and a black sphere of energy gathered inside.

The sphere erupted from its mouth like some twisted version of Godzilla's atomic breath.

The attack tore toward Sceptile at incredible speed, blasting through the swirling sand in its path.

Aaron grinned.

"Sceptile... it's your turn to dance!"

"Transcend the limits of life—Mega Evolve!"

"Scep!"

Green light flashed through Sceptile's eyes.

With a low cry, rainbow light burst from its body.

Aaron's Key Stone flared in answer, its light linking with Sceptile's.

The rainbow light flooded the battlefield, forcing the students on the ground to shield their eyes.

Even then, they peered through their fingers, desperate to see what was happening.

Was this the Light of Evolution?

No...

This was even brighter than the Light of Evolution.

Even more powerful.

What exactly was happening?

The same question was on everyone's mind.

Then the rainbow light began to recede.

In its place stood an unfamiliar Pokémon.

"What... what is that?"

"Can Sceptile still evolve?"

The crowd erupted in questions as everyone stared at the unfamiliar form.

The transformed Pokémon stood fully revealed on the battlefield.

It stood 2.3 meters tall, its entire body green.

Yellow fruits dotted its back, while its long, thick tail bore leaves and sharp horns.

Its narrow red eyes looked sharp and commanding.

This was Sceptile's Mega-Evolved form.

Mega Sceptile!

Sleek, powerful, and utterly unfamiliar.

Aaron immediately pulled up Mega Sceptile's information panel.

[Name: Mega Sceptile]

[Gender: Male]

[Nature: Serious]

[Type: Grass/Dragon]

[Ability: Wood Dragon Lizard — Sceptile can restore stamina and heal injuries through plants rooted in the earth. The power of Grass- and Dragon-type moves increases by 50%. In forests, its Speed doubles, and the power of Grass-type moves increases by another 50%.]

[Base Stats Total: 630]

[Level: Gym (Peak Stage, temporarily boosted)]

[Potential: Champion]

[Known Moves: Agility (Apotheosis), Leaf Blade (Perfect), Dual Chop (Perfect), Quick Attack (Perfect), Mega Drain (Perfect), Dragon Breath (Perfect), Grassy Terrain (Master), Fury Cutter (Master), Leaf Storm (Master), Night Slash (Master)...]

[Special Bloodline: Wood Release Kekkei Genkai]

[Skill 1: Super Wood Clone Technique]

[Skill 2: Super Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique]

[Skill 3: Super Wood Release: Wood Shield Jutsu]

[Skill 4: Super Wood Release Secret Technique: Verdant Bloom Dominion]

[Skill 5: Super Wood Release: Wood Human Technique]

[Skill 6: Sage Art: Wood Release — True Several Thousand Hands: Top Transformed Buddha — Locked. Unlocks at Class Champion-level.]

[Skill Explanations: Omitted...]

[Special Skill: Sage Mode]

[Held Item: Vital Seed]

[Description: Mega Sceptile, the Forest Pokémon. After undergoing a highly compatible bloodline modification, it gained tremendous power capable of reshaping the terrain.]

...

Aaron stared at Mega Sceptile, excitement burning in his eyes.

Mega Evolution had changed far more than Sceptile's appearance.

Verdant Avatar had evolved into the far stronger Wood Dragon Lizard.

Combined with Verdant Bloom Dominion, the new Ability boosted Mega Sceptile's Grass-type moves to absurd levels.

It could recover stamina, heal injuries, and dominate the battlefield.

The whole kit was absurdly versatile.

"Mega Sceptile... go!"

"Activate Sage Mode..."

"Sage Art: Leaf Blade! Cut through Dark Pulse!"

The wind whipped Aaron's bangs back as he gave the command.

"Scep!"

Mega Sceptile let out a low cry as dark Sage markings formed around its narrow eyes.

Dense life energy poured from its body, giving it the presence of a living World Tree.

"Scep!"

With another cry, a green-white blade of light flared from the back of Mega Sceptile's hand.

It slashed down at the Dark Pulse hurtling toward it.

Boom!

A violent explosion rang out.

With a single slash, Mega Sceptile split the black sphere cleanly in half.

...