Chapter 573 - 573: 573. Aerodactyl

"Boom!"

Even after Mega Evolving, the Quasi-King-level Sceptile was still clearly outmatched by the Heavenly King-level Aerodactyl. A single exchange was enough to leave Mega Sceptile at a disadvantage.

Jacob's eyes narrowed at the sight, weighing his options in the span of a single heartbeat before he called out. "Sceptile, Swords Dance!"

There was only one way to close a gap in raw strength—stat-boosting moves.

At his command, Sceptile spun in place, its thick, needle-tipped tail sweeping through the air as Normal-type energy wrapped around it, its aura climbing steadily as its Attack surged.

Seeing this, Asher and Rory called their moves almost in the same breath.

"Dondozo, Wave Crash!"

"Aerodactyl, Aerial Ace again!"

Dondozo surged beneath the surface, and the mere act of breaching sent up waves large enough to look monstrous. Wrapped head to tail in Water-type energy, it launched itself into the air, crashing down toward Sceptile.

At the same moment, Aerodactyl climbed high, banked sharply, and accelerated straight at its target.

Caught between two Heavenly King-level Pokémon closing in from both sides, even Reflect might not be enough to keep Mega Sceptile standing.

Luckily, Amelia's voice cut through the moment. "Orbeetle, Protect!"

Orbeetle rose into the air, using its small body to shield Mega Sceptile as Normal-type energy gathered into a shimmering barrier in front of it, buying Sceptile the time it needed.

"Boom!"

Aerodactyl's Dual Wingbeat slammed into the barrier and shattered it in a single strike, the attack carrying through toward Orbeetle itself.

"Crack!"

A wingtip tore through Orbeetle's shell, but the damage, while real, wasn't severe—between Reflect and the last echo of Protect, Orbeetle weathered the hit without much trouble.

Right on Aerodactyl's heels came Dondozo's Wave Crash, exactly as expected. Like a warship cutting through the sea, it slammed into Orbeetle with the full weight of the wave behind it.

"Boom!"

Orbeetle was flung backward like a kite with its string cut, hitting the ground hard, barely conscious and clearly on the verge of fainting.

"Orbeetle!" Amelia had already braced for this. A Gym Leader-level Pokémon surviving even one hit from a Heavenly King-level opponent, Reflect or not, was already an achievement.

"Orbeetle, Recover!"

At her word, Normal-type energy flowed through Orbeetle's body, mending most of its wounds in a single breath.

"Jacob, keep building up. Orbeetle can hold the line a little longer," Amelia said, glancing his way.

"Got it." Jacob wasted no time issuing his next order. "Sceptile, Swords Dance again."

"Aerodactyl, Aerial Ace—go after Sceptile."

"Dondozo, Wave Crash—finish off Orbeetle!"

All three commands rang out together. Dondozo surged forward on a wall of water, crashing into Orbeetle with tremendous force.

"Boom!"

This time, Orbeetle went down completely, unmoving on the ground.

Meanwhile, Aerodactyl came in with Aerial Ace for a third time, wreathed in Flying-type energy as it barreled toward Mega Sceptile. Mega Sceptile spun rapidly like a great green top, Normal-type energy swirling around it as its Attack climbed further.

"Boom!"

The spin from Swords Dance let Sceptile dodge the worst of the impact.

Jacob studied Dondozo and Aerodactyl, a sharp glint in his eyes as he ran through the numbers in his head. Even if victory was unlikely, Mega Sceptile still had to give this everything it had, rather than simply stall for as long as it could manage. Two rounds of Swords Dance were enough—it was time to strike back.

"Sceptile, Leaf Blade!"

Grass-type energy erupted from Sceptile's body at his call, a wave of fluorescent green light sweeping across the field like a living tide, thick with the pulse of natural energy.

"That's some terrifying Grass-type power! You can practically feel it from the stands!"

"Jacob hasn't fought an official match in months, but he clearly hasn't lost a step."

"With a Sceptile like that, he could easily contend for the Grass-type Gym Leader position!"

...…

Compared to half a year ago, Sceptile had grown remarkably stronger—really, every one of Jacob's Pokémon kept getting stronger.

"Chamoo!"

Mega Sceptile let out a roar as twin Leaf Blades formed along its wrists, its powerful legs slamming into the ground and carving out a small crater. In an instant it shot forward, skimming low across the field straight at Aerodactyl, its glowing blades cutting through the air like lightning.

"Aerodactyl, Stone Edge!"

Asher reacted just as fast, Rock-type energy wrapping around Aerodactyl and hardening into jagged blades in an instant. Its gray wings beat hard as it charged to meet Sceptile head-on.

"Boom!"

Brownish-gold Rock energy collided with brilliant green Grass energy, the impact flashing brightly across the arena.

"A draw?!"

"A Quasi-Heavenly King-level Sceptile just traded blows evenly with a Heavenly King-level Aerodactyl?!"

"Jacob keeps getting stronger. At this rate, he could really become the youngest Gym Leader in Imperial City!"

...…

Both Pokémon were fighting at full strength now, muscles straining, veins standing out beneath their skin.

"Aerodactyl, Crunch!"

"Sceptile, Dragon Pulse!"

Jacob and Asher's commands landed almost together. Dark-type energy wrapped around Aerodactyl's jaws as it bit down hard on Mega Sceptile, leaving a line of bleeding punctures behind. At the same instant, Dragon-type energy gathered in Sceptile's mouth before bursting out as a shockwave that slammed into Aerodactyl, leaving it a little worse for wear.

Both sides came away from the clash with fresh injuries, neither willing to be the first to back down.

"Dad, come on, don't hold back," Asher complained, glancing over at his father.

Rory hadn't commanded Dondozo to act at all up to this point, content to let his son and Jacob carry the fight while he watched from the sidelines. Still, a friendly spar deserved to be fought properly.

At his son's words, Rory nodded, deciding it was time to bring things to a close. "Alright then. Dondozo, Wave Crash."

Dondozo's body surged with Water-type energy once more, letting out a deep roar as it rode a towering wave straight at Mega Sceptile.

At the same moment, Asher gave his own final command. "Aerodactyl, Brave Bird!"

...…