"You lost." Xia Yu beamed at Sceptile. "Sceptile, you're incredibly strong, nearly on par with Heracross. But without a trainer's guidance, you fell short. A skilled trainer can make a Pokémon stronger and more versatile."
"Scep."
Despite its injuries, Sceptile remained proud, its expression defiant. True to its word, it called out, signaling the Treecko behind it to step forward.
"You're letting me bond with a Treecko?" Xia Yu's smile widened. A proud Pokémon like Sceptile indeed honored its promises.
"Scep." Sceptile nodded.
Xia Yu didn't hesitate, choosing the Heavenly King-rank Treecko he'd been fixated on. His face lit up with excitement. "I want this one."
The chosen Treecko showed little emotion, merely lifting its head with the same pride as its kin, locking eyes with Xia Yu.
This was Xia Yu's first true meeting with Treecko.
Sceptile glanced at Xia Yu's choice—its favorite offspring. It turned, exchanging words with the Treecko. After a moment, the Treecko stepped forward to Xia Yu's side.
Even without understanding their language, Xia Yu grasped the gesture. He pulled a Poké Ball from his bag, gently tapping Treecko's head. "Here's to our journey, Treecko."
"Scep," Treecko replied.
Elated at capturing Treecko, Xia Yu felt he'd struck gold. In gratitude, he left most of his Dragon-type energy cubes and potions for the Sceptile clan, keeping only a small reserve. This act earned him the clan's favor.
---
[*Ding!*]
[**Grass-type Overlord Mission Completed!**]
[*This secret realm is dominated by Grass-type energy, with Bug-type energy as a secondary force. Two major Grass-type clans reside in the forest: a Sceptile clan and a Venusaur clan. These clans have long clashed over territory, with neither prevailing. As the realm merges with the real world, its balance will shift. Before the realm is fully claimed, capture a Pokémon from either clan and train it to become the Grass-type Overlord.*]
[*Mission Requirements: Capture a Treecko or a Bulbasaur (Treecko captured).*]
[*Mission Rewards: 1. Rewards based on the captured Pokémon; 2. Clue to a mysterious treasure.*]
[*Failure Penalty: Randomly reduce one Pokémon's potential by one rank.*]
[*Rewards being distributed.*]
[*Ding!*]
[*Congratulations on receiving mission rewards: 1. Potential Enhancement (choose to boost either Noibat or Treecko's potential; select carefully, as only one can be enhanced); 2. Sceptile Mega Stone (must be retrieved from the Sceptile clan's territory); 3. Z-Crystal Clue.*]
[*Ding.*]
[*Z-Crystal Clue: The realm's most Grass-energy-rich location, the Ancient Myriad Tree, is its core. Within it lies a Grass-type Z-Crystal.*]
---
The generous rewards left Xia Yu grinning. The system had finally been generous. Though only the first reward was immediate, the others were invaluable treasures he could pursue.
The Sceptile Mega Stone thrilled him most. If he could obtain it, Treecko's potential would soar, making it a cornerstone of his team with limitless prospects.
As for the Z-Crystal, Xia Yu was less optimistic. Xu Xiu likely targeted the Grass-type Z-Crystal. With Xu Xiu's strength, only a Heavenly King-rank trainer could challenge him.
But their limited knowledge overlooked the true prize: the Mega Stone. Xia Yu couldn't wait to see their reactions when Mega Evolution was revealed, and they realized they'd missed a Sceptile Mega Stone.
---
Having captured Treecko, Xia Yu's mind raced, especially after learning a Sceptile Mega Stone lay in the clan's territory. He coveted the Mega Stone, pondering how to broach the subject with Sceptile.
Suddenly, Sceptile turned toward its territory, calling out to Xia Yu to follow.
Overjoyed, Xia Yu complied, releasing Treecko to spend more time with its family.
---
Sceptile's territory was a towering jungle, not far from the realm's core, the Ancient Myriad Tree. The clan preferred nesting in the forest's tallest trees, which grew larger closer to the core. Their nests perched among the highest branches.
Following Sceptile into a tree hollow, Xia Yu searched for the Mega Stone. To his disappointment, no stone was in sight.
"Scep!"
The female Sceptile entered, clutching a gleaming stone.
A Sceptile Mega Stone!
Xia Yu's heart raced, his eyes fixed on the sparkling treasure.
The female Sceptile approached, handing Xia Yu the stone. She gestured to the energy cubes and potions he'd given, then to Treecko, as if saying the stone was thanks for his gifts and a plea to care for their child.
The prize he'd sought came effortlessly!
Xia Yu hadn't expected the clan to offer the Mega Stone outright. Wild Pokémon, especially starter species, were often trusting and grateful toward humans.
Trading a few Dragon-type energy cubes and potions for a Sceptile Mega Stone was an incredible deal.
"Thank you, Sceptile," Xia Yu said, touched. He reached out, patting his new Treecko. "I promise to care for Treecko and make it the strongest Pokémon."
"Scep."
Sceptile responded with pride, touching its child gently, its eyes filled with reluctance. After battling Heracross, it understood that human-trained Pokémon, even with equal potential, were more versatile than wild ones.
Treecko, by Xia Yu's side, had a brighter future than staying in the clan.
"Scep."
The young Treecko fist-bumped Sceptile, like a warrior vowing to surpass its father one day.
[*Ding. Would you like to enhance Treecko's potential?*]
"Yes," Xia Yu answered.
[*Treecko's potential enhanced from Heavenly King rank to near-Champion rank.*]
Watching the exchange, Xia Yu chose to use the potential enhancement on Treecko. Its potential rose from Heavenly King to near-Champion rank, a mere step from Champion.