For Grovyle, it had always been watching.
Its earliest companions had all reached their final forms.
Milotic had evolved the moment it followed Aiden Flint, using a Prism Scale to become both breathtakingly beautiful and terrifyingly powerful. From that day on, Milotic had overtaken even Pidgeot and Grovyle itself, becoming Aiden's strongest partner beneath Rayquaza.
Pidgey had grown into Pidgeot, now one of Aiden's most reliable aerial warriors.
Only Grovyle—
The Pokémon who had followed Aiden from the very beginning—
Was still stuck in its middle evolution despite reaching Level 38.
Seeing its Bullet Seed casually burned away by Houndoom moments ago…
The frustration inside Grovyle finally exploded into an overwhelming hunger for strength.
It was happy its companions were strong.
But it refused to be left behind.
And so—
The light of evolution erupted.
"Damn it, this kid's Pokémon just evolves whenever it wants?!" Hun snarled.
"Amado, don't just stand there!" he shouted. "Stop it!"
"Hellgar—Flamethrower!"
"Mightyena—Fire Fang!"
Both Houndoom and Mightyena lunged forward, launching blazing attacks toward Grovyle.
If its evolution was interrupted now, it might never evolve again.
But Aiden was already prepared.
Two Luxury Balls flashed in his hands.
"Milotic—Surf!"
"Pidgeot—Quick Attack!"
Red light burst as both Pokémon emerged, instantly positioning themselves in front of Grovyle.
A massive wave erupted from Milotic, drowning Houndoom's flames and blasting Mightyena backward.
Pidgeot followed, streaking through the air and slamming straight into Mightyena, sending it flying again.
Anyone who dared interfere with Grovyle's evolution—
Would pay.
Furious, Amado and Hun threw out two more Poké Balls.
Granbull and Hitmontop appeared.
Now it was three against four.
But then—
The light around Grovyle exploded.
A towering, razor-edged figure stepped forward.
Sceptile.
"Ding! Sceptile's current status."
Pokémon: Sceptile
Level: 40
Ability: Overgrow
Type: Grass
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Mega Sceptile
Friendship: 240
Aiden smiled.
"You finally made it."
Sceptile snapped a twig into its mouth and stared coldly at Team Rocket.
That was when Harrison appeared beside them, his Blaziken blazing with heat.
"Need help? You're outnumbered."
Aiden shook his head.
"No."
Then he raised his arm, revealing the glowing Key Stone.
"Sceptile… Mega Evolve."
Gasps filled the battlefield.
Sceptile caught the emerald Mega Stone midair.
Light erupted.
The transformation shook the air itself.
"What? Sceptile can evolve again?!"
When the light faded—
A majestic, draconic warrior stood where Sceptile had been.
"Ding! Mega Sceptile."
Pokémon: Mega Sceptile
Level: 45
Ability: Lightning Rod
Type: Grass / Dragon
Potential: Red
The battle had just changed forever.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/SorenSwiftTL