Chapter 38: The Champion, and a Promise to Ete!

Following the Mega Evolution, Sceptile’s power surged by five levels, rising from level 40 to 45. Its typing also expanded to include the Dragon type, making it a dual-type powerhouse. Its ability shifted from Overgrow to Lightning Rod; for this Mega Sceptile, Electric-type moves were now useless, and in fact, being struck by an Electric attack would only serve to boost its Special Attack.

Although the numerical level increase was only five, the comprehensive transformation—a double evolution coupled with the metamorphosis of its base stats—meant that the actual power gained far exceeded what the numbers suggested. In short, Sceptile was significantly stronger than its current level indicated.

To Zhang Feng’s surprise, Sceptile’s potential had reached the "red" tier after the Mega Evolution. He wondered if this was a standard boost for all Mega Evolved Pokémon or a rare, probabilistic event. He kept this question in mind, hoping to find the answer once Milotic and Pidgeot achieved their own Mega Evolutions.

Observing the increasingly formidable aura of his Mega Sceptile, Zhang Feng’s face lit up with joy. "Show them your true strength, Mega Sceptile! Use Leaf Storm!"

As Zhang Feng issued the command, Cassidy and Butch suddenly grew excited. "I never imagined such an evolution existed! If we hand this Sceptile over to Boss Giovanni, we’ll become heroes of Team Rocket!"

"Exactly! We could become high-ranking officers, get promoted to executives—it’s going to be glorious!"

As the pair daydreamed about their bright future, they ordered their own Pokémon to attack. "Houndoom, Granbull, attack! Take that Sceptile down!"

"Hitmontop, Mightyena, use Low Sweep and Crunch!"

Team Rocket’s plans were ambitious, aiming to present Zhang Feng’s Sceptile to their leader, Giovanni. However, faced with the absolute power of Mega Sceptile, the four Pokémon belonging to Cassidy and Butch were like mere toys.

A violent Leaf Storm erupted, with countless leaves sharp as razors forming a swirling vortex of foliage. The massive area of effect engulfed Granbull, Houndoom, Hitmontop, and Mightyena instantly. Even the Fire-type Houndoom was completely unable to escape the onslaught, reduced to letting out helpless whimpers.

Cassidy and Butch could only watch in horror as their Pokémon suffered continuous, lacerating damage within the storm of leaves. When the Leaf Storm finally dissipated after half a minute, Houndoom, Granbull, Hitmontop, and Mightyena fell from the air simultaneously. They were covered in blood and dense, jagged wounds, all having lost the ability to battle.

"Ding! Sceptile has defeated Houndoom, Granbull, Hitmontop, and Mightyena. Gained 1,536 experience points. Level up! Current level: 42."

"Ding! Milotic and Pidgeot gained 321 experience points. Level up! Milotic is now level 42, and Pidgeot is now level 42."

With this single evolution and a multi-opponent battle, Zhang Feng’s original three Pokémon had reached a point of parity in strength. As the four Pokémon lay defeated, disbelief washed over Cassidy and Butch. "How is it possible? Four of them taken down in an instant?!"

Stunned, they tried to rally, but saw their subordinates already fleeing in defeat under the combined pressure of hundreds of trainers and the Golden Town security forces. Realizing that Team Rocket’s mission had failed, Cassidy and Butch glared at Zhang Feng with pure malice, as if trying to etch his face into their memories.

"Kid, you just wait. It won’t be this easy next time. I’m going to make that Sceptile mine!"

With that, a Weezing suddenly appeared and released a cloud of Smokescreen. But Zhang Feng had already anticipated their escape attempt.

"Pidgeot, use Hurricane!"

"Mega Sceptile, charge into the smoke and take them down!"

"Milotic, use Hydro Pump on all remaining Team Rocket members!"

Previously, when Zhang Feng was just starting out and encountered Team Aqua’s Shelly, he had preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. But now, with Cassidy and Butch coveting his Mega Evolution and threatening him, he would not grant them a chance to escape.

As soon as he gave the order, his three Pokémon unleashed their full potential. Mega Sceptile instantly plunged into the smoke, and with a swift motion of its arms, it knocked Cassidy and Butch unconscious before they could flee.

Pidgeot’s Hurricane blew the smoke away, restoring visibility, while Milotic began systematically clearing the remaining battlefield. With Zhang Feng taking the lead, other trainers followed suit.

Morrison, watching Zhang Feng command the battlefield, began to view him as a genuine rival. Perhaps it was Zhang Feng’s emergence, or the fact that fellow trainers Tyson and Masamune were challenging the Hoenn League this year, that prompted Morrison to prepare for the Ever Grande Conference as well. It was this goal that had brought him to Golden Town.

When the battle concluded, a total of 87 Team Rocket members, including the officers Cassidy and Butch, had been captured. Once Officer Jenny arrived to take them into custody, the villagers of Golden Town began to express their heartfelt gratitude to Zhang Feng and the other trainers.

In the final tally, Zhang Feng took first place with the highest number of captures and the greatest rarity, while Morrison took second. The champion’s prize was a set of basic evolutionary stones, including Fire and Water stones. Zhang Feng, having no immediate use for these, traded them for stones compatible with the new Pokémon he had recently acquired in his system space. He also received a reward of one million Pokémon dollars.

The harvest was bountiful, and Zhang Feng was thrilled. Seeing that he had lost the competition to Zhang Feng, Morrison approached him and said, "Zhang Feng, you’re competing in the Ever Grande Conference this year, right? See you there!"

Glancing at Morrison’s Blaziken, which was at level 52 and had reached the quasi-Elite level, Zhang Feng couldn’t help but be impressed by his strength. "You bet. See you at the Ever Grande Conference!"