Dust spiraled into the sky in towering whorls.

Chunks of shattered stone, fine gravel—all pulverized and blasted away by the shockwave.

And Mega Sceptile?

Already back in its original spot!

Its hyper-developed leg muscles and supreme speed had created the illusion—

As if it never moved.

As if, from that exact spot, it had casually struck the airborne Darkrai down in a single blow!

Darkrai—Tobias's ace.

The same one that had never lost a single match since the Lily of the Valley Conference began.

In fact, it had only ever been hit twice throughout the tournament—

And that too by Pokémon on the brink of Elite Four level!

Now, in one clean move, it was flattened.

Everyone stood frozen.

Even Tobias.

Even the champions.

Before Mega Evolution, what was Sceptile's level?

Level 83!

A Tier-3 Legendary level.

With its purple-grade potential and Ash's elite-level tactics—

Who could deny it was a monster?

A proper Tier-3 deity-level powerhouse!

Meanwhile, Tobias's Darkrai had just barely crossed into Champion-tier.

It hadn't even fully matured yet.

And even if it had, Ash's Sceptile wouldn't have backed down. Not one bit.

Darkrai floated up groggily from the ground.

Its breathing was ragged.

Its stamina—almost completely drained.

That previous Leaf Blade Combo Slash?

Double effective against Darkrai.

The only reason it survived was because its base HP had improved slightly after reaching Champion-tier.

Otherwise?

That hit would've knocked it out cold in one strike.

"You… y-you… what is this?!"

Tobias stammered.

Shaken.

Utterly panicked.

That Sceptile was too strong!

What the heck were those two stones?! How could they have such terrifying power?!

"Aerial Slash—twice!"

Ash wasn't interested in how Tobias was feeling.

When Tobias's Darkrai was steamrolling other trainers into despair—

Did he ever stop to care how they felt?

Mega Sceptile dashed forward again!

The twin blades on its arms lit up—

Flaring with brutal energy.

It was about to strike again!

"Darkrai! Dark Void!"

Tobias quickly countered.

He didn't care how strong Ash was—

If Sceptile fell asleep, it'd be Darkrai's domain again!

Watching the swirling void hurl toward Mega Sceptile, Tobias's eyes glinted.

The stronger you are—

The more glorious it is when I beat you.

And then—

His pupils contracted violently.

Mega Sceptile sliced through the Dark Void like it was paper.

With one blade—shattered it.

The other—connected.

BOOM!!

Darkrai was slammed straight into the earth again—

Harder this time.

And it didn't get up.

"D-Darkrai is unable to battle. S-Sceptile… Sceptile wins!"

Even the referee was stuttering—

He didn't even know what to call this evolved form of Sceptile!

Ding!

[Congratulations! Mega Sceptile has defeated Darkrai!]

[10x EXP Multiplier Card activated—52,3500 battle experience gained!]

Level 84!

Level 85!

Level 86!!

Sceptile leveled up three times instantly!

Oh, right—Ash had forgotten he could've activated EXP share too… whoops.

"…My god…"

"What did I just witness?"

"This… this is epoch-making! This is the dawn of a new era in Pokémon battling!"

"His name—Ash Ketchum—we will never forget it!"

"No wonder the League brought so many Champions here. This is what they came for!"

The crowd couldn't stop buzzing.

Tobias stood frozen—eyes wide in fear.

He couldn't understand.

How?

How could his Darkrai be defeated in just two hits?

And then…

Something even more shocking happened.

Ash… was recalling Sceptile?

He watched Ash raise the Poké Ball—

Mega Sceptile began reverting, transforming back into its regular form.

"You were amazing, Sceptile. Time to rest."

Sceptile was recalled—calm and proud.

Ash reached for his second Poké Ball.

This one… belonged to Gardevoir.

It was only at Level 69—just below Champion-tier.

But with Mega Evolution?

Ash could still destroy Tobias.

"You're actually recalling it? Fine! Then prepare yourself—no one's ever seen my second Pokémon before… Let's go, Latios!"

"Wooooonnn!"

The silver-blue Eon Pokémon soared onto the field!

"Ladies and gentlemen—Ash's Sceptile just took down Tobias's legendary Darkrai… And Tobias's next Pokémon—is Latios! Will Ash bring Sceptile back? Or does he… have something even stronger?!"

The announcer had never yelled this loudly in his career.

But it was worth it.

"Gardevoir, it's your time to shine!"

"Gardevoir!"

Elegant. Graceful. A radiant Gardevoir entered the field.

"Pikapi!!"

Even Pikachu was cheering.

But then—more gasps.

Because everyone noticed…

On Gardevoir's wrist… was a gemstone.

The same kind that had appeared on Sceptile.

Gulp…

The entire crowd swallowed in unison.

Could it be…

Ash had mastered that mysterious transformation?

In the judge's box, Diantha narrowed her eyes at Gardevoir.

She had a Gardevoir of her own.

If Ash's Gardevoir could Mega Evolve…

Then so could hers?

This changed everything…

"Latios—charge forward! Your speed should easily—wait, what?!"

Tobias hadn't even finished shouting when—

The gemstone in Ash's hand flared to life again.

And the one on Gardevoir's wrist—responded in kind.

The energy surged between them.

"Gardevoir—Mega Evolve!"

"Garde~!"

FWOOM!!

A radiant burst of light engulfed Gardevoir.

Latios actually halted mid-charge, stunned by the wave of power.

During Mega Evolution, the energy link formed an aura field that almost no attack could break through.

Gardevoir emerged anew—

Not a drastic change in form, but her aura had transformed.

If regular Gardevoir was elegance…

Then Mega Gardevoir was regal nobility incarnate.

Her flowing white gown ballooned into a grand dress—

The transformation was stunning.

Ash snapped his fingers.

"Let's begin the performance—Misty Terrain!"

"Garde~!"

A sparkling mist spread across the battlefield.

"I don't believe your Gardevoir can surpass my Latios! Latios—Dragon Dance!"

Tobias's eyes were bloodshot.

He hadn't expected Ash to be this terrifying.

But no matter what—he had to complete the mission!

Even if…

He had to bring out that Pokémon!

--------------

T/N:

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