Chapter 15: Taming the Treecko
“You lost,” Xia Yu said to the Sceptile, a radiant smile lighting up his face. “Sceptile, although your strength is formidable, nearly on par with an Elite Four member, you lacked a trainer’s guidance, which is why you were defeated. An excellent trainer can make a Pokémon stronger and more well-rounded.”
“Skeel,” the injured Sceptile responded, still proud and clearly uncomfortable. Yet it honored its promise, calling out to Xia Yu before communicating with the Grovyle behind it, signaling them to step forward.
“So you agree to let me catch one of the Grovyle?” Xia Yu’s smile widened. Proud Pokémon like Sceptile truly kept their word.
“Skeel,” Sceptile nodded.
Without hesitation, Xia Yu chose that elite Grovyle — the one he had long yearned for. Excitement was plainly written across his face. “I want this one.”
The Grovyle Xia Yu pointed at showed little expression, raising its head with the same proud bearing as its predecessor to meet Xia Yu’s gaze.
This was the first moment of connection between Xia Yu and the Grovyle.
At the same time, Sceptile looked in the direction Xia Yu had indicated and saw the Grovyle he favored most among his descendants. It turned to communicate with Grovyle again, and after a moment, the chosen Grovyle stepped forward to Xia Yu.
Though they spoke different languages, Xia Yu understood the meaning of this gesture. He took a Poké Ball from his bag and gently touched the Grovyle’s head. “Pleased to meet you, Grovyle.”
“Skeel,” the Grovyle responded.
After catching the Grovyle, Xia Yu’s mood soared. Feeling he had gained a great advantage, he generously left most of the Dragon-type energy cubes and healing medicines on his person to the Sceptile clan, keeping only a small portion for himself. This gesture immediately earned the goodwill of the Sceptile group.
...
“Ding!”
“[Grass-type Overlord] mission complete!”
“This realm is dominated by Grass-type energy, followed by Bug-type energy. Two major Grass-type tribes live here: the Sceptile clan and the Venusaur clan. These tribes have long contended over territory without a clear victor. With the realm now connected to the real world, the balance here will shift. Before the realm is fully occupied, capture one Pokémon from either tribe and cultivate it into the Grass-type Overlord.”
“Mission requirements: Capture a Grovyle or Bulbasaur. (Grovyle captured.)”
“Mission rewards: 1. Different rewards depending on the Pokémon captured; 2. Clues to a mysterious treasure.”
“Failure penalty: Randomly lowers a Pokémon’s potential by one rank.”
...
“Rewards are being distributed.”
“Ding!”
“Congratulations on receiving your mission rewards. 1. Potential enhancement (choose to increase either Zubat’s or Grovyle’s potential, but only one Pokémon can be upgraded, so choose carefully); 2. Sceptile Evolution Stone (must be obtained within the Sceptile clan’s territory); 3. Clue to the Z-Crystal.”
“Ding.”
“Z-Crystal clue: Within this realm lies a place of richest Grass-type energy called the Ancient Banyan Tree, the core area of the realm. Inside it is preserved a Grass-type Z-Crystal.”
...
The generous rewards had Xia Yu beaming with joy. The system was finally acting decent. Although only the first reward was credited immediately, the other two were valuable treasures Xia Yu could seek out in time.
Especially the Sceptile Evolution Stone — it thrilled him beyond measure. If he could acquire that stone, the potential of this Grovyle would rise to a whole new level, its future limitless. It would surely become one of Xia Yu’s main Pokémon.
As for the Z-Crystal, Xia Yu didn’t hold much hope. No doubt, Xu Xiu was eyeing the Grass-type Z-Crystal. With Xu Xiu’s strength, without an Elite Four trainer intervening, no one could beat him.
But their limited understanding caused them to overlook the most precious evolution stone. Xia Yu looked forward to the day Mega Evolution was officially announced — it would be quite a blow for them to realize they had missed out on such a stone.
...
After capturing Grovyle, Xia Yu’s mind raced with ideas. Especially upon learning the Sceptile clan’s territory contained a Sceptile Evolution Stone, he became even more eager.
Just as Xia Yu pondered how to approach Sceptile to obtain the Mega Evolution Stone, the Sceptile suddenly turned and headed toward the clan’s territory, calling for Xia Yu to follow.
Xia Yu was overjoyed and quickly followed, releasing Grovyle to spend some time with its family.
...
The Sceptile territory was a towering jungle, not far from the Ancient Banyan Tree, the realm’s core. That’s why the Sceptile clan built their nests in the massive trees nearby—the closer to the Ancient Banyan Tree, the taller the trees grew. Their nests were nestled among the tallest trees.
Following Sceptile into a tree hollow, Xia Yu immediately began searching for the Evolution Stone. Unfortunately, he found no trace of it inside the treehouse.
“Skeel!”
At that moment, a female Sceptile entered the hollow, holding a glittering stone in her hand.
The Sceptile Evolution Stone!
Xia Yu’s eyes widened in excitement upon seeing the shining stone.
The female Sceptile approached Xia Yu and handed him the Evolution Stone. She then gestured toward the energy cubes and healing medicine Xia Yu had given, and then at Grovyle, as if to say the stone was a token of gratitude for his gifts and a hope that he would care well for their child.
After a long search with no luck, the prize came effortlessly!
Xia Yu never expected the Sceptile clan would present the Evolution Stone so willingly. Truly, wild Pokémon were mostly simple and kind-hearted, especially wild starters, who tended to trust and appreciate humans.
Exchanging some Dragon-type energy cubes and medicine for an Evolution Stone was an incredibly good deal.
“Thank you, Sceptile,” Xia Yu said with heartfelt emotion. He then reached out to stroke the newly caught Grovyle, resolute. He vowed to nurture Grovyle into the strongest Pokémon. “Rest assured, I will take good care of you and make you the strongest.”
“Skeel.”
Hearing Xia Yu’s words, Sceptile looked proud as well. It reached out to stroke its child, eyes filled with reluctance. It knew this offspring had the best potential among all its descendants. After battling an Elite Four member, it understood that with equal potential, Pokémon raised by humans became more versatile and powerful than wild ones.
Grovyle following Xia Yu had a brighter future than remaining with its family.
“Skeel.”
The young Grovyle and Sceptile bumped fists like warriors, as if promising that one day Grovyle would surpass its father.
“Ding, would you like to upgrade Grovyle’s potential?”
“Yes.”
“Grovyle’s potential upgraded from Elite Four level to Champion level.”
Watching this scene, Xia Yu silently chose to use the potential upgrade on Grovyle, raising it from Elite Four tier to near Champion tier—just one step away from the pinnacle.