Mega Evolution, Mega Charizard X

Charmeleon watched Typhlosion flex and show off in front of him, utterly unimpressed.

Only Early Master, and you're showing off?

Why don't you try fighting the frog?

You wait until the frog's exhausted, then come up here acting tough. Who spoiled you like this?

Charmeleon loosened up his limbs and flashed a wicked grin.

He slowly took the Everstone from around his neck and tossed it to Xu Mu.

Then, from who knew where, he pulled out the Mega Evolution Stone for Mega Charizard X that the system had rewarded him with.

"Char!"

Ready?

Here I go. Time to witness a miracle!

As Charmander spoke, dazzling white light burst from his body!

The light of evolution!

After years of lying low in the starting village, this cautious creature had finally chosen to evolve.

Since leaving the old principal's backyard with Xu Mu, he had been through plenty of battles, big and small.

And his power, still only at the level of a near-Elite Four, was no longer enough to protect him.

Normally, after so many battles, Charmander would have expected his strength to grow considerably.

But it hadn't. Limited by his species' base stats, he was still at the level of a near-Elite Four. He had barely improved.

So Charmander had begun thinking about evolving.

And today, before a crowd of powerful onlookers and the Legendary Pokémon Entei, his chance to take the stage had come!

If I don't show off now, when will I?

"Roar!"

A strange, almost draconic Dragon's Roar rang out. A single horn grew from Charmander's head, and his body swelled several times larger before their eyes!

Charmeleon!

"What's the point of evolving? A weakling like that couldn't take one hit from Typhlosion even after evolving!"

Venerable Dongfeng was an old fool with no sense of self-preservation. The moment he saw Charmander evolve, he opened his mouth to provoke him.

It was as though he wanted to draw every bit of hostility in the world onto himself.

What, do you feel miserable when nobody hits you?

Have you played the punching bag so long you can't get used to not taking a beating?

Xu Mu stared at Venerable Dongfeng, speechless. Honestly, there was no point insulting him anymore.

How could that old man's skin be so thick? He'd been humiliated so many times. Had he learned nothing?

Just watch. He was about to be humiliated again!

Venerable Dongfeng's insult enraged Charmeleon.

Evolution had given him a stronger temper, and he was a little more irritable now.

Without warning, he unleashed Flamethrower. Channeling the Qinglian Earthfire to its fullest, he sent the flames straight at Venerable Dongfeng.

Typhlosion stepped forward and blocked the Flamethrower with Protect. Only then did Venerable Dongfeng escape with his life instead of being burned to ash.

"You dare attack me!"

Having nearly been hit, Venerable Dongfeng broke into a cold sweat and jumped up and down in fury.

"Typhlosion, teach him a lesson! Blazing Charge!"

Typhlosion obeyed. No matter how brainless his Trainer was, he was still his Trainer.

Gathering Fire-type energy within himself, Typhlosion prepared to attack.

"Roar!"

Stop!

Charmeleon suddenly held up a claw, signaling Typhlosion to wait.

Typhlosion had no idea what was going on. He let the energy gathered for Blazing Charge dissipate and stared blankly at Charmeleon.

Hold on. I'm not done showing off!

Charmeleon raised his chin and spoke with a proud air. Then dazzling white light burst from his body again!

Huge wings. One horn becoming two. Powerful hind legs. Razor-sharp claws...

This was Charmander's final evolution—Charizard!

"Roar!"

He roared again, and this time it sounded like a Dragon's Roar.

With his evolution complete, Charizard first admired his new body. Then he moved around a little, feeling the sudden surge of strength.

Not bad. Early Elite Four!

With a little more effort, I'll catch up to the frog.

Charizard nodded in satisfaction. He was enjoying his newfound power.

He was satisfied, but everyone else was stunned.

Even Xu Mu hadn't expected Charmander to evolve twice in a row.

It was unbelievable. Aside from that thousand-year-old Haunter in the original manga, had anything like this ever happened?

"I've got the Key Stone, and you've got the Mega Evolution Stone. So that was your plan! You really are cautious!"

Only now did Xu Mu understand what Charmander had been thinking.

From the moment he took off the Everstone, he had had no intention of keeping a low profile.

The ultimate reward for lying low was showing off!

Charmander had kept his head down for years. It was time for him to stand tall!

Xu Mu's Key Stone had come as a bonus when the system rewarded him with the Mega Evolution Stone.

Xu Mu was delighted by Charmander's dramatic rise, but he could also sense the system's scheming behind it.

I feel like that Damn System tricked me again!

Right—Charmander's check-in task is to fight a Master Class opponent!

Damn it!

Xu Mu had thought that with Charmander's cautious personality and refusal to fight without a sure win, completing that task would be a pipe dream.

He had even felt relieved, mocking the Damn System for miscalculating.

And yet...

Forget it. As long as Charmander's happy. No, I should call him Charizard now!

"Come on, Charizard! Show them something even better!"

Having made up his mind, Xu Mu laughed and shouted, "Mega Evolution! Mega Charizard X!"

Mysterious power flowed from the Key Stone. At the same moment, the Mega Stone Charizard wore responded!

Wrapped once more in the light of evolution, Charizard continued to transform!

Jet-black wings. Deep-blue flames. A piercing Dragon's Roar!

Mega Charizard X had arrived!

Now Xu Mu had something to be proud of!

With the power of Mega Evolution, Mega Charizard X could take on a Fire-type Pokémon above his level without a problem!

"Let's go, Mega Charizard X! Start with Dragon Dance, then give him a taste of Dragon Pulse!"

Xu Mu didn't have Mega Charizard X attempt any difficult combinations or overly powerful moves.

He had only just evolved, after all. Not being used to his body or fully adept at wielding his power was perfectly normal.

"Typhlosion, Blazing Charge! Then keep firing Fire Blast!"

Venerable Dongfeng's plan was practical too: use Blazing Charge to boost Typhlosion's speed, then Fire Blast to block Dragon Pulse.

On the field, Mega Charizard X and Typhlosion quickly clashed.

Off the field, Cynthia watched Xu Mu and Mega Charizard X with her mouth slightly open in shock.

She hadn't expected the new friend who had saved her and Gible to be strong enough to defeat a Venerable!

Of course, she had even less idea that this new friend wanted to be her boyfriend.

You can do it, Xu Mu!

Clenching her little fists, Cynthia silently cheered Xu Mu on.

She was innocent at heart. Despite receiving the finest education from childhood, Cynthia knew nothing of the tangled relationships beyond her sheltered world, nor did she understand power or profit.

All she knew was that Entei needed help, and Xu Mu was right!