Only after truly possessing an Elite Four level Pokémon can a Trainer deeply understand the difference between the two stages.
Mega Evolution ultimately only brings a quantitative increase; it is not the qualitative leap required to break into Elite Four level.
Of course, the power of Mega Lucario was still undeniable!
Extreme Speed vs Hurricane.
By all rights, Lucario should have had the absolute advantage, landing the hit on Pidgeot first.
But after Mega Evolution, Pidgeot's Ability naturally changed into No Guard; the one that 'insists' on clashing head-on with the opponent no matter what.
And so, the tornado formed by Hurricane clashed violently with the white glow of Extreme Speed surrounding Lucario. For a moment, neither could gain the upper hand!
"Lucario, Flash Cannon to break through the Hurricane!"
"Pidgeot, use Heat Wave!"
Carrol and Norman issued commands in rapid succession, but Mega Pidgeot's speed was still a bit faster than Lucario's.
Before Hurricane had even dissipated, Pidgeot was already furiously flapping its wings. A surge of intense heat instantly merged into the storm!
Fire fueled by wind -move fusion- combination move: [Blazing Hurricane] formed!
This move was far more powerful than Lucario's standalone Flash Cannon.
The clash lasted less than a second. [Blazing Hurricane] pushed through Flash Cannon and instantly engulfed Lucario!
"Bone Rush to block!" Carrol gave the command again, clearly hoping to use type advantage to reduce the damage.
Upon hearing that Lucario had begun defending, Pidgeot rationally ceased its attack.
Sure enough, Lucario held a blue bone horizontally in front of its chest and spun it rapidly, deflecting most of the [Blazing Hurricane] completely.
"Extreme Speed, Close Combat!"
Carrol realized that after Mega Evolution, Pidgeot's battle style had changed entirely.
It had shifted from a speedy striker to a speed-specialist. If Lucario didn't get close, it had no advantage whatsoever.
"Pidgeot, Hurricane!"
A good move can always be reused; Hurricane was powerful and had no drawbacks. With No Guard as Pidgeot's Ability, it was guaranteed to hit Lucario.
It was almost too good!
Lucario in Extreme Speed mode was blocked once again. But this time, Lucario simultaneously summoned a blue bone using Aura!
[Bone Rush: Assault Style!]
Ground-type moves don't affect Flying-types… but that's only because they can't connect.
When Lucario's Aura bone club directly clashed with Hurricane, it surprisingly broke through the storm's blockade.
Maintaining its Extreme Speed state, Lucario flowed smoothly into a continuous sequence of strikes, persistently advancing toward Pidgeot!
On the other side, Pidgeot clearly knew it stood no chance in close-quarters combat against Lucario.
…But did Lucario think it was the only one capable of dual-wielding moves?
A flash of disdain gleamed in Pidgeot's sharp eyes. While maintaining Hurricane, it began layering in a barrage of Air Slashes!
The Air Slashes shot rapidly downward within the Hurricane, but they were all intercepted by [Bone Rush: Assault Style].
Luckily, Lucario's advance was halted once again. Bone Rush had to be used solely to block the incoming Air Slashes.
In the end, the Extreme Speed state dissipated. Lucario failed to get in close once more and took another clean hit from Hurricane.
'Even a Lucario this strong was being suppressed?'
That was the thought running through many minds present. No one denied Mega Pidgeot's power, but Mega Lucario's popularity was clearly higher!
On the battlefield, Carrol was caught in a dilemma. Clearly, Lucario had the stronger raw power, but it was being completely suppressed by Pidgeot. Even Extreme Speed couldn't break through the blockade to close the gap.
At this rate, she was going to lose.
And if that happened… it would mean two consecutive losses for the Kalos League!
She suddenly thought about how many people in the League had called these challengers "country cousins from the boonies." She wondered now if those people felt any shame.
No… they wouldn't feel shame. They would only grow angry and claim that the four who battled today weren't strong enough.
So at the very least, she couldn't lose here!
"Lucario, we can't lose! Use maximum power Psychic!"
"LUCA!!"
Lucario seemed to feel its Trainer Carrol's determination to win and her deep unwillingness to lose.
When a Trainer and Pokémon are truly in sync, a power called Bond is born.
Lucario's eyes suddenly burst forth with a brilliant purple light, and a powerful wave of psychic energy surged across the entire battlefield.
Pidgeot sensed something was wrong and immediately used Hurricane without hesitation.
But wind… cannot blow away an invisible psychic force!
Psychic was like a giant hand, appearing out of nowhere and grabbing Pidgeot tightly in its palm.
"Pidgeot, don't be afraid! GO ALL IN WITH UPROAR!"
Norman too had unshakable belief in victory. His bond with his Pokémon was no less than Carrol's.
Pidgeot's powerful wings had been locked down by Psychic, but its beak hadn't.
Pidgeot suddenly opened its sharp hawk eyes wide and let out a deafening screech as it looked skyward.
"GIIIIEOT!"
The cry of the hawk echoed across the entire field, and the terrifying sonic attack drilled mercilessly into everyone's ears.
Many spectators even fainted on the spot, and the rest clutched their ears in agony and screamed.
As for Lucario at the center of the arena?
It immediately dropped to one knee in pain.
Yet it still didn't stop using Psychic!
"Salamence, Dragon Rage!"
"Aegislash, Sacred Sword!"
Suddenly, two Pokémon appeared right in the middle of the battlefield and launched their attacks directly between Lucario and Pidgeot.
Dragon Rage shot in swiftly, triggering a massive explosion that covered nearly half the arena in a shockwave.
The very next moment, a golden sword strike came crashing down from the sky, cleaving the entire battlefield in two!
Both Uproar from Pidgeot and Psychic from Lucario were forcibly interrupted under the absolute interference of Dragon Rage and Sacred Sword.
"Hmph. It's just a match. Must you take it to life and death? You've gone too far!"
Elite Four Drake let out a cold snort, clearly scolding Norman and Carrol for their recklessness.
"Well… considering the match was already at an Elite Four level, it's understandable the kids lost control. Calm down, Elite Four Drake."
From the other side of the stands, Elite Four Wikstrom of the Kalos League replied with a warm chuckle, far friendlier than his appearance suggested.
By now, both Pidgeot and Lucario had reverted from their Mega forms and returned to their Trainers' sides.
And both Norman and Carrol quickly realized they had gone too far.
Although the injuries among spectators had been caused by Uproar, Lucario's insistence on maintaining Psychic was what kept triggering Pidgeot's continued use of the move.
"Let's suspend this match for now. First, have the medical staff attend to the injured spectators."
At last, the President of the Kalos League made the final call.
Sato: (._.)?
'I haven't even had my moment as the MC yet, and you're telling me the match is over?'