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Hydro Pump hit the opponent at almost point-blank range. This is a powerful Water-type move, comparable in strength to Flare Blitz and Brave Bird. While it has similar side effects, its formidable power cannot be denied.
Furthermore, Blastoise's Mega Launcher amplifies Hydro Pump, increasing its power by one-third. This makes Hydro Pump even stronger than Hydro Pump.
The Rock-type Aggron is weak to Water-type moves. Even with Aggron's strong defense, it couldn't withstand a single attack from Blastoise's top-tier offensive power, boosted by its ability.
As the water screen dissipated, Aggron's figure appeared before the many spectators. Aggron was lying on the ground, lifeless, and had completely lost its ability to battle.
"Aggron is unable to battle, Blastoise wins!" The referee waved the flag, declaring Blastoise's victory. Blastoise defeated two Pokémon!
This was not a minor skirmish like before, but the top 16 of the Indigo Plateau Conference. Furthermore, Ash's opponent, Conway, was a favorite to win, and he even employed a trick room team, a very rare but extremely difficult strategy to counter.
Despite this, Ash managed to defeat two Pokémon. The strength of Blastoise is evident, as is the magnitude of the boost MEGA Evolution provides to a Pokémon!
"A Blastoise at Gym Peak can actually achieve such a surge in power. The power of that Hydro Pump can probably reach the threshold of the Gym Peak level. Is that a power increase of an entire major tier?" Steven stroked his smooth chin, marveling at the enhancement of MEGA Evolution.
During Ash's battle, Steven had already learned about MEGA Evolution from the Elite Four. This evolution beyond limits truly lives up to its reputation, bringing a power boost even stronger than regular evolution. The drawback is that it cannot be maintained permanently, but its utility in battle is also stronger than Gigantamax.
Gigantamax lasts for a shorter duration, while MEGA Evolution's duration depends on the Pokémon's stamina. As long as the power within its body is not exhausted, it can be maintained. If the power is exhausted, it also signifies defeat in battle, and at that point, losing the MEGA Evolution form is irrelevant.
Therefore, in Steven's opinion, this is a system even more powerful than Gigantamax or Z-Move. Most importantly... this evolution is so cool!
While making the Pokémon stronger, its appearance also becomes cooler and more handsome... *cough cough*, actually, that's not the most important point. The most important point is those words: 'beyond limits'.
This means that Pokémon that have reached a bottleneck can experience a higher level of power after MEGA Evolving, making it easier for them to break through that bottleneck. This implies that MEGA Evolution plays a crucial role not only in battle but also in everyday situations.
"The evolved Blastoise is indeed powerful, but this is already the limit of what Blastoise can achieve. Hydro Pump is a move that causes self-inflicted damage, and coupled with being directly hit by the opponent's Heavy Slam, Blastoise's stamina should not have much left."
Lance first nodded, affirming the power of MEGA Evolution, but then immediately judged that Blastoise had reached its limit.
Even MEGA Evolution is not omnipotent. After sustaining such serious damage and then suffering recoil damage, how could Blastoise still hold on?
...On the field, Blastoise was panting heavily after defeating Aggron. More cracks appeared on its shell. After being hit by the opponent's Heavy Slam, it then used the powerful Hydro Pump to attack the opponent's nearly one-ton body.
The recoil damage from Hydro Pump and the recoil damage from the collision overlapped and fed back into its body, naturally making the damage caused by Heavy Slam even more severe.
However, its record in this battle was also remarkable, having successively defeated two opponents: one of the same level, and another even one level above it. And this minor level difference is not like a normal minor level difference.
The gap between Gym Beginner and Elite Peak is simply a world of difference compared to the gap between Elite Peak and Elite Advanced.
But then again, if it weren't for Trick Room, Blastoise wouldn't have fought so hard. And now, the distorted space is gradually restoring itself—Trick Room's time is up!
Conway had lost two Pokémon, and Trick Room had ended. From the current situation, the disadvantage for him had reached its peak.
Conway adjusted his glasses and recalled Aggron. Although there was no expression on his face, anyone with an eye could tell that he was in an extremely bad mood.
Those who play with data hate it most when things go beyond their expectations, and the current situation had completely spun out of Conway's control.
However, after Conway recalled Aggron, Blastoise's body also glowed. Immediately after, Blastoise's body suddenly shrank by a circle, and its changes disappeared, returning to its original Blastoise form.
Seeing this, Conway's expression froze, then a look of ecstasy appeared on his face: "Heh heh, it seems your Blastoise's evolution can't last forever. Now your Blastoise must have reached its limit, right? With just a slight move, your Blastoise will lose its ability to battle. Two for one, and taking out one of your main Pokémon, I'm not at a loss."
Two for one, and the Trick Room was gone. No matter how you looked at it, Conway was at a greater loss, but to put psychological pressure on Ash, Conway forcibly explained the situation as not being a loss for him.
Ash didn't mind this. He took out a Poké Ball and recalled Blastoise: "Thank you for your hard work, Blastoise. Get some good rest. Now it's up to your partners."
After speaking, Ash put Blastoise back on his waist. Theoretically, now was not the best time to recall Blastoise. Although Blastoise had almost no battle power left, it could still use two moves to harass the opponent. If it hit, it would be a huge gain.
But if he recalled Blastoise now, it would never have a chance to appear again. Normally, it could recover some stamina in the Poké Ball, but now with Stealth Rock on the field, Blastoise would be guaranteed to faint if it entered with its current stamina!
So, recalling Blastoise now seemed like a very unwise decision, but for Ash, that little bit of damage was irrelevant, and he didn't care.
If Blastoise were to lose its ability to battle because of that little bit of damage, then what would be the point?
In battles that can be fought, Ash would not stop his Pokémon from continuing to battle. If that last bit of strength was needed to win, the Pokémon itself would also choose to continue fighting.
However, Blastoise knew that he had a group of reliable partners, and even if he didn't need to exhaust his last bit of strength, his partners would still bring him victory. That's why he could be safely recalled into the Poké Ball by Ash.
"Recalled Blastoise? That's quite an irrational decision. With Stealth Rock present, your Blastoise can't possibly continue battling if it comes out a second time. You might as well have let it use up its remaining stamina." The data-oriented Conway analyzed this seriously, and his words made it sound like any action would result in a loss.
Conway was trying to indirectly undermine the Trainer's confidence, making Ash doubt his judgment, but for Ash, this decision was the most correct thing to do.
"It doesn't matter. The next battle doesn't require Blastoise to act. My partners will defeat you. It's decided, Gardevoir!" Ash could have waited until the opponent sent out a Pokémon before sending out his own, but he had already decided on his next Pokémon, so it didn't matter.
As light flashed, a blue-haired Gardevoir appeared on the battle arena. Invisible sharp rocks instantly appeared beside Gardevoir, scratching her delicate skin.
Gardevoir, upon entering, was immediately damaged by Stealth Rock. However, since she is not a Pokémon weak to Rock-type, the damage caused was not significant.
Gardevoir's appearance once again caused a stir among the surrounding spectators. Gardevoir is already a rare Pokémon, and a Shinny Gardevoir is even rarer!
"What did I see? A Shinny Gardevoir? Is this something a Trainer who debuted half a year ago can encounter?! What kind of luck is that?!"
"Shinny waifu!"
"Now I have to say something. I won't criticize you for being able to make your Pokémon undergo evolution beyond limits, but if you have a Shinny Gardevoir, then I'm truly envious and jealous!"
"..."
The appearance of Shinny Gardevoir stirred up another wave. Prior to this, Ash's Shinny Gardevoir had basically never officially appeared on a big stage. The only time she battled a strong opponent was Blaine, and that battle with Blaine was not public.
So, this was the first time Shinny Gardevoir made a public appearance, and it was only natural that it would cause such a level of shock.
Conway, facing Ash, was also stunned when he saw the Shinny Gardevoir. His eyes behind his glasses were almost red. What kind of luck was this? First, an evolution beyond limits Blastoise, and now a Shinny Gardevoir. Trainer skill aside, Ash's luck is definitely maxed out!
"Gardevoir, huh? In that case, I'll send him out. Go, Dusknoir!" Conway once again released Dusknoir. As a Ghost-type Pokémon, Dusknoir is strong against Gardevoir.
Furthermore, Conway needed to activate Trick Room again, otherwise, even if Ash had lost his ace Blastoise, he would still be at a disadvantage.
"Blastoise must be one of your strongest Pokémon, right? Being able to undergo that kind of evolution beyond its species is indeed very impressive, but I've already defeated it through the sacrifice of two Pokémon. And those two Pokémon I lost are only mid-to-low tier in my team. All in all, the advantage is still with me."
Conway once again analyzed the situation for Ash, wanting to further undermine Ash's confidence, but these words made Ash show a strange expression.
Blastoise is one of his strongest Pokémon? That's true, it's probably around fifth place. In other words, there are four Pokémon even stronger than Blastoise!
And, Blastoise isn't the only one capable of evolving beyond limits.
Ash looked at the key stone in his hand; its brilliance had begun to shine again.
Normally, the life force within a key stone can only allow one Pokémon to undergo MEGA Evolution, and then it requires a period of recharging. After recharging is complete, it can once again allow a Pokémon to undergo MEGA Evolution.
But Ash is different; he has Viridian Power!
The power within the key stone, at its core, is life force. Viridian Power also possesses this effect. Although there are some differences from direct life force, Viridian Power can slowly recharge the key stone.
After Blastoise's battle, the key stone's life force had also been fully recharged, which meant... he could perform MEGA Evolution again!
"Show your true form, Gardevoir, MEGA Evolution!" Ash shouted, raising the key stone in his hand.
The key stone radiated a brilliant light, and the mega stone within Gardevoir's body also emerged, responding to it.
As Gardevoir was enveloped in colorful light, Conway's face turned darker than a pig's liver. "Seriously, a Shinny Gardevoir is one thing, but why the hell can you still evolve?! Is there no limit to that MEGA Evolution thing?!"
Gigantamax at least knows it's only once per battle. Isn't twice in one battle a bit excessive?!
As the light around Gardevoir dispersed, the originally pure white-dressed Gardevoir transformed into the Queen of the Night, adorned in a deep black, voluminous gown!
Her hair was still blue, but her body, including her arms, had turned black. Compared to her original sacred and inviolable image, the black-styled Gardevoir gave off a more beautiful and alluring feeling.
"Black... Gardevoir?"
"Bro, I'm reporting! Someone's cheating! How can a Pokémon evolve twice in one battle? Isn't this more insidious than Gigantamax?"
"MEGA Evolved Gardevoir is too beautiful, isn't she? She went from a princess straight to a queen!"
"What exactly is this MEGA Evolution? Can all Pokémon MEGA Evolve? And there's no limit to the number of times in a battle? If so, those that can MEGA Evolve will have too much of a power disparity against those that can't!"
"Let's wait until after the battle to see if there's any information about MEGA Evolution online. I have a feeling there can't be no limits, otherwise, wouldn't Gigantamax be completely obliterated?"
"..."
Some of the surrounding people were discussing Gardevoir's appearance, while others were debating the limitations of MEGA Evolution.
Gigantamax can only be used once per battle and also has regional restrictions. In contrast, this MEGA Evolution, whether it has regional restrictions or not, is not as simple as evolving only once per battle, at least from what Ash has shown.
If MEGA Evolution truly has no limitations, then the power of Gigantamax would probably only become history.
After all, Gigantamax, at its core, can only be used in the Galar Region, but MEGA Evolution might not be so restricted.