The entire venue fell silent because of Lucario's punch, leaving only a few heavy breaths.
One was Alex's, another was Volkner's. This scene clearly exceeded their expectations, and Misty and the others were also surprised by Lucario's progress. However, compared to Volkner and the others' reactions, they remained relatively calm.
Lucario jumped back a few times, returning to Ash. Ash patted Lucario's shoulder, "Well done Lucario, you avenged Snorlax."
"Woo~" Lucario clenched his fist and nodded, while inside the Pokeball, he used Aura Perception to sense the situation outside. Seeing his partner beaten so badly by the opposing side filled him with anger.
Although the opponent had a Pokémon that was beaten even worse.
But Lucario felt that if they were on the same level, his partner definitely wouldn't lose. However, battles never have absolute fairness, so... he had to avenge Snorlax!
Volkner silently withdrew Jolteon. "You've worked hard Jolteon, don't take the failure of this battle to heart."
He placed the Pokeball back on his waist, and looked at Lucario with a scrutinizing gaze.
Indeed, Lucario's performance was surprising, but in that instant, he also analyzed Lucario's general situation.
Elite Four Advanced Level in level, Elite Four Peak in speed, and ATK is conservatively estimated at Elite Four Peak as well.
Here's yet another Pokémon with capabilities of battling above its level.
But compared to Snorlax earlier, its ability to fight above its level is somewhat weaker.
The issue lies in the fact that Snorlax's ability boost earlier seemed like Ash did something to Snorlax, while Lucario hadn't yet received such treatment from Ash, and already battles above its level.
If Ash can make Lucario achieve the same leap as Snorlax earlier...he could just concede.
However, conversely, if Lucario can't make that terrifying leap above its level like Snorlax, then it would be time for him to shine!
Volkner wasted no time, he directly took out the final Pokeball from his waist, flipped his wrist, and gently tossed it out.
As the light faded away, a tall and mighty figure fell in the center of the field.
Electivire, this is Volkner's final Pokémon!
Compared to Paul's Electivire, Volkner's was even bigger, covered in yellow and black fur, muscles forged like steel, with two robust tails trailing behind, occasionally flashing a strand of golden arc at their tips.
Even just standing there quietly, this Electivire resembled a thunderstorm cloud, giving off the impression that it might unleash a devastating attack at any moment.
In the audience, Brock slowly wiped the smile from his face.
He leaned forward slightly, eyes fixed on the yellow and black figure in the field. Despite the distance, he could still feel the pressure emanating from that Electivire.
Damn, that aura, is definitely beyond the Elite Four Level.
"Ash is in trouble." He said quietly, "That Electivire has likely reached Champion Level."
Misty tightened her grip around Togepi. Not just Brock, she also noticed. Electivire's level was clearly beyond Elite Four Level. Since both of them felt it, it must be true.
That Electivire is a Champion Level Pokémon!
No one expected Volkner to have this ace, especially when his records showed that his highest level Pokémon was only at Elite Four Peak.
Serena noticed the change in their expressions. Although she couldn't accurately judge the level of Pokémon like they could, she sensed the atmosphere of the field becoming heavier with Electivire's appearance.
She turned to look at Ash. The boy standing at the command post was now squinting slightly, his gaze locked onto Electivire.
Standing on the command post, Ash took a deep breath. With the Eye of Insight, he was clearer than Brock.
That Electivire has indeed reached Champion Level, though only Champion Junior Level. Still, it posed a tough challenge for Lucario.
Without hesitation, Ash raised his left hand. The Evolution Key Stone on his wrist reflected rainbow-colored light under the Gym's lights.
"Lucario, show your true form, MEGA evolve."
Brilliant light burst from the Key Stone, like a bridge connecting to the blue-black figure in the field.
Lucario's body surface also revealed a virtual shadow of an Evolution Stone, and the two beams of light converged in the air, then exploded into a dazzling rainbow cocoon.
Instinctively, Misty raised a hand to block the light but quickly lowered it. They've seen MEGA evolution many times.
Charizard, Gardevoir, and other Pokémon —that rainbow light is almost standard for Ash and his partners.
Facing opponents stronger in level, Ash usually uses MEGA evolution and Aura Fusion to close the gap.
If the level difference is not very large, then just MEGA evolution is used. If the level difference is significant, then Aura Fusion is called in.
If the level difference is especially vast, then both Aura Fusion and MEGA evolution are used.
Until that cocoon of light shattered, revealing the entirely unfamiliar figure inside.
It was a Lucario whose form was completely different from before.
This Lucario was covered in azure armor, with silver-white lines outlining the sharp features of its face and joints, and golden fur on its chest. The original bone spikes had turned into silver round plates.
Its icy blue eyes were razor-sharp, and its cool color scheme accentuated its agile posture, like an Aura warrior hidden in the shadows, both vibrant and with a crisp edge.
This... isn't the normal MEGA-evolved Lucario's appearance, but a brand-new MEGA evolution!
Compared to the original MEGA Lucario, this new Lucario is more slender and agile, with color changing from deep blue and black to black, white, and light blue.
It has less 'rigidity' and more 'flexibility.'
"Is this... Lucario's MEGA evolution?" Alex widened his eyes, looking at Volkner in disbelief.
Volkner snapped out of his initial shock, his gaze locked onto the distinctly different Lucario figure in the field.
"It is indeed a MEGA evolution form, and it's a never-before-seen MEGA evolution, with a completely different appearance from the original MEGA-evolved Lucario." Volkner's voice was low, his eyes firmly fixed on Lucario.
MEGA evolution is a major event of change for the entire Pokemon Realm battle system; even if he were ignorant, he couldn't have never heard of it.
He was also aware of the MEGA Lucario's appearance, which was drastically different from this one.
In the audience, Misty and Brock exchanged glances, both seeing the same confusion in each other's eyes.
"When did Ash's Lucario have this form?" Misty tilted her head slightly, showing a puzzled expression.
Brock also fell into contemplation.
They've seen Lucario showcase its MEGA evolution several times before, and each time both its color and body shape were entirely different from what was in front of them now.
The previous MEGA Lucario was more robust, with colors leaning darker, possessing a kind of heavy pressure; whereas this one is slender, streamlined with a crisp and refreshing color scheme, a totally different style.
Serena watched the Lucario, which looked like a martial arts master, and suddenly a picture flashed through her mind.
It was from the time at Shalour Gym when Ash received a special MEGA Evolution Stone from the old man.
Back then, the old man said that although the Evolution Stone was for Lucario, it did not react at all, just like an ordinary stone.
But Ash said he had a way to use that Evolution Stone...
"Could it be... that the current form of Lucario evolved from the Evolution Stone given to Ash by Gurkinn at that time?" Serena gently covered her lips, her beautiful eyes slightly widening.
Brock rubbed his chin thoughtfully: "So, Lucario's current form is a new one triggered by that Evolution Stone?"
Misty's gaze returned to the field, the intertwining icy blue and silver-white sleek figure, with the golden glow on its chest standing out sharply under the Gym's lights.
Compared to the previous MEGA Lucario overflowing with pure power, the one now seems to have gained an indescribable quality.
It's not an overwhelming force but a more exquisite, technique-like aura.
This form of Lucario might not surpass the original Lucario in sheer power, but it would definitely have a significant boost in skill, possibly having unexpected effects against power-type opponents like Electivire.
"That Ash guy... once again came up with something new." Misty said, her lips curling involuntarily, he always brings something refreshing every once in a while, from the start of their journey until now, he's always been like this.
Volkner stood at the commanding seat, arms folded across his chest, eyes intensely watching Ash, from the moment he entered, this young man has been constantly challenging his understanding.
"Just how many unexpected secrets are you hiding on your person?" Volkner's voice echoed in the arena.
Ash scratched his cheek, turning his mouth into a grin, "The world is so big, there's always something you haven't seen, right?"
"You have a point, but still, it's my first time seeing so many things far beyond my understanding in a single day." Volkner pulled a helpless smile, to be honest, today he encountered so much, it's kinda excessive, isn't it?
"Lucario, let Mr. Volkner witness our brand new power!" Ash waved his hand towards Electivire, "Use Aura Sphere!"
"Ow!"
Lucario let out a clear howl, its twin palms clasped in front, a mass of azure energy surging from his palms.
The intensity of that energy far surpassed before, and the color became deeper, originally Lucario's Aura Sphere was azure, highly compressed, and now the color deepened so much, it was almost black!
Lucario suddenly pushed its twin palms outward, the Aura Sphere compressed to the extreme shot out, trailing a deep blue tail of light in mid-air, straight toward Electivire!
The air in the Gym buzzed faintly from the passage of that Aura Sphere, the ground being lifted into fine cracks by the spilled energy.
Misty and the others involuntarily held their breaths, sensing the power of this Aura Sphere purely from its momentum, it had indeed surpassed the Elite Four Level, and had entered true Championship Level attack!
Volkner's pupils slightly contracted, here it came again. Obviously at Elite Four Advanced Level, yet unleashed a Championship Level attack.
All of his Pokemon have cross-level battling abilities!
After MEGA evolution, the explosive power of this Lucario surpassed just now another level, Elite Four Advanced Level bursting forth Championship level power... truly incredible.
"Electivire, Thunderbolt." Volkner suppressed the waves in his heart and calmly gave the command.
Electivire's fists smashed together, unleashing a dull collision sound, then his hefty arms lifted high.
Golden Thunder Light erupted violently from his black and yellow body, forming two thick columns of thunder that met and merged in mid-air, crashing right into the incoming Aura Sphere.
Golden lightning and deep blue Aura collided in mid-air with a resounding boom!
In an instant, the entire Gym felt like it hit mute, then the dull rumble exploded like thunder.
The shockwave spread outward centered on the collision point, lifting debris from the ground, slamming into the transparent protective barriers, creating ripples; most of the force was blocked by the barriers, but the entire Gym still shook violently!
The Gym's lights flickered wildly for a bit, thankfully soon returning to normal.
Alex unconsciously shielded himself with his hands, only slowly lowering them after the shockwave had passed.
His gaze fiercely fixed on the already nearly shattered field, his face showing a shocked expression beyond words.
Aura Sphere and Thunderbolt canceled each other in mid-air.
This was a direct confrontation, evenly matched.
But... an Elite Four Advanced Lucario hitting a Championship Level, this is somewhat absurd!
The gap between Elite and Champion is much greater than between Gym and Elite!
Snorlax unleashed Mid-Elite level power with Gym Intermediate level strength, reaching Elite Mid-Level in attack power, and achieving Elite Four Peak through Belly Drum—this was certainly surprising, but it relied on Belly Drum for power.
There are factors on how Ash utilized Snorlax as well.
However, this Lucario... a single MEGA evolution could make up the gap between Elite Four Advanced and Champion Junior Level?
MEGA evolution is magical, but not supposed to bridge such a large power gap!
Ash looked at Lucario's back, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
This new MEGA evolution definitely has its unique points, like Charizard X and Y, Lucario Z's MEGA evolution focuses differently from regular MEGA evolution.
That is to shift the physical attack improvement onto special attack, the original MEGA Lucario was a dual-blade, meaning competent in both special and physical attacks, though physical attack slightly stronger.
But the MEGA Lucario Z, he's an extreme technical expert!
*******************************
Enjoyed the action? Drop a review, fire off a comment, and send those Power Stones rolling! Your support keeps the updates coming fast—let's keep the momentum going! 🔥