As Ash shouted, a MEGA Evolution Stone appeared on Lucario's body's surface, and then Lucario's body burst into a blaze of light. In the astonishment of those around, Lucario revealed a brand-new form!
The evolved Lucario now had more black stripes across its surface, more hair grew behind its head, its skin turned a deeper shade, and its legs became red.
The creamy white fur became longer, the thighs more slender, and more spikes grew on the back of its hands and feet.
Compared to the original Lucario, the MEGA-evolved Lucario appeared even more lithe and majestic!
The surrounding audience was somewhat numb, as Ash continuously refreshed their worldview, overturning their understanding.
Following Blastoise and Gardevoir, another Pokemon capable of MEGA Evolution emerged, and it was none other than the rare and dashing Lucario.
The evolved Lucario looked not only more handsome but also much stronger.
Speaking of which, although Ash was the discoverer of MEGA Evolution, does he even have too many Pokemon that can MEGA Evolve?
And with so many Pokemon capable of MEGA Evolution, how come none of those professors or researchers have discovered even one, while Ash continuously finds MEGA-evolving Pokemon? No one knows if Ash's next Pokemon might MEGA Evolve.
That is what shocked the audience this time, how does Ash have other MEGA-evolving Pokemon?
Seeing MEGA-evolved Lucario, Steven felt his heart bleed; who knew if this MEGA Evolution Stone had been taken from him. During Lucario's evolution, the light around it made it impossible to see the color of its MEGA Evolution Stone.
So Steven couldn't determine it clearly, but in the end, it didn't matter much; after all, he had undoubtedly lost five MEGA Evolution Stones and three Key Stones.
As long as there's no Metagross MEGA Evolution Stone in the stones he gave away, it's all good.
...
Orodelon City—
The contemporary queen, Erin, was in her room watching the live broadcast of the Quartz Conference on TV. Although they lived in a place like a tranquil haven, the technology was still up to date, with televisions and the latest smartphones available.
Erin usually wouldn't watch the Quartz Conference, since it's just elementary competition, but this conference was different because Ash was participating.
If we were to talk about those who first recognized Ash's potential and knew he would make a significant impact, Erin would definitely be among them.
Because Ash successfully awakened and saved that particular Poke Egg, whose significance is immense within Orodelon City; it might be the descendant of that brave Lucario from the past!
Not to mention the Poke Egg was in a life-threatening state, even in normal circumstances, no one could hatch it. So, for Ash to hatch it indicated he shared some traits with the legendary Aura Guardian from back then.
Perhaps he might be the next…Aura Guardian.
Coupled with that mysterious prophecy, Erin paid even more attention to Ash's movements.
Ash didn't disappoint Erin, growing rapidly in a short time, but while his fame soared, his Riolu seemed to have disappeared, not even appearing in battles publicly.
This made some people in Orodelon City worry. Was Riolu being neglected by Ash, or hadn't Riolu regained its full talent yet, leading Ash to abandon him…?
Various speculations arose in Orodelon City, but Erin never doubted Ash's attitude towards Riolu or his love for Pokemon.
Because she learned through various channels how much Ash loved Pokemon, she was willing to entrust Riolu to him.
Finally, today, she saw the grown Riolu, who had evolved into Lucario and even further evolved under the spotlight into a brand-new form!
"Is this Lucario's Mega Evolution? It does resemble that figure in the drawing, so that's what the painting foresaw, Lucario's Mega Evolution form!" Thus, the image in the last painting was explained.
Why did Lucario look a bit different in the last painting? It turns out that Mew had predicted the emergence of MEGA Evolution.
And Riolu would wield this power, reaching an even higher form.
But for some reason, Erin felt that though MEGA Evolution Lucario resembled that painting by ninety percent, it was slightly different.
If it was an ordinary image, Erin would attribute it to the fading of memory over time. The reason the MEGA Lucario and the prophetic image didn't match might just be her imagination.
But the images Mew created were almost etched in her memory, impossible to forget.
Otherwise, Erin wouldn't have noticed the differences in some details.
In the end, those were just minor differences, and Erin didn't dwell on them much now. All she wanted was to meet Lucario in person instead of only seeing him on television.
For Lucario, everyone in Orodelon City, including her, had an obsession. It wasn't about wanting anything from Lucario, just simply meeting him.
Perhaps there would be a chance after the Quartz Conference, maybe through Professor Cerise, inviting Ash and his group over to Orodelon City for a visit, treating it as a tour, Erin thought.
...
On the field, Mega Lucario and Blastoise had already locked eyes, and the battle was about to commence. For Gary, this was the final battle. For Lucario, it was a battle he couldn't lose; failure here wouldn't lead to being the strongest, so… he had to win!
"Blastoise, Water Pulse!"
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
Both sides attacked almost simultaneously; three jets of azure water shot from Blastoise's cannons, while Lucario placed its hands by its waist, forming a deep blue Aura Sphere which launched powerfully!
"Boom!!" Water Pulse and Aura Sphere collided in the center of the field, causing a booming roar and unleashing gusts of turbulence that sent debris flying all around.
The blue water curtain and the deep blue light wave struggled for a full three seconds before the water column from Water Pulse visibly inched over the Aura Sphere's glow.
"Crack—" A crack appeared on the Aura Sphere's surface, then it shattered into fragments of energy particles.
The remaining Water Pulse continued unabated, rushing directly toward Lucario.
To lose in a direct clash, Lucario's Aura Sphere was beaten by Blastoise's Water Pulse? Brock and Misty, both simultaneously, were puzzled.
In truth, Ash's Pokemon at the same level never lost direct clashes to any other Pokemon, especially since Lucario had undergone MEGA Evolution and was using the masterful Aura Sphere, how could it lose to Water Pulse? Not even with the Mega Launcher ability!
After passing through the Aura Sphere, Water Pulse went straight for Lucario, but the imagined scene of Lucario being blown away didn't occur; Water Pulse passed harmlessly, even through Lucario's body!
So powerful that Lucario's body was pierced? That was Gary's first thought, but he quickly realized something was off; it wasn't Water Pulse's power but that Lucario wasn't reality. It was a phantasm!!
In the next moment, Lucario appeared behind Blastoise, an Aura Sphere gripped tightly in its hand, smashing ruthlessly against MEGA Blastoise's hard shell!