I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Free Members will get 10 Chapters Ahead of the schedule on Patreon!!!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
Each evolution of a Pokémon represents a qualitative leap in power because evolution not only boosts the base stats but also increases the level, which is equivalent to a double boost.
This is also why many people in the world do not recommend not evolving Pokémon; evolution is simply stronger than not evolving!
If you want to rely on an unevolved body to defeat an evolved form, then your talent must far exceed the opponent's, and you must put in more effort than the opponent. This is the price of an unevolved Pokémon wanting to become stronger.
However, some Pokémon evolutions, like Scyther evolving into Scizor, don't have too many changes. This isn't really called evolution; it's more like a form change. One focuses on speed and attack, the other on defense and attack.
The reason why pseudo-legendary Pokémon are much stronger than ordinary Pokémon is that the boost from their evolution is more significant. If an ordinary Pokémon evolution can add 100 points to its stats, then a pseudo-legendary can add 120 or even 150.
After two evolutions, a pseudo-legendary's base stats are simply stronger than an ordinary Pokémon's!
But if it's an ordinary Pokémon, similar to the Starter Pokémon, and they can undergo a third evolution, then the situation is a bit different. The later the evolution, the more significant the ability boost.
For example, a Pokémon's overall stats go from 200 to 300 and from 300 to 400—although both gaps are 100, the latter boost will be much, much higher.
The MEGA Evolution Ash discovered allows a Pokémon to evolve one more time at its final stage. If this power were applied to a Champion-level Pokémon... what kind of scene would that create? Even Koga found this hard to imagine.
"Let me see how much of a boost your MEGA Evolution provides." Koga stopped his thoughts, preparing to verify the power of Ash's MEGA Evolution in actual combat.
No matter how shocking, the battle still had to be fought!
Ash silently closed his eyes, and the Aura linked with Gardevoir — Aura is with my heart!
A powerful Aura erupted from Gardevoir. The bond link brought by MEGA Evolution, coupled with the increased physical strength after evolution, allowed Gardevoir to withstand Ash's Aura to a greater extent.
Before Ash's Pokémon reached the God-Tier, the extent of a Pokémon's power increase depended on its physical endurance.
The stronger the endurance, the greater the boost.
For example, Gardevoir was originally only at the Professional Intermediate level. After MEGA Evolution, it reached the Professional Peak, and with the added power of Aura, it was already comparable to a regular Elite Four Class!
This boost even surprised Ash, because the previous MEGA Evolution didn't bring such a big boost; increasing one minor level was already the limit.
Even with Aura stacked, it couldn't reach the Elite level, but now Gardevoir's strength had inexplicably increased by another tier. What was going on?
Ash recalled what he had experienced today, then showed a look of sudden realization.
Speaking of which, Koga seemed to have said that Gardevoir had Mewtwo's Psychic essence within her, and that Gardevoir could actually use that power for herself.
However, that power existed in Gardevoir's gene chain, and under normal circumstances, there was no way to activate that power, unless Mewtwo helped, or... evolution!
Koga believed that Gardevoir was already in her final evolution, so there was naturally no way to extract and use that power except with Mewtwo's help.
But in reality, Gardevoir can still evolve, and it's the kind that evolves repeatedly!
Every time Gardevoir undergoes MEGA Evolution, it can stimulate the power belonging to Mewtwo within the gene chain. Previously, it was the first MEGA Evolution, so that power couldn't be activated.
Until now, with the second evolution, a small part of Mewtwo's Psychic essence, hidden in the gene chain, was extracted, allowing Gardevoir to achieve a leap in level.
Ash didn't expect such a coincidence. He originally planned to use Gym-level power to go head-to-head with an Elite Four-class Pokémon. With Gardevoir's flexible and varied abilities and the base stat boost from MEGA Evolution, it wasn't impossible.
But now that her level had risen to Elite Four Class, the battle wouldn't be so hard.
"Is this that power? Is this power derived from you, Ash?" Koga's eyesight was incredibly sharp. After seeing the Aura erupting from Gardevoir, his attention wasn't immediately on Gardevoir, but on Ash.
His intuition told him that Gardevoir's boost was inextricably linked to Ash. Whether it was the MEGA Evolution or Gardevoir's surging power after MEGA Evolution, it was all provided by Ash.
Ash nodded, not denying it.
This battle was originally a show of strength, and besides, he would have to be on the field for the final match against Magmar, so there was no need to hide anything.
"As expected! Then let me see how powerful this special ability of yours is. Ninetales, use Flamethrower!"
Koga attacked first, having Ninetales use Flamethrower as a test.
Ninetales opened her mouth, and dense fire elements condensed within it, then shot out!
The scorching flames burned the air as they rushed towards Gardevoir. Ash merely shifted his gaze slightly, and Gardevoir instantly vanished from her spot.
Since you're being shameless, don't blame me for going all out. Using telepathy for command, even the most experienced Trainer would be a half-step slow in responding, unless they could anticipate his moves beforehand.
Flamethrower missed, but Koga didn't show any disappointment. This was merely a probing attack.
He was naturally well aware of the flexibility of Psychic-type Pokémon; he first needed to restrict the opponent's movements.
"Ninetales, Disable!"
"Woo~"
Ninetales's cry echoed across the field, and a massive Psychic force spread throughout the entire area. Gardevoir, who had just used Teleport to dodge the opponent's Flamethrower, had just landed when she was hit by Disable.
Disable's effect is to seal the last move a Pokémon used for a period of time, which means Gardevoir's Teleport was sealed by the opponent.
Having Teleport sealed is actually quite detrimental for a Psychic-type Pokémon.
This means the Psychic-type Pokémon's flexibility is greatly reduced. With the Psychic-type's frail body, coupled with the level difference with the opponent, once hit by an opponent's move, the battle can basically be declared over.
"Blaze Abyss." After sealing the opponent's Teleport, Koga spoke again. This time, Gardevoir wouldn't be able to dodge the attack so easily.
With a cry from Ninetales, the entire field instantly became hotter, as if the air itself were incinerated. Around Gardevoir, countless fierce flames suddenly appeared, enveloping her in layers, like a hell formed of fire!
'Protect.' Ash's calm voice echoed in Gardevoir's mind. Gardevoir spread her hands, and a verdant barrier appeared around her, firmly blocking the surrounding flames.
"Oh? You defended against it, but how long can you hold out? Ninetales, increase the firepower!" Koga had Ninetales increase her attack power again, trying to force Gardevoir into a corner!
The opponent was at an absolute disadvantage in terms of level and stamina, and he now had a terrain advantage. Although it wasn't a sunny morning, this was a volcanic region!
Volcanic areas have abundant fire elements, which significantly boost Fire-type moves, almost as much as Sunny Day.
So Ninetales's firepower was even stronger than her normal state by half!
With Gardevoir's strength, how long could she last?
'Ally Switch.' Seeing the surrounding flames grow even fiercer and the verdant barrier already creaking under the strain, Ash pulled out his prepared backup plan: Ally Switch!
Gardevoir's beautiful orange eyes glowed with a faint blue light. The next second, Gardevoir and Ninetales directly swapped positions. Now, Ninetales was in the Blaze Abyss, surrounded by layers of flames.
Why is it said that Psychic-types are the hardest to fight among their peers? It's because there are simply too many of these strange and unpredictable moves.
Just a moment ago, Gardevoir was in danger, but in the blink of an eye, Ninetales was in the hellish vortex she herself had created.
Koga's expression also froze at the sight, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes behind his sunglasses. He hadn't expected the opponent to still be able to escape using this method after her Teleport was sealed.
However, this actually provided an advantage for his Ninetales!
The Blaze Abyss burned fiercely, seemingly about to engulf Ninetales within it, but moments later, the burning flames slowly disappeared, eventually forming a vortex and all pouring into Ninetales's body!
Ability — Flash Fire!
Under the Flash Fire ability, all Fire-type moves lose their effect and are converted into the power of the ability's owner, boosting the owner's Special Attack and Attack by 50% when using Fire-type attacks.
So, Blaze Abyss was not only ineffective against Ninetales, but it even became nourishment for Ninetales to become stronger!
"Ash was careless. Ninetales only has two abilities, Drought and Flash Fire. Since Drought wasn't activated when she came out, it means Ninetales's ability is the other one. This is actually very easy to guess." Gary commented from outside the field.
Although Gary was stating a fact, Misty felt a surge of anger at his arrogant demeanor. She clutched the Togepi in front of her and said irritably, "If it were you facing an Elite Four Class Pokémon, you'd probably be so stressed you couldn't even breathe, let alone try to figure out Ninetales's ability."
Gary: ...No, did I provoke her? Why is she lashing out at me? Ash really did make a mistake!
However, Gary's intuition told him it was best not to argue with Misty at this moment; otherwise, he would learn what an unreasonable woman was like.
Did Ash not know that Ninetales had Flash Fire? Of course not. It was just that in that situation, his Aura hadn't broken through Disable yet, but the opponent's Blaze Abyss was already close to breaking through Protect.
Under duress, he could only use Ally Switch. Even if the opponent used Flash Fire to boost herself, there was nothing he could do.
'It's our turn to counterattack, Gardevoir, use Psychic!'
After several probing attempts, Ash had a pretty good grasp of Ninetales's various ability data, including her attack wind-up, attack power, and some habitual movements. Now it was his turn to counterattack.
Light shone in Gardevoir's beautiful eyes, and an invisible force flew from her body, heading straight for Ninetales!
"Ninetales, Extrasensory!" Psychic abilities are definitely a nightmare for lower-level Trainers, because they can't even see the trajectory of the attack. But for an experienced Trainer like Koga, even invisible Psychic attacks have discernible patterns.
Gardevoir's use of Psychic was seen through by Koga, who immediately used a similar Psychic ability to counter it.
However, with telepathic communication and the very subtle nature of Psychic attacks, Koga was still a step too slow. Ninetales was directly bound by Psychic, her entire body as if being tightly squeezed by a pair of giant hands.
Gardevoir raised her hands, which seemed to be covered in a black veil, then clenched them tightly, and Ninetales instantly let out a painful wail.
Other than that, MEGA Gardevoir is definitely at the top tier in terms of special attack. Her already high S-rank ability value, coupled with the surging base stats and Psychic power, made her formidable.
The powerful binding effect of Psychic directly immobilized Ninetales, and the potent Psychic ability continuously eroded Ninetales's body.
The Extrasensory Koga had Ninetales use was also a form of Confusion-like move. Even if it was slower to activate, it should theoretically be able to forcefully dispel the binding Gardevoir had placed on her.
However, Ninetales is not a native Psychic type, and Gardevoir's special attack was simply too overpowered, which led to the current situation where she was bound and in pain.
Koga also felt that something was wrong. This didn't seem like an attack from an Elite Four Class Pokémon. Even an Elite Four Class Ninetales couldn't forcefully break free with Extrasensory. How much did that MEGA Evolution boost Gardevoir's special attack?
Now, to break free from Gardevoir's Psychic bind, a more powerful move would likely be needed, but that would significantly drain Ninetales. A few seconds later, Koga pulled out a Poké Ball: "Return, Ninetales."
The light from the Poké Ball shone on Ninetales, directly recalling her and simultaneously breaking free from the Psychic bind.
This move completely stunned Ash.
No, can you play like that? Using the method of recalling a Pokémon to break free from a bind is too cheap!
Koga weighed the Poké Ball in his hand, then looked at Ash's expression and said with a smile, "This is what real combat is, Ash. Battles without rotation are actually very taxing on a Trainer. I must admit, your Gardevoir gave me a big surprise. Now, if I send out this Pokémon, how will you respond?"
Koga put Ninetales's Poké Ball back on his belt, then took out a new Poké Ball and threw it.
With a flash of light, a majestic dog appeared on the field. This was the Pokémon known for its speed — Arcanine!