This kind of thing is truly unheard of!
"That's right, my Lucario is not as skilled or leveled as your Lucario, Master Gurkinn, but in terms of controlling Aura Power, I believe there isn't a second Lucario in the world stronger than him."
After all, Lucario's mastery of Aura was taught by him, a Divine Domain Level Aura user. In terms of strength, there may be many Lucario stronger than his, but in terms of controlling Aura...if his Lucario claims second, who dares to claim first?
"The new generation surpasses the old, young people are truly impressive! Old friend, let's continue and see how many more surprises this young man can bring us."
With a command from Gurkinn, the Lucario in front of him placed both hands in front of his chest, and then a Bone Rod formed from concentrated energy appeared.
Bone Rush!!
"Lucario, use Extreme Speed!" As soon as a rod appeared in the opponent's hands, Ash's command was also given. Ash's Lucario turned into a blue shadow, darting around the arena!
"What incredible speed, Lucario, carefully sense the opponent's movements." Gurkinn's expression tightened; Ash's Lucario, after using Extreme Speed, was slightly faster than even Champion Level Pokemon.
Besides the speed increase from Extreme Speed, Lucario's own speed wasn't low to begin with, otherwise, reaching such speed would be impossible.
Gurkinn's Lucario's scarlet vertical pupils turned slightly, and the Bone Rod in its hand spun half a circle before it fiercely swung it towards the back left.
However, at the very moment the Bone Rod was swung, Ash's Lucario's figure already appeared in front of him.
"Bang!"
Extreme Speed struck solidly against Gurkinn's Lucario's abdomen, the impact causing its body to arch instantly, feet leaving the ground as it flew backward.
But at the exact moment it was hit, the Bone Rod in its hand swept out horizontally—"Bam!"
The Bone Rush also hit Ash's Lucario on the back, the tremendous force causing its body to lose balance, tumbling like a kite with a broken string, rolling several times on the ground before barely coming to a stop.
Both Lucario were almost simultaneously harmed, and almost simultaneously steadied their stances, the fierce exchange making Korrina and others hold their breath, not daring to make a sound.
Although Ash's Lucario was fast, Gurkinn's Lucario wasn't easy to deal with either; its use of Aura wasn't as proficient as Ash's Lucario but it wasn't incapable of using Aura.
With its Aura detection, coupled with the suppression of its level, even though Ash's Lucario's Extreme Speed far exceeded its level, it could still capture its figure.
But Gurkinn's Lucario couldn't dodge the attack completely, resorting to a mutually harmful fighting style.
However, in terms of injury, Ash's Lucario was more severely harmed, mainly because Ground Type moves are effective against Lucario, and Gurkinn's Lucario's level was much higher, naturally inflicting more damage.
It's not over yet, Lucario, Close Combat!"
Just as Gurkinn's voice fell, his Lucario had already disappeared from its original spot.
In the next instant, its figure appeared in front of Ash's Lucario, its right fist carrying terrifying power straight at its face!
"Dodge, then use Close Combat!!" Ash's voice penetrated the field, Lucario's scarlet pupils contracted, its body sharply lowered, just narrowly evading the opponent's attack.
Then, with all its strength, it threw a punch forward.
"Bang!!" The sound of air exploding echoed, yet Ash's Lucario's punch also missed its mark.
After a brief pause, both sides' fists began swinging wildly, a chain of attacks pouring down like a torrential downpour, each strike strong enough to seriously injure the opponent!
"Bang, bang, bang!!"
The fists of the two Lucario collided in mid-air, shock waves spreading out from the center, the ground cracking underfoot, stones flying!
The clash of fists sounded like a series of rapid drumbeats, echoing continuously in the gym. Every collision sent airwaves trembling through the arena!!
The combat aftershocks created by this near-Champion Level clash were enough to destroy the entire gym, but the shock waves dissipated without a trace as they came into contact with an imperceptible barrier in front of Ash and Gurkinn.
Gurkinn didn't notice this, but Korrina did, she widened her eyes as if she'd seen a ghost.
What had blocked those combat aftershocks…?
The Lucario on the field continued their back-and-forth exchanges, neither yielding, but whether in terms of speed or attack power, it was clearly Gurkinn's Lucario that held the upper hand. If this went on, Ash's Lucario would soon be unable to hold on.
But as time passed, a full minute went by, and both continued fighting at close quarters; Ash's Lucario instead seemed to grow stronger in spirit and resolve, while Gurkinn's Lucario's face contorted into a grimace that seemed almost frightening.
Gurkinn's eyes narrowed slightly; finally, he noticed something was amiss.
Ash's Lucario, although appearing to trade blows head-on with his Lucario, had its dodges executed with extreme peculiarity.
Even though his Lucario's attacks were faster, at most only two or three punches out of ten would land, whereas Ash's Lucario could land over eight out of ten punches, and its accuracy was continuously improving!
This...was due to Aura Power?
Aura Power can indeed predict the opponent's attack directions, but with such a significant power gap between them, if one can't foresee attacks over a second in advance, seeing the attack trajectory wouldn't help in dodging them.
Ash's Lucario's depth of Aura Power usage was far more terrifying than he had anticipated.
"Bang!"
Another punch landed; both Lucario staggered back several steps.
Ash's Lucario dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
Its body was almost at its limit, pain coursing through every inch, but it still fixed its gaze on the opponent, eyes filled with undiminished fighting spirit.
Even if he could predict the attack trajectory, as long as he couldn't completely evade, he would need to endure Champion Level attacks, and moreover, attacks from a type that was effective against his Fighting Type.
His ability to hold on until now was partly thanks to regularly enduring beatings within his own team.
Gurkinn's Lucario wasn't in much better shape. While its level was indeed higher than Ash's Lucario, it didn't mean it could endlessly endure Ash's Lucario's attacks.
Compared to Ash's Lucario, the number of attacks it had withstood was multiple times greater, so in terms of physical strength, the two were now roughly on par.
"The next move will decide the winner, Lucario, use Aura Sphere!!" Ash waved his hand, choosing to use Aura Sphere as the final desperate attempt.
"We'll use Aura Sphere too," Gurkinn stated solemnly.
This strike would determine the battle's victor; both sides' stamina had dwindled to their limits. Whoever won this skill clash would emerge as the victor of this fight.
"Aargh!!" Both sides roared fiercely, gathering all their Aura in front of them.
"Ash actually made this choice…it's unfortunate, but this battle's victor will be my grandpa," Korrina remarked regretfully.
When using the same move to clash, it's just a test of raw power; Ash's Lucario's strengths couldn't be fully realized in such a straightforward showdown, so Korrina was certain her grandfather would win.
"Not necessarily!" Misty countered defiantly, "If it were anyone else, I'd say Gym Leader Korrina is right, but if it's Ash…well, we'll see~"
Ash was always someone who couldn't be predicted with common sense!