"I've been worried that your series of victories might inflate your ego, making adjustments quite troublesome later. Ash's arrival has actually helped me out, and you haven't disappointed me."
"Failure is the mother of success; failing isn't scary, but failing and being unable to rise again is."
"Grandpa..." Korrina glanced at Gurkinn, then grabbed Lucario's hand and said softly, "Did you hear that, Lucario? Once-in-a-while failures aren't scary, what's scary is not being able to stand up again. Next time, we will win, right?"
Lucario struggled to open his eyes, gazing at Korrina's determined face, and nodded gently.
We'll win, next time!
"Take this, it's the badge from the Shalour Gym." Gurkinn took out a badge, creatively designed with two boxing gloves.
"Is this the badge from the Kalos Region? The Shalour Gym badge, I've got it!"
"Pika Pikachu!!" Pikachu, who hadn't competed and had just cheered from the sidelines today, also joined in celebrating.
Seeing Ash striking a pose, Gurkinn coughed lightly and said, "Ash, I wonder if you're interested in having a match with this old bone of mine."
The entire arena fell silent for a moment.
Korrina was the first to react: "Grandpa! You're picking on him! He's just finished a match!"
"Picking on him?" Gurkinn laughed heartily, "I think this kid hasn't exerted his full strength yet. Your Lucario forced him into MEGA Evolution, but that's about it. His Lucario, even injured, is still full of fighting spirit—am I wrong?"
As for the injuries, they were actually inflicted on purpose by letting Korrina's Lucario hit, for the sake of experiencing the opponent's attack trajectory firsthand. At the difference in levels, such injuries really aren't much.
Of course, Ash could choose to switch out Pokémon, but Gurkinn's proposal for this match is primarily to test Ash's Lucario's full power.
In the battle with Korrina, not to mention using full strength, Ash's Lucario probably didn't even use half its power, except for that last Close Combat move.
Logically speaking, although there's a level gap between the two, it shouldn't be too vast. Ash's Lucario is surely not as simple as it appears, which is why Gurkinn suggested battling Ash.
"No problem, Gurkinn Grandpa, Lucario and I are still full of energy!" Ash agreed without hesitation.
Although the previous match taught Lucario many things, it's not enough, the opponent was ultimately too weak, but Gurkinn is different.
On Gurkinn's body, Ash can sense a dense Aura Power, which should belong to Gurkinn's Lucario, likely reaching Elite Peak, possibly even Champion Level.
Facing a Lucario of this level will surely elevate his Lucario's abilities to new heights!
"Good!" Gurkinn laughed heartily and turned, walking to the other side of the field, "Korrina, let your Lucario rest. Next, watch Grandpa!"
Korrina obediently took back Lucario, then skated over to Brock and others.
"Will Ash be alright? Grandpa's Lucario is Elite Peak, Ash's Lucario is strong and can MEGA Evolve, but Grandpa's Lucario can also MEGA Evolve!" Korrina said with a bit of worry.
But as her voice fell, she didn't get agreement from those around her. When she turned, she jumped at the sight: Brock and the others were looking at her with peculiar gazes, leaving Korrina a bit at a loss.
"Wha... What's up? Did I say something wrong?"
Misty shook her head: "No, rather you analyzed correctly... It's just your Grandpa out there; you're worried about Ash instead of your Grandpa. Your Grandpa might feel heartbroken hearing this."
Hearing this, Korrina relaxed a bit, replying cheerfully: "You mean that, it's okay. My Grandpa is quite strong! In the Kalos Region, those Elite Trainers can't defeat Grandpa's Lucario in one-on-one battles!"
Speaking of her Grandpa, Korrina's confidence in her voice showed her absolute trust. She was worried Ash might get overwhelmed by her Grandpa.
After all, Ash just won a match by overwhelming prowess; if reversed this time, it would be a huge blow to his confidence.
"Really? Then you can be assured about Ash. Ash has never lost a match against opponents of the same level. No matter what level your Grandpa's Lucario is, as long as he's Elite, Ash won't lose." Misty said with certainty while gazing at Ash's back.
...
"Come out, old partner."
Among flickering lights, a figure landed steadily.
Blue and black fur, slender and powerful limbs, sharp crimson vertical pupils—another Lucario.
But this Lucario feels completely different from Korrina's.
He stands there quietly, without any movement, yet an invisible pressure spreads.
This pressure isn't intentionally released but has settled into his bones through years of battle—without boasting, it makes one feel his strength.
Elite Peak.
A formidable level, and since Korrina can use MEGA Evolution, Ash doesn't think Gurkinn can't. Once Gurkinn's Lucario achieves MEGA Evolution, it will have—Champion-Level combat power!
"Show all your strength, MEGA Evolution!" As Ash expected, as soon as Lucario took the field, Gurkinn raised his arm, and the Key Stone on his wrist shimmered.
Like Ash, he placed the Key Stone in wristbands around his wrist.
With the Key Stone sparkling, Lucario's form began to change, and seconds later, a MEGA Lucario identical to Ash's emerged on the field.
After MEGA Evolution, from the pressure transmitted by the opponent, Ash's Lucario felt momentarily breathless.
His level is just Junior Elite and only recently reached that. Even with MEGA Evolution boosting, it's only Mid-Elite Level, with an insurmountable gap to Champion-level Pokémon.
This match seems like it will be a fierce battle.
"Don't back down, Lucario. Even if our level is lower than the opponent's, we have stronger points!" Ash encouraged from behind Lucario.
They have their advantages; Lucario's ability value is top-tier among peers, and its control over Aura Power is stronger than the opponent!
"Not bad, facing a formidable enemy without fear nor retreat. I can almost see you standing on the world's peak stage... But that's the future. If the future is yours, prove it now, Lucario, use Aura Sphere!!"
As Gurkinn finished speaking, the Lucario before him already condensed an Aura Sphere half its body's size and blasted it out fiercely!
The Aura Sphere drew a brilliant arc in mid-air, and even the air vibrated as it passed through, nearly shattering everything. The Energy Bullet came face-to-face with Ash's Lucario.
'Come on, Ash, show me how you'll handle this inevitable Aura Sphere.'
Aura Sphere locks onto the target's Aura. As long as there are no obstructions, it will hit.
With Ash's Lucario's power, it's impossible to use a skill to cancel it head-on.
This seemingly unremarkable opening move directly aimed at Ash!
If the Steel-type Lucario is hit by this Aura Sphere, under the dual suppression of level and attribute, it'll take heavy damage!
How will Ash handle it?
"Lucario, dodge!!"
Gurkinn: ???