'Why can you unleash a power that leaps an entire major level after merging with my Aura? Besides the boost from my Aura, it's because I control the Aura, fully unleashing the power within you.'
'If you could harness your full potential alone, then even if your level is much lower than your opponent's, you would still have the strength to fight. One hundred percent versus eighty percent are entirely different concepts!'
Ash's words from one of their training sessions suddenly echoed in Lucario's mind, and the struggling Lucario slowly closed his eyes after a moment of surprise.
Gurkinn squinted his eyes slightly. Was Ash's Lucario preparing to give up?
No, it shouldn't be that simple.
As the Aura Sphere's defeat loomed, Lucario's consciousness delved deep within himself, and he 'saw' the untapped power within his body!
It was bound by the body's instinctive protective mechanism, limiting the power to prevent self-injury from overexertion.
If unleashed for a short period, it would not be problematic, but nearly no Pokemon can surpass their own limits to release their internal power unless faced with mortal danger.
Yet, as Ash said, he was different!
As long as he could control Aura Power more proficiently, he could release this force!
He could do it!
Because, with Ash's help, this power had been unleashed countless times. This time, he would free it on his own!
"Aoo—!"
Lucario howled skyward!
In the next instant, the nearly crushed Aura Sphere burst with an incredibly deep azure light!
The color was so profound it seemed almost tangible, like a condensed star shining on the field!
"What?!" Gurkinn's pupils constricted.
There was even such a thing!
Even when utterly overpowered in all aspects, that Lucario still managed to resist like this, defying the laws of the world!
"Boom—!!"
The previously suppressed Aura Sphere suddenly expanded, and the deep blue light surged back like a raging tide!
The situation reversed in this moment. The Aura Sphere released by Gurkinn's Lucario was completely suppressed, and under the radiant light of a mightier star, the blue light became dim and colorless!
"No... Impossible!!" Korrina gasped in disbelief.
Gurkinn's Lucario's pupils widened, watching helplessly as the deep azure sphere, brimming with terrifying Aura Power, hurled toward him like a meteor!
"Boom—!!"
A deafening explosion sounded, and the ferocious Aura Power turned into a pillar of light reaching the sky, engulfing Gurkinn's Lucario completely!
Dust and the remnants of Aura swallowed the entire arena, with the deep blue light surging like a tide within the barrier, completely obscuring everyone's view.
"Lucario!!" Korrina anxiously clenched her fists, her sapphire eyes locked on the chaos, forgetting to breathe.
She had never seen her grandfather's Lucario pushed to such extremes, nor had she ever imagined that a boy of her age could achieve this.
This battle had entirely defied her expectations. Although the outcome was still uncertain, Misty was right; Ash and his Pokemon couldn't be judged by common standards.
Even in a dire predicament, they could still turn the tide through unknown means!
Misty and the others also held their breath as the light and dust from the explosion blocked their view, preventing them from seeing the situation on the field clearly.
This match, who ultimately was the winner?
Inside the barrier, the dust swirled, and the sound of rolling stones was particularly clear in the silence.
One second, two seconds, three seconds... Time seemed to stretch infinitely.
Finally, the dust began to slowly clear, revealing two shadowy figures, one kneeling, the other standing upright.
All eyes were focused on the field. As they saw the standing figure clearly, a hint of delight appeared on Korrina's face, while Misty and the others felt a heavy weight in their hearts.
The standing figure was none other than Gurkinn's Lucario!
Both Lucarios had undergone MEGA Evolution, but there were still some differences in size, so everyone could immediately tell that it wasn't Ash's Lucario.
"Ah, to think that this would be the conclusion." Gurkinn sighed. Before Korrina could ask her grandfather why he sighed, the Lucario standing upright suddenly fell backward, its light dying away as its MEGA Evolution state ended.
But on Ash's side, although Lucario was panting heavily and could barely stand, it was still conscious.
So the winner of this match was — Ash!
Korrina's beautiful eyes widened with disbelief on her face, unable to fathom how Ash's Lucario had truly won and in such an impossible manner!
"You've worked hard, Lucario, you did great!" Ash jogged to the battered center field and supported the kneeling Lucario.
"Aoo..." Lucario's MEGA Evolution also dissipated. Turning to look at Ash, it uttered a soft sound, and even those who couldn't understand Pokemon speech could tell Lucario's meaning — I didn't disappoint you, did I?
"Of course not, I always believed you would never lose. This battle will greatly aid your future. Congratulations, on overcoming a significant hurdle in your life." Ash congratulated with a smile.
This battle not only allowed Lucario to unleash its full strength solo but also advanced it to a higher level!
Lucario was now Mid-Elite Level, something Ash hadn't anticipated.
If it weren't for the bit of recovery brought by the level advancement, Lucario might have already collapsed, and the battle would have ended in a draw.
However, the victory or loss wasn't vital. Winning was best, but not winning was also fine, as Lucario had already gained so much.
"You've worked hard, my old friend, I'll take you to the Pokemon Center in a moment." On the other side, Gurkinn recalled his Lucario back into the Pokeball.
Looking at Ash, he asked with a mix of emotion and curiosity, "Ash, can you tell me how your Lucario managed to unleash such extraordinary energy at the end? I feel that Lucario's level didn't increase, so where did that surge of energy come from?"
The level hadn't risen, nor had the momentum increased, yet Lucario still exploded with power far beyond its capability. He had seen Ash use special methods to enhance his Pokemon's abilities on TV, but this seemed different.
Although he couldn't pinpoint Ash's method, this time Ash hadn't intervened — it was Lucario's own strength.
That's why Gurkinn was perplexed as to how a Junior Elite Level Pokemon, after undergoing MEGA Evolution to become Mid-Elite Level, could unleash power rivaling that of a Champion Level.
"Actually, it's related to the control of Aura..." Ash didn't intend to hide anything. After all, it wasn't a secret that Pokemon achieving one hundred percent could lead to a qualitative change.
The issue was that no Pokemon had been able to reach that point — perhaps at the Divine Domain Level.
Ever since Ash and his Pokemon began Aura Fusion from the start, he was able to excavate all of his Pokemons' latent powers through his own Aura Power, which is why his Pokemon could leap a significant level, regardless of their current level.
"I didn't know controlling Aura Power could achieve such a thing! I almost want to send Lucario over for some training!" Korrina expressed her heartfelt admiration after Ash's explanation.
A Lucario that can freely control Aura Power and one that cannot are two entirely different kinds of Pokemon!