[Cynthia: It's a pity we didn't see the specific stats of Lucario before Mega Evolution. Otherwise, we could judge exactly what kind of boosts Mega Evolution brought to it.]
Cynthia has a Lucario of her own, so she was naturally curious about the quantitative improvements provided by the Mega system.
[Gurkinn: Future Korrina has actually mastered Mega Evolution! As expected of my granddaughter! Hahahaha!]
In reality, Gurkinn already possessed Lucario's Mega Stone and the Key Stone. They were heirlooms passed down through generations, but until the Heaven's List revealed the Mega Evolution system, he had no idea how to use them. Now, he finally knew the secret.
He had three Key Stones and two Lucarionites—just enough for himself and his granddaughter!
However, the current Korrina was still inexperienced. He felt that if he gave her the stone now, she wouldn't be able to control it.
Thus, he set a trial for her: once she reached a 100-match win streak, she would go to Geosenge Town to find the stone. The Korrina in the footage had clearly succeeded.
In the Footage—
Looking at the defeated Gengar, Ash was momentarily stunned. Lucario's speed and power were even greater than in their previous battle! Even he hadn't been able to react in time.
Gengar, being a glass cannon, had no chance after being hit by an Adaptability-boosted Bullet Punch followed by a super-effective Bone Rush.
"Come back, Gengar! You did great." Ash recalled Gengar and reached for his next ball. "Korrina, your Lucario has really gotten stronger!"
"Of course! You're not the only one moving forward, Ash!"
"Then as a response... I'll show you my full power as well!"
Korrina's expression turned serious. Is he bringing out that Sceptile? She had seen its power—how it could match a Mega Sceptile without even evolving and end the fight in two moves. If Ash sent out Sceptile now, it would be a brutal struggle.
"I choose you, Swellow!!"
"Swee-low!!"
Red claws, dark blue feathers, and vermilion markings. Its two tail feathers rose straight up. The "Regional Bird" of Hoenn—Swellow!
[Lance: Tsk~ Why Swellow? Even if it has a type advantage, in terms of raw power, Swellow is quite weak, isn't it?]
[Winona (Fortree Gym): You can't say that, Champion Lance! Just because of one loss in a previous battle, how can you judge Swellow as weak?!]
Winona, being a Flying-type specialist and owning a Shiny Swellow, was fiercely protective. She hadn't said anything when Lance called Swellow weak before, but seeing him say it again while Ash sent it out was the last straw!
[Wallace: Haha, Winona, don't be so angry. With Lance, you just have to listen to him in reverse. If he says Swellow isn't great, doesn't that just prove Swellow is actually incredible?]
[Lance: ...] Lance was speechless. He admitted he was being a bit dogmatic, but using his "jinx" status to attack him was crossing the line! Besides, Swellow's only notable appearance in the previous rankings was getting one-shot by Latios in two turns! Even Pikachu had tanked several hits. Why did the much sturdier-looking Swellow fold so easily?
[Diantha: True, true. Wallace, you are beginning to master the truths of this world.]
[Lance: Fine... I simply don't have high expectations for Swellow. It's not that I look down on it, but the track record is right there! If it's so strong, let it prove me wrong!]
In the Footage—
Seeing Swellow, Korrina thought for a moment and decided to recall Lucario. "Take a break, Lucario! Mienshao, let's go!"
Mienshao returned to the field, having recovered slightly thanks to its Regenerator ability.
"Mienshao again... Swellow, be careful. Its movements are fast!"
The two clashed. Korrina tried to pin Swellow down with Rock Tomb, a move she specifically taught Mienshao to counter Flying types.
Mienshao kicked the boulders with precision, but Swellow dodged with a graceful roll in mid-air.
"I've seen through your movements, Korrina! Swellow, use Aerial Ace!"
Swellow cloaked itself in white light and accelerated. The rising and falling speed was so immense that Mienshao's subsequent Rock Tombs couldn't even graze its feathers.
"Mienshao, Detect!"
A glint shone in Mienshao's eyes. Swellow's movements slowed down in its perception. However, just as Swellow reached the bottom of its dive and began its horizontal swoop, it flapped its wings, and its speed doubled! Its silhouette vanished from the rocky field.
BOOM!
A white blur passed through. Mienshao was sent flying, crashing into the edge of the arena with a thunderous bang. It was instantly knocked out.
"How... is that possible? Detect... didn't work?" Korrina stammered. Detect was supposed to be the ultimate evasion. How could Aerial Ace be so fast that it ignored a guaranteed evasion move?
[Lance: What the—?! You call that Aerial Ace?? Were you holding back during the Lily of the Valley Conference?!]
[Falkner: What incredible speed! The transition from the dive to the strike... the human eye can't even track it!]
[Cynthia: Swellow's speed is one factor, but the other is the sheer gap in strength. Against absolute power, even a move like Detect cannot be called an 'absolute' defense.]
[Lance: ...Wait, if I said it was weak and it just did that... Am I really the world's greatest jinx?]
In the Footage—
Korrina sent Mega Lucario back in. "I didn't expect you to have a Swellow this fast."
"Hehe! Swellow has more than just speed! There are more surprises waiting for you!"
"I hope this match stops giving me heart attacks! Lucario, let's go!"
Ash commanded an Air Slash, which Lucario deflected by spinning its blue energy bones like a propeller—Bone Rush.
"Great! Swellow, Aerial Ace!"
Swellow dived again at "Pro-Max" speeds. As it swooped in, Korrina shouted, "Lucario, don't dodge! Tank it and grab it!"
Lucario braced itself. The sharp beak hit its chest, making it groan in pain, but it held its ground and grabbed Swellow's wing!
"Perfect! Use Thunder Punch!!"
Lucario's fist crackled with golden electricity and slammed into Swellow's stomach!
"Don't give him a break! Continuous Thunder Punch!!"
Lucario released the wing and unleashed a barrage of electrified fists! BANG BANG BANG BANG! Golden lightning filled the air as Swellow was pummeled from one side of the field to the other.
A dozen, maybe twenty Thunder Punches landed. With the type advantage and Mega Lucario's insane attack stat, any normal bird would be fried to a crisp.
[Lance: It's over. Swellow was impressive, but Mega Lucario is just too much! Finally! I've broken the jinx! I'm right for once!]
Lance was ecstatic. He was about to reclaim his dignity!
[Falkner: It's hard to admit, but after that many hits, no Swellow could possibly survive...]
However, the screen told a different story.
In the Footage—
Lucario stopped its assault, huffing for air. The continuous energy output had taken its toll. Swellow began to fall slowly from the sky.
Yet, Ash didn't look disappointed. He adjusted his hat, a sly grin creeping across his face.
"That's enough, Swellow. Let Lucario see it—Thunder Brave Bird!!"
Korrina: "???" What? Thunder Brave Bird? What kind of name is that?
The next second, Korrina realized she hadn't misheard. Swellow's body, which should have been paralyzed by the electricity, suddenly absorbed every spark of the golden lightning remaining on its feathers.
It erupted into a massive blue and gold flame, charging forward like a divine thunderbolt!
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