"Additionally, this match is a semi-no-rules match, so even as the Gym Leader, I'm allowed to switch out Pokemon. No objections, right?"
Besides lifting the level cap, even the switch limitation is being lifted. Blaine is really going all out, so what's a little shamelessness for the sake of victory?
A big reason Ash was able to defeat Koga, aside from his last-minute comeback, was because Koga couldn't switch his Pokemon. If Koga could have switched, Charizard wouldn't have been able to handle Toxicroak; a swap to Arbok would have done the trick.
Blaine clearly studied that battle video. He knows Ash's Pokemon can't sustain a battle after enhancing their power, so switching is Ash's biggest tactical blow.
That's why he's lifting the switch restriction here.
But Ash doesn't really mind. "If you're letting me fight, then fine, go ahead and switch. Let's have a fair and just match."
"No problem."
"Great, as the Gym Leader, I'll send out my Pokemon first. Consider it a favor to you."
Ash's mouth twitched. "Blaine, you don't have to say that to save face. If you insist, I can go first too."
Upon hearing this, Blaine coughed awkwardly and then threw the Pokeball in his hand.
With a flash of light, a gleaming golden Pokemon appeared on the field—Ninetales!
The evolved form of Vulpix, Ninetales has the appearance of a fox with shimmering golden fur and crimson eyes, exuding elegance and nobility. It is said that Ninetales can live for a thousand years, although in reality, none have been known to live that long.
Ash glanced at Ninetales' information: Elite Intermediate Level, with all Ability Values reaching Level A, comparable to the Pokemon Koga trained.
This is an Elite Trainer; besides surpassing ordinary trainers in terms of level, they also excel in training Ability Values without compromise.
Throughout his journey, Ash has seen many high-level Pokemon with very low Ability Values. At most, they were trained to Level B, only Elites simultaneously elevate both their levels and Ability Values.
This might also be related to the promotion criteria for becoming an Elite.
Sending out an Elite Intermediate Pokemon first suggests the second will be Elite Advanced, and the last will be Elite Peak.
It seems Blaine, too, is gradually probing his strength, avoiding deploying his strongest Pokemon right away. It can also be inferred from this that Blaine might surpass Koga in the mastery of being an Elite.
"So the first one is Ninetales... In that case, my choice is Gardevoir!" Ash threw the Pokeball, and an elegant queen with blue hair appeared on the field.
"You're sending out Gardevoir? But your Gardevoir is only at the Professional Level. From what I understand of your power-enhancing moves, you should only be able to boost Gardevoir to the Gym Level, right? Unless Gardevoir is at the Professional Peak, you can't elevate her to Elite." Blaine asserted confidently.
All of Ash's information has already been securely grasped in his hands. Although the peculiar enhancement method is absurd, due to the level of Ash's Pokemon, ultimately, it can't elevate them to the Elite level.
Charizard defeating Toxicroak in that match relied more on that special flame, while Pikachu's victory over Arbok was due to its bizarre moves.
He also knew Gardevoir's peculiarity, which is inheriting the versatile Mew gene, allowing her to learn any move. However, the prerequisite is that there are powerful moves available for Gardevoir to learn.
Having more moves doesn't necessarily make one stronger — it just broadens the scope of attack. To defeat a formidable opponent, a decisive move is required, so Gardevoir's plethora of moves are ineffective in front of Ninetales.
"You never know! (Sore wa douka na!)" Ash took a colorful gem from his pocket and raised it high in the air: "Gardevoir, show your true form, MEGA Evolution!!"
Blaine: ???
What the... What kind of evolution is this?
Before Blaine could ask, Gardevoir had already spread her arms, and a massive gem emerged from her body, shining with dazzling light that enveloped Gardevoir, causing changes to her body!
The duration of the brilliant glow wasn't long. In just a moment, Gardevoir's brand new form appeared before everyone.
Her previously white dress turned pitch black, and her hands seemed to be adorned with black gloves, giving a profound and mysterious feel.
The entirely new form of Gardevoir exuded elegance yet carried an eerie aura, like a spirit floating in the snow, imparting a cold and mysterious atmosphere.
This is the enhanced evolution of Gardevoir, MEGA Gardevoir!
The MEGA Evolution Stone obtained from the Incredible Garden was indeed Gardevoir's stone. After evolving, Gardevoir looks even more like a queen than in her original form, exuding a queenly majesty that commands respect.
Blaine, Misty, and the others were completely stunned, rendered speechless by this phenomenon. What on earth is this, and why can Gardevoir evolve further? This is a bit overpowered!
Usually, no one would comment if you kept some moves, special abilities, or hidden strength under wraps. But hiding an entire evolution? What does that mean?
"Why can the finally evolved Gardevoir evolve again?" Gary was the first to lose his cool, shouting in disbelief.
It's understandable that Gary reacted this way. Anyone acquainted with Gardevoir in the Pokemon world, witnessing this scene, would also want to ask, "Why?! How?!"
Blaine even took off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes, thinking he had seen an illusion. But the black-and-white Gardevoir stood firmly in front of him, proving it wasn't a hallucination.
Gardevoir has indeed evolved! And into an unprecedented form!
While everyone was in shock, Ash didn't take the opportunity to attack his opponent immediately.
No way, the first appearance of MEGA Evolution deserves to leave them utterly astonished. If he attacked right away, they wouldn't even have time to be amazed, and how could he relish the expressions on Misty and Blaine's faces?
He, Ash, at fifteen years old, still enjoys the spotlight!
Even with the guidance of experienced mentors, curbing his excitement somewhat, the nature of someone his age is hard to change, he just loves to show off! Missing a chance is not being true to oneself, got it!
"MEGA Evolution... allows the finally evolved Pokemon to evolve once more. Is that what you meant by those two gems, Ash?" Only after dozens of seconds did Blaine manage to calm himself down and speak to Ash while suppressing his inner shock.
Earlier, he fleetingly saw the gem floating in front of Gardevoir, which resembled the two gems he held!
Thinking back to Ash's previous explanation about the gems' effects, it's basically confirmed that Gardevoir's further evolution relied on that item.
"Pretty much. I've named it MEGA Evolution Stone, and this evolution of Gardevoir, I call MEGA Evolution! It means a super evolution, as it enables a Pokemon to progress to a higher level of evolution in its final form, causing a qualitative leap in its inherent abilities," Ash said in a calm tone.
Well, on the surface he appeared calm, but internally he was over the moon after seeing everyone's expressions. This is the advantage of possessing foresight!
Even the name of the evolution was coined by him; what an exhilarating feeling!
Blaine didn't mind Ash's pretense of calmness, instead reflecting deeply within himself.
If this evolution allows Pokemon to transcend their final evolution, the implications are undoubtedly extraordinary.
Why are Quasi-Gods powerful? Why are they called Quasi-Gods? It's because, after their final evolution, they possess species ability values far surpassing those of other Pokemon. Among counterparts of equal level and value, Quasi-Gods' strength is generally one notch higher.
But if Pokemon can undergo a four-stage evolution, then things become altogether different...