A few more seconds passed, and just as Ash couldn't help but want to ask Blaine, Blaine finally spoke up, "Sorry, I was just thinking about something, so I haven't said anything."
"I'll give you those two Evolution Stones I mentioned to you earlier, but before that, could you please answer a question that's been on my mind?"
At this moment, Blaine had taken off his sunglasses, and his slightly cloudy eyes revealed a puzzled expression.
To this, Ash nodded, indicating he was fine with any questions.
"What exactly is MEGA Evolution? How did you discover it?"
Ash organized in his mind the prepared responses from the experts in his group as well as the information gathered from Professor Oak, and then slowly said, "MEGA Evolution is something I discovered by accident. This evolution requires two items and a strong bond between both parties to achieve."
"Actually, they've already been researching this evolution in Kalos. According to Professor Oak, Professor Augustine Sycamore from Kalos mentioned that some Pokemon have survived until now, adapting their bodies to environmental changes through irreversible regression."
"So, is it possible to activate ancient genes within a Pokemon to achieve a higher level of evolution?"
"After research, Professor Augustine Sycamore indeed confirmed that as long as we can activate some ancient genes within a Pokemon, they can achieve a higher level of evolution. However, he hasn't yet found a way to activate these genes."
These were Professor Oak's exact words, so even if Blaine went to seek him out, it wouldn't blow Ash's cover.
Because before this, he did take some time to understand the so-called principles of MEGA Evolution.
It must be said, Professor Augustine Sycamore truly is a genius. Even without a MEGA Evolution Stone and Key Stone, he has taken his research to this level. If he had those two items, he might have already discovered MEGA Evolution.
Upon hearing this, Blaine also showed a somewhat thoughtful expression. So MEGA Evolution also involves the study of gene chains. Despite researching genetic experiments, he hadn't realized a thing.
However, his genetic research direction and Sycamore's research direction are quite different. One involves researching deeper, older aspects of genes, while the other involves fusion and replication of genes.
Although both types of research are about genes, they can't really be discussed together.
"So Augustine Sycamore was missing the tools to activate gene evolution, which you just happened to obtain, and then you just happened to experiment with MEGA Evolution?" Blaine asked Ash with a strange expression.
Despite Augustine Sycamore having determined that Pokemon have a higher level of evolution, without the MEGA Evolution Stone and the other tool Ash mentioned, he would've never been able to achieve MEGA Evolution in his lifetime.
And Ash just coincidentally discovered MEGA Evolution. Could this be Ash's luck?
"You could call it a coincidence. Mainly, my Aura Power can observe the connection between these two items, so I had Gardevoir wear this MEGA Evolution Stone, then used Aura Power to link the power of these two stones, ultimately achieving MEGA Evolution."
As Ash spoke, he released Gardevoir and had Gardevoir take out the MEGA Evolution Stone from its body, and he also placed his Key Stone in front of Blaine.
He wasn't afraid Blaine would snatch these two items. Not only was Blaine not that kind of person, but even if he were, taking them in front of Ash...even Lance couldn't do it.
Blaine took the Evolution Stone and Key Stone from Ash's hand, focusing his attention on the Key Stone. He had already seen the Evolution Stone, but the Key Stone he had barely glimpsed.
"This is the other tool you mentioned necessary for MEGA Evolution?"
"Yes, I named it the Key Stone, the stone of the key, to signify it as the key to unlock Pokemon evolution, and it sounds similar to 'key.'" Ash shamelessly adopted research results from another world as his own, knowing no one could challenge him in this world.
"The Key Stone, huh...it's really a magical thing. If you placed these two items before Augustine Sycamore and said they could unlock a higher level of evolution for Pokemon, he'd probably trade everything he has to get them from you." Blaine expressed with emotion as he handed the two stones back to Ash.
"Just now you mentioned evolving through bonds. Besides these two tools, are there other conditions?"
"Yes, didn't I say earlier, MEGA Evolution links the power of two tools through Aura Power to trigger Gardevoir's ancient genes. Without Aura Power, what triggers the power of the Key Stone and Evolution Stone? It's the bond."
"The deep bond between Trainer and Pokemon can serve as a bridge to connect them and allow the Pokemon to evolve. Without enough bond, MEGA Evolution can't take place."
Ash wasn't only saying this for Blaine, but also explaining to Misty, Brock, and Gary.
They really didn't know anything about MEGA Evolution, but they would definitely encounter and use MEGA Evolution in the future, so learning more now would be more beneficial later.
"This system is too complex; Dynamax is much simpler." Gary muttered, having some complaints about the complexity of the MEGA Evolution system.
This thing requires two tools and specific Pokemon, and needs a sufficient bond between Pokemon and Trainer—it sounds troublesome.
In contrast, the Dynamax in the Galar Region just needed a Dynamax Band to perform dynamaxing, though the system required specialized venues. If not, Galar's league wouldn't hold such a prominent reputation.
"It's natural for the conditions to be stringent. Just look at the ridiculous power increase this system provides to a Pokemon." Blaine didn't mind the harsh requirements since compared to such a massive boost, the difficulty seems minimal.
"Isn't that because it's Ash's Pokemon with such a boost? Ash has a way of augmenting his ability onto his Pokemon. Do other Trainers have that? How much can mere MEGA Evolution improve them?" Gary questioned.
He had already learned from Misty and Brock about the unique bond between Ash and his Pokemon.
This ability to meld his strength with his Pokemon's was unheard of, almost like superpowers, and Ash with such powers couldn't be judged by common standards.
MEGA Gardevoir seemed much stronger than its regular form, but that's partly due to Ash's imparted strength. It's uncertain how much MEGA Evolution alone enhances.
"As for improvement, it can stably boost by a small stage and also raises Species Ability Values. At Professional Junior Level, MEGA Evolution should match up to Professional Senior Level."
"However, the increase in strength and abilities becomes less evident at higher levels. At Elite or Champion Level, the overall increase might only be one small stage."
Ash estimated and converted overall MEGA Evolution gains for reference.
Excluding his Aura Fusion, MEGA Evolution brings about an overall power and strength boost, whereas Dynamax brings immense physical strength, powerful moves, and special effects with each move.
As for Z-Moves...well, not many within the league know about that rural system.
Ash only learned about the Z-Move system from within his group; the reputation of Alola is just too low, truly.