In a battle with Pikachu, whether you win or lose, it leaves you feeling incredibly frustrated.
It's obviously just a Pikachu, yet it has all sorts of bizarre skills and numerous annoying abilities.
It can use the Water Type move Surf, and then, at the critical moment, it triggers Static!
This kind of probability-based Ability is actually linked to the difference in levels between the two parties. The greater the level difference, the harder it is to trigger the Pokemon's probabilistic Ability.
Although Pikachu's strength has reached Elite Level, its level is just that of a Professional, and the level gap between them is quite significant. Even if the gap in strength has slightly narrowed, the difference is still considerable.
In such circumstances, triggering Static is incredibly unlucky.
In actuality, Arcanine's paralysis wasn't just due to Pikachu's Ability. Those three Splishy Splashes weren't used for nothing; each Splishy Splash has a 30% chance of paralyzing the opponent.
Due to the consecutive usage, the current lay dormant within Arcanine's body. Although it didn't immediately cause paralysis, it lay hidden, and was finally drawn out by Pikachu's last Zippy Zap, leading to Arcanine's paralysis.
This could be seen as coincidental or inevitable; in short, it was the foreshadowing planted earlier that was brought to light with that one impact.
Now, although Arcanine lost the ability to fight, Pikachu also doesn't have much physical strength left, so continuing the battle is unrealistic, thus it's considered a one-for-one exchange.
However, this kind of one-for-one is utterly humiliating for Blaine, especially since he didn't even manage to hit Pikachu once, and Pikachu's physical strength depletion was entirely due to its overuse of force in attacks.
Blaine calmed himself down and took out Ninetales' Pokeball again, "I'll rely on you once more, Ninetales!"
"Woo~" With a flash of light, the radiant gold Ninetales appeared on the field.
Ash also took out Gardevoir's Pokeball and threw it out, "It's decided then, Gardevoir!"
The Pokeball landed on the field, and Gardevoir appeared once more in her MEGA Evolution state.
"Ash, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Is Gardevoir's current form permanent?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I saw earlier that apart from the stone on Gardevoir, evolution also requires a device in your hand. This kind of evolution seems slightly different from Pokemon evolved with Evolution Stones; her current form seems to temporarily exceed the limits with that device."
"Besides, if Gardevoir's form were permanent, why wouldn't you let her evolve earlier in the match? Why not have her evolve right off the bat?"
It's undeniable that Blaine's analysis makes a lot of sense.
MEGA Evolution does indeed disappear, but there are only two situations wherein it happens: one is if the Pokemon's physical strength is exhausted, making it unable to maintain the form, and the other is if the Pokemon voluntarily exits MEGA Evolution.
That is to say, as long as the Pokemon wishes and has sufficient physical strength, MEGA Evolution can potentially be treated as a permanent form.
However, generally speaking, no one would let a Pokemon maintain this state for no reason; in battles, sure, but why maintain this state in daily life? In this form, every movement consumes considerably more physical strength than in normal form.
"Yes, Gardevoir's form is temporary; you can consider it an enhanced state. But even though it's temporary, it will definitely last for an entire battle. Gardevoir, meditation!"
After a casual explanation, Ash swiftly entered battle mode, choosing to have Gardevoir enhance first.
"Gardevoir!" Gardevoir closed her eyes briefly before swiftly opening them again, completing her meditation in less than a second.
"Nasty Plot." Blaine instantly issued a command as soon as Ash spoke.
Don't think for a second that he forgot they were in a battle just because he was asking questions; he responded immediately when seeing the opposing side use an enhancing move.
Meditation is a skill that boosts some Special Attack and Special Defense, while Nasty Plot significantly boosts Special Attack.
Both moves have their strengths and weaknesses but are categorized as enhancement moves.
Ninetales tilted its head, a glint flickering in its crimson eyes, enhancing its internal power.
"Inferno!"
Blazing flames surged around Gardevoir, ensnaring her within the fire, but the next second, Gardevoir suddenly appeared behind Ninetales!
Disable was already lifted when Gardevoir was recalled, allowing her to use Teleport again.
Appearing behind Ninetales, Gardevoir's eyes lit up as she raised her small hand to bind Ninetales with her immense Telekinesis.
But at that moment, flames abruptly flared around Ninetales!
Towering pillars of fire forced Gardevoir to quickly retreat, though her palm was singed, even leaving flames burning on her hand.
A chill rose from Gardevoir's hand, extinguishing the flames.
Ice Punch.
Using the chill from Ice Punch, the fire was promptly put out.
Afterward, Gardevoir didn't hesitate for a moment, first levitating and then stretching her hands out, performing a tearing motion in the void!