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After a Pokémon breaks through its racial limit and reaches the professional level, it enters a period of rapid development. This contrasts with the earlier "accumulation period" where ability values remained relatively stable. In this new phase, the Pokémon experiences what trainers call a "high-speed growth period" where stats increase dramatically.
There are three distinct stages of growth within this period:
S1, S2, S3.
These three classifications are artificial divisions created by researchers to better understand Pokémon development. The main difference between each stage lies in the ability values achieved, though these numbers don't necessarily indicate true battle strength.
Even a Pokémon with lower ability values can defeat one with higher stats through superior tactics, type advantages, strong willpower, and other strategic factors. Victory isn't always determined by raw power alone.
Additionally, pseudo-legendary Pokémon at the S1 stage possess ability values comparable to most regular Pokémon at the S2 stage. Even after breaking through their racial limits, these exceptional creatures remain in a league of their own.
Almost all of Arlo's Pokémon had reached the S2 stage, while its ace Aggron had achieved the impressive S3 stage.
In just a few seconds of intense combat, two S2 Pokémon were defeated—one unconscious, the other severely injured—while one S3 Pokémon attacked with everything it had. Yet Lucario remained completely unharmed.
This phenomenon could only mean one thing.
In terms of pure ability values, this Lucario was already comparable to an S3 stage Aggron.
"What in the world just happened?"
Arlo's mind reeled in confusion. Nothing in his experience could explain the situation unfolding before him.
A Pokémon that hadn't even broken through its racial limit had undergone an "impossible evolution" and somehow caught up to S3 stage ability values in an instant.
"Roar!"
With a low growl, Aggron issued a clear instruction to the nearby Bisharp.
— Take him away.
Bisharp possessed a decisive nature and immediately rushed toward Arlo. Despite his protests of "let me go," it scooped him up and fled toward the distance.
At the same time, Aggron used Rock Tomb, manipulating rock-type energy to generate dozens of stone walls that fell from above like a prison, blocking all possible escape routes for Roy and Lucario.
Looking at the Aggron who had stayed behind in the chamber, clearly prepared to fight to the death, Roy whispered softly:
"At times like this, I always get the feeling that I'm the villain in this story..."
This was indeed just an illusion.
If their positions were reversed, the Pokémon sacrificing their lives for their trainer would be Lucario and the others instead.
The concepts of "good and evil" are social moral values that humans have created and promoted.
For Pokémon, they simply follow their trusted and beloved trainer, regardless of what others might think about their actions.
"Let's catch up," Roy said quietly.
Mimikyu nodded and slipped into the shadows, tracking their opponent through the spirit world.
Even with a broken arm and severe head injuries, Bisharp was confident it could handle the pursuit.
Meanwhile, Aggron launched another attack against Lucario.
—Iron Tail.
The steel-hard tail swept through the air with devastating force, but Lucario vanished in an instant, appearing balanced on top of Aggron's head.
A blue-colored energy sphere formed in each of its hands, then fired downward with precision.
——— Aura Sphere.
Aggron let out a painful howl and chased furiously, but it couldn't catch Lucario at all. The battle was completely one-sided.
Roy silently observed the combat situation from the sidelines, using this real battle to analyze in detail the improvement rate of Lucario after its Mega Evolution.
Roy was already familiar with the division of professional-level growth stages S1, S2, and S3.
Arlo, who didn't understand the true nature of Mega Evolution, believed that Lucario had reached the S3 stage. This assumption was actually incorrect.
In reality, after Mega Evolution, Lucario was only in the first stage of growth. The reason it could display ability values comparable to the S3 stage while still in S1 was purely because Mega Lucario's base stats were exceptionally high.
Using game terminology as an example, pseudo-legendary Pokémon have a base stat total of 600, while Mega Lucario reaches 625.
In cases of similar ability values, the reason Mega Lucario could completely dominate Aggron was purely due to advantages in fighting style, tactics, and type matchups.
Aggron was a Pokémon that specialized in Attack and Defense. Being defeated by a speed-type like Lucario was understandable, especially since it wasn't well-equipped to defend against energy-based attacks like Aura Sphere.
The hit-and-run combat method was like "aerial bombardment," completely overwhelming Aggron through superior mobility.
As a Fighting-type move, Aura Sphere could deal quadruple damage to the Steel/Rock-type Aggron.
With so many advantages stacked together, victory was possible even with lower ability values, let alone when the stats were equal.
Arlo had been so shocked by the 'Mega Evolution' that he lost his composure and failed to notice many crucial details.
Looking at the enemy who was still standing tenaciously after taking over a dozen Aura Spheres, Roy commented with admiration: "This Aggron's vitality is truly remarkable..."
This wasn't just physical toughness, but also the burst of willpower that came from protecting its trainer.
"However, it's time to reach the limit."
Roy could see this by reading Aggron's aura.
As soon as he finished speaking, Aggron took two more direct hits from Aura Sphere. After swaying unsteadily for a moment, it finally couldn't draw any more strength and collapsed.
At the same time, in mid-air, a shadow portal from the spirit world opened, and Mimikyu appeared before Roy, carrying both Arlo and Bisharp with its ghostly claws.
"..!"
Mimikyu's expression conveyed that the mission was accomplished successfully.
Roy smiled and patted its head gently. The socially anxious Mimikyu had been talking more and more recently. This was a sign of integrating into the team and treating everyone as family.
Only with family members would someone with social anxiety speak without reservation, even engaging in playful banter.
After the battle ended, Lucario emitted a burst of white light, deactivating its Mega Evolution state.
"Huff... huff..."
Lucario's chest heaved violently, its face showing exhaustion as it knelt on one knee.
"Was it that draining?"
Roy crouched down to support it, offering a Max Revive.
[Very much so.]
After Lucario swallowed the Max Revive, its complexion improved and it responded.
[During the battle, I could constantly feel power draining away rapidly. Even if I did nothing, I would automatically exit the Mega Evolution state after ten minutes.]
[Once I enter battle mode, it can last for five minutes at most.]
Roy nodded, not surprised by this revelation.
Mega Evolution was a form designed for 'combat,' not 'survival.'
The reason was that maintaining that form required an enormous amount of energy to sustain.
The environment simply didn't allow for extended use.
Of course, this was also because Lucario wasn't yet proficient with Mega Evolution.
In the special manga, Alan's Charizard maintained its Mega Evolution state and fought against ten powerful Mega Evolution users in succession, winning ten battles in a row and fighting for an entire day without releasing its Mega form once. Its stamina was truly amazing.
There was no doubt that Alan's Charizard had fully mastered the power of Mega Evolution.
On the other hand, Ash's Greninja's bond evolution would deactivate after just a few minutes of fighting. They hadn't fully grasped this power yet.
The difference in stamina between the two also set the stage for their subsequent battle.