The strength of Primeape, Gary had glanced at it before, was probably only around the Elite Advanced Level. Even if it had improved since he first encountered it, at most it was at the Professional Junior Level.
This level was roughly similar to his moderately lower-level Pokemon, unless Ash used one of those peculiar moves to enhance his Pokemon's power.
But then what was the point of sending out Primeape? Was it just to give Primeape a moment in the spotlight? Or maybe to use it as a stepping stone for his Primeape?
Regardless of the reason, Gary was a bit upset now. Weren't they supposed to give it their all? Bringing out this thing to perfunctorily face me? You weren't like this when battling Ah Hong and Conway!
It was only against that random trainer in the top eight that Ash brought out a whole bunch of second-string Pokemon for battle, and even against the relatively weaker opponent Ah Hong, Ash used his champions Pikachu and Charizard.
Even though the third one was Butterfree, it was also the top combat power of Ash's second-string team. So why send Primeape this time?!
Despite always saying that if Ash used his second-string Pokemon, he'd have a chance to win, deep down Gary didn't want Ash to fight him with second-string Pokemon. As childhood rivals and fierce competitors, what he really wanted was to have a full-on battle with Ash, not a fight against Ash's incomplete power.
When Gary's expression was terribly grim, Ash smiled at him and said, "Do you remember? I told you yesterday I'd show you a brand new power of mine."
Gary: ?
It seemed like there was indeed such a conversation. At that time, he thought Ash was talking about a new kind of MEGA Evolution. If there was a new kind of MEGA Evolution, he might be surprised, but wouldn't be too shocked.
After all, he was quite familiar with the MEGA Evolution system. Even if Ash had another Pokemon that could undergo MEGA Evolution, he wouldn't be too surprised. After all, Ash had more than just one or two Pokemon capable of MEGA Evolution.
"Watch closely, this is Primeape's new evolution. Primeape, it's time. On this stage, under the gaze of thousands, evolve!!!"
"Hoja!!" Primeape placed its hands on its waist and let out a roar towards the sky, bursting into an unparalleled array of colorful light!
Under the shocked gazes of countless people, its body grew even larger. After a moment, the light slowly dissipated, revealing Primeape's true form after evolving.
Primeape's body had completely changed; its originally white and fluffy fur turned gray, and its arms and legs changed from brown to a deep black.
On its head, snow-white long hair, resembling that of a demon, extended upwards, and its once strong black eyes turned crimson red!
Its arms became even thicker, one of the black iron cuffs that had been locked around its hands was shattered, while the other dangled in a cracked state from its wrist.
The overall appearance had changed drastically, and the new Primeape gave off a terrifying aura, akin to a demon returned from Hell!
Gary's mouth dropped open in shock, his pupils were trembling as if there was an earthquake, and his lips were quivering, trying to say something, but he was too shocked to utter a word.
The surrounding audience, after a brief silence, erupted into massive uproars.
"Whoa! What is that thing?! Is it Primeape's MEGA Evolution?! Is this image cool or creepy?"
"No, no, that's not MEGA Evolution. Recently, some tech-heads on the internet analyzed that MEGA Evolution requires two items, and there's a bonding light between the Pokemon and the Trainer. Primeape didn't have that just now."
"That's right, this is more like a normal evolution… but how could Primeape evolve again?!"
"Exactly, MEGA Evolution would make sense, but normal evolution… isn't this a bit outrageous? If this is Primeape's normal evolution, then wouldn't that mean…"
"That Ash has discovered a brand new kind of evolution!!"
"The evolved Primeape looks terrifying, but it also gives off a more powerful feeling. If kids are stared at by its eyes, they'd probably be scared to cry in less than three seconds."
"..."
The people around were endlessly discussing Primeape's evolution, and initially, some speculated that Primeape must have undergone MEGA Evolution to look like this.
However, those in the know quickly dispelled this notion.
Although they weren't powerful Trainers, these informed individuals were internet-savvy and thus very familiar with MEGA Evolution.
Ash had yet to release detailed MEGA Evolution information, so online data was conclusions drawn by researchers from what they observed. However, the differences weren't significant.
The known requirements for MEGA Evolution are that it needs items, and a special bond must be formed between the Trainer and the Pokemon. During the evolution, a gem appears on the Pokemon, and a light connects it to the Trainer.
These are currently understood to be the conditions required for MEGA Evolution.
And Ash's Primeape evolved normally, simply shining with the light of evolution, without experiencing those MEGA Evolution circumstances, meaning… Primeape evolved normally!
But Primeape is widely known as the final evolution of Mankey, so how could there be another evolutionary stage?