"Huh?"
"How has our junior's Lucario already mastered Mega Evolution too?"
Just as Qingyu had expected.
Although, in theory, what he and Lucario had demonstrated was the most orthodox form of Mega Evolution, and they had even achieved it slightly earlier than Mewtwo...
He had never actually used it in public.
So when the spectators noticed Mega Lucario's visibly altered form, with its gaze and stance now radiating an even more lethal edge, most were instinctively stunned.
After all, according to Professor Sycamore's research over recent years, adapting to Mega Evolution was a fairly lengthy process. First, the Pokémon and its Trainer had to understand each other completely and generate enough bond energy to connect the Key Stone and Evolution Stone.
In theory, it simply wasn't something that could be mastered overnight.
As for more specific requirements, those remained a blank slate.
Recently, however, some media outlets in the Kalos Region had apparently suggested that there were special conditions under which Mega Evolution could be achieved without a bond.
Professor Sycamore, who had first proposed the bond theory, had consequently become embroiled in accusations of "academic misconduct" and "research fraud." He had yet to issue an official response to the controversy.
"Oh..."
Standing opposite Qingyu, Raihan had retreated to a safe distance after Duraludon's Gigantamax transformation. As he stared at Mega Lucario, his expression suddenly turned rather odd.
"I thought you'd use Terastallization like the other Gym Leaders. Didn't expect you to switch things up again."
"But it doesn't matter. Mega Evolution or Terastallization, neither stands a chance against Dynamax!"
Raihan suddenly grew fired up, raising his left hand to point at the sky.
"Duraludon, get ready to use Max Knuckle!"
A deafening metallic roar drifted down from above in response.
This Gigantamax Duraludon stood over forty meters tall. Even