Moreover, Ash's shiny Gardevoir can undergo MEGA Evolution. Its black-blue form after MEGA Evolution exudes a queen-like dominance. Though it hasn't appeared many times in the Quartz Conference, anyone who has seen its battles would be deeply impressed.
Having undergone MEGA Evolution and using an unknown skill that can even shatter trick rooms, its strength in Ash's team is unequivocally among the top tier.
Originally, Gardevoir was already at Gym Level, but its current level is unknown. If Ash used the same method as before to enhance Infernape's strength, Gengar wouldn't be able to withstand even one strike from Gardevoir.
"Yes, Mr. Yuji, Gardevoir is one of my original six Pokemon and ranks in the top three of my team. You better be careful!" Ash openly shared his information, but in truth, he didn't reveal much at all.
It was merely for Yuji to get a rough estimate of Gardevoir's strength, which, in reality, far exceeded Yuji's expectations…
"Top three, huh? What a coincidence, my Gengar also ranks in the top three of my team. Let's see which one of our top three will prove stronger!" Yuji spoke with confidence in his Pokemon.
Not only is Gengar among the team's top three, it arguably ranks second, right after his ace Dragonite.
Its strength has reached the Gym Peak level, just a step away from Elite Level. In past battles, few challengers even forced him to bring out his Dragonite, and even fewer made him use Gengar.
Electivire ranks third among his main lineup. Today, he plans to use all his main forces, yet even with all of them, victory isn't guaranteed against this opponent. But this kind of fight only makes his blood boil!
"Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"
"Gardevoir, use Psychic!"
After their initial exchanges, both quickly commanded their Pokemon almost simultaneously. Gengar's Shadow Ball was just forming in front of it as Gardevoir's eyes began to glow a bright blue. Its pale arm raised, pointing at Gengar.
Gengar and its Shadow Ball froze in place, wrapped in an invisible force that rendered it immobile.
"Such a fast Psychic. Gengar, detonate the Shadow Ball!" Yuji shouted with a grim expression.
Hearing this, Gengar clenched the Shadow Ball in its hand, causing it to explode violently. The dark energy spread around Gengar, breaking the Psychic that bound it!
However, Gengar also suffered from the backlash of the Shadow Ball's explosion, and its entire body was sent flying, only stopping at the edge of the battlefield.
"Elite Level… this is truly troublesome!" Though Gengar escaped the binding with the Shadow Ball's explosion, Gardevoir's level left Yuji without optimism.
Elite Level, that's the true strength of Gardevoir now!
Although it's just Junior Elite Level, Elite and Gym levels are worlds apart. The earlier levels can be matched by using skills to increase ability values, but after reaching Elite, mere increases in ability values no longer suffice.
From Elite Level onwards, there is something called level suppression, meaning even if your abilities match those of an Elite, if your level is lower, you will be suppressed in attack, defense, and even speed.
Ash's methods of enhancing his Pokemon are truly mysterious. It seems that once their ability values are raised, they aren't subjected to level suppression. Even if a Gym Level Pokemon's ability is increased to Elite Level under his unique method, it won't face the level suppression of Elite Pokemon.
But that's Ash, not him.
Gengar is now at Gym Peak, but no matter how peak it is, it's still at Gym Level, which is worlds apart from the opponent's Elite Level. This battle seems fraught with danger!
"Gardevoir, Teleport Thunder Punch."
Yuji: ???
When I raise this question mark, it's not that I have the problem, but that I think you do!
What do you mean by Teleport Thunder Punch? Is your Gardevoir into melee combat?
Before Yuji could react, Gardevoir vanished and reappeared behind Gengar. Its white fist was enveloped in dazzling golden electricity, striking Gengar forcefully on the back!
"Sizzle!" The sound of electricity slicing through the air echoed, as Gengar was sent sailing by Gardevoir's punch. A scorched mark was left on its ghostly purple back.
Gengar spun in midair for over ten rotations before faintly stabilizing. Dizzy, it was uncertain whether it was its head or body swaying, the entire ghost felt a sense of disorientation.
Part of its mind felt tingly, while another part felt like the world was spinning. That punch was truly unforeseen, since both it and Yuji braced for Gardevoir's ranged attacks. Being a Gengar with seasoned battle experience, it surely knew Gardevoir's typical attack style.
Yet Ash's Gardevoir completely defied expectations. Who uses Teleport plus Thunder Punch? Which Gardevoir is into hand-to-hand combat!
Was that strong Psychic just now a fake then?
"Gardevoir, Teleport Fire Punch!"
"Again? Gengar, use Protect!" Yuji's lips twitched as he shouted the command.
"Ginga!" A shadowy barrier enveloped Gengar, firmly shielding it inside. However, as Gardevoir appeared above Gengar the next second, ready to unleash its Fire Punch, it held back.
The blazing fiery fist froze right above Gengar's head, less than a centimeter from the Protect barrier.
"What?! It's stopped!!" Yuji's pupils contracted, shouting in disbelief.
Just now, Gardevoir clearly threw its punch with full force, yet it managed to halt precisely before the Protect barrier, avoiding the countereffect of Protect.
This control is terrifying!
"My Gardevoir's greatest talent is her control ability. Gardevoir, use High Horsepower!!" Ash said with a smile, adjusting his cap as he called out to Gardevoir confidently.
High Horsepower, a Ground Type close-combat skill, which has a substantial effect on Gengar!
Now that Gengar has used Protect, unless it risks a double Protect, it must brace and face Gardevoir head-on!
As Ash's words ended, the flames on Gardevoir's fist dissipated, replaced by an earthy glow. This heavy energy made the small fist seem to carry immense weight, pounding down fiercely!
"Gengar, Shadow Ball!!" Yuji was decisive under pressure; there was no avoiding such proximity, so all he could do was counter with Shadow Ball!
"Ginga!" A larger Shadow Ball formed quickly in front of Gengar, swirling with dark energy and its edges shimmering with pale purple light!
This was Gengar's all-in, concentrating its full power into this Shadow Ball. If it couldn't withstand this, the battle was effectively over.
In a flash, Gardevoir's fist, carrying daunting momentum, smashed down. The earthy Ground Type energy, like a solid mountain, collided resoundingly with the Shadow Ball!
"Boom——!" The deafening clash of energies echoed throughout the area, with the shockwave from their collision spreading in all directions. Fragments flew as the ground was upheaved layer by layer, and dust swirled wildly!