Using 'Power Trick' to switch its Attack and Defense capabilities, Aegislash now possessed the defensive attributes of its Shield Forme while remaining in Blade Forme.
Then, using offense as defense, the arm-like appendages holding its shield suddenly moved, while the blade itself gleamed with razor-sharp brilliance and unleashed the Bug-type move 'Fury Cutter'.
"Clang! Clang! Bang! Bang! Bang…!!"
Blades of light descended from the sky in an overwhelming net-like formation, while Aegislash's sword aura swept outward, forming an airtight defense that left absolutely no opening.
The clash between the two sides continued for quite some time.
Yet beneath the dense web of sword aura generated by Aegislash, Pidgeot's Air Slash attacks simply could not break through its defenses or inflict any meaningful damage on Aegislash.
This officially marked the failure of Ash and Pidgeot's rapid-assault strategy.
"Wikstrom… Wikstrom…!!"
"Wikstrom… Wikstrom…!!"
"…"
"…"
Seeing this scene, Wikstrom's fans outside the arena erupted into another thunderous wave of cheers.
However, Ash did not become discouraged or dejected because of it.
Although Pidgeot's fierce offensive had failed to inflict meaningful damage on Aegislash, Aegislash had likewise failed to establish any real advantage. It had not been able to inflict any significant damage on Pidgeot either.
And more importantly—
Pidgeot was still only in its ordinary state.
It still had another trump card that it had yet to reveal.
Hearing the spectators cheering and supporting Wikstrom, Ash raised his head and looked toward Pidgeot high in the sky.
One Trainer and one Pokémon exchanged a knowing nod.
"Pidgeot, let's show them our true full strength. An evolution that surpasses evolution itself…"
"Pidgeot—Mega Evolution!!"
As he said this, Ash tugged up his sleeve, revealing the 'Green Orb Bracer' worn around his wrist.
High in the sky, Pidgeot also shook one of its feet, revealing the 'Sacred Ring' hidden beneath the feathers around its ankle.
The Key Stone embedded in the Green Orb Bracer on Ash's wrist and the Key Stone mounted on Pidgeot's Sacred Ring suddenly resonated with one another.
Both stones burst into dazzling radiance.
Golden streams of energy surged outward from the two of them, rapidly extending toward each other.
The golden energy ribbons met in midair and became intertwined.
Then, in an instant, those golden streams erupted into an intensely brilliant white light.
The dazzling radiance rapidly curled back inward, completely enveloping Pidgeot's body!
"This is…?!"
"Mega Evolution?!"
"Oh my goodness! I never expected Ash's Pidgeot to actually possess the ability to Mega Evolve!"
"Shouldn't we be even more amazed that a Pidgeot—the final evolution of a common Kanto regional bird Pokémon—can actually Mega Evolve?"
"It's Mega Evolution! That's freaking awesome!!"
"…"
"…"
The moment Ash and Pidgeot activated Mega Evolution, whether it was the spectators outside the battlefield or Wikstrom standing opposite Ash, everyone wore expressions of shock and disbelief.
Mega Evolution was already an extremely rare, extraordinary, and advanced power among Pokémon Trainers.
Even in Kalos—the birthplace of Mega Evolution—only a handful of Trainers possessed the ability to use it.
Ash had actually mastered Mega Evolution.
That alone was enough to surprise everyone.
But there was something even more astonishing.
Pidgeot, a Pokémon from the Kanto region, had actually possessed the potential for Mega Evolution!
This discovery not only left the spectators at the scene amazed and fascinated, it instantly sent shockwaves throughout the entire academic community of the Kalos region.
--------
The Sycamore Pokémon Research Institute
"Professor! This is a major discovery! You need to come and look at this!"
Inside the Sycamore Pokémon Research Institute, researcher and assistant Sophie hurried toward the Pokémon greenhouse at the back of the facility.
She was holding a tablet computer displaying the ongoing live broadcast of the battle.
Her expression was filled with excitement.
"What happened?"
Professor Sycamore, who was feeding the Pokémon inside the ecological greenhouse, was astonished to see his normally calm and composed assistant rushing around in such a flustered state.
"Professor, a new Mega Evolution has been discovered!"
"And what's more…"
"It isn't even a Pokémon from the Kalos region. It's a Pokémon from another region!"
Sophie paused to catch her breath before explaining.
"What?!"
The moment he heard this, Sycamore could no longer remain seated.
His research topic was precisely Mega Evolution.
The discovery of a new Mega Evolution was an enormous event for him.
And this time, the significance was even greater because the Pokémon in question was not native to Kalos.
It was a Pokémon from another region.
This discovery could have an extremely important impact on his future research.
It meant that Mega Evolution was not a phenomenon exclusive to Kalos.
Instead, it could potentially be a global phenomenon occurring throughout the entire world.
That would dramatically expand both the importance and the scope of research into Mega Evolution.
"Professor, today's event at the Lumiose City Gymnasium was originally supposed to be a lecture and demonstration by the Kalos Elite Four's Wikstrom."
"And during the second battle, Wikstrom was matched against Ash from Pallet Town in the Kanto region."
"It was during that battle that Ash had Pidgeot undergo Mega Evolution…"
Sophie quickly explained the general situation to Sycamore while handing him the tablet computer.
"This…"
At the Lumiose City stadium, Pidgeot had completed its Mega Evolution.
The dazzling white light surrounding its body gradually faded.
And as the radiance disappeared, a Pokémon that looked somewhat similar to ordinary Pidgeot—but was considerably more majestic and handsome—appeared in the sky.
Mega Pidgeot!
Sycamore took the tablet and happened to witness this exact moment.
His eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
"That's right…"
"What happened to this Pidgeot is definitely Mega Evolution."
"I never imagined that, apart from Pokémon native to the Kalos region, Pokémon from other regions could also undergo Mega Evolution."
"This is an enormous discovery!"
Then Sycamore suddenly thought of something.
"Sophie, you said that the Trainer of this Pidgeot is Ash from Pallet Town in Kanto?"
"Could it be the same Ash who was highly regarded by Professor Oak during the previous Pokémon Summer Camp?"
Sycamore looked at Sophie with a hint of surprise.
"Mhm, yes! It's him."
Sophie nodded repeatedly.
She had been one of the staff members from the Sycamore Pokémon Research Institute sent to Kanto for the previous Pokémon Summer Camp, so she naturally knew Ash.
"Less than a year after receiving his first Pokémon, he has already reached such an impressive level of strength…"
"And he has even mastered Mega Evolution."
"As expected of a Trainer whom even Professor Oak holds in such high regard."
Sycamore's expression became increasingly excited as he watched Mega Pidgeot on the screen.
Then he turned toward Sophie.
"Sophie, after today's lecture by Elite Four member Wikstrom is over, go and invite Ash to visit the research institute."
"I'd like to meet him personally."
"Of course…"
Sophie nodded.
…
"Representative, another new Mega Evolution has been discovered!"
"And this time, it isn't a Pokémon from the Kalos region. It's a Pokémon from another region!"