NOTE : This explanation's going to have spoilers
This battle was close, like hairstrands close. But there are reasons I picked Shulk, but let's pluck a few arguments first.
"
But Sora can outrun Shulk and has a better reaction time!"
Sure he can, but Monado Speed does not only enhance speed, but also reaction time as well. Remember that scene when Shulk first learned Monado Speed and when he gave it to Sharla, she reacted to an attack from underground without even being warned by Shulk? Both Shulk and Sora can match each other out when it comes to speed and reaction.
"
What about Sora's magic? Can Shulk dodge them?"
Monado Speed OP pls nerf. So in that same cutscene where Shulk learned Speed, he was also seen dodging fire shots from the Mechon they were trying to defeat. We can assume this is also the same for Blizzaga. As for Thundaga, there's the reaction time factor also along with the visions. Yes, as I said earlier, there are some moves that Shulk cannot avoid with Speed, but you must be talking about Ether attacks, which =/= Magic even if they look similar. Ether is basically the building block of Shulk's home the Bionis. Not every game takes place on a Bionis.
"
Can Shulk do anything against Sora's defenses?"
Yes. Monado Eater removes not only any buffs that an opponent has (like the Buster Band increase), but it also inflicts Bleed, which Sora cannot remove completely unless he uses Aeroga, which only cuts the damage from that in half for a short period of time.
"
Wait a second, how is Shulk using these Monando arts so quickly? Don't they have a cooldown?"
The final skill in Shulk's fifth skill tree Bravery allows Shulk to have his Talent Gauge for his Monado Arts instantly filled up after he has a vision. Anything else?
"
Yes. How is the Monado hurting Sora? I thought it can't cut people!"
Correct you are. The Monado with restrictions cannot cut any person
from the Bionis, aka a Homs. I'm 99.99% sure Sora is not a Homs or even from the Bionis.
"
What if Shulk loses his Monado?"
Well he can use his Junk Sword, or he can use one of his six Monado replicas. Whatever he's
FEELING I guess. As long as he has the Monado or his replicas, he's pretty safe in a fight. Shulk does not have much of a chance if he has a
"
Well, can Sora do anything against Shulk?"
Sure. Maybe he can't outrun Shulk completely, but he sure can jump around. His attacks are extremely fast compared to Shulk who on some arts have a start-up of a few seconds before actually doing his attack. However, Shulk is a strategist and might pick up on his jumping and whatever and use Air Slash. If he rolls away, Stream Edge can also do the job. However, this isn't guaranteed because of the sheer speed Sora has, especially in the air where his aerial combos can prove to be devastating.
"
How does Shulk do against the Keyblade?"
Well, he doesn't do perfectly fine against it. Sora does have the ability to throw the Kingdom Key and shoot lasers. But Shulk can go against it the best he can. As for the Ultima Weapon, the extended sword and magic use can be an issue for him, but as Zanza stated, the Monado bends to the user's will, meaning Shulk is able to extend the beam length of the Monado as well, because he has done it before.
"
How does Shulk do against Sora's magic?"
As I stated before, Shulk can use Speed to avoid the magic attacks and drain Sora's MP, but Sora can easily obtain his MP by whacking Shulk with his Kingdom Key. The only thing Shulk can do to prevent this is to keep distance from Sora, which is a disadvantage for Shulk because Sora has a projectile and he does not. But that does not mean Shulk can deflect the Kingdom Key, for he has deflected Metal Face's Claw attack before despite being pushed back, and that claw just penetrates through an Anti-Air Battery (essentially humungous cannon) like butter.
And now we the best claim for last.
"
Isn't Sora fast enough to prevent Shulk from changing the future or counterattacking?"
u wot? Counterattacking? m8 I think you've been playing Smash too much.
Shulk is always given time to react to a future, no matter how fast or strong that attack is. At the minimum he's given a couple of seconds to react, which he can do. It's not always a counterattack, but rather an Art to avoid or nullify an attack. Shield nullifies any signature moves/Talent Arts, Armour increases Shulk's defense if he's unable to dodge an attack, and Speed allows him to dodge attacks except for Ether ones which Sora does not have. In fact, Monado Cyclone can topple Sora if he has hit him with Air Slash/Stream Edge, then to Shaker Edge which dazes him and extends the time he is stunned, giving Shulk enough time to do whatever he wants for a short time. Sora has combos, which are really effective, but Shulk has precog/visions, which gives him enough time to get out of those Combos. This doesn't mean Shulk has a guaranteed hit considered Sora's amazing reaction time, but it's more like a hit or miss situation between the two.
Okay, now let's go down with the Strength/Defense/Speed stuff.
Strength/Power/Destructive Capabilities goes to
Yes, I know how powerful Sora can be given his combos, but let's look at what the Monado is capable of.
This is the Monado Wound. See that giant hole? The Monado made a crater into the ground of Sword Valley, and that hole is actually somewhat deep. This was actually caused by the Monado back when it had restrictions. I have not seen the Keyblade or Ultima Weapon do any damage much like this, but again I never played KH, and I could be wrong. What also gives Shulk this one is based on that the Monado bends on the user's will. This thing fought the Mechonis, who is a giant titan, and had it's arm chopped off from it.
Defense/Durability goes to
This was somewhat hard to choose, but let's talk about my definition of Defense.
By Defense, I'm not talking about durability, I'm talking about the ability to defend yourself, and Shulk can do that well thanks to the power of the Mona
ndo. Speed, Shield, Amrour, Shulk has the power to tank or avoid hits. Sora has taken beatings from Hercules, sure, that's a sign Sora can take hits, but Shulk can create shields to reduce damage or just remove the damage all together. Sure Sora also has the Buster Bands, but Monado Eater removes that buff and even gives him a status ailment. Nothing can remove the Monado effects given to Shulk. The only worry Shulk needs for his Monado Arts is time, since they all have a limit of time that they are active before disappearing. By then, Shulk needs to have enough on his Talent Gauge by attacking/Battle Soul/Visions to use them again one at a time. Even if he loses the Monado he still has six others to choose upon.
Speed/Agility definitely goes to Sora.
The little guy can dodge attacks from Sephiroth, glide around, double jump, roll, SO MUCH FAST.
Shulk has Monado Speed that makes him around as fast and reactive as Sora, but Sora is still more superior in his agility in the air, which he can pull combos in. Maybe Shulk has a better ground game, but Sora is dominant in the aerial game.