Brandon's first Pokémon was Registeel, which meant Brandon intended to deploy all three Regis across the entire battle. Facing Ash, Brandon no longer held back, because he knew that if he did, he might be the one on the losing end.
Ash wasn't just any Trainer. Although young, his strength far surpassed Paul's. Even strong opponents at Champion level had fallen to Ash. However, Brandon was different from them.
Ash's previous victories against Champion-level opponents had only been against Mid Champion Pokémon. But Brandon's three Regis were Champion High, and moreover, they were Legendary Pokémon, possessing higher stats and stronger stamina than ordinary Pokémon.
In terms of command skills, Brandon didn't think he would lose to Ash. Ash might be able to defeat the others, but that didn't mean he could defeat him.
"Registeel. Then I know exactly who to use. Go, Charizard!"
Ash threw out a Poké Ball, and in a flash of light, a Charizard even larger than before materialized on the field. That was right. Before coming to the Battle Pyramid today, Ash had summoned Charizard from Charicific Valley, specifically to prepare for this battle.
"A Charizard? Fire counters Steel, that's a good choice. But Registeel isn't something you can defeat simply by relying on type advantage." Seeing Ash send out Charizard, Brandon's expression remained unchanged. The previous opponent who'd tried type advantage was still watching from the stands. Ash's Charizard might be stronger, but Registeel wasn't one to be trifled with either.
"We know type advantage isn't everything. In this battle, I'm using everything I have to defeat you, Mr. Brandon. Charizard, show your true power. Mega Evolution!" Without hesitation, Ash sent Charizard straight into Mega Evolution.
"Roar!" The light of evolution flickered, and in an instant, Charizard's form transformed from its original orange-red into a pitch-black dragon. Mega Charizard X.
"Does anyone know what level Ash's Charizard has reached now?" Brock suddenly asked. The two girls focused their attention on the battle. They both shook their heads. They knew Ash had temporarily brought back Charizard from Charicific Valley, but didn't know what level Charizard was now.
When they'd parted ways, Charizard had been Elite Four High. Less than a month later, it was at most Elite Four Peak. Even with Mega Evolution, that was still a considerable gap from Registeel. To be sure of winning, Ash would probably need to use Aura fusion. Legendary Pokémon weren't exactly easy to out-tier in battle.
"Ash's Charizard has already reached Champion level." Brock said.
This statement was quite loud, and even Paul down below heard it. He didn't turn around, but his pupils suddenly narrowed.
That Charizard. Champion?
At the Indigo Conference, that Charizard hadn't even been at Elite Four level. Even during the battle against the tournament's strongest opponents, although it could hold its own against Champion Mid Pokémon, that was only because Ash used special techniques and Mega Evolution to compensate for the gap. Its actual level should have been around Elite Four Mid.
How long had it been since then? And it was already a Champion? Did that Pokémon level up so fast? If it wasn't relying on some kind of side effect, even a Pokémon with superior talent shouldn't advance this quickly. And even if it did, reaching Champion level wasn't that easy. What exactly had happened to that Charizard?
"A Champion? How did it level up so quickly? Just half a month ago it was only Elite Four High. Brock, are you sure you're not mistaken?" Serena's eyes widened in disbelief. She wasn't a complete novice. She was a beginner Trainer with some experience. She knew perfectly well that going from Elite Four level to Champion level in just half a month was absurd. What kind of concept was that? Even a Charizard couldn't possibly achieve this.
"I'm not mistaken. From the quality of Charizard's scales and appearance, I can already tell. The aura it emitted during its evolution further confirms this. It's definitely Champion level, though it must have only recently advanced." Brock said with absolute certainty. Betting his pride as a Breeder, he absolutely wouldn't be wrong. Even if it was unbelievable, it was the truth.
Paul, listening to all of this from the stands, was already mentally exhausted. Who could explain to him what it meant to be Elite Four High a week ago and Champion level now? Was this even human language? Was this some alien translation error?
In half a month, forget progressing from Elite Four High to Champion, even progressing from Elite Four Beginner to Mid would be extremely difficult.
He actually wondered if Brock had deliberately said this to mess with him, but that thought lasted 0.1 seconds before he dismissed it. Brock wasn't that petty, and had no reason to target him.
What Brock said was very likely true. Half a month from Elite Four High to Champion level. Was this even a real Pokémon?
On the field, Brandon nodded, acknowledging Mega Charizard X's presence. As a Champion-level Trainer, even without battling, he could tell Charizard's level at a glance.
Champion Beginner.
This level compared to Registeel was still somewhat lacking, but if compared to Charizard's historical growth rate, it was absurd. How long had it been since the Indigo Conference? Back then, Charizard had been only Elite Four Beginner. Now, in less than three months, it had reached Champion? This Pokémon's leveling pace was like riding a rocket.
But Brandon could also tell that Charizard had reached Champion level very recently, perhaps barely touching it even today. This meant that even with Mega Evolution, Charizard's strength was still hovering around Champion Beginner, not yet reaching Champion Mid.
Level wasn't everything, but having a level advantage was equivalent to a massive edge. Furthermore, Registeel had spent many years at Champion High, and its stat totals had reached their current peak. If the opponent dared to confront Registeel head-on, they would be suppressed immediately.
"Charizard, Fire Punch!" Ash initiated the attack first. Of course, being at a level disadvantage, he had to compensate with speed and momentum.
Although Charizard was at a level disadvantage, the difference wasn't as extreme as in the previous battle, so its speed was still a notch faster than the slow-moving Registeel. Charizard's wings vibrated, its massive body soaring through the air like a fighter jet. Flames wrapped around its right fist, and moving at high speed, it left a trail of deep blue afterimages, instantly appearing before Registeel.
"So fast!" Paul's pupils suddenly contracted. He hadn't even had time to react.
Charizard had already lunged forward, right in Registeel's face. If the situation had been reversed, and Paul had used Electivire to take the same charge, Electivire would have been sent flying dozens of meters already.
"Registeel, Iron Defense!" Brandon's calm voice rang out.
Registeel crossed its arms in front of itself, its silver-gray metallic body glowing with a faint metallic sheen. Its defensive power was pushed to its limit.
The Fire Punch landed firmly on Registeel's arms. High-temperature flames and steel collided in an instant, a deafening metallic screech echoing throughout the pyramid. Registeel, whose body was said to be able to withstand any physical attack, was sent sliding backward dozens of meters, its feet carving two deep trenches in the ground.
Clear burn marks appeared on both upper arms, and even the entire body had a slightly reddish tinge from the temperature of the fire attack.
"What?" For the first time, a look of astonishment appeared on Brandon's face. He hadn't expected Charizard's physical attack to be this powerful. Even through Iron Defense, the damage inflicted on Registeel was still terrifying. That Charizard's attack power might even be at Champion High level. Even Registeel couldn't withstand this kind of attack more than a few times.
"Nice one, Charizard!" Ash clenched his fist. "Another Fire Punch!"
Ash wanted to follow up immediately, but Brandon wasn't the type to get hit the same way twice. As Charizard charged toward Registeel again, Brandon's voice reached Registeel's ears.
"Hold the hit, then Hammer Arm."
Charizard's Fire Punch once again struck Registeel's arm, but this time Registeel wasn't sent flying. Instead, its feet dug deep into the ground, causing several more cracks to appear in the floor, clearly demonstrating the power of the blow.
The next moment, Registeel's left arm swept out with the force of a thunderbolt. Charizard had just completed its attack, its body still carrying the forward momentum of the punch. There was basically no time to dodge.
That strong, sturdy metal arm slammed firmly into Charizard's belly.
The force of this blow was astonishing. Charizard's massive body was like a baseball hit by a bat, slammed straight into the ground. The arena, already riddled with holes, completely shattered under the impact. A crater over five meters in diameter exploded outward, dust and debris spreading in all directions like a spiderweb.
The violent shockwave swept away rubble, rushing across the arena. In the stands, Misty and the others instinctively raised their arms to shield themselves, the shockwave stinging their faces. The entire pyramid began to shake violently from the collision.
The aftershocks of this Pokémon battle were enough to flatten a small town. But the shockwave lasted less than a second before being dispersed. Now, only the battlefield itself could feel the aftermath. Mewtwo had quietly intervened from inside its Poké Ball, containing the damage.
"Charizard!" Serena couldn't help but exclaim.
As the dust slowly cleared, in the center of the crater, Charizard was pinned to the ground by Registeel's arm. The immense force, coupled with the level difference, had nearly knocked Charizard unconscious. If he hadn't undergone Mega Evolution, this single blow would have decided the match.
Ash clenched his fists, his expression dead serious. "Legendary Pokémon really do live up to their reputation. Charizard, Dodge!"
Ash's voice snapped Charizard out of his daze. He tried to flap his wings and take off, but found the arm resting on him felt like a mountain, rendering him immobile.
"It's over. Registeel, Ancient Power!" Brandon called, waving his hand.
The six red, rhombus-shaped gemstones on Registeel's chest simultaneously lit up, and a massive surge of ancient energy gushed out from within. The surrounding shattered rocks seemed to lose their gravity, each piece rising into the air, radiating an earthy yellow glow under the influence of the Ancient Power, like a meteor shower. They hovered behind Registeel, ready to fall.
This attack, if it hit Charizard, with its type advantage and Registeel's powerful attack stat, would absolutely finish Charizard off. For a moment, the hearts of Misty and the others were pounding. Why wasn't Ash using Aura fusion? Without Aura fusion, the difference between the two sides was still too great. Charizard's defense was like paper in front of Registeel's attacks.
If this kept up, there was no chance of winning.
"Charizard, Flare Blitz!" Ash's shout echoed throughout the stadium.
"Roar!"
Charizard's body suddenly burst into crimson flames. The red flames enveloped even his tail and the blue flames on his shoulders. Although these flames were crimson, their temperature was even higher than the blue ones. Under the searing fire, Registeel's arm, which was pinning Charizard down, was instantly burned bright red, nearly melting. In pain, Registeel reluctantly released Charizard.
But the Ancient Power rocks were already raining down like a meteor shower.
Charizard charged forward without dodging or evading. The falling boulders melted upon contact with the flames, turning into molten lava that scattered everywhere, completely unable to stop him. Relying on the power of Flare Blitz, Charizard broke through the barrage and pulled up into the air, hovering above the field. Panting heavily, but still in the fight.
Registeel's injuries were actually more severe than Charizard's. Two Fire Punches, plus the damage from Flare Blitz burning through its arm at close range, the combined damage had wiped out at least two-thirds of its stamina.
On the other side, when Misty and the others saw Charizard break through the meteor shower of Ancient Power, they all breathed a sigh of relief. This battle was a test of the heart. It felt like their hearts could stop at any moment.
If Ash had used Aura fusion, it absolutely wouldn't have been so perilous. In fact, if Ash had used Aura fusion, he could have skipped even Mega Evolution, and directly used Charizard to send all three of Brandon's Regis flying without much trouble. The reason he hadn't was simple. He didn't want to, and Charizard didn't want to either.
When Charizard had been weaker and needed unorthodox methods just to compete, relying on Aura fusion made sense. But now that his strength had grown, now that he could actually engage and fight Champion-level opponents with normal power, what need was there for Aura fusion?
This battle was about proof. Charizard was betting on his dignity as a member of Ash's Three Aces. Even without Aura fusion, he could defeat a Champion-level Pokémon on his own.