Field disadvantage, weather disadvantage, physical strength disadvantage, level disadvantage.
Right now, Ash is in a disadvantageous position in every aspect. Everyone present, including Paul, is unsure how Ash plans to win this battle.
Unless... Ash is willing to use that hidden power he's been keeping, a power that allows a Pokemon to leap over a major stage in one go.
Even at Champion Level, it can't increase that significantly, but that power can still enable Pikachu to reverse the current situation.
However, judging from Ash's performance today, he probably won't use that power. Even if pushed to the brink, he won't use it. Perhaps to him, or even to his Pokemon, using that power is almost equivalent to conceding defeat.
Paul scoffs at this kind of thinking. No matter the kind of power, as long as one can control it freely, it equates to one's own power.
This stubborn mindset of Ash and his Pokemon has already cost them greatly now, let alone in the future.
As Paul surmised, even if he loses this match, Ash doesn't plan to use Aura Fusion, nor will Pikachu accept victory through Aura Fusion.
Despite the level difference, Pikachu's ability value boost from his partnership form has significantly closed the gap.
Thanks to the Light Ball and S+ double attack, Pikachu's ATK is no less than Regice's.
Furthermore, Pikachu has the advantage in speed.
Being beaten this way could only mean falling behind in command.
One step slow, every step slow, ultimately leading to such a predicament.
But there's not no way to counteract...
"Pikachu, stand up, the counterattack starts now!" Ash shouted to Pikachu.
Pikachu trembled slightly as he stood up, his limbs shaking on the icy surface, yet he stood firm.
"Great, Pikachu, use Iron Tail on the field!" Ash's command reached Pikachu's ears. He leapt without hesitation, his golden tail shimmering with a metallic luster, and then smashed it onto the icy surface!
"Boom!!!"
The entire pyramid shuddered violently from this strike!
From where Pikachu's tail landed, countless cracks spread like wildfire in all directions, shattering the entire ice field into a multitude of tiny ice crystals in an instant!
Pikachu landed on the ice. At this moment, the ice layer was no longer smooth, and though the Iron Tail didn't obliterate the ice, it cracked it into countless crevices, removing the impediment of a slick ice surface for Pikachu.
"Impressive, he found a way to tackle it so swiftly." Brandon couldn't help but praise, his eyes filled with unmistakable shock.
Astonished not only by Ash's ingenuity but also by Pikachu's unwavering trust in Ash and its own power.
Keep in mind, this is Regice's ice, and even ordinary Fire Type Moves struggle to melt it, yet Pikachu shattered the entire field's ice with Iron Tail!
It's hard to imagine that this petite Pikachu could achieve such a feat. Truly the world's most extraordinary Pikachu.
"I see... smashing the entire field, naturally nullifies ice surface restrictions." Brock clapped his hand, exclaiming in realization.
This straightforward and crude method of solving it, only Ash would come up with that.
Misty and Serena showed joy, knowing Pikachu's speed could recover, there's still hope for victory, the situation now isn't as bleak as before.
Paul's eyes flickered with a strange light. Besides the powerful Pokemon prowess, the whimsical action characterizes Ash.
He had to admit one thing, in chaotic battles, Ash outshines him. It's a combat style he could learn a bit from…
"Alright, it's counterattack time, Pikachu, accelerate!" With the field smashed, though the snowy weather persists, Pikachu's mobility had restored.
It's now their turn to launch a counterattack!
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu touched the ground with his limbs, and his figure vanished instantaneously, leaving only a trail of golden arc.
Brandon's voice rang at this moment: "Regice, use Blizzard!"
He opted for Blizzard again, within snowy weather, the Blizzard range spans the entire field, its power unyielding, even growing stronger, leaving Pikachu without a space to evade.
In the next instant, Pikachu flashed before Regice, unleashing immensely heavy force upon Regice!
"Sizzle!" The sound of lightning slashing through the air arose, sending Regice flying again!
Due to Regice's limited movement, not far behind was Mewtwo's barrier. Upon crashing into it, the barrier rippled in circles.
Regice suffered damage, yet because the flight distance wasn't far, with a 'wall' obstructing, the resulting knockback was negligible.
Thus, Regice successfully cast Blizzard!
Winds carrying ice crystals whipped across the field again, icy power sweeping toward Pikachu. If hit once more, even with regained speed advantage, Pikachu still faces grave danger.
"Pikachu, Volt Tackle!!"
"Pika—Chuu!!!" Thunder erupted around Pikachu, transforming his entire body into a golden lightning bolt!
The golden lightning enveloped Pikachu, deflecting the approaching Blizzard completely!
This scene made Brandon's pupils contract tightly; he never expected such a defensive tactic!
As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. Ash chose to replace defense with offensive tactics, using immense electrical power as a protective net to block Blizzard's attack.
And it's not just that... Having just used Blizzard, Regice was now in a stiffened state, meaning Regice was an open target!
"Go, Pikachu!" With Ash's shout, golden lightning exploded in the air; wherever it passed, the ice melted and shattered under the high temperature generated by electricity, rendering Regice immobile. Even Protect couldn't take form, leaving Regice to helplessly watch as Pikachu charged forth!
Boom!!!
An even more terrifying shockwave than Zippy Zap exploded inside the pyramid!
A huge depression appeared in Regice's chest, scattering ice shards everywhere, and its entire body was blasted away once again, embedding directly onto Mewtwo's barrier this time!
Pikachu's body pressed hard against Regice, pinning it against the barrier. Terrifying high-voltage electricity continued to pour out, draining Regice's stamina.
"Iron Tail!" Ash wasted no time seizing the opportunity, commanding Pikachu to continue the attack.
Iron Tail is a Steel Type move with a restraining effect on Ice Type Regice, not to mention, it's Pikachu executing Iron Tail!
"Chuu—Pika!" Using the recoil, Pikachu bounced into the air, his electrically charged body spinning mid-air, with a metallic gleam shining on his tail!
"Bang!!" The Steel Tail, imbued with immense force, struck Regice directly on the head, knocking it off the barrier and crashing hard onto the ground, shattering the already fractured ice layer and revealing the rugged terrain beneath.
Regice itself was in a dire state; its head showed a massive breach from the Steel Tail's impact, coupled with the damage from Volt Tackle, Regice no longer held the cohesion it had upon its appearance.
Its body missing chunks here and there, resembling a broken piece of ice.
Pikachu landed not far from Regice, panting heavily, with his body battered all over.
The Blizzard had already inflicted significant damage on him, and Regice's subsequent Blizzard, although blocked by Volt Tackle, using an offensive skill for defense would also consume stamina.
Not to mention this was Volt Tackle.
Volt Tackle would cause recoil damage to the body; whether blocking Blizzard or attacking Regice, Pikachu suffers damage.
His stamina was now in jeopardy, and the situation has not progressed particularly favorably.
"Regice, use Ice Beam!"
Brandon's voice echoed across the spacious pyramid.
The Divine Pillar strained its damaged body, unleashing an ice-blue beam from the core in its chest!
"Pikachu, dodge!" An unfocused Ice Beam was still easily dodged.
However, after Pikachu jumped to evade, the Ice Beam hit the ground, instantly freezing the entire venue with ice blocks once again.
Brandon aimed to replicate the earlier strategy, restricting Pikachu with the ice surface, but... having been countered once, how could the strategy succeed a second time?
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail to shatter the ice layer!" Ash ordered promptly.
"Not that easy." Brandon shook his head. "Regice, Blizzard!"
Regice spread its arms open, sweeping the entire field with a gust of wind carrying numerous sharp ice crystals once more!
This time, the Blizzard's coverage was denser than before, its power still unfaltering. Even when diminished to a burnt-out state, legendary Pokémon could still unleash such terrifying skill moves.
Brandon intended to disrupt Pikachu with Blizzard, preventing him from effectively shattering the ice layer.
Seeing as such, Ash narrowed his eyes and changed his command: "Use Splishy Splash!"
The forming Steel Tail on Pikachu immediately dispersed, and a towering wave quickly took shape beneath Pikachu's feet!
Witnessing this, Brandon, usually composed, was left dumbfounded. What was this? Pikachu could use Surf skill? Is this Pikachu even legal?
Executing the Surf skill, Pikachu back-flipped to the back of the wave, and in an instant, the Blizzard froze the wave into ice blocks.
Yet this giant curtain of ice became Pikachu's firmest defensive wall!
The ice provided sanctuary for Pikachu, blocking the remaining Blizzard thoroughly.
Pikachu slid smoothly along the ice, eventually landing stably on the ground.
Brandon's assault was undone once again, but before Misty and the others could show joy, Brandon suppressed his internal shock and continued his strategy.
"Regice, use Rest!" This was Brandon's true aim.
Whether freezing the ground or casting Blizzard, Brandon never expected to inflict lethal damage on Pikachu. Ash's level as a Trainer would definitely overcome such maneuvers.
But all Brandon aimed for was delaying Pikachu's actions, allowing his Regice to restore stamina with Rest.
Rest is a skill that quickly restores a Pokémon's stamina. Once asleep, it begins recovery until fully replenished or wakes up after a set duration, a difficult-to-use double-edged sword.
However, Brandon and Regice had modified this skill, significantly reducing Regice's sleep time. Although the stamina recovery effect was somewhat weakened, compared to being hit when asleep, the weakening is negligible.
Plus, with Regice's stamina around one-third, just about ten seconds of sleep would allow Regice to recover to approximately four-fifths of its stamina.
By then, the battle outcome would be decided!
"Pikachu, use Thunder!" Of course, Ash wouldn't just sit idly; though the ice layer prevented Pikachu from quickly approaching, long-range attacks could still interrupt Regice's Rest.
In the sky, Thunder flashed, radiating an immense brilliance from Pikachu, with lightning surging into the sky!
Next second, golden lightning descended from the sky, directly striking the sleeping Regice!
The golden sparks filled Regice's body, yet Regice's injuries continued to recover!
The damage from Thunder fell short against the speed of Regice's recovery!
Meanwhile, Pikachu's stamina kept depleting, along with Regice's Body freezing, enhancing its stamina...
"Is everything over..." Brock murmured with unwillingness.
Ash had done well; he was just a step away from defeating Regice, but ultimately, Brandon was a cut above!
"No... Ash will win! Ash, hang in there!!" Misty shook her head, casting aside that sorrowful emotion, standing up to shout in support for Ash.
"Ash, don't give up!!" Serena similarly stood up, cheering for Ash.
Paul crossed his arms in front, glancing sidelong at the two girls, shaking his head silently in his heart—reality is harsh, it doesn't change because you refuse it. Ash already lacks the chance to overturn the situation in this match.
Pikachu would lose, Gardevoir and Charizard are no longer capable of continuing the battle, Regice's stamina restored to over half due to Rest.
What follows is Regice defeating all three of Ash's Pokémon; Brandon triumphs.
Even Ash couldn't defeat Brandon?
"Did you hear that, Pikachu?"
"Pika Pika!!"
"Our friends are still cheering for us; we can't give up like this!"
"Pika-Chu!!"
"Pour everything we have into this blow, Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!!!" Ash clenched his fists, shouting with fervor, Pikachu exerted force with all four limbs, surprisingly stomping out four pits on the smooth ice layer, allowing him to stand firmly on it.
Next moment, tremendous lightning exploded on Pikachu, dark gold lightning, difficult to describe with words, the original brilliant gold lightning should now be depicted as a shade of dark gold for a more vivid picture.
[Pikachu (Third Transformation: Miracle) Partner Form]
[Level: ???]
[Six-dimensional Ability: Physical Attack ??? Special Attack ??? Defense ??? Special Defense ??? Physical Strength ??? Speed ???]
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