Afternoon.

Inside the hollow heart of the Battle Pyramid, the bright overhead lights glowed like miniature suns, illuminating the steel battlefield below.

After lunch, everyone gathered once more. The final clash between Ash Ketchum and Pyramid King Brandon was about to begin.

Both trainers stood opposite each other in the command area, their gazes locked.

Brandon's apprentice, Samuel, took his place on the side platform, his voice echoing loudly across the arena.

"Now, let's begin the Battle Pyramid Frontier Battle!"

He raised his arm high and announced proudly, "The challenger—Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"

"Yes!" Ash answered confidently, nodding with determination.

Samuel smiled and continued dramatically, "And his opponent—my master, the fiery man himself, Frontier Brain of the Battle Pyramid… Pyramid King Brandon!"

Even now, Samuel's pride when introducing his master was admirable; his tone projected the same strength and dignity Brandon commanded.

After introducing both trainers, Samuel went on to explain the rules.

"This battle will be a four-on-four elimination match. Only the challenger is permitted to switch Pokémon mid-battle. Now, Frontier Brain—please send out your first Pokémon!"

Brandon nodded once. "Understood."

He threw a crimson and white Poké Ball into the air. "Go—Dusclops!"

The Poké Ball burst open in a flash of white light.

"Duuusclooops…" came the heavy, echoing growl as Brandon's Pokémon materialized—a gray, bandage-wrapped figure with a single red, glowing eye. A faint aura of ghostly mist drifted around it as shadows deepened beneath its feet.

[Level 65 – Dusclops – Elite]

Gary, watching from the observation deck, adjusted his glasses slightly. "Brandon's Dusclops… it's extremely well-trained. Even for an Elite, its power feels close to Champion-level. This one's been with him for a long time."

Professor Oak nodded. "Indeed. Once a Pokémon reaches a high Elite- level, further growth slows significantly—it takes exponentially more battles to rise even a single level."

On the field, Ash clenched his first Poké Ball tightly.

"Alright… Charizard, it's decided! I choose you!"

He threw the ball, and from the burst of fire-red light emerged his most trusted Fire-type.

"CHAAARIZAAARD!" roared Charizard, spreading his broad, battle-scarred wings wide and letting out a stream of flame toward the ceiling.

[Level 66 – Charizard – Champion]

Even after years away from Ash, Charizard's strength hadn't faded. His time training at Charicific Valley had made him stronger than ever.

Samuel raised his hand. "Battle… begin!"

The instant he called it, both trainers shouted commands.

"Charizard, Steel Wing!"

"Dusclops, Confuse Ray!"

Charizard's wings shimmered metallic silver as he lunged forward, slashing in a cross pattern. Dusclops braced itself, its red eye flashing eerily. A wave of prismatic energy pulsed outward, striking Charizard directly.

"Roar!" Charizard staggered—his eyes shimmered with sparkles of confusion.

"Ash!" Brock shouted from the sidelines. "That's bad! Dusclops's Confuse Ray can completely disorient its opponent!"

Charizard swayed, dizzy and unsteady, flames sputtering weakly from his jaw.

"Charizard! Snap out of it, buddy!" Ash shouted. His voice carried such sincerity that Charizard's expression sharpened; with a guttural growl, he broke through the chaotic haze.

"Good job!" Ash grinned. "Now—Steel Wing again!"

Charizard struck again, but Brandon remained calm.

"Dusclops, counter it—Confuse Ray once more!"

The two Pokémon clashed: radiant steel against hypnotic light. Charizard anticipated the move this time—he darted forward and locked Dusclops into a tight grapple, blocking its attack.

But Ash made an error at the worst possible moment.

"Now, Charizard, Seismic Toss!"

Charizard seized Dusclops, flapping hard as he soared upward into the air. The vivid blue sky above the Battle Pyramid's dome shimmered as they ascended higher and higher.

Then, Charizard began his descent—spinning rapidly, ready to smash Dusclops into the ground.

Brandon's eyes narrowed. "Ghost-type Pokémon are immune to Fighting-type moves," he said quietly.

Just before impact, Dusclops vanished from Charizard's grip like smoke dissipating in wind.

"Using Fighting-type moves against a Ghost-type is ineffective!" Brock exclaimed, realizing too late.

"Ah! I forgot!" Ash's face turned pale. His mind raced. It had been so long since he'd faced a Ghost-type—he had completely overlooked the immunity.

Brandon didn't hesitate. "Finish it—Shadow Punch!"

Dusclops reappeared from the ground, its ghostly fist wreathed in dark energy.

Wham! The Shadow Punch slammed into Charizard's midsection, releasing a shockwave of black light.

"ROOOAAAR!!" Charizard roared in pain, the force sending him crashing to the battlefield below.

"Charizard!! Hang in there!" Ash yelled.

But it was too late. Charizard hit the ground hard, the impact kicking up clouds of dust. When it cleared, his eyes were closed—faint white smoke rising from his mouth.

"Charizard has lost the ability to battle! Dusclops wins!" Samuel declared.

Ash exhaled slowly, returning Charizard to his Poké Ball.

"Thank you for your hard work, Charizard. That one's on me. Rest well, my friend."

He clipped the ball to his belt and pulled out another. "Alright… Venusaur, I choose you!"

A brilliant flash filled the arena.

"Veenusaur!" roared the massive Grass-type as it appeared, the great flower on its back blooming wide like a solar beacon.

[Level 62 – Venusaur – Elite ]

Professor Oak smiled warmly from the stands. "So Bulbasaur finally evolved after all this time."

Gary nodded in surprise. "It evolved? When?"

Oak explained, "After your Silver Conference match against Ash, the pressure of that battle inspired Bulbasaur to drop its Everstone, evolve into Ivysaur, and eventually into Venusaur three months ago—during a fierce sparring match with my Exeggutor at the lab."

Gary folded his arms, impressed. "I see."

Venusaur was quite a change from Ash's old Bulbasaur; now taller and more muscular, its flower radiated confidence and strength.

"Alright, let's do this!" Ash ordered. "Use Leech Seed!"

"Dusclops, use Mean Look!" Brandon countered.

Dusclops' eye glowed with a crimson link that chained Venusaur in place. The air shimmered green as Venusaur fired multiple seed-like pods toward Dusclops—each one wrapping vines around it tightly, siphoning energy.

Dusclops groaned, its movements slowing as its energy drained.

Despite its victory over Charizard earlier, the Ghost Pokémon was visibly weakened.

"Now, Venusaur! Petal Blizzard!"

"Venuuu… saaauuur!" Venusaur's flower glowed an emerald pink as hundreds of razor-sharp petals exploded outward, swirling into a flower storm. The petals sparkled like pink snow as they struck Dusclops repeatedly.

Dusclops tried to counter with Will-O-Wisp, but the swirling petals extinguished the ghostly flames almost instantly.

With one final roar, Venusaur's attack buried Dusclops beneath a shimmering flood of petals.

When the dust cleared, Dusclops lay motionless.

"Dusclops is unable to battle! Venusaur wins!" Samuel called.

Brandon quietly recalled Dusclops. "Well done. You've earned a rest." He paused, then pulled out another Poké Ball. "Now… go, Ninjask!"

"Shaaaaask!" shrieked Ninjask as it zipped onto the field, wings vibrating so fast they were almost invisible.

[Level 63 – Ninjask – Elite ]

Immediately sensing the speed disadvantage, Ash called out, "Venusaur, return!" The Poké Ball's beam pulled Venusaur back just in time.

Gary, watching thoughtfully, nodded. "Smart call. Against Ninjask's speed, Venusaur wouldn't stand a chance."

"Alright," Ash said, clutching his next Poké Ball, "I'm counting on you—Squirtle!"

"Squiiirtle!" cried the small Turtle Pokémon, striking a salute as it burst from the Poké Ball.

[Level 62 – Squirtle – Elite]

The battle resumed in an instant.

"Ninjask, Fury Cutter!"

"Squirtle, Dodge and use Hydro Pump!"

A blur of motion streaked across the field—Ninjask darted in, its scythe-like claws glowing. Squirtle twisted aside, jetting high into the air on a pillar of water.

"Squiiirtle!"

He retaliated with a powerful Hydro Pump that blasted Ninjask backward, but the Bug-type recovered midair.

"Keep it up, Squirtle! Go, Rocket Headbutt!"

Squirtle rocketed forward like a bullet tank, his shell gleaming, water jets propelling him at extreme speed.

"Squiiirtle!!"

He smashed into Ninjask with bone-cracking force.

"Shaaaa!" Ninjask screeched, spiraling out before hitting the ground with a thud.

"Ninjask is unable to battle! Squirtle wins!" Samuel announced.

Ash clenched a fist. "Great work, buddy!"

Brandon simply smiled, calm as ever. "You've done well, Ash. But let's see how you face the next one. Go, Solrock!"

The arena filled with radiant light as the Meteor Pokémon appeared, levitating silently with eyes glowing crimson.

[Level 64 – Solrock – Elite ]

Gary observed from the stands. "He's holding back slightly—these aren't his Regi Pokémon. He's testing Ash's rhythm."

Professor Oak nodded in agreement. "Considering the strength of Brandon's Regirock, Registeel, and Regice, if he used them from the start, no trainer in Kanto could clear the Frontier."

Ash called, "Squirtle, Water Pulse!"

Solrock countered effortlessly. "Solar Beam!"

The two attacks collided midair in an explosion of steam and light. When the haze cleared, Squirtle was down on one knee, panting heavily.

"Finish it!" Brandon commanded. Solrock's body shone brightly and unleashed one last Solar Beam. The powerful strike engulfed Squirtle in blinding light.

When it faded, Squirtle lay fainted on the ground.

"Squirtle is unable to battle! Solrock wins!" Samuel shouted.

Ash steadied himself, took a breath, and smiled faintly. "You've done great, Squirtle. Return."

He lifted his next Poké Ball. "Venusaur, back in action!"