The intensity inside the Battle Pyramid was at its absolute peak.

Both trainers—Ash Ketchum and Pyramid King Brandon—stood resolute on opposite sides of the arena. Their Pokémon, Venusaur and Solrock, faced each other from across the scorched and cratered battlefield, both covered in signs of exhaustion and damage.

Solrock's glowing eyes flickered red, its stony body levitating unsteadily, while Venusaur was breathing heavily, vines drooping after the long struggle between them.

"Solrock has the type advantage with Confusion and Psywave, but Venusaur's sheer endurance evens things out," Brock murmured from the spectator area, watching closely. "They're both on their last legs."

Both sides had fought fiercely, exchanging countless attacks—Venusaur's Razor Leaf, Sludge Bomb, and Solar Beam against Solrock's Psychic, Rock Slide, and Flamethrower. The result was an energy-charged, fiery standoff.

Now, at the very end, both trainers gave the same command.

"Solar Beam—full power!" Ash and Brandon shouted in unison.

BOOM!!

Twin beams of blinding light tore through the air, colliding mid-field in an enormous explosion. The shockwave rippled outward, engulfing both Pokémon. Venusaur and Solrock were blasted backward, their bodies crashing into the ground with tremendous force.

Smoke billowed across the arena. When it finally cleared, both Pokémon were sprawled out unconscious, their strength expended.

"Venusaur and Solrock have both lost their ability to battle!" Samuel, the referee, declared. "The match is tied!"

Ash exhaled heavily, returning Venusaur to his Poké Ball. "You did great, buddy. Take a good rest."

On Brandon's side, Solrock vanished in a red flash. The Frontier Brain nodded, his calm expression unwavering—even now, he remained composed and dignified.

All eyes turned to the trainers. This battle had been filled with nonstop reversals. Now, only one Pokémon remained on each side—the final showdown was about to begin.

"Looks like both sides are down to their last," Brock said gravely.

May clasped her hands anxiously. "This is it… it all comes down to the final Pokémon."

"The time to decide everything has come," Scott said, arms crossed as he watched intensely.

"I wonder what Pokémon Mr. Brandon will use now," Max whispered, leaning forward. "He's already used Regirock and Registeel in previous official matches… could it be?"

His question hung in the air, anticipation building among all spectators. Everyone knew what name they were waiting to hear.

On the battlefield, Ash looked determined. He already knew which partner he would rely on as his final hope.

"Alright, buddy… it's your turn! Pikachu, I choose you!"

"Pikaaaaa-chuuuu!" came the sharp cry as Pikachu leapt into the arena, sparks of electricity crackling across his cheeks.

Brandon reached for his own final Poké Ball. His hand tightened slightly before he threw it in one clean motion.

"It's your time, Regice—let's go!"

The Poké Ball burst open with a cold blue light. A towering Pokémon formed before everyone's eyes—its crystalline body shining like carved ice. Mist coiled around it as freezing air swept across the battlefield.

[Level 60 – Regice – Legendary Pokémon]

"Regiiiiice," the Pokémon intoned in a deep mechanical hum, its core pulsing with energy.

May pulled out her Pokédex, curiosity shining in her eyes.

Pokédex: "Regice, the Iceberg Pokémon. Its entire body is made of Antarctic ice from the Ice Age. It never melts, even in fire. It can lower surrounding temperatures to nearly minus 200 degrees Celsius."

Her eyes widened. "So this is the Pokémon Brandon caught in the ruins…"

"Yeah," Gary muttered from the stands. "Impressive catch, but…" His brow furrowed slightly. "Its level's only sixty? I expected closer to sixty-five. Still, it's dangerous enough."

Back on the field, Ash clenched his fists. "Okay, Pikachu—let's give it everything we've got!"

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded fiercely, tail sparking like a whip of lightning.

"Start off strong—use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.

Pikachu reared back before launching a massive wave of electric energy toward Regice.

"Pika! Chuuuuu!!!"

The attack struck dead-on—but much to everyone's shock, Regice didn't even flinch.

A faint shimmer of light rippled over its icy body—the electricity dispersed harmlessly, leaving no mark.

"Whoa, no effect?" May gasped.

"Regice's Special Defense is off the charts," Brock explained, eyes narrowing. "Lightning attacks won't do much unless Ash finds a secondary opening."

Brandon raised a gloved hand. "Counter with Ice Beam!"

"Regiiiiiice!" The Legendary Pokémon's core glowed bright blue. Twin beams of frost erupted from its hands, sweeping across the arena like twin blizzards. They missed Pikachu narrowly but froze the entire arena floor into a reflective sheet of ice.

"Pika—chu!" Pikachu yelped as his small paws slipped on the sudden slick surface, skidding awkwardly.

"Careful, Pikachu!" Ash warned.

The temperature plummeted rapidly. Frost crept up the walls of the Battle Pyramid as Regice used the frozen terrain to its advantage. Its movements, though slow, were steady and sure.

Then, in one fluid motion, Ash shouted, "Iron Tail—now!"

Pikachu spun, tail glowing pure white, and slammed Regice across its chest.

BANG!!

Cracks spidered across Regice's icy armor—a solid hit!

Gary leaned forward. "Good—two more like that, and Ash might just take it!"

But Brandon smirked slightly. "Regice, Rest!"

A pale aura enveloped the Iceberg Pokémon. It closed its eyes briefly, its core dimming, as energy waves pulsed through it. Its cracks resealed instantly—the damage gone.

"No way—it's healed!" May cried.

"That's Regice's tactic," Brock said grimly. "High defense, recovery, and terrain advantage… Pikachu's at a huge disadvantage."

"Time to push through, Pikachu!" Ash yelled. "Smash those ice pillars with Iron Tail!"

"Pikaaaaa—chuuuuu!!" Pikachu roared defiantly. His tail glowed again, slamming down with thunderous force. The first hit shattered the ice spikes holding him back. Momentum carried him through the second, bursting through the shimmering maze Regice had built.

Ash's eyes sparked with renewed determination. "Now—let's end this! Volt Tackle!"

Golden lightning erupted around Pikachu's body, the crackling energy forming a blazing aura.

"PIKAAA—CHUUUU!!!"

Brandon reacted instantly. "Regice, Ice Beam! Don't hold back!"

A blinding blue beam shot forth—but Pikachu darted sideways, lightning-fast, evading it in a dazzling zigzag of light before lunging forward head-on.

CRASH!!

The moment Pikachu struck, his electrified body collided with Regice's frozen shell. With a deafening BOOM, the impact blasted a shockwave through the entire pyramid. Regice was flung backward, slamming hard against the stone wall before falling heavily to the ground.

Everyone held their breath for several seconds.

Then Samuel raised his flag.

"Regice has lost the ability to battle! The winner is Pikachu—and the victor of this match is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"

The everyone erupted into thunderous applause.

"We did it!" Ash shouted jubilantly, throwing his fist into the air.

"Pika Pika—chuuu!!" Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder, sparks joyfully flickering from his cheeks. The two shared an exuberant high-five as the victory sank in.

From the referee's podium, Brandon smiled faintly and walked forward, holding an emblem gleaming with pride—the Brave Symbol.

"You've done well, Ash," Brandon said sincerely. "Congratulations. You've conquered every Battle Frontier facility."

Ash bowed slightly, his voice full of gratitude. "Thank you, Brandon. This means everything."

"What a remarkable duel," Professor Oak added warmly from the sidelines.

Everyone soon gathered around Ash to congratulate him.

May clapped enthusiastically. "You did it, Ash! That was incredible!"

Max cheered, "Beating a Legendary Pokémon—that's amazing!"

Ash turned toward Gary, grinning. "Well? Don't you have anything to say?"

Gary crossed his arms, smirking. "You won, yeah—but you still made plenty of rookie mistakes. Seriously, Seismic Toss on a Ghost-type? Classic Ash."

"Hey!" Ash puffed his cheeks in mock irritation. "You could at least say 'good job!'"

Even Professor Oak chuckled. "He's right, though—you made mistakes, but overall your performance was excellent."

Gary nodded once in acknowledgment, then turned to Brandon. "Mr. Brandon," he said evenly, "when can I have my battle with you?"

Brandon studied him for a moment, recalling what Scott had said earlier. He knew Gary's reputation—he had defeated six Frontier Brains in under ten days.

"I've heard a lot about you," Brandon said finally. "We'll battle as soon as the arena's repaired."

"What? So soon?" May exclaimed. "Not tomorrow?"

Brandon simply smiled. "It's fine. I still have other Pokémon to use, and I need to travel tomorrow. Let's finish this today."

Gary shrugged. "No problem. I'm ready."

The workers swiftly repaired the battlefield. Fifteen minutes later, the arena floor was spotless again, and both Brandon and Gary stood on opposite sides, ready for their duel.

Samuel stepped forward with his usual enthusiasm. "Now, let's begin another Battle Pyramid Frontier Battle! The challenger—Gary Oak from Pallet Town—and the Frontier Brain—Pyramid King Brandon!"

He raised his hand dramatically. "The format is a two-on-two match. Only the challenger may switch Pokémon. Frontier Brain, please send out your first Pokémon!"

Brandon didn't hesitate. He threw his Poké Ball. "Go—Regirock!"

The ball burst open, unleashing a massive Pokémon of jagged stone and glowing orange orbs over its body. It landed with a thunderous impact that shook the ground.

[Level 70 – Regirock – Legendary]

The air was thick with pressure from its mere presence.

"Regiiirock!" roared the Rock Peak Pokémon.

Brandon's Regirock had reached Champion-level strength, a clear testament to the Brandon's strength was on par with a Champion.

[System Notification:] New Task Issued – Objective: Obtain the Brave Symbol

Rewards: Master Rare Candy ×2, Gold Crown ×1, Ability Enchantment Stone ×1, Permanent TM Learning Device ×1.

The system had triggered a new mission at that moment. As expected, the reward tier had increased due to facing a Champion-level Pokémon.