"Ursaring, get ready for battle!"
Paul sent out Ursaring's Poké Ball.
In the spectator area...
"I wonder if this battle will change Paul in any way. Wanting to change, and actually changing back to the right path… that's never easy,"
"There's only one Pokémon left now. The outcome is already decided."
Dawn held Piplup in her arms as she looked at the battlefield and spoke calmly.
"Yeah, Mr. Brandon is no joke. He's the brain of the ultimate facility in the Battle Frontier—the Battle Pyramid. I heard even Ash had a hard time defeating him back then, right?"
Anabel admired Brandon deeply… but admired Ash even more.
After all, Ash had defeated Brandon.
Ash nodded and said, "Mr. Brandon is indeed extremely powerful. In our Kanto region, his true strength might even rival that of Lance, the Dragon Master. Paul's already lost control of his emotions."
As they chatted, their attention quickly returned to the battle stage.
"Ursaring, use Focus Blast!"
"Regirock, Stone Edge!"
"Rooaar!"
Ursaring clasped its paws together. Between them, a pure white energy sphere condensed!
Stone Edge shot forward!
Focus Blast—fire!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The brilliant white sphere was ruthlessly shattered by the jagged rocks of Stone Edge!
The next moment, Ursaring was bombarded by countless sharp stones slamming into its body!
It groaned in pain!
"Use Hammer Arm!"
"End it! Focus Punch!"
Regirock swiftly dodged the incoming Hammer Arm and delivered a crushing Focus Punch right into Ursaring's chest!
It was a super-effective move against Normal-type Ursaring!
With that, Paul's last Pokémon collapsed as well.
"Kid, your Pokémon have indeed become very strong. But strength like yours has its limits. You must sincerely bond with your Pokémon—let them feel your heart. Only then can they reach even greater heights. Talent alone won't take you all the way. Got it?"
Brandon withdrew Regirock.
Paul kept silently replaying Brandon's words in his mind.
He didn't say much as he recalled Ursaring. But this time, he gave Brandon a deep bow—his way of expressing genuine respect.
He had indeed let his emotions run wild just now.
He was nothing like his usual calm self.
He realized—it was time to reflect.
"Go back and give it some real thought. I hope next time, I'll get to battle the calm and collected you. That's all."
Brandon didn't make a big deal out of it. After all, while others grow stronger, he continues to improve too.
As a Frontier Brain, it was his duty to help those who challenged him—win or lose—learn something from the battle.
Even if it was a personal challenge.
Paul and Reggie left.
Paul needed time to truly reflect. His upcoming battle with Candice would have to be delayed.
Candice nodded, understanding.
Reggie, meanwhile, hopped back into his car to continue delivering Pokémon he cared for to trainers in need.
Ash, however, was asked to stay behind by Brandon.
"Ash, you brat… You've grown even more imposing over the past few months. I can feel it—even without battling you directly—there's this subtle yet powerful aura around you. So, tell me, are you planning to challenge the Champion's Path here in Sinnoh?"
Brandon was clearly in the know about the Champion's Path.
Dawn and Anabel naturally stayed behind as well to accompany Ash.
"Mm, Mr. Brandon. It's been a while. I haven't fully decided about the Champion's Path yet. But how about you? Flying the Battle Pyramid all the way here… You scared half the people in the region! What brings you out here this time?"
Though he asked casually, Ash already knew the answer.
Brandon was here to investigate the Regi master—the Pokémon said to possess the power to shift continents: Regigigas!
"I came to investigate the legends surrounding the Snowpoint Temple. I've been researching ancient ruins for a long time. The Snowpoint Temple is one of the oldest ruins in Sinnoh—it's a precious treasure of human civilization."
As the group walked and chatted, Brandon's apprentice, Samuel, drove up in a small car carrying someone.
"Bad news, Mr. Brandon! There's trouble at the Snowpoint Temple! A large group of unidentified people have appeared in Snowpoint City—they're causing chaos!"
The person who came was none other than Miss Maria, the guardian of the Snowpoint Temple.
Brandon's face darkened upon hearing this. Without wasting a moment, he gathered everyone and boarded the Battle Pyramid's flight module, heading straight for the Snowpoint Temple!
Ash, meanwhile, opened a system message in his mind: a newly unlocked Tier-1 Legendary Pokémon Clue.
As expected—it was about Regigigas.
Ding! [Congratulations to the host for receiving a Tier-1 Legendary Pokémon Clue. In the core of the ancient Snowpoint Temple, there is a luminous sphere where Regigigas slumbers. It serves as the energy source that stabilizes the temple!]
Ding! [Please earn Regigigas's favor. Once successful, the system will resolve the issue of Regigigas being unable to leave the Snowpoint Temple!]
In other words—if Ash could gain Regigigas's trust, he could take it with him. Even the issue of the temple's energy dependency on it would be resolved by the system.
Although this clue didn't exactly surprise Ash—he already knew about Regigigas's presence in the temple.
But now, if Regigigas was willing to follow Ash, the system could handle the rest.
Good. Excellent!
Ash's Master Ball was practically burning with excitement!
Meanwhile, in the Snowpoint Temple —
After disappearing for a long time, the notorious Pokémon poacher, Hunter J, resurfaced.
And this time, she brought her full crew—nearly her entire force.
Her goal was clear.
Someone had offered a massive price for Regigigas—and Hunter J had taken the job without hesitation.
Only because she didn't truly understand the terrifying power of the Regi King.
"Report! Miss J, our aircraft has detected another incoming vessel—it's the Battle Pyramid. Brandon from Kanto!"
The voice crackled in her earpiece, and Hunter J frowned.
Brandon. That troublesome guy—she knew him.
"Tch. That annoying man again… Everyone, prepare your Pokémon and intercept that flying fortress! Salamence, let's move!"
ROAR!
Hunter J knew Brandon would be a nuisance, but she didn't care.
As long as it wasn't Ash Ketchum, she'd be fine.
Standing tall on her Salamence's back, Hunter J flew swiftly toward the temple's core.
She had no idea that this time—she'd be playing right into Ash's hand.
And the boy she never wanted to face again...
...was right now flying inside Brandon's ship!
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T/N:
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