Rumble!
At the base of the Battle Pyramid's three massive faces, three jet-propulsion-like turbines began to retract.
The pyramid had landed.
Not far from the Snowpoint Gym, a small car was making its way toward the commotion.
Clearly, its driver had noticed the massive airborne pyramid.
Behind the wheel was soone both Ash and Paul recognized—Reggie.
Reggie had long since beco a Pokémon Breeder. His trip to Snowpoint Town this ti was to deliver a Pokémon he had raised to a local trainer.
But he hadn't expected to run into Brandon's Battle Pyramid right here in Sinnoh!
"Hey! If it isn't you guys—Ash, Dawn, Anabel… Paul, you're here too? Looks like you've made it all the way to the Snowpoint Gym, huh?" Reggie parked the car and stepped out with a warm smile.
Everyone exchanged greetings.
But Paul didn't look away. His eyes remained locked on the Battle Pyramid as it descended.
"Big bro… wait here. I'm going to challenge Brandon—right now! I want him to see just how strong and my Pokémon have beco! Even if I lose two-to-one, I'll use this battle to gauge exactly how wide the gap between us still is!"
Paul's gaze was fierce and unwavering.
His drastic change in personality had begun when Reggie lost to Brandon.
Now that Brandon's Battle Pyramid had unexpectedly appeared in Sinnoh—right in front of him—Paul had to challenge him.
Ash, Dawn, Anabel, Zoey, Candice, and Paul all piled into Reggie's car.
Luckily, it was a van-style vehicle with two rows of back seats—just enough room.
anwhile, the pyramid's massive doors had opened.
From within erged a middle-aged man who bore a striking resemblance to both Paul and Reggie—Brandon, the Pyramid King of the Battle Frontier.
Walking behind him was a young student, soone new he was training.
Screech! Reggie's car ca to a sudden stop. Everyone climbed out.
"Well, if it isn't so familiar faces! Ash—you're in Snowpoint Town, huh? It's been a while."
Brandon's eyes imdiately locked onto Ash.
After all, Ash was the one who had challenged and defeated his three strongest Pokémon. A real force to be reckoned with—the one who had conquered the Battle Frontier and earned the Brave Symbol.
Brandon had deep respect for him.
Even Scott often remarked that it was a sha Ash didn't accept the offer to beco a Frontier Brain.
"Mr. Brandon, it's great to see you again. Thank you for your guidance back then. It helped a lot. I've temporarily stepped back from being a trainer and beco a Breeder instead. I'm rediscovering the joy of Pokémon from a new perspective!"
Reggie greeted Brandon excitedly.
"Oh, it's you. I rember now. Good—seems you've found a new path that brings you joy. That's sothing worth holding onto."
Brandon's voice always carried great presence and weight—calm yet commanding.
"Mr. Brandon—I challenge you to a battle!"
Paul's declaration instantly drew everyone's attention.
Ash shook his head slowly. Paul… you're still nowhere near Brandon's level yet...
Candice, on the other hand, grew visibly excited.
She knew how terrifying Brandon's true power was—he wasn't inferior to a Champion!
Brandon nodded.
The group headed straight to the battlefield.
Paul took a deep breath.
Even if Brandon was unimaginably strong, Paul had to achieve what his brother once failed to do.
He would—at the very least—defeat one of Brandon's three main Pokémon!
"Go, Regirock!" Brandon sent out his first Pokémon.
"Hariyama, you're up first!" Paul responded with his own.
Paul had originally co here planning to challenge the Snowpoint Gym, so the Pokémon he had on hand were chosen with that goal in mind.
His Torterra, Drapion, and others weren't with him this ti.
"Since you're so eager to challenge , let's begin. Regirock—use Stone Edge!"
"Re! Ji! Lock!"
Regirock's massive stone arms glowed as a halo of razor-sharp stones materialized and shot toward Hariyama at high speed.
"Hariyama, block them!"
"Rrraaah!"
Hariyama raised its slab-like fists and braced itself, blocking the incoming barrage.
"Rock-type moves don't work so well on Fighting-types. Hariyama—use Hamr Arm!"
"RAAAGH!"
Hariyama lunged forward, hamring Regirock with relentless force.
The Fighting-type move was highly effective against Regirock's Rock-type defense.
But Brandon rely chuckled lightly. "Regirock—restrain its arms!"
"REGI!"
Regirock's stone limbs clamped down fiercely, locking Hariyama in place, immobilizing even its imnse strength.
"Use Shock Wave! "
Zzzzzaap!
Electricity surged over Hariyama's body, paralyzing it on the spot, leaving it writhing in pain.
Paul's expression twisted. That strong?!
"Hariyama, Focus Punch! Break free!"
"Focus Blast—now!"
Hariyama pushed forward, trying to build energy for its punch.
But Regirock dodged cleanly and countered with a direct Focus Blast to Hariyama's chest.
The blast sent Hariyama flying backward—knocked out in a single blow!
Two coordinated strikes—Shock Wave to disable, Focus Blast to finish!
Paul grimly recalled Hariyama.
Even with a type advantage, he had been completely crushed—this was the overwhelming strength of Brandon, the Pyramid King!
"Electivire, battle ti!"
"Eleeehhhoh!"
Sitting in the viewing stands, Ash leaned back like he was watching a play unfold.
Paul's Electabuzz had apparently evolved earlier than in the original tiline—now a full Electivire.
Still, Paul always wore that face like everyone owed him five million Poké Coins.
Now that he was finally going to get steamrolled by Brandon, Ash was curious: How would Paul react to being completely outclassed?
"Even against the Rock-type Regirock, you send out an Electric-type Electivire. All right, then—show what strategy you've got. Impress ."
Brandon watched on with a spark of interest.
Paul's face darkened with determination.
"Use Brick Break! "
"EleeHH!"
Electivire roared and struck with crushing force.
The Fighting-type move landed cleanly on Regirock's body.
But unfortunately… Electivire's level still wasn't high enough!
Even with a super-effective hit, the damage just wasn't there.
"Stone Edge! "
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