Ash was different.
What do you mean "no confidence"?
Aren't we all the same?!
"They're just praising Pikachu for being strong, nothing else."
Brock said helplessly as he looked at Ash.
Hearing that, Ash scratched his nose awkwardly.
"Alright… I guess I got a bit carried away…"
"But Pikachu is still Pikachu!"
On this matter, Ash was absolutely stubborn.
Seeing this, Brock and Misty didn't say anything more.
Like always—
What could they do?
Just like how they could speak in the chatroom—
But when Champions and Elite Four were talking, they would never interrupt.
Unfortunately—
They could control themselves.
But they couldn't control Ash.
So they let him be.
[Diantha: Haha, alright, alright, we didn't mean anything by it. It's just that this Pikachu is a bit too strong, so we were surprised.]
[Steven Stone: But the advantage is still with Regice. If Pikachu wants to win… it's going to be very difficult. The best outcome is probably a respectable loss.]
[Brandon: Exactly. I always battle with full strength. For this Pikachu to defeat me… is simply impossible.]
After sending his message, Brandon focused seriously on the battle unfolding on the screen.
Even though he didn't yet possess Regice—
Just by watching—
He could already predict what he would do next.
The advantage was his.
…
On the screen—
Pikachu's two consecutive attacks had dealt significant damage to Regice.
Yet Brandon still looked completely at ease.
"Regice, use Ice Beam!"
Once again—
Ice Beam!
The audience tensed up.
This time… this time could it—
"Pikachu, dodge it!"
The unbeatable command worked again—
Pikachu dodged the Ice Beam!
But then—
Something unexpected happened.
The freezing energy from the attack spread outward—
Forming a massive ice prison around Pikachu!
Towering, thick ice pillars surrounded it!
Even worse—
Pikachu's feet were frozen solid to the ground, completely immobilized!
Only then did Brandon smile faintly.
"Use Rest."
"Re—gi…"
A white, icy aura enveloped Regice as it stood still—
Entering a deep sleep.
…
[Professor Oak: I see now! Regice can use Rest! Rest will completely recover its paralysis and stamina!]
[Steven Stone: What a strategy… As expected of Brandon. First, he immobilizes Pikachu so it can't attack, then uses Rest to recover all the damage Pikachu dealt.]
[Lance: Now it all depends on Pikachu! If it can't break free, everything it achieved earlier will be undone!]
[Diantha: I have to say it again—Ash facing Brandon… is truly unfortunate. Every move he makes is being completely countered!]
Good grief!
Brandon's strategy—
Every single step—
Was beyond what most Trainers could even imagine!
Freezing the battlefield with Ice Beam.
Trapping Pikachu completely.
Then calmly recovering in place.
Was this something an ordinary person could come up with?
Others might not know—
But they certainly couldn't!
As expected—
Brandon truly deserved his title as the strongest Trainer of the Battle Frontier!
It wasn't just his powerful Pokémon—
His foresight alone was beyond their reach!
Losing to Brandon…
Was completely normal!
…
Veilstone City—
After reading the analysis from the Champions and Elite Four in the chat—
Reiji let out a long breath.
"Mr. Brandon… is just too strong."
"For Ash to defeat him…"
He stopped halfway.
Then shook his head.
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
"I just hope… Ash doesn't end up like me…"
Losing all confidence after being crushed by Brandon—
And giving up on becoming a Trainer.
If Ash could avoid that—
Then he would already surpass more than eighty percent of Trainers.