When the first video ended, the whole world was still buzzing with discussion.
By now, everyone had more or less forgotten what the Heavenly Dao Inventory originally said it would show…
Not long after the screen froze, a new scene appeared!
This time, the image showed a towering golden pyramid.
As soon as it appeared, the camera zoomed in, then shifted—
to an enormous battlefield within!
And standing there once more was Ash!
Compared to the boy from the previous footage,
He looked more mature now, with different clothes and cap.
Opposite him stood a middle-aged man in mountaineering gear.
If Ash's name had just spread worldwide through the earlier video,
then his opponent was already a world-renowned trainer:
the Frontier Brain of the Battle Frontier—Pyramid King Brandon!
[Lance: Oh? So it's Brandon! Judging by this, could this be Ash versus Brandon?]
[Professor Oak: Brandon? When did you battle Ash? How did I never hear of this?]
[Cynthia: Ash looks much more seasoned here… this must be after quite some time traveling.]
[Brandon: I've never battled Ash. This footage… I don't know what it is either.]
[Ash: Yeah, yeah! I've never even met this Brandon-uncle before!]
"Hey! Be polite! Call him Mr. Brandon!"
Misty immediately corrected Ash.
This guy always blurted things out before she had the chance to stop him.
Actually, Misty and Brock could also post comments on the barrage feed.
But only Ash was reckless enough to dive straight into conversations with Champions and the Elite Four.
Even Gary, as cocky as he was, hadn't dared say much.
"I—I know, Misty!"
This time she didn't smack him, probably remembering his complaints earlier.
Ash, chastened, decided he'd try to think before sending his next comment.
At least, he'd try to be polite.
[Cynthia: Could this be… a battle from the future?]
[Steven: Sounds like future-sight!]
[Cynthia: In Sinnoh there is a legendary Pokémon, Dialga—it controls time.]
[Cynthia: Maybe this Heavenly Dao Inventory is using a similar power, letting us glimpse what's to come.]
[Alder: Incredible! A power that can control time itself?!]
[Lorelei: Shh, the footage is changing again!]
At Lorelei's reminder, everyone turned back to the screen.
A bold title flashed across:
"Clash at the Battle Pyramid: Divine Battle Showdown! Ice vs. Thunder—Who Will Emerge Victorious?"
"Combatants: Ash & Pikachu vs. Brandon & Regice!"
Divine battle?!
That's right—
the Inventory had said from the start: mortals against gods.
But what was this match supposed to be?!
Pikachu versus Regice?!
Many people didn't even know what Regice was.
But since the Inventory itself called these duels "mortals against gods,"
it was clear: the mortal was Pikachu,
and the god was Regice.
Pikachu fighting a legendary Pokémon?
This had to be some kind of cruel joke!
[Lance: Regice, huh… Brandon even captured that? Truly impressive!]
[Cynthia: I've heard of Brandon's feats—he's already captured two of the Legendary Titans, hasn't he?]
[Cynthia: And if the title is true, then in the future he must capture Regice as well, completing all three. Terrifying…]
[Alder: Wait, wait. "Legendary Titans"? Are they your region's legendaries? Can someone explain?]
[Bruno: Explanation +1, I've never heard of them either!]
[Steven: I'll handle this—I've studied the Regis!]
As the Hoenn Champion, Steven's main hobby was rocks—
Being Champion was practically his side job.
Naturally, he had great interest in Regirock,
and by extension, Registeel and Regice.
[Steven: Regice is an Ice-type legendary Pokémon, its body formed from ice dating back to the Ice Age. Not even fire can melt it!]
[Steven: According to records, Regice can command a cold at minus 200 degrees Celsius! That alone makes it the absolute pinnacle among Ice-types.]
Steven's detailed explanation sent chills across the world.
The more people understood Regice,
the more impossible Pikachu's chances seemed.
Could this Heavenly Dao Inventory really just be replaying any fight against legendaries?
Even one-sided massacres?
If that was all it meant by "mortals against gods"…
then what a letdown!
Many had been hoping for miracles—ordinary Pokémon actually striking down legends.
The scene shifted again—
not yet to the battle itself, but to a betting screen.
Every viewer was given starting wager points.
Anyone with over 100,000 points could post comments, even if not chosen by the Heavenly Dao.
Points could also be used to exchange for items from the Inventory's shop.
People checked the store and nearly fainted.
It had everything—treasures from every region,
even things that made Champions and Elite Four drool.
The only issue: the astronomical costs.
Still, with a power capable of creating all this,
there was no way it was some scam.
[Lance: So, who are you betting on?]
[Diantha: …Do you really have to ask that in front of Ash himself?]
[Bruno: Ahem… As much as I'd like to take Ash as my disciple, I think he still needs more training!]
[Cynthia: Ash has a bright future.]
[Brandon: I look forward to the boy's growth.]
[Leon: I believe in ten years' time, that boy may at least be able to pose a threat to Regice!]
But their true meaning was clear—
not a single Champion or Elite Four was willing to bet on Ash.
No matter how high the odds were,
no one in their right mind would put points on Pikachu.
Betting on Ash wasn't gambling like a dog—
It was being a dumb dog.