Everyone started out with the same 2,000 points from the Heavenly Dao.
Each round of Inventory gave an extra 300 points.
For every match, you could only bet once—win, lose, or draw.
No splitting wagers, no betting both sides.
Some people went all in right away. If you didn't earn now, when would you?
Who could guarantee that future rounds would be this one-sided?
Others were more cautious, putting in half.
It wasn't that they thought Pikachu had a chance,
just that it was a habit.
After five minutes, the betting period ended.
The odds were clear:
Regice: 1.01 payout (basically the smallest possible).
If everyone bet the same way, it would've been 1.00001 at best.
Pikachu: 50 to 1 payout, the absolute max.
Then the Heavenly Dao revealed the global betting ratio—
99.99% on Regice.
Which raised the obvious question:
Who in their right mind bet on Ash winning?
"My Pikachu will definitely win!"
"…Ash, wake up! That's a legendary Pokémon!"
"Your Pikachu… sorry, Pikachu, I don't mean to doubt you, but…"
Misty trailed off. She didn't want to hurt Pikachu's feelings,
but reality was cruel.
Even if Ash's Pikachu was far stronger than most,
there was no way it could defeat a legendary god!
Steven had already explained Regice's terrifying power.
Even Champions would struggle—
So how could Pikachu possibly manage?
Not to mention, Brandon wasn't just any trainer.
He was at Champion level himself!
Meanwhile, the Ash in this footage had, at most, one or two years of travel experience.
Winning? Impossible.
"I don't care! I'm supporting Pikachu no matter what!"
Ash shoved all his points onto Pikachu without hesitation.
"Pika—pi!!"
Pikachu's eyes watered with emotion.
This was his trainer—
the one who believed in him no matter what.
Even if he was trembling inside at facing a legendary,
he swore he'd be the ace in the Indigo Plateau Conference!
Misty and Brock sighed helplessly.
In Misty's arms, Togepi tilted its head,
curious about why everyone was arguing.
"Sigh… what can we do with you?"
"That's Ash for you."
With a wry smile, both placed 1,000 points on Pikachu as well.
If they couldn't stop him,
then they'd go crazy together.
"You guys… you really are my best friends!!"
"Pikachu, you've got to show them what you're made of!"
Ash stared at the screen, muttering under his breath.
Pikachu punched the air with his tiny fists.
Future me—go all out! Whatever this so-called pillar is, flatten it!!
Aside from Ash and his two friends,
There were others who bet on Pikachu.
If Ash was the "dumb dog,"
then so were the three people tailing him everywhere…
Under the gaze of the entire world,
The battle finally began!
Onscreen—
Brandon hurled a Poké Ball.
A towering giant made of solid ice appeared, radiating deadly cold!
The Ice Titan: Regice!
Even through the broadcast,
viewers felt its icy aura seeping out.
Ash, meanwhile, raised his arm dramatically.
Pikachu darted forward and leapt onto the battlefield!
"Strike first! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!!"
"Pika—CHUUU!!"
Golden lightning burst from Pikachu's tiny body,
crackling across the arena,
slamming straight into Regice!
But Brandon didn't even flinch.
He didn't bother giving a command.
When the sparks faded,
Regice's body was as smooth and flawless as ever.
"…It—it didn't work?"
Ash's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Whew, scared me for a second! Now I get why Brandon didn't give an order—no need!"
"Same! I thought he was holding back at first!"
"See? Pikachu beating Regice? Impossible."
"Look—Pikachu can't even scratch it. He can hit all day and nothing will happen. How can it win?"
"Easy money this round. That's twenty points in the bag!"
Around the world, the audience chattered.
To them, Pikachu's attack was like an egg thrown at a rock.
This scene only confirmed what they already knew—
How could a tiny Pikachu battle a god?
Meanwhile, in Viridian City, Gym Leader Giovanni leaned back in his ornate chair,
watching the broadcast with a thoughtful expression.
He compared Regice in his mind with the creation he'd engineered—Mewtwo.
Which was stronger?
But then he shook his head.
That weak Pikachu couldn't possibly force Regice to reveal its true strength.
Without seeing it, there was no point comparing.
He, too, had bet on Regice.
In fact, he'd noticed that the Heavenly Dao shop offered an item leading to Mewtwo's location—
though it cost an astronomical number of points.
No matter. He could wait.
For now, his small goal was simple:
win twenty points first.
The footage continued.
Brandon wasn't about to let Pikachu fire freely.
Catching the momentary lag after Thunderbolt,
he gave a command:
"Regice, Blizzard!!"
"Re-gi—!!"
Regice crossed its icy arms, then swung them wide.
A howling snowstorm blasted forth,
flakes swirling over Pikachu and even Ash himself.
The bone-chilling cold gnawed at Pikachu's small body.
"Don't lose! Pikachu, Iron Tail!!"
"Pika!!"
Electric sparks jolted through Pikachu, shaking off the freeze.
Its tail gleamed with silver light.
Bracing against the storm,
Pikachu bolted forward like an arrow loosed from the string!
Brandon's eyes narrowed. He snapped another order:
"Regice, Ice Beam!"
"Dodge it!"
Ash unleashed his signature "dodge command."
Pikachu leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the beam—
but didn't gain much ground.
Neither of them noticed…
The battlefield beneath Pikachu's feet was already frosting over.