Field disadvantage, weather disadvantage, physical strength disadvantage, level disadvantage.
Right now, Ash is in a disadvantageous position in every aspect. Everyone present, including Paul, is unsure how Ash plans to win this battle.
Unless... Ash is willing to use that hidden power he's been keeping, a power that allows a Pokemon to leap over a major stage in one go.
Even at Champion Level, it can't increase that significantly, but that power can still enable Pikachu to reverse the current situation.
However, judging from Ash's performance today, he probably won't use that power. Even if pushed to the brink, he won't use it. Perhaps to him, or even to his Pokemon, using that power is almost equivalent to conceding defeat.
Paul scoffs at this kind of thinking. No matter the kind of power, as long as one can control it freely, it equates to one's own power.
This stubborn mindset of Ash and his Pokemon has already cost them greatly now, let alone in the future.
As Paul surmised, even if he loses this match, Ash doesn't plan to use Aura Fusion, nor will Pikachu accept victory through Aura Fusion.
Despite the level difference, Pikachu's ability value boost from his partnership form has significantly closed the gap.
Thanks to the Light Ball and S+ double attack, Pikachu's ATK is no less than Regice's.
Furthermore, Pikachu has the advantage in speed.
Being beaten this way could only mean falling behind in command.
One step slow, every step slow, ultimately leading to such a predicament.
But there's not no way to counteract...
"Pikachu, stand up, the counterattack starts now!" Ash shouted to Pikachu.
Pikachu trembled slightly as he stood up, his limbs shaking on the icy surface, yet he stood firm.
"Great, Pikachu, use Iron Tail on the field!" Ash's command reached Pikachu's ears. He leapt without hesitation, his golden tail shimmering with a metallic luster, and then smashed it onto the icy surface!
"Boom!!!"
The entire pyramid shuddered violently from this strike!
From where Pikachu's tail landed, countless cracks spread like wildfire in all directions, shattering the entire ice field into a multitude of tiny ice crystals in an instant!
Pikachu landed on the ice. At this moment, the ice layer was no longer smooth, and though the Iron Tail didn't obliterate the ice, it cracked it into countless crevices, removing the impediment of a slick ice surface for Pikachu.
"Impressive, he found a way to tackle it so swiftly." Brandon couldn't help but praise, his eyes filled with unmistakable shock.
Astonished not only by Ash's ingenuity but also by Pikachu's unwavering trust in Ash and its own power.
Keep in mind, this is Regice's ice, and even ordinary Fire Type Moves struggle to melt it, yet Pikachu shattered the entire field's ice with Iron Tail!
It's hard to imagine that this petite Pikachu could achieve such a feat. Truly the world's most extraordinary Pikachu.
"I see... smashing the entire field, naturally nullifies ice surface restrictions." Brock clapped his hand, exclaiming in realization.
This straightforward and crude method of solving it, only Ash would come up with that.
Misty and Serena showed joy, knowing Pikachu's speed could recover, there's still hope for victory, the situation now isn't as bleak as before.
Paul's eyes flickered with a strange light. Besides the powerful Pokemon prowess, the whimsical action characterizes Ash.
He had to admit one thing, in chaotic battles, Ash outshines him. It's a combat style he could learn a bit from…
"Alright, it's counterattack time, Pikachu, accelerate!" With the field smashed, though the snowy weather persists, Pikachu's mobility had restored.
It's now their turn to launch a counterattack!
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu touched the ground with his limbs, and his figure vanished instantaneously, leaving only a trail of golden arc.
Brandon's voice rang at this moment: "Regice, use Blizzard!"
He opted for Blizzard again, within snowy weather, the Blizzard range spans the entire field, its power unyielding, even growing stronger, leaving Pikachu without a space to evade.
In the next instant, Pikachu flashed before Regice, unleashing immensely heavy force upon Regice!
"Sizzle!" The sound of lightning slashing through the air arose, sending Regice flying again!
Due to Regice's limited movement, not far behind was Mewtwo's barrier. Upon crashing into it, the barrier rippled in circles.
Regice suffered damage, yet because the flight distance wasn't far, with a 'wall' obstructing, the resulting knockback was negligible.
Thus, Regice successfully cast Blizzard!
Winds carrying ice crystals whipped across the field again, icy power sweeping toward Pikachu. If hit once more, even with regained speed advantage, Pikachu still faces grave danger.