While Brandon was distracted, the destructive collision on the field continued relentlessly.
The golden destruction ray and the black flame clashed with each other, contrary to expectations, the picture of Charizard being crushed did not appear, and instead, they were locked in a stalemate in midair.
Visually, the shockwaves rippled outward, impacting the surrounding barriers.
The stalemate lasted for several seconds, and the flames on Charizard gradually weakened.
Being able to face off against a champion advanced level legendary Pokémon with a champion junior level strength is already quite an achievement.
If it weren't for the black flame and just a normal Flare Blitz, even in MEGA evolution form, Charizard would have been instantly consumed by the Hyper Beam, completely powerless to resist.
Now, being able to persist for a short while is already an impressive performance.
Unfortunately, this is the end of it.
The upcoming Hyper Beam will mercilessly crush Charizard, and this battle, he's won...
"Zzzzzz—" The piercing sound echoed in the battleground, and the weakened black flame managed to burn away the golden beam!
Charizard, enveloped in the Celestial Flame, showed a fierce expression, his body starting to collapse due to the side effects of the Celestial Flame and external pressure, but he still unleashed his full power without care!
He will not lose!
So what if it's champion advanced level? Back when he was elite advanced level, he still didn't fear, let alone now being at champion level!
In the past, it was always the Trainer who protected him, even at elite level, he still couldn't shelter Ash. But now, he's a champion!
Times have changed!
Now, with his own body, his own flames, he will carve out a world for Ash!
"Roar!!" Charizard let out a final roar, his entire strength erupting completely at this moment! The black flame surged, like a black dragon tearing apart the Hyper Beam!
"What?!" Brandon's calm demeanor finally broke, he didn't expect Charizard could reverse the situation!
The golden beam crumbled in front of the black flame, dispersing into countless light particles.
Charizard passed through the destructive beam, carrying an unstoppable momentum, and collided firmly with Registeel!
"Boom!!!"
Registeel's massive body, weighing several hundred kilograms, was sent flying, its metallic shell beginning to melt and deform under the black flame, scattering crimson molten iron.
The black flame wrapped around Registeel's body like a stubborn disease, continuously burning its steel form.
The metal shell, said to withstand any physical attack, was fragile like paper before the black flame.
Registeel landed heavily on the ground, tumbling several times, finally stopping against the barrier at the edge of the field.
Now, the six red gems on its chest were dull, the silver-gray metal shell scorched pitch black, multiple cracks revealing the boiling core underneath.
The legendary Registeel was now in such a pitiful state!
Everyone, including Brandon, including the referee, still hadn't recovered from Registeel's wretched appearance.
Until the flames on Charizard faded, and devolved back to its initial form, they finally reacted.
Charizard breathed heavily, his entire body battered, looking even more miserable than Registeel, yet he stood firm on the field.
In contrast, Registeel lay on the ground, utterly still, if not for the core in front of it emitting an extremely faint glow, everyone witnessing would think it had perished.
After a brief pause, the referee waved the flag: "Registeel has lost the ability to battle, Charizard wins!"
The arena fell silent.
Paul sat in the stands, instinctively gripping the armrest.
He clearly remembered his Magmortar using Flamethrower against Regice without breaking through its defense.
Yet Ash's Charizard had directly overwhelmed Registeel, known for its stronger defense.
This wasn't just breaking through defense, but nearly melting the entire body! The legendary pillar beaten so pitifully, who could have imagined?
Is that Charizard really just champion junior level?
A champion junior facing champion advanced, only having a MEGA evolution as ability enhancement, yet Ash hadn't used those strange level-boosting methods prior.
Even so, they won?
Is this due to Charizard's relentless will, or the black flame's exaggeration, or… neither?
Paul gazed below as Ash rushed to Charizard's side, supporting him back off the field, using a special power to heal Charizard.
This emotion, this bond might be the reason Charizard unleashed such terrifying power.
...
Brandon remained silent for a moment, recalling Registeel, knowing that the legendary Pokémon's life force was remarkably resilient, Registeel despite being battered had no life threat, just needed recovery at the Pokemon Center post-battle.
Subsequently, Brandon's gaze fell on Ash, his admiration in the eyes undisguised: "Well done, Ash, both you and your Charizard surprised and shook me, such a unique Charizard, it's the first time I've seen one."
The black flame, the astonishing willpower, and the terrifying talent... even Leon's Charizard might not match this one's uniqueness.
In terms of talent, Ash's Charizard definitely outshines Leon's.
In terms of strength, although Ash's Charizard still has a long way to go to catch up to Leon's, given time, it will surely do so.
Even now, this Charizard's strength has already entered the ranks of top-tier Pokémon, how many trainers at the champion level can confidently defeat Ash's Charizard?
He lost fairly.
But… Charizard is at its limit, even MEGA evolution has receded.
Although it hasn't lost its battle ability, it's as good as losing it.
Meaning they are equally matched now, both with only two Pokémon left.
Ash stabilized Charizard's injuries post-healing, then returned it to the Pokeball.
The Celestial Flame version of Flare Blitz is a life-consuming skill, if not for his healing and the continued effect of the Rainbow Wing in Charizard, just that one blow would result in a lifetime of hard-to-heal wounds.
This mutant flame born from Sacred Fire contains more terrifying destructive power than Sacred Fire itself but lacks its creation power.
Therefore, in destructive terms, this force allowed Charizard to bomb Registeel despite being two levels below champion grade, yet Charizard suffered considerable damage itself, was a mutual destruction force.
Although Charizard recovered some under Ash's treatment, Ash intends not to use him in the following battle.
Opponents' remaining two Pokémon will be left to his remaining two to handle.
"My second Pokémon is... Go, Regirock." Brandon tossed the Pokeball, releasing his second Pokémon.
This is a Pokémon fully composed of rock, the Rock Pillar, Regirock!
When Regirock appeared, its parameters also displayed before Ash.
This Pokémon has a stronger defense than Registeel, though its special defense is relatively weak - compared to Registeel.
In terms of attack power, Regirock is stronger than Registeel, and in terms of level stands equal to the latter, also champion advanced level, overall the Rock Pillar is greater than the Steel Pillar!
"For me... it's decided, Gardevoir!"