Champion Junior Level.
This level is still somewhat lacking compared to Registeel, but if you compare it to Charizard's historical level, it's a bit exaggerated...
How long has it been since the battle with Lorelei? Back then, Charizard was only at the Junior Elite Level.
Now, in less than three months, it has reached the champion level? This level advancement is practically like it rode a rocket!
However, Brandon could also see that Charizard hasn't been at the champion level for long, possibly even just reached it today.
This also caused that even if Charizard underwent MEGA Evolution, its strength was still hovering at the champion junior level, not reaching the champion intermediate level.
Levels are not everything, but having a level advantage equates to a huge advantage, especially since his Registeel has been immersed at the champion advanced level for many years, with its ability values having reached the peak of its current level.
If the opponent dared to confront Registeel head-on, they would be suppressed by Registeel in just one encounter.
"Charizard, use Fire Punch!"
Ash took the initiative to attack. Since the level was at a disadvantage, speed and momentum must compensate!
Although at a level disadvantage, Charizard did not have as significant a gap as in the battle with Paul, so it was still faster than the slower Divine Pillar.
Charizard's wings shook, and its massive body shot through the air like a fighter jet!
The flames entwined around its right fist left a blue afterimage as it moved at high speed, reaching Registeel in the blink of an eye!
"So fast!" Paul's pupils suddenly contracted.
He hadn't even reacted, and Charizard had already rushed to the opponent. If he swapped positions, his Electivire would have probably been sent flying more than a dozen meters away by now.
"Registeel, Iron Defense!" Brandon's calm voice echoed.
The Divine Pillar crossed its arms in front, the silvery-gray metallic body shimmering with a faint metallic sheen, pushing its defensive power to the extreme at that moment.
"Boom!!!"
The Fire Punch landed squarely on Registeel's arms!
The moment the scorching flame collided with steel, a sharp metallic screech resounded throughout the pyramid.
Registeel's body, said to withstand any physical attack, was forced to slide backward for more than a dozen meters by the punch, plowing two deep grooves in the ground with its feet!
Its arms bore noticeable burn marks from the flames, and its entire body tinged red, affected by the high temperatures of the Fire Punch!
"What?!" Brandon's face revealed an expression of surprise for the first time.
He hadn't expected Charizard's physical attack to be so powerful, dealing such significant damage to Registeel even with Iron Defense engaged.
That Charizard's attack power was likely at the champion advanced level.
Even Registeel couldn't withstand several more of such attacks.
"Well done, Charizard!" Ash clenched his fist, "Another Fire Punch!"
Ash wanted Charizard to repeat its success, but Brandon wasn't someone to be caught twice.
As Charizard replicated its attack and closed in on Registeel, Brandon's voice reached Registeel's ears: "Withstand it, and use Hammer Arm."
"Boom!!"
Charizard's Fire Punch once again hit Registeel's arm, but this time Registeel wasn't blown away, its legs firmly rooted to the ground, the floor cracking once more, showcasing the potency of the strike.
The next instant, Registeel's left arm swept with overwhelming force!
Charizard, having just completed its attack, was still in the follow-through and couldn't dodge. The robust metallic arm slammed into Charizard's side abdomen!
"Boom!!!"
The force of this hit was astonishing. Charizard's massive body was like a baseball hit by a bat, pounded directly into the ground!
The already ravaged battle arena crumbled completely under the impact, a massive crater over five meters in diameter exploding amidst dust, with web-like cracks spreading in all directions.
Fierce shockwaves, carrying debris and dust, spread outward, prompting Misty and others in the stands to instinctively raise their arms to shield their faces, the gust stingingly brushing their cheeks.
The entire pyramid began to tremble due to the clash between the two.
The aftermath of a Champion-level Pokemon battle could level a small town!
But the tremor was isolated in less than a second, with only the battle arena affected by the battle shockwaves now.
Mewtwo intervened.
"Charizard!" Serena couldn't help but cry out.
As the dust slowly settled, at the center of the crater, Charizard was pinned to the ground by Hammer Arm, the tremendous force coupled with the level gap nearly knocking Charizard unconscious.
If it weren't for MEGA Evolution, this strike would have decided the match!
Ash clenched his fist tightly, his expression grave almost to the point of dripping water.
The legendary Pokemon indeed lived up to its name… "Charizard, escape from under that Hammer Arm first!" Ash's voice jolted the groggy Charizard awake, and it tried to flap its wings to escape, only to find the arm pressing down on it like a mountain, immobilizing it!
"It's over, Registeel, use Ancient Power." Brandon swung his arm and shouted.
The six red diamond-shaped gems on Registeel's chest lit up simultaneously, an ancient and immense energy surging from within.
The broken rocks around seemed to lose their gravity, floating up in chunks, glowing earthy yellow under the empowerment of Ancient Power, hovering like a meteor swarm behind Registeel.
If this hit landed on Charizard, under the attribute restraint and Registeel's formidable attacking power, it would definitely knock Charizard out of the battle!
At this moment, Misty and the others felt their hearts leap—Why… why not use Aura Fusion, Ash!
Without Aura Fusion, the gap was still somewhat large, Charizard's defense was paper-thin before the not-so-high attack of Registeel, and continuing like this left no chance of victory!
"Charizard, Flare Blitz!!!" Ash's shout echoed throughout the arena.
"Roar!!" Charizard's body suddenly ignited with a crimson flame!
The red flames even enveloped the blue flames on its tail and shoulders; although crimson, they burned hotter than the blue flames!
Under the scorching flames, Registeel's arm pressing down on Charizard turned fiery red, seemingly about to melt away!
Pained, Registeel reluctantly released Charizard, but the Ancient Power in the sky was already raining down like a meteor shower!
Charizard did not dodge, charging straight up; the falling boulders melted upon contact with the flame, scattering like lava, unable to hinder it in the slightest!
Harnessing the power of Flare Blitz, Charizard eventually broke through the siege, hovering in mid-air, breathless yet still capable of fighting to a degree.
Registeel, on the other hand, suffered much more severe damage!
Two Fire Punches, combined with the Divine Flame version of Flare Blitz from Charizard, burned it severely, cumulatively losing at least two-thirds of its physical strength.
On the other side, Misty and the others sighed in relief as they watched Charizard break out from the meteor shower.
This battle truly tested the heart—feeling like a heart attack could strike at any moment, had Ash used Aura Fusion, it wouldn't have been so thrilling.
In reality, if Ash had used Aura Fusion, even MEGA Evolution could be skipped, with Charizard able to smash through those Three Divine Pillars alone.
The reason for not using it was simple, he didn't want to, and Charizard didn't either.
When weak, relying on unconventional means to compete on equal footing was one thing, but now with power caught up, battling with sheer force on even terms meant no need for Aura Fusion?
In this battle, Charizard would prove—betting on the dignity of Ash's top three aces! Even without relying on Aura Fusion, it can definitively defeat Champion-level Pokemon!