(Week 1, Year 1)
Ash was in a near-empty room sitting close to a table with a bunch of books. Brandon was standing next to the young man, as he explained the importance of knowledge.
" Come on Brandon I don't need need to know all of this, "
Brandon sighed. " It has come to my attention that you wish to become a Pokemon Master. Correct?"
" Of course, it's the reason why I accepted your offer." It was well known that the only way to gain the title of Pokemon Master was to beat the Pokemon World Tournament.
The problem was that only 8 trainers were allowed to enter the tournament those trainers being the Champion of the Indigo League who was the Champion of both Johto and Kanto, The Champion of Hoenn, The Champion of Sinnoh, The Champion of Unova, The Champion of Kalos, The Champion of Alola, The Champion of Galar, and last but not least the leader of the Battle Frontier.
" As you are now you don't stand a chance at becoming a Pokemon Master. With your current skill level, you may be able to put up a fight but winning the tournament is unlikely."
" I beat you didn't I!?"
" You beat me by the skin of your teeth. If we battled again it's likely that I would win, which is why it's important for you to study. Right now your Pokemon are training to become stronger you, on the other hand, must become smarter. " Brandon pointed out, Ash thought on his words and realized the man was right. Although they were in another room Ash could hear his Pokemon training alongside Brandon's Pokemon if they were going to work hard then it was only fair that he works just as hard albeit mentally rather than Physically.
Noticing the glimmer of determination in Ash's eyes Brandon left the room knowing Ash would expand his battle knowledge with the books he left for him.
As Brandon left Ash began choosing which book he would read first. There was one book on Pokemon Moves and another that mostly focused on battle tactics, He would start with the one that focused on battle tactics. Ash figured he should start with the book that seemed the most interesting.
(Week 2, Year 1)
This time around Brandon was teaching Ash the basics of flying the Battle Pyramid. They were in the control room of the Battle Pyramid Ash and Brandon was standing in front of a console with all sorts of buttons and levers.
" The Pyramid is mostly autopiloted but there may be a time where the A.I. that flies the Pyramid is compromised it is extremely vital that you at very least know how to land the Pyramid."
"Alright, let's start." Ash reached out and pulled a lever to see what it would do.
" No!" Brandon shouted as the Pyramid's engines all shut off.
(Year 2)
Brandon and Ash were approached by a purple-haired young man named Paul.
"Who are you?" Brandon asked. " Are you the Challenger Scott has told me about?"
"My name is Paul Shinji and I've come to defeat you, Brandon." Paul pulled a pokeball and pointed it at the Pyramid King.
" I'm afraid not, to earn your final frontier symbol you will battle my apprentice." Brandon pointed to Ash who was standing behind Brandon.
"What!? The entire reason I entered the Battle Frontier was so that I can defeat you!" Paul snapped at the Pyramid King.
Brandon crossed both of his arms as his face took on a thoughtful expression. " I see... well then if you manage to defeat Ash then I promise that I will personally heal your Pokemon and agree to battle in any way format that you want, Double battle, Triple battle, you could even tell me to battle you with one Pokemon while you use all six of yours and I will agree but first you must defeat Ash."
Paul closed his fist in frustration, he went through the trouble of going through the Battle Frontier just so he could defeat the man who easily curb stomped his brother, Now after training for years, he thought he would finally be getting the fight he was preparing for ever since his career as a Pokemon Trainer began only to be told he had one more obstacle in his way.
"Fine." Paul said clearly annoyed by this turn of events, " But when I win I want a full six on six battle against you."
"Understood though I wouldn't be so sure about your victory."
Ash and Paul got into their sides of the field at that moment the robot that was programmed to be the referee for all the battles began to announce the rules.
"This will be a three on three battle, both trainers can change their Pokemon as they please, once all three of a trainer's Pokemon are unable to battle the winner will be declared."
"The Pyramid Prince Ash Ketchum will release his Pokemon first."
" Pikachu I choose you!"
Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder doing a flip in the air before landing on the field.
"A Pikachu!?" Paul thought to himself in shock. " I thought that was just his pet, not an actual Pokemon he used to fight." It was well known that Pikachu's, in general, were not great fighters even their evolved form Raichu was average at best, Paul shook his head, it didn't matter why this fool was using such a weak pokemon all that mattered was that Paul beat him so he could battle the REAL Pyramid King.
" Torterra stand by for battle."
The Sinnoh starter landed now ready for battle, though he was surprised to see that he would be battling such a small pokemon.
"Torterra use Stone Edge!"
The Grass-type surrounded itself with six rings of light, the light faded revealing dozens of stones with a battle cry Torterra launched the stones at the Electric mouse pokemon.
" Quick attack and Iron tail."
Pikachu ran straight towards the stone edge his tail glowing with a metallic sheen. Pikachu jumped using the stones as jump pads to get closer and closer to his opponent until he jumped high into the air.
Pikachu did a front flip and landed tail first into Torterra's head causing him to grunt in pain.
" You know what to do," Ash said.
Pikachu quickly sprang into the air while Torterra was still recovering from that first hit. Pikachu used the move hidden power and nailed Torterra with three orbs of light blue energy.
Torterra fell to the ground shortly after that. " Impossible!" Paul exclaimed
" Pikachu knows the move Hidden Power, it's a move that's different for every pokemon but for my Pikachu Hidden Power is an ice type move."
Paul's widened as he realized that attack was a four times super effective move on his Torterra... but even so to lose to a Pikachu.
" Was that really the best you could do," Paul said as he returned his fallen starter causing Ash to frown.
"Magmotar stand by for battle."
Ash shook his head and told Pikachu to return to his side.
"Venusaur I choose you!"
Ash threw a pokeball into the air and released his first grass type.
'A Grass-type vs a Fire-type what is guy thinking.'
"Rain Dance!" Ash shouted.
Venusaur's eyes glowed blue as it summoned a cluster of rain clouds above the battlefield. Venusaur closed its mouth for a second as it enjoyed the feeling of water hitting the flower on its back.
Magmortar on the hand flinched as the rain cooled down his body creating a nice bit of steam in the process.
" Magmotar use Flamethrower!"
" Counter with Venoshock!"
Magmotar pointed both of its arms towards Venusaur and let loose a stream of flames.
Venusaur opened its mouth and fired a blast of venom at the flame thrower.
The two attacks clashed with Venoshock overpowering the Flamethrower and hitting Magmotar.
Ash smiled at this, so far his strategy was working flawlessly Rain Dance made Fire-type attacks fifty percent weaker making it easier for Venusaur to overcome its current type disadvantage.
"Now use toxic."
Venusaur spat out a blob of poison the slammed into Magmotar's chest. The Fire-type fell to his knees in pain as the poison coursed through his body causing him great pain.
" Now give him a Venoshock."
Again Venusaur used Venoshock this time though the attack kicked up a large amount of dust when hit the Fire-type. When the dust settled Magmortar was on the floor completely unable to battle.
Paul growled in frustration as he silently returned his Pokemon. "Pathetic."
This time Brandon frowned at Paul's behavior.
The entire battle Ash had been using his Pokedex to analyze his opponent so far Ash could see why Paul's Pokemon were losing so easily.
Pikachu LV.80
Torterra LV.68
Venusaur LV.73
Magmotar LV.62
There was a considerable gap in strength between their Pokemon and Ash was using good strategy win.
"Electivire Stand by for battle!"
Ash returned his Venusaur and switched him out for Blastoise.
"Electivire Use thunderbolt!"
"Blastoise use Yawn."
Blastoise opened his mouth and gave out a loud yawn as Electivire electrocuted the Giant tortoise. Blastoise flinched as he took the super effective attack though Blastoise took pleasure in seeing the Electric-type fall asleep soon after it attacked.
"It fell asleep!?"
"Blastoise use Blizzard!"
Blastoise howled as he summoned icy cold winds and directed them towards Electivire. Frost slowly gathered all over the body of the Electric-type until it was frozen solid.
"Finish it with Hydro Cannon!"
Blastoise pointed both of its cannons at Electivire before shooting a blast of extremely pressurized water that shattered the ice trapping Electivire on contact. As soon as the attack hit Electivire was sent straight into the wall behind Paul slightly denting it.
Paul gasped slightly as he witnessed his Electivire get knocked out.
"Electivire is unable to battle, Challenger Paul has lost all three of his Pokemon. The Winner is Pyramid Prince Ash Ketchum."
"You did it Blastoise!" Ash praised as he and his Pokemon began celebrating. The rain clouds that Venusaur had summoned finally dissipated.
"Very well done Ash, you kept him off balance by using Pokemon with the type disadvantage and you made full use of Rain Dance with Venusaur and Blastoise." Brandon praised.
"Thank you, Sir," Ash said while giving Brandon a salute an action that was mimicked by both Blastoise and Pikachu.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed that Paul was leaving the Pyramid. "Young Man."
Paul stopped as he heard Brandon.
" You lost today for two reasons, One you were underprepared, and two the bonds between you and your Pokemon are weak. They see you as nothing more than a competent General, Come back once you have trained more and when you've developed a real friendship between your Pokemon."
Paul closed his fist before silently walking away.