The Saffron Fighting Dojo

"Feels so strange being back in Saffron City so soon," Chloe spoke as the three walked through the city streets.

"Won't be the last time either, I've still got to beat the Gym Leader and earn the Marsh badge!"

"Pi Pikachu!" Ash and Pikachu clenched their fists at the thought however it was still too soon as they could see quite a few people racing out of the Gym with unconscious Pokemon in their arms, some of the trainer's even looking quite frightful and relieved to have escaped! Psychic types could be quite challenging so it was best put off until he had at least another badge or two!

"You sure you don't need us to go with you, Brock?" Chloe asked as Brock prepared to temporarily part ways in order to attend Suzie's funeral.

"Uh no... I'd rather be alone for this if that's okay with you all." Brock spoke with a saddened tone, Chloe quickly nodded her head in understanding. "You two go on ahead and handle the Fighting Dojo without me, I'll... see you later tonight."

"Croa." Brock and Croagunk walked down an alternate street while Ash and Chloe continued advancing on ahead where they were quick to come across a large dojo that while at first glance appeared to look like any other dojo there was one minor difference as "Saffron City Gym" could be seen painted over with a large red X!

"Huh?" Ash tilted his head at the sight. "I didn't know Saffron City had two Gyms!"

"It doesn't, at least not anymore." A gruffy masculine voice spoke from behind the two, the two quickly turned around to see who joined in the conversation before emitting a series of surprised gasps!

"Bruno!" Ash's eyes lit up as he couldn't believe his luck meeting two Elite Four members within the same week!

"B-Bruno!" Chloe's eyes grew huge as she couldn't help but eye up Bruno's heavy muscular physique. "T-They're not really real are they?" Ash noticed and couldn't help but feel a fire raging inside of him, Chloe wasn't attracted to the muscles though just merely curious as she had no idea one could get that big!

"That's me and they sure are!" Bruno let out a hearty laugh as he punched his chest. "When you wrestle your Rock and Fighting types like I do, you get quite the muscular physique fast! Of course I also like to relax under waterfalls with my good buddy Lance too! As for the dojo, I actually used to run this place back when it was a Gym but once I was offered the promotion to become an Elite Four member I passed it on to my apprentice, Koichi who was quite the karate master in his own right. Koichi and Sabrina's father both held titles as the city's Gyms, allowing for trainers to pick up two badges if they made the trip here. However after his own retirement arrived which was long withheld on account of the age requirement change, he'd grown bitter and resentful while Sabrina was forced to patiently wait alone throughout a very long six years, all of her friends had left mere weeks before the age change and her relationship with her own father became restrained as time progressed too. Sabrina's only friend was the Abra she grew up alongside and well you can only imagine that upon reaching the required age she'd become quite powerful quickly on account of her growing her psychic abilities over the years allowing for her and Abra to grow even closer and stronger together!" The Elite Four member spoke without taking a single break!

"Hold up a second," Chloe spoke as she raised her hands.

"Sabrina has psychic powers?!" Ash exclaimed.

"Pika pi?!"

"Eevoi?!"

"Mhm! It takes quite the time and patience to become a powerful psychic and she had all the time in the world! She'd grown quite cold and emotionless, growing bored of stomping Gym Challengers left and right that she winded up challenging my own apprentice for the title of Saffron's sole Gym Leader! Koichi foolishly accepted and well... he was destroyed in mere seconds! It devastated him so much that he turned the Fighting Dojo into a proper dojo to teach students the art of karate as he no longer has the fighting spirit he used to!"

"T-That's awful, how could Sabrina do that?!" Chloe gasped.

Ash clenched his fists and shot a glare in the direction of the official Saffron Gym which was right next door. "Maybe I should talk to Sabrina."

"I-I wouldn't! You'd only upset her and you wouldn't like what happens when you do that!" Bruno waved his hands as he shook his head about. "Trust me the only way to get anything through her head is through a Pokemon battle and she's too resentful towards us Elite Four folks to listen to us!" Explaining why he hadn't done anything cause he literally couldn't when Sabrina hated his guts!

"Has anyone even beaten Sabrina since she took over?" Chloe questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Not according to the official League database," Bruno shook his head.

"Then Gary and Leaf haven't been through here yet!" Ash lightly smirked. "Alright then I'll go on ahead and beat Koichi before advancing to Celadon and beating the Gym there, after that we should be good enough to beat Sabrina!"

"Pi Pikachu!"

"..." Bruno glanced towards Ash's wrist and silently shook his head before forcing a smile as he pounded his hand against his fist. "Well like I said Koichi isn't accepting challengers anymore but I'm sure that I can convince him, you're the right individual to get him back his fighting spirit!" Bruno excitedly punched at the air as he shouted.

"No, absolutely not!" A man about three years older than Ash and Chloe shook his head at Bruno's request. He crossed his arms as he gave Bruno a stern look. "You've never been humiliated like I was master, you don't understand what it was like! I can't come back from that!"

"Come on Koichi, just give him a chance! I sense the same fighting spirit that I sensed within you, that I sensed within Red and Rex when they passed through! You weren't old enough to know of that but you do remember the stories right?"

Koichi crossed his arms and huffed as he turned his back on his master. "No means no! Master I think you should leave..."

Bruno crossed his own arms with a dissatisfied expression as he genuinely thought he could convince his former apprentice. "Well then I guess you'll never know what it was like to challenge Red!"

"Excuse me?" Koichi raised an eyebrow as he slowly glanced back. "What does that even mean?"

"I don't want to play this card but... this is Red's son!" Bruno pointed towards Ash while holding up a picture of Red with his free hand. Koichi's eyes slowly drifted from the picture towards Ash before drifting back to the picture and eventually back to Ash.

"How do I know this isn't just his doppelganger? People say you and Flint look alike but you aren't related!" Koichi remained distrustful.

"Well I believe we both know the answer to that," Bruno smirked, clenching his fists as he began chanting out. "Battle, battle, battle!"

Koichi eventually released a reluctant sigh as he rolled his eyes. "I swear you're as stubborn as a child sometimes, fine! But if he fails to reignite my fighting spirit, I want you to leave it be and let me run my dojo in peace!"

"It's a deal!" Bruno grinned, having complete confidence in Ash despite having just met the boy. He gave Ash a slap on the back, pushing him forward. "Good luck Ketchum!"

"The name's Ash actually," Ash finally spoke with a light sweat.

"Koichi," The karate master addressed without giving off any emotion. He merely yawned as he tossed a Pokeball forward to release a Hitmonlee.

"Monlee!" Hitmonlee eagerly kicked the air in front of him.

"You do know you can only use Fighting types here, right? Pikachu won't be able to fight..." Koichi spoke while once again barely showing emotion.

"That's not a problem cause I only need one Fighting type to help reignite your fighting spirit, Primeape I choose you!"

"Prime!" Primeape angrily burst from his ball, his eyes glowing red as steam poured from his ears. The monkey breathed heavily before suddenly turning around to punch Ash in the stomach!

"Ow!" Ash dropped to his knees as his breath momentarily escaped him.

Primeape let out a huff and shot across the field without waiting for a command, grabbing hold of Hitmonlee's legs before aggressively slamming the Pokemon against the ground in a repetitive manner!

"H-Hitmonlee!" The fighting type gasped before going limp as swirls appeared in it's eyes.

Koichi gave Bruno a look as he quietly returned Hitmonlee. "See master? He didn't even need to order an attack to beat me!"

Bruno crossed his arms as he looked towards Primeape. "Try Hitmontop!"

"Montop!" The Fighting Pokemon cried as he burst from his Pokeball!

"W-What's that Pokemon?" Ash asked as he got back to his feet.

"Hitmontop the Handstand Pokemon, Hitmontop spins on its head at high speed, all the while delivering kicks. This technique is a remarkable mix of both offense and defense at the same time. The Pokemon travels faster spinning than it does walking!"

"Okay Primeape, let's try-"

"Prime!" Primeape ignored Ash and raced forward in a blind rage as he preferred winning on his own terms. Primeape's fist became surrounded in a blue aura as he lashed out at Hitmontop!

"Rapid Spin." Koichi lazily ordered.

"Hitmontop top top top!" Hitmontop began rapidly spinning in place and as soon as Primeape's fist met him, the monkey was sucked right into the twister before shortly being flung straight up into the air above!

"Prime!" Primeape's eyes widened from surprise as he flew up before proceeding to flail his arms and legs about as he began falling towards the ground below!

"Primeape!" Ash quickly dove forward, throwing his body where Primeape was about to land allowing for Primeape to safely land on top of his back! Primeape's eyes widened upon noticing a significantly softer landing than he'd been expecting and upon hearing a grunt he quickly leaped up and let out a surprised screech upon realizing his trainer had broken his fall!

"Primeape?!"

Koichi leaped back with a startled expression while Bruno merely smirked as if he'd been expecting it to happen.

"Told ya that he's the son of Red!"

"Prime, Primeape!" Primeape's eyes grew watery as he proceeded to poke Ash to see if he was still okay.

"I'm alright, Primeape..." Ash lightly smiled at the Fighting type as he got back to his feet. "I'm just glad that you're ok-"

"Primeape, Primeape!" Primeape tearfully cried as he began bowing apologetically to Ash.

"Pika pi!"

"You think he's apologizing? No need for that all is forgiven, Primeape. Now what do you say about working together to prove ourselves to Bruno and Koicihi?!" Ash exclaimed with clenched fists.

"Prime!" Primeape smirked as he copied his trainer's actions.

"Alright then, you're gonna have to listen carefully so we can pull this off! Close Combat!"

"Primeape!" Primeape charged across the field towards his opponent immediately upon receiving his command!

"Deflect him with Rapid Spin." Koichi yawned out.

"Top top top!" Hitmontop began rapidly spinning before blasting off towards the direction of his fast approaching opponent!

"Now use Dig!" Koichi's eyes widened from the sudden command while the smirk remained present upon Bruno.

Primeape halted his attack and hastily buried beneath the ground, creating a large hole that Hitmontop was unable to dodge on account of his rapid speed! The spinning top toppled over and fell straight into the hole where he now laid at Primeape's mercy!

"Now let's finish this with Dynamic Punch!" Ash shouted while giving the air in front of him a quick punch!

"Prime!" The sound of a blow being dealt could be heard shortly before Hitmontop came flying out of the hole!

"Montop!" The Fighting type cried before coming to a collapsed heap as he landed in front of his trainer.

Koichi gazed at his downed Pokemon before looking at Primeape and Ash in surprise, an impressed look soon crossed his face. He didn't seem to mind that he was losing anymore as the battle was actually getting interesting!

"Hitmontop, return." Koichi returned Hitmontop to it's ball and reached for the final Pokeball. "Hitmonchan this is all on you, let's give them a proper showdown!"

"Hitmonchan!" Hitmonchan repeatedly punched the air before locking eyes with Primeape, the two punching Pokemon gave one another a challenging look before Koichi ordered the first attack!

"Bullet Punch!"

"Monchan!" Hitmonchan lashed out with a punch that was as fast as a speeding bullet, giving Primeape no chance at dodging as he was struck across the face! Primeape grunted out before uttering out a growl as his eyes and fur started turning red, steam poured from his ears as he let out an angry shout!

"Primeape's getting steamed!" Chloe exclaimed.

"Primeape, control your anger don't let it get the best of you!" Ash called out. If they could utilize Primeape's anger properly in battle, he had the potential to be one of his strongest Pokemon as the angrier he got the stronger his attacks got! Primeape breathed heavily and shot Ash a glare but seemed to be in control as he didn't lash out at either Ash or his opponent just yet.

"Prime..." He growled, wanting Ash to hurry up as he wasn't sure he could control his anger for long!

"Primeape use Dynamic Punch!"

"Prime!" Primeape's fist became engulfed in a light blue aura as he pulled it back before quickly lashing out, punching Hitmonchan upside the face while uttering an angry shout! Hitmonchan's eyes went cross while a group of tiny Staryu began swirling around his head.

"Chan..."

"Focus Hitmonchan, fight the confusion and strike with Focus Punch!" Hitmonchan closed his eyes as he attempted to regain focus, trusting his other senses rather than his sight before lashing out with an glowing orange fist! The fist struck Primeape and knocked the monkey off his feet, Primeape wasn't out yet however as he quickly sprang back to his feet while uttering an angry shout, his fur and eyes much redder than they were seconds ago!

"Prime... prime..." Primeape breathed heavily while looking as if he were inwardly fighting his instincts as he wanted to prove himself to his trainer!

"Okay Primeape, let's use your anger to our advantage! Use Close Combat!" Ash shouted with a throw of his arm!

"Prime!" Primeape sprung forward and began repeatedly striking Hitmonchan from up close in a rapid fashion! Hitmonchan grunted as his face and chest were repeatedly struck one after the other before eventually keeling over in defeat as swirls filled his eyes.

"Hitmonchan..."

Bruno watched as his former apprentice stared at his downed Pokemon for a moment before smirking as Koichi eventually began clapping his hands.

"Well done, well done!" Koichi returned Hitmonchan before giving Ash a bow of respect. "I may not have won nor even come close to beating Primeape from the look of things but you most certainly helped reignite my fighting spirit!" It helped greatly that he didn't just flat out destroy him with a single attack like when he went up against Sabrina's Alakazam!

"I told you he would! I can't wait to fight this kid myself, something tells me that he'll give me a good run for my money!" Bruno laughed. "But of course I'll come out on top, after all I must keep the title of strongest Fighting specialist!"

"Well I don't doubt that he'll make it that far, heck he'd probably even surpass you master." Koichi gave Bruno a teasing smirk. Bruno nodded his head before widening his eyes in realization.

"Hey!"

"Heh, don't mention it! I'm just glad to have formed a bond with Primeape!" Ash stated with a wide grin.

"Primeape!" Primeape cried as he appeared to share his trainer's sentiments.

"Of course there is a prize for beating the dojo, your choice of the Tyrogue line!" Koichi revealed.

"Tyrogue?" Ash questioned with a light tilt of his head.

"That's the pre-evolved form of Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan and Hitmontop!" Bruno quickly explained to him. "You get your choice of one of them or Tyrogue."

Ash thought over his options for a moment before giving a glance towards Primeape. "Thanks but no thanks, I just captured Primeape and bonded with him! I think it'll be awhile before another Fighting type joins my team."

Primeape's eyes grew watery once more before he threw his arms around Ash. Brock walked in at that moment, wiping the last of his tears away before focusing on the scene playing out in front of him. "Looks like I missed out on a lot..."

"I'll fill you in later," Chloe spoke while giving her friend a look of concern.

"Understandable," Koichi gave a bow of respect while Bruno smirked.

"Spoken like a true Pokemon Master, treasure your friendships kid. There's plenty of time for you to catch other Pokemon and I'm sure that there are plenty of Fighting type Pokemon out there somewhere waiting for you to catch them someday!" Bruno grinned.

"I'm sure they are and I can't wait to meet them! But for now, I'm gonna stick with Primeape!"

"Primeape!" Primeape's eyes remained watery as he smiled at his trainer.

"Well spoken!" Bruno whipped out a golden belt seemingly from out of nowhere. "But I do think you deserve a prize of some sort, why not my old P1 Champion belt?! I think it'd look great on Primeape!"

"I can't-"

"Primeape!" The monkey eagerly snatched it and put it on without a delay!

"Nevermind..." Ash sweated as Primeape accepted the reward. Probably wasn't best to fight with him over it as he appeared to love it!

"Speaking of which, I believe you're in a hurry to reach Celadon? The League is four months away and you've only got three badges!" Bruno reminded Ash while also granting him an excuse to say his goodbyes.

"That's right!" Ash's eyes grew huge before he gave Koichi and Bruno a quick bow. "It was an honor meeting you two but we've got to run!"

"Prime!" Primeape, Larvitar and Pikachu copied their trainer.

Chloe gave a quick bow of her own but remained silent as she questioned the amount of time that passed. Had it really been six months since they'd left Pallet Town? That would certainly explain why Gary happened to have ten badges last time they saw him while also owning over fifty different species of Pokemon! But it felt like it was just a few weeks ago that they'd met their Pokemon partners and left Pallet Town on their grand adventure!

"Togepriii!" Togepi cried out before Chloe looked down at the baby Pokemon. It'd been about a month now since Larvitar and Togepi had hatched now that she thought about it, Larvitar had grown out of his shyness and started acting more mature while Togepi seemingly behaved the same as before! The egg Pokemon was most certainly a mystery and she couldn't wait to learn the secrets behind Togepi!

"So where to next?" Ash questioned as the group left the dojo. "Straight to Celadon?"

"Not quite," Chloe spoke up as she pulled out her Rotom Phone. "It's a bit of a detour but there's a Princess Festival being held in O-Hina Town and the winner of it will receive a special ribbon that counts towards your Contest progression on top of some other prizes. The ribbon is what counts though, the Grand Festival is occuring before the League so I've got an even shorter amount of time to gather the remaining three ribbons!"

"Princess Festival?" Ash tilted his head while looking rather clueless as he had no idea what it was. "Well then sounds like we're going to O-Hina Town, Celadon can wait a few more days!"

"Pi Pikachu!" The two grinned and Chloe flashed them an appreciative look before the group made their way out of Saffron City.

"Scizor!" Scizor flew through the air before landing in a collapsed heap before Samurai.

"No way! Scizor's out?! T-That's impossible, we've never failed a quest as quickly as we have today!" Samurai exclaimed with a panicked expression.

"Well now you have and now you'll join me forever as agreed upon!" A purple haired girl his age flashed a smirk as a crazed glint appeared in her eye.

"I promised no such thing, temptress! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go heal my Pokemon!" Samurai unsheathed his sword before lifting it up. "Next time Samurai will reign supreme I swear to you!"

"Oh there won't be a next time but I do have a special place for you..."

"Excuse me?" Samurai tilted his head before shrugging as he turned around to go. Sabrina's eyes glowed bright blue and Samurai's world shortly went black before he found awakened to find himself in what appeared to be a dollhouse! "What dark magic did that witch cast upon me?!" He shouted.

"No idea but she's clearly keeping us trapped here to fill some emotional void," Samurai turned to see Leaf sitting at a nearby table with a bored expression.

"You're that Leaf dame, my arch rival's friend!"

"Friend?! I'm his rival too!" Leaf's eye twitched as she growled out. "And you're that nutcase who thinks he is a samurai!'

"I don't think I'm a samurai ma'am, I am one!" He lifted his sword and swung it about before it snapped in half like it was plastic as he struck it against a wall! "Blasphemy, that witch will pay for this!"

"Oh brother..." Leaf facepalmed as she knew their stay would be long and torturous. She cast a longing look towards the dollhouse window. "I can only hope that Gary or Ash free us soon."

Yeah Sabrina's the same age as Ash and Chloe here. After Johto, Ash and Chloe won't be encountering too many trainers their age apart from Paul, Zinnia, Serena and possibly Alain. May, the Rayquaza hero, Dawn, Lyra and Barry are all two years younger while Hilda, N and their friends are three to four years younger. So yeah, not everyone will be Ash's age. Sabrina was aged this way for story purposes, not going to make a habit of it.

Anyways hope you all enjoyed! I'm sure somebody will complain about Ash not getting a Hitmon family member but it'd just seem rude to have him obtain another Fighting type within the same 'episode' he bonds with Primeape, ya know? Ash will get other Fighting type Pokemon, I already dropped a hint two chapters ago on one within the actual story, not the notes! Won't be that long for him to get one considering what region's next and my love for that particular Pokemon! :)