"A SCYTHER!"

The other trainers stood back as Ray's Scyther eyed the Primeape.

"How-HOW DID YOU GET THAT?!"

Even the Dojo leader wanted to know. Ray could only scratch the back of his neck.

"Well y'know, it's kind of a funny story…

"Anyways, want to forfeit?"

Scyther looked intimidating, but the now vocal opponent wouldn't have any of it. He ordered his Pokemon to charge.

"Fury swipes!"

"Dodge! Use Quick attack!"

Within seconds, Scyther dodged and Primeape got hit again.

"Scyther, Focus Cut!"

As quickly as he could command it, Scyther built up its own energy before slicing down on the Primeape, knocking it senseless into the mat.

The other trainer left like he entered, sneaking back into the shadows like someone out of a mystery novel. Scyther still stood next to Ray, carefully cleaning itself with its blades.

"Final battle, Hiteshi?" Dojo Master Kiyo called to the man standing closest to his seat. His white karate gi was tattered where he cut it by the sleeves, while his headband floated on the breeze.

"Mankey shall be my first choice. We'll see how this fight turns out."

"Yeah, we shall see," Ray replied, shaking with excitement.

"Scyther, quick attack!"

The giant mantis flung itself at the Mankey, blades pointed forward.

"Dodge and use fury swipes!"

Scyther had so much momentum that it tripped as it was struck with swipes of fury, tumbling across the mat.

"Now, use focus energy while it is down."

"Scyther, use Leer!"

As Mankey's defense went down, its attack went up. Then the fight really began.

"Fury swipes again!"

"Parry with your swords and give a quick attack."

The two Pokemon fought in perfect rhythm, each blow countered, each attack parried. The trainers' eyes darted across the field as each Pokemon gained an upper hand.

"Cut!"

"Karate chop!"

"Quick attack!"

"Fury swipes!"

"Double team!"

Immediately, Scyther moved away from Mankey and shot a flash of light into the room. As everyone, including Mankey, rubbed the light away, they all saw multiple copies of Scyther all across the mat. Everyone, except for Ray.

"Stay still Scyther! It doesn't know which one is you."

Mankey stared in utter confusion at the number of Scythers. It attacked one, then another, then another.

Time to finish this.

"Focus cut!"

Out of the copies, one Scyther struck with a powerful slice to the face. The Mankey that fought the best collapsed on to the mat. The two trainers stood opposite each other, nodding in respect.

Another Mankey appeared, ready to battle.

Let the games begin again.

Ray doesn't call Scyther to attack. Instead he commands him to focus his energy and send out another leer. It's Hiteshi that commands his Mankey to advance.

The parry begins again. Right, left, uppercut, elbow, backhand, left again, another right, and a cross check- all dodged by the wondrously fast Scyther. This time, Scyther and Ray knew what to do- tire this one out. They had all of the time in the world.

Right, left, right, uppercut, down elbow, swipe, swipe again, both arms up, right again.

Then another left, after a long pause.

Mankey was getting tired.

"Scyther, now."

A right, a left, an uppercut, a quick attack, a cut, another cut. The furious blades smacked into Mankey, sending it flying back towards Hiteshi as it grew spirals around its eyes.

"Good job, Ray. Let's see how you do with my final combatant."

A final Primeape stomped onto the stage, slamming its feet onto the mat aggressively.

"Let's do this Scyther. One last fight for you today."

Scyther nodded in agreement. It wasn't tired- it wanted to train with Ray again. That was actual fun.

"Primeape-"

The trainer didn't even get to give an order. It instinctively threw itself into a rage, throwing every punch at the surprised mantis. Scyther caught most of the attacks, and not even a double team slowed it down.

"That's it, Scyther. Keep dodging."

It kept going, even longer than the previous Mankey. Ray started to sweat as the pig Pokemon showed no signs of slowing down.

"Scyther, come here!"

Scyther couldn't leave the fight to heed the call. Primeape was controlling the duel.

"Okay, never mind. It wants to catch you off guard. If you do, use it against it. Throw him if you can."

Scyther didn't understand what he meant, but only after taking a punch to the face did it understand. Using its blades, it locked one of the arms and threw it across the mat. After successfully throwing it down multiple times, Scyther finally had an upper hand- or upper blade. Uncountable numbers of slices and jabs struck down on the unrelenting rage of Primeape.

Then Scyther stopped. It turned to its trainer and began to walk towards it. Ray's widening eyes told it everything.

With one swift clothes-line, Scyther knocked out the opponent cold.

Even the Dojo master stood in alarm. The whole audience took another step back as Primeape didn't get up.

Only the Dojo Master moved. Ray stood, eyes wide and mouth covered. Scyther looked back to the opponent, then back to Ray.

"That was…beautiful," Ray eventually uttered out, welcoming back his champion. Another scratching for this one, this time on the chin and cheek line. Scyther returned to its pokeball with a smile of content on his face.

"I guess it's my turn then, Ray," Master Kiyo smoothly announced as he made his way to the mat.

From behind him strutted a pokemon unlike anything Ray had seen. It had no head- instead its eyes glowed from its chest. Long, coiled legs cushioned its steps, while thin, wiry arms swung with each step.

"This is my Hitmonlee. I used to have a Hitmonchan, but until I receive another one, I'm afraid this lone Pokemon will have to do."

As if on cue, the kicking pokemon performed a barrage of kicks and sweeps that Ray found it hard to follow its every move.

Luckily, he had one more Pokemon- one fast enough to follow those moves.

"So that's the pokemon I could win today?"

The Dojo Master nodded. "That is correct. You beat me today, and this Hitmonlee is yours."

Ray pulled out the last unopened pokeball, and with the touch of his finger it enlarged into a container.

"Consider that done. Let's finish this, Pikachu!"

The ball of light formed into the electric mouse, his most loyal companion.

The referee called the beginning of the battle. What came next was legendary.

"Rolling kick, Hitmonlee."

"Quick attack as a dodge!"

Everyone there will say it looked like a yellow marble was being spun by a brown fan. Hitmonlee dealt a blow but it was far from over.

"Double kick!"

Two powerful kicks sent Pikachu into the mat. It got up instantly, only to be towered by its opponent.

"Get out of the way!"

Pikachu dodged the double kick in a roll. As it came to a stop, it dodged again. A wild goose chase had begun.

Ray strategized as Pikachu kept moving. How to avoid this?

Then he got an idea.

"Pikachu, dodge between the legs and strike!"

Strike- that reminded Pikachu of a move. It dodged between the legs, and while Hitmonlee turned around, Pikachu leaped into the air.

The lightbulbs dimmed as Pikachu gathered energy.

The electricity coursing through its body shot out of its leg, converting the Thundershock into a Thunderkick!

It slammed into Hitmonlee, sending it flying into the mat. No one had ever seen that move combination before, except for a pokemon and its trainer.

"How- How did you do that?"

"I taught it how to do a mega kick, then I trained it to focus its energy into a kick."

"How long did it take you to teach it to do that?!" Dojo Master Kiyo was particularly awe-struck.

"Many sleepless nights, and many days," Ray reminisced, "but it was worth it. All of my main Pokemon know combination moves, so the four-move limit is bogus to me. Once I get your Hitmonlee, it will learn moves like that, too."

By the time he finished, Hitmonlee got up and staggered to the arena.

"Wait," The Dojo Master called to its champion.

"I've never done this before, nor do I intend on repeating this measure, but here."

Master Kiyo called its Hitmonlee back to its Pokeball and walked it over to Ray.

"Your skills and talents in battling have proven your worth as a trainer. Your heart, it shines through your eyes. I believe you will be a Pokemon Master someday. With this in mind, here is your new champion, Hitmonlee. Take care of it, and when you return, I hope to see what a real Hitmonlee can do."

Those words rang in his head as he collected his winnings, refreshed his Pokemon in the nearest Center, and treated them to an afternoon at the Playground.

The Pokemon Playgrounds are a space in the town where Pokemon learn battle techniques through enrichment and natural play. Its like what a playground would be for children, but built for massive Pokemon.

Wartortle took in the sun while Pikachu and Dugtrio played in the sand. Pidgeotto and Scyther played tag in the skies before Ray could call them in for the ceremony.

"Guys," Ray began. "I want to show you all the newest member of our team. You've been through a lot and I want to thank each and every one of you for your efforts. Now," as he looked towards the shiny new pokeball in his hands, "I'd like to introduce the newest member of our team- Hitmonlee, come on out!"

The pokeball burst open as Hitmonlee stumbled out of the white light. It looked around its new surroundings- no Dojo, no rusty light, no punching bags, no Dojo leader…

Only an adolescent boy, with brown hair, jagged freckles on his face and a collection of other pokemon against a sunset.

"Hitmonlee, my name is Ray Ketchum. I am your new trainer, and these are my friends.

Pikachu attempted to get close, but Hitmonlee screamed.

"Pikachu, get back! It still thinks you're the enemy!"

The mouse immediately stopped and curled up. Scyther took notice and glared at Hitmonlee.

"I know this will take time for all of us to really get to know each other. But for now, guys, Hitmonlee is a friend now. Let's- SCYTHER, STOP!"

The Mantis took to the air to pounce on Hitmonlee. Pidgeotto swung into action, pinning Scyther's blades behind it.

Seeing the ceremony getting out of control, he called back Scyther.

"We're here to be friends, Hitmonlee, is what I'm saying."

It gathered its breath as Ray patted it on the shoulder. His hand felt warm, his grin soothing. Hitmonlee felt at peace and sat down cross-legged. Pikachu moved close by and Hitmonlee felt its yellow fur through thin fingers. Pidgeotto clapped its beak in friendliness and Dugtrio moved in close to inspect it.

Ray called Scyther out again. The Mantis Pokemon got another chance to greet Hitmonlee, but instead, it stood back, next to its trainer.

"You did great today, you know that?"

Scyther's chest puffed out in pride.

"But you touch Hitmonlee again, you have to answer to me. Understand?"

Those quiet words were all that was needed.

As always, training began early the next morning. It never once crossed his mind who took the Hitmonchan.


Thank you for reading this far! I don't know how long it will take me to finish the next chapter. Make sure to follow the story by clicking the "follow" icon! Leave a review if you liked what you read, and I hope to read what you think! Thanks again for all of the support, and tell you more stories later!