It took a few days but Ash finally made his way to his intended destination: Saffron City.
Upon arriving at Saffron City, Ash was met with one of the most uncomfortable Gym battles. Turning into dolls and 'playing' as Sabrina tormented him due to her unstable control of her psychic powers. It gave him goosebumps just thinking about it.
But he wasn't here for her… yet.
He has two priorities and one could be found on a poster.
76TH ANNUAL GRAND PRIX FIGHTING TOURNAMENT!
Come and watch Fighting types duke it out! Mono e mono!
Including our resident 8th time Champion: THE RAGING PRIMEAPE!
Next Monday at the Saffron Fighting Dojo 10:00 AM
Ash couldn't help but wince when he thought about the Primeape. His Primeape.
Since his first journey throughout Kanto, Primeape had been training as the Grand Prix champion with Anthony, if he remembered correctly. He was his first officially Fighting type but he had neglected him since he sent him to train.
It was like Squirtle, who he could call on when he was with the Squirtle Squad, or Goodra, considering Keanan was within reach during the Kalos League. However, he had never called in to see how Primeape was doing. Something he had come to regret like with Pidgeot. The bird, though, was much more understanding since she was defending the ecosystem.
Pikachu noticed the crestfallen look on Ash and nuzzled up to encourage him. "Pi… Ka…"
Ash understood. "I know. I know." Taking a deep breath, he decided to face the music.
Heading towards the Saffron Fighting Dojo, Ash entered and saw many Pokémon training with their trainers. A majority were Fighting types.
A Hitmonchan landed punch after punch on a sandbag. A Hitmonlee delivered kicks nonstop. A Throh and a Sawk engaged in a sparring session. A Medicham was meditating in the corner. A Hawucha soared above through some rings. A Toxicroak taunted a Crabominable into throwing a punch, only to receive a Poison Jab. And Primeape was doing push-ups nonstop.
"That's it Primeape!" His coach, Anthony, encouraged the Pig Monkey Pokémon.
"Ape! Ape!" The simian responded, doubling his efforts.
Ash looked happy to see the coach and simian getting along, but it still hurt him to not check up on him since. Another deep breath later, Ash approached them. "Hello."
Anthony waved Ash off, "Not now, kid. Primeape's in the zone! And we have to be in top shape this year. New trainers have been getting better and better. Can't let them get the upper hand."
Primeape gave a quick look to see who his coach was talking to and did a double take at seeing Ash. "Ape? Ape?!" Immediately, the simian stopped his push-ups, jumped onto Ash and gave him a hard noogie.
"Good. To. See. You. Too. Primeape!" Ash wheezed as he felt the Pig Monkey Pokémon choking him. Whether it was from joy or payback, Ash didn't mind.
"Ash?!" Anthony exclaimed. "How have you been?! It's been… well, years!"
Primeape released his trainer from his grasp, giving Ash a chance to catch his breath. He then sheepishly scratched the back of his neck, "Yeah… I admit, it's been forever since I've been back here. I was out on my journey."
"And you went far too!" Anthony complimented. "Becoming the Alola Champion and World Monarch is no small feat. Let alone taking on the Battle Frontier."
Ash was surprised, "Wait, you know about my status?"
"Of course!" Anthony confirmed. "We've seen your league runs and saw the Master Eights broadcast. Primeape always wanted to keep up with you, no matter where you were."
Ash was touched by the sentiment and felt even guiltier at not checking up on him.
"So what brings you back to Saffron Fighting Dojo?" Anthony asked. "If you ask me, it's not like you to come around unannounced."
Ash began to explain. "I recently got offered this spot for a tournament and was going on a vague journey to catch some new Pokémon while trying to find my own again. I remembered Primeape from my first journey and figured I would try to see him again."
Anthony nodded. "Of course he would! Although the P1 Grand Prix is in a few days. And we were training for it again."
Ash nodded. "Maybe afterwards?" He did want to see how much Primeape has improved in his time here and train on his own team for the time being.
"Sure thing!" Anthony reaffirmed. "Are you competing this time?"
"Nah. I've had my fair share of tournaments and with this one coming up, I think I'll just stick to trainer battles and work on my own."
Anthony understood. "Hope to see you in the audience then."
"Now that you can count on." Ash smiled.
Afterwards, Ash and Pikachu went to the Saffron Battle Club. He spent the remainder of his afternoon training his current team.
Togekiss and Noctowl took turns flying through hoops while working on range attacks. The Jubilee Pokémon had an elegant, regal flight pattern while the Owl Pokémon had his usual steady pace.
Rattata was coming along with his speed, running alongside Pikachu. Using Quick Attack, the purple mouse sped past the yellow mouse. Shortly after, the Electric-type outpaced the Normal-type with the use of Agility.
Sirfetch'd worked on his swordsmanship against Hawlucha, who was attempting to strike from any angle. The Wrestling Pokémon was high in the air before coming and Bouncing into the Wild Duck Pokémon's shield and jumped away. The masked avian was pleased with learning Bounce now.
Scraggy swung a Headbutt directly into Gible, who rammed him back harder with the use of his recently learned Iron Head. The reptile rubbed his head and went for a Leer, only for his face to darken with Scary Face but the landshark wasn't intimidated in the slightest.
Opening his jaw, Glalie managed to craft a spectral orb. With a mighty cry, the Face Pokémon spat Shadow Ball and Snorlax took it. Thanks to his Normal-typing, the Sleeping Pokémon was immune. The Hoenn Ice-type chuckled at learning Shadow Ball.
Heracross watched Boldore slam a Rock Smash into the ground. Afterwards, the beetle proceeded to copy to the best of his ability and eventually his claw glowed brown.
With a bring-it-on notion, Infernape quickly blocked Incineroar's Darkest Lariat. Using momentum, the simian leaned back and threw a punch. However, his fist was darkened and hit the feline a considerable distance. Infernape looked at his hand and clutched it with an eager grin at learning Punishment.
Pignite snorted and punched the ground, sending various pillars of fire to surround Lucario, who sped out of the way with the use of Extreme Speed. The Aura Pokémon concentrated and summoned illusionary swords around him and felt his attack increase. Meanwhile, the Fire Pig Pokémon swung his arm out, which was glowing to demonstrate Arm Thrust. But the Fighting/Steel-type stopped the swine in his tracks with a Bone Rush.
Kingler fired a boiling glob of water from his large claw, prompting Buizel to spew one himself. Both Water-types were happy to have learned a new Water-type move, and one that could inflict a status effect no less.
Ash had a few matches throughout the day, each improving his team to the best of their ability and new moves. Right now, he was in the middle of one.
"Boldore, use Rock Blast!" Ash shouted. The Ore Pokémon's front glowed gray and fired several stones, pelting a Ninetales several times. The rapid barrage made the kitsune step back.
"Now, try your new move: Power Gem!" Ash revealed.
The tripedal rock's red crystals hummed to life before firing energy beams, which blasted the nine-tailed Fox Pokémon and defeated him.
"Ninetales is unable to battle, Boldore is the winner!"
Ash ran over and hugged the Unovan Rock-type. "Amazing work out there, Boldore!"
"Dore!" Boldore cheered in agreement.
"Man, I thought I would have a chance." Ninetales' trainer, a male teenager, muttered. He returned his fallen kitsune, looking mildly disgruntled.
"Well, Boldore, for starters, had a type-advantage." Ash explained. "But sometimes, type-advantage doesn't always help."
"Yeah, I remember seeing some of your battles before." The trainer admitted.
"Now what you could have done was teach Ninetales some moves to counter Rock-types. If I recall, Solar Beam is a good start." The World Monarch explained. "Most Fire-types can learn it, even if it takes some time to charge up."
"Thank you, Ash! I'll be sure to keep that in mind for future battles." The trainer thanked him and left.
A slow clap was heard, prompting Ash to turn around and see Anthony on the sideline.
"Well said, Ash." The coach commended.
"Thanks… how long were you standing there?" Ash questioned.
Anthony sheepishly scratched his cheek, "Well, I knew this would be the place you would go for some training since the Dojo was full. Been here for about a couple of hours, watching your fights and training. Even Primeape."
"Woah…" Ash said in awe.
"And on top of that, Primeape wants to battle you." Anthony said.
"He's up for a battle?" Ash repeated.
"Of course, he would!" Anthony said with a proud smile, "He's seen your line-up and wants to see how far his trainer has come since."
Ash nodded, "Sure! I want to see how far Primeape has come myself!"
Anthony grinned, "Trust me. Your Fighting-type is one tough cookie."
After getting themselves on the battlefield, Ash choose his Pokémon, "Sirfetch'd, I choose you!"
The Wild Duck Pokémon emerged, looking valiant as ever. "Sir!"
"Let's make this a 3-minute match!" Anthony said, as Primeape was let out and pounded his fists together. The coach set his watch and the battle began.
"Brutal Swing!" Ash immediately said.
The valiant duck dashed forward with his leek-sword turning pink. The duck swung the leek-sword down, only for the simian to respond with Protect. Then the simian threw an onslaught of punches with glowing red eyes. After the use of Outrage and hitting the duck, Primeape slapped himself before getting back into the game.
Ash recognized that technique since Iris used a similar one with her Haxorus' Outrage. He didn't dwell on that for long, "Knock Off!"
Sirfetch'd jumped into the air and swung his weapon upward with a darkened tint. The weapon collided with Primeape's Cross Chop. Both Fighting-types met each other, meeting in a lock-up before breaking apart.
Primeape's hand took a faint red aura before dispersing. He looked to his coach, who shook his head. "Not yet." The coach said and the simian nodded. Afterwards, the Pig Monkey Pokémon punched the floor and sent Stone Edge spires towards the Wild Duck Pokémon.
"Leaf Blade!" The duck warrior's sword took a vibrant green and slashed the spire before it struck. The simian came in with Acrobatics, landing a flip kick before a Cross Chop was delivered.
"Detect!" Sirfetch'd dodged a Mega Punch from Primeape, "and Leaf Blade!" At close range, Sirfetch'd swung his green-tinted blade, effectively striking Primeape across the face.
Primeape was pushed back but held on and gave a brief snort. "Ok, go for Meteor Assault!" Ash shouted.
The Wild Duck Pokémon thrusted his leek sword forward, gaining a bright yellow aura around him as he launched himself. The Pig Monkey Pokémon sent up a teal forcefield, Protecting him from the signature move but to his surprise the Protect was pushed back. The duck stopped and panted, recharging after that move.
Primeape looked back at his coach, who nodded and threw his fist forward, "Now, Rage Fist!"
The simian concentrated, his fist taking a ghastly aura and was launched with a red outline. The fist connected with the warrior duck, sending him back a considerable distance.
"Woah!" Ash exclaimed, "What was that?"
"I'll tell you after the match, Ash." Anthony advised with a smile. "Let him have it Primeape! 1 minute on the clock!"
Primeape nodded and went to action with another Outrage. Sirfetch'd rose his shield, doing his best to deflect each blow but was soon overwhelmed.
"Sirfetch'd, Brutal Swing!" The Wild Duck Pokémon managed to bring his now pink-tinted sword around, swiping the Pig Monkey Pokémon.
The simian jumped back then came down with Acrobatics in the form of a drop-kick. The duck warrior quacked in mild pain.
"Leaf Blade!" The duck brought his leek sword around, covered in a vibrant green glow, and slashed the simian.
Primeape recovered and sent a wave of Stone Edge but Sirfetch'd brought his shield, protecting him from the incoming spire. Primeape prepared a Cross Chop.
"Detect!" The Wild Duck Pokémon's eyes gleamed red, Detecting the blow. "Now, Brick Break!" Bringing his sword down, Sirfetch'd successfully struck Primeape.
"Alright, Brutal Swing!" The duck warrior prepared another swipe with his pink-tinted sword, effectively sending Primeape into the air.
But upon descent, Primeape brought his foot down with the help of Acrobatics. Primeape cartwheeled away and prepared another Rage Fist but was stopped by Anthony.
"Time!" The coach shouted and the simian began to take deep breaths while Sirfetch'd lower his guard, panting himself. He was not expecting Primeape to give him a workout.
"Nice work, Sirfetch'd." Ash praised the Wild Duck Pokémon, who puffed up in pride. "You too, Primeape. You clearly have been training him well, Anthony."
"Thanks, Ash." The coach responded with a smile, "He's put in tremendous work these past years. Overcame many challenges, becoming a reigning champion of the ring. He's even taken on Bruno in a sparring match before."
"Woah…" Ash was blown away before shaking his head and getting back on track. "What about that new move? Rage Fist?"
Anthony chuckled. "Yes, that move. It's a move only Primeape can learn. Commonly found in the Paldea region."
"Paldea?" Ash questioned.
"A foreign region." Anthony explained, "It has this massive crater that is rumored to have Pokémon from the past and future. It's also known for its school, Naranja Uva Academy."
"Sounds like an interesting region," Ash admitted. This got him thinking about visiting one day.
"Sure is." Anthony confirmed, "We've been working on Rage Punch for a while now. I think about… 15 or 16 times, now that I think about it."
"Well, it's an impressive move." Ash complimented. "Do you plan to use it for the Grand Prix?"
"We sure are!" Anthony beamed. "Do you plan to stick around?"
"You bet!" Ash exclaimed. He was impressed how Primeape fared in battle so he wanted to see how his first Fighting-type did inside the ring for all those years.
A/N: Part 1 of the Saffron City segment. I was originally going to put the Fighting P1 Tournament together but decided to split it into two.
No flames. R .
