A few days later, the Grand Prix of the P1 Fighting Tournament was underway. Ash managed to see Primeape take out several competitors such as a Toxicroak, Crabominable, Machamp, Throh, and Mienshao. Now he was at the finals against a trainer Ash recognized.
"Welcome everyone to the finals!" The announcer shouted, pumped for the conclusion. "We have our two finalists. Both who are giving it their all but only one can become the champion!"
"On the right side, we have Stefan and the strapping, solid Sawk!" The announcer introduced.
Sure enough, the red haired trainer from Unova waved along with his blue martial artist. Though the trainer couldn't help but mutter, "It's Stephan." A series of spotlights beamed down on the trainer and Karate Pokémon. The blue black belt hopped into the ring and did a few fighting moves before stancing himself.
"And on the left side!" The crowd started going wild, Ash and Pikachu included. "Our reigning champion… you know him, you love him! THE WILD, PUNCHING PRODIGY! RAGINGGGGGGG PRIMEAPE!"
The spotlights now beamed down Anthony and Primeape as they appeared, standing side by side as the crowd cheered them on. "Primeape! Primeape! Primeape!" They chanted as the coach and simian walked down, waving to their fans before the Pig Monkey Pokémon hopped into the ring. Doing a little performance, Primeape threw two jabs, a weave, an uppercut, a kick, then jumped into the air before landing in a karate pose.
"Man, Primeape is pumped for this fight." Ash commented.
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
"This is the final round of the Grand Prix P1! Three minutes on the clock! The winner will be declared when one Pokémon falls and I reach the end of the countdown!" The referee explained. "Trainers and Pokémon ready?"
Primeape pounded his fist together and Sawk tightened his black belt. "Battle… begin!"
"Bulk Up!" Both trainers shouted. Primeape's muscles bulged and Sawk flexed, red auras flaring up and increased their offense and defense.
"Sawk, Close Combat!" The blue martial artist closed the distance, throwing an onslaught of blows. Primeape threw up a teal forcefield, Protecting him before delivering a Rock Smash into Sawk's shoulder.
"Shake it off, Sawk!" Stephan let out. The Karate Pokémon shook his head and tightened his black belt. Sawk then charged with a Poison Jab only for Primeape to throw a Cross Chop then flip away with Acrobatics.
Both moves stunned the blue karate master but he managed to shake them off and used Bulldoze to destabilize Primeape, which he did. Next, Sawk delivered a Dual Chop then a Zen Headbutt, dealing massive damage to the simian.
Sawk prepared another Close Combat but Primeape responded with the use of Outrage. Both Fighting-types met each other, matching fist to fist before breaking off. Primeape quickly initiated their snapping out of confusion strategy then punched the floor to unleash Stone Edge.
The Karate Pokémon braced himself with Endure just as a spire jutted from underneath. Sawk flipped in the air and hurled Rock Tomb from above, covering the ring with boulders. Primeape responded by using Rock Smash back-to-back until he was overwhelmed. Sawk descended, primed another Dual Chop and slammed his hand into Primeape's head. Doing a quick backflip, Sawk delivered a Payback.
A quick ding caused the two Fighting-types to separate before they went back to their trainers. Both Pokémon had taken a beating but were far from giving up.
"You're doing great, Primeape!" Anthony encouraged the simian. "Keep your guard up. That Sawk isn't some push-over. Seems he has some ideas. Use Rage Fist as a last resort."
"Way to go, Sawk!" Stephan congratulated the Karate Pokémon. "We definitely got him on the ropes. We definitely got this in the bag!"
The bell rang again and both combatants went back to center. Another ding was heard the Fighting-types were at it again.
Sawk dove for a Zen Headbutt only for Primeape to put up a Protect. Primeape proceeded to throw a Cross Chop and a flip kick Acrobatics into Sawk, effectively stopping him. However, Sawk threw a Reversal in the form of a haymaker pushing Primeape back. The simian shook off the attack and flexed his muscles in the form of Bulk Up then went for an Outrage.
Sawk met the Dragon-type onslaught with Close Combat, matching each fist at first before a lucky hit got him and resulted in him being beaten up. Sawk stepped back and took a knee to catch his breath before Primeape snapped out of his confusion.
The Karate Pokémon took a few breaths then stood up and tightened his belt. His hand took a venomous shade of purple as Primeape charged in with another Cross Chop. Sawk threw the Poison Jab into the simian then swung a Dual Chop sending Primeape reeling himself.
Sawk was about to follow up with Zen Headbutt when Primeape threw a Rage Fist, the infuriated fist colliding with the Karate Pokémon as it bypassed the psychic energy. Stephan was surprised by the tactic.
"Oooohhhhhh! A wicked Rage Fist from Primeape catches both Sawk and his trainer off guard!"
Sawk winced from the Ghost-type move which was mirrored by Stephan. They didn't take into account that Primeape learned the move as it was a secret weapon. Primeape used their distraction to deliver another Outrage, giving a brutal beatdown before Sawk performed Low Sweep, tripping Primeape. The Karate Pokémon delivered Payback and Zen Headbutt combo, causing the Pig Monkey Pokémon to slide to his side of the ring.
Primeape got up, rolled his arms and used Bulk Up. Sawk matched this with his own Bulk Up. Once the Fighting-types' muscles were ripped enough, Sawk lunged with a Poison Jab but Primeape threw another Rage Fist, winding the blue karate master.
The bell rang again and both Fighting-types went to their corners. Sawk was looking tired from being hit with Rage Fist while Primeape needed a few minutes to rest himself. Anthony handed the simian some fresh water, the fighter downing it in seconds. "Good work out there, Primeape. Just a few more openings and this Sawk is going down." Anthony noted and encouraged.
Stephan gave a few words of encouragement. "Best to be careful about that Rage Fist. I bet if we slow Primeape down, we have a chance at winning." Sawk nodded in agreement.
The third and final bell ring for the finals made the two Fighting-types get back up and meet in the center. With the announcer's signal, they were at the last round.
Primeape charged in, glowing blue with Acrobatics and went for a dropkick only for Sawk to take it with Endure. Two karate chops in the form of Dual Chop got Primeape then a rush of Rock Tomb, lowering Primeape's evasion. Adding to the pressure, Sawk punched the ground, initiating a wave of Bulldoze. Primeape was hit with Ground-type move and just as Sawk was ready to deliver Close Combat, the simian put up a Protect. Sawk hit the forcefield with his onslaught of punches. Once the forcefield dispersed, Primeape threw another Rage Fist.
However, Sawk sidestepped it and delivered a Zen Headbutt, dealing massive damage but Primeape held on thanks to his endurance. At close distance, Primeape threw a Cross Chop maneuver, nailing Sawk and successfully landed a Rage Fist. The Karate Pokémon grunted in pain and decided to pull a different combination. Sawk unleashed a series of Close Combat combined with Dual Chop and Poison Jab, causing Primeape to be hit with an assortment of arcane energy mixed with venom punches.
Primeape stepped back and collapsed onto the ring floor and the fans of the simian gasped at seeing their star down. The referee and announcer began to countdown, "1… 2… 3… 4…"
"Come on, Primeape! Get up! I know you can!" Anthony called out and the simian stirred ever so slightly.
"You can do, Primeape!/Pikachu!" Ash and Pikachu shouted to their first Fighting-type member.
"Primeape! Primeape! Primeape!" The crowd cheered for their star. The encouragement from his supporters made Primeape rise more and more.
Once Primeape rose, he hollered to the sky. "PRIME!" And then began to glow.
"Folks, I can't believe what I am seeing but I think the Raging Primeape is evolving!" The announcer shouted in disbelief.
"Primeape can evolve?!" Ash questioned in shock. Pikachu mimicked his trainer's sediments.
The simian began to have hair growly wild and unruly, the bond on his left arm broke. Once the light died down, Primeape's fur had become gray with white tips and his arms were black instead of brown now. It was giving a zombie-like appearance.
"ANNIHILAPE!" The undead primate roared as Sawk, who had been resting for a brief while, stood back up and put himself in a karate stance.
"Wasn't expecting Primeape to evolve," Stephan murmured, "But that just makes this fight more intense! Sawk, Bulk Up then go for Close Combat!"
Sawk flexed his muscles once more time then unleashed a flurry of strikes that phased through the zombie. "Sawk?!"
"I am getting word from our commenter that Primeape's evolution is called Annihilape! A Fighting/Ghost type which means Fighting moves don't have any effect! How will Sawk and Stefan counter this?!"
"It's Stephan!" The Unovan trainer whined before shaking his head, "Well, if we can't use Fighting-type moves then perhaps our Dark-type moves can do some damage!"
Sawk nodded and threw a Payback, his fist covered in darkness but Annihilape caught the blow and unleashed a devastating Outrage. Sawk was battered and bruised and stepped back into Acrobatics from the Rage Monkey Pokémon. Sawk was sent to his knees, the whole fight catching up to him.
Despite his own endurance, the blue karate master was at the edge of his limit. He really wanted to win but the new evolution gave Annihilape a newfound strength.
Annihilape watched Sawk get up from his collapsing and they shared a look. This one would decide the match. Anthony and Stephan noticed and made their call, "Rage Fist!/Zen Headbutt!"
Annihilape reared his fist back, red and violet energy surrounding it. Sawk launched with a blue psychic glow around his entire body. The two fighters poured all their strength into their final attack, creating an explosion that obscured the outcome.
Once the smoke settled, both combatants panted. The zombie simian, while newly evolved, was still nursing from his own bruises. The blue karate master clutched his arm in mild pain, the Rage Fist having bypassed the psychic energy but he still landed a decent attack.
The audience waited on the edge of their seats as the combatants stood still.
Then one succumbed to their injuries and the referee got a closer look before counting down.
"1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… 8… 9… 10!"
DING! DING! DING!
"Sawk is unable to battle! Prime- sorry, Annihilape is the winner!"
"AND ONCE MORE, THE WINNER OF THE 76TH ANNUAL P1 TOURNAMENT IS THE RAGING PRIMEAPE! OR SHOULD I SAY, THE FEROCIOUS ANNIHILAPE!"
The crowd went wild as the reigning champion and Annihilape collapsed on the ropes, tired from his scuffle. Anthony handed him a new bottle of water and the undead primate drank to replenish his strength. "I knew you had it in you, Prim- Annihilape!" The coach cheered
"APE!" The now 9th time champion of the P1 tournament cheered.
After the P1 Tournament and awards ceremony, Ash met up with Anthony and Annihilape. Ash immediately scanned the now ghastly simian.
[Annihilape, the Rage Monkey Pokémon and the evolved form of Primeape. When its anger rose beyond a critical point, this Pokémon gained power that is unfettered by the limits of its physical body.]
"Wow! I didn't know Primeape even had an evolution!" Ash said excitedly.
"I briefly read up about it when I was learning about Rage Fist." Anthony admitted, patting Annihilape on the back. "It said some time when learning the move, just really didn't clarify. But I'm glad it happened."
"That's so cool." Ash stated before finally asking the question he had been preparing for all day, "Well… Anthony, mind if I ask something?"
"What is it, Ash?"
"It's just… could I get Pri- I mean Annihilape back?"
Anthony looked surprised as did the P1 Champion. But then the coach's face softened. "Sure. I don't see why not."
"Wait? Just like that?" Ash said, now surprised himself.
"Ash, come on. As much as I like training Annihilape over here, he's been wanting to rejoin your team for a long time." Anthony admitted. "Seeing you compete made him feel like he missed out on so much."
Ash couldn't deny that part. Annihilape had missed out on tons of adventures.
"And with all due respect, I think Annihilape could take a break from the ring." Anthony proclaimed. "He's been winning so much, I think I've run out of trophy space." The coach joked followed by the zombie simian. "He could use a real challenge. You are partaking in that tournament you mentioned. Maybe this could be something new."
Ash looked at Annihilape. "So, what do you say?" The Rage Monkey Pokémon gave his trainer a firm nudge, elated to rejoin his trainer. "I'll take that as a yes!"
"Pika!"
Anthony handed Annihilape's Pokéball over, the World Monarch having a smile on his face. "Glad to have you back. Wish I could have been back sooner."
Then Ash realized something. "Wait, Anthony, what about you?"
The coach waved off his concern. "It's alright Ash. With my pupil gone and many trophies, I think I could retire from the scene. It was fun while it lasted but I think it's time for the newer generation to have a shot." He gave a thumbs up, "I'm sure you're going places so give it your all, Ash!"
Ash smiled as Anthony retreated to his home. The World Monarch looked down at Annihilape's Pokéball with a proud smile. "Good to have you back."
"Well isn't this a surprise." A voice rang out.
Ash and Pikachu whirled around and saw a familiar teal-haired woman in a red jumpsuit.
A/N: Part 2 of the Saffron City 3-parter. Decided to give Stephan a little cameo since he is considered a Black Belt trainer class and I tend to consider Sawk his signature Pokémon, ever since his debut, Sawk appeared more often than his Zebstrika.
And Annihilape was a no-brainer since his debut in Scarlet/Violet which gives Ash a new Fighting/Ghost-type.
