Ash Ketchum sat on the couch in his living room, finally basking in the quiet moment he had long dreamed of. After years of battles, countless Pokémon League victories, and finally defeating Leon to become the Monarch of the Pokémon world, Ash thought he could finally relax.

Pikachu rested comfortably on Ash's lap, letting out soft snores as they both enjoyed the rare moment of peace. Lucario was meditating nearby, his aura calm and focused. For the first time in what felt like forever, Ash could just be…normal. No battles, no drama—just him, his Pokémon, and a quiet house in Pallet Town.

"Man, this is the life," Ash murmured, leaning back on the couch. "No tournaments, no—"

BAM!

A loud crash erupted from the front of the house, startling Ash and Pikachu awake. The door had been blown off its hinges as dust and debris filled the air. Ash jumped to his feet, eyes wide.

"What the—?!"

Through the settling dust, a towering figure emerged—a man with a stern, wrinkled face, silver hair tied back into a topknot, and muscles that looked like they were carved from stone. His traditional karate gi barely contained his immense power, and the air seemed to grow thick with tension as he stepped into the house as if it were a battlefield.

Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity, sensing the danger.

"Who are you?!" Ash demanded, his fists clenched instinctively.

The man chuckled, his voice deep and filled with an intimidating calm. "I am Heihachi Mishima, and I have come to challenge you, Ash Ketchum."

Ash blinked in confusion, taking a step back. "Challenge me? What for? This isn't a Pokémon battle, man. And how do you even know where I live?!"

Heihachi's grin was as sharp as his tone. "I have no interest in your Pokémon battles. I seek only the strongest opponents. I heard you are now the Monarch of this world, so I have come to take your title. And I do not intend to lose."

Ash groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Another one? First Leon, now this? Look, I appreciate the compliment, but can't you come back later? I'm just trying to have some downtime here!"

But Heihachi wasn't one to be dissuaded. He took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Ash's. "Downtime is for the weak. Prepare yourself, boy!"

Heihachi lunged at Ash with surprising speed for a man his age, throwing a powerful fist toward him. Ash barely had time to react, ducking out of the way as the punch smashed into the wall behind him, sending shards of wood flying everywhere.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted, instinctively calling on his partner to defend.

Pikachu leaped forward, releasing a crackling bolt of electricity that surged toward Heihachi. But to Ash's shock, Heihachi merely raised a hand, absorbing the electricity like it was nothing.

"Electricity? Pathetic!" Heihachi scoffed, slapping the bolt aside with his bare hand.

"Wh—what?!" Ash's jaw dropped. Pikachu looked just as shocked.

Heihachi charged forward again, this time aiming a brutal kick at Ash. Lucario, sensing the threat to his trainer, dashed in front of Ash, blocking the kick with his arms. The force of the blow sent Lucario skidding backward, but he remained standing, growling at the intruder.

Ash's heart pounded as he realized this wasn't an ordinary fight. "Pikachu, Lucario, back me up!" he called out. Heihachi wasn't playing by any normal rules, and Ash wasn't about to go down without a fight.

Lucario unleashed an Aura Sphere, sending the glowing orb of energy toward Heihachi. The old fighter grunted as the sphere slammed into his chest, but he barely flinched.

Heihachi smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Impressive. But not enough."

Before Ash could react, Heihachi leaped high into the air and came down with a powerful stomp, aiming for Lucario. Lucario dodged just in time, but the shockwave from Heihachi's attack sent both him and Pikachu tumbling back.

"Lucario! Pikachu!" Ash shouted, scrambling to his feet. "Okay, that's it. If it's a fight you want, Heihachi, then I'm not backing down!" His fists tightened, and he felt a strange energy building inside him—the same energy he had felt in his toughest battles.

Heihachi's eyes gleamed with approval. "Good. Show me what you're made of."

Ash charged at Heihachi, surprising the old warrior with his sudden boldness. He threw a punch, aiming for Heihachi's chest, but the Mishima patriarch caught his fist mid-air. Ash gritted his teeth, trying to pull his hand free, but Heihachi's grip was like iron.

"Your technique is sloppy," Heihachi remarked coldly. "But your spirit…hmm, that has potential."

With a swift motion, Heihachi flung Ash across the room. Ash slammed into the wall but quickly rolled to his feet. Lucario and Pikachu were back at his side, ready to keep fighting.

"Okay, okay, I get it!" Ash shouted, wincing from the impact. "You're strong, but I'm not giving up!"

Heihachi paused, his eyes narrowing as he studied Ash. "Your resolve is admirable. Very well. I'll give you one chance to defeat me. But know this—if you fail, I will take your title as Monarch."

Ash's heart raced. This wasn't like any challenge he'd ever faced. But there was no turning back now.

"Lucario, Bone Rush! Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

Lucario formed a glowing bone staff and charged at Heihachi, swinging it with incredible speed and precision. Pikachu followed up with a lightning-fast Iron Tail, aiming for Heihachi's legs.

But Heihachi wasn't called the King of Iron Fist for nothing. He dodged Lucario's strikes with ease, then deflected Pikachu's Iron Tail with a precise block. In a flash, he countered with a series of devastating punches, knocking both Lucario and Pikachu back.

"You're holding back, boy," Heihachi said, his voice low and commanding. "I can see it in your eyes. You still don't understand what it means to truly fight."

Ash panted, sweat dripping down his face. He couldn't believe how strong Heihachi was, and yet…something inside him refused to quit.

Suddenly, a new surge of energy flowed through Ash's body. His aura flared, glowing faintly as he took a deep breath. "I won't hold back anymore. Let's go, guys!"

Lucario and Pikachu roared in agreement, their determination matching their trainer's.

Heihachi smiled, but there was a hint of something deeper in his eyes—perhaps respect. "Then show me, Monarch of this world."

With a yell, Ash and his Pokémon rushed forward for one final, all-out assault. Lucario's Aura Sphere, Pikachu's Thunderbolt, and Ash's own punch—enhanced by the strange aura around him—collided with Heihachi in a brilliant explosion of energy.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

When the dust cleared, Heihachi stood in the middle of the room, panting slightly. Ash, Lucario, and Pikachu were still standing, though barely.

Heihachi let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "Well done, Ash Ketchum. You've earned my respect. Today, I will not take your title. But be warned—I will return. And when I do, you'd better be ready."

With that, Heihachi turned and walked out of the house, leaving Ash standing there, bewildered and exhausted.

Pikachu slumped down next to him, equally drained. "Pika…"

Ash rubbed the back of his head, sighing. "What was that all about?"

Before he could even process the craziness of the situation, the door—what was left of it—creaked open again.

Ash groaned. "Now what…"

A shadowy figure stood at the entrance, their silhouette just barely visible. A soft, sultry voice called out from the doorway, "Ash Ketchum…I've come to test you in my way…"

Ash's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, come on! Not again!"