Ash Ketchum's training session with Cammy White was turning out to be far more grueling than he had anticipated. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the training grounds where Cammy and Ash were sparring. Pikachu watched anxiously from the sidelines, its cheeks sparking with concern as it witnessed Ash being thrown around like a rag doll.

Cammy's precision and power were unmatched. Every time Ash tried to land a clean hit, she effortlessly dodged or countered, sending him crashing to the ground. The impact was jarring, and each time he got up, he looked more bruised and battered. His face was streaked with sweat and blood, his clothes torn from the relentless attacks.

"Come on, Ash! Get up!" Cammy's voice rang out, a mix of encouragement and challenge. She moved with the grace of a dancer and the ferocity of a tiger, her kicks and punches landing with perfect accuracy.

Ash struggled to his feet, his muscles aching and his vision blurred from the pain. He wiped a trickle of blood from his lip and charged at Cammy once more, fueled by sheer determination. He swung his fist, only for Cammy to sidestep effortlessly and deliver a swift kick that sent him sprawling to the ground.

Pikachu winced, its eyes filled with worry as it saw its trainer's repeated falls. "Pika, pika!" it called out, trying to offer encouragement in its own way.

Despite the beating, Ash's resolve remained unshaken. He scrambled to his feet, his breath ragged but his eyes burning with unwavering determination. "I'm not done yet!" he shouted, lunging at Cammy again.

Cammy, watching his persistence with a mix of respect and amusement, sidestepped his attack once more. She delivered a controlled strike to his midsection, sending him crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.

Ash groaned, trying to push himself up, but his body protested with every movement. His face was a mess of bruises, his clothes ripped and stained. He fell back onto his knees, panting heavily.

Cammy walked over, her expression softening slightly as she looked down at him. "Alright, take 10," she said, her voice now gentler but still firm. "You've earned a break."

Ash collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with the dirt and blood. He sighed in relief, feeling the intensity of the training session ebb away, if only for a moment.

"You weren't kidding when you said you weren't going to hold back on me, Cammy," Ash managed to say between breaths. His voice was strained but filled with a stubborn sense of pride.

Cammy chuckled, her smile genuine but tinged with a hint of satisfaction. "You've got guts, Ash. I'll give you that. Most people would have given up after the first few hits."

Ash shook his head, a wry smile on his face despite the pain. "Giving up isn't an option for me. I want to get better. I want to be ready for this tournament."

Cammy nodded, a look of respect in her eyes. "I appreciate the spirit, but you need to understand that this isn't just about physical strength. It's about technique, timing, and strategy. You've got the heart, but you're still lacking in experience."

She knelt beside him, helping him sit up. "Your perseverance is impressive, but you'll need to learn more than just getting up and charging at me. We'll work on that, though. There's a lot you can learn if you're willing to listen and adapt."

Ash nodded, his resolve only strengthened by the harsh lesson. "I'm ready. Teach me whatever you think I need to know."

Cammy's smile widened, and she patted him on the back. "Good. We'll start with the basics and build up from there. You've got a long road ahead, but if you keep this attitude, I'm sure you'll make progress."

Pikachu scampered over, nuzzling Ash's side as if to offer comfort. Ash gently stroked its head, grateful for its support. "Thanks, buddy. I couldn't do this without you."

As Ash took a moment to rest, Cammy watched him thoughtfully. She admired his determination, knowing that with the right guidance and training, he had the potential to become a formidable fighter. For now, though, it was clear that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, and it was up to Ash to rise to them.

Night had fallen over the training site, casting long shadows and bathing the area in a cool, calming darkness. Despite the late hour, Ash Ketchum and Cammy White were still hard at work. Ash's determination to improve was unwavering, but his body was reaching its limit.

With a swift kick, Cammy sent Ash sprawling to the ground once more. This time, he stayed down, utterly exhausted. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his limbs felt like lead.

"Well, I suppose that wraps up the first day of your training, Ash," Cammy said, walking over to his prone form. Pikachu darted to Ash's side, nuzzling him with concern.

"Thanks, Cammy," Ash said tiredly, managing a weak smile.

"It's no problem, Ash. It's the first time I've taken someone under my wing who's not a co-worker," she joked playfully as she sat down next to him.

"I should be lucky then," Ash chuckled, his voice heavy with fatigue. He closed his eyes, the day's exhaustion finally catching up with him. "Let me rest for a bit. I'm tired."

"Go ahead, Ash. I'll keep an eye on you," Cammy said teasingly, her voice softening with a chuckle.

"Thanks..." Ash muttered before succumbing to sleep, his body finally giving in to the relentless training.

Cammy watched his sleeping form, a smile tugging at her lips. She admired his tenacity and spirit. "He's such a silly boy, but at least he has a cute sleeping face," she mused quietly.

Meanwhile, unseen by either of them, Juri Han observed from a distance, perched on a tree branch. Her eyes glinted with malicious intent as she licked her lips.

"That's right, Killer Bee. Groom him well so I can devour him when he's ripe," she whispered to herself, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

The next few days blurred into an intense cycle of training, each one more demanding than the last. Cammy White didn't hold back. She was determined to break Ash down—physically and mentally—to build him back up as a stronger fighter. Every time Ash felt like he had nothing left to give, Cammy was there, pushing him further, ensuring that his spirit never wavered.

Under the bright sun of the training grounds, Ash charged at Cammy once again, his body aching and sore from the previous days of relentless sparring. His fists were sore, his muscles screaming for relief, but he refused to stop. Cammy's eyes never left him as she easily sidestepped his attack and delivered a swift kick to his chest, sending him flying backward and crashing into the dirt with a heavy thud.

"Get up, Ash!" Cammy's voice rang out across the field, firm but encouraging. "You think your opponents will stop and give you a break? They won't! They'll come at you hard, and you have to be ready for it. Now, get up!"

Ash groaned, rolling onto his back, his vision blurred and his body aching in ways he'd never experienced before. He could feel the bruises forming all over his body, the pain so intense that he almost wanted to stay down, to give in. But then, he remembered Cammy's words, the same words she had said to him every day since this brutal training started. "They won't let you back on your feet. You need to get up yourself."

Pikachu, standing at the edge of the training area, gave a worried squeak. It wanted to help, but it knew its trainer had to do this on his own. The tiny Pokémon's eyes were filled with concern, but it knew Ash's strength. It knew he'd get back up, no matter how hard the challenge.

With a deep breath, Ash pushed himself to his hands and knees, gritting his teeth against the pain. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to stop, but he refused. His determination burned brighter than his exhaustion. Slowly, he forced himself to his feet, swaying for a moment but standing tall nonetheless.

"I'm... getting up, Cammy…" he muttered under his breath, wiping away a few beads of sweat from his forehead.

Cammy's smile was both proud and knowing. "Good. You're learning. Never forget that, Ash. Your body might give up on you, but your mind and spirit are stronger than you realize. You can push through this. Now, come at me again."

Ash nodded, sweat dripping down his face. His legs felt like jelly, but his resolve was ironclad. He moved forward again, fists raised, every movement slow and deliberate. His body was battered, but the fire in his eyes was unwavering.

Cammy was ready, of course, and once again, she moved with the fluidity of a seasoned fighter. As Ash swung, she dodged easily, delivering a powerful punch to his gut that sent him staggering back.

"Again, Ash!" Cammy called, watching him carefully. "You need to anticipate my movements! Don't just react—think ahead."

Ash grimaced but nodded, taking in her advice. He knew he was still far from being ready for the tournament, but he had come a long way from his first sparring session. With every bruise, every fall, he learned something new. His reflexes were sharpening, his technique improving. Cammy had pushed him to a point where he could almost predict her next move.

But she wasn't making it easy for him. Not even close.

The next few rounds were as brutal as the last, with Cammy knocking him down repeatedly. She was patient, waiting for him to find his rhythm, and when he did, she'd throw him off balance again, testing him once more. Each fall was harder than the last, and each time he climbed back to his feet, the weight of his exhaustion seemed to double.

At one point, Ash barely managed to get back up after being knocked down for the umpteenth time. He stood there for a moment, his chest heaving, his body barely holding together. Cammy, watching from a few feet away, saw the conflict in his eyes. He was struggling to stay on his feet, but she could tell that something had shifted inside him.

"Think about your Pokémon," she said, her tone soft but still carrying the weight of her challenge. "They never stop fighting for you. You owe it to them to keep fighting for yourself."

Ash blinked, feeling a surge of energy from her words. He thought about Pikachu, about Lucario, and all of the Pokémon he had fought alongside throughout his journey. He remembered the times they'd pushed through their own limits, their own struggles, and how they never gave up on him. His face hardened with renewed determination, and he nodded to himself.

With one final push, he launched himself at Cammy, his tired body moving with everything he had left. This time, his strike was faster, more controlled. Cammy barely dodged in time, and she was impressed by the improvement in his technique, even if it wasn't enough to land a hit.

"Better," she remarked, her smile reflecting a rare moment of pride. "But not good enough yet. You're getting closer, Ash. Keep that fire alive."

Ash didn't speak. Instead, he wiped the sweat from his brow and took his stance once more, ready for whatever came next. Cammy was right. He wasn't there yet, but every fall, every bruise, every drop of sweat brought him one step closer to the fighter he wanted to be.

"Let's do this," Ash muttered under his breath, a confident glint returning to his eyes.

And with that, the next round began.