Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. I hope you enjoyed the week off. I'm sorry bout that. I was working on my Unova chapter, and for those who are reading that story, it's going to be a long one and should be out soon, expect chapters for both this week and just this week. Let's get this Chapter going, shall we?
Chapter 59: Ash vs. Anthony
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
The P1 Grand Prix's first match was about to begin as both Ash and Anthony both head out to the ring.
"Now, the first match of the P1 Grand Prix will now begin. And it's against two well-known competitors," the announcer said as the group was in suspense. "First is a trainer who won the Tournament in the Kanto region and is now back to reclaim his title with his Primape. From Pallet Town, give it up for Ash Ketchem," the announcer said as Ash arrived at the ring corner. Those who were at the Kanto tournament cheered for Ash.
"Next is the bronze winner of the last Tournament, said Primape Ash now has a father with a heart of gold and owns a Hitmonchan from Celadon City's Pokemon Fighting Dojo. Give it up for Anthony," the announcer said as the crowd cheered for him, and Anthony arrived at the ringside ready to face off against Ash.
"Hey, Ash. I don't think I trained Primape during this time, which means I will go easy on you in this match. Give me your best here in this match, and don't hold back," Anthony said to Ash, who smiled and nodded.
"Same here, Anthony and I can think of ways to battle her new move pulls," Ash said to Anthony, who nodded and chuckled.
"Now, let out your Pokemon so this match can begin," the announcer said.
"Primape comes on out," Ash sent out his Pokemon.
"Hitmonchan comes on out," Anthony also sent out his Pokemon as both Pokemon were on the ring and ready to face each other.
"Remember the rules. You are allowed to use any moves that aren't Psychic-type, and the match is over when the Pokemon is knocked out, or the trainer throws in the towel. With that said, let this first match begin," the announcer said, ringing the bell.
"Hitmonchan uses Thunder Punch," Anthony commanded his Pokemon, who charged at Primape.
"Dodge it and then use Mega Kick," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who dodged at the last second and slammed her leg right into Hitmonchan, sending him to the railings.
"Use Mach Punch," Anthony commanded his Pokemon, who bounced off the railings and landed square into Primape with a single Punch. This match is just started, and both of them were showing their skills, that's for sure. Ash knew that Anthony knew Primape's moves, given that she was trained under him.
However, Ash is someone other than the one to fight as he does, but fairly. Seeing how Hitmonchan used the ring like that can give him some ideas, but he'll save it for when the time is right. "Cross Chop now, Primape," Ash commanded her, whose arms glowed and slammed right into Hitmonchan. "Now use Fire Punch," Ash commanded her, who used the attack.
"This battle is getting good, ladies and gentlemen, and neither side is giving an inch of space to maneuver around each other," the announcer said as Ash and Primape were having a blast with this battle.
"Sky Uppercut now," Anthony commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his fist into Primape into the ring belt and tossed it right at him.
"This isn't over. Use, Counter, Primape," Ash commanded her, who slammed right into Hitmonchan hard. Anthony was surprised as much as he's trained with her. He didn't see that Primape knew that move.
"Mach Punch now, Hitmonchan," Anthony commanded, who went towards Primape.
"Cross Chop now, Primape," Ash commanded her as both Pokemon slammed right into each other. Both Pokemon were exhausted but refused to give up.
"Sky Uppercut now," Anthony commanded his Pokemon.
"Block it now, Primape," Ash commanded, who blocked the first fist. "Seismic Toss now," Ash commanded her, spun Hitmonchan around, and sent him to the rails tossing him back to her. "Cross Chop now," Ash commanded, who slammed her fist right into Hitmonchan, knocking him out. Primape yelled as she won the match, proving how much stronger she's gotten with Ash since she left the team, which Ash laughed upon seeing.
"And that, ladies and gentlemen, the first match goes to Ash and Primape, and they are moving to the top 16," the announcer said as the crowd cheered for both contestants. Anthony returned Hitmonchan to his ball and walked over to Ash.
"Well, Ash, you've impressed me in this match. I'm looking forward to seeing how far you two will go in this Tournament," Anthony said to Ash, who nodded, as did Primape. During the walk back to the locker room, Ash noticed Primape was happier to be back on Ash's team.
"Hey, once this is over, Primape, I want you to return to the team this time without additional training," Ash said to Primape, whose eyes widened upon hearing this and smiled and nodded, as did Anthony.
"Again, as I said earlier, she belongs to you and you only. Ash Primape has grown past my teachings; she could learn more from you than me, and this battle shows it. Wished I knew that she knew counter sooner. That could've helped my last Tournament," Anthony said.
"You never looked into my move pull, that's why," Primape said as Ash translated what she said, which Anthony rubbed the back of his head.
"I guess that is my fault. Sorry about that, Primape," Anthony said as it hit him that Ash could understand her Primape noticed as well.
"You saw Slowbro earlier. He's the translator on the team and helped Misty, Brock, and myself understand our Pokemon better, so you can tell me how you operate in battle or to change things up, Primape," Ash said to Primape, who nodded.
"Glady, Ash. I will say you are doing well as a trainer during this, but even though my species are known to be assertive, we have limitations and know more about battling than you think," Primape said.
"How so?" Ash asked.
"That battle could've ended quicker if you had used that combo that ended the match sooner. I know you want to fight fair and give a good match, but not everyone will get taken out that easily," Primape said as the group arrived at the locker room.
"I'll take that to heart, Primape, but you know my battle style, and I want us to be in sync during this tournament without issues," Ash said, to which Primape nodded.
"Deal, we can work together as a team, and I'll try to battle your style and add it to mine," Primape said.
"Anything else I need to know when you join my team again?" Ash asked, knowing that she would have some requests.
"Respect my space when it comes to eating and good battles. Primapes are battlers, not some mon to show off. Do that, and you and the team won't have an issue with me. I'm fine with making friends now, so they don't need to be scared of me," Primape said to Ash, who nodded.
"Deal, and you'll see that Charmander, who beat you, has evolved, and I own a Ursaring, but he won't be an issue with you as he's more respectful and is a family Pokemon," Ash said to Primape, who nodded.
"I know of Charizard's evolution. I saw your other Tournament matches and know that was the one who defeated me that day," Primape said.
"I'm sure that everyone will be happy to see you again. Primape, that said, let's watch the Tournament, and then we can get you healed and prepare for tomorrow's match," Ash said to Primape, who nodded. She may be stubborn, but she knows her limits.
The P1 Grand Prix's first round was wrapping up. Brawly, Chuck, Gretta, and Norman all made it to the next round as it was announced that Ash was up against Chuck in the next match of the Tournament. Chuck laughed, realizing he would face Ash again sooner than he thought.
"Well, Ash hopes you are ready for a rematch because, in the last tournament, we beat Primape in the semifinals," Chuck said to Ash, who was surprised to hear this.
With the P1 Grand Prix now in the top 16 and squaring off against Chuck in the next round, who will win? Ash or Chuck? As the P1 Grand Prix continues.
Stay Tuned.
Done and done. This Chapter was fun to write. If you read my Unova Journey chapter, which is out now, I will be doing both stories this week only, and then it's back to the usual next week as it's too much to write both and do my real-world work simultaneously. This week is my vacation/week off from work, so you'll get these stories as they are caught up only by one Chapter. That said, I know some people are asking me for certain people in these tournaments, and I would be happy to remember that I have more during this trilogy. And trust me, the biggest will be the Whirl Cup coming up, and those who read my Unova story thought that my Battle Club Tournament was long. From what I think of putting in this, Tournament will be more miniature than what I have in store, only close to what I have planned for the PWT in that story. That said, it's Ash against Chuck again in the next Chapter. See you next time.