"Come travel with me!"
That was Ash's final sentence as he turned and walked away, not waiting for Anabel's reply.
As he left, Ash handed Anabel a special gift—Soothe Bells. These bells, with their calming chimes, were perfect for someone like Anabel, who could communicate with Pokémon on a deeper level. Engraved on the two bells were the words "Ana" and "Bel."
Anabel chuckled softly as she held the bells, warmth spreading in her chest. She waved enthusiastically at Ash's retreating figure.
"Alright, once you've conquered the Battle Pyramid, I'll join you on your travels, Ash!"
A soft blush colored her cheeks as she whispered under her breath, "If I knew he'd ask me to travel with him, I wouldn't have written that letter… It's so embarrassing!"
Leaving Anabel's facility, Ash, Misty, and May journeyed toward their next destination. Despite their usual chatter, a peculiar silence had settled between them.
Ash had already opened the letter from Anabel. A grin crept across his face as he read it, learning the secret behind Anabel's surprising transformation from "plain" to "curvaceous."
"So, that's why… She wasn't… flat. She's just… been hiding it?"
The letter wasn't just about her physical details; it revealed her growing feelings for Ash. Anabel admired his ability to connect with Pokémon and, subtly, she shared her heart.
"Of course I understood," Ash thought, smiling softly. "That's why I asked her to come with me."
Breaking the silence, Misty spoke up. "Ash, after conquering the Battle Frontier, what's next?"
Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "First, we're heading to Fighting City to see Primeape. I've been thinking a lot about him. If he truly wants to be a P1 Champion, I'll train with him myself this time. Leaving him in someone else's care wasn't fair. I don't know what I was thinking back then."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu chimed in, agreeing wholeheartedly.
Ash clenched his fist. "I'll bring Primeape back and make things right!"
The journey to Fighting City wasn't without its moments. Along the way, Ash worked on improving Misty and May's culinary skills.
"Alright, May, you've got to chop the vegetables evenly. Misty, the sauce needs more stirring—keep it smooth," Ash instructed, his eyes focused on the portable cooking station. Pikachu sat nearby, happily nibbling on a berry as it watched the training unfold.
"You're like Brock sometimes," May muttered under her breath, though there was a hint of pride in her voice as she stirred the pot more carefully.
Three days later, the group arrived at Fighting City, greeted by the vibrant energy of trainers and Pokémon alike. As they approached Anthony's dojo, the unmistakable sound of a battle echoed through the air.
Inside, Anthony was training three Pokémon—Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, and Hitmontop—against a single formidable opponent: Primeape!
"Hitmonchan, use Fire Punch! Hitmonlee, go with Blaze Kick! Hitmontop, strike with Triple Kick!"
The three Pokémon launched their attacks in perfect synchronization. Primeape, however, was unfazed. With an explosive burst of energy, white and purple spirals surrounded its body—a devastating Giga Impact!
Primeape charged directly at the trio, overpowering them in an instant.
Boom!
All three Pokémon were sent flying, defeated by a single move.
Anthony's expression was a mixture of awe and despair. "Primeape, you've become unstoppable! But… I can't enter the P1 Grand Prix with you anymore."
He sighed, slumping to the ground. The P1 Grand Prix had raised its standards; only registered Elite Trainers were allowed to participate.
"I'm just a martial artist, not a Pokémon Trainer. I don't meet their criteria…" Anthony muttered.
As Anthony lamented, the dojo doors creaked open.
"Primeape, it's been a while. I'm back!"
Primeape froze mid-celebration, turning sharply at the familiar voice.
"Puh-ha!"
Eyes wide, Primeape's tough demeanor crumbled. In an instant, it dashed across the dojo, tackling Ash to the ground in excitement.
Ash laughed as Primeape hopped and spun with glee. "I've missed you too, buddy. Let's train together and win the P1 Championship—together this time!"
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T/N:
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