"Ash, so it's you! I'm really sorry… I couldn't fulfill our promise," Anthony said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
Ash had entrusted Primeape to him with a goal: to make Primeape a true contender for the P1 Grand Prix Championship. Yet...
"Mr. Anthony, it's not your fault. Primeape has become incredibly strong under your care. From now on, I'll take him with me to challenge even tougher opponents!"
"Puh-ha!"
Primeape nodded energetically.
And so, Ash and Anthony made a new promise. If given the chance, Ash would personally lead Primeape to compete in the Grand Prix. After spending some time in Fighting City and challenging many Fighting-type Pokémon, Ash and his friends continued their journey.
Pokémon Information: Primeape
Category: Pig Monkey Pokémon
Type: Fighting
Abilities: Vital Spirit, Anger Point
Potential: Red-tier
Level: 45
Moves: Rage, Scratch, Leer, Focus Energy, Fury Swipes, Karate Chop, Pursuit, Seismic Toss, Cross Chop, Low Kick, Close Combat, Dynamic Punch, Brick Break, Stomp, Focus Punch, and more.
Anthony had trained Primeape diligently. Despite having red-tier potential—equivalent to most top-tier Gym Pokémon—Primeape's level had grown significantly.
That day, Ash and his friends found themselves in a dense forest near Mt. Silver. Crossing the forest would bring them closer to their destination.
"Primeape, be careful. This Ariados isn't a weak opponent!"
"Puh-ha!"
Earlier, while Ash was feeding their Pokémon and Misty and May prepared lunch, a swarm of Ariados had been drawn to their food.
Even Pokémon food wasn't safe!
Primeape, eager to fight as the newest addition to Ash's team, immediately stepped up to the challenge. Despite a fourfold disadvantage to Ariados' Bug/Poison-type moves, Primeape easily defeated most of the swarm.
Now, only the leader—the largest Ariados—remained.
"Primeape, use the boulders around you and go for a Seismic Toss!"
The Ariados relied on its sticky threads and nearby trees for support, making the terrain advantageous.
However, the forest was also filled with rocks—plenty of ammunition for Primeape.
With impressive speed, Primeape picked up a boulder and hurled it at Ariados.
"Ariaa!"
Ariados quickly spun a web, stopping the boulder in midair.
Annoyed, Primeape grabbed an even larger boulder and threw it with all its might.
Ariados, using its webbing tethered to the trees, swung out of harm's way.
"Primeape, use Focus Energy!"
Primeape calmed itself, sharpening its attacks and boosting its determination.
This Ariados was clever—no wonder it was the leader.
But that was as far as it would go.
"Stomp on that tree, Primeape!"
With a powerful stomp, Primeape cracked the ground and broke the tree in half.
The collapsing tree forced Ariados back onto the ground.
"Perfect! Now, Stomp again!"
Avoiding Fighting-type moves, which Ariados could resist, Ash instructed Primeape to use its Ground-type move.
The shockwave from Stomp injured Ariados and destabilized the terrain, leaving it unable to retreat using its web.
Taking advantage of the moment, Primeape closed in and finished the battle with a decisive Brick Break.
["Ding! Congratulations, host! Primeape has defeated Ariados, earning 7,500 battle experience points."]
After defeating the leader and its swarm, Primeape leveled up twice, reaching Level 47.
Primeape cheered, hopping around excitedly. Its lively and energetic personality was as strong as ever.
Ash, however, noticed Misty's pale face and sighed. Her fear of Bug-type Pokémon was a persistent issue.
"She's aiming to become a Water Pokémon Master," Ash thought, "but if she's this afraid of Bug-types, it'll be tough when she faces opponents who use them—or worse, Water Pokémon with Bug-type dual attributes."
He resolved to find a way to help her overcome this fear, though for now, it was something they'd have to deal with step by step.
After lunch, while the group rested, Ash received a video call from Elesa.
The second installment of the League Currency(Poke Coins) had been deposited into his account—an impressive 3.2 million Poké Coins!
Combined with his previous earnings and the 500,000 from daily sign-ins, Ash now had over 6 million Poké Coins. With this wealth, he could begin planning his upcoming challenge against Brandon of the Battle Pyramid.
Later, Ash received another call, this time from Professor Oak.
"Ash, great news! The research on the Fairy-type you shared with me is complete. I've submitted it for review by the Pokémon League, and it should be officially announced worldwide soon. This will be a milestone in Pokémon research! I'm sure the League won't hold back on funding this time."
The professor, as usual, was enjoying instant noodles at his desk.
"Thanks, Professor Oak. By the way, I've sent over additional research—this time about Eevee's other potential evolutions. Check your inbox and give it a try. If everything works, let's handle it the same way as the Fairy-type reveal."
"What!? New Eevee evolutions!?"
Before Ash could say more, the professor ended the call abruptly to dive into the documents Ash had sent.
Smiling, Ash turned back to his group. It was time to start his rigorous training regimen—for both himself and his Pokémon.
With everything prepared, Ash, Misty, and May resumed their journey toward Mt. Silver.
A few hours after they left, their previous campsite was visited by two figures in "R"-emblazoned uniforms: a woman with long orange hair and a man with slick green hair parted down the middle.
Team Rocket had arrived.
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T/N:
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