Thanks to a straightforward road, Paul wasn't led into some bizarre wilderness by Ash.
However, several days had passed since leaving Celadon City, and they had settled into a simple travel routine. Ash couldn't stand the monotony anymore. For the past two days, Ash had been looking at Paul with growing impatience and eagerness for action.
Paul felt cornered. * What should I do? I really want to escape, but I can't. *
"Wow! That's a Hitmonchan!" Ash's eyes lit up, watching the boxing Pokémon jogging along the road.
"That's Hitmonchan. Hasn't your Pokédex been updated?" Paul reminded him.
"Ah, whatever it's called, if I see one, I have to catch it!" Ash looked at Pikachu. "Pikachu, let's go! Battle that guy! You'll be the boxing champion!"
Pikachu tilted its head, cutely imagining being punched by Hitmonchan. * Tsk tsk. *
"'Pika...'" Pikachu looked terrified, shrinking behind Misty. * Pika... (No way I'm going out there! Someone else can go!) *
"Ash, sometimes I really wonder if you think at all..." Paul slapped his forehead. "What wild Pokémon have you ever seen training so diligently along the road?"
"Ah? So...?" Ash processed this.
"So that means it has a trainer," Brock added.
"There, look." Paul pointed down the road behind them. A burly man carrying a towel was approaching.
"What is it, kids? Do you want to challenge my Hitmonchan, trained by a fighting master like me?" the burly man asked aggressively.
"Stop!! Dad, don't go challenging people anymore!" Just then, a girl with twin ponytails ran over.
"Father, please stop obsessing over fighting! Won't you come home with me?" the girl begged, tears in her eyes.
Paul pursed his lips. * Another irresponsible bum. Ugh! *
The burly man looked at the girl, embarrassed. "Rebecca, I won't go back until I've won the P1 Grand Prix Championship Cup!"
Paul had a sudden idea. * A fighting tournament? If I can win the championship belt, Machoke's evolution will be set. * Paul recalled some obscure lore. While Machoke normally evolved into Machamp through trading, some believed that evolving one that had held a championship belt resulted in a superior specimen. A Machamp evolved under these conditions was said to have greater muscle development and potential. Ordinary Machamp often ended up as movers, but a 'belted' Machamp was a true fighting machine!
The girl failed to dissuade the man, Anthony. He instead issued a challenge, telling them he'd wait for them in the ring. Then he took his Hitmonchan and left the road to continue training.
The girl, Rebecca, turned her gaze to Paul and his group. Seeming decided, she bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry. My father has caused you trouble."
Brock waved his hand dismissively, already smitten. * How could such a beautiful girl be wrong? It must be my fault somehow. *
Misty and Ash eyed Brock doubtfully.
"Since you're Pokémon trainers, could I ask you for a favor?" Rebecca looked at everyone pleadingly.
"You want us to teach your father a lesson? Knock some sense into him so he returns to his family?" Paul stated.
"Ah... yes, that's right," Rebecca nodded. "Please defeat my father's Hitmonchan. Please."
Ash and Paul agreed to help and followed Rebecca to her home was essentially a boxing club.
After learning more about the P1 Grand Prix, Paul and Ash decided to participate. Brock briefly lost his mind and wanted to enter his Geodude, but Paul quickly shut that idea down. * Entering a Rock type like Geodude into hand to hand combat against Fighting types? Does he think Geodude has too long a lifespan? *
The P1 Grand Prix was a Pokémon fighting tournament, likely sponsored by Silph Co., offering generous prize money. Additionally, the grand prize was a Master Ball, something Paul coveted. Paul was fired up. He had to be serious now. * For the sake of that Master Ball, anyone who stands in my way will fall! *
Having decided to enter, Ash and Paul hurried to the registration area of the small arena hosting the competition. Contestants had to complete weigh-ins and physical exams here.
And outside the gymnasium, beneath a huge poster, the familiar trio of Team Rocket appeared: Jessie, James, and Meowth.
"We have to participate!" Jessie declared confidently. "I want to win the championship and get the all you can eat prize at that family restaurant!"
"But Jessie, how can we enter? We don't have a Fighting type Pokémon," James pointed out, watching Jessie lost in her fantasy.
"If we don't have one, we grab one! Isn't that the Team Rocket way?" Jessie smirked.
"Oh? Grab one? What do you think of this guy?" Paul's voice came from behind Jessie, indicating his Machoke.
"Machoke... that's right, it's you! That twerp!" Jessie and James jumped, startled.
"Sorry, I need to participate in today's competition, so I'll have to ask you to leave early," Paul said, though not sounding very apologetic.
"Machoke, use Cross Chop."
Boom!
Jessie, James: "Stay away!!... What a disgusting feeling! Blasting off at record speed!!"
After clapping the dust off his hands, Paul sighed in relief. * That's dealt with. *
After that, things went smoothly. Having completed the physical exams and weigh ins, Ash and Paul received their match brackets.
"Oh? Interesting." Paul looked at the bracket. His first match was against Rebecca's father, Anthony, and his Hitmonchan.
As the audience filed into the arena, the fighting ring was prepared.
Ash's Primeape entered the ring. Their first opponent was a Machop, Machoke's pre-evolved form. Because it wasn't listening to Ash's commands, Primeape took several Karate Chops from Machop before being caught and thrown out of the ring with a Seismic Toss. Ash dove to catch Primeape, preventing it from hitting the floor outside the ring. Touched by Ash's action, Primeape finally decided to listen. With newfound cooperation, they quickly defeated the Machop. Ash successfully advanced!
Paul stepped up for his first match against Anthony and his Hitmonchan. Paul loosened his wrists and looked at Machoke. "You've trained hard during this time. Your muscles are perfectly toned. Now, go get your championship belt!"
Machoke roared, "Machoke!!!" and flexed confidently.
Anthony stepped into the ring. "Hmph, boy! Fighting tournaments aren't simple. A moment's carelessness can lead to lasting regret. Accept reality!"
Paul clasped his hands. "If talking won championships, you'd already be the winner."
When the bell rang, Anthony immediately ordered a swift attack. "Hitmonchan, Bullet Punch!"
Hitmonchan rushed forward, unleashing a flurry of punches. Machoke remembered Paul's instruction to protect its head with both hands, guarding its vital points. * Compared to Hitmonchan's speed, Machoke is at a disadvantage. * Paul had planned a defense and counterattack strategy from the start.
Hitmonchan's initial assault failed to break through. It cautiously slid backward to create distance.
"Machoke, now! Use Bulk Up!" Paul commanded.
Machoke shook off the lingering effects of the attack and struck a pose. Its muscles bulged, and its power began to rise.
"We can't let it power up! Hitmonchan, rush in with Mach Punch!"
"Protect your head!" Paul yelled. Machoke tucked its head behind its arms, absorbing Hitmonchan's heavy punch. Hitmonchan was now too close, right against Machoke's chest, leaving it open to Machoke's fierce counterattack!
"Now! Counter!" Paul clenched his fists, signaling the move.
"Machoke!!!" With fierce momentum, Machoke struck Hitmonchan with a Karate Chop, followed by a rapid combination of punches and kicks! The force of Hitmonchan's own attack was returned twofold!
Boom! Hitmonchan flew out of the ring at high speed and lost its ability to battle!
Anthony knelt on the ground, looking at the ring in disappointment. "I... I lost again?"
Paul stood on the ring, looking down at Anthony. "I don't know how much you've sacrificed for this competition, but I look down on people like you who abandon their families. Failing to win a championship just means you didn't succeed. But abandoning your family for a competition? That makes you a real loser!"
Anthony covered his face, weeping. "Was I really wrong?"
Rebecca came up and took her father's arm. "Dad... come back home. Mom and I need you."
Anthony: "Rebecca... Dad was wrong."
Paul was happy to witness the touching reconciliation between father and daughter. * Next, I just need to battle with all my strength and leave no regrets! *
Battling their way through the bracket, Ash and Paul finally met in the final.
"Unexpectedly, our first official battle against each other is in a fighting tournament," Paul smiled, looking at Ash.
"Yeah! I finally get the chance! This time, we'll have a great battle!" Ash's competitive spirit was burning. * Finally, I get to battle Paul seriously! *
"Go, Primeape!" Ash sent out his powerhouse, the perpetually angry Monkey Pokémon, Primeape.
* Let's just say Primeape is a species that embarrasses both pigs and monkeys, * Paul couldn't help but complain internally. * The chubby, muscular Primeape has a distinct upturned snout. No matter how you look at it, it's kind of ugly cute. *
"Machoke, get ready!" Paul waved his hand, and Machoke stepped onto the stage confidently. Having KO'd its previous opponents, Machoke's morale was at its peak.
"Primeape, use Scratch!" Ash ordered, trying to start aggressively. * A Scratch attack... basically, just scratch him! * Primeape showed its sharp claws and swiped wildly at Machoke. * Scratch! Scratch! Scratch! *
"Machoke, Bulk Up!" Ignoring Primeape's frantic harassment, Machoke's muscles swelled violently, becoming as hard as iron.
Primeape scratched futilely for a while, then turned to Ash with tears welling in its eyes. * 'Peape... (I can't scratch him...)' *
"Darn it! Primeape, use Mega Kick!" Ash immediately changed tactics, apparently not learning from the Machop fight.
Paul looked at Ash curiously. "Did you already forget your first round match?"
Ash looked startled.
"Machoke, grab it and use Seismic Toss!" Paul commanded. * Grappling and submission holds are the essence of fighting. * Machoke ducked low, caught Primeape's descending leg, fell backward, wrapped its legs around Primeape's midsection, and executed a powerful Seismic Toss. After the throw, Machoke quickly pinned Primeape, grabbing its left arm with both hands and trapping its right arm with its legs, firmly controlling Primeape on the ground. * Paul's secret technique: submission hold! *
The referee stepped into the ring and began the count. "Ten! Nine! Eight!"
Ash had an idea. "Primeape, use Mega Kick on the ring floor!"
Paul narrowed his eyes, then commanded: "Throw Primeape away!"
Machoke used its arms and legs to push the immobilized Primeape away.
Primeape slammed its feet on the ground. Its anger boiled over.
"Bulk Up!" Paul seized the opportunity to boost Machoke's power again.
"Primeape, just charge! Thrash!" Ash called out desperately. Primeape's powerful Thrash attack erupted as it rushed fiercely towards Machoke.
"Machoke, let's end this! Dynamic Punch!" Paul calmly issued the order.
"Machoke!!" Machoke unleashed Dynamic Punch, abandoning defense and colliding head on with the thrashing Primeape! Ignoring the blows it took from Primeape, Machoke landed its heavy fist squarely on Primeape's face.
Boom! Primeape flew backward. Machoke stood tall, raising its fists high. "Machoke!!"
The commentator's passionate shout ignited the audience, "There it is!! Machoke's powerful punch results in a KO! Primeape is unable to battle! Our champion is born!!!"
Paul stepped onto the ring, relieved, and patted Machoke's muscular arm. "Well done." * Tying the championship belt around its waist filled it with fighting spirit! *
After the match, Anthony found Paul and Ash, praising their Pokémon as fighting geniuses. He hoped they would entrust their Pokémon to him for training.
"No need, sir. Whether it's Chuck from Johto or Bruno from the Kanto Elite Four, there are countless powerful Fighting type trainers out there. We plan to challenge stronger opponents with our Pokémon in the future. You should focus on taking care of your family," Paul politely declined. Ash, hearing Paul's words, also declined Anthony's offer. In the end, Primeape stayed with Ash.
Looking at the backs of Anthony and his daughter leaving, Paul shook his head. * That old guy... his skills aren't bad, but he's still trying to get his hands on other people's Pokémon. * Paul hated people who used flimsy excuses to try and take others' Pokémon. * If I wanted advanced fighting training, wouldn't I seek out someone like Maylene? Or even Korrina in Kalos? They're leagues better than that old man. Ridiculous! *
Paul, having secured the championship belt and the coveted Master Ball, felt he'd made a significant gain. While the opportunity was there, he found a nearby trading center. After asking Brock for help, Brock contacted his father, Flint, back home and arranged to trade two of Flint's Graveler. Through the trade evolution, Brock's family gained two Golem. And Paul was satisfied, gaining his Machamp and... Gengar!
"Geng Gengar! Hahahahaha!" the newly evolved Gengar bounced around Paul playfully.
"How is it, old friend? Still getting used to the new body after evolving?" Paul smiled, looking at Gengar.
Shaking its hands and kicking its stubby legs, Gengar opened its wide mouth and gave Paul a big lick. "Gengar! Hee hee hee."
*'Kid, I'm very satisfied! I'll show you my new tricks when I get the chance!' * Gengar smirked mentally and plunged back into Paul's shadow. * Ever since it started following Paul, it had never entered a Poké Ball, making its home in Paul's shadow instead. *
"Tch, you old ghost, you got me covered in drool again," Paul wiped his face, dumbfounded. * My Pokémon are getting stronger and stronger. The Indigo League challenge is getting really exciting. *
Little did Paul know, Gengar would soon face its most difficult battle yet.