[Ash: So... I was tricked?]
[Rebecca: Not exactly. My father really did train Primeape well—but he's too obsessed with the P1 Grand Prix. Ash, could you help him... and help me?]
[Ash: I understand. I'll bring Primeape back myself.]
[Rebecca: Thank you... Ash.]
"Primeape, so this is where you've been." As the scene cut back, Mr. Anthony came rushing in, panting. He had been chasing after Primeape all this time—the Pokémon had suddenly bolted from training and run straight here. "Mr. Anthony, it's been a while!" Ash greeted him warmly, while Brock—true to form—was peering around behind the man, searching for any trace of Miss Rebecca. "Ash...?" Anthony froze for a second. He'd been too focused on finding Primeape to notice Ash and the others standing nearby.
"You're here for the P1 Grand Prix too?" he asked quickly once he recovered. "That's right," Ash replied. "At first, I just wanted to see Primeape again. But when I heard a new P1 tournament was being held, I figured I'd enter as well." "Have you decided which Pokémon you'll use?" Anthony asked, a hint of nervousness in his tone.
"Yup! I'm going with a partner I caught back in Kalos!" Ash pointed proudly at Hawlucha, who was still throwing excited punches in the air. Hearing that, Anthony visibly relaxed and smiled. "That Pokémon's in great shape. You've raised it really well!"
But unlike Anthony, Primeape didn't look nearly as pleased. It tugged at Ash's jacket, grumbling. "What's wrong?" Ash asked, confused by the gestures and grunts. "Maybe it wants you to take it into the tournament," Brock offered. Having once trained to become the world's best Pokémon Breeder, he was good at understanding a Pokémon's feelings. "Is that it?" Ash turned to Primeape. "Pucha!" So that was it... Anthony's heart sank.
The thing he'd been dreading most had finally happened—though deep down, he'd expected it ever since seeing Ash again. After all, Primeape had been Ash's Pokémon from the start. Anthony had only been its caretaker—training it while chasing his own dream. But seeing that bright, honest smile on Primeape's face as it reunited with its true Trainer... Anthony knew it was time to let go. Primeape had already helped him fulfill his own lifelong dream of becoming P1 Champion. To cling to it now would be nothing but selfish greed.
"Ash," Anthony said at last, his voice light with relief. "Take this Pokémon and enter the P1 Grand Prix together. Please." "Mr. Anthony..." "When it ran off and came here, I finally understood—in Primeape's heart, the Trainer it wants by its side most is you. Don't let its feelings go to waste." "Pucha..." "Dad!" From behind them, Rebecca came running over. Tears welled in her eyes as she heard his words—her father had finally let go of his obsession. "Rebecca," Anthony said softly. "From now on, I'll put my focus back on our family. Everything I missed before... I'll make it right." "Rebecca!" Brock suddenly lunged forward dramatically. "You understand, don't you? I've traveled across mountains and seas just for the chance to see you again! Please, allow me to—" Before he could finish, Misty grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away. "Yes, yes, we get it! But maybe let the father and daughter have their touching moment without interrupting it, huh?"
[Bruno: Anthony, I never thought I'd see a version of you this open-minded—maybe your counterpart in our world could learn something.]
Bruno and Anthony were both renowned Fighting-type Trainers from the same region, and they'd known each other for years. Seeing this version move on made Bruno hopeful his own friend might do the same.
[Brock: Pursuing your dreams is one thing, but abandoning your family for them? That's just selfish. It hurts not only them but yourself, too.]
Brock's own father, Flint, had left home chasing his dream of being the strongest Trainer, forcing young Brock to take care of the Pewter Gym and raise all his younger siblings. He still had deep feelings about that—though he'd been too distracted by Miss Rebecca earlier to say anything. Now that they were online, he didn't bother holding back. [Rebecca: Dad, please, don't get lost in your pursuit of the championship again!]
[Anthony: I understand. And I think the Primeape in this world probably wants to return to Ash's side too. Ash, come by when you can—and take Primeape with you. Become the greatest Fighting Trainer in the world.]
[Ash: Of course! And thank you for everything you've done for Primeape.]
[Anthony: No, it's me who should be thanking you. Without Primeape helping me achieve my dream, I might never have realized what truly mattered and returned to my family.]
No one had expected it—that the events from this "flash-forward" would bring such a perfect ending to Anthony and Primeape in this one.
Back to the scene... Now that Ash had decided to enter with Primeape, Hawlucha was clearly not happy about it. It had come here first, and it had been looking forward to this tournament for so long. Why should it sit out now? "Cha! Cha!" Hawlucha flared its wings and stormed right up to Primeape, bumping its chest with a defiant glare. Primeape, true to its name and nature, was never one to back down—even if it was technically at fault, the only way to settle things was a good fight. It pushed right back, just as aggressively. The tension between the two Pokémon rose fast, sparks practically flying as they glared each other down. Ash could only stand there awkwardly, realizing how poorly he'd thought this through. "Mr. Anthony, is it possible for one Trainer to bring two Pokémon into the P1 Grand Prix?" he asked hopefully. "Of course not," Anthony replied without hesitation. "If we allowed that, the whole tournament would be chaos." "But," he added, "you can have another Trainer enter with one of your Pokémon. That's within the rules." That got Ash thinking. "Wait—Misty, you don't have a Pokémon for this tournament, do you?" Misty blinked, startled as Ash suddenly grabbed her shoulders. "Uh... no, I guess I don't..." she murmured, blushing a little at the sudden closeness.
(To be continued...)
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