"The Dewford Gym Match between Leader Brawly and Challenger Ash from Pallet Town will now begin! Each side will use two Pokémon!" the referee announced, signaling the start of the battle.
"Let's go, Machoke!" Brawly called, throwing out his Poké Ball.
[Machoke]Ability: No Guard – All moves land without failLevel: Peak Superior Tier]
Ash's brow twitched. Wasn't it Machop in the original timeline? Looks like Brawly's taking this match seriously…
"Go, Taillow!""Taillow!" the little bird cried as it emerged onto the battlefield.
"Start with Wing Attack!"
"Machoke, brace for it! Then counter with Thunder Punch," Brawly said confidently, watching Taillow rush in.
Machoke skillfully used a surf-style stance to shift and absorb the impact of Taillow's attack, reducing the damage before striking back.
"What the—why was Wing Attack so weak?" Max asked, confused.
"He used the wave redirection method!" Ash suddenly realized. "He's dispersing the attack's force with a surf technique!"
"Impressive, huh?" Brawly grinned. "So Ash—how will you get around it?"
Ash thought for a moment. No Guard ensures every move lands. Combined with Machoke's defense technique, Taillow's speed and type advantage are neutralized. So... there's only one way.
"The simplest way—overwhelm him with pure power! Quick Attack into Brave Bird, go!"
"Machoke, Thunder Punch, quick!"
The two Pokémon clashed in midair with explosive force. After a brief moment—Machoke collapsed with a heavy thud. Taillow struggled to stay airborne but crashed shortly after.
"Thanks, Taillow. You did great," Ash said as he recalled the fainted Pokémon.
"Well done, Machoke," Brawly nodded.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"
"Your Taillow has incredible spirit, Ash. You've trained it well," Brawly complimented. "Now for round two—go, Hariyama!"
It was the same Hariyama that had been surfing with Brawly yesterday.
"Then let's go! Primeape, it's your time to shine!"
"Primeape!" the fighting monkey roared with energy.
"This is your first Gym Battle—let's start your journey with a win!"
Fighting vs. Fighting—just how Brawly likes it.
"Hariyama, Bullet Punch!"
"Primeape, counter with Million Punch!"
The two fighters met in the middle of the field, fists flying at breakneck speed. The clash of punches had the entire audience on the edge of their seats.
"Haha! I haven't had a match this exciting in ages!" Brawly laughed. "Your Primeape's had some serious training. Let's go, Zen Headbutt!"
Ash's eyes sharpened. "Let's finish this, Primeape! Rage Fist—twentieth time!"
"Primeape!!" The monkey's fists ignited with raw, boiling fury. He let out a primal yell and slammed into Hariyama with the full weight of twenty built-up Rage Fists—blasting him backward in a shockwave of energy.
Blue and white light enveloped Primeape's body.
"Wait… what?" Brawly's jaw dropped.
"No way! Primeape can evolve?!" Max stared, dumbfounded.
As the light settled, Primeape's form had changed—his fur now wild and ragged, his body darkened, and his crimson eyes glowing with feral power.
[Annihilape]Type: Fighting/GhostAbility: DefiantLevel: Late Gym TierMoves: Shadow Punch, Rage Fist, Crystallize Outburst…Dynamax Form: Ghost Type
Ash grinned. So the secret weapon worked.
He'd used a system-exclusive TM to teach Rage Fist—a move Primeape normally couldn't learn outside of Paldea.
"Congratulations, Annihilape!""Ha-cha!!" the newly evolved Pokémon gave Ash a confident thumbs-up.
May pointed her Pokédex at him. "Huh? No data?"
"Annihilape? Ash, what even is this Pokémon?" Brawly asked, stunned.
"Annihilape is a dual-type Ghost and Fighting Pokémon, and it evolves from Primeape—after using Rage Fist twenty times. Apparently, only Primeape from Paldea can evolve this way," Ash explained calmly.
"Maybe your Primeape has a Paldean ancestor, and the genetics just… awakened!" Brawly said, helping Ash spin a very convenient lie.
Ash sweatdropped. Bless you, Brawly…
"Alright then—let's keep going! Hariyama, Zen Headbutt, full power!"
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Annihilape, full power Shadow Punch!"
"Haaa-cha!!"
The Ghost-type punch connected cleanly, knocking Hariyama to the ground in a final blow.
"Hariyama is unable to battle. Annihilape wins. The victor is Ash from Pallet Town!"
"YES! Annihilape, that was amazing!""Ha-cha~!"
"Thanks for showing me Primeape's evolution, Ash. Here's your Boxing Badge—you earned it!" Brawly handed over the badge.
"I got the Boxing Badge!" Ash grinned, holding it up for the world to see."Pika~!""Ha-cha~!"
[Ding~ Received Boxing Badge. Reward: 1000 System Points]
At the Pokémon Center
"Ash, let us see Annihilape again!" May and Max beamed.
"Alright—but he's even grumpier than Primeape, so be careful!"
The two nodded rapidly, eyes wide.
Ash released his whole team so they could meet the newly evolved Annihilape. The others curiously circled him—until Annihilape got flustered and returned himself to his Poké Ball.
"Aww, I wanted to watch him longer…" May pouted.
"Don't worry—there'll be plenty of chances later. I'm gonna go rotate some of my team and ask Professor Oak to check on Annihilape too," Ash said, heading off.
At Professor Oak's Lab
"Got it! Leave it to me! I'll run a full analysis on Annihilape," Professor Oak said excitedly, thumping his chest. "If you ever need anything, Ash, I'll help however I can!"
Ash forced a smile. Poor Annihilape. Sorry, buddy…
Team Update: Pikachu, Quilava, Bayleef, Noctowl, Croconaw, Charizard, and one Pokémon Egg.
Ash transferred Noctowl back in—planning to use him for an upcoming Contest.
Soon, he regrouped with the others.
"Ash, Nurse Joy said Steven is really on the island!" Max said excitedly.
"Of course—he's President Stone's son. Why would he lie?" Ash replied flatly.
"N-No! I mean, he's supposedly in Granite Cave right now!"
"Oh! Then let's go find him!" Ash agreed. He left the Pokémon Egg with Nurse Joy again—just in case the cave was dangerous.
Meanwhile… at Professor Oak's Lab
"Hehehe… a Pokémon from Paldea. I haven't had the chance to study one yet. Beautifly just finished evolving, and now I've got a new subject—perfect timing!" Oak laughed, rubbing his hands together.
"Come out, Annihilape!"
"Hacha~!" Annihilape glared at the professor, ready to punch him on sight—until he froze, sensing a terrifying aura locking onto him.
"Ahahaha… don't worry. My old friend will keep you company. Now, let's begin!"
Annihilape:Help me... I regret evolving... (╥﹏╥)
On the Way to Granite Cave
While en route, Ash's group was ambushed by Team Rocket again! May and Jessie even had a Wurmple vs. Wurmple showdown.
After some chaos—and a well-aimed Thunderbolt—Team Rocket was once again sent flying.
They reached the Granite Cave safely.
To be continued…