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Hearing Ash's voice, Primeape immediately rushed forward and then leaped high. At that moment, Hitmonchan, who was knocked into the air, felt its feet being grabbed before it could react.
Simultaneously, the back of its neck was seized. The Primeape lifted Hitmonchan high before flipping forward and slamming it down with incredible force.
Boom!
The ground shook, and the sound echoed across the arena. The audience fell silent, their eyes fixed on the field.
"Hitmonchan!" Anthony shouted worriedly, his voice filled with concern.
"It's Seismic Toss! Such incredible power! Can Hitmonchan even get back up after that?" the commentator exclaimed excitedly. On the field, Hitmonchan lay motionless for a long time. Slowly, it opened one eye, struggling to push itself off the ground.
Seeing this, the Primeape readied itself in a fighting stance.
"Hitmonchan..." Anthony watched the scene unfold, feeling a torrent of emotions. He knew the devastating impact of the Seismic Toss and was unsure whether to push forward or concede.
As his gaze met Ash's, Anthony seemed to sense a taunt in Ash's eyes, a silent challenge for Anthony to act on his own teachings. Clenching his fists, Anthony took a deep breath.
"Hitmonchan!!" he called out once more. Yet, after a brief pause, Anthony pulled the towel from his shoulders and threw it into the arena.
"Mr. Anthony has thrown in the towel, declaring defeat! The winner is Ash and his Primeape, who now claim the championship of this Fighting competition!"
Thunderous applause erupted as the crowd celebrated. Hitmonchan, watching the towel fall, finally collapsed onto the ground, its strength completely spent.
For Anthony, surrendering wasn't easy, but in that moment, he recognized that retreat could be as honorable as persistence.
At this moment, a figure appeared in front of the fallen Hitmonchan, catching it before it collapsed.
"Chan!"
Hitmonchan slowly raised its head, its eyes widening in recognition. The one supporting it was none other than its former rival, the Primeape. Ash smiled warmly as he watched the scene unfold.
The Primeape barked at Hitmonchan a few times, its tone seeming to convey praise and respect for the tough battle.
"What a beautiful sight! Even though Hitmonchan lost the match, the Primeape still showed respect for its rival. This is the true spirit of competition!" the commentator exclaimed, his voice charged with emotion.
"Let's give a big round of applause to both the Primeape and Hitmonchan, who brought us such an incredible match! And let's not forget the trainers, Ash and Anthony, who raised these two exceptional Pokémon!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, their cheers filling the arena with electric energy.
Anthony stood silently, watching the scene with a mix of emotions. It was clear now—this was the spirit of competition. Despite winning, Ash and his Primeape had shown nothing but respect and sportsmanship towards Hitmonchan and its trainer.
Anthony's thoughts turned inward. Before the match, he had gone to great lengths to avoid admitting defeat, even attempting to disrupt his previous contest with Ash. Now, it was clear—not only had he lost the match, but he had also failed in upholding the values of a true trainer.
Resolving to make amends, Anthony walked over to Ash. Standing before him, he extended his hand.
"Ash, I lost—not just this match, but also the one before. You played well. Congratulations!"
"Thank you!" Ash replied simply, shaking Anthony's hand. He bore no grudges about the past and appreciated the gesture.
"It's truly a moment worth remembering! And now, we present the championship gold belt and the prize money to Ash and his Primeape!"
The announcer's voice carried excitement as the championship ceremony began. The organizers brought the gold belt onto the stage, awarding it to the Primeape, who wore it with pride. They also handed Ash the prize money—a substantial sum, even larger than what they had received from helping capture the poaching gang.
For Ash, this prize was a significant reward, but more than that, it was a symbol of hard work, determination, and the bonds between a trainer and their Pokémon.
After winning the championship, the Primeape excitedly raised its arms and cheered, "Celebrate!" Ash stood beside it, smiling as he shared in its happiness. The Primeape's joy was infectious, its long-restrained emotions finally bursting free after such a challenging match.
This competition had been different. For the first time, the Primeape fought without relying on volatile techniques. It had instead employed the strategies Ash had taught, realizing their effectiveness. It was a new experience, and it had helped the Primeape discover what true strength was.
After celebrating on stage, Ash and the Primeape stepped down, marking the conclusion of the P1 Fighting competition. They reunited with the rest of the group and returned to the Fighting Spirit Gym to retrieve their belongings.
Not long after, Anthony arrived. His demeanor was different—calmer, more reflective. He sought out Rebecca and sincerely apologized for his past behavior. Watching this, Brock and Misty were visibly moved.
After Anthony and Rebecca's conversation, Anthony resolved to reopen the Fighting Spirit Gym. He then approached Ash, looking at the Primeape, now proudly wearing its gold championship belt.
"Ash, I didn't expect you to win the championship on your first try in such a tough competition. Your Primeape really is a fighting genius!" Anthony remarked, his tone full of admiration.
Ash couldn't help but laugh at Anthony's praise. "A genius, huh? Is that what you think? I already know where this is going, old man," he replied playfully, brushing off the compliment with a grin.
Their lighthearted banter reflected the camaraderie forged through competition—a bond built not just on rivalry but also on mutual respect and growth.