Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the forest path as Ash and his companions made their way towards Fuchsia City.
Pikachu, running happily at the front, occasionally turned back to urge his friends on.
"Pika Pika!" He pointed his tail forward, as if to say there was still a long way to go.
"I know, I know, we're walking, aren't we?" Ash responded with a smile, then turned to Lucario beside him. "How was that training? Satisfied?"
"Luca! (Excellent!)" Lucario vigorously swung his fist, his blue fur shimmering in the sunlight.
Not far away, Brock was setting up a portable stove, his spatula flying in his hand. "Today's lunch is special curry rice, with my latest nutritional formula! It's especially good for Fighting-type Pokémon!"
Xiao You sat on a nearby tree stump, intently staring at her rotom phone screen. "So, Pokémon Breeders need to know so much… The food preferences of different types of Pokémon vary so greatly."
"roto! Xiao You, I suggest you start learning breeding techniques with Normal-type Pokémon, it will be easier, roto!" The Rotom in the phone suggested lively.
Just as this harmonious atmosphere settled, a red figure suddenly burst from the woods, charging straight at Lucario.
"Luca! (Enemy attack!)" Lucario instantly entered battle mode, dodging the opponent's direct punch with a sidestep.
"What's going on?" Ash immediately became alert, recognizing the attacker—it was a muscular Hitmonchan, its boxing glove-like fists steaming.
"Hitmonchan, don't stop, keep attacking!" A rough male voice came from deep within the woods.
Hitmonchan immediately adjusted his stance, his fists raining down on Lucario like a storm.
"Lucario, use Aura Sphere!" Ash quickly commanded.
"Luca! (Understood!)" Lucario condensed a blue Energy Ball between his hands, striking Hitmonchan's chest precisely.
Hitmonchan was knocked back by the blow, eventually falling to one knee.
"Hitmonchan!" A burly, bearded middle-aged man ran out of the woods, supporting his Pokémon.
He wore a red martial arts gi and a headband with the characters "Fighting Spirit" on his forehead.
"Who are you? Why did you suddenly attack us?" Ash asked cautiously, Pikachu also jumped onto his shoulder, his cheek pouches sparking with electricity.
"I am Shindo of the Fighting Spirit Gym." The man patted Hitmonchan's shoulder in comfort. "I'm training for the P-1 Fighting Tournament.
I saw your Lucario had good potential and wanted to test his strength."
"P-1 Tournament?" Brock stopped cooking, curiously coming closer. "Is that the Fighting-type Pokémon championship tournament?"
"Exactly!" Shindo's eyes ignited with fighting spirit. "This is the highest honor for Fighting-type Trainers and Pokémon!
I've been runner-up for three consecutive years, and this year I must win the championship!"
Just then, a girl in a pink dress breathlessly caught up. "Dad! You're challenging people everywhere again!"
"Ami? Why did you follow me?" Shindo looked a bit embarrassed.
The girl bowed to Ash and his companions in apology: "I'm sorry, my dad has been too obsessed with training lately.
Ever since he lost to the current Champion last month, he's been training away from home with Hitmonchan, even neglecting the Gym."
"Ami! You don't understand!" Shindo said excitedly. "Only by winning the P-1 Championship can I prove the strength of the Fighting Spirit Gym! I must…"
"But Mom is so worried about you!" Ami's eyes welled up with tears. "You haven't been home for two weeks, and all the Gym apprentices have left…"
Ash looked at the father and daughter, a decision forming in his mind.
He walked up to Shindo, looking him in the eyes: "Mr. Shindo, I accept your challenge—but not by the roadside, but on the official stage of the P-1 Tournament!"
"What?" Shindo's eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm also entering the P-1 Tournament, and I'll defeat your Hitmonchan fair and square with Lucario!" Ash said firmly. "If I win, please go home and see your family, okay?"
Shindo was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Interesting! Young man, I admire your courage! Alright, we'll meet in the tournament!"
"Wait, Ash," Brock interjected, "since that's the case, I'll enter with my Geodude too!
Even though he's not a pure Fighting-type, his Rock-type can still pull off some good fighting techniques!"
"Awesome!" Xiao You clapped excitedly. "I can learn about Fighting-type Pokémon's battle styles firsthand!"
"Pikachu! (Go for it!)" Pikachu also waved his small paws, eager to join.
"Luca! (All out!)" Lucario struck a battle pose.
Shindo looked at these energetic young people, a slight smile playing on his lips: "The P-1 Tournament will be held in Sunny Town the day after tomorrow. We'll see you then! Ami, let's go, back to training!"
"Dad!" Ami wanted to say more, but Shindo had already strode away with Hitmonchan.
She could only cast a grateful look at Ash and hurried to catch up with her father.
Two days later, the fighting arena in Sunny Town was bustling with activity.
Banners fluttered, the stands were packed, and the air was filled with excitement and anticipation.
"Wow, what a grand spectacle!" Xiao You exclaimed, her rotom phone constantly capturing the scene.
"roto! The P-1 Tournament is the most influential specialized Fighting Pokémon event in the Kanto region, roto!" The Rotom in the phone explained.
Ash checked Lucario's condition: "How do you feel? Nervous?"
"Luca! (In top condition!)" Lucario confidently swung his fist.
Brock stroked Geodude's smooth surface: "Remember our strategy, use your weight advantage."
"Geodude! (Understood!)" Geodude responded steadily.
The commentator's passionate voice echoed through the broadcast: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 25th P-1 Fighting Pokémon Championship!
Today, 16 top Fighting-type Trainers will compete here!"
The contestants lined up in the center of the arena, Shindo and his Hitmonchan standing in the front row, exuding a powerful aura.
"First up are the elimination rounds, single-elimination, one-on-one!" The commentator continued. "First match, Ash from Pallet Town against Ali from Celadon City!"
Ash took a deep breath and walked onto the stage with Lucario.
Opposite him was a burly young man in a karate gi, his Pokémon was a Hitmonchan.
"Battle start!"
"Hitmonchan, kick him down!" Ali launched the first attack.
Hitmonchan's long legs swept towards Lucario's lower body like a whip.
"Jump to avoid it, then use Focus Punch!" Ash reacted quickly.
"Luca! (Received!)" Lucario lightly leaped, spinning his body in the air, condensing fighting energy in his palm, striking Hitmonchan's shoulder.
"Hitmonchan!" Hitmonchan retreated in pain but quickly adjusted his stance, unleashing a series of spinning kicks.
"Use Detect to predict his moves!" Ash commanded.
Lucario's eyes flashed blue, accurately catching the gap in Hitmonchan's attack, crouching to dodge the kick, then following up with an uppercut to the opponent's chin.
"Hitmonchan is unable to battle! Ash and Lucario advance to the next round!" The referee announced.
The stands erupted in warm applause.
Ash crouched down and high-fived Lucario: "Great job!"
"Luca! (Good teamwork!)" Lucario responded happily.
In the subsequent matches, Brock's Geodude won two consecutive matches with his excellent defense and unexpected Rollout attacks, entering the semifinals.
And Shindo's Hitmonchan showed overwhelming strength, almost all one-hit knockouts.
"Semifinal Match 1, Brock from Pewter City against Shindo from the Fighting Spirit Gym!"
Brock calmly walked onto the stage: "Geodude, let's see how far we can go."
"Geodude! (All out!)" Geodude rolled onto the stage.
Shindo's Hitmonchan entered with professional strides, his fists clashing, emitting dull thuds.
"Battle start!"
"Geodude, use Harden first to boost your defense!" Brock adopted a conservative strategy.
"Hitmonchan, Mach Punch!" Shindo's offensive was like a raging storm.
Hitmonchan's fists were so fast their trajectory was almost invisible, striking Geodude repeatedly with dull thuds.
"Hang in there! Then use Rollout attack!" Brock shouted.
Geodude endured the attacks and began to accelerate his Rollout, but Hitmonchan's precise High Jump Kick interrupted his movement.
"Now! Close combat!" Shindo seized the opportunity to command.
Hitmonchan closed in on Geodude, unleashing a fluid combination of elbow strikes, knee jabs, and uppercuts, finally sending Geodude flying with an uppercut.
"Geodude is unable to battle! Shindo and Hitmonchan advance to the finals!"
Brock recalled Geodude, nodding to Shindo: "A splendid battle, good luck in the finals."
Shindo rarely smiled: "Your Geodude's tactics were clever, but… he's not a pure Fighting-type after all."
In the other semifinal, Ash's Lucario, after a tough battle, defeated a powerful Machoke, successfully meeting Shindo in the finals.
"Finally, the most exciting moment!" The commentator's voice trembled with excitement. "The 25th P-1 Fighting Pokémon Championship Finals, Ash from Pallet Town against Shindo from the Fighting Spirit Gym!"
The entire audience rose to their feet and applauded, the atmosphere reaching its climax.
Ami sat in the front row, her hands clasped tightly, nervously watching the stage.
Ash and Shindo entered from opposite sides, Lucario and Hitmonchan stared at each other with burning eyes, sparks seeming to fly in the air.
"Ash," Shindo suddenly spoke, "regardless of the outcome, I want to thank you.
Seeing the bond between you and Lucario reminds me of the days when Hitmonchan and I trained together when I was young."
Ash nodded seriously: "Mr. Shindo, Lucario and I will give it our all!"
"Battle start!"
"Hitmonchan, Bullet Punch!" Shindo launched the first attack.
Hitmonchan's fists were as swift as bullets.
Lucario blocked in time but was still forced back a few steps by the impact.
"Lucario, use Mimic to learn his moves!" Ash adopted an unexpected strategy.
"Luca! (Observing!)" Lucario's eyes flashed, then he countered with a similar punching style to Hitmonchan.
"What?" Shindo raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Interesting! Hitmonchan, use close combat!"
Hitmonchan closed in again, but this time Lucario had already anticipated his moves, cleverly blocking and countering.
"Now, Aura Sphere!" Ash commanded, seizing the brief stiffness after Hitmonchan's attack.
The blue Energy Ball struck Hitmonchan's chest directly, sending him several meters back.
"Hitmonchan!" Shindo shouted. "Don't give up, use your strongest Drain Punch!"
Hitmonchan steadied himself, his fists glowing green, and charged at Lucario.
"Use Detect to dodge, then Metal Claw counter!" Ash responded quickly.
Lucario sidestepped, his steel-hard claws slashing across Hitmonchan's arm, leaving a scar.
The two sides exchanged blows, the battle entering a fierce stage.
The cheers of the audience rose and fell, Ami covering her mouth nervously.
"Lucario, can you keep going?" Ash noticed his partner's breathing becoming ragged.
"Luca! (No problem!)" Lucario responded firmly.
Shindo's Hitmonchan was also covered in scars, but the fighting spirit in his eyes remained undiminished.
"Let's decide it with one final blow!" Shindo proposed loudly.
"Just what I wanted!" Ash replied. "Lucario, full power Aura Sphere!"
"Hitmonchan, Giga Impact!"
Both Pokémon unleashed their strongest moves simultaneously, the blue Energy Ball and the golden impact wave colliding in the center of the ring, erupting in dazzling light and a powerful shockwave.
When the smoke cleared, Hitmonchan was lying unconscious, while Lucario, though swaying, still stood resiliently.
"Hitmonchan is unable to battle! The winner is Ash and Lucario!" The referee announced loudly.
The entire arena erupted, the audience rising to their feet and applauding.
Ash rushed onto the stage, hugging Lucario tightly: "We did it!"
"Luca! (We won!)" Lucario responded, tired but happy.
Shindo silently recalled Hitmonchan, then walked onto the stage and extended his hand to Ash: "A brilliant match, I concede defeat wholeheartedly."
Ash shook his hand: "Mr. Shindo, your Hitmonchan is truly strong."
Shindo looked towards the audience, seeing his daughter's tearful smile, and suddenly sighed: "Perhaps… Ami was right, I was too fixated on the championship."
He turned to Ash, "Young man, I have a request."
"What request?"
"Your Lucario has immense potential. If you entrust him to me for training, I can definitely make him a top-tier Fighting Pokémon." Shindo said sincerely.
Ash paused for a moment, then firmly shook his head: "Thank you for your kind offer, but Lucario is my partner, and we will grow together.
And…" He smiled at Lucario, "I believe our bond is the strongest power."
"Luca! (Together forever!)" Lucario nodded vigorously.
Shindo was stunned, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Hahaha, well said! I was presumptuous."
He patted Ash's shoulder, "It seems I not only need to go home but also need to rethink what true fighting spirit is."
Ami ran onto the stage and hugged her father tightly: "Dad, let's go home.
Mom made your favorite curry."
Shindo's eyes reddened slightly: "Okay, let's go home."
The next morning, Ash and his companions were preparing to continue their journey on the outskirts of Sunny Town.
Shindo and Ami specifically came to see them off.
"Ash, thank you again." Shindo said sincerely, "You not only made me see my own obsession but also helped me rediscover the bond with my Pokémon."
Ami handed Ash a bento box: "These are rice balls my mom made, eat them on the way."
"Thank you all!" Ash happily accepted. "Mr. Shindo, I hope we can have another exciting match next time we meet!"
"Definitely!" Shindo laughed heartily. "My Hitmonchan won't give up so easily next time!"
"Pika Pika! (Goodbye!)" Pikachu waved his small paws.
"Luca! (Take care!)" Lucario gave Hitmonchan a fighting salute.
After bidding farewell to Shindo and his daughter, Ash and his companions once again set off on the road to Fuchsia City.
The sun shone on them, casting long shadows.
"Ash," Brock suddenly said, "Lucario's performance in the match was truly outstanding, your teamwork is enviable."
Ash smiled at Lucario walking beside him: "Because we trust each other, right, Lucario?"
"Luca! (Of course!)" Lucario responded spiritedly.
Xiao You scrolled through the match video recorded on her rotom phone: "This experience taught me a lot about Fighting-type Pokémon.
Rotom, help me mark this battle data."
"roto! Saved! I suggest next time you can focus on analyzing Lucario's Aura Sphere energy fluctuations, roto!"
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, pointing at the dimly visible city silhouette in the distance: "Pikachu! (Fuchsia City is almost here!)"
"Alright! Onward to the next Gym!" Ash shouted with enthusiasm.
The group chatted and laughed as they continued their journey, new adventures awaiting them ahead.