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At that moment, Devileon descended from the sky, its piercing gaze fixed on Hitmonchan. Since Ash hadn't given it a command, it stood its ground without attacking further.
Anthony hesitated as he stared at Hitmonchan, then glanced at Ash and spoke.
"Ahem… I think we should end this battle here! What I strive for is a match showcasing exceptional fighting skills. I'm not interested in ordinary battles like this. If you have a Pokémon with remarkable fighting prowess, let's battle again sometime!"
Anthony's proposal to stop the battle caught everyone off guard. Brock and Misty were both momentarily stunned.
"Whatever," Ash replied nonchalantly with a slight shrug, showing he wasn't fazed.
Anthony, however, keenly noticed Ash's indifference. It was clear that Anthony recognized Ash's strength but couldn't bring himself to admit defeat. The situation gnawed at him, yet his pride wouldn't let him acknowledge it openly.
"Hitmonchan, let's go!" Anthony called out, leaving hurriedly with his Pokémon.
"What's with that guy? He's clearly the loser, but he's acting so shamelessly!" Misty fumed. It annoyed her that Anthony had initiated the match but backed out the moment things didn't go his way. She was sure that if he had been winning, he wouldn't have called for a halt.
Ash remained calm. "Don't worry about him," he said. For Ash, the battle's outcome was already decided in his mind. The way Anthony ended things only made him appear more humiliated, and Ash wasn't interested in dwelling on it.
As Ash prepared to return to his meal, the sound of footsteps approached.
"Um… I'm sorry!" A voice chimed in. Turning, they saw a girl with red braids emerge from behind a nearby tree. Her soft and gentle tone exuded a warm, approachable energy, like the girl next door.
"Huh?" Misty blinked in confusion, taking in the girl standing before them.
"Ah! Yes! Beautiful lady, do you need help? I would go through fire and water for you!" Brock exclaimed, his voice full of dramatic fervor. As soon as he spotted the girl, he slid smoothly in front of her, dropped to one knee, and took her hand in his own, gazing up at her with affection.
"Vul!"
Vulpix, lying on the grass nearby, let out an unimpressed noise, clearly exasperated. It couldn't help but recall how Brock had behaved similarly around Suzie, its previous trainer. Now, it seemed Vulpix was witnessing Brock's true nature once again.
"Uh… Haha! He's like that. Don't be too surprised!" Misty said awkwardly, catching Vulpix's gaze. She chuckled nervously, silently hoping Vulpix wouldn't regret its decision to follow Brock. Despite his antics, Brock's genuine care for Pokémon was one of the main reasons Vulpix had chosen him as a companion.
"Um, are you a skilled Trainer?" The girl asked hesitantly, gently pulling her hand away, clearly flustered by Brock's forwardness.
"Of course!" Brock declared confidently, clenching his fists in a display of determination. "I was once the Gym Leader of Pewter City! Whatever help you need, I'm your man!"
"Okay, okay! You're a breeder now, and don't forget you were beaten by Ash," Misty interjected, unable to tolerate his theatrics any longer. She marched over, grabbed Brock by his ear, and dragged him back.
"Excuse me, what brings you here?" Ash asked, unfazed by the commotion. He had grown accustomed to Brock's antics and addressed the girl directly.
"My name is Rebecca," she replied, offering a polite smile. "Actually, the person who just battled you is my father."
"What?? That shameless uncle is your—" Misty started to exclaim but clamped her hands over her mouth, realizing her mistake. She hadn't expected the girl to be related to the man they'd just encountered. Embarrassed, she hoped her earlier remarks hadn't offended Rebecca, especially since they'd criticized her father.
"So that's why I sensed someone watching us earlier—it was you," Ash said, piecing the situation together.
"Yes, but I didn't mean anything by it," Rebecca explained quickly. "I came here looking for my father."
"Then why didn't you come out earlier?" Brock asked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's a long story,"Rebecca admitted. "If you don't mind, please come to my house. It's nearby."
Rebecca lowered her head slightly, a hint of sadness flickering across her face. Noticing this, Ash, Brock, and Misty exchanged quick glances. They didn't overthink the situation, especially since Rebecca seemed harmless and genuine.
"Alright, let's go," Ash said, prompting them to pack up their belongings and follow Rebecca. Before long, they arrived at her home, which immediately caught them by surprise.
"Fighting Spirit Gym!" Brock exclaimed as they stepped inside. The building didn't resemble a typical home. Instead, it looked like a large training center, complete with an array of fitness equipment.
The gym had a logo prominently displayed on the front wall that read "Fighting Spirit Gym." It bore some resemblance to A.J.'s gym Ash had encountered during his travels.
"Is this a gym?" Misty asked, confusion evident in her voice as she surveyed the area.
"It looks like a private gym," Brock observed thoughtfully. As a former Pewter City Gym Leader, he had a good grasp of the gyms officially recognized by the Pokémon League. "I've never heard of this one before."
Rebecca nodded in agreement. "Yes, this is a gym my father established. While it's not officially recognized by the Pokémon League, my father accepts challenges and trains students in boxing. It's actually quite well-known around here."
She paused briefly before continuing. "My dad has always dreamed of this gym being recognized by the Pokémon League and becoming an official gym someday."
Despite its unofficial status, the gym was well-maintained and equipped. Ash, Misty, and Brock nodded in understanding as Rebecca spoke, though they noticed subtle details that didn't entirely match her words. The gym had an air of neglect, with some equipment showing signs of wear and the atmosphere less vibrant than they had expected.