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"But it looks so deserted!" In the gym, equipment was scattered haphazardly, and no one else was present.
"Did something happen?" Brock asked Rebecca, noticing her sour mood.
"That's why!" Rebecca pointed at a poster on the wall nearby. Brock and Misty saw Ash already standing in front of it and quickly joined him.
" P1 Grand Prix?" The two read the promotional text on the poster aloud.
"What kind of tournament is this?" Misty asked, confused.
"This is a local Pokémon Fighting tournament. P1 represents the highest level of the Fighting League," Rebecca explained. "The championship prize is that golden belt at the top."
Misty looked surprised. She wasn't familiar with this kind of competition but understood it must be prestigious.
"Your father signed up for this, right?"
"That's right!"
"But what's wrong with joining the competition? For a Trainer, isn't competing a good thing?" Brock interjected.
"In order to compete, my father has been training Hitmonchan day and night outside, neglecting the gym's upkeep entirely," Rebecca continued. "Because of that, the students have all left, and the gym became like this."
As her father's daughter, she supported his decision to compete, but his obsession with winning the championship left her worried. He ignored not only the gym and their family but also Hitmonchan's well-being. Rebecca had grown up with Hitmonchan and feared the rigorous training was taking its toll on the Pokémon.
"I see!" Brock and Misty nodded, understanding the situation better after Rebecca's explanation.
"I went to try and bring him back today, but I know he won't return until the competition is over," Rebecca said with a sigh, looking at the group.
"Then you just asked us if we are great Trainers. What are we going to do?" Misty asked, clearly confused by the turn of events.
"Actually, I was hoping that, if possible, you could defeat my father," Rebecca said after a brief silence, looking at the three of them with a serious expression.
"Huh??" Misty was startled. She couldn't understand why Rebecca would want someone to defeat her own father.
"You mean you want someone to defeat your father to snap him out of it, right?" Brock asked, piecing together Rebecca's intent.
Rebecca nodded slightly. Her father's obsession with the competition reminded Brock of his own father. When Brock's father had left, he'd felt powerless because he wasn't strong enough to stop him. Seeing Rebecca's predicament brought back those memories, making him empathize deeply.
"Miss Rebecca, don't worry! I will definitely help you defeat Mr. Anthony and snap him out of it!" Brock declared seriously, clenching his fists with determination.
Misty glanced at Brock, surprised by his uncharacteristically serious demeanor. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized how similar Brock's experiences were to Rebecca's.
"Really?" Rebecca's eyes sparkled with hope, though she was still unsure. While she wanted to ask Ash for help, her father's Hitmonchan was very powerful, and she doubted if anyone could beat it head-on. Although Ash had demonstrated strong battling skills earlier, the Fighting Competition was different. With no type advantage, she wasn't sure if even Ash could win.
"But do you have any Pokémon suited for this kind of competition?" Misty asked, skeptical about Brock's quick agreement.
Brock hesitated, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Well, it seems Geodude is the only one that might work. Miss Rebecca, the Fighting Competition doesn't restrict types, does it?"
Rebecca shook her head, but her concern grew. Would Geodude really be enough to stand up to her father's Hitmonchan?
"Well, although most competitors use Fighting-type Pokémon, the comprehensive Fighting tournament doesn't strictly require them," Rebecca explained. "The rule is that you must win using Fighting-type moves.
"Special moves or those that don't fit the Fighting style aren't allowed. This opens the competition to Pokémon of other types, as long as they have strong Fighting skills. But naturally, Fighting-type Pokémon dominate because they have an inherent advantage."
"That's no problem! I'll send Geodude!" Brock said confidently, trying to sound assured.
"Are you sure about this? Your Geodude is a Rock and Ground type. Most of the competitors will have Fighting-type Pokémon or Pokémon that know Fighting-type moves," Misty pointed out skeptically. "Do you really think Geodude stands a chance against Mr. Anthony's Hitmonchan?"
The mention of Hitmonchan's strengths and the Fighting type's advantage over Rock types gave Brock pause. He was still determined, but Rebecca's worried expression didn't help his confidence.
"Is it still possible to register for the competition now?" Ash interjected, changing the focus.
"Yes, registration is still open," Rebecca replied instinctively, surprised by his question.
"Ash, wait, are you thinking of signing up?" Misty asked, her confusion evident.
"Yeah! It sounds fun," Ash said with a slight nod.
"But Ash, who would you send?" Misty asked, puzzled. She couldn't think of a suitable Pokémon from Ash's team.
Ash pondered for a moment. The tournament rules restricted moves to Normal and Fighting-type physical attacks, excluding other types of moves. Pokémon like Charmeleon, with its Thunder Punch, or Axew, with its Double Slash and Dragon Claw, wouldn't qualify. The competition seemed heavily skewed toward Pokémon naturally suited to pure Fighting styles.
"I have an idea," Ash said after a brief pause, a determined glint in his eye.