Knowing that Hitmonchan specialized in Fighting-type moves, the crimson Gyarados did not rashly change its form and instead directly endured the four-times effective damage from Thunder Punch.
But immediately afterward, Hitmonchan was sent flying by the crimson Gyarados' powerful slam. Enraged, the crimson Gyarados opened its massive, blood-red jaws and fired Ice Beam at Hitmonchan's thigh, freezing both of its legs and restricting its movement.
(This is bad!)
Seeing this, Hitmonchan quickly used Fire Punch to melt the ice around its thighs, enduring the scorching sensation.
As the ice rapidly dissolved, Hitmonchan immediately shifted positions, trying to avoid the crimson Gyarados' attack. But the attack was already closing in, leaving Hitmonchan no time to react.
At close range, Ice Fang directly froze Hitmonchan's fists. Hitmonchan tried to turn the tide and intended to melt the ice again with Fire Punch, but the crimson Gyarados launched another assault. Finally, under Hitmonchan's unwilling gaze, the crimson Gyarados defeated it with a single Iron Tail.
After taking the frontal blow, Hitmonchan collapsed briefly. But for the sake of its pride, it struggled to its feet, still maintaining a punching stance, wanting to continue fighting the crimson Gyarados.
The crimson Gyarados shook its head helplessly. Why was this another stubborn one?!
After noticing Red's signal, the crimson Gyarados lightly used Water Pulse, knocking the barely standing Hitmonchan back to the ground.
"Do you admit defeat?" Red asked with a smile, looking at Hitmonchan.
Hearing this, Hitmonchan struggled for a few seconds. But its injured body could no longer support it. In the end, it nodded in surrender. It was still not strong enough to defeat the crimson Gyarados, and blindly struggling would achieve nothing.
Having figured this out, Hitmonchan looked at Red with a determined gaze, hoping Red could take it along and help it grow stronger—strong enough to defeat the crimson Gyarados.
Seeing that Hitmonchan had acknowledged Red, Koichi took the Poké Ball from his disciple.
"Red, this is Hitmonchan's Poké Ball. I now officially transfer the right of use to you!" Koichi handed over Hitmonchan's Poké Ball. Red extended both hands and politely accepted it, expressing gratitude that Koichi was willing to entrust such a talented Hitmonchan to him.
For the moment, Red did not recall Hitmonchan. Instead, he turned to look at the crimson Gyarados.
The crimson Gyarados seemed to sense something was wrong and quickly put on a pitiful expression, looking at Red and pleading not to be sent back to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
"Be good~ This is only a temporary separation. In a while, I'll send Pidgeot back to keep you company!" Red stroked the crimson Gyarados' cheek, signaling it not to be so sad. After all, Pidgeot would be sent back twice and hadn't complained at all.
Upon hearing that Pidgeot would also be sent to Professor Oak's Laboratory, the sorrowful crimson Gyarados felt much better. At least Pidgeot would accompany it—so it wasn't too bad.
Red pressed the Pokédex in his hand and sent Pidgeot and the crimson Gyarados' Poké Balls back to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Afterward, Red released the Power of Viridian to heal Hitmonchan's injuries. Then Hitmonchan followed Red as they left the Fighting Dojo. When they passed through an empty alley, Red stacked a new Ability onto Hitmonchan.
[Ding! Successfully stacked the Iron Fist Ability!]
Hitmonchan stared at its fists in shock, faintly feeling that they had become stronger. It looked at Red in disbelief.
"Pokémon: Hitmonchan
Attribute: Fighting-type
First Ability: Inner Focus
Second Ability: Iron Fist
Moves: Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Drain Punch, Mach Punch, Bullet Punch…
Personality: Skilled at continuous punches, eager to encounter powerful opponents
Background: Possesses extremely keen perception and can detect opponents' weaknesses in close combat. With this ability, it once secured a resource-rich habitat.
However, the good times did not last. One day, a pair of Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee brothers arrived in its territory and challenged it. After being defeated by the two brothers, it was unexpectedly captured by Koichi and has remained at the Fighting Dojo ever since."
"For now, just follow me to the Saffron Gym!" Red said.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Hitmonchan suddenly excitedly waved its fists, mistakenly thinking Red was taking it to challenge another dojo.
"Nothing like that. I'm just bringing you to welcome a new companion!" Red said helplessly, pressing the Pokédex in his hand. During the battle earlier, Lucci had informed him that he could now go receive the Pokémon.
...
A short while later, Red and Hitmonchan arrived outside the Saffron Gym. At a glance, they saw Pikachu being trained by Lucci and Alakazam, while Ash stood nearby anxiously cheering. As for Misty and Brock, they had already returned to the Pokémon Center.
"Red, my dear nephew, I didn't expect you to get a Hitmonchan from the Fighting Dojo. Actually, the Psychic-type Pokémon I'm going to give you later is far more precious!" Lucci said regretfully, believing Red didn't need to waste time training a Fighting-type Pokémon.
That was understandable. As the former Gym Leader of Saffron Gym, Lucci would instinctively look down on Fighting-type Pokémon. After all, most Fighting-type Pokémon had little chance against Psychic-types. Otherwise, he wouldn't have handed over the gym's management.
"Hitmon!"
Hitmonchan was immediately displeased upon hearing this. Why belittle it like that? If Red hadn't stopped it, Hitmonchan would have already thrown a punch at Lucci's face.
"Is this brother's new companion?" Ash excitedly took out his Pokédex to analyze Hitmonchan's data.
"Hitmonchan, the Punching Pokémon. Its punches are like drills! Under its attacks, even concrete walls can be pierced with holes."
"Wow, that sounds incredibly strong!" Ash exclaimed in surprise, startled by the Pokédex's description.
"I'm going to train it into an outstanding boxing master!" Red said, patting Hitmonchan on the shoulder in assurance.
"Ash, take a break from training for now!" Lucci said, signaling Alakazam to stop using Psychic pressure.
"Pika!"
Pikachu let out a long breath of relief. Finally, it could rest. It was utterly exhausted.
After receiving Red's request, Lucci had immediately found Ash and told him he could undergo training to overcome Psychic-type control. Upon hearing this, both Ash and Pikachu had excitedly accepted.
"Uncle Lucci, can Pikachu really overcome Psychic control?" Ash asked anxiously, eager to know the training results.
"Completely overcoming it is impossible. At best, it can gain some resistance!" Uncle Lucci explained.
"Unless it's a Dark-type Pokémon that perfectly counters Psychic-types, ordinary Pokémon can't fully negate Psychic power!"
"Don't worry, Ash. Uncle Lucci's experience in resisting Psychic-types definitely surpasses mine. That's why I entrusted your training to him. With his guidance, Pikachu will definitely be able to resist Psychic power!" Red encouraged.
"Yeah! I believe Pikachu and I can definitely earn the Golden Badge!" Ash said confidently. Pikachu at his feet shared the same confident smile.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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