Jhoto

Annihilape was very serious and took training very seriously to the point Ash would have to force him to take a break. He was also very clingy and would cling to either Ash or Lucario or one of the younger Pokemon. Brock and Gou very fascinated and worried about what it meant for Ash but Ash was not worried. He assured them that he had talked to Lt Surge and that this was a normal reaction on Annihilape's part. The ghost fighter would grow out of it in six months or so, three if he stuck around Ash without being sent back.

Gou, "I'm still worried."

Brock, "Yeah, it's not exactly something we had to deal with, not normally at least."

Casey eyed Annihilape as he cuddled with Absol, Eevee and Abra, "I don't know, I think it's very adorable."

Max mumbled, "Yeah, they look very comfortable."

Annihilape, "Ape ape."

Abra, -I don't mind. He is the human baby of the group. He doesn't even have a trainer licence yet.-

Annihilape, "Ape anni?"

Ralts, -He is not old enough yet.-

Annihilape then told Ralts to bring Max over and they cuddled together much to the young boy's delight. The ghost Monkey's fur was interestingly enough very soft and smooth to touch making it very comfortable. Gou and Brock eyed them and decided to simply just observe them for now. It didn't look like it would be much trouble and Annihilape did not show any other concerning behavior outside of clinginess.

Ash, "Misty and the rest of the girls will be here at the end of this week. Right before the tournament starts."

Max, "Too bad I can't take part in the Whirl tournament with you guys."

Casey, "But you are taking part in the junior tournament after that one."

Max perked up, "Yeah and I'm very excited."

Breloom, "Loom breloom."

Gou chuckled, "Serena is very excited to meet a new evolution. Apparently most Primeape don't bother learning rage fist. So not everyone has an Annihilape."

Brock, "I mean, Annihilape is still new for us though they are popular and common in Paldea."

Casey, "Next city us Ogi City. There is a Pokemon contest there too Ash. We can catch a ferry from there to Red Rock Isle after the contest."

They were training while traveling and Ash had Omanyte sent to him and was training him with Croconaw. The two water types took to training with Lucario really well while Ash prepared for the contest with Cyndaquill who wanted to team up with Chimchar. The two fire types were pumped up and they decided to make their theme fire for this contest. It would be Ash's fourth contest, he had missed out on four Pokemon contest thanks to having to deal with trouble here and there.

Ogi City was an Island City known for it's Legends surrounding the mythical water Pokemon from Jhoto. There were statues and murals of Lugia, Suicune and what looks like a Manaphy to Ash. Casey, Gou, Max and Brock went ahead to do their own thing while Ash trained on his newest contest idea. Chimchar and Cyndaquill got along really well and while they worked on team work, Ash would train with Annihilape. The ghost fighter was very enthusiastic and trained with Ash alongside Croconaw and Omanyte. Ash had a thought of using Annihilape in the contest, as a rare evolution he would have an extra oomph.

Ash, 'But, but, but, sadly, his control over his moves and attacks are shot and retraining will take at least one month, if they are lucky, six months if unlucky.'

Annihilape roared as he trained, he was encouraging Omastar to learn ice punch, apparently his appendages were a good substitute for hands. Ash bit back a coo at the sight, despite his terrifying appearance, it was pretty apparent how much of a big softie Annihilape really was. Lucario was beside Ash, watching him fill in more observation about Annihilape. Lucario reckon, at this rate Ash would become a Master specializing in the Mankey line. That is if he ever bothers to publish or share his notes.

Ash, "Something wrong?"

Lucario, -Well... Venasaur, Blastoise, Charizard and many others including myself were wondering.... -

Ash, "About what?"

Lucario, -Will you consider publishing some of your notes? I'm sure your paper would qualify you to be a Master of certain lines.-

Ash flinched, "I see..... Well I want to be at least eighteen before I deal with that."

Lucario, -I know, you mentioned it before but still... Perhaps consider supplying a few papers here and there to build up a repute?-

Ash hummed, "I suppose I could."

Lucario, -Consider it Meema, we would love it you know. Having you as a Master of our line, though I'm probably biased.-

Ash chuckled, "I'll submit my papers for Riolu, Pikachu, Feebas, Spearrow and Mankey. Not more than that. Even then I am not sure they'll be accepted. Despite the happy go lucky attitude, Professor Oak is very strict when it comes to studies."

Lucario, -Understandable. You could pace the papers. You have enough Pokemon to make it all the way to adulthood before you become a Master.-

Ash, "That's true, isn't it? Hey! Alright then, I will send my paper on Riolu tomorrow, next month it'll be Pikachu."

Lucario, -You are gonna write it?-

Ash, "No, I already had them printed and ready last year, along side photos and recorded videos as well."

Lucario's eyes bulged when Ash took out a box filled with paper, photos, recorders, and took one out, -You have been preparing since the beginning. This paper it's dated to when you met me as a poke egg.-

Ash, "Yes, Professor Oak told us on the many ways to get a Mastery. We figured getting a head start would do no harm."

Lucario hummed as he watched Ash prepare the package he would send to the research center in Jhoto. While it would be easier to send it to Professor Oak, he wanted to avoid any favouritism rumours. The next day they went to where the contest was being held for the coordinators. Ash looked around and saw new faces among the contestants and hummed as he held his poke balls. Chimchar and Cyndaquill had trained and practiced really hard for the contest. The announcer, a Miss Sandra was hosting the contest and had already announced ten contestants who performed.

Sandra, "Now the next contestant is Ash Ketchum."

Ash, "Take the stage Chimchar!"

Chimchar appeared in a shower of ember, "Chim chimchar."

Ash, "Blaze kick, fire punch and acrobatics."

Chimchar grinned and used the first two moves to give an acrobatics performance and showed off his skill. Chimchar started to dance using the moves like blaze kick, fire punch and acrobatics. When he turned he used Will O Wisp to add a mystical effect to the dance before using flamethrower towards the ground. The fire from flamethrower pushed the fire from Will O Wisp out and up towards the audience who were watching the fire dance.

The show ended with Chimchar slapping his palm together and dispersing the fire all of a sudden. The audience was quite as they took in what had happened before bursting into cheers and applause. Chimchar gave a happy flip as he landed on Ash's shoulders and they both bowed to the audience. Ash noticed that Chimchar was very happy to get the excited applause and appreciation. Going for a fire dance was definitely a good idea, maybe once Chimchar evolved they could add more to it.

Mr Contesta, "What amazing talent and grace."

Mr Sukizo, "Remarkable."

Nurse Joy, "That was very beautiful. Truly a graceful dancer."

Sandra, "You heard the judges folks and now for the points. It's full points. Chimchar is on fire."

Lucario smirked, -Good job little fighter.-

Chimchar rubbed his nose, "Char chim."

Ash, "He was amazing, wasn't he?"

Lucario nodded, -He has come very far.-

Chimchar cooed as they got comfortable and enjoyed the rest of the contest with other Pokemon showing off their abilities. It was very relaxing and enjoyable just sitting back stage and watching the show. Chimchar saw Eevee, Absol and Abra in the audience, the three little ones were enjoying themselves quite a lot. Pikachu had roped them into becoming cheer leaders with the pompoms and the banner. Chimchar snickered at that, Pikachu knew how to get the younger ones interested.

Lucario, -The participants for the next round are being chosen.-

Ash watched as he was picked second, "I wonder who we will fight."

Chimchar, "Chim chimchar."

Ash pat his head, "You can fight in the finals, buddy. It'll keep them on their toes."

Chimchar grinned as Ash came up first against a girl from Jhoto, "Chim chim."

Ash, "Let's show them who's boss."

Sandra, "Give it up for our first two battlers, Ash Ketchum from Kanto and Hanabi from Jhoto."

Hanabi, "Let's do our best."

Ash, "I'm not gonna go easy on you."

Sandra, "Choose your Pokemon."

Hanabi, "Let's go Flareon."

Ash, "Take the stage Cyndaquill."

Sandra, "Begin."

Ash, "Ember swift!"

Hanabi, "Copycat!"

Cyndaquill used swift to create stars before using ember on them to change their nature from normal to fire. Flareon used copycat but was only able to copy ember without the swift move, which caused a point loss. Hanabi gave a tch when she realized it was two moves in one and decided to change tactics. Flareon jumped to dodge the attacks but Cyndaquill was not one to let go of a target easily. Ash called for a combination of flame ace, a combination that wrecks his energy levels but one he wanted to perform.

Hanabi, "Flame ace? What in the world is that? Doesn't matter, use shadow ball followed by flame thrower. Just like we practiced buddy."

Flareon nodded and created shadow ball followed by flame thrower and used the fantastic combo to attack. Cyndaquill in the mean time had gathered his strength and used it to speed up his aerial ace then attack using flame charge. Using aerial ace had let Cyndaquill dodge the menacing attack from Flareon then hit him using flame charge.

Sandra waited then, "Flareon is unable to battle, Cyndaquill is the winner."

Cyndaquill gave a happy shout before slumping, "Quill quill."

Ash picked him up, "You did a great job bud. I'm proud of you."

Cyndaquill, "Quill."

Lucario, -Give him to me. I'll hold him and we can watch together.-

Ash, "Would you like that?"

Cyndaquill was very quick to nod his head in agreement and clambered up Lucario's shoulder and gave a chirp. Ash chuckled as they watched the second fight which was between a Vaporeon and a Chikorita. The Vaporeon was very smart and despite the disadvantage gave a very good fight. He knew better than anyone though how type advantage could be turned around. Just as it looked like Chikorita was going to win Vaporeon used a combination of ice beam and water gun to win.

Ash, "Impressive!"

Lucario, -Indeed.-

Sandra, "Let's give it up for the two finalist, Ash Ketchum and Thomas Leanne."

Ash, "Let's do this."

Thomas, "Fighting you for the ribbon will be fun."

Sandra, "Choose your Pokemon."

Thomas, "Time to shine Vaporeon."

Ash, "Take the stage Chimchar."

Sandra, "Begin!"

Thomas, "Icy wind!"

Ash, "Will O Wisp and prepare grass knot."

Chimchar used Will O Wisp and felt the icy wind hit his move though he didn't feel the cold as the fire was surrounding him. Then he used acrobatics when Ash called for it to make a display, getting cheers from the crowd for the performance.

Thomas gave a smirk when his points went down a bit, "We are just getting started, watch out for the grass knot."

Vaporeon, "Po."

Ash, "I certainly hope so. Now!"

Chimchar used the Will O Wisp to attack Vaporeon who jumped from left to right to avoid getting hit. The water type attacked using aurora beam which made Chimchar jump away from where he was standing. It was more of a dance battle between the two Pokemon with both sides loosing points to the other. Ash noticed the ice pillars that had formed due to Vaporeon using ice beam a lot and had an idea.

Ash, "Climb on that ice pillar and use sunny day."

Chimchar climbed and powered up theove which made the ice around them sparkle getting an angry glare from Vaporeon. That was his move but the fire monkey was using it to make himself look better. Chimchar gave a smirk before using taunt making Vaporeon riled up. Vaporeon jumped to attack but Chimchar simply stood feeling very smug making Vaporeon's eyes widen. Thomas realized it too and told Vaporeon to change trajectory but was too late. Vaporeon was caught in a trap of grass that made him trip.

Sandra, "Time's up! The winner is Ash and Chimchar. Congratulations on getting your fourth ribbon."

Ash, "We did it!"

Cyndaquill, "Cynda quilllll."

Lucario, -We won.-

Chimchar, "Char char."

[A. N.: Jeez! What's up with this point system in Webnovel?

My points keep disappearing after a few days.]