Tom's Infernape

Infernape
Gender	Male
Special Ability	Unknown
Location captured	Route 202
Current Location	Professor Rowan's lab

Infernape was the first Pokémon Tom Norton ever caught. As a Chimchar he was, apart from Lucario, the only Pokémon that travelled to the Kanto region with Tom. His evolutions both took place in a gym battle in Kanto; he evolved into Monferno whilst battling Lt Surge's Raichu and into Infernape whilst battling Blaine's Magmortar.

Biography

Sinnoh

While Chimchar was looking for food he got into a fight with Tom's Riolu. Tom broke up the fight and offered Chimchar some Pokémon food. Chimchar then battled against Riolu and Tom caught him.

Chimchar was used during Tom's battle against Roark but was quickly defeated by Geodude who blocked Fire Spin with Sandstorm and then hit Chimchar twice with Rollout knocking him out. During the rematch Chimchar defeated Geodude with his newly learned Brick Break.

Chimchar later defeated J's Ariados with Flame Wheel while Tom and Ash Ketchum were trying to rescue some Pokémon J had stolen, including Tom's Riolu and Ash's Pikachu. Chimchar fought alongside Tom's Buizel against J's Drapion who almost defeated them before Ash's Pikachu knocked it out with Volt Tackle. J fled, abandoning her ship and leaving it to crash land but everyone was rescued by a Gardevoir who Teleported them all to safety.

Chimchar stayed in his base form through Tom's entire journey in Sinnoh.

Chimchar defeated Gardenia's Turtwig and Roserade. He was also used to defeat Spiritomb allowing Tom to catch it. Chimchar later battled Byron's Magneton and won before being defeated by Steelix. During Tom's rematch with Byron, Chimchar defeated Steelix and this time lost to Bronzor. Chimchar also defeated Candice's Abomasnow.

After the Lily of the Valley Conference, during which Chimchar partcipated against an unknown trainer who was using a Vespiquen, Tom took Chimchar with him to the Kanto region.

Kanto

Chimchar was used against Lt. Surge and evolved into Monferno in order to defeat Surge's Raichu. Monferno helped Tom battle Giovanni in Silph Co, knocking out his Persian with his newly learned Mach Punch before being defeated by Rhyperior. Fortunately Giovanni was arrested and Team Rocket was destroyed.

Monferno spent a fairly short time in his middle form compared to the amount of time he spent as a Chimchar

Monferno was used to battle Bruno's Onix but although he caused some damage with Brick Break and Mach Punch, Onix defeated him with a powerful Double-Edge. Monferno then trained with Lucario and Bruno's Machamp in order to master Close Combat.

Monferno was used against Koga's Forretress who knocked itself out with Explosion, taking Monferno down with it. He then returned to Rowan's lab but Tom summoned him again to battle Blaine's Magmortar. Monferno evolved into Infernape in order to fight Magmortar on equal footing. After being paralyzed by Thunderbolt, Infernape hit Magmortar with a devastating Facade and then finished it with Mach Punch.

Infernape was used during Tom's battle with Jonas on the Indigo Plateau. Despite having a type disadvantage he put up a good fight against Jonas' Lapras by taking advantage of the fact that Fighting type moves were super effective against Ice type Pokémon but he was eventually put to sleep by Sing and knocked out with Hydro Pump. 

Battle Frontier

Infernape was used during two of Tom's three battles against Noland's Articuno. In his first battle with the Legendary Pokémon, Infernape lost due to Articuno's lethal Mind Reader and Sheer Cold combination. In the second he used Flare Blitz to keep himself warm when he was hit by Sheer Cold and managed to hit Articuno hard and then finish it with Mach Punch.

Unova

Infernape was the final Pokémon Tom used during his battle with Marshal. He defeated Sawk with a single Mach Punch and then battled Throh. Although Infernape initially had the advantage due to his speed, he left himself open to Superpower when he hit Throh with Close Combat. He used Slack Off to heal, destroyed Stone Edge by smashing the stones with Close Combat, and won the battle with Flare Blitz, resulting in Tom becoming a member of the Unova Elite 4.

Personality

In contrast to Ash Ketchum's Infernape, Tom's Chimchar was fairly lazy and gluttonous. However he wouldn't back down from a fight and fought Tom's Riolu when he scolded him for trying to steal Pokémon food. Chimchar was fairly skilled in battle but generally preferred to relax, only exerting himself when he was trying to master a new move, or when he was facing a powerful opponent.

Chimchar was frequently annoyed by Tom's Floatzel but they could work together when necessary.

After his evolution Monferno became more energetic. As an Infernape he was much more serious but his gluttonous nature never truly faded and he never seemed to have enough food. He was still occassionally lazy but generally spent time making himself stronger having gained a lust for battle which he had somewhat lacked as a Chimchar.

Moves

Mach Punch

• Mach Punch

• Flare Blitz

• Thunder Punch

• Slack Off

• Flamethrower
• Close Combat
• Flame Wheel
• Facade

• Brick Break

• Fire Spin

• Fury Swipes

Move combinations

Counter Shield

Chimchar or Monferno jumps into the air and uses Flame Wheel before using Flamethrower within the Flame Wheel to create fire whips. After learning Close Combat he stopped using this combination.

Trivia

• Infernape is the only one of Tom's Pokémon apart from Quilava and Dragonair who didn't reach his final evolution stage in the region he was caught in. Coincidentally both Infernape and Quilava are evolutions of a Fire type Starter Pokémon and they both have, or in Infernapes case used to have, the same variation of Counter Shield.
• There is currently an uncertainty about Infernape's Special Ability due to the release of the Hidden Ability Iron Fist. Infernape has never needed to activate Blaze because of Slack Off and his Mach Punch is powerful but it is uncertain if this is because of Iron Fist or Infernape's natural physical strength. Due to this, Infernape is the only one of Tom's Pokémon, apart from Aerodactyl, who has not had his Ability confirmed.