Ash Ascendant: Chapter 30

Hi all, 

Here’s the next chapter. 

Chapter 30

The Overseer approached with measured steps, each footfall sending fresh waves of pressure cascading over Ash. Sweat broke out across his forehead as he fought to remain standing under the invisible weight. Behind him, Zinnia braced herself against the doorframe, her face tight with strain.

"So," the Overseer said, his voice surprisingly soft for someone radiating such overwhelming power. "You're the ones that overcame the trials.”

Administrator Wei cleared his throat. "May I introduce Overseer Cyrus, who has personally come to investigate this matter."

The pressure vanished, and Ash straightened, his breathing coming easier. What was that show of force for? Was the man disappointed that they completed the trial instead of his men?

He studied the man before him. Cyrus stood tall and imposing, with sharp features that seemed carved from stone. His spiky blue hair contrasted with his deathly pale skin, giving him an almost corpse-like appearance. What struck Ash most were his eyes—cold, calculating, and utterly devoid of emotion. 

"Tell me about your experiences in Floor Zero," Cyrus commanded. 

Ash and Zinnia exchanged glances. They couldn't risk revealing what they'd learned about the Pillar's origins. The Overseers might already know the truth, but that wasn't a gamble worth taking. Furthermore, mentioning the Rayquaza tattoos or the rewards system would guarantee losing whatever treasures might await them in the future.

Ash went first, explaining his experiences with carefully edited details. He described their encounters with the mutated Pokemon and how the creatures captured him. He explained how the collars restricted his cultivation and that he was forced to fight to the death in the arena for their entertainment. How he and Zinnia escaped before stumbling across the ship graveyard. Finally, he shared how they travelled to the Pillar and took part in the trials.

Throughout his explanation, Ash watched Cyrus's face for any reaction, but the man's expression remained impossibly blank, his eyes cold and assessing.

“What was the reward for reaching the summit?”

“I received an artefact for coming first,” Ash said, retrieving the chaos orb from his mind palace and showing it to the man.

He wasn’t afraid of showing it off as he doubted it would be of any interest to Cyrus. His assumption was correct as Cyrys barely glanced at it.

“What else?” Cyrus asked.

“Other than the treasure, reaching the summit caused the Pillar to come alive. The entire structure began to shake before it flew up into the sky. Now, the Pillar has become a pseudo Tower, connecting the two floors.”

Cyrus's eyes narrowed. "So, we have to deal with these creatures now? They can ascend to the First Floor?”

Ash shrugged. “They are smart enough to use the elevator. I’m not sure if they are interested in the upper floors, though. Floor Zero has a completely different cultivation energy, which they have adapted to. Last time I saw them, they were pursuing the cultivators, so they may still come.”

"Where are the cultivators now?" 

"There was an attack," Ash explained. "Just as we reached the summit, creatures and variant Pokemon swarmed the base. Everything went to hell. Cultivators scattered in all directions."

Cyrus stared at them for an uncomfortably long moment. "I don’t detect any lies in your statement, but it needs to be verified. Are you willing to have your memories examined?”

He posed it as a question, but it came out as an order. Ash opened his mouth to refuse when a commotion at the Pillar entrance caught his attention. A dishevelled figure stumbled out. Erika.

Ash pushed past the officials and ran over to her. "Erika!"

She looked up, relief washing over her face. "Ash!"

"How did you escape?" Ash grabbed her shoulders, checking for injuries. "The attack—"

"I entered the Pillar when the remaining trial participants exited," Erika explained. "I didn’t want to get tangled up with Team Magma. I caught glimpses of the horde of Pokemon and creatures approaching as I entered the Pillar. I was lucky I hadn’t entered the Pillar previously, otherwise, I would have been in a tough spot."

Ash nodded. “I thought I had left you there to die.”

Erika smiled. “I’m fine. But it was a bumpy ride.” 

Cyrus approached them. "How many cultivators survived the attack?"

"I don’t know,” Ash said. “I witnessed the attack from the summit. I saw some cultivators killed, but most used flying Pokemon to escape. They shouldn’t take too long to arrive at the Pillar’s new location.”

Cyrus nodded. “I will take a team down there to see if they need assistance.”

Ash didn’t care what the Overseer did. He was exhausted and had had enough of being interrogated. His first impression of the Overseers wasn’t good. The man hadn’t hesitated to pressure him into compliance. He hoped not all Overseers were this overbearing. 

He needed to leave before the other cultivators returned. Maxie wouldn't exactly roll out the welcome mat after being denied the Pillar's prize, and now Ash had to devise proper countermeasures to keep Team Magma off his back. The situation had become far more complicated than he'd bargained for.

He stored the orb in his mind palace before summoning Bastion. The Lairon materialised with a heavy thud.

"We should get back to the city," Ash said, helping Erika onto Bastion's back before offering a hand to Zinnia. “I will leave things here in your capable hands.”

Cyrus's expression hardened. "I haven't dismissed you."

Ash climbed onto Bastion behind the women. "Apologies, but we’re exhausted. Come visit me on the second floor if you have any further questions.”

"You didn’t answer my previous question," Cyrus said, stepping closer. "A mind reading to verify your statements."

Ice slid down Ash's spine. "I decline."

"It wasn't a request." 

The pressure returned threefold. Bastion's legs buckled beneath him, steel joints grinding audibly. Ash gasped as an invisible weight crushed his chest, squeezing until black spots danced at the edges of his vision. Beside him, Zinnia and Erika fared no better, their faces contorted in silent agony.

A deep rumble shook the ground. Above them, the stone Rayquaza adorning the Pillar's peak shuddered. Its eyes flashed with brilliant green light.

Cyrus paused, his concentration broken as he glanced upward.

The carved dragon's jaws opened wide. Energy gathered between its stone teeth, coalescing into a sphere of blinding intensity. Before anyone could react, a beam of concentrated power lanced downward, striking the ground directly in front of Cyrus.

The explosion sent the Overseer flying backwards. His body carved a trench through the dirt before slamming into a boulder, which shattered on impact.

Administrator Wei rushed to Cyrus's side, shouting orders at the stunned officials.

"Go!" Ash hissed, spurring Bastion forward.

The Lairon leapt into action, powerful legs carrying them away from the crowd of cultivators. No one moved to intercept them, all attention was focused on the fallen Overseer.

As they distanced themselves from the scene, Ash risked a glance back. The stone Rayquaza had returned to its dormant state. He didn’t know what caused it to intervene, but he was thankful regardless. But he knew it wasn’t over. Not only did he have to worry about Team Magma, but now the Overseers, who had all the power within the Tower. Compared to them, Team Magma was a mere annoyance. 

Back at the Pillar, Wei grabbed Cyrus under the arm and hauled him upright. The Overseer's usually pristine white robes hung in tatters around his torso, exposing his bare chest where a savage wound had opened from sternum to navel.

"Are you alright, sir?" Wei asked.

"I'm fine." Cyrus brushed away Wei's supporting hand, his face betraying no pain despite the injury.

Wei stared in astonishment as the ragged flesh began knitting together before his eyes, cells regenerating at an impossible rate. Within seconds, the wound had closed to a raw pink line.

"What was that just now?" Wei glanced at the stone Rayquaza looming above them, its massive form once again motionless. "It bloody well looked like it was protecting the boy."

Cyrus nodded. "They're hiding something. The question is what."

"Should I contact the Tower?" Wei asked. "We could stop them from returning to the second floor."

"No," Cyrus replied. "Let them think they've escaped. I can locate them whenever I wish."

He surveyed the chaotic scene around the Pillar's base. "Our priority now is securing this connection point. Send for reinforcements from the upper floors. And seal the Pillar. No unauthorised access."

"Understood, sir." Wei bowed deeply before barking orders to the nearest officials.

Cyrus turned, watching Ash and his companions disappear into the distance. 

Once he had finished here, he would go have a good talk with the boy, and learn all his secrets. If it turned out the boy learned about the Pillars origins, then he would have to eliminate him and the girls beside him.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Bastion brought them to Mustard's cottage. The Lairon's powerful legs had carried them tirelessly from the Tower after returning to the second floor, putting as much distance as possible between them and the Overseer. If he didn’t have the two women with him, he would have used his steel board.

Ash spotted movement at the cottage door. Mustard, Delia, and Winona emerged onto the porch, alerted by their approach. His mum's face lit up with relief as she hurried toward them.

"Mum!" Ash slid off Bastion's back and rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace.

Delia stiffened in surprise before returning the hug. "What's all this about?"

"Just missed you," Ash mumbled into her shoulder.

Mustard chuckled. "Is it me, or does the brat always return with another girl when he ventures out?"

Delia pulled back, her eyes twinkling as she looked past Ash to where Erika and Zinnia still sat atop Bastion. "I noticed the same thing. I didn't know my son was such a player."

"Excuse me?" Winona crossed her arms. "Are you lumping me in with those two? I don't remember Ash bringing me anywhere."

"Technically, he brought you here when you were injured," Mustard countered.

Winona glared at him.

Ash ignored their byplay, his expression turning serious. "Mum, we need to find a place to hide. I've upset some powerful people."

The underground facility flashed through his mind. No one knew about it yet. Though revealing its existence wasn't something he'd planned, keeping his mum safe trumped any desire for secrecy.

"Ash, what do you mean?" Delia's smile faded.

"No time to talk. Go pack your things. I need to go purchase supplies in the city before—"

"Slow down, lad." Mustard stepped forward. "Take a deep breath and tell me what's going on."

Ash inhaled, forcing himself to calm down. He recounted their experiences on Floor Zero, the Pillar trials, and his confrontation with Overseer Cyrus. As he described how the stone Rayquaza had attacked the Overseer, Delia and Winona gasped. Mustard's face remained expressionless, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

The old master began pacing, his weathered hands clasped behind his back. Ash waited, knowing better than to interrupt when Mustard was thinking.

Finally, Mustard stopped and turned to face him. "It seems I'm going to have to rescue you again, brat."

"What do you mean?" Ash frowned. "There's nothing you can do against an Overseer."

Mustard didn't reply. Instead, he summoned his Pidgeot and climbed onto its back. "Stay here. I will deal with Cyrus. Try not to cause any more trouble in the meantime."

Before Ash could respond, Pidgeot launched into the sky, carrying Mustard toward the Tower. He stared after them until they disappeared into the distance.

"Well," Delia broke the silence. "Are you going to introduce me to your new friend, Ash?"

Ash winced at the emphasis she placed on the word "friend." Whatever his mother was imagining, it couldn't be good.

"This is Zinnia," he said, gesturing toward the woman as she dismounted from Bastion. "I met her on Floor Zero and teamed up to survive that hellish place."

"It's nice to meet you, dear," Delia said warmly.

"Likewise." Zinnia smiled. "Ash has told me so much about you."

Ash glared at her. When had he ever mentioned his mother? The teasing smile on Zinnia's face told him she was enjoying this far too much.

"Did he now?" Delia smirked. "All good things, I hope." 

She paused, looking between the three women surrounding her son. "My Ash used to be hopeless with girls, and now he has three around him. I don't know what to think. Which one is likely to become his girlfriend?"

Ash opened his mouth to correct her, but Zinnia beat him to it.

"Well, he's already seen me naked, if that counts."

Delia, Erika and Winona all turned to him with raised eyebrows. Ash silently promised himself he'd get revenge on Zinnia for this.

"Don't get any ideas," Ash said. "She seems to enjoy stripping in front of men. I'm sure it's not the first time she's done so."

"Ash!" Delia scolded. "Don't be rude."

Desperate for a distraction, Ash summoned Bender from his mind palace. "Look, I have a new Pokemon. His name is Bender."

The tiny Tinkatink materialised. Delia knelt, fascinated by the eyeless Pokemon.

"Did that Pokemon come from Floor Zero?" Winona asked, studying Bender.

"Yes. The Pokemon there have adapted to the environment, forming new variants with unique abilities."

"Interesting. I wish I'd gone to explore the floor with you."

"And get mixed up in my troubles?" Ash shook his head. "Trust me, you were better off here. I doubt the Overseers will allow others to access Floor Zero in the near future."

Erika sniffed herself and grimaced. "I need a shower. Do you think Mustard will mind if I use his shower?"

"Both of you look like you could do with a soak," Winona said. "Come with me."

She led Erika and Zinnia into the cottage, leaving Ash alone with his mother and Bender. The tiny Pokemon tugged at his trouser leg, hand extended expectantly. Ash pulled out the collection of treasures he'd salvaged from Bender's den, and the Pokemon sat down happily, summoning his hammer to begin tinkering.

"I can feel that you've grown stronger, love," Delia said, examining him. "You must have experienced a lot down there."

"That's right. Where there's danger, there are usually opportunities," Ash replied. "I'm close to the peak of the Tempering Realm. I need to start preparing for the tribulation."

Delia winced but didn't comment further. "I'm going inside to prepare a meal. It looks like you and your girlfriends need it."

"They're not my girlfriends.”

"Whatever you say, love." Delia patted his cheek before heading into the cottage.

Ash shook his head. His mother would be unbearable for the foreseeable future, he could tell.

His thoughts turned to Mustard as he settled onto the porch steps. Who was the old man, really? Someone who could confidently claim he'd "deal with" an Overseer like Cyrus must have powerful connections. Though he knew Mustard came from a higher floor and possessed unfathomable cultivation, the old master rarely spoke of his past.

Ash pulled the chaos orb from his mind palace, deciding to cultivate while he waited for Mustard's return. 

But concentration on cultivation proved elusive. His mind kept returning to the trial where he'd played out the role of Red Ketchum. Was it merely a made-up scenario the Pillar had concocted, or had it depicted actual events? Considering everything he'd learned about Floor Zero and the invasion, he couldn't dismiss the possibility that it was real.

If so, it raised troubling questions. All the invaders had been trapped on Floor Zero as punishment for their actions. If Red Ketchum truly was his ancestor, how had the man escaped? Ash wouldn't exist today if Red hadn't somehow left Floor Zero and started a family to continue the Ketchum name.

It was yet another mystery requiring investigation. It also reminded him that he needed to return to the facility. Now that he knew how to access the tomb, he could examine the real Registeel for himself. Though he'd need to proceed cautiously, the mech had been sealed away for a reason.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Mustard didn't return until the next day. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing as Ash maintained his vigil outside the cottage.

He hadn't slept. Though exhausted from the day's events, he'd remained on the porch all night, alternating between cultivation and watchful alertness. Logic told him he'd be useless if Cyrus appeared—the crushing pressure he'd experienced at the Pillar had made that painfully clear—but that didn't stop him from positioning himself as the first line of defence between any threat and his mother inside.

He held the chaos orb in his hands. It contained far more concentrated energy than what he'd absorbed during the Pillar trial to advance to the Eighth Stage of the Tempering Realm. Despite this abundance of energy, he estimated it would take significant time to reach the Ninth Stage. After that milestone, he would still need to cultivate to the peak of the realm before attempting a breakthrough that would trigger his first tribulation.

Ash had no intention of breaking through before ascending to the third floor. Facing the Gym Leader as a newly minted Essence Realm cultivator would be asking for trouble, likely pitting him against someone several stages above him in the same realm. As cultivation realms increased, the power gap between individual stages grew exponentially. Someone with experience in the Essence Realm would crush a newcomer without breaking a sweat—a risk he wasn't willing to take.

His plan remained unchanged: reach the peak of the Tempering Realm, prepare thoroughly, and challenge the Gym Leader from a position of maximum strength. The information he'd gathered after ascending to the second floor was now useless. The Gym Leader position had changed hands, meaning he would face an actual Gym Leader rather than one of their subordinates. Although the Gym Leader was inexperienced, it was still a massive step up from what he faced on the first floor.

A sound from above drew his attention. Wing beats, powerful and rhythmic. Ash looked up, spotting Mustard's Pidgeot circling the clearing. He spotted a second Pokemon—a Togekiss, its elegant white form gliding beside Pidgeot. It also carried a passenger.

Ash tensed when he spotted familiar white robes on the Togekiss rider. Had Cyrus tracked them down already? He rose to his feet, summoning Steelium to his palms as the Pokemon descended.

As they landed, Ash relaxed marginally. The Overseer accompanying Mustard wasn't Cyrus, but a woman. Tall and elegant, she carried herself with unmistakable authority. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, partially obscuring her face. When she turned toward him, Ash was struck by her penetrating grey eyes, which seemed to assess and catalogue his every movement. Despite her beauty, there was something formidable in her bearing that warned against underestimating her. 

"Master, you took your time," Ash called, approaching as Mustard dismounted from Pidgeot. "You had me worried."

"I had to travel to a higher floor." Mustard stretched, his joints popping audibly. "Brat, you should thank me. I went through a lot of trouble for you this time."

Ash glanced at the woman as she approached. "What do you mean?"

"First, let me introduce you." Mustard gestured toward his companion. "This is Overseer Cynthia. I've brought her here to bear witness to the ceremony."

Before Ash could question him further, Cynthia spoke. "This is your disciple?" 

Her gaze swept over Ash, assessing and dismissive. "He doesn't look like much. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"He lacks a strong cultivation, but I'm certain of my choice," Mustard replied. "It would have happened sooner or later, but circumstances have forced my hand."

Movement from the cottage caught Ash's attention. His mother had emerged onto the porch with Erika, Zinnia, and Winona. They clustered together, watching warily but not approaching. The presence of an Overseer clearly made them uneasy.

"Are you going to explain now?" Ash asked, turning back to Mustard.

The old master sighed. "Before I do, you need some backstory. Before I came here, I used to live on the eighth floor. I used to be an Overseer."

"I didn't expect that," Ash admitted, eyes widening. "I knew you had connections, but nothing on that level. It explains your confidence when confronting Cyrus. Did you take him out?"

"Idiot." Mustard cuffed him lightly. "As if things are ever that easy. No, I don't have the means to fight directly against Cyrus, so I'll have to use a roundabout method to save your scrawny arse."

"Why did you stop being an Overseer?"

Mustard's face darkened. "I grew jaded with the entire order. Although I knew they weren't perfect, I always believed they were working for the best of the Tower. When I discovered a disturbing conspiracy involving some of the Overseers, I tried to have them expelled. But their connections trumped mine, and I found myself ostracised. I decided to leave and find a place to settle down in peace."

"Wow, you've fallen hard," Ash said.

"Shut it, brat."

"Can we start already?" Cynthia interrupted. "I'm a busy woman."

"Right, what's this ceremony about?" Ash asked.

"It's simple. I make you my official disciple under the tenets of the order."

"I thought you weren't an Overseer anymore?"

"Technically, I am," Mustard replied. "I never gave up my title, just vacated it for a few decades."

"What's an official disciple?"

"It means I see great potential in you and have decided to teach you everything I know." Mustard's expression grew serious. "It has another meaning. As long as you're my disciple, you're protected from the likes of Cyrus and the Tower Association."

Ash's eyes widened. Did such a thing exist? If so, it would solve not only his problem with Cyrus but also with Lucian, James's brother who wanted to mind rape him.

"What's the catch?"

"It will only protect you so much," Mustard warned. "If you do something major that conflicts with the Overseers' interests, the protection becomes null and void."

"The Pillar doesn't count?"

Cynthia answered this time. "The Overseers already knew of Floor Zero and the Pillar. They were only uncertain of the location. Cyrus might be interested in learning what you know, but it's largely inconsequential to the wider order." 

Her eyes narrowed. "Unless there's something else you discovered?"

Ash shook his head. Cynthia watched him closely but didn't press further.

"Another thing," Mustard added. "While this may protect you from the order, I'm not announcing it outside of it. So any other enemies you make, you'll have to deal with yourself."

"Got it."

"Good, then let's get this ceremony started. It's quite simple."

Mustard instructed Ash to kneel in the centre of the clearing. The old master placed his palm against Ash's forehead, channelling energy that felt different from any Ash had encountered before—denser, and more refined.

"This will hurt," Mustard warned.

The energy surged through Ash's meridians, spreading from his forehead to his chest before coalescing over his heart. Pain exploded through his body, as if every cell were being rewritten. His back arched as he fought to remain conscious, teeth clenched against the scream building in his throat.

The process lasted nearly a minute. When it finally ended, Ash collapsed forward, catching himself on trembling arms. 

"Look at your chest," Mustard instructed.

Ash pulled his shirt open. A tattoo had formed over his heart—a symbol of Mienshao, one of Mustard's Pokemon.

"This mark carries a portion of my cultivation signature," Mustard explained. "Any Overseer or Tower Association member will recognise it immediately. It marks you as under my protection—and subject to my discipline if you step out of line."

Ash traced the tattoo's outline with his fingertips. It was his second tattoo within twenty-four hours. Maybe he would continue collecting more until they covered his entire body.

"The ceremony is complete," Cynthia announced formally. "I bear witness that Ash Ketchum is now the recognised disciple of Overseer Mustard under the tenets of our order. Let it be so recorded."

She turned to Mustard. "I've fulfilled my obligation. Don't ask for another favour anytime soon."

Mustard grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As Cynthia mounted her Togekiss and departed, Ash glanced between the tattoo and his master. The protection it offered was valuable, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just been drawn into a game far bigger than he understood. But that was a worry for another day. At least it solved his immediate problems. 

=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ash entered the underground facility. 

Three days had passed since the ceremony. He hadn't heard a word from either Cyrus or Lucian. The tattoo over his heart had worked precisely as Mustard promised—the Overseers and Tower Association keeping their distance. Yet despite this protection, one significant threat remained unaddressed.

Team Magma operated outside Tower authority, leaving Ash vulnerable to Maxie's inevitable retaliation. James had an extensive surveillance network throughout Fortree City, monitoring every entrance, lift and aerial approach. No Team Magma members had been spotted entering the city, but Ash remained vigilant. Maxie wasn't the type to forgive being denied the Pillar's prize.

Zinnia had decided to remain in Fortree temporarily. This created an unexpected dynamic with Ash now sharing a house with three females. His mother seemed delighted by the arrangement, convinced that Erika and Zinnia were competing for Ash's attention despite his constant denials. Since the house was now cramped, they moved into a larger house, another one of James’ properties. 

The Tower Association had implemented strict security measures following the Pillar incident. They'd completely sealed off access to the structure pending their investigation. Every cultivator who returned from Floor Zero had been interrogated thoroughly, with only half the original expedition members making it back at all. None had spoken publicly about their experiences, likely having been sworn to secrecy.

Ash had made the strategic decision to keep his captured variant Pokemon stored safely in his mind palace. Selling these unique specimens would inevitably attract unwanted attention during this period of heightened scrutiny. 

The third floor was his next objective. But first, he had important business with a certain metal giant waiting in the depths of the underground facility.

The facility remained unchanged. Ash navigated the corridors and made his way toward the museum. The massive doors slid open, revealing the chamber with its collection of artifacts. At the chamber's rear stood the tomb—identical to the one he'd seen during the Pillar's trial.

Ash placed his palm against the access panel and entered the code he'd memorised from the trial. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a series of lights flickered across the panel, and the massive door slid open with a grinding rumble.

"It actually worked," Ash murmured.

Darkness stretched beyond the opening. Summoning a headlamp from his mind palace, Ash stepped inside, the beam cutting through shadows to reveal what lay within.

Registeel stood motionless in the centre of the chamber, exactly as he remembered from the simulation. Its metallic body towered nearly three meters tall, the seven dots on its face dark and lifeless. 

Ash circled the mech, comparing it to his memory. The cockpit remained sealed, its access panel dark. Control consoles lined the walls, their screens blank and unresponsive. He would need to reroute the power from the main control centre at some point.

"Let's get a second opinion," Ash said, summoning Bender from his mind palace.

The Tinkatink materialised, immediately alert despite his lack of eyes. He oriented himself toward Registeel, his tiny head tilting as he assessed the larger metal construct.

"What do you think?" Ash asked. "Can you tell if it's operational?"

Bender approached Registeel, tapping its hammer against the mech's foot. He curled it once before climbing up Registeel's leg, as he continued his inspection. When Bender reached the chest plate, he paused.

"It's still active?" Ash asked.

The Tinkatink gestured excitedly, pointing at the mech's chest before jumping back to Ash's shoulder.

Ash ran his fingers along the seam where the chest plates met. In the simulation, he'd found a control panel that opened the cockpit. After a minute of searching, he found the recessed button.

The button depressed with a soft click. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a hiss of releasing pressure, the chest plates began to separate, revealing the cockpit within.

The padded seat retained a factory-fresh appearance, its surfaces unmarked by time or use. The entire interior looked as though it had been sealed moments ago rather than centuries earlier.

"This is amazing," Ash whispered, running his fingers across the immaculate console.

Bender hopped into the cockpit, scurrying across the controls with his hammer ready. The Tinkatink moved methodically, tapping surfaces and listening to their responses with his specialised senses. After a thorough inspection, he turned toward Ash and nodded vigorously.

"Really?" Ash grinned. "You think it'll work?"

The Tinkatink tapped the controls in confirmation.

Ash hesitated for only a moment before climbing inside. The cockpit's dimensions matched him perfectly—as if designed specifically for someone his size. 

The control sticks fit his hands naturally, their contours aligning with his grip. Displays flickered to life at his touch, illuminating the cockpit with a soft blue glow as his Steelium resonated with the mech's systems. A gentle hum built around him, growing steadily as dormant technologies awakened from their long slumber.

"Well," Ash murmured. "Let's see what this thing can do."

He pressed the activation switch, and Registeel's eyes blazed to life, seven dots glowing with brilliant red intensity. Ash's heart pounded as the cockpit sealed around him. Was he really doing this? 

Time to the mech through its paces.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash takes the mech for a joyride, and his first tribulation approaches.

Thanks for reading.