Ash Ascendant: Chapter 21

Hi all, 

Here’s the first chapter of the week. Ash reaches a new level of cultivation and bonds with his new Pokemon. This story will get a second chapter this week. 

Chapter 21

Ash walked out of the store, pockets considerably heavier than when he'd entered.  Between James paying him for the job, with a substantial bonus thrown in because of his contribution in the mines, and the proceeds from selling the captured Durants had netted him nearly four hundred thousand pokedollars. He could have earned more had he sold the Durants slowly, rather than all at once, but he was satisfied with the outcome nonetheless.

He headed for the market outskirts, where a modest electronics shop stood. He'd recently learned from James that the establishment maintained a secret stock of advanced technology from the higher floors, accessible only to a select clientele with the right connections. Without James's influence, Ash would never have gained entry to this exclusive circle.

The timing couldn't be better for upgrading his Pokedex. With the impending trade with Cassidy, he needed reliable technology to ensure she didn't try to pass off a subpar Cleffa as something valuable. The improved scanning capabilities would reveal the Pokemon's true potential.

Though he'd just arrived back in Fortree City with Jessie and Cassidy, Ash hadn't yet returned home. 

James had remained in Geosenge Town to manage the Durant situation and transform the ruins into a profitable enterprise. The arrangement they'd negotiated with Giovanni would see ownership of the ruins split between Team Rocket and James's group—a necessary compromise. They'd realised that attempting to maintain exclusive control would be impossible, inviting challenges from Giovanni's organisation or other powerful competitors like James's family.

Ash entered the store and walked up to the counter. The shopkeeper, a thin man with a scar on his cheek, looked up from his book.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"James sent me," Ash said. "Said you might have some special items in stock."

The shopkeeper's demeanour changed instantly. He glanced towards the door to ensure no one else was entering, then nodded. "Follow me."

Without a word, the shopkeeper raised the counter and motioned him into the back area. They followed a hallway to the end and entered another room. It had several shelves stocked with merchandise, nothing like the electronics being sold in the front of the store.

"What are you after?" the shopkeeper asked, his voice now friendly and accommodating.

Ash pulled out a list of items and handed them over. "I want to repair and upgrade my Pokedex. How much will this cost me?"

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow at the list. "Why don't you buy a new Pokedex instead? I have some in stock with all the latest upgrades."

"And it's much more expensive." 

"True enough." The shopkeeper shrugged and started collecting the items on the list.

They included a new casing and screen for his Pokedex, a storage drive with ten times his current capacity, and an advanced expansion port featuring an SD card slot compatible with specialised software modules. The shopkeeper placed the components on the counter. 

The total came to forty thousand pokedollars—a substantial sum, but significantly more economical than investing in an entirely new Pokedex. 

"Need any help?" the shopkeeper asked.

"I can manage," Ash replied, packing everything into his backpack.

Ash left the store and made his way home. As he entered the kitchen, he was surprised to find Jessie sitting at the table with his mother. Both women turned to look at him.

"Welcome home, Ash," Delia said with a warm smile.

"Hi mum," Ash replied, eyeing Jessie suspiciously. "What's up with her? You're not supposed to be polite to intruders."

Jessie's eyes narrowed. "You have a problem with me, little rat?"

"Not at all," Ash said, setting his bag down. "It's a sign of our growing friendship that I can joke with you."

"Who said we are friends?" Jessie shot back.

Delia shook her head. "Don't be rude, Ash."

Ash was about to retort when he noticed something different about his mother. She radiated energy from the second stage of the Nascent Realm. The realisation stopped him in his tracks.

"You've broken through?" he asked.

"That's right," Delia confirmed with a hint of pride. "It seems all the physical exercise with Jessie has helped my progression."

Ash snorted. "You call it exercise? I would call it torture."

"Shows what you know," Jessie interjected. "With my help, she's going to reach the peak of the Nascent Realm in six months."

"If you can achieve that, I will call you big sister." 

Jessie scowled. "Who wants to be your sister?"

Ash leant against the counter, studying her. "Tell me. Why are you helping Mum in the first place? I refuse to believe it's because James asked you to."

Jessie shrugged. "I'm not that benevolent. At first, it was because I owed James a favour. I wasn't going to continue after the first week until I discovered your mum had this extraordinary ability to recover from her injuries after every training session."

Ash glanced at his mum, feeling a surge of panic. Had Jessie discovered her secret? Delia looked down in embarrassment.

"I investigated and found that Delia didn't visit the Pokemon Centre after every training session," Jessie continued. "Not that she could afford to. So, I connected the dots, and managed to catch her healing herself."

Ash frowned. "Have you told anyone else?" 

"I’m not stupid. If I did that, someone else would try to take her away." 

Ash relaxed slightly. "So, you are helping her because you can get free healing in return?"

"Not for free," Jessie corrected him. "But I'm willing to pay a good price when she reaches a level that can be of help to me. Do you know how expensive it is to get treated when you reach my level?"

Ash shook his head.

"Well, it's a lot," Jessie said. "Not to mention, Delia will be even more effective than other healers eventually. She can heal micro-injuries that usually need very expensive medicine. Considering my aggressive style, I tend to get hurt a lot. Call it an investment for the future."

Ash snapped his fingers. "I knew there was a reason why you intervened when Cassidy tried to bully me. You can’t have your investment son dying right in front of you.”

"I’m now regretting saving you," Jessie muttered. “I could have simply lied and said you fell down a flight of stairs and cracked  your head open.”

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

Ash unloaded the contents of his backpack onto his bed. He arranged the Pokedex components in order of assembly, laying out the tools he'd need for the upgrade. 

He disconnected the power source and pried off the worn casing. Years of repairs had left the internal components in surprisingly good condition, a testament to his meticulous maintenance. After removing the old screen and installing the new one, he connected the storage drive, carefully transferring the existing data without corrupting any files.

The final stage involved fitting the expansion port and installing the new casing. Once assembled, he powered up the device and ran through the calibration sequence, making minor adjustments until everything functioned perfectly.

He summoned Blitz from his mind palace to test the upgraded Pokedex. The Magnemite materialised with a soft electronic hum, spinning its magnets curiously as Ash aimed the device at him. The screen immediately displayed detailed information, similar to what the mind palace provided.  

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. He slipped the Pokedex into his pocket and left his room. His mum had already answered the door, and Cassidy stood on the threshold, her expression impatient.

Cassidy pulled a pokeball from her pocket. "I have your Pokemon. Where is the Larvesta?"

Delia glanced at Ash. "Friend of yours?"

"Just an acquaintance," Ash replied, stepping forward.

He pulled out his Pokedex and gestured to Cassidy. "Summon the Cleffa. I want to scan its potential."

Cassidy released the Pokemon, causing a small pink creature to materialise on the floor. Delia exclaimed in surprise at its cuteness, leaning down for a closer look. Without warning, the Cleffa lunged at her with surprising speed, forcing her to leap back.

Cassidy grabbed the Pokemon by the head. "Behave.” 

The Cleffa immediately turned docile.

Ash aimed his Pokedex at the Pokemon. The device hummed as it processed information, before reading out a comprehensive list of the Cleffa's capabilities. It showed all of the Pokemon's current techniques, including egg techniques it had inherited from its parents. The device identified Cleffa as female and rated her innate stats as exceptional for a level five Pokemon, with particular strengths in HP, Special Defence and Special Attack.

Cleffa had the techniques: Copycat, Pound, Sing, and Wish. The latter, an exceedingly rare egg technique with powerful healing properties, single-handedly justified the value of the trade. 

Wish created a latent healing reserve that remained dormant until needed. If the user sustained critical injuries within the three-minute window after casting, this stored energy would automatically deploy, restoring enough vitality to pull them back from the brink of death. While the technique demanded a significant portion of the user's energy reserves to execute properly, its potential to completely reverse a battle's momentum in dire circumstances made it an invaluable failsafe.

Cassidy returned the Cleffa to its ball, and Ash summoned Larvesta's pokeball from his mind palace. They made the exchange without ceremony and she left without another word.

"Not the friendliest person, was she?" Delia asked.

"That's an understatement," Ash replied, handing the pokeball over to her. "Here, I got this for you."

Delia looked surprised. "For me? But I can't bond with another Pokemon yet."

"Well, I just gave you the perfect motivation to reach stage four," Ash replied.

"Thanks, love.” Delia hugged him and returned to the kitchen.

Ash needed to get back to cultivating. He wasn’t going on any trips or taking on missions for the foreseeable future. His recent experiences had underscored his limitations—the encounter with Cassidy, the ruins expedition, and even Giovanni's unsettling attention had reinforced the necessity of establishing an unshakable foundation. 

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

Four months later.

Ash stood in a small forest clearing, the steel board hovering steadily several inches above the ground. After months of methodical practice, he was finally ready to test the board's full capabilities and his mastery over it.

He stepped onto the board. With a thought, the board rose in a smooth, controlled ascent, carrying him upward through a carefully chosen gap in the dense foliage. He cleared the lower branches and reached the upper canopy.

Ash leaned forward, directing the board into a gentle glide between two massive trunks. The steel responded to his thoughts, banking left then right as he navigated the forest. The wind rushed past his ears as he picked up speed, ducking under low-hanging branches and swerving around obstacles.

He spotted a narrow gap between interlaced branches ahead. Ash dropped into a crouch, tilting the board at a forty-five-degree angle as he shot through the opening. 

"Incredible," he whispered, exhilaration building as he pushed for more speed.

The board accelerated, carrying him through increasingly complex patterns among the trees. What had begun as cautious exploration transformed into something approaching dance—man and metal moving in perfect unison through three-dimensional space. Each turn was sharper, each manoeuvre more precise, until he was darting through gaps barely wider than his shoulders without slowing.

His ability to manipulate steel had improved dramatically over the past months. Where once he'd struggled to maintain basic hovering, he could now execute complex aerial manoeuvres with barely a conscious thought. The metal from the underground facility responded differently than his Steelium—less fluid but more stable. 

Four months of dedicated training had transformed more than just his metal manipulation. His body had grown leaner, muscles denser from Mustard's punishing regimen. The old master had driven him relentlessly, each session pushing Ash beyond what he thought possible. Early mornings and late evenings were spent in stance work, with midday sessions focused on practical application against increasingly challenging opponents. Even James had commented on the visible changes, noting that Ash moved differently now—more economical, more precise, with less wasted motion.

He had reached the fifth stage of the Tempering Realm two weeks ago. Unlike his earlier reckless breakthrough, ascending to the fifth stage had been methodical and controlled, his foundation solid enough to support the increased power. The transition had brought significant improvements to his energy density. His reserves hadn't necessarily grown larger, but the quality of his energy had transformed—becoming more condensed and refined.

Ash guided the board into a steep climb, bursting through the canopy into the open sky. The late afternoon sun bathed the endless sea of trees in golden light, the city's structures visible as distant silhouettes against the horizon. He hovered for a moment, taking in the breathtaking view before diving back into the green depths below. 

His enhanced control extended beyond the board. He could now cover both arms and his head in Steelium simultaneously. He'd begun experimenting with more complex shapes, moving beyond simple spikes and blades to articulated structures that could shift their form mid-battle—a technique which caught even Mustard by surprise during their sparring sessions.

The Iron Echo Shell technique had shown particularly dramatic improvement. Where once he could only redirect basic strikes, he could now handle complex combinations without breaking stride. The energy framework activated almost automatically now, requiring minimal conscious thought to maintain. This freed his attention for offensive applications, allowing him to counter-attack in the same motion used to redirect incoming force—a fundamental principle of Mustard's style that had initially eluded him.

Mustard had begun introducing more advanced aspects of the Iron Echo Style once Ash demonstrated mastery of the basics. The technique's true power, he explained, lay not in passive redirection but in active amplification—using an opponent's energy to fuel techniques impossible to execute alone. This "energy borrowing" created cascading effects, each exchange making subsequent attacks more powerful until even a master cultivator could be overwhelmed by their strength turned against them.

The breakthrough moment had come just three days ago, during a routine sparring session. Mustard had launched a strike with genuine power behind it—a test that would have seriously hurt Ash months earlier. Instead of dodging, Ash had stepped forward, activating the Iron Echo Shell while simultaneously shifting into the River stance. The impact had reverberated through his energy framework, but instead of dissipating or rebounding, the force had flowed through his meridians in exactly the pattern Mustard had spent months drilling into him.

The redirected energy had erupted from Ash's palm with doubled intensity, catching the old master off guard. For the first time in their training, Mustard had been forced to defend seriously, his eyes widening in surprise as he was pushed back several steps. The moment had lasted only seconds, but the significance wasn't lost on either of them—Ash had successfully redirected Mustard's full-power strike, turning defence into devastating offence.

Ash guided the board back toward the forest floor and stored it away in his mind palace with a satisfied smile. 

He knew how he was getting around from now on. The board offered unparalleled freedom to travel anywhere. Still, he'd need to remain vigilant; a surprise attack from a wild Pokemon while travelling at such speeds could prove catastrophic. 

The advantages extended far beyond mere convenience, though. In battle, the aerial mobility would transform his tactical options completely—allowing him to strike from above, evade ground-based attacks, and reposition instantly to exploit openings. It was still too soon to tell how effective it would really be, but the possibilities excited him.

Ash checked his watch. Time to head back to the city. He needed to pick up some important items he would be needing soon.

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

The crisp morning air hung still in Mustard's clearing. Ash stood with Blitz hovering beside him, a pokeball gripped tightly in his hand. Mustard and Winona watched from the porch, their expressions impassive.

"Are you ready?" Ash asked Blitz.

Blitz beeped in confirmation.

The Magnemite had grown significantly over the past months. At level twenty-nine, he was on the cusp of evolution into Magneton. Pokemon didn’t need to reach a specific level to evolve. It depended on their energy capacity. Some Pokemon evolved quickly due to having a higher capacity, while others took longer. Blitz was close, but still a few levels away.

Blitz had acquired two new techniques for Ash to learn. Screech and Magnet Rise. The latter, in particular, would provide crucial defence against Ground-type attacks, a significant vulnerability for Steel-type Pokemon. Ash had learned the technique immediately. 

Blitz's stats had matured impressively. Across the board, they now ranged from fifty to sixty, with Special Attack and Defence pushing into the seventy to eighty range. Although Ash could distribute Blitz’s stat gains however he wished, he hadn’t deviated far from his natural growth. 

Ash cast Protect over himself, the technique learned from Bastion providing an additional layer of defence. The barrier would protect him from one attack. Even if it shattered afterwards, it was still a great life-saving measure. 

He summoned his steel board, rising into the air to provide Blitz with aerial support. This fight would be primarily his battle.

The pokeball struck the ground, unleashing Scyther into the clearing. The Bug-type hissed, wings flaring aggressively. In a lightning-quick motion, it lunged upward towards Ash.

Ash's protective barrier shimmered as Scyther's blades slashed against it. The force sent him backwards on his board, but the barrier held firm before shattering into fragments of light. He steadied himself fifteen metres above the ground, maintaining distance as the battle unfolded.

Scyther recovered instantly from its failed attack, wings buzzing angrily as it pivoted mid-air towards Blitz. Its eyes gleamed with predatory focus, blades raised for combat.

The Magnemite spun rapidly, electricity crackling between its magnets as Scyther closed the distance. The Bug-type moved with astonishing speed, its form nearly blurring as it slashed with surgical precision. Blitz dodged by mere centimetres, the blade passing close enough to reflect in its metallic surface.

Scyther pressed its advantage, unleashing a flurry of slashes that forced Blitz into a frantic retreat. One strike connected, sending the Magnemite tumbling through the air, but it didn’t do much damage.

Blitz recovered and charged forward, its body wreathed in electricity. Scyther attempted to dodge, but Blitz adjusted mid-flight, slamming into the Bug-type's thorax. Electricity coursed through Scyther's body, drawing a pained hiss as it staggered backwards.

The momentary advantage didn't last. Scyther's wings blurred as it launched into a Fury Cutter, each consecutive strike gaining power. Blitz narrowly avoided the first two slashes but caught the third across its body, sending it spiralling towards the ground.

Ash manoeuvred his board into position and fired a Thunder Wave. The paralysing energy struck Scyther's wing, causing a momentary muscle spasm that disrupted its pursuit of Blitz.

Blitz formed a crackling sphere of concentrated electricity, launching it at the briefly immobilised Scyther. The attack struck true, exploding against the Bug-type's chest in a shower of sparks. Scyther crashed into the dirt, but immediately rolled back to its feet, eyes burning with renewed rage.

It launched upward, ignoring Blitz to target Ash directly. This time, Ash was ready. He tilted his board sideways, evading the attack while Blitz capitalised on the opening with another Spark. Electricity coursed through Scyther's body, but it fought through the pain, spinning mid-air to slash at Blitz.

The Magnemite anticipated the counter, shifting into a Gyro Ball that deflected the blade. Steel scraped against steel with a shower of sparks as they separated.

Ash fired another Thunder Wave, this one catching Scyther's torso. The paralysis took hold more firmly, causing the Bug-type to drop several metres before regaining control.

Blitz charged, electricity surrounding its form as it slammed into Scyther from above. Before the Bug-type could recover, Blitz circled around and struck again from below. The combined electrical assault proved too much for Scyther. It collapsed to the ground, twitching but conscious, its blades finally lowered in defeat.

Ash descended slowly, keeping a cautious distance as he assessed the downed Pokemon. Scyther glared back, defiance still burning in its eyes despite its inability to continue fighting.

Ash retrieved an empty pokeball from his mind palace. "That went better than expected." 

Scyther held the advantage in raw statistics and its level but suffered a severe type disadvantage. Its weakness to electricity combined with its techniques' ineffectiveness against Blitz's Steel typing put it in a difficult position. Splitting its attention between Blitz and Ash further compromised its fighting effectiveness.

But Scyther had shown tactical intelligence, conserving energy by withholding its more powerful techniques. It recognised the battle would become a test of endurance and adapted accordingly. Unfortunately for Scyther, this conservative approach proved insufficient against the coordinated assault from the trainer and Pokemon.

Ash stepped forward and knelt beside the downed Scyther. Despite its injuries, the Bug-type hissed aggressively, its blade slashing towards his face with surprising speed. Ash jerked backwards, narrowly avoiding the strike.

"Still got some fight left," he muttered.

He channelled energy through his palm, unleashing Thunder Wave. The paralysing current washed over Scyther, locking its muscles mid-movement. The Pokemon's eyes remained defiant even as its body betrayed it.

Ash placed his hand on Scyther's head, focusing on establishing the connection. Bonding with such a high-level Pokemon carried significant risk. He had only recently reached the minimum cultivation requirements needed for a level 42 Pokemon, and unlike with his Steel types, he couldn't rely on his affinity to ease the process.

He closed his eyes and extended tendrils of energy from his core, seeking Scyther's essence. The connection formed sluggishly, the Bug-type's mind actively resisting his presence. Where Blade's resistance had felt like layers of compressed earth, Scyther's manifested as razor-sharp barriers, each threatening to sever the fragile bonds he attempted to form.

Ash persisted, carefully navigating the mental defences. He projected images of strength gained through partnership, of evolution into the crimson form of Scizor. The potential resonated within Scyther's consciousness—a warrior's recognition of greater power.

Gradually, the resistance weakened. With a final push, the connection solidified, a rush of alien sensations flooding his awareness—the wind beneath chitinous wings, the perfect balance of twin blades, the predatory focus that saw the world as either prey or threat.

"I'll call you Blaze," Ash said as he opened his eyes, meeting the Scyther's gaze. "For what you'll evolve into, and that fiery spirit. Besides, Blade is already taken."

He retrieved a potion from his pocket, spraying it over Scyther's injuries. The medicine hissed as it made contact, accelerating the natural healing process. Within seconds, the worst wounds began to close.

“Get some rest,” Ash told him. “We can get to know each other later.”

Ash returned Blaze to his mind palace. He walked back to where Mustard and Winona waited on the porch.

"Thanks for letting me battle Scyther here," Ash said. “I didn’t want to do it at home in case the bond failed and it hurt my mum.”

Mustard grunted. "You were worried for nothing."

Ash shrugged. "Better to be safe than sorry."

"When are you evolving Scyther?" Winona asked.

"In a few days. I want Blaze to get used to our bond first."

"Blaze is much stronger than your other Pokemon,” Winona said. “If you’re going to challenge the gym battle soon, it will be much harder. Blaze will skew the Gym Leaders Pokemon towards the level forty range."

"I know," Ash replied. "I still plan to stay here for a few more months and continue to develop my team before taking on the gym leader."

Winona nodded, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Their friendship had developed gradually over the past months. Winona remained naturally reserved, but the walls she'd initially erected had lowered considerably. She now spoke freely around him, even occasionally sharing stories from her past. There was a potential for something more between them—subtle glances and moments of connection that neither pursued. Ash remained too focused on his cultivation goals and floor ascension to consider a relationship, while Winona seemed content with their current dynamic.

"Well, I don't think there is much more I can teach you," Mustard said, folding his arms. "I have given you the tools to continue refining my technique."

Ash bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master, for everything you have taught me."

Mustard turned abruptly and walked into the house. "Thank James for paying for the lessons. Don't you be doing something silly like dying on me, brat."

"I think he's embarrassed," Winona said once the door closed.

Ash grinned. "I got the same impression." 

"Don't be a stranger!" Mustard called from inside.  

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

Ash found his Mum cultivating in the living room when he returned home. As soon as he approached her, a small pink body launched itself at him. Ash dodged the Pokemon, and it went flying onto the sofa.

"Moon, if you attack me again, I'm going to turn you into a stuffed toy," Ash warned.

Cleffa wriggled out of the sofa, looking disgruntled. His Mum had named her newest Pokemon, Moon. Aside from his Mum, the Cleffa treated everyone else with hostility.

Delia opened her eyes. "Ash, how long have you been standing there?"

"For the past ten minutes. I have been bravely fending off Moon's attacks and barely managed to survive."

Delia laughed. "You're too funny."

She got to her feet and stretched. His mum radiated with vitality, looking much younger than she did a few months ago. Under Jessie's guidance, she had reached the sixth stage of the Nascent Realm and was leaner and stronger. She had been learning some martial arts from Jessie, although the aggressive style didn't suit her. Still, she wasn't completely helpless and could protect herself if needed.

"Winona's not joining us for dinner?" Delia asked.

"No, Mum."

"When are you going to ask her out?"

"I'm not interested in a relationship at the moment."

Delia sighed. "You're too focused on cultivating. You need some balance in your life."

"I will have plenty of time for that later. Once I reach the Spirit Realm, my life span will double."

"There are two tribulations between now and the Spirit Realm," she pointed out.

His mother had gotten more interested in cultivation and had been reading Ash's collections of books. He wished he had stopped her, as now she became anxious over all the dangerous elements of being a cultivator. The tribulations were at the top of the list.

"Well, it's a good thing I know an awesome healer who can treat me after I successfully get past it," Ash said.

"Can you give me at least one grandchild before you attempt your first tribulation?"  

"Are you serious?"

"Only a little. Maybe I should have another child. I'm still young enough."

Ash headed for the door. "I don't want to hear this."

He entered his bedroom and sat on his bed to focus on his cultivation. Reaching the sixth stage of the Tempering Realm represented a significant challenge compared to previous stages. The energy requirements had increased dramatically, and the refinement process demanded greater precision than ever before. Even with his methodical approach, progress came slowly.

Each meditation session required hours of concentrated effort, gradually compressing and purifying his existing energy reserves. Unlike his earlier reckless breakthrough, he now appreciated the importance of establishing proper foundations before attempting advancement. There was no time to waste if he wanted to challenge the Gym Leader within the next few months.

His mother had pointed out his growing obsession with cultivation on several occasions. Though he'd initially dismissed her concerns, he had to admit she wasn't entirely wrong. His daily routine revolved almost exclusively around training and cultivation, with little time allocated for anything else. Still, he had corrected his most serious mistake by rebuilding his foundation properly. The improvement in his techniques and overall stability proved that Mustard's approach, though slower, yielded superior results.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash’s new partner evolves into a Scizor.

Thanks for reading.