Ash Ascendant: Chapter 5

Hi all, 

Here’s the next chapter. I decided to post an extra chapter of Ash Ascendant. Once I start posting the new stories on fanfiction, I will return to doing polls. The next Wind Mage’s Legacy chapter will be out tomorrow.

Chapter 5

Ash stirred from his restless slumber to the sound of his mother's gentle humming drifting through their shelter. Glancing at his battered watch, he saw it was nearly noon. 

Stretching his aching muscles, Ash rose and made his way outside. He looked through the van’s window to make sure no one had found their hideout. Logically, he knew that it was unlikely that the group had tracked them here, and so soon, but paranoia gnawed at him nonetheless.

Satisfied that no immediate danger lurked nearby, Ash returned to their shelter. While waiting for breakfast, Ash further explored his new abilities. Closing his eyes, he focused on the strange, fluid energy coursing through his body—It felt like liquid lightning flowing through his veins, responsive to his every thought.

Concentrating, Ash extended his hand, palm up. He visualised the liquid metal within him responding to his will, flowing through his arm and into his fingertip. A small, silvery bead began to form, growing and elongating into a sharp, metallic spike about an inch long.

"Bloody hell," Ash breathed, marvelling at his creation. The spike was cool to the touch and wickedly sharp. With a mere thought, he willed it to retract, watching in fascination as it melted seamlessly back into his skin.

The possibilities for its application were endless. The book had shown illustrations of advanced cultivators forming full suits of armour from this liquid metal. While that level of mastery was far beyond him now, he could already envision countless uses for even this small amount of metal manipulation.

Ash noticed other changes as well. His skin had taken on a subtle metallic sheen, barely noticeable unless the light hit it just right. When he pressed a knife against his arm, it required some force to break the skin, as if he were made of tough leather. 

His strength had increased dramatically too. He’d grabbed a piece of rebar and tried to bend it. Although he didn’t quite manage to bend it, the potential to do so didn’t seem far off. Based on his understanding of cultivator power levels, gaining such strength at the second stage should be impossible. It had to be a benefit associated with his unique cultivation method.

His eyesight had also sharpened. The dim interior of their shelter now appeared as clear as day, every detail crisp and defined.

Turning his attention inward, Ash was pleased to see that his energy reserves had doubled to 200 units, even though he was still in the second stage of the Foundation Realm. Furthermore, he could feel he'd made significant progress towards the third stage. 

Delia's voice broke through his reverie. "Breakfast is ready, love."

Ash approached the makeshift table, his mouth watering at the sight before him. Thick slices of buttered bread, dripping with golden honey, sat next to a small pile of fresh fruit. It was a feast by their usual standards.

"Mum," Ash said between bites, "how's your cultivation going?"

Delia sighed. "I can feel something, but it's faint. I think it's going to take a while before I make any real progress."

Ash nodded encouragingly. "Just keep at it. You may have started later than ideal, but I am in the same situation. I am fifteen, but most cultivators begin when they are ten years old."

"It's not like I have much else to do here," Delia said with a wry smile, gesturing at their cramped surroundings. 

After breakfast, Ash turned his attention to the books he'd salvaged from Courtney's house. He chose one titled "The Basics of Understanding Cultivation Resources" and began reading.

The book was dense with information, describing how cultivation resources were essentially consumable energy, intended to replace the energy normally absorbed from the environment. These resources have the potential to accelerate cultivation exponentially in energy-poor areas such as the first floor.

However, the subsequent warnings were not encouraging. The book explained how lower-quality resources frequently contained high levels of impurities known as "spiritual toxins." These toxins may accumulate in a cultivator's body, corrupting their energy pathways and even their mind.

The dangers were starkly illustrated: meridians twisted and blackened, minds fractured by uncontrolled power. In extreme cases, the damage could be irreversible, crippling a cultivator's future progress or even leading to a gruesome death.

A chilling thought struck Ash. Could this explain Courtney's ruthless behaviour? Had she fallen victim to cultivation deviation in her desperate attempts to gain power? Or was her cruelty simply a part of her nature?

Higher-quality resources were safer, containing fewer impurities, but they were rare and expensive, typically found only on the upper floors of the Tower. Ash's thoughts turned to the vials he'd found in Courtney's safe. Were they low or high quality? 

The book detailed methods for refining resources, from techniques that involved using your energy to "wash" away impurities to complex setups involving specially aligned materials. The latter was out of the question, but the former was doable since it didn’t require anything. However, depending on your level of proficiency, it may be a waste of time and resources when compared to absorbing energy from the environment. 

Ash closed the book, his mind whirling with new knowledge and possibilities. He glanced at his mother, who was attempting to meditate in the corner, her face etched with concentration. 

He considered giving her some resources to help her become a cultivator, but he decided against it after further consideration. It was better to use them on himself and gain strength quickly. He could better protect them and gather more resources faster.

Ash grabbed another book from Courtney's collection. The cover read "Technical Memories: Crystallised Knowledge" in faded gold lettering. He had been curious about the crystals found in Courtney’s safe, and he was certain the book held the answer.

According to the book, Technical Memories were crystallised forms of Pokemon knowledge, created when a Pokemon imprinted a move onto a crystal. By absorbing the crystal, the Pokemon could learn the move as long as it was compatible and met the requirements. For example, Pokemon may need to reach a certain level before they can learn a move from a Technical Memory. 

Cultivators may also learn status moves from Technical Memories. They also needed to meet the requirements, such as reaching a certain level of cultivation to absorb the knowledge.

Ash's excitement dimmed slightly as he read on. To determine what move a Technical Memory held, one needed either a high level of perception or a specialised device called a move reader. Without either, the crystals were essentially useless.

Closing the book with a sigh, Ash decided he would have to keep an eye out for a move reader. He couldn't let these potentially valuable resources just sit there doing nothing.

With his curiosity satisfied for the moment, he reached for one of the vials he'd salvaged from Courtney's safe. It was time to start cultivating.

"No guts, no glory," he muttered, unstopping the vial. 

The pungent aroma that wafted out made his nose wrinkle. Taking a deep breath, Ash tipped the contents into his mouth. The taste was indescribably bitter, like a noxious blend of burnt coffee and rancid meat. Ash fought the urge to gag, forcing himself to swallow. Almost immediately, he felt a burning sensation spread through his body, as if he'd swallowed liquid fire.

Grimacing, Ash quickly assumed a meditative posture. He closed his eyes and focused inward, employing the technique he'd studied for "washing" away impurities. He visualised his energy as a sieve, catching and filtering out the toxic elements from the resources he'd consumed.

The process was arduous and time-consuming. Minutes stretched into hours as Ash painstakingly cleansed the energy. Despite his frustration, Ash persevered. Gradually, he felt the burning sensation subside, replaced by a warm, invigorating flow of energy. As the last of the impurities were filtered out, Ash shifted his focus to absorbing the purified energy into his core.

The cleansed energy flowed into him like a cool stream, refreshing and revitalising. Ash guided it carefully, ensuring it spread evenly throughout his body. He could feel his meridians expanding, his energy pathways strengthening and multiplying.

Hours ticked by unnoticed as Ash remained deep in meditation. Every sound became background noise, but he remained subconsciously alert for anything he perceived as a threat. 

As the first rays of dawn began to peek over the horizon, Ash's eyes snapped open. 

"I've done it," he whispered, a grin spreading across his face. "I've broken through to the third stage."

The change was profound. His energy reserves had expanded significantly, and he could feel a new strength coursing through his body.  

As exhilarating as the breakthrough was, Ash couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. The resources had indeed been of low quality, requiring hours to purify them. If they were used on a higher floor, he imagined they would be a waste as it would be easier to absorb energy from the environment.

Ash sniffed himself and grimaced. He had sweated out impurities, which had now dried and clung to his skin and clothes. The smell was horrendous. They lacked a convenient method for bathing or washing clothes. If they were going to stay here for any length of time, he had to fix it. Living in this environment was unpleasant enough without having a way to clean themselves.

Fortunately, they had an electric generator with outlets to connect their appliances, so they were not completely cut off from their usual amenities. They could cook food and keep themselves warm with a heater. Once he’d figured out how to use Blitz's Thundershock to transfer electricity to the generator without damaging it, they had an infinite supply of electricity.   

Ash removed his clothes and wiped himself down with a wet cloth. After changing into new clothes, he grabbed a quick meal from the refrigerator before getting back to cultivating. He wanted to get to stage four as soon as possible so that he could bond with another Pokemon. 

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

Ash was jolted from his meditation by Blitz's frantic entrance. Before Ash could react, his enhanced hearing picked up the distant rumble of engines. His heart leapt into his throat, and he scrambled to his feet.

He exchanged an uneasy look with his mother, her face mirroring his concern. Without a word, he dashed outside and crawled through the van that concealed their hideout. Huge piles of garbage surrounded their hideout, blocking his view of the vehicles. Still, they sounded alarmingly close.

Retreating inside, Ash felt a cold sweat break out across his skin. He didn’t think they would just search for them on foot and would use flying Pokemon for an aerial search. Their hideout, while well-concealed, suddenly felt terribly vulnerable.

"They're searching the area," he whispered to his mother.

Delia nodded, her face ashen with worry. She reached out and gripped Ash's hand, her palm clammy against his. They waited in tense silence, barely daring to breathe.

Ash heard the approaching search party. The crunch of boots on gravel seemed to echo in his skull. Low murmurs of voices carried snatches of conversation he couldn't quite make out. The sharp bark of a Pokemon made him flinch.

He berated himself silently. Why hadn't he prepared better? They were trapped in their hideout, with no way out if discovered. Had he been too focused on his cultivation, neglecting their safety? He should have at least dug an escape tunnel to give them a chance to leave.

The search party's presence loomed ever closer until it seemed they were practically on top of the hideout. Blitz positioned itself in front of Ash and Delia, facing the exit, prepared to defend them if necessary. 

Ash held his breath, certain that at any moment, the entrance would be torn open, exposing them. Finally, mercifully, the sounds began to recede. Ash and Delia remained silent for another ten minutes, hardly daring to believe they were in the clear.

"That was too close," Delia finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. She wiped the sweat from her brow with a trembling hand.

"It certainly was," Ash agreed. He frowned as he took in his mother's appearance. Her face was pale, almost grey, and she seemed to be trembling slightly. "Are you okay, Mum?"

Delia waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine, love. It was just a little too much excitement for me. I think I'll make myself a cup of tea."

Ash watched closely as his mother prepared her tea. Her movements were slower than usual, and he noticed her hand shake slightly as she lifted the cup. However, some colour had returned to her cheeks, and she seemed steadier as she sipped the hot beverage.

Somewhat reassured, Ash settled back into his cultivation posture. He estimated it would take him two more days to reach stage four of the Foundation Realm. By then, he hoped, the search party would have moved on, making it safe for them to venture out and possibly seek another Pokemon partner.

As Ash delved deeper into his cultivation, his mind couldn't help but wander to the implications of the search party's presence. The fact that they were actively searching the area suggested that survivors from Oldale Town had likely told them about the incident in town. A cold knot formed in Ash's stomach as he realised they were probably looking specifically for him or his mother, or perhaps both.

If these people were upset enough about Courtney's death to mount such a thorough search, they weren't likely to show mercy if they found them. 

Why did he accept Courtney's deal? Looking back, he realised how naive he had been. He had acted out of greed, focusing too much on how many pokedollars he could earn. But even as he berated himself, a sobering realisation occurred to him. Courtney had already known he was a cultivator. Given her ruthless nature, it was likely she wouldn't have let him walk away regardless of his decision about the ruins. She might have seen him as a threat or a resource to be exploited.

"No use crying over spilt milk," Ash murmured, forcing himself to refocus. "What's done is done. I need to deal with the hand I've been dealt."

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

Two days passed in a blur of deep cultivation. Ash emerged from his meditative state, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He'd done it—he'd reached stage four of the Foundation Realm.

It hadn't been easy. He had spent hours carefully purifying the energy, removing the impurities that could harm his meridians. But the results spoke for themselves. The problem was that Ash had consumed three more vials of his precious cultivation resources and now only had a few left. If he wanted to reach stage five, it wouldn’t be enough. 

Each subsequent stage required more energy, and without cultivation resources, he could take weeks or months to advance to stage nine. Ash flexed his fingers, marvelling at the power thrumming beneath his skin. His energy reserves had increased to 700 units and the liquid metal he could manipulate was the size of his hand.

The most exciting development, however, was the ability to bond with another Pokémom. He had already considered capturing an Aron, which was a steel-type Pokemon that could be caught at a low level. The first floor was primarily composed of Steel and Poison-type Pokemon, with some Water-type located in the rivers. He had mainly stuck to a specific area in his scavenging over the years and had already seen all the Pokemon it contained. He would have to venture to the other areas if he wanted more variety. 

Blitz had hardly left Ash's side during the past two days. He benefited from Ash's cultivation, advancing to level eight. Their connection felt stronger than ever, though maintaining it now required 30 units of energy instead of 25. Still, with his expanded reserves, the cost was barely noticeable.

Blitz's Special Attack and Defence had improved, and his energy level had risen to 70. Pokemon had the potential to learn new moves as they levelled up, but Blitz appeared to have learnt nothing new yet. It was slightly disappointing, but Ash told himself to be patient. 

Ash had also been diligently practising with Thunder Wave. The progress he'd made was remarkable. Where before he could barely generate a spark, now he could produce a respectable electrical discharge. He was confident he could paralyse low-level Pokemon, if only for a second or two. It wasn't much, but in a tight spot, it could give Blitz the edge it needed.

"We're getting stronger, Blitz," Ash murmured. "Soon, we'll be ready to leave this dump behind and start climbing the Tower proper."

As Ash stood to stretch his legs, his gaze fell on his mother. Delia was lying down in the middle of the day, something she rarely did. A frown creased Ash's brow as he made his way over to her.

"Mum?" he called softly. "Are you alright?"

Delia stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Ash? Oh, I must have dozed off," she said, her voice weak and raspy.

Ash knelt beside her, concern etched on his face. Up close, he could see the sheen of sweat on her forehead, the unnatural flush in her cheeks. He placed a hand on her brow, alarmed at the heat radiating from her skin.

"Bloody hell, Mum, you're burning up," Ash said, his earlier elation at his cultivation progress evaporating in an instant.

Delia tried to sit up but fell back with a groan. "It's nothing, love. Just a bit under the weather."

But Ash wasn't fooled. His enhanced senses picked up on details he might have missed before— the laboured quality of her breathing, the slight tremor in her hands. His gaze fell to her injured leg, and his heart sank. The bandage was soaked through, and he could smell the sickly sweet odour of infection.

Gently, he peeled back the bandage, his stomach churning at the sight that greeted him. The wound was an angry red, the skin around it swollen and hot to the touch. 

"Mum," he said softly, "Your leg is infected."

Delia opened her eyes, her gaze slightly unfocused. "I thought it felt worse," she admitted, her voice weak and raspy. "It's been throbbing, something awful."

Ash rummaged through their meagre medical supplies, the contents of the first-aid kit rattling loudly in the tense silence. His search only confirmed what he already knew—they had no antibiotics. The kit he'd scavenged was woefully inadequate for dealing with a serious infection, containing only a few plasters, some gauze, and a half-empty bottle of antiseptic.

"I need to go to town," Ash said. "You need proper medicine, Mum."

Delia shook her head weakly, wincing at the movement. "No. It's too dangerous right now. Those people are still out there. We need to wait until things calm down." Her voice was barely above a whisper, each word seeming to cost her great effort.

Ash's jaw clenched. "I'm going to have to risk it. I'm not going to let you die."

Infections were a grim reality of life on the first floor. Even minor wounds could be fatal in the unclean environment. Without proper antibiotics, many succumbed to infections that would have been easily treatable in the upper levels of the Tower. 

Ash sat back on heels as he considered his next move. He had plenty of pokedollars, thanks to Courtney's demise, but venturing into a town carried risks. The thought of leaving his mother alone in her weakened state made his stomach churn, but he saw no alternative. Unless he could obtain another Pokemon to look after her.

Ash rushed over to his corner of the shelter and rummaged through his belongings until he found the map of the first floor. He spread it out on his bed, his eyes scanning the familiar contours.

Their current position was in the southern middle region of the floor. The remaining landfills were scattered roughly in the cardinal directions—east, west, and north. Four towns remained after Oldale's fall, and Ash knew his choice would be crucial. A more distant town might offer greater safety, but the longer journey would increase the risk to his mother's deteriorating health. Time was not on their side.

His gaze drifted northeast to Littleroot Town, the closest settlement to Oldale. Ash shook his head, immediately dismissing it. "That's likely where the survivors fled," he muttered. "It'd be the first place they'd look for us."

Ash's eyes found Azalea Town to the far west, just south of the western landfill. It was the largest settlement on the first floor. Its size offered anonymity, and its robust trade meant that he was guaranteed to find some antibiotics.

"Azalea Town it is," Ash decided. "If I push hard, I can make it by tomorrow afternoon."

Before he could embark on his journey, he needed to bond with another Pokemon—one he could leave behind to protect his mum. The idea of leaving Blitz entered his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Making such a long journey into an unknown area without protection was risky. Especially if the search team was still out there.

Ash motioned to Blitz, and they made their way outside. He poked his head out of the van first, eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he turned to his partner.

"Alright, Blitz, I've got an important job for you," Ash said. "I need you to find a Pokemon that's below level ten. If you can bring it back, brilliant. If not, just remember where you saw it. But listen, this is crucial—don't engage any other Pokemon. If you run into trouble, you escape immediately. Understood?"

Blitz beeped affirmatively, its single eye narrowing in determination. Without further prompting, the Magnemite zipped off into the depths of the junkyard.

Ash watched Blitz until he was out of sight, anxiety gnawing at his gut. He hated sending Blitz out alone, but he had little choice. Time was of the essence, and he couldn't leave his mother unprotected.

Fortune smiled upon Ash as, half an hour later, a familiar buzz reached his ears. He saw Blitz approaching, its usual swift flight noticeably slower. The reason for its reduced speed soon became apparent—an Aron was in hot pursuit, its stubby legs propelling it across the ground with surprising speed. Blitz was leading the Aron back to him.

"Brilliant work, Blitz!" Ash called out.

Ash retrieved his Pokedex from his pocket. He pointed the device at the Steel-type Pokemon as it charged into the small clearing.

The Pokedex whirred to life, its cracked screen flickering before stabilising. "Aron," it intoned in its characteristic monotone, "the Iron Armour Pokemon. This species consumes iron ore excavated from mountainous regions. It has been known to cause structural damage by consuming bridges and railway tracks. The specimen before you is at level nine."

Ash's eyebrow arched in surprise. "Level nine," he mused. "A touch higher than anticipated, but well within our capabilities."

He quickly assessed the situation. Aron's Steel typing offered no resistance against Electric attacks, giving Blitz a clear advantage. As long as Blitz maintained a safe distance, they should have the upper hand. 

The Pokedex continued its analysis: "This Aron's move set includes Tackle, Metal Claw, and Rock Tomb. Possible trainer moves include Harden and Roar.”

Ash's eyes widened, recognising both the potential and the challenge this diverse move set presented. Such a varied arsenal would make Aron a valuable addition to his team, but it also meant they'd need to approach this battle with caution.

Nodding to himself, Ash's mind raced as he formulated a strategy. He pocketed the Pokedex and turned to his partner, who was flying around in circles to distract Aron. "Alright, Blitz," he said. "We need to weaken it before I can attempt to bond. Are you up for this?"

Blitz buzzed affirmatively, its magnets spinning with renewed vigour.

With their growing bond, there was no need for spoken commands. Ash could convey his message by sending commands through his bond. Blitz was unable to communicate directly with Ash, but he understood him.

Blitz whirred into action, ascending swiftly as electricity crackled around its body. A bolt of lightning arced towards Aron, but the Steel-type reflexes proved sharper than anticipated. It rolled to the side with surprising agility, the Thunder Shock scorching the ground where it had stood moments before.

Undeterred, Aron retaliated swiftly. It pawed at the ground, dislodging several rocks that began to levitate around it. With a guttural cry, it launched the stones skyward in a devastating Rock Tomb attack. Blitz zipped between the oncoming rocks, its single eye darting frantically as it navigated the barrage. A jagged stone grazed its metallic body, sending it spinning momentarily before he regained control. But he ended up much lower to the ground as a result of being struck.

Seizing the opening, Aron charged forward, its body gleaming as it prepared a Tackle attack. Ash's eyes widened, realising the danger of letting Aron close the distance. 

Ash pointed his finger and unleashed an arc of lightning. It shot across the clearing and struck the Aron before it could unleash its attack. Ash blinked, astonished that he managed to hit the Pokemon.  The paralysing energy washed over Aron, causing its charge to falter. Its legs locked up, and it stumbled, crashing into the ground with a metallic thud.

Capitalising on the moment, Blitz unleashed a full-power Thunder Shock. Electricity surged from its body, striking Aron dead-on. The Steel-type Pokemon cried out, its metallic body conducting the electricity efficiently. Yet, even as the attack subsided, Aron struggled to its feet, the paralysis had already worn off.

Aron's eyes narrowed, focusing on Blitz. Suddenly, it leapt with surprising agility, one of its front legs glowing with metallic energy. The Metal Claw attack struck home, sending Blitz careening through the air. The Magnemite stabilised itself, but a deep scratch now marred its usually smooth surface.

Ash gritted his teeth, knowing they needed to end this quickly. He signalled to Blitz, who dove low, skimming just above the debris-strewn earth as it charged towards Aron.

The Steel-type Pokemon braced itself, preparing another Metal Claw. Just as Blitz was about to reach it, Ash sprang into action. He thrust his hand forward, channelling his energy into a Thunder Wave. The paralysing energy struck just as Aron began its attack, causing its leg to lock up mid-swing.

Blitz shot upwards at the last second, sailing over the paralysed Aron. As it passed overhead, it unleashed a point-blank Thunder Shock. The clearing lit up with the intensity of the electrical discharge, momentarily blinding Ash.

When the light faded, Aron stood wobbling, its body smoking slightly. For a moment, it looked as if it might still be standing, but then its legs buckled, and it collapsed to the ground with a resounding clang.

That fight had gone better than he imagined. It was good that Aron had been so focused on Blitz that he hadn’t attacked him. Blitz must have seriously annoyed him to get it so riled up that he chased it all the way here.

Ash approached the fallen Pokemon. He kneeled beside it, placing a gentle hand on its warm, metallic hide. Closing his eyes, Ash reached out with his consciousness.

He encountered resistance at first, Aron's mind a swirling storm of confusion and defiance. Gently, and persistently, Ash projected feelings of companionship and growing stronger together. Minutes passed, and gradually, he felt the resistance begin to wane.

Suddenly, he felt a shift. Aron's consciousness surged forward, meeting his halfway. A flood of alien sensations washed over Ash—the taste of iron ore, the feeling of burrowing through earth, the comfort of a steel shell. For a moment, Ash wasn't sure where he ended and Aron began.

Then, with a jolt, the connection stabilised. Ash opened his eyes to find Aron staring up at him, its blue eyes wide with wonder. He could feel a new presence in his mind, distinct from Blitz but equally familiar.

Ash gazed at his new partner, his hand running over the Pokemon's cool, metallic hide. "I'll have to think of a good name for you while I'm away," he mused. "For now, let's introduce you to my Mum."

Rising to his feet, Ash led his new companion back inside their makeshift shelter. He made quick introductions, explaining Aron's role in protecting his mother during his absence. It was a risk, leaving a newly bonded Pokemon behind, but necessity dictated their options. For a fleeting moment, Ash considered swapping Aron for Blitz, but quickly dismissed the idea. Blitz's ability to fly would be invaluable on his journey.

Ash began packing his backpack. His movements were swift yet deliberate as he gathered essential supplies: water, non-perishable food, his headlamp, and an assortment of tools that might prove useful. He grabbed several hundred pokedollars and hid them in a false compartment in his shoe. It was a precaution that had saved him from being robbed on several occasions over the years. 

Kneeling beside his mother's makeshift bed, Ash gently clasped her hand as he said goodbye. Delia's grip on his hand was weak, but her eyes shone with a mixture of love and worry as she cautioned him against recklessness. 

With a final, lingering glance at his mother, Ash shouldered his pack and made his way to the exit. This journey was more than a simple supply run; it was a race against time, with the stakes being nothing less than his mother's life.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash heads for Azalea Town, but the trip won’t be easy.

Thanks for reading.