“Big Brother Ash, what are those things on Pidgeot and Pikachu?”
Max stared curiously at the strange mechanical devices attached to Pikachu and Pidgeot during training.
May also looked over in confusion.
She clearly remembered that Pikachu had not been wearing anything like that during its earlier battles.
Ash adjusted the metallic restraint fitted around Pikachu’s forelimbs before calmly explaining,
“They’re specialized training devices.
They increase weight and physical resistance according to a Pokémon’s size and strength.”
“They help stimulate muscle growth, stamina, speed, and control more efficiently during training.”
May’s eyes widened in surprise.
“There are actually tools like that?”
“Can Torchic use them too, Ash?”
Ash shook his head lightly.
“There’s no need to rush things.”
He looked toward Torchic, who was energetically pecking at a nearby rock.
“For beginner Pokémon, the most important things are basic physical conditioning, stamina, move control, and Trainer coordination.”
Then Ash continued seriously,
“Once Torchic evolves into Combusken, its body structure and fighting style will change dramatically.
Right now, it’s better to focus on strengthening its endurance and improving its mastery over Ember and Peck.”
May nodded seriously while listening.
Ash then added,
“But more importantly, you need to understand Torchic’s personality and rhythm in battle.”
“Only after the bond between Trainer and Pokémon deepens can commands become truly effective.”
Simply forcing harsh training onto a newly obtained Pokémon would not produce good results.
Building trust came first.
Ash understood that very clearly.
That was why he intended to let May gradually learn how to train Torchic properly instead of interfering too much himself.
As for Ash
His current focus remained on Ralts.
The tiny Psychic-type Pokémon floated nervously before several bouncing rubber balls suspended in the air by Psychic energy.
“Ralts, focus carefully,” Ash instructed gently.
“Use Psychic to control the movement trajectory while preparing Teleport simultaneously.”
“Ralts!”
Blue psychic energy flickered around Ralts’ small body.
The floating balls immediately began moving erratically through the air.
At the same time, Ralts repeatedly used short-range Teleportation to avoid collisions while maintaining Psychic control over the objects.
The training itself appeared simple.
However, continuously maintaining Psychic output while calculating movement trajectories and teleport timing placed enormous strain on mental stamina.
Even so, Ralts continued training seriously without complaint.
It desperately wanted to become stronger.
More importantly
It wanted praise from Ash.
Sweat gradually appeared across the little Pokémon’s forehead.
Finally, Ash decisively ended the session.
“That’s enough for today.”
Pushing too hard too early would only produce negative effects.
Ash gently picked Ralts up and placed it on his lap.
“Well done, Ralts.”
“Ral~”
He fed it an Energy Cube while softly patting its head.
Ralts immediately smiled happily.
After today’s training, its strength had improved noticeably.
Ash silently confirmed another hypothesis in his mind.
Battle experience was not the only way Pokémon grew stronger.
Consistent move training, energy control, and repeated skill usage could also gradually increase overall strength and level growth.
The effect might not be as explosive as actual combat experience, but it was still significant over time.
That discovery made Ash even more invested in future training plans.
Then, carrying Ralts in his arms, Ash walked toward May’s side.
Only to stop awkwardly.
“…Uh.”
The sight before him was difficult to describe.
May’s face was covered in soot.
Her clothes had been lightly scorched in several places.
Torchic stood nearby guiltily while avoiding eye contact entirely.
Clearly
Their first official training session had not gone very smoothly.
Ash could already imagine exactly what happened.
Most likely, Torchic lost control of Ember while May stood too close.
May lowered her head dejectedly.
“…Training is way harder than I thought.”
Ash laughed helplessly.
“Don’t worry.
Every Trainer experiences this at the beginning.”
Even elite Trainers had once started as complete beginners.
Just as Ash was about to continue comforting her, his eyes suddenly shifted elsewhere.
“Hm?”
Not far away, Combusken sat quietly beneath a tree while observing their training.
Compared to earlier, the hostility in its eyes had clearly weakened considerably.
Ash smiled faintly.
It seemed that watching everyone interact together had slowly reduced its vigilance.
Honestly, Ash had already become interested in Combusken from the beginning.
Its unusual resistance toward humans did not feel like simple wild instinct.
Instead, it resembled disappointment.
Or perhaps betrayal.
Ash suspected Combusken had once belonged to a Trainer before eventually being abandoned or separated somehow.
That was why Ash never forced contact with it earlier.
Fortunately, things now seemed different.
Especially considering Combusken had finally accepted food from them.
Ash slowly approached before sitting down several steps away.
“Did you enjoy the food?” he asked gently.
“Busken…”
Combusken raised its head cautiously.
Seeing that it did not react aggressively, Ash continued calmly,
“Your injuries have already been treated by Brock.
Once you rest properly, you should recover soon.”
Then Ash looked quietly toward the forest ahead.
“But after you recover… where are you planning to go?”
Combusken froze slightly.
Moments later, it lowered its head silently.
Its expression looked lost.
As though even it did not know the answer.
Ash remained silent for several seconds.
Then
“How about traveling with us?”
“Busken?”
Combusken looked up immediately.
Ash leaned back casually against the tree trunk while speaking calmly.
“My goal is to become the world’s greatest Pokémon Trainer.”
He looked toward Pikachu, Pidgeot, Taillow, and Ralts currently training nearby.
“And together with my partners, I plan to stand at the top of the Pokémon world someday.”
His voice remained calm.
Yet every word carried absolute confidence.
Then Ash finally looked directly at Combusken.
“If you’re willing to trust another Trainer again…”
“I hope that Trainer can be me.”
“Because I promise you ”
“I’ll never let my Pokémon down.”
After saying those words, Ash simply closed his eyes quietly and waited.
If Combusken had truly lost all trust in humans, then no amount of persuasion would matter.
Several moments passed silently.
Then suddenly
“BUSKEN!”
Ash opened his eyes.
Combusken had somehow walked directly in front of him.
Its sharp eyes burned with determination.
Ash blinked slightly before smiling brightly.
“So this is your answer?”
Combusken nodded firmly.
A battle.
It wanted to determine Ash’s worth personally.
Ash slowly stood up.
A confident grin appeared on his face.
“You won’t regret this choice.”
“Pikachu!”
“Pika-pi!”
The sudden atmosphere immediately attracted everyone’s attention.
“Wait Ash is going to catch Combusken?!” May exclaimed in shock.
Even Brock stopped stirring the soup to watch.
Ash raised his arm decisively.
“Pikachu, Quick Attack!”
“PIKA!”
Pikachu burst forward instantly in a streak of white light.
Combusken reacted immediately.
“BUSKEN!”
FWOOSH!
A stream of intense flames erupted from its mouth.
“Excellent reaction speed,” Ash praised instantly.
Then his eyes sharpened.
“Pikachu, jump Iron Tail!”
Pikachu immediately changed momentum mid-charge.
Using the ground as leverage, it leaped high into the air while spinning rapidly.
Brilliant metallic light condensed around its tail.
Then it came crashing downward.
At this close distance, dodging was nearly impossible.
Yet surprisingly
Combusken showed no intention of retreating.
Blue-white Fighting-type energy gathered around its claws.
Then it jumped upward directly toward Pikachu.
“Sky Uppercut?!”
Brock’s eyes widened immediately.
BOOOOM!
Pikachu’s Iron Tail collided head-on against Combusken’s Sky Uppercut.
The impact created a violent shockwave.
However, the difference in strength still proved overwhelming.
Combusken was blasted backward before crashing heavily against the ground.
“Bus…ken…”
It struggled several times to stand again.
But eventually, exhaustion overtook its body.
Ash immediately seized the opportunity.
“Now!”
He threw a Poké Ball forward.
The red-and-white sphere struck Combusken cleanly before pulling it inside.
Shake.
Shake.
Shake.
Ding!
Capture successful.
Ash picked up the Poké Ball excitedly and raised it high into the air.
“I caught Combusken!”
“Pikachuuuu!”
Pikachu jumped happily onto Ash’s shoulder.
At the same time, Combusken’s information appeared clearly within Ash’s system.
Combusken
Gender: Male
Type: Fire/Fighting
Ability: Blaze
Level: 25
Potential: Deep Blue
Known Moves:
Ember
Peck
Double Kick
Flamethrower
Sky Uppercut
Looking at the information panel, Ash’s eyes brightened slightly.
A Level 25 Combusken with Deep Blue potential and mastery of Sky Uppercut
Its foundation was considerably better than he originally expected.
Most importantly
Ash could already imagine how terrifying Combusken would become after fully developing its close-range combat abilities in the future.
appreciate every single one of you.