Ash stood quietly off to the side of the circle, cradling Pikachu in his arms, still feeling the aftershocks of the bond that had been formed. His heart was full—of awe, confusion, wonder… and something else. A strange peace.
But the ritual wasn't over.
"Next," came Noah's voice, deep and calm.
Gary stepped forward confidently, chest puffed, smirk already in place. His ceremonial robe fluttered slightly as he entered the circle. He didn't hesitate. Didn't fumble or falter.
He raised his hand and said in a clear voice:
"Through the walls of time and space, I call to the one that waits in bond. By Arceus' will—I choose you!"
A shimmer of blue light coiled upward from the stone beneath his feet. A swirl of energy snapped open like a wave, and from it leapt a Squirtle, landing with a spin and a fist pump.
Gary blinked. The Squirtle blinked back—then grinned.
From the audience, a burst of laughter erupted.
An uncle shouted, "Looks like that one already has more personality than you, Gary!"
"Which isn't hard," Cynthia added with a smug grin, elbowing her cousin.
Gary flushed red but raised a hand triumphantly, earning a cheer from some of the younger cousins.
Ash smiled. Classic Gary. Even now.
Next came Lance.
He stepped forward with the quiet grace of someone far older. His expression unreadable, his eyes unwavering.
His summoning was almost whispered:
"To the place beyond all knowing, where Arceus listens—I reach through the folds of dimension. I do not demand, only invite. I choose you."
His energy didn't swirl—it pulsed. Heavy and slow, like a deep heartbeat. The light that came wasn't dazzling, but dense and stormy.
From the shadows of the rift stepped a small, proud Deino, blind eyes twitching, nose in the air.
The family murmured in surprise.
Even some of the Elders nodded, impressed. One of them leaned toward another and whispered, "That one will be a handful."
Lance simply bowed his head and knelt, allowing the Deino to sniff his hand, and something unspoken passed between them.
Red gave a single approving nod from the sidelines.
Lorelei was the last to step forward.
Her robe trailed behind her like water, and her summoning was soft, deliberate:
"To the shining Hall where Arceus watches—beyond time, beyond thought—I offer my heart. I choose you."
The energy that answered her call was bright and clean. A thin veil of mist danced at her feet, and out of it popped a plump little Seel, who immediately rolled forward and nuzzled her leg like a puppy.
Lorelei giggled, picking it up with gentle hands.
"Oh no," Cynthia called out with a laugh. "She's going to spoil that thing rotten!"
"She already does that with everyone," Iris muttered beside Ash.
Ash chuckled, and Pikachu looked on curiously.
Later, when the ceremony had ended and the family began to gather around the initiates—clapping shoulders, offering congratulations, trading first-treats for first-bonds—Ash found a quiet spot under the old silverleaf tree that loomed near the circle's edge.
He sat cross-legged, Pikachu resting beside him, nibbling on a piece of honeyed fruit someone had snuck into his hands.
Ash leaned back against the bark, watching the sunset flicker through the canopy.
"You're something else, huh?" he said softly, turning to Pikachu. "Didn't expect a thunder rat when I called into the void of the cosmos."
Pikachu paused, turned, and narrowed his eyes.
Ash held up his hands quickly. "Hey—hey! That wasn't an insult, it was—"
ZZZAP.
A sharp jolt of static hit him right on the side of the face. His hair frizzed up instantly.
"Okay, okay!" Ash laughed, clutching his cheek. "Note to self—no sarcasm around the small god of thunder."
Pikachu looked immensely pleased with himself.
Ash grinned through the sting. "You really are just like me."
He scratched behind the mouse's ear, and to his surprise, Pikachu leaned into it—only a little.
Just enough.
The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall trees, casting golden halos around the edges of the grove. Most of the family had dispersed into clusters—congratulating the children, cooing over the Pokémon, and handing out treats.
Ash had just finished smoothing his hair back down after Pikachu's "friendly" electrocution when a commanding voice cut through the noise.
"Alright, enough lounging around!"
Heads turned as Elder Rowan—a wiry man with a cane he didn't need and a voice like gravel stirred with thunder—stepped into the circle.
"If these kids are old enough to summon Pokémon from the Hall of Arceus itself," he said, pointing his cane dramatically toward the heavens, "they're old enough to get knocked around a bit!"
A ripple of laughter moved through the gathered family.
Ash blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Battles!" Elder Rowan declared. "Let 'em taste the dust early and often. See what kind of bond they've really forged."
Somewhere in the crowd, someone shouted, "Finally!"
Another cousin hollered, "Get your bets in now!"
David rubbed his temple, chuckling under his breath. "He's never changed…"
Freya, arms crossed, grinned wildly. "This is my favorite part."
Noah stepped forward calmly, lifting a hand to temper the excitement. "Let it be lighthearted, but true. Nothing teaches faster than the field."
"Especially when the family is watching," Grandma added, arching a brow with amusement.
Ash's stomach fluttered.
Then he heard it.
"Ash vs Iris!"
His head snapped up. "Wait—what?!"
Iris was already stretching dramatically, her Axew perched proudly on her shoulder.
"Well, come on, little cousin," she teased, sticking her tongue out. "Hope you're not scared to lose your first match to a girl."
Ash stood up, brushing grass off his robes. "I'm not scared," he said quickly, glancing down at Pikachu, who was already crackling with anticipation. "Just surprised."
Their eyes met, and despite the playful ribbing, there was a mutual spark there.
This is real now.
"Next up," Elder Rowan continued. "Gary vs Lorelei."
Gary turned to Lorelei with a smirk. "Ready to get blown out of the water?"
Lorelei smirked right back. "Seel loves thunder. Just try me."
The family oohed.
"And Lance," Rowan added, voice lowering with a grin, "will take on Cedric."
A ripple of surprise moved through the crowd. Cedric, one of the older teenage cousins, stepped forward with a practiced roll of his shoulders. He looked tough—and confident—but not arrogant.
Lance just nodded, quietly. No surprise. No fear. Just calm.
The courtyard transformed. Older family members began marking out sparring grounds, flattening areas of grass, and clearing space. Others placed friendly wagers or started humming the traditional battle chant—more like a game than ceremony, but reverent in its own way.
Ash took a deep breath as he moved toward the center of the field opposite Iris. Pikachu hopped to his feet, cheeks crackling, tail twitching with challenge.
Across the field, Iris grinned, eyes gleaming. Her Axew crouched low, ready to pounce.
The clearing buzzed with anticipation. The cousins, uncles, aunts, and even a few Elders had formed a wide circle around the makeshift battlefield. Some stood, some sat cross-legged in the grass, others leaned on their Pokémon like armrests. Even the Ancient One, Yao, had taken a quiet seat on a moss-covered stone with her hands calmly folded, watching.
Ash stood on one side of the field, the sun painting golden light across his back. Pikachu crouched by his side, cheeks flickering with small jolts of electricity, eyes narrowed in focus.
Across from them, Iris pumped a fist into the air, grinning.
"Alright Axew, let's show them what we've got!"
Axew leapt forward from her shoulder, landing in the grass with a chirpy growl. He looked eager, wild, and a little unpredictable—just like his trainer.
David gave a low whistle from the sidelines. "Ash doesn't have the type advantage, but let's see what that brain of his is good for."
"Battle, begin!" shouted Freya, clearly enjoying every second.
Ash pointed ahead. "Pikachu, take the field!"
Pikachu trotted into the circle, tail flicking. He glanced back at Ash with a smug "Pika," cheeks crackling with static.
They barely knew each other, but Ash felt something electric—pun very much intended.
Let's dance, Ash thought.
"Axew, Bite!"
The little dragon lunged fast, jaws wide.
"Quick Attack to the side—now!" Ash shouted.
Pikachu zipped to the left in a white blur, narrowly avoiding the snapping fangs. Dust scattered as the crowd gasped.
"Thunder Shock while it's off-balance!"
Lightning crackled from Pikachu's cheeks and jolted Axew mid-turn. He yelped, stumbled, but quickly dug in and growled.
"Shake it off, Axew! Use Taunt!"
The little dragon snarled and flailed its arms in mocking gestures. Pikachu's ears twitched, and his fur bristled.
"Okay…" Ash muttered. "No more setup moves. That's fine."
Iris pointed. "False Swipe!"
Axew darted forward, claws glowing with a sharp green sheen.
"Spark!" Ash commanded.
Pikachu crouched low, electricity racing over his fur—and then both Pokémon collided mid-charge.
This time, Axew connected.
Pikachu winced as the glowing claw raked across his side, sending him skidding back across the moss.
Ash's heart jumped. "You good, buddy?"
Pikachu got up, cheeks sparking. "Pika-chu!"
Iris grinned. "Let's go! Axew—Bite again!"
Axew came in low, faster this time.
"Quick Attack—circle around!"
Pikachu blurred forward, dodging the bite again, but Axew twisted sharply—this time catching Pikachu's hind leg with his tusks and dragging him down.
Pikachu hit the ground with a grunt. The crowd leaned forward, murmuring.
"That's it, Axew! Slash!"
The claws glowed again.
Ash's eyes narrowed. Not this time.
"Jump and counter with Spark!"
Pikachu sprang up, narrowly dodging the incoming Slash—and twisted mid-air with a full-body charge of electricity, slamming into Axew's side with a loud CRACK!
Axew tumbled, rolled, and righted himself—but his stance had weakened.
"Finish it—Thunder Shock!" Ash cried.
"Axew, Bite!"
Both Pokémon leapt at the same moment—but this time, Pikachu struck first.
Lightning burst from his cheeks and struck Axew clean in the chest. The Dragon-type cried out and collapsed in a puff of moss and dirt, dazed but unharmed.
Silence.
Then came the cheers.
The circle rang with claps, whistles, and shouts of encouragement from cousins and Elders alike. Some of the older teens grinned and called out:
"Not bad for his first battle!"
"Kid's got style!"
Ash exhaled, sweat beading on his forehead, and jogged over to Pikachu, who stood proud and crackling with residual sparks.
"You did great, buddy."
"Pika." His voice was smug.
Ash grinned and scratched behind his ear—zap!—and yelped.
"Gah! Still learning that part."
Iris ran up, scooping Axew into her arms. "You were amazing out there!" she told him, then looked at Ash. "That was intense! You two already fight like a team."
"You almost had us," Ash said honestly. "Axew's a tank."
Axew chirped proudly despite his singed fur.
The two cousins met in the middle and bumped fists.
Pikachu and Axew shared a wary nod. Rivals, maybe—but respectful ones.
Around them, the air still buzzed with the thrill of battle, the charge of bonds forming, and the warmth of family all watching on.
Ash sat cross-legged on the grass beside Pikachu, still crackling faintly with leftover static, his tail swishing smugly. Across the clearing, Axew napped in Iris's lap while she recounted their match with exaggerated gestures to a few listening cousins.
The excitement hadn't ended with their battle.
"Gary went next," Ash recalled, watching the last embers of sunlight drift through the branches. "He was fast, confident. Called out that Squirtle like he already knew it was waiting for him."
The battle between Gary and Lorelei had drawn a lot of cheers. Her Seel had grace, gliding and spinning with surprising agility for a newly summoned partner. But Gary's sharp commands and Squirtle's tight defense won the match after a long, splash-filled duel.
"He strutted around like he'd won a championship. Typical Gary."
Ash smiled fondly. He wouldn't say it out loud, but Gary had earned it.
"Lance had a tougher time. His Deino was fierce, even a little scary, but his opponent wasn't another kid. He ended up facing Cedric—one of the older cousins."
Cedric's Croconaw had experience, control, and a sharp bite to match Deino's wild charges. Lance fought hard, but the difference between raw potential and training had never been clearer.
"Lance didn't pout or cry, though. Just nodded, said he learned a lot, and started talking about training. I think... he'll be terrifying in a year."
Ash leaned back, hands behind his head, looking up through the leaves where the sky blushed with the last orange streaks of dusk.
Beside him, Pikachu yawned loudly and stretched.
Ash glanced over, then grinned. "So… we're really a team now, huh?"
"Chu," Pikachu replied, blinking up at him.
Then, without warning, he zapped Ash on the shoulder with a tiny jolt.
"YOW—Hey!" Ash rubbed his arm, half glaring. "That's not how teammates say 'yes.'"
Pikachu stuck out his tongue and turned away, tail wagging like a flag of mischief.
Ash chuckled, despite himself.
"Figures. My first partner had to be the one with attitude."
And somehow, it felt… right.
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A.N. This Chapter was a bit on the shorter side, but felt good enough....
Also, please put your reviews or comments on the story, it will really help to know if I am doing something right or wrong, as this is my first experience as a writer.
P.S. POWER STONES NEEDED!!!