Chapter 10: Together on this road.
While Ash was saving May Pikachu and Sceptile battled the enraged Aggron. The two had extensive training throughout the years and this included how to act as a team but this situation was different. Pikachu tried time and time again to reason with the Aggron but she was having none of it.
"Would you listen to me we don't want to fight you." Pikachu yelled.
The Aggron roared at Pikachu and slashed her claws at him but wasn't fast enough to hit the electric type who easily dodged. As soon as Pikachu was out of the way Sceptile lunged forward and struck his Leaf Blade's into the Aggron's face forcing it to fall over backwards from the impact. Sceptile backed up so Pikachu could try and calm her down again but this tactic wasn't working except for the fact they had distracted it from Ash and May.
"Calm down we were trying to help your baby not hurt it." Pikachu tried again.
The Aggron's eyes widened at the mention of its offspring rearing back up and charging Pikachu's position. Sceptile was on it in a flash, jumping down from a tree and slamming his tail across the Aggron sending her flying into a rock.
"I don't think mentioning the angry mother's child was a good idea Pikachu." Sceptile huffed. "You sure you still don't want to knock her out?"
"No trust me I can reason with her." Pikachu assured him.
"Well you better get to reasoning because she ain't staying down." Sceptile raised his arms as the Aggron stood up again.
This time the mother roared loudly but she seemed to sway, then as she stepped forward her fatigue set in and she fell to one knee breathing heavily.
Pikachu knew that this Pokémon would fight to the death to defend her territory so he took a lighter tone. "Please we don't want to fight or harm anyone, we were just passing through." The small electric type tried to sway her.
"Be quiet! I'll rip you apart!" The ferocious creature spoke for the first time which sounded more like a roar. Both Pikachu and Sceptile braced for an attack when a small unheard voice called out.
"Stop it, please stop it!" A tiny cry came from behind the Aggron.
All three Pokémon looked and saw the same small Aron with the wounded leg limping towards his mother, when he reached her he clawed at her leg.
"Please stop fighting, their telling the truth I was hurt and they helped me, just stop fighting!" The young one pleaded tears forming in his eyes.
As her youngster sobbed at her feet the Aggron looked back at Pikachu and Sceptile. Pikachu signalled for his partner to lower his guard, as they did the mother looked back down at the Aron, his whimper's the only thing breaking the silence of the forest. The mother scooped up her child in her arms and looked back at her advisories.
"Leave." She growled lowly.
Pikachu nodded and the two both turned and walked back into the forest until they heard the Aggron's footsteps walking away. After a while Pikachu could hear her tunnelling back into the cave, he didn't know if she would be back so he concentrated on finding Ash.
"Sceptile did you see where Ash ran off to?" Pikachu asked.
"I can feel through the ground that they're over that way but watch your step it gets pretty steep real quick." Sceptile warned pointing in Ash and May's direction.
Both Pokémon made their way down the slope and soon found them. The first thing they noticed was May lying against a tree without a shirt on and Ash leaning over her. Both originally got the wrong idea but soon noticed that Ash was in fact performing first aid, by then Ash had seen their approach.
"Are you two alright?" Ash asked looking for any injuries on his Pokémon.
Both nodded to his relief, he didn't bother to ask what happened, at the moment he didn't really care.
"Sceptile return and thanks for everything." Ash said as he recalled Sceptile to his Pokeball.
"May we have to get you help as soon as possible." Ash told the brunette who was putting her shirt back on.
"Yes I'm feeling a lot better now." May then tried to stand. "I should be able to walk to the next town." May placed her wounded leg forward only to be meet by stabbing pain coming from her knee forcing her to recoil back into her sitting position. Though she didn't verbalise her pain Ash could see it all over her face.
"May we can't go to the next town, there's more uphill to go and we haven't even gotten halfway yet. Our only option is to go back to the Pokémon centre we stayed at." Ash told her bluntly.
May refused to believe what Ash was saying, she had a mission to complete in the next town tonight, she couldn't afford to back track. She went through her mind how they could overcome this.
"Ash can't we try and call for help?" May asked.
"There's no phone reception up here remember." Ash told her.
"Well can one of your Pokémon fly or carry us there? May asked more frantically.
"The only one who could lift us is Charizard and he can only take one person. Plus he wouldn't be able to see the path through the trees and I doubt you could navigate from the air." Ash explained having already thought about it in detail.
May slouched backwards and shut her eyes, there had to be some way. If she didn't complete her next objection she was screwed, they wouldn't care about her injuries all they would see is a frail girl who couldn't suck it up and get on with it.
May kept thinking but only made herself more wound up. That was until she felt hands wrap around her legs and along her back. When she opened her eyes May saw Ash kneeling down, arms around her. He then stood up carrying May in what was basically the bridal position.
"Pikachu I need you to find the quickest way back to the path." Ash instructed his starter who darted off in the forest.
"Ash wh-why are you carrying me?" May asked not expecting this in the slightest.
"You can't walk so this is the only way I can get you to safety, I know you had your mind set on getting to the next town but I'm not going to put your modelling career over your safety, sorry." Ash told her as he walked after Pikachu through the scrub.
"Ash I don't need your to carry me." May tried to persuade him.
"Not with that leg injury." Ash said without looking at her.
"My knee is getting better, I'm telling you I'll be able to walk soon enough." May continued.
"I'm not talking about your knee." Ash snapped. "The cut on your thigh, it was deep, I don't know for sure but I think you've lost a lot of blood. If you put too much pressure on it the wound won't close up and I don't have any bandages left so if you start bleeding through that limited amount of covering I've got on it-." Ash stopped his sentence not sure what would happen, but May knew what he was getting at.
"I'm carrying you so that doesn't happen, it's mostly downhill from here as long as I can keep walking you'll be alright." Ash reassured her.
At that point May gave in, there was no chance she would make it to the next town on time, she'd have to figure out a way to get to her objection some other way. She thought about getting out her sixth Pokémon who would have been able to transport both of them but thought better of it, right now she needed to keep Ash's trust. Pikachu came back through the undergrowth and pointed Ash in the direction of the path.
"Thanks buddy, now I want you to scout the path ahead but not by too much, in case we run into trouble I'll need your help." Ash told Pikachu who nodded and ran ahead just out of sight.
Ash had little trouble holding May but he knew that even as light as she was he couldn't hold her up for extended periods, he pushed through his discomfort though. The thought of what might happen if he stopped for too long driving him on. May did her best to help by wrapping her hands around Ash's shoulders however she was now starting to feel light headed, her adrenaline was dying down and her blood lose was becoming more apparent to her as Ash walked her back down the mountain path.
Ash's walk lagged on and on, he prayed that someone would come along the path but no one did. What made it worse was that neither he nor May had said anything since Ash sent Pikachu forward, he didn't mean to snap at her but she had to know what was at stack.
"May I need a breather." Ash huffed as he walked under the shade of a tree and laid her down. Ash got out his water bottle and gulped down as much as he could while letting his aching muscles rest for a bit.
"You should drink as much water as you can May." Ash told her. May nodded and drank her own water while Ash laid down beside her taking in deep breaths.
"I don't seem to remember our adventures leading to this much grief." May spoke up.
"We had a few close calls, but you're right we made it through our entire time in Hoenn and the Battle Frontier without any serious injuries." Ash reflected.
"I know what you mean, remember that incident with Rayquaza and Deoxys?" May recalled the battle between two other powerful legendries.
"I do, I also remember that photo they took of you when we arrived in the city and made it your passport." Ash chucked.
"What? I can't believe you still remember that." May looked down at Ash nearly shocked.
"How can I forget, it was a killer photo." Ash laughed.
"I'm glad I got better in front of the camera now." May lightened up.
"Yeah that's right." Ash said as he got up and readied himself to pick May back up.
"So what got you into modelling in the first place?" Ash asked as he hauled May back up and got walking again.
"Well I was offered to do a shoot while I was a coordinating around when I was seventeen. As I said it's not full time but I do try and have fun with it." May explained.
"So why did you stop coordinating?" Ash asked a bit hesitantly.
"I've been getting into conservation, I want to preserve what's left of this regions ecosystem and though coordinating gets me good coverage I found that the modelling pays better." May revealed.
"That's really a great thing you're doing May, sometimes I wish I could get more involved with Pokémon in the wild but with my job and everything." Ash trailed off his mind somewhere else.
"You miss her don't you?" May asked.
"Serena? Yeah I do but when I look back we had drifted apart a lot. So much so that I don't feel any different without her around, I saw her so little that we might as well of not been together at all." Ash clarified.
May remained silent not sure if Ash was still grieving or had moved on, only reflecting on Serena when she was brought up. She didn't know why but she felt more content with the second option, again her childhood feelings came back at her and she recoiled at the thought. She concluded that it had to be she was literally in his arms right now and the fact that he was putting his body through so much grief for her. For whatever reason May though the best way to get it out of her head was to bring up another girl.
"Was there anyone else for you, like Dawn?" May came out of the blue.
"Dawn? Um I mean I know she had a crush on me at some point but even so she's only seventeen that would be a bit weird don't you think?
"Well I'm eighteen would it be weird to date an eighteen year old?" May questioned.
"No I don't think so." Ash responded.
"Well why does one year make a difference?" May raised one eyebrow.
"You know society I guess, and she's not legal either." Ash struggled to answer the question.
"So if Dawn was eighteen you would date her but since she's seventeen you wouldn't because she can't have sex with you?" May shot out.
Ash nearly tripped over his own feet at the question, this was the first time May had ever mentioned sex to him at all, and though he wasn't a stranger to the act it made him very uneasy.
"No that's not the reason come on May you know that." Ash spoke as he readjusted his footing. "I mean why are you asking me this anyway?"
"Just, no reason." May said as she turned away from the raven haired trainer.
"You've given me that answer a lot, can't you just tell me?" Ash asked quietly.
"No, just forget I said anything." May responded without looking at him.
Both of them fell silent, May mentally slapped herself for making the subject turn into what it had become. She turned her thoughts back to how she was going to get to her target on time. She would have to fly but with her present injuries she knew she wouldn't be able to do her job like normal. Her hope's now rested on how quickly Ash could get her to the Pokémon centre. It had a medical wing after all but how much good could they do in such a short amount of time?
By now they had been walking for more than two hours and Ash had been taking more and more regular breaks. As he placed May down another time and caught his breath he checked May's leg again. When he saw a patch of red beginning to form in the centre he got worried, perhaps in the rush to wrap up the wound he had done it incorrectly. Ash didn't take any more time to recover, he grabbed May again and with more effort lifted her up and started walking.
"Ash you should rest longer." May told him.
"I don't want to take any chances." Ash said back.
May peered down at her leg and could just see some red beginning to form. "Ash if you don't rest you won't have any strength to keep going." May tried to sway him.
"It's alright I think we're almost there." Ash said while taking deep breaths.
May didn't know if Ash was just trying to set her mind at ease, if he actually knew where he was or having wishful thinking. Pikachu came up to check on them as he had done a number of times though he looked more down every time he saw them.
"Pikachu are we close to the Pokémon Centre?" May asked the electric mouse.
Pikachu looked back up the path before turning back and nodded, perhaps Ash did know where he was going.
Ash kept walking but May could feel his strength start to wane. His steps were longer and slower, his grip was loosening and she could feel him start to shake.
"Ash you have to stop." May said sternly. "If you insist on helping then let me walk on one leg while you support me."
Ash stopped walking and while taking in deep breaths considered May's offer. His arms and hands were completely numb, his shoulders felt like they were about to rip out of the sockets and his legs felt like they were full of wet sand. If he kept carrying May he would collapse and then who would help her?
"Alright you win." Ash gave in lowering May's feet to the ground.
May placed one arm on Ash's shoulder while Ash placed his own hand around May's side with the support May hopped on her good foot and while Ash did his best to support her he was struggling to walk on his own. The two continued to move along at a slow pace one feeling exhausted because of her blood loss and the other barely able to stand from carrying her. Never the less they pushed on until Pikachu ran up to them pointing up the path indicating they were very close.
"Ok buddy I need you to go to the centre and get Nurse Joy or anyone that's there, make them come outside and see us you got it." Ash said through stalled breath.
Pikachu nodded and sprinted up the path determined not to let his trainer down now. Ash didn't stop walking as he looked down and to his shock saw May's bandages were nearly completely red, the blood now about to start escaping from the edges. Ash abruptly picked up his pace causing May to lose her footing and fall forward pulling Ash down with her. Both of them slammed into the ground on their arms, in the process May's knee twisted slightly but it was enough to send a brutal wave of pain up her leg.
May screamed as she rolled over and clutched her leg trying to suppress the agony but nothing she did eased it.
"May what's wrong?" Ash looked at her in a panic.
"My knee it hurts, dammit Arrr!" May wailed not even able to control her own voice.
Ash didn't waste any time, he scooped her back up into his arms and using every last ounce of his strength hauled her back up. The movement caused May to cry out some more, she threw her head back and bit her lip. Her squirming was making it hard for Ash to hold her but he couldn't afford to drop her, if her did not only would he hurt her even more but he wouldn't have the energy to pick her back up. Finally May pulled her head into Ash's chest and gripped his shirt, hissing out her pain through clenched teeth. Now on the verge of collapse Ash shuffled forward around a corner and saw the Pokémon centre. It was only a stone's throw away and it was the happiest sight that Ash had seen all day. His vision was getting blurry but he could make out Pikachu standing at the entrance pointing towards them. Seconds later Nurse Joy walked out and caught sight of them, nearly gasping she turned back to the centre.
"Chansey get a wheelchair out here now." Nurse Joy called her assistant.
She and Pikachu then started running towards Ash who still had May clinging to him in his arms. Ash couldn't stand any longer, as he fell to his knees he pulled his shoulders back to stop himself from peeling over. Upon hitting the ground May looked up at him, her eyes asking him if he was alright.
"It's fine May helps here, you're safe." Ash assured her as his own vision began to blur from exhaustion.
Nurse Joy and Pikachu got to them both looking concerned. "What happened to you two?" Nurse Joy asked recognising them as the couple that left this morning.
"Her leg, she's injured-please-take care of her." Ash forced out still clinging to May who had also failed to let go of her carrier.
Chansey appeared beside Nurse Joy with the wheelchair, while the nurse got behind May's shoulders Chansey supported her legs. Together they lifted May up and carefully placed her onto the wheelchair.
"Get her inside immediately." Nurse Joy instructed Chansey who spun May around and wheeled her away.
Ash watched Chansey pull her away though he felt a loss at not being able to help her Ash trusted that she was in good hands. Nurse Joy laid a hand down on his shoulder and knelt down to his level.
"Are you alright? You look absolutely exhausted." Nurse Joy told him.
"Please just help May." Ash asked his thoughts never concerning himself.
"Come on I'll take you to the centre and get you both fixed up." Joy said offering her hand.
Ash reached forward when he fell completely numb, the last thing he felt was his head hitting the ground and then complete darkness.
Hours later Ash woke up suddenly, looking around he saw that he was in some sort of medical room, Nurse Joy must have gotten him inside when he collapsed though he had no idea how much time had passed. As he tried to lift himself he felt every muscle in his body ache, carrying May had done its toll. Trying a second time Ash felt a hand on his shoulder, opening his eyes he saw Nurse Joy with some papers in one hand.
"Easy now you collapsed outside from exhaustion, don't do anything strenuous." The pink haired nurse instructed him.
"Alright, I'll be careful." Ash responded before Pikachu jumped in his lap and nuzzled up against him.
"Hey there buddy you alright?" Ash asked getting a happy nod from Pikachu.
"Nurse Joy where's May?" Ash asked his mind springing back to action.
"Your friend is in the room opposite us, she's on the mend but she lost a lot of blood so she needs plenty of rest now." Nurse Joy informed him.
"What about her knee, and her fingers were dislocated as well." Ash continued.
"Yes we did a full body inspection as is protocol. She had a badly twisted knee with pulled muscles which we have mended. Her fingers have been looked over and will have full movement in the next few days. Chansey has been using Heal Pulse to quicken the healing process on May's injuries, it works similar to how it works in a Pokémon battle, so well in fact that the large gash on her leg won't even leave a scare." Nurse Joy gave Ash the full report.
"So she's going to be alright?" Ash asked despite having listened very intently.
"Yes she just needs rest and time for her blood to resupply and she will have recovered fully. I will say this though." Nurse Joy straightened her papers. "You two were lucky to have made it here, if she kept losing blood it could have proven fatal, you are a great friend to have carried her like you did." Nurse Joy smiled.
"Thank you, is it alright if I see her?" Ash asked.
"You can see her through the window however you can't go inside the room." Nurse Joy instructed.
"That's fine I just want to see she's alright." Ash agreed.
Nurse Joy walked a very sore Ash outside and over to the room May was in. Looking inside Ash saw her sound asleep with a few pieces of medical equipment attached to her arm. She was in the hospital scrubs lying peacefully on the bed, Ash felt a wave of relief wash over him seeing her. Throughout the day he had thought time and time again that he could loss her if he didn't get help, seeing her alive with a steady heartbeat brought him nothing but happiness.
"Thank you so much for everything." Ash turned to Nurse Joy.
"Just doing my job you're welcome to take any room you like, May will have to stay under observation till at least tomorrow." The nurse informed Ash as Pikachu jumped on his shoulder.
"Thanks, by the way what time is it?" Ash asked.
"You got here at two pm and now its nine o'clock." Joy let him know.
"Man been asleep seven hours and I'm still tired, I think I'll take a room now if that's alright." Ash put on a smile.
"Coarse follow me." Joy gestured down the hall.
Ash followed Nurse Joy to the reception area, he knew May was in good hands and despite wanting to see her up close knew the best thing for both of them was to get some rest. After getting the key, walking to his room and falling flat on the bed Ash let out a deep sigh. Pikachu jumped up next to him and rubbed his arm.
"Everything worked out but still, May got hurt really bad Pikachu." Ash spoke quietly. "I don't know what I'm going to say to her to make up for what happened."
Pikachu's ears dropped slightly, reflecting the regret both he and his trainer were feeling about the outcome of the day. Even with the thought plaguing his mind Ash was soon asleep, his body needing its own time to recover.
Nurse Joy was walking past May's room to inspect the two injured Pokémon that she and Chansey were caring for in the centre. She took a quick look in the room to make sure her patient his still resting. Seeing no movement from May and the monitors all working she moved on to make her rounds.
If Nurse Joy had looked closer she may have noticed that the room seemed to have moved forward slightly, if she had she may have entered and discovered that the room was covered in a hologram that May had set up to cover her escape.
May had woken up several hours ago and knew the times when Chansey would check on her, she then planned how she would get out to complete her assigned mission in time before Chansey came back. She had Mismagius take a recording of her pretending to be asleep and then projected the recording into a hologram that looped over time. A similar tactic she used on the security cameras. Now that she was covered in the hospital and had located her clothes and equipment May had escaped through her window and vanished into the forest. When she was far enough away she released her mystery Pokémon.
"We are on a time limit so get flying to the target as fast as you can you hear me." May spoke sternly.
The powerful Pokémon merely huffed at her but May knew she had gotten through. As she got on the creatures back May still felt weak, most of her body hurt but she had to do this, if she failed now no one would respect her anymore, she wasn't about to let a bit of blood loss slow her down. As trainer and Pokémon accelerated into the air May found it hard not to blame Ash for everything.
Now I'm no doctor so don't get to nit-picky went it comes to the injuries or May's healing, let's just say the medical world in Pokémon is very advanced. I'm having real trouble finishing the chapter I'm writing at the moment. Firstly because there is a particular scene that is 'complicated' to write (You'll know it when you see it.) Secondly is I've been going all out on my other story 'Becoming a Pokémon Master' what can I say writing big action filled battle's is quite fun. And before you ask No I'm not abandoning this story, I love it too much to leave it unfinished. Hopefully I'll be able to keep releasing one chapter a week but I'll have another update on the next chapter as well so until then please leave a comment, your words fuel my desire to write.