Chapter 19 – New plan, old feelings
Ash opened his eyes slowly, he wasn't sure where he was but he was laid down and looking around realized that was a hospital bedroom.
He also noticed that his best friend Pikachu wasn't at his side and his memories were pretty dark at that moment
He got out of bed, it was difficult, a strong headache and some backache wasn't helping very much, he walked until the door but stopped when he started to listen a conversation on the other side
"We must go after Lance" someone said
"We can't. If he is going to allow The Lady inside his mind… there's nothing we can do" another voice said
Hearing the names of Lance and the so called The Lady, made Ash remember something…
"Of course" said Ash softly
Everything was making sense, Ash had been under The Lady's mental control for a long time. He didn't remember nothing when he was under her control… but there were some flashes of memories about him talking with Dawn, May and Serena. But his last real memory was being inside a cage after had helped Pikachu to escape from Team Tenebri's headquarter and receiving many attacks from The Lady when she was trying to take over his mind
"She was succeeded" Ash said "She took over my mind and made me work for her"
The voices outside the room were still talking so Ash decided to keep listening to them
"Can't you see that if we do nothing, The Lady will enter the Temple of Dragons and make her Pokémon stronger, then we will have no chance against her" someone said
"I am aware of what can happen Serena" said a voice
"So why don't we do nothing?" asked another voice
"Don't you understand May, only Lance knows how to enter the Temple of Dragons" said a voice
"You are wrong. Ash knows" said a third voice "And I am pretty sure he will help us once he wakes up Lorelei"
"Ash may know how to get there, Dawn, but only the Dragon Master can enter it" said Lorelei
There was a silence between them, and now Ash knew what was happening, after all, they made very clear. Somehow Lance managed to release Ash's mind from The Lady's mental control and now Lance was under her control heading to the Temple of Dragons.
"The best to do now is wait here for them to return from the Temple and fight back with all we have" said Lorelei
"That won't be enough" said Ash opening the door and facing everybody who were behind it
"Ash! You are awake" said Dawn hugging him
"I thought I was never seeing you again" said Serena also hugging him
"I am so happy you are safe" said May, the third girl to hug Ash
Ash looked at the girls on his chest and noticed that all of them were crying by that time
"I am fine" Ash said "But what are you doing here?"
"They have been looking for you Ash" said Professor Oak, who Ash didn't realize was there as well
Ash looked at the girls once more and felt good, not because of their hugs, but because of the feeling of security he was feeling at the moment, so he hugged them back
"Thank you" said Ash "Thank you for not giving up on me"
"We would never do it" said Serena "You mean so much to me"
"To us" said May looking at Serena angrily
"Ash" said Dawn "Please, do never disappear again"
Ash thought Dawn was joking but looking at her wet eyes, saw how serious she was
"Never" he said hugging them once more
After a couple of minutes Ash put the girls away and started looking to Lorelei, May, Dawn and Serena noticed an angry glare on Ash's eyes, which made all of them even Lorelei got scared
"So Lorelei" said Ash "You do think we should do nothing?"
"That's not what I meant" said Lorelei "It just that it's impossible to fight back once they reach the Temple of Dragons"
"So you're giving up" Ash said
"Of course not" said Lorelei "But I think it's better to wait here for them"
"They will not come here Lorelei" Ash said "They know we are here. They will attack all the regions before and leave Indigo Plateau for last"
Lorelei said nothing. Ash was right. Why would they attack a place where they know people would be prepared? If they conquer all other regions, they would be even stronger to attack Indigo Plateau
"You… are right" said Lorelei "But we can't defeat Lance, not now that he is under The Lady control. It's impossible"
"You surely don't know me" Ash said "Serena, Dawn, May. Tell her when the "impossible" stopped me"
"Never" they all answered together
"But… the Temple of Dragons…" started Lorelei being cut by Ash
"The Temple of Dragons will only work after they have entered it. And also, the temple raises Pokémon strength so you can train inside. Only entering and leaving will not make them powerful"
Everybody looked at Ash, so there was hope for them after all
"Where is the entrance of the Temple Ash?" asked Professor Oak
"At the top of Mount Silver" Ash answered "It can only be reach by foot; we can't fly or get teleported to there"
"Why not?" asked Lorelei
"The Dragon's mystical forces prevent the use of such skills" Ash answered
"So… what will we do?" asked Lorelei
"Simple" ash said smiling "We go after Team Tenebris, bring Lance back and take them down"
Dawn, Serena and May looked at Ash and all of them blushed. That was the kind of attitude they expected from him. After all his determination was one of his characteristics that most impressed them
"Are you three okay?" Ash asked "Your faces are all red. Have you got fever or something?"
Well… after all his naivety was also a characteristic they loved about him
"They are fine Ketchum" said Lorelei "Now let's get back to the plan"
Ash was about to keep talking but felt on his knee, being hold by May, Serena and Dawn
"Ash are you okay?" asked Dawn
"Yes…" he answered "I'm just tired. I have a strong headache and pain all over my body"
"You're still not recovered yet" said Professor Oak "Go back to the bed and rest a little more. You will be of no use being like this"
Ash looked at Professor Oak and nodded agreeing to his words
"Okay" Ash said allowing the girls to help him going back to bed, where he feel asleep seconds later
"We don't have to worry" said Professor Oak "It's pretty dark now. Even Team Tenebris need to sleep and they won't risk walking through Mount Silver now as well"
"Yes" said Lorelei "They will probably start their trip by the morning"
"Let's call it a day" said Professor Oak "Come on girls let's let Ash sleep"
"Can we stay with him?" asked Dawn
"Please?" asked May
"Well… I don't see why not" said Professor Oak "Right Lorelei?"
"Whatever" Lorelei said leaving the room
"Thank you Professor" said Serena
"Good night girls" he said also leaving the room "Watch over him okay"
Dawn, May and Serena just nodded to him and then turned their attention to the man they loved
"He seems so different" said May
"It's been three years" said Serena
"And even though he seems different… he is still the same" said Dawn
The girls looked at each other and all blushed
"Should we talk now about…." Started Serena
"About us and Ash?" said Dawn
"That's right" said Serena
"Maybe we won't have another chance" said May
"How do you two fell about him?" said Serena "I know you like him… but how deep is it?"
"I can say for myself" said May "I love this man. With all my heart"
"I love him" said Dawn "There's nothing I wouldn't do for him"
"What about you Serena?" asked May
"Ash is the first and only man I've ever loved" said Serena "There's no reason to say more"
They all looked at each other once more. How would they manage to keep this "competition" fair without ruining their friendship?
"Starting tomorrow… Ash will be focusing on bring Lance back and defeat Team Tenebris" said Dawn "Would it be wrong to tell him how we feel before we leave?"
"I think so" said May "We could make him lose focus"
"May is right" said Serena "Let's not say a word about it until we get back. Agreed?"
Serena reached her hand to Dawn and May as if she wanted to sign an official agreement between them. May and Dawn smiled and put their hands over Serena's
"Agreed" said May
"Agreed" said Dawn
They all smiled and looked at Ash. Poor Ash… if he only knew he was in the middle of a "battle" maybe even more dangerous than going after Team Tenebris
IN THE MORNING
Ash once more opened his eyes to found himself laid down on the hospital bed, but this time he was feeling some pressure over his body. He looked around and saw May, Serena and Dawn sleeping with their heads on his chest. Had they stayed with him all night? He couldn't help but felt good and warm
"Girls?" he asked softly "Are you awake?"
May and Serena didn't move, but Dawn slowly started to wake up, and then realizing Ash was already awake started talking to him
"Good morning Ash" said softly either to not wake May and Serena up "How are you felling?"
"Very good" Ash answered "Yesterday I was feeling really bad… but today… I feel no more pain"
"It's so good to hear this" she said smiling
"Should we wake them up? Asked Ash pointing to May and Serena
Dawn looked at them. She was going to respect their deal… but having a moment with Ash would be so good now
"No" Dawn answered "Let them sleep"
"Are you sure?" he asked
"Yes" Dawn answered "Can you sit without wake them up? So we can talk face to face?"
"I think so" said Ash moving his body very gentle to not wake May and Serena up and sitting on the bed "So… what do you want to talk about?"
"You of course" said Dawn "It's been three years since we last saw each other. I think we have a lot of things to catch up"
"Right. About that…" said Ash "I am sorry for not keep in touch as I promised"
Dawn saw that Ash seemed really bad for that, she was still mad, but since Lance's explanations… she understood his reasons
"It's okay Ash. I understand" Dawn said "Lance told us how was like in the Temple of Dragons"
Ash's eyes went from sad to happy with Dawn's answer
"Thank you Dawn you are the best" Ash said making Dawn blush "If May and Serena weren't sleeping on my legs, I would give you a hug"
"Those bitches" She thought "Thanks God they were heavy sleepers"
"Are you okay Dawn?" asked Ash "You seem a little angry. Sorry to say I would hug you"
"Have you gone crazy? I would love getting a hug from you" said Dawn red
"So… come you here" Ash said
Dawn got up from her chair silently and walked to the top of the bed where Ash was sit. As soon as she reached him, she felt his arms around her neck and his cheek against hers
"Thank you for understand" said Ash
Dawn hugged him back and felt her face getting hot and then hotter, she must have exceeded the safe allowed level of blushing on earth
"You are very welcome Ash" said Dawn
They remained like that for a couple of seconds until Dawn pull Ash away to look into his eyes. How she loved those brown eyes, they were mesmerizing
"Oh my God" Dawn though "I can't say I love him. I promised"
"Dawn?" Ash asked "Are you okay?"
Dawn didn't answer, she kept looking at him. Even though they weren't hugging anymore their arms were still around each other necks
"If I kiss him now, will it be too strange for him?" thought Dawn "I want so much to kiss him"
"Dawn?" Ash asked "Are you okay?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she started to approach her head getting close to Ash's, almost hitting his lips when…
"Dawn?" another voice said
Dawn stopped and looked at her side to see May confusedly staring at her
"What were you doing?" May asked a little angry
"I… I… was going to hug him?" she said
"Really?" asked May "Why?"
"That's my fault May" Ash said "I just wanted to thank her for being on my side on this matter. Just like you two of course"
"But you didn't hug us" said now Serena who was also awake
"Because you two were sleeping" Dawn said "I was awake"
"You surely was" said May "Weren't you?"
"What was that supposed to mean?" asked Dawn angrily
"Now you three stop" said Ash "If the problem is the hug I was going to do the same with you once you two were up"
"Ah... if the problem was only that" said Serena
"Okay now" said Ash "Let's forget this. Now that you two are awake… would you mind if I get out of bed to use the bathroom?"
"Of course not Ash" said May "Go on"
May and Serena also got up so Ash could move out of the bed. He then entered the bathroom leaving the three girls alone
"What the hell were you doing?" asked Serena to Dawn
"What? Haven't you heard him?" asked Dawn "He was hugging me to thank me for being on his side"
"Do you really want us to buy that?" asked May
"It's not my words. It's his words. Why shouldn't you?" asked Dawn
"But you really took advantage of the situation" said Serena
Dawn had no words to say. After all they were right
"Okay, okay" said Dawn "Maybe I let myself being taken by the moment. But nothing happened. I am sorry"
Serena and May looked at each other like they were talking by mind
"Do you believe her?" asked Serena to May
"I know her for a long time" said May "I do believe her"
"Thank you guys" said Dawn in relief
"But just in case…" said May "I think Serena and I also deserve a solo moment with Ash"
"What?" asked Dawn "What solo moment? You two were right over there"
"But we were asleep as you said" said Serena "I agree with May"
"Oh… fine" said Dawn "But don't try to kiss him. Because I didn't"
"Can I be next?" asked May to Serena
"Okay" said Serena
"So please… can you two get out of here?" May asked smiling
"Now?" asked Dawn "You're doing it now?"
"Yes. Why not" May said "We're leaving soon. I think there will be no other chance"
"Why do you enjoy torturing me like?" said Dawn leaving the room being followed by Serena
"Not more than five minutes May" said Serena "Dawn didn't stay that long"
"Fine" said May "It will be enough"
The two girls left the room leaving May alone waiting for Ash, who didn't take long to appear from the bathroom and got confused when saw May alone, standing there like she was waiting for him
"Hi Ashy" said May softly "Can we talk for a moment?"