It's finally done! Thank you all of you for being patient, I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 5 The Quest Begins -

"Whe- where am I?" May asked as her consciousness gradually returned to her. Slowly sitting back up she rubbed her head as she examined her surroundings and found herself lying on a small twin sized bed inside yet another dimly lit cell. Scooting herself back a little ways on the bed she felt the unpleasant feeling of something sticking her in the back. Turning around she saw one of the springs of the bed had busted through the mattress. Moving off it she again looked around "Hello," she called, swinging her legs over the side of the mattress "Is anybody out there?" The only response she received was the echo of her own voice.

Looking around May noticed something in the corner "My bag!" she exclaimed, seeing it filled May with hope for a chance to escape. Jumping up on her feet she suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot up from her ankle, crying out in pain she collapsed back onto the bed holding her ankle. As the pain slowly began to subside May again tried to put a little bit of pressure on it, but found that even the slightest amount of weight she put on it caused her severe pain. Looking around she finally decided her only option would be to crawl.

Slowly she edged her way off the bed hands first, being extremely careful to not let her foot slip. She made it almost completely off the bed before her foot got caught onto one of the bed springs. Without thinking she quickly yanked it off, just the act of pulling her foot off the spring was enough to make her cringe in pain.

Dragging herself across the floor she made her way over to the corner of the room where her bag was laying. Sitting back up she placed the bag on her lap and quickly unzipped it, her heart sank when she looked inside.

"Nothing…absolutely nothing," Her heart became heavy as she said this, and all hope of her escaping by herself vanished in less than a second. Looking inside the empty bag she began to fell an anger welling up inside her, snatching the bag she hurled it across the room. The bag slammed against the wall and slowly slid down to the ground.

May felt her eyes begin to water, all the anger inside her was suddenly replaced by a flood of tears and self pity. May buried her face in her hands, and began sobbing quietly to herself until she heard someone stop in front of the cell "May please don't cry, it makes me sad when you cry." A sarcastic voice called from the outside of the cell. May, with tears still flowing down her checks looked up towards the voice.

Standing on the other side of the cell bars was none other than Drew, he smiled slyly as he flipped his hair at her "So enjoying the room?" he asked "Although I'm sure you'd enjoy it more with me in there wouldn't you?" May's anger came back to her as she whipped away her tears "What the hell do you want you creep!"Drew looked down and let out a disappointed sigh "Oh you know, to be the best coordinator ever, have a smoking hot girl, and of course to become rich and famous.

You know all the things you could never be." May took off her shoe from the uninjured ankle and threw it at where Drew was standing, the shoe banged against the cell bars in front of Drew's face "How charming," Drew said as the shoe fell to the floor. May held up her hand flipping Drew off with her middle finger "Oh May you're so cute when you're angry." "Well I'm about to get real adorable in a second!" Drew laughed at this threat "What are you gonna do? Throw another shoe at me?" May didn't respond instead she clenched her fists tightly. "Well anyways, I just wanted to stop by and give you this, for old times' sake." Drew pulled out a small rose and tossed it at May's feet "You're welcome," he said quietly as he walked away.

May waited until she heard the door slam shut before picking up the rose. It had thorns running up and down its dried stem, the pedals had become wilted and where hanging limply down towards the ground. May tried to gently touch one of the pedals, only to have it crumble into small pieces. Carefully setting the rose down beside her she reached into her pocket and pulled out her half of the Terracotta Ribbon. Even in the dimly let cell it gave off a small shine. Leaning back onto the wall May placed the ribbon over her heart and closed her eyes.

As Ash lay silently in the middle of viridian forest with the only remaining light being that of the warming fire he used to look quietly at his end of the Terracoatta ribbon thinking deeply to himself about May. Then closing his eyes he allowed himself to reflect back onto the day's recent events.

"We must hurry Ash Ketchum, this way!" Lancelot yelled as he ran up a large flight of wooden stairs that had been carved into the side of the hill. Holding his newly acquired sword in his right hand Ash sprinted up the steep stairs trying to catch up with Lancelot.

Arthur had since departed, returning back to the court in order to direct the chaos that was taking place. "So where are we going?" Ash asked while running alongside Lancelot "We're heading towards the Blacksmith shop, in order to get new equipment." Lancelot replied picking up his pace.

Finishing a few steps behind Lancelot Ash now found himself standing in front of a large town. The houses here were simple in there construction, most were made of wood and had straw roofs with small stone chimney's sticking out from the top. "This way," Lancelot said walking towards a large building that stood towards the middle of the town, a small sign hung on the outside of it depicting a black anvil with a hammer lying across it.

Approaching the building Ash could hear the loud clanging of someone hitting metal with a hammer, along with the strong stench of charcoal. A short and stubby man who's apron and face was painted in black smoke suddenly walked out of the building to great them "Lancelot, what brings ye hear on these most troubling of hours?" He asked in a low raspy voice "We come in need of supplies," "Then you've come to the right place! Come now and let me show ye what I have."

Ash began to follow Lancelot inside, but Lancelot turned around and stopped him "Ash, down the road a little ways there is a small market filled with a variety of different foods. What I need you to do is to go down there and collect about a week's worth of food for the journey." Lancelot then pulled out a small leather sack from his belt and handed it to Ash "That there should be enough money for whatever food you intend to buy and please don't squander the money on things other than food ok?" "No it's not ok, I'm not some kind of errand boy that you can send too do your work for you," Ash angrily protested. "Look, do you want to rescue your friend or not?" "Of course I do." "Then take this money and go buy the food so we can leave faster and rescue her." Lancelot said holding out the sack of coins. Ash reluctantly took the coins, snatching them out of Lancelot's hand.

"There's a good boy." Lancelot teased while lightly slapping Ash's cheek. Ash felt his face go red with anger, but before he could do anything Lancelot walked inside slamming the door behind him. "Bitch," Ash grumbled as he began walking down the road.

As Ash casually walked down the long road he began to notice that the few people that were on it would stop and stare at him as if he were some kind of strange new spectacle. Ignoring it Ash continued walking until he reached the market. The market was unlike any he had seen before, it wasn't a single building as he expected but instead a collection of small canopy's that had an assortment of different fruits and vegetables lain out onto the wooden tables below them. A large crowd of people standing almost shoulder to shoulder was gathered inside of it and grabbing everything that was within their reach.

No one paid much attention to Ash as he began to weave his way through the crowd, as they were more concerned with their own well being. Ash looked around trying to find a stand that didn't have too many people crowding around it. Eventually he came to a small fruit stand that only had three people standing around it along with a grey bearded elderly gentle man standing behind the table. Looking at all the delicious food that lay before him Ash turned to his small Pikachu "So see anything you like?" Ash asked "Pi Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed pointing to a small vine of red grapes. "Ah! Your Pikachu has a good eye there stranger." Ash looked up at the elderly gentlemen standing behind the table "These here grapes were grown from the most fertile of soil in the finest vineyard the world has never known," he continued. "Well they sound delicious." Ash replied.

The elderly gentleman took the vine of grapes and plucking two of them offered them to Ash and Pikachu "They taste better than they sound I assure you." Ash smiled at this and gratefully took the two grapes, he handed one of the grapes to Pikachu who happily gobbled it down and let out a joyful "Chaaaa!" upon hearing this Ash eagerly tried one for himself. He was met with a sweetness that not even candy could mimic. "Wow these are hands down one of the best things I've ever tried!" Ash exclaimed. The man smiled widely at this compliment.

Ash being impressed reached into his pocket and pulled out the small sack of coins "So how much for the whole vine?" Ash asked rummaging through the sack of coins "No charge, I want you to have them." Ash looked at the man astonished "Are you sure? I mean I'm fine with paying for them it's really no trouble at all." "Nonsense, I think a fine young man such as yourself is deserving of such a wonderful treat." The man then took out a small basket made of straw and placed the grapes inside. "Here you are," The man said offering the basket to Ash. Ash graciously took the basket from the man and setting his sword down extended his hand towards him. The man smiled and shook Ash's hand "Thank you mister…." Ash suddenly realized he didn't even know the man's name "Merlin," The man said continuing to shake Ash's hand. "Well Merlin my name is Ash Ketchum and it's truly a pleasure to have met you." "And likewise young Sir Knight," Merlin replied letting go of Ash's hand. "Oh um I'm not really a Knight," Ash said picking up his sword. Merlin gave him a confused look "But you carry a great sword, so you must be a Knight of the round table." "No I'm just guy trying to find his girlfriend and it just so happened that I came across this sword." Merlin nodded at this "Well then in that case I wish you luck on your journey Ash." Ash tipped his hat to Merlin then continued on his way down the market.

Walking through the market Ash again noticed how people would stop what they were doing just to witness him pass by. Ash continued to ignore it as he filled his basket up with apples, bread, and something called salted meat. Towards the end of the market was a small table that was selling honey in little glass jars. As Ash was getting ready to buy a couple when suddenly he felt someone tightly grabbing him on the shoulder, Ash immediately whirled around ready to fight. "Whoa take it easy Ash it's only me Riley," Riley said with his hands raised.

Ash let out a sigh of relief and allowed himself to relax "Sorry, you just startled me is all." "Well who'd you expect?" Riley said with a slight chuckle "Well uh I uh-." Riley stopped him "I'm just messing with you man, but seriously what is all this?" Riley said pointing to the basket "You running errands for people now or what?" Ash looked down at the basket and began to feel embarrassed that he had been caught doing someone else's chores

"No I'm getting food for the long journey ahead of me." Ash said in a lame attempt to play it off cool, but Riley became intrigued when he heard the word journey. "Oh a Journey you say, what kind of journey and where?" Ash shrugged his shoulders "Hey man all I do is run errands for people I couldn't possibly know anything about this journey." Ash said turning his back to Riley. "Oh come on surely you can't be serious." Riley persisted. Ash turned to face him, and looking him dead in the eye said "I am serious and don't call me Shirley." Riley gave him a bewildered look "Huh? What are talking about Ash, who's Shirley?" "No you see it's a joke, I was referencing a line from a movie." Riley still had had no clue what he was talking about "Never mind man, just forget about it." Ash said as he began to walk back up the market.

"Well anyways Ash, I just wanted to say that if you're planning on going on some crazy sort of journey to rescue a couple of damsels in distress then I'm going to." Ash turned back around to Riley "Riley are you absolutely sure about this?" "Of course I am!" Riley exclaimed as if he were offended "Because you know when we start this thing there's no turning back. Everywhere you look there's going to be some sort of danger waiting and I can't promise you that you'll make it back." Riley scoffed at this "Ash none of this frightens me I'm ready to carry out any task no matter what the danger." "Any task huh?" "Yes any task." Ash smiled at this "Good because your first task is to carry this basket." Ash said shoving the basket into Riley's chest. "Thanks Riley," Ash said turning his back to him and setting back off to the other side of the market.

With Riley following behind Ash they traveled back through the market and up to the blacksmith's shop where Lancelot was waiting for him. Lancelot looked a little surprised when he saw Riley following behind Ash "Squire Riley what are you doing here, you should be inside the court with Arthur, helping the injured." Riley froze in his steps and nervously began trying to explain himself "Well you see Sir I heard that you and Ash were going on a journey to rescue a couple of damsel's and I thought I could be of some help." Lancelot looked at Riley, pondering to himself whether or not he should allow him to come. "Well, I guess we could always use an extra set of hands, wouldn't you agree Ash?" Lancelot asked looking over at Ash "Yea sure I think Riley should be allowed to come, we could defiantly use the help and besides he said he was willing to complete any task no matter what the danger." "Is that so?" Lancelot said turning back to Riley "Well then Riley, with that kind of commitment I guess it would be a crime not to let you come with us."

Riley grinned from ear to ear, then clasping both his hands together got down on both knees "Thank you so much Sir I promise no matter what happens I won't let you down ever!" He exclaimed.

Lancelot rolled his eyes at this "Alright alright quit your groveling, we still have much work to do. Ash you collected the food like I requested, right?" Ash replied by pointing towards the basket that Riley was holding "Alright good, now put this on." Lancelot said pulling out a small leather belt and tossing to Ash.

"What's this for?" Ash asked holding the belt out in front of him "That there is for your sword, it's embarrassing to see you carrying it around by hand." Ash quickly put the belt through the loops in his jeans. On the left side of the belt where two leather loops that could be tightened, Ash slid his sword through them and tightened it into place.

As Ash finished tightening the straps around his sword the short stubby black smith from before suddenly rounded the corner. This time though he wasn't alone, walking triumphantly beside him was a magnificent orange and black Arcanine and behind it trotted a large masculine Tauros.

The Arcanine upon seeing Lancelot sprinted towards him at a seemingly uncontrollable speed but somehow halted to an immediate stop only an inch away from his Lancelot's face. The mighty beast bowed its head down low before Lancelot allowing him to stroke its golden mane.

"Ash, Riley, This is Animus my greatest and most trusted companion who has been with me through many dangers." Ash was astounded at the sheer size of it, never had he seen an Arcanine as well built as the one that was now standing before him.

"Here ye are Lancelot, a Tauros along wit all your belongings strapped onto it just like ye asked." The blacksmith said handing the reigns of the Tauros over to Lancelot. "Good luck on yer quest there Lancelot, may you bring our dear Queen Guinevere back in one piece." The blacksmith said before departing back inside the building.

"Wait, so you mean to tell me Guinevere is the damsel in distress?" Riley asked his face in complete shock "How is this even possible?" he continued. Lancelot let out a long sigh "It's the work of Mordred, it seems he's become bold enough to strike us when we least expect it." "Bold or not he still shouldn't have been able to hurt us with what little power he still holds!" Lancelot approached Riley still holding onto the reigns of the Tauros took the basket from Riley's hands then strapping it onto the side of the Tauros continued.

"It seems Mordred has somehow managed to make new allies, allowing him to extend his reach even here." Lancelot said turning back to Riley. "So I guess this Morded or whatever his name is has somehow managed to ally himself with Shadow?" Ash asked. Lancelot shook his head "No Ash, I'm afraid Mordred and Shadow are the same exact person." Ash was surprised by this revelation and had to allow himself to moment to take this news in. Finally he threw his hands up in the air "Well that's just fantastic Lancelot, so now not only are we dealing with a maniac, where dealing with a maniac that has a severe case of multiple personality disorder, could this get any better!"

Lancelot and Riley both exchanged confused looks "Right…Well anyways we've spent enough time talking about this and if we are ever to reach Viridian Forest by night fall were going to have to leave now." Lancelot said walking over to his Arcanine and placing himself on its back. Riley seeing this pulled out one of his Pokeballs and tossed it onto the air, a small beam of white light shot out of the Pokeball and once cleared reveled the beautiful fire Pokémon Rapidash. Riley quickly jumped on its back and trotted it over to were Lancelot was standing.

Ash looked from Lancelot to Riley, and then back again to Lancelot "So uh, I don't mean to be a bother but it seems that you guys have two ride able Pokémon and I don't." Lancelot looked down at Ash smirking "Don't worry Ash you get the privilege of riding the Tauros back there." Ash looked back at the Tauros who let out an aggressive smoke filled snort while slowly kicking its front leg back.

"I think I'd rather walk." Lancelot again shook his head "Nope sorry Ash, were on a tight schedule and we haven't the time to get you another Pokémon." Ash looked over at Riley who simply shrugged his shoulders. "Fine, ok then," Ash said finally giving in. Ash turned back to the Tauros and began to cautiously draw nearer. "Hey there...Bob, you don't mind if I call you bob do I." Ash said nervously as he walked closer towards the Tauros. The Tauros eyed Ash with menacing look as he approached him. Slowly Ash pulled himself onto the back of the Tauros.

The Tauros shook itself a little as Ash got on, but showed no other signs of aggression. Lancelot was satisfied at the outcome turned his attention back to the road "Alright were all set, let's go!" Lancelot dug his heels into the side of the Arcanine, who let out a mighty roar then bolted off down the steps. Riley dug his heels into the side of his Rapidash who got up on stood up on its two legs and letting out a loud neigh taking off behind Lancelot. Ash decided to copy the other two by also digging his heels into the sides of the Tauros. Immediately the Tauros charged forward at full speed nearly throwing Ash off its back. Ash leaned himself forward onto the Tauros holding on for dear life. "This is bullshit!" Ash yelled as the Tauros charged past Lancelot.

Ash slowly opened his eyes again and found himself beside the now dwindling fire. Slowly sitting himself up he looked around the camp. Everyone but him was laying in there sleeping bags sound asleep. As the campfire began to burn down to the last coal Ash allowed himself to lay back down and look at the Terracotta Ribbon one last time in the fading light "Don't worry May I'm coming for you." Ash said before he placed the ribbon back into his pocket and closed his eyes.

Well folks I'm finally finished with the 5th chapter. After hours of long and strenuous rewrites I finally decided to cut the chapter in half and split it into two chapters. Hopefully I'll never keep you guy's waiting this long ever again, but I can't promise you I wont. Anyways thank you everyone for bearing with me and I'll try to have the next chapter out pretty soon.

Thank You

-AshandMay17