Ash felt something touching his face. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Pikachu looking at him. Pikachu suddenly smiled.

"Pika!"

"Pikachu?" Ash slowly got up. His body was very sore. Ash looked around and saw Hana and May. "Hana!" Ash painfully walked over to her and examined her. He sighed when he saw she sustained no injuries.

He went over to May. She also didn't sustain any serious injuries, just a cut on her leg and that's it. Ash sighed as he sat down next to Pidgeot and Espeon, who were injured and unconscious. Ash petted the Pokemon's head, thanking them for their hard work. Once he regained some of his energy, he would heal them. He looked back at Pikachu and smiled, and Pikachu smiled back and sat next to Ash. Ash then noticed Lucario.

"Lucario, can you fill me in on what happened after we fell into the ocean?" Ash asked, not bothering to ask telepathically.

Lucario nodded. "After Pidgeot was hit, you were able to protect both May and Hana. I was able to patch you all up."

Ash released a breath he was holding and looked at his surroundings. It seems they were on Sophian Coast. That was good. At least it wouldn't take long to get to the Aqua Resort.

Ash looked back at Lucario and realized something. "How were we saved?"

Lucario simply pointed behind Ash. Ash turned around and saw Manectric in his giant glory. He was glaring at Ash who blinked before smiling. He got up and walked over to Manectric, who took a step back. But Ash kept stepping forward. Ash put his hand on Manectric's head.

"Thank you so much. For saving them. I owe you my gratitude and more," Ash said. Manectric's expression turned shocked and Ash felt his mind ache. He stumbled back and put a hand to his head and when he opened his eyes, he and Manectric were the only ones around.

Is this…another power of aura?

Manectric raised his paw and Ash looked at it before smiling and placing his hand against Manectric's huge paw. Soon there was a bright flash and everything around Ash returned.

"I'm glad that I have your trust Manectric. Know you have mine as well," Ash said. Manectric nodded and laid down. Having a giant Pokémon on your side would be a great asset. Ash turned to Lucario. "Is there anything else I should know?"

Lucario seemed to think. "Nothing that I can recall Master."

Ash nodded and looked at Pikachu, who seemed to be in perfect shape despite landing in water. Ash realized Manectric must have restored some of Pikachu's energy. Ash looked back at Pidgeot and Espeon and started using his aura to heal them with some assistance from Lucario.

"I'm going to start camp. It's clear that we cannot reach the Aqua Resort today," Ash said, watching the sun go down over the beach. Ash frowned as he realized that camping near the beach was not a safe thing to do, as Pokémon that aren't even native to Oblivia come to the region.

It was the next morning when Ash woke up and he saw everyone else was still sleeping. Ash got up and started packing everything so they can finally go to the Aqua Resort and rent their much awaited hotel room and buy May her much awaited new clothes.

It was almost lunch when Hana woke up. She looked around and saw everyone sleeping. She looked up and saw her dad. Ash noticed she woke up and jumped down. Hana ran up to him and started crying.

"Daaaaddyyy! I was so scared!" Hana sobbed as Ash hugged her.

"Everything is fine Hana. I told you, as long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you," Ash said, his words comforting Hana as she calmed down.

"I was so scared for you, daddy!" Ash was surprised. "You could have died…I was so worried…"

"Hana, don't ever worry about me. I'm strong, the best. It will take more than an overgrown Pokemon to best me," Ash said before gesturing to Manectric. "I even got one on our side." As soon as Ash said that Hana perked up and looked over to Manectric who woke up. She ran towards him and started petting him. Manectric was surprised but didn't mind the affection.

"Ugh, I feel like Max cooked for me again," May groaned as she woke up. Ash turned around and saw May stretching.

"Glad you finally woke up," Ash said walking towards her.

May stood up and looked at Ash. "Uh, where are we? Wait…that Altaria! Is everyone okay!?"

Ash nodded and gestured to everyone, Manectric and Tyrantrum playing with Hana, Lucario standing on a tree, and Pidgeot and Espeon still sleeping. May sighed in relief then looked back at Ash.

"You're really strong Ash," May said.

Ash raised an eyebrow. "You didn't think I was strong when I won the Championships?"

"No I mean, to be able to fight while our lives were on the line…that's really brave," May looked down.

"It's that determination to make sure you two stay safe that makes me strong. Though I can't help but feel there's more to your statement then I think," Ash said. It seemed like May was thinking about the past.

"It's just, a couple years ago. I was being threatened," May said. She really didn't like thinking about the past anymore. The past had been so painful for her ever since Ash left.

"What happened?" Ash asked, he was surprised that May actually encountered serious problems in her journeys. He thought bad things only happened when he was around because he was some 'chosen one' or something.

"These…business people invested a lot of money onto me for winning. And when I barely, barely beat Solidad in the semi-finals of the Grand Festival of Unova, they kidnapped Max." Ash's eyes widened. He never thought that something like this could happen to the two. "And…they said if I don't win the finals against Dawn, they'd kill him. So when I went into the finals, I was scared. And I knew that Max's life depended on me. But I choked, made a mistake and it cost me. If it weren't for dad, Max wouldn't be alive." May had tears running down her cheeks now.

"He's alive now May. And that's what's important. Just think of the match and nothing else, not matter what's at stake, just think, fight, and do your best. I'm sorry though. I didn't mean to bring up the past," Ash sighed then smiled. "Come on, we need to get to the Aqua Resort soon to get you some new clothes."

May perked up at the mention of shopping and they were all soon on their way to the Aqua Resort. Espeon was on Ash's shoulder, occasionally rubbing her head against his cheek and in return Ash petted her head. Pikachu was in Hana's arms who was happily skipping along and May was talking to Ash who told her about the Aqua Resort.

They soon arrived at the Aqua Resort and May was amazed at all the people walking around. She would have thought that it would have much less people because of how Oblivia is secluded from the rest of the world. She noticed a huge mountain just outside the Resort as well. Ash and Hana started walking and she quickly caught up to them to follow.

"And this is one of the clothing stores," Ash pointed to the store before entering with the two girls.

A young woman noticed them. "Ash, what can I do for you?" The girl was wearing a Wingull-themed outfit.

"Ah Supurna. Surprised to see you here. Anyways, my friend May needs some new clothes. Care to show her around?" Ash asked the girl, Supurna.

Supurna bowed. "I am honoured Ash. Now shall we Miss May?" May looked at Ash who nodded and looked down at Hana who walked to Supurna.

"I'll see you later," Ash said, waving before leaving with Espeon and Pikachu.

Supurna smiled at May. "Now let's get you out of those dirty clothes Miss May." Supurna started heading deeper into the store and May and Hana followed. May was amazed at all the clothes and along with Supurna and Hana, she chose the perfect outfit.

May stepped out of the changing room and did a spin. "So? What do you two think?"

Hana clapped. "You look great Miss May!"

"I agree," Supurna said, walking around her. May was now wearing a red shirt that went down to above her bellybutton along with shorts and new running shoes.

"It feels nice to wear summer clothes again…it feels nice to wear clean clothes again!" May and Supurna laughed while Hana just smiled and grabbed May's hand.

"We should go show daddy! Bye Miss Supurna!" Hana dragged May out the store, waving to Supurna.

"Bye Supurna, and thanks!" May waved as well while being dragged.

Supurna giggled. "Goodbye Hana, Miss May. It was a pleasure."

Hana dragged May onto the streets of the Aqua Resort, looking for Ash. "Where did daddy say he was going again?"

May thought back. "I don't think he told us."

"Oh that's okay. We can go shopping!" Hana exclaimed.

"But I don't have any money," May said, disappointed in the thought of not shopping.

Hana grew a large smile on her face. "Don't worry! Daddy gave me extra money for after we buy your clothes!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Hana nodded and the two went around the Aqua Resort. May was amazed at all the clothes Oblivia had that not even Sinnoh had. They spent a long time in the Aqua Resort, so long that the sun was beginning to set. Hana and May were sitting next to the pier.

"Isn't it pretty Miss May?" Hana said, looking at the sunset while the wind was blowing her hair back.

"It is…" May then remembered the last sunset she saw. "You know, it wasn't long ago I saw a sunset like this. It was before your dad won the Championship Tournament. That was when he told me about you. It was heartwarming, to hear him talk about you with such admiration and love."

Hana was looking at May while May kept looking at the sunset. Hana smiled. "I think he's beginning to like you too Miss May." May's head whipped around, looking at Hana in shock. "He's truly happy again! Something was missing, and when you decided to stay, that missing something was gone!"

"I…"

"Heehee, you like daddy, don't you?"

May blushed and looked away. "I don't…think so." May thought about it. Did her crush for Ash resurface? Why else would she risk her life just to stay near him? But it was a mere crush and nothing more…right?

"I wouldn't mind if you were my new mommy Miss May!"

May stared back at Hana in shock. "Hana!"

Hana got up and started running while laughing. May sighed and smiled and ran after her. "Hana! Wait!" May chased Hana around the Resort, thinking about Ash. Maybe she does like him. But at the moment, all that she cared about was having fun with him and Hana, as friends.

I can't really think of anything to say but sorry for the wait! Any questions, feel free to ask!

Oh yeah, I've been getting a couple of questions about Deadly Pranks, and I'd like to say that I am focusing on this story more because a) I want to finish this story more since I have an idea for it which I don't have for Deadly Pranks. Though now that I think about it, it wouldn't take too long to finish Deadly Pranks... and b) I am kinda thinking about how to write the next chapter. I'm stuck when it comes to ideas. I've gotten 870 words on the latest chapter but I like to have my chapters have a minimum of 1000 words so it isn't too short. I know some of you don't really care about length, but if it's under 1000 words I get a bit paranoid about it being too short. And that is all! Thank you for reading this chapter!