Chapter Twenty-Six: Reunion With Manaphy
The only person capable of corrupting time like this was Queen Elodie, but May scratched her head as she asked herself why. Surely a young and beautiful queen with everything that her heart desired shouldn't need to altar time in this manner. Enough was enough, and May had decided that it was time to confront Queen Elodie again. Ash had been at school studying with his friends. The more Ash kept his distance, the more that May worried about him.
Even if the fortune teller's predictions were false, May felt an urge to protect Ash from all the dangers in the world. It would be something almost impossible to achieve because of the fact that Ash attracts danger to himself.
Trucy had decided to fly over to Khura'in for the day to visit her brother at his law firm. May's friend from Sinnoh, Dawn also worked there. With Ash devoting himself to training and studying at school again, it left May with just herself and her pokémon It seemed that there was no more time alterations and everything seemed to be back to how it was before Mewtwo's false trial took place. She was starting to notice that were boyfriend had become more bolder in his attitude. Ash had always been a brave boy, but he seemed to develop a skill in charisma and romance.
May could still remember the time when they were both ten and Ash was the most unromantic guy in the world. May thought perhaps she was so used to his dense nature, that she forgot his romantic side. In the end it didn't matter, she got her beloved Ash back, and it anything was to happen to him again, she would go through Hell and back to get him. With no new cases on the go she decided to spend her morning soaking up the sun and admiring the tropical atmosphere.
Afterwards, she had decided to surprise Ash by waiting for him by the school gates. May climbed up to the hill where Ash's school was. Floating around outside the school gates was a pokémon that May had recognised from her journey in Hoenn. It was a dear friend that she hadn't seen in years. An adorable blue creature with huge round yellow eyes. May smiled as she ran up to the pokémon "MANAPHY!"
Manaphy smiled. Manaphy's eyes were filled with tears of joy as it jumped onto May's chest and hugged her tight. "May..." The pokémon's voice sounded sweet and angelic and had a strong child-like atmosphere to it. It seemed as if it were only yesterday that they said their emotional goodbyes.
"Wow, you can talk now?"
"Of course," Manaphy said. "Since the last time we met I've grown up a lot. Thanks to your love, I've grown up to be a pretty strong pokémon I've been meaning to visit you for a long time, but every time I've seen you, you've always seemed so busy."
"Oh! But you could have still said hi to me. I would have loved that."
"May," Manaphy said. "I know that you're worried about what Queen Elodie is capable off, but I want to let you know that you don't have to worry about her. She means no harm."
"What!" May gasped. "But she almost destroyed the world!"
"And that's what she's trying to change," Manaphy said with a smile on its face. "You've got to believe me. Queen Elodie is good. That's why Arceus bestowed her with an egg with a baby dialga in it."
"Arceus gave her a legendary pokémon as an egg?" May found it pretty hard to believe. "Wait, a dialga controls the power of time, right?"
Manaphy nodded. "That's right. Arceus gave her the egg as a gift to celebrate her coronation when she was 15 years old. She's lived a very sad and lonely life. I'm glad she was able to turn her life around. It's also amazing that you remember the events that took place before Queen Elodie's time alterations" Manaphy floated around May and ran towards the cliff where the glistening oceans could be seen in full view. Manaphy twirled around and floated its body towards the tip of the cliff.
"Manaphy!" May cried out, panting for breath as she tried to catch up with it. "Where are you taking me."
"Somewhere a bit more quieter."
"I didn't think the school was that noisy."
"May... there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time."
"What is it?"
"You behold a very special power..."
"I know," May responded holding her hand to her heart. "The women in my biological family are spirit mediums. I've been too scared to use it. The last time I tried to channel a spirit, my friends got hurt."
"I know about that," Manaphy said. "But that's not what I mean. You know that your friend Trucy can perform magic, right?"
"Of course, she's a magician: the best one I know."
"You're both witches," Manaphy confirmed. "Only witches with immense talent can be able to retain their memories from such extreme time alterations like these."
May could not believe it. May remembered the last time Trucy saved her life a couple of days ago. According to the alternate timeline, it never happened. Queen Elodie's magic attack could have burnt her to crisp but Trucy deflected the attack with her cape so effortless it didn't even leave a scratch. May always knew that Trucy was a cut above the rest when it came to magicians, but what she saw that day was unbelievable magic defence. "Me? May Maple, a witch? Trucy I can understand, but not me? I can't even bend spoons with my mind."
"Just because you haven't used them yet doesn't mean that you don't have it," Manaphy assured May. "From the first time I met you I sensed a lot of spiritual power with you. I'm not surprised that you were born into the Fey clan. And how else can you drink seventeen cups of black coffee a day for five years without messing up your body system."
"It did catch up with me in the end," May admitted. "I did have a heart attack."
"I think it was also the stress as well," Manaphy said. "Being a witch doesn't make you immune to health problems, sadly. You see, Ash had to encounter Hades that night in order to stop the war."
"Why Ash of all people?"
"Arceus wants to test his skills."
"His skills as a pokémon trainer?"
Manaphy nodded. "It seems no matter how much Queen Elodie tries to altar time, there's something that she just can't change. Elodie was trying to change someone's fate."
"What fate is that?"
"I can't say," Manaphy said. "Only Arceus knows." Manaphy stared at the glaring sun for a few seconds before looking at May again with a big smile. "Would you like to see my children?"
"You have children?" May raised an eyebrow, but she smiled. "I'd love to see them."
"Come on out children!" Manaphy cried out. "Come and say hello to Grandma May!"
"G-GRANDMA?" May shrieked She jumped as she gritted her teeth. "I don't even have any children yet," she muttered under her breath. The anger didn't last very long as she quickly saw the adorable flock of phione bop their heads out of the water. A dozen blue arms waved at May.
"I hope I didn't offend you," Manaphy said, covering its mouth with worry. "It's just that I've always considered you as a mother. And when you think about it, all pokémon trainers are technically parents to their pokémon"
"You're right, I've never thought about it in that way before."
"As a lawyer you need to have a creative mind," Manaphy existed "That's why you do such a great job. Anyway, I've got to go now. I hope to see you soon, May!"
May giggled as she waved at Manaphy. "Me too! Please come and see me again!"
"You there!"
A voice cried out behind May. She quickly turned around and saw a young woman who appeared to be in her early thirties dressed as a teenager. The woman was pointing a bat at her.
"Yes, you called me?" May said. As she approached the woman her appearances became more noticeable Fishnet tights, skimpy shorts, white top and a jacket. Her clothes were half red and half blue. Her face was covered in make up and she had so much eye make up on it appeared to be melting from her face. Boldly written across her chest was the words: Daddy's Lil Monster. "Who are you?"
The mysterious lady giggled. "I'm Harley Quinn. You're Ash Ketchum's girlfriend, right?"
May nodded.
"That's great!" Harley Quinn placed the bat by her side as she ran up to May and gave her a massive hug as if they were best friends.
"Do I know you?" May asked, squinting her face.
"You'll get to know me soon," Harley Quinn whispered manically. "I've got a proposal for you."
May dreaded to hear that was was going to say. "What is it?"
"Defend my boyfriend in court otherwise I will kill yours."
"WHAT!" May screamed. She threw her fist at Harley Quinn who swiftly dodged the punch with her bat. "OUCH!" The bat had left a direct impact on her knuckles leaving them red and sore. "That's just crazy! Where is Ash! What have you done to him? He should be at school."
Harley Quinn giggled again. "Oh you're so cute when you're angry. But chillax man. He's in my secret layout. Don't worry he's safe as long you listen to me."
"This must have been the fate Manaphy was on about," May said to herself.
"What was that?" Harley Quinn screeched.
"Uh... I said I'd do it."
"Great." Harley Quinn smirked. "That was nice and easy."
"But before I take the case on, I have to know more about your boyfriend and what he's been accused off."
"Oh he's been accused of killing some nobleman. His daughter is some sort of Queen. Anyway here's the deal. You defend my boyfriend in court, I'll give you loads of money that you can use to shop for your heart's content."
May shook her head. "I don't care about the money!" May declared at the top of her voice. "I just want my boyfriend safe. Will you promise that you'll release him as soon as your boyfriend gets an acquittal?"
Harley Quinn nodded. "Of course I will. But if you fail to save my boyfriend, I will kill yours...Damn." Harley Quinn gulped as she looked away from May's fiery stare. "You really are full of morality: you're one tough cookie."
"If you want me to help, then I have to know the truth. Is your boyfriend innocent?"
"Well duh!" Harley Quinn waved her hands as she continued laughing. She squeed. "Even though you look so pissed off you look so cute. I'm excited for this trial to be honest. You see, people like Batman talk bad about my boyfriend, but he's just jealous of his prosperity."
"BATMAN!" May bellowed. "Don't tell me that your boyfriend is..."
"The one and only."
May wanted to scream the whole island down. It would never sink in when she realised that she had to do. In order to save Ash's life, she would have to defend one of the worlds most notorious criminals and a colourful villain She would have to represent The Joker. A lot of questions were wandering inside her mind right now. What were The Joker and Harley Quinn doing in Alola? Why did they chose her as the lawyer? What do they want with Ash? Has it got anything to do with Queen Elodie? Only time would tell.
"Take me to him," May demanded. "Regardless of your boyfriend's past, if he didn't commit the crime, then I'll find out who did it."
Harley Quinn smirked as she opened her hand for a shake. "Then I guess we have a deal?"
The two woman shake hands in a firm grip. May knew it would be something that she would regret for a long time. With heavy reluctance she said in a bold voice, "It's a deal!"
Meanwhile in a family home located in Littlewood Town, a man and his wife sit quietly on a green couch. Their names were Norman and Caroline Maple. Photos of their children, May and Max were scattered all over their living room. Their most recent picture to add to their collection was a clipping of a newspaper with May on the front cover. Littlewood Town considered May a local hero for saving people from false convictions. Their daughter had become a pioneer in the world of law.
"I hope May's enjoying her holiday," Caroline said. "She deserves a rest after all the hard work she's done."
"Knowing May, she'll probably end of getting work."
"That would be a shame. She should be soaking up in the sun and seeing all the attractions."
"I agree, but if May sees someone in need then she will step in to help."
"Good afternoon!" An old man with silver hair, long hair and a long beard and dressed in white robes appeared before them. The couple widened their eyes in amazement. "I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion."
"Who is it Norman?" Caroline panted as she pressed herself against the back of the sofa. She squeezed her husband's hands tight.
"I don't know," Norman muttered. "He looks like an angel or someone dressed up for Comic Con."
"Relax, Mr. and Mrs. Maple," the old man requested in a calm and soothing voice. The man sat down on the armchair next to Caroline and his smile brought radiance to the room. "Do not be afraid, I beg you. I am Albus Dumbledore."
"Why does that name ring a bell?" Norman said.
"Before I died, I was headmaster of a very prestigious school in Scotland," Albus explained. "Since living in the heavens, I have been assigned by the gods to be your daughter's guardian angel."
"You're an angel?" Caroline cried. "Please don't take our daughter. I don't want her to end up like her other mother did."
"It's okay," Albus assured them. "I have not come to take her. It is far too early for that. You see Mr. and Mrs. Maple, I have been patiently observing your parenting since May came to your care. May has developed some very rare abilities and powerful skills. You have given her a truly splendid education."
Norman smiled. "Caroline, I think the gods up above are praising us!"
"Oh thank goodness." Caroline wiped her tears away.
"I see that May has become a defence attorney, that's not too bad. Everybody has to find their own way," said Albus. He gazed at the framed newspaper clipping. "It appears that she seems to be doing excellent in her work. I hope that May will have a happy life with Ash."
"I do too," Norman agreed. "They've been through a lot. She worked hard to get him out of prison."
"Indeed." Albus stood up and walked over to the window. "Well, Mr. and Mrs. Maple, May has grown up to be a fine woman. Nothing can bring back the daughter that you lost, but you have raised May and Max with equal love and affection. It's been a pleasure to be her guardian angel. You are both very heroic in parenting. The Fey Clan were wise to leave her in your care."
A white light flashed in the room. Albus Dumbledore vanished.