As the morning sun painted the sky with hues of gold and pink, May and Glaceon engaged in their rigorous training routine. May, with determination etched on her face, practiced her stances with precision, each movement a testament to her skill. Glaceon, her loyal Pokemon partner, eagerly joined the session, ready to challenge her partner.
"Morning," May greeted, tying her bandana around her head.
"Good morning," Glaceon responded with a smile.
"Ready to get started?"
"You bet. Gimme your best shot." With a shared understanding, they delved into the training grounds, where May's kicks and strikes echoed in the crisp morning air. Glaceon, ever agile, pounced and countered, the rhythmic dance of their practice showcasing the synchrony between them. After a while, the warm-ups were completed. Both girls were left panting and wiping the sweat from their foreheads, but they still exchanged satisfied looks.
"Now we just need a sparring partner," May mused, scanning the area. Glaceon too looked around for a moment but then titled her head curiously.
"I haven't seen Janine this morning," she commented.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen her since last night." May frowned, realization dawning as she remembered Janine's frustration with their Father praising only May's efforts the night before. Glaceon's ears drooped with concern as she came to the same realization.
"Do you think she would...?"
"She might," May replied, her expression serious. "Let's go."
"To the palace?" Glaceon questioned. May nodded determinedly before running off into the forest as Glaceon followed suit. They sprinted towards the castle, the urgency in May's steps fueled by a growing worry. As they approached the grand structure, May's mind raced with possibilities, her concern deepening. Janine's sudden disappearance raised questions, and May couldn't shake the feeling that they needed to find her quickly.
The duo of May and Glaceon soon arrived on the outskirts of the Kingdom by mid-morning. May, having been around the palace many many times in her life, moved with silent grace through the shadows as they traversed the tree branches and rooftops until finally arriving at the gates to the palace itself. May's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. Glaceon followed suit, her icy-blue gaze focused on the courtyard below.
"How will we be able to find her? We don't know if they even know she's here." Glaceon wondered.
"She's a Ninja too. You gotta look for what everyone else doesn't see," May whispered to Glaceon. Glaceon nodded, and their stealthy pursuit continued. It wasn't long before May spotted a telltale sign – a pinkish-colored scarf snagged on a tree branch in the palace courtyard. "Her scarf is snagged on that tree in the courtyard,"
"So she's definitely inside somewhere." Glaceon deduced. May nodded and, without wasting a moment, decided to infiltrate the palace, determined to find Janine. Silently slipping through an open window, May moved with the fluidity of a shadow. Glaceon perched on her shoulders and stood ready for whatever awaited them inside. The palace was eerily quiet, but May's instincts told her that the real action might be unfolding somewhere nearby. Moving through the ceiling beams of the hallways, May eventually perched herself on a chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the foyer just as two familiar faces walked in.
"Man, I am relieved," Ash confessed, his fatigue evident.
"Why? From what you've told me, that's not the same girl." Gary questioned him.
"Because when someone royally screws you over for 6 years, the 'bosses' begin questioning your employment...I just needed that win. At the end of the day, catching at least one ninja is better than none." Ash elaborated.
"Hmm..." May commented, having eavesdropped on their conversation from above. She knew that they had to have been talking about Janine. But for now, she kept silent, hoping that they would inadvertently reveal to her where her sister was being held.
"Yeah, but knowing you, it doesn't settle your score quite yet." Gary teased, always quick with a retort.
"Me and Ninja girl are never going to stop going rounds at this point..." Ash grumbled. May smiled softly to herself, amused by the banter.
"Aw. He has a nickname for me."
"Well, not with that attitude," Gary remarked with a smirk.
"After 6 years, it's not a matter of a 'better attitude,'" Ash retorted, the surprise still evident on his face.
"No, it's a matter of better strategy." Gary countered.
"Oh yeah like that's gonna just drop out of the sky for me." Ash groaned. However, as if on cue, the chandelier supporting May silently detached from the wall, sending her down in a dramatic entrance in front of Ash and Gary. As May was dropped into the midst of the duo, all three people were left momentarily stunned. May was the first to recover from the surprise and tried to take that advantage.
"Blizzard!" May exclaimed, alerting her partner. However, the impact of the fall left the Ice-type Pokemon momentarily dizzy and May's eyes widened as she saw Pikachu take advantage of the opportunity instead and quickly had Glaceon pinned down by his Iron Tail. Ash, after recovering from the surprise, followed Pikachu's lead and tried to grab May, but she skillfully dodged his attempt. However, thinking fast, he quickly spun his staff low and swiped May's feet from under her. She stumbled and fell to the ground in surprise. "Ah!" Seizing the opportunity, Ash frantically crawled on top of her and pinned her wrists behind her back.
"The game ends here!" he declared. Despite having more agility, May knew that Ash had more raw strength than she did. So she knew struggling against his grip wouldn't yield her anything. Instead, she glanced back at him and gave him a sly smile.
"You know, this is typically the position where someone removes their bottoms. You want to do it or should I?" she teased, maintaining her playful demeanor.
"Fat chance," Ash retorted, holding her firmly and displaying an unusual determination. May, undeterred, still continued her playful banter.
"Too bad. We both know how badly you want to though." she chuckled.
"I got what I want right here," he assured her as he pulled her up, pinning her arms behind her back.
"I knew you wanted me Aura Boy, but I didn't know it was this serious. We simply must plan that date you asked me for." she laughed.
"Fortunately for you, you'll have plenty of time. In the dungeons." he retorted.
"As long as you visit I suppose that's not so bad," she smirked, causing Ash to roll his eyes and groan.
"Would you shut up for once? Gar get me some handcuffs." Ash said, turning towards his friend.
"Gotcha covered," Gary assured him as he pulled a pair from his belt. Ash used the cuff to fully restrain May as he maintained a firm grip on her but still continued holding her super close, not trusting her for a second. Smirking to herself, May suddenly turned her head and planted a kiss on his lips.
"MMPH..!" Ash gasped in surprise before he ripped his head away gagging, but his grip remained firm, determined not to lose her this time.
"That'll do for now." she decided, smiling at him. Ash shuddered uncomfortably at her antics and Gary raised an eyebrow.
"Do you want me to take her down to the dungeon for you?" he asked, offering to take the burden off Ash if only for a bit.
"Thanks but no." Ash sighed, shaking off his fluster. "I've waited years for this moment. So I'm just gonna put up with it for now…"
"If you say so." his friend nodded. With that settled, Ash started walking towards the dungeons. May did not resist and walked alongside him. She didn't resist because she knew three things for certain. She knew Ash's strength was better than her's, she knew he was taking her to the same place Janine had been taken, and she knew she liked being this close to him.
Ash opened the creaking door to the dimly lit dungeon, bringing May inside with no trouble to speak of. As May walked inside, she did a quick scan of all the cells as her footsteps echoed in the confined space. Finally, in a cell towards the back, she was greeted by the sight of Janine lying on her back on one of the small cots.
"There you are," May remarked, her tone a mixture of concern and reproach. Janine, lying on the cold floor, gave her sister a slight glance but averted her eyes, maintaining an unresponsive demeanor. May, undeterred, knelt down to Janine's level, attempting to initiate a conversation. "Come on...we could always talk."
"Of course, they know each other..." Ash complained to himself In a low murmur. Ignoring Ash's comment, May continued her attempts to connect with Janine, who remained silent.
"Come on if you can't talk to me who can you talk to?" she insisted. Again Janine did not respond. Frustrated by the two of them, Ash took charge and, with swift efficiency, placed May in the neighboring cell. He then turned to Gary with instructions.
"Tell Riley and the King I got her,"
"On it." Gary nodded before heading off. May glanced through the bars as she observed Ash's sigh as he took a seat to wait for Gary's return. Smirking a little to herself, she spoke up.
"Hey Aura Boy, shouldn't he take these with him?" she suddenly tossed Gary's handcuffs towards Ash. Startled by the revelation, Ash bolted upright, and May, with a sly smile, plopped down on the cot in her cell. Fuming, Ash rushed to the cell door and growled at her.
"Where is it?" Ash demanded, suspicion in his tone. May, feigning her ignorance, responded with a mischievous smile.
"Where's what?" she teased.
"Your pick," Ash clarified, his irritation evident. With a nonchalant attitude, she simply shrugged.
"You're welcome to search my body for it," she informed him.
"I will if I have to," Ash growled.
"Be my guest," she smirked. Growling, Ash stepped inside, pinning her to the wall as he began searching her pockets. May, ever the provocateur, smiled at him. "You don't have to make up excuses to spend time with me, Aura Boy," she teased. He groaned until he had a sudden realization. Slowly he turned his gaze towards her breasts in horror.
"...Please tell me you didn't…" he begged.
"Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't," she replied with a snarky shrug. Frustrated, Ash flinched as he begrudgingly reached under her top, finally discovering the lockpick.
"Mm…that's nice…" she moaned softly, her breath tantalizingly close to his neck.
"SIS!?" Janine gasped, stunned by the situation May had orchestrated. Ash jerked back in disgust at May's comment but still worked to pull the pick free even as his discomfort grew and May continued to playfully flirt. Just as he was finally about to break free from the situation, however, May seized the opportunity to kiss him, prompting a defeated moan. Then, just as the situation reached a new level of awkwardness, someone cleared their throat on the outside of the cell, bringing an end to the unexpected spectacle. Ash, bright red and flustered, finally pulled away from May as he realized they were no longer alone. The King and Queen, along with Riley and Gary were all standing outside the cell, having witnessed most of the interaction.
"Cuffs...she...pick…" Ash stammered with his face beet red with embarrassment. May smirked slightly, finding his fluster cute enough that she couldn't help but snicker.
"Just please come back out and lock the door," Riley requested, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and exasperation. Ash, stepping out, dropped the lockpick off with his mentor and promptly shut the door. Seemingly fed up, he then left the scene with Gary in tow, leaving May to face the peculiar attention from the royal couple. Caroline exchanged a silent glance with Norman, seeking confirmation that he perceived the same resemblance in May that she did. Norman wearied, responded with a knowing look.
"May, was it?" Caroline addressed her.
"What's it to ya, Queeny?" May retorted, unimpressed. Caroline, ignoring May's defiance, studied the young girl's features closely. She had no doubt now. "So do all prisoners warrant a royal visit, or am I just special?" Norman, his expression growing pale, looked at Caroline sadly, and she returned the glance with a nod of certainty. May, raising an eyebrow, observed the exchange with a hint of amusement. "Man, you guys are really attached to your stuff. I'm sure you can have another chandelier made in a few days time."
"My baby girl..." Norman whispered, on the verge of tears.
"Excuse me?" May responded, puzzled by the comment. Norman, overcome with emotion, remained silent, prompting May to inquire further, "Are you guys here to actually do anything, or just stare at me?"
"It's just…" Norman tried, stepping closer. He placed a hand on her cheek. In response, May glared daggers at him.
"You should know I don't approve of strangers touching me." she cautioned. She let the small slivers of sunlight peeking in to gleam off a concealed throwing star she was holding between her fingers, alerting them to its presence as she issued another warning, "Take your hand off me."
"...I'm sorry…" Norman responded, realizing his error, and slowly lowered his hand. As Norman complied, May pressed him and Caroline further.
"Now tell me what exactly you think you're doing?" Norman, seeking guidance from Caroline, appeared unsure of how to proceed.
"It's... hard to explain." Caroline shook her head, equally uncertain.
"Hard or impossible..." Norman added.
"Then don't. Doesn't affect my life either way." May advised, clearly uninterested.
"Oh yes, it does..." Norman insisted.
"Try me." she challenged him. A silent tension hung in the air for a few moments before the King took a deep breath and responded.
"You're our daughter..." Norman revealed. Another silence filled the room as the words settled in with everyone present. Then the tension was broken when May burst into laughter, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Yeah, right." she chuckled.
"You were taken from us 16 years ago in early May..." he reiterated.
"Now that has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" May laughed, dismissing his claim again.
"You were taken from us...he took you right out of the crib." Norman, undeterred by the ninja's mockery, maintained the statement. May, growing serious as she realized who they must've been referring to, shot them a deadly glare.
"I got news for you. My father is the greatest ninja who has ever lived. He raised me all my life. So unless you want me to show you just how well he raised me, I suggest you stop whatever game you're trying to play."
"I'm not playing anything..." the King assured her.
"I don't like repeating myself." May retorted, unamused.
"Just ignore him May," Janine interjected. May however was unwilling to overlook the perceived insult.
"I won't ignore someone who's insulting my family." she declared.
"He's stupid, not insulting," Janine remarked, trying to diffuse the tension.
"Claiming to be my father insults me. So knock it off." May clarified her stance. Norman, sighing, realized the difficulty of the situation. May, still agitated, stormed off to the other side of the cell, leaving her back to Norman and Caroline.
"It will take time..." Caroline, looking at Norman, advised her husband. Norman nodded in agreement, acknowledging the complexities of the situation. "Let's just give her some space..."
"Right…" he sighed. They left the cell area, and May, frustrated with the events unfolding, let out a huff. Janine remained silent, observing her sister's agitation.
"I've had enough. Let's blow this place." Without further ado, May pulled a second lockpick from her hair and skillfully maneuvered it to unlock her cell within 30 seconds. Janine, still seated, watched May's adept lockpicking silently. May, not one to leave her sister behind, approached and deftly unlocked Janine's cell as well. However, Janine made no move to leave. May, sensing Janine's reluctance, spoke up. "Come on. Let's go home."
"Why?" she huffed.
"You want to stay in a dungeon?" May, incredulous, responded.
"To get another scolding from Father?" Janine asked sarcastically.
"Better than execution." May asserted, attempting to reason with her sister. Janine however dismissed the extreme notion.
"Nobody's being executed. They're dumb, not savages," she stated.
"Same difference," May replied. "Come on now I'm going to get you out of here and back home."
"Well, go on then... you're already perfect at everything." Janine voiced her frustration. May suddenly realized the source of Janine's discontent and softened her tone.
"Is that what all this is about?" she asked. Janine, sighing, looked up without providing a direct answer. May gently attempted to console her sister. "Janine..."
"I'm sick of this...being somehow worth less than you just because you're skills are better than mine. It's like half the time I don't exist to Father." her sister sighed.
"And being in a dungeon is any better?" May asked, reminding her of the present situation. Janine, resigned, sighed again. "Let's go home..."
"...Fine." Janine nodded, signaling her agreement. May, resourceful as always, cut open the barred window with ease, providing an escape route. Janine, still grappling with her emotions, followed suit. The two sisters, joined by their loyal Pokémon partners Glaceon and Ariados, ventured into the forest. May's smile returned when she spotted Glaceon and Ariados waiting for them.
"There you two are." Glaceon approached, and May affectionately stroked her head. "Nice work on the escape, partner."
"No sweat," Glaceon responded with a contented purr. Her skills of escape were always on par with May's after all. With everyone now content with the reunion, May led the group back home, with Janine sighing as they journeyed through the forest, leaving the palace behind for now.
To be Continued...