The next day unfolded with a heavy air of uncertainty. The dragons seemed to have used up a lot of their energy in the initial attack and had retreated to their cave for the time being. The Kingdom was in shambles, however, dozens were dead, hundreds missing, and even more injured. Buildings were damaged, destroyed, or outright obliterated. The King and Queen, as well as their staff, were working tirelessly to try and tend to their people. Meanwhile, May paced around a dimly lit hallway, visibly distressed. Her sister was sitting nearby, almost as equally shaken. The door nearest to them suddenly opened and the Doctor, Brock, approached, bearing somber news.
"He's stabilized," he informed her. A sigh of relief escaped May's lips, and she sank into a nearby chair. "He should be okay eventually," Brock added consolingly.
"Thank you," May whispered, her emotions palpable. Brock nodded and left her to her thoughts. As May sat with tears in her eyes, Janine silently observed the turmoil etched across her sister's face. Without a word, she moved closer, offering a comforting presence. May, overwhelmed, covered her face and let tears stream down her cheeks. Janine, understanding the depth of May's pain, enveloped her in a warm hug, rubbing her back to provide solace. May's cries echoed in the room until she had exhausted the wellspring of her tears. Janine remained silent, a pillar of support. "I don't understand... why would he do this?" May finally voiced her confusion. Janine met her gaze with empathy but said nothing. "Why would Father do this?"
"He wanted to paint a way for you to get out, one that would hurt the kingdom," Janine explained softly.
"But we don't hurt people." May insisted, still grappling with the contradiction in what she believed. Janine's silence spoke volumes. May's thoughts spilled out, the raw emotion in her voice evident. "And even I could've been killed in that fight! I don't understand any of this."
"I don't know May…" Janine sighed, remaining a supportive presence, her steady gaze offering comfort in the face of May's anguish.
"All he's doing is giving more credence to Ash's story," May continued, her voice trembling.
"What story?" Janine, tilting her head in curiosity, prompted May to explain. May sniffled, wiping away lingering tears.
"Something called the Dragon Wars. He said that our people caused a massive war and killed millions of people. Dragon attacks, assassinations, biological weapons—all stuff right out of a legend." Janine raised an eyebrow, absorbing the weight of May's revelation. "If he was right about the dragons then... then maybe..." May's voice trailed off, contemplating a truth too painful to fully articulate.
"Don't think about it," Janine implored gently.
"I can't stop right now," May admitted, her vulnerability laid bare. "So much is just not adding up," she added, her confusion and distress evident. Taking May's hand, Janine offered a gesture of solidarity, a silent promise that she was not alone in navigating this tumultuous revelation.
"It'll be okay," Janine reassured, her words a soothing balm.
"I hope so," May responded, uncertainty still lingering. As the weight of the situation hung in the air, sighed and got up from her seat. "I need to go check on Ash," she announced, her footsteps carrying her toward the room where her brother lay recovering.
"Okay," Janine said, her eyes filled with understanding. May headed into the room, her mind burdened with questions, uncertainties, and the unsettling revelation of a past that seemed to unravel with each passing moment. Ash's recovery room was wrapped in a quiet stillness, illuminated by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Ash lay peacefully asleep with bandages covering his injuries, and May took a seat on the edge of his bed. Her fingers gently traced through his hair as Pikachu, Ash's ever-watchful companion, observed the scene with a careful eye.
"Ash..." May whispered, speaking in a hushed tone. Ash remained undisturbed, lost in the realm of dreams. Undeterred, May continued to stroke his hair, finding comfort in the simple act. "I love you... thank you for trying to protect me," she expressed her gratitude in a soft murmur. Pikachu's ears drooped in a gesture of understanding, sharing in the emotional atmosphere of the room. Leaning down, May pressed a tender kiss to Ash's lips. He stirred slightly, a subtle acknowledgment of her presence. As she slowly pulled away, Ash appeared a bit more relaxed. A soft smile graced her lips, finding reassurance in the small shift in her Aura Boy's demeanor. Pikachu, sensing the moment, climbed onto May's shoulder and nuzzled her gently. May looked at him in surprise but then smiled. "Thank you, Pikachu,"
"Chu," Pikachu responded with a quiet yet content expression. May remembered a particular spot behind Pikachu's ear and gently stroked it.
"If I remember correctly," she said with a gentle smile, "you like this spot, right?" Pikachu cooed in approval, and May couldn't help but smile back. "Mind if I stay with you two in here for a while?" she asked.
"Pika pika." Pikachu shook his head, indicating his approval. With his permission given, May settled in beside Ash, and Pikachu offered a small, comforting smile. Resting her head on Ash's shoulder, May found a moment of peace amidst the uncertainty that surrounded them. Pikachu, with a concerned expression, spoke to May, "Pikachu?"
"You're asking if I'm ok…?" May sighed, contemplating the question. "Define ok..." Pikachu looked at her sympathetically as she continued, "I wish I knew... I feel like my entire world has been thrown into chaos." A sense of sadness reflected in Pikachu's eyes. "I don't know what to think anymore..." May confessed, her uncertainty hanging heavy in the air.
"Pika…" Suddenly, Ash groaned, drawing May's attention. He flinched a little, prompting May to look up at him.
"Ash...?" she called out. He slowly opened his eyes, and May's face lit up with a soft smile, tears welling up. He looked at her, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"May...?" he responded, searching for a clearing of the lingering haze in his eyes. May sniffled, nodding in response. "Where... am I?" Ash asked, still trying to orient himself.
"A medical ward," May replied, concern etched on her face. "You were lucky that debris didn't break your neck."
"I feel light-headed," Ash admitted, wincing a little. May gently felt his forehead, offering a small reassurance.
"At least you're not feverish," she remarked. He smiled at her, and May returned a small smile.
"Thanks for looking after me," Ash expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you for not dying," May replied, with a hint of humor. Ash sweatdropped, and May continued, apologizing, "I'm so sorry you were hurt." Ash remained silent, and May held him close. "I don't know why my Father would do this. I feel so confused," May confessed, her voice laden with uncertainty.
"May…" Ash remained quiet, understanding the weight of her feelings.
"You're the only person I feel like I can trust right now," May admitted, seeking solace. Ash looked up at her, and May held him even closer, burying her face against his chest.
"May, it's going to be ok," Ash said gently. May looked up at him, and Ash rested his head against hers.
"I love you," May whispered.
"I love you too," Ash responded, offering comfort.
"Thank you for trying to protect me," May expressed her gratitude.
"Of course, May," Ash replied, weakly attempting to hug her back. May smiled a little, and Ash laid back.
"Can we stay like this for a while?" she asked.
"Why not?" Ash agreed.
"Yay..." May smiled. As Ash closed his eyes, May followed suit, and the room settled into a peaceful stillness as they both gradually fell back asleep, finding comfort in each other's presence.
A few hours later, the soft light of the room greeted May as she slowly opened her eyes. She found herself lying cheek to cheek with Ash, a small smile playing on her lips. She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek, prompting him to open his eyes.
"Hey," Ash greeted, his gaze meeting May's.
"Greetings," May responded, as she brushed some hair away from his face. "Feeling any better?"
"A little," Ash admitted, a smile forming on his face.
"I'll take it." May grinned in response. "Can I get you anything? Something to eat or some water?" she offered.
"Food sounds nice," Ash replied.
"Alright," May said, getting up. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Ash smiled as she left the room, and May headed to the dining area, followed by Glaceon. She approached the chef with a request.
"Can I get a sandwich or some soup for Sir Ash?" she asked. The chef nodded, and May expressed her gratitude with a smile. As she waited at one of the tables, the chef eventually emerged with a tray holding both items. "Thank you so much," May said appreciatively. The chef nodded again, and May took the food to Ash.
"Hey," Ash greeted, smiling.
"Hey yourself. Someone order a little lunch?" May teased, setting the tray in his lap. "What no tip for the delivery girl?" she joked. Ash responded by kissing her cheek. "Tip accepted," she remarked playfully as she sat beside him on the bed. Ash smiled a little, and May cuddled into his side. He began to eat, and May closed her eyes, relaxing against him, listening to the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat. Ash, blushing, continued to eat. May smiled softly, savoring the moment. "Tastes good?" she inquired.
"Yup." Ash nodded.
"Good." He smiled a little, and the two shared a quiet, contented meal together in the warm embrace of each other's company. After a while, May hesitated for a moment before finally breaking the heavy silence. "Can I ask you something?" she inquired.
"Yeah...?" Ash nodded. May took a deep breath before continuing,
"What else... do you know about those 'Dragon Wars' you mentioned?" Ash's gaze shifted, and after a moment's hesitation, he spoke slowly.
"Not much... At the end of the war, the three Dragons were sent into the tunnels under the kingdom and cast into a deep sleep. I don't know much else, other than the assassins all being arrested or killed in combat..." he explained.
"I see..." May replied, absorbing the information. "But…how could such creatures be controlled? And if there is a way…why didn't anyone use it yesterday?" she asked, seeking more details.
"I don't know..." Ash shook his head. Another silence passed between them until May once again broke it with a small sigh.
"I'm... I'm sorry about my initial reaction to your story..." she whispered.
"I'm sorry too... I could have said it with less... venom..." Ash offered an apologetic smile.
"I just... I feel like my whole world is falling apart around me... I've worked so hard all my life to find the line between stealing what I thought we were owed from a Kingdom that didn't care about people in trouble... and actually hurting others... but... if my people did this... then what does that make me...?" May admitted, clutching her arms tightly to her torso.
"May..."
"Am I really the bad guy after all...?" May's voice wavered with uncertainty.
"You're not a bad person, May..." Ash reassured her.
"But... that story... if it's true then..." May trailed off, lost in her thoughts.
"You aren't responsible for what a collective group did before you were born, May..." Ash replied softly.
"But I am responsible for what I've done..." May confessed, grappling with her own guilt. Ash fell silent, understanding the weight of her words. "I'm just all messed up... I don't even know what to do with myself anymore..." May admitted, her vulnerability laid bare. "What would you do in my position...?"
"I guess I'd be pretty lost myself..." Ash confessed. May sighed, and Ash continued, "But we all want to help..."
"We all...?" May questioned, still unsure.
"All of us here. In the palace," Ash explained.
"I... I'm still not sure I can trust them..." May confessed. Ash nodded, acknowledging her reservations. "I feel like... I need to hear a story from someone who doesn't have allegiance to either side..." May pondered.
"There's the Dragons..." Ash suggested.
"The creatures who just destroyed half the village...?" May countered. Ash sweatdropped, realizing the impracticality of that idea. "Even if they knew something, I don't speak roar..."
"Right…" May sighed, feeling the weight of her confusion.
"There has to be someone..." she whispered. May rested her head against his shoulder, seeking comfort, and Ash looked at her with a gentle expression. She wrapped her arms around him, and he hugged her back. Another silence passed as neither one seemed to know what the answer was. "I love you so much..."
"I love you too..." Ash replied. "I'll help you figure this out I promise…"
"Thank you…" May held him a little tighter, and Ash blushed slightly. "You're comfy..."
"May..." Ash said, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Hm?" May looked up, smiling softly. Ash scratched his head, blushing a little more, and May giggled, realizing that she was embarrassing him a little. "Fine. Get some rest. I'll go for a climb."
"Alright," Ash agreed.
"I'll be back," she said before pecking his lips and climbing out of his window. Ash smiled softly as he unwound, the complexity of their feelings momentarily set aside in the brief peace of the moment.
To be Continued...