Chapter 23: A New Addition to the Family

When the glowing had died down, a strange blue Pokemon was now sitting in May's arms. May gasped in awe, unable to believe that she was now holding a mythical Pokemon in her arms.

"A Manaphy?"

May had heard legends about these Pokemon. About an underwater temple that they were the guardians of, and their affinity with the sea, but never had she ever imagined she would meet one, much less hold one in her arms. The Phantom was also shocked, but his face quickly turned back into a wicked grin.

"Well, well, well, my day just keeps getting better. Now not only will I get a hefty reward for capturing a Princess, but that Manaphy will fetch a handsome price."

May was about to retort, but Manaphy beat her to the punch, blasting the pirate straight back to his ship with a Water Gun. The Phantom, enraged, quickly picked himself up and shouted:

"Sink that ship!"

But before anyone could move a muscle, Manaphy's eyes began to glow, and the waves around the pirate ship began to rise, toppling the ship and splintering it into pieces as everyone else watched in awe. Realizing they were defeated, The Phantom's Pokemon made a hasty retreat.

"Well…that happened," Ash finally managed to get out.

"Did we win?" Wally asked.

"I don't know, but I doubt he'll be making much headway now," Sir Aaron said with a chuckle, prompting everyone else to do the same.

"Then I suggest we head back and inform the Queen of the good news!" May proposed, to which everyone agreed. And so they set sail for the mainland, not seeing The Phantom rise up to the surface and watch the ship leave with a scowl.

"Those fools haven't seen the last of me! I'll pay them back for that if it's the last thing I do!"

A few hours had gone by, and everyone was relaxing after the long battle. May held Manaphy in her arms as she introduced him to her team.

"Everyone, this is Manaphy. He hatched from the egg, so everyone please make him feel welcome!"

Her team was more than happy to greet their new friend, and soon the group were scampering around the deck, making May and Ash smile.

"Looks like he's making friends."

"What can we say, we're a friendly bunch!"

"That's true, but we still need to figure out who gets to keep him."

May chuckled, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Well, I think the answer is obvious! I was there when he hatched, so he's mine!"

Manaphy, having heard this, leapt into May's arms, making the princess smile.

"I guess that settles it, then."

Ash sighed, but was happy for her. Manaphy, seeing his expression, leapt from May's arms into his, making him smile.

"Or maybe he chose both of us?"

"I can live with that."

Manaphy giggled as the two rubbed his head, happy to receive the affection. Suddenly, Sir Aaron approached them, a stern look on his face.

"Ash, I need to speak with you. Now."

"Um, okay? Sure."

May was about to follow the two of them below deck, but Lucario stopped her.

"My apologies, Princess, but this is a matter I need to discuss with Ash in private."

"I'll be alright May, don't worry."

May was hesitant, but relented, allowing Ash to follow Sir Aaron into the bowels of the ship.

"Be careful, Ash…"

As Sir Aaron led him below deck, Ash couldn't help but feel nervous, the same piercing feeling as before flowing through his body. After what felt like an eternity, they reached the living quarters. Once they were both inside, Sir Aaron whipped around, his face so chilling Ash felt instantly as small as Pikachu before him.

"Alright, who are you really?"

"I-I'm sorry?"

"I knew from the second you stepped in through the castle doors that your backstory was a coverup. Now, I don't believe that you are here to hurt the queen, but in my experience anyone who doesn't tell the truth very rarely has a good reason to, so I suggest you come clean if you want any aid for Hoen."

Ash was silent for a minute, before sighing.

"Alright, I'll tell you the whole truth. But you probably won't believe me."

"You'd be surprised by what I will and won't believe."

So with a deep breath, Ash began his story.

"Alright, just don't hold it against May if you don't. The truth is…I'm not from around here, and I don't just mean Hoen. I'm from the future, and was sent back in time to prevent some kind of disaster. I don't know for sure what it is, but I'm starting to think these orbs the Aqua and Magma Kingdoms are after have something to do with that. We didn't say anything because we didn't think you'd believe it, and would deny help to Hoen. So please, whatever you do to me, don't punish May or my friends for my dishonesty."

Ash closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable screaming, but instead Sir Aaron chuckled.

"Is that it? Well, I can understand your concern, but you needn't worry so much."

Ash gasped in surprise.

"I shouldn't?"

"Your story does seem farfetch'd, yes, but I can tell you're being honest. Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret from The Queen if you don't wish for her to know."

Ash shook his head.

"You should let her know. If we're going to be allies in this war, we shouldn't be keeping secrets from each other. But you should definitely be the one to tell her, it'll sound less crazy coming from you."

Sir Aaron chuckled, but nodded.

"Agreed. And don't worry Ash, I know she won't hold it against you."

Ash nodded, and left to go back up on deck. Once he had left the room, Sir Aaron's Lucario stepped in.

"Cario?"

"I got the whole story. They're not a threat, they were just worried about being believed."

Lucario nodded, before giving him another knowing look.

"No, I didn't tell him. I will once we're back home and have informed The Queen of the truth."

"Cario."

"Yes, I suspect he might have it, too. But it's dormant, and may not reveal itself. I think it's best to wait and see how things play out."

Lucario nodded, trusting that his master knew best.

Back on deck, May ran up to Ash, giving him a big hug and a kiss.

"Well?"

"He knows. I told him everything."

"And?"

"He believed me. I don't know why, but he did, and is confident The Queen will too."

May breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank Arceus. Now hopefully we can get the help Hoen so desperately needs."

Ash nodded, before noticing the thick fog surrounding the ship.

"Where'd this thick fog come from?"

"We don't know, it just rolled in. The captain ordered us to drop anchor here until it passes."

Just then, Manaphy's body began to glow brightly, and a beam of light shot out into the fog, piercing it and providing enough vision to proceed.

"Woah," Ash said.

"No kidding," May concurred. "Do we follow it?"

"I want to get back to the mainland as soon as possible, so yes," Sir Aaron nodded. "Helmsman, follow that light!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

They followed Manaphy's beacon of light all the way until they reached the end. To their surprise, they found not the mainland, but a huge temple rising out from the sea.

It was beautiful, with glistening walls jutting out into the sky. If Ash didn't know any better, he would've assumed it was from the future. But while he was impressed with the massive structure, his companions were awestruck.

"Unbelievable, could that be what I think it is?"

"I've heard rumors of it, but never did I think I'd ever lay eyes on it."

"What is that thing?" Ash finally asked at last, to which May simply replied:

"Samiya."