Amidst the aftermath of destruction, May and Ash cautiously entered the silent castle. The once bustling halls were now hauntingly empty.

"Hello?" May called out.

"Complete ghost town in here..." Ash remarked, observing the eeriness. May, determined to find the royal family, scanned the surroundings.

"They all came in here during the attack... they have to be somewhere..." she said.

"Let's check on the shelter," Ash suggested.

"The shelter?" May questioned.

"It's a few miles from here. Assuming it wasn't blown up that is..." Ash muttered.

"How could they get to the shelter from the castle? Kyurem and the others were blocking the gate," May pointed out.

"You can get to it from here," Ash explained.

"Alright. Lead the way then," May agreed. As they walked, Ash somberly looked around the building. The path was obstructed by debris and charred objects. May noticed a pillar that seemed sturdy enough to climb, and she quickly devised a plan to overcome the obstacle. "Give me one second," May said as she climbed up the pillar, grabbing onto a ceiling rafter and monkey-barring her way over the block. Landing safely on the other side, she looked back at Ash.

"Careful..." Ash warned. May nodded and noticed a broken column that could serve as a makeshift walkway. She decided to use it to create a path for Ash to cross. "Don't worry about me," Ash insisted.

"Too late. I already do," May responded with a smile.

"I don't think now is the time to get cute..." Ash sighed.

"Aw. You think I'm cute." May teased.

"I'll just go around," Ash suggested.

"We shouldn't be splitting up. All these places are unstable," May warned.

"Alright," Ash agreed.

"Now, how good is your jumping?"

"Alright," Ash replied.

"That column over there is made from marble. It shouldn't heat up too quickly on the embers from the debris. If I get some big enough chunks, could you jump across them?" May asked.

"Possibly," Ash acknowledged.

"Good enough." she decided. May collected broken pieces of material and arranged them into a makeshift path over the debris. Ash made his way across, and May applauded him with a smile.

"Heh..." Ash chuckled.

"Please continue to lead us." she insisted as she held his hand. Ash walked towards a secluded wing of the castle and pulled on a small lever. The lever opened the wall next to it, revealing a hidden tunnel that went underground and away from the castle.

"It runs down to the shelter," he explained.

"Nice touch," May complimented as she entered the hatch and descended the ladder, with Ash following closely behind.


Once inside the dimly lit tunnel leading to the shelter, May and Ash continued their journey. As the darkness deepened, May suggested, "Any chance you could provide a light with your Aura? It's getting darker."

"I'm not a torch," Ash replied.

"Well, I know your Aura gives off some light. And I wasn't sure if there was a spell for it," May reasoned.

"My staff could help," Ash offered.

"That'll work," May agreed. Ash, using his Aura on his staff, caused the crystal on its peak to glow, providing a dim but sufficient light. They walked in silence, the weight of recent events hanging in the air. May broke the quiet with a hopeful comment, "I hope they're all okay..."

"Me too," Ash echoed. As they progressed, a faint light appeared ahead. May and Ash approached the exit, and May opened the hatch. She sighed in relief as she looked inside, discovering most of the Kingdom packed into a small cave system hidden deep within the forest. She and Ash climbed out of the tunnel and looked around for the royal family amongst the crowd.

"King Norman?" May called out. She searched the crowd as Ash followed her and she continued calling for him. Finally, towards the back of the shelter, they spotted him. "King Norman!" Norman turned wearily towards her, his unease evident.

"May…?" she rushed over to him, simply brimming with news.

"It's over. It's safe for everyone to return back to the Kingdom," she assured him. Norman looked at her uneasily, prompting May to add, "They accepted me."

"The Dragons..?" Norman questioned.

"They're just hungry and alone... I promised to find them an alternative to just being forced to sleep and starve again." May nodded.

"I don't know May... look at all the destruction they've caused. Not to mention the lives lost… I think they're just too dangerous to wake without irritating..." Norman explained.

"They're living beings!" May growled. "You can't starve them just because you're afraid of them! I won't allow it!"

"May…" Ash whispered, stunned by her loyalty to the beasts that only a few hours prior had nearly killed her. Norman too was stunned by her outburst.

"I'll find a way to keep them fed and then there will be no risk to the Kingdom! But I won't let you continue to make them suffer! And I'll need the Kingdom's support to make that happen! Am I clear?!" May stated clearly, no signs of dissuasion in her voice. Recognizing this, Norman nodded slightly. May then asked, "Now then, is everyone okay?"

"No…" Norman shook his head sadly, drawing attention to Caroline, who had sustained a serious head wound from debris. May's eyes widened, and Ash watched with concern as Norman explained, "She was hit by a brick when trying to evacuate those in the towers..."

"I see... I know of some herbs that can help with the pain," May offered. "They're grown right here in the forest. I'll go get some."

"Okay," Norman responded. "Just please be careful…" May nodded and quickly ran off into the forest, determined to gather the necessary herbs for Caroline's relief.


A few hours later, May worked diligently, tending to the wounded Caroline with makeshift bandages soaked in medicinal herbs.

"Thank you," Norman expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the temporary relief the medicine provided.

"It's just a temporary painkiller. She should still see a real doctor as soon as she can," May advised. Norman nodded, and May inquired, "Anyone else? I have enough to make a few more."

"Yes," Norman replied. May nodded and began soaking more clothes, creating additional makeshift bandages. As she tied them around the wounds of others nearby, Ash watched her, his staff resting in his hands. To see the woman he loved actually working with the village to help was a surreal experience for him, but he was very happy to see it all the same. May offered the last of the bandages to Norman, who expressed his gratitude. "Thank you,"

"It's nothing, really. I can teach the farmers how to grow the herbs and medics how to make the medicine," May explained. Norman smiled a little, appreciating May's willingness to contribute. May then asked, "Can the medics handle things from here? I'd like to go look for something."

"I think so," Norman replied. "But where are you going?"

"To the Kingdom. There's something in the rubble I don't want to lose," she explained.

"I see…well please be careful."

"Always." she nodded, planting a kiss on Ash before she headed outside. Once outside and a little ways from the shelter in the forest, she spotted Janine sitting on a tree branch and approached her. "Janine?" May called out.

"Hey..." Janine greeted her.

"What are you doing out here?" May questioned her sister. "There's plenty of medicine and medics in the shelter."

"I'm not sure I'd be welcome in there with those people. So I'm just waiting," Janine replied.

"For what?" May inquired.

"For you," Janine admitted.

"Me? What for?" May wondered.

"Well... we should talk," Janine suggested.

"Alright." May nodded.

"I don't know a lot about everything you learned but…I have enough to make an educated guess…are you planning to stay here now…?" she genuinely asked.

"...I haven't fully decided yet but…it's sure looking like I will…" May answered.

"I see…" Janine sighed.

"Why…?" May wondered.

"You know this place... I don't." Janine explained.

"What do you mean?" the brunette questioned.

"What I mean is, you're prepared to live here... I'm not," Janine admitted.

"Oh…I see..."

"Everything I know is back at the village." Janine continued.

"I know how that feels…" May sighed, "But will they accept you after what you helped do...?"

"I don't know..." Janine admitted.

"I don't want you out there on your own... you're the closest thing to a family I may ever have..." May expressed her concern.

"Even when I got jealous..?" Janine asked, half joking. May smiled softly in response.

"Always... no matter what, you're my sister... and I love you so much."

"May..." Janine whispered, moved by May's words. May hugged her, and Janine hugged back, the bond between them strong.

"You mean so much to me..." May said as she held her sister close.

"You too," Janine whispered. May then made a request.

"Would you at least stay for a few days...? Just until things are settled...?" Janine nodded in agreement, and May smiled softly, letting go. "Thanks, sis..."

"You're welcome May." Janine nodded.

"I'll be back soon. I just gotta go back to the castle real quick." May assured her.

"Go ahead," Janine replied. With that, May headed back towards the castle, her heart lighter knowing she had her sister by her side, at least for a little while.


After a quick trip through the woods, May arrived back at the partially destroyed castle. As she approached the ruins, she took a moment to visualize the layout of the rooms, putting up her fingers in a square to map out their positions.

"Okay... so the room I was in before was... over there," May mumbled to herself, running over to a specific pile of rubble. Among the debris, she found the tiara Norman had given her when she first arrived, knocked upside down but mostly undamaged. She gently picked it up, brushing the dirt off it and sighing in relief. "Thank goodness…"

"Mistress…" a voice suddenly called out to her mind. May's eyes widened in surprise.

"Kyurem?" She quickly exited the ruined castle and, in the distance, she could see Kyurem standing just outside what remained of the Kingdom. Curious, May approached the gigantic dragon and gently stroked his head with her hand. "Kyurem? I thought you went back to the lair with the others."

"Await Mistress orders..." Kyurem rumbled.

"Orders for what? It's okay for you to go back home." May explained as she stroked his head. Kyurem nuzzled her, and May smiled softly, placing the tiara in her pack. "You go get some rest and I'll handle things here."

"Yes, Mistress." Kyurem responded.

"I'll come visit real soon, okay? Just as soon as we start rebuilding the kingdom," May assured him. "And please, call me May ok?"

"Yes, Mis- …May." Kyurem acknowledged. May kissed his head, and Kyurem took off, disappearing into the distance to return to the caves. May watched him go and smiled softly, grateful for the bond they had formed.


After a return trip through the woods to the shelter, May walked back inside, drawing Ash's attention as she did.

"There you are," he commented.

"Sorry. Turns out I needed to take care of a few more things than I anticipated," May explained. Ash gave a slight smile, and May returned it before giving him a quick peck on the lips. Ash reciprocated, and May inquired, "What's everyone up to?"

"Checking on the wounded... And... looking for people who aren't here..." Ash replied with a hint of sadness.

"I see... well, maybe I can help in some way," May suggested. Norman looked up at her in surprise, and May continued, "I am quite the master at getting in and out of tough spots after all. Maybe I could find someone trapped somewhere."

"That would come in handy," Norman agreed.

"Ok." May nodded, "I'll take Ash with me. He can sense people for me."

"Go on." Norman encouraged them. May smiled and grabbed Ash's cape, playfully dragging him outside.

"Ack!" he yelped and May snickered a little at his reaction. The two of them, now partnered for the search, ventured into the aftermath of the disaster to lend a helping hand.

"You're... choking me…!" Ash complained as May dragged him back into the Kingdom's boarders. May quickly let go of his cape and flashed him a smile.

"Better?" she teased.

"Yeah," Ash replied with a sweatdrop. May playfully stuck her tongue out at him, and Ash took a deep breath, preparing to use his Aura Eyes. "Alright," he said, shutting his eyes. May smiled as she watched him concentrate. "Alright…"

"Found someone?" she inquired.

"Maybe. It's honestly hard to sift between dead and alive," Ash explained.

"Well... I suppose either one gives us an answer to one missing person," May remarked.

"Yeah..." Ash agreed.

"So tell me where I'm going." she then asked him. Ash took her hand, and May smiled softly as they walked together. Ash looked around, trying to sense the presence of others. Suddenly, his expression shifted however.

"Oh no..." Ash murmured.

"What?" May questioned.

"Come on..!" Ash exclaimed, suddenly running. May quickly followed suit, running after him. The urgency in his voice hinted that they had stumbled upon something important. Ash ran deeper into the palace, his heart pounding as he discovered Cheryl's body laying on the ground and covered in burns. May gasped at the sight, and Cheryl groaned weakly.

"A... Ash..." Cheryl whispered. Ash quickly crouched down beside her, his concern evident.

"Cheryl!" he called to her. Cheryl, struggling to speak, barely managed to croak out a word through her damaged body.

"M... Madelyn..."

"Your daughter…" May nodded in understanding. "Where is she?"

"...C... crib..." Cheryl weakly replied. May nodded again and rushed to Madelyn's room. Meanwhile, Ash stayed with Cheryl, determined to help her through the ordeal.

"Hang in there..." Ash urged Cheryl. She weakly shook her head, indicating the severity of her injuries. Ash, refusing to accept her dire condition, reassured her, "You're gonna make it through this, I promise!"

"N…No…" she mumbled, glancing down at the pool of blood near her stomach, seemed to convey a different reality. Ash, looking worried, decided to lend her some of his Aura in an attempt to help ease her pain. Cheryl continued to groan in pain however, Ash's Aura was just not strong enough to fix her injuries. All he could do was watch her with concern. She managed a weak smile, her eyes communicating a message for him to tell Riley what had happened.

"Riley! Riley!" Ash called out, feeling the weight of the situation on his shoulders only increasing as if it was trying to crush him. It was then that May returned to the scene with a crying baby in her arms.

"She's alright. Just a few cuts and bruises," she explained, reassuring both Ash and Cheryl of the baby's condition. Ash nodded sadly, turning his attention back to Cheryl, who gave May a weak smile in thanks for tending to her daughter. With a final exhale, Cheryl closed her eyes.

"Cheryl!" Ash called out, but there was no response.

"Oh no..." May expressed her concern. Ash hung his head, grieving the loss of his cousin-in-law.

"I'm so sorry, Ash," May said, trying to offer comfort. Ash remained silent, absorbing the weight of the moment. May suggested, "We need to get Madelyn to the shelter."

"...I know…" Nodding in agreement, Ash slowly stood. May, carrying the little girl in her arms, led the way back to the shelter, leaving behind the tragic scene within the palace.


In the dimly lit main room of the shelter, Norman sat with a heavy heart, his gaze fixed on a scene of his people in shambles and trying to recover from the attacks that seemed to unfold in slow motion around him. As he did, May and Ash reentered the shelter quietly, their face bearing the weight of a delicate revelation.

"We... have good and bad news," May spoke gently, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions. Norman's silence spoke volumes as he braced himself for the words that would follow. "The baby is safe," May continued, her voice softening, "but the mother is..."

"I…see…" A pained nod from Norman conveyed an unspoken understanding, the air heavy with the weight of the news.

"I'm sorry," May whispered, her eyes expressing sympathy. Norman's response was a solemn acknowledgment. His mind was a tempest of emotions, wrestling with the dichotomy of joy and sorrow.

"Where's Riley…?" Ash asked, fully knowing he would have to be the one to tell his mentor and cousin what had happened, a task he was not looking forward to.

"He's still searching for survivors," Norman answered. "We'll call him back right away."

"Thank you Your Majesty…I'll go find him now." Ash nodded. With that, he left to find Riley while May sat down on an open bench and turned her attention to a little girl in her arms, gently rocking her as if to shield her from the harsh reality unfolding around them.

"Thank you for your help," Norman addressed May directly, his gratitude sincere yet tinged with sadness. May nodded in response, understanding that some wounds ran too deep for immediate healing. "Is there anything that I can do for you?"

"I don't think so. I think I just need to watch her until Riley gets back," May replied, her gaze fixed on the innocent child in her arms. She full well knew that everyone was dealing with a lot right now, so the least she could do was watch over the little girl until her father returned.


Later on in the day, as the room hung heavy with unspoken sentiments, the door creaked open, revealing Ash's presence. May's eyes shifted towards the newcomer as he entered, his demeanor subdued, accompanied by a defeated Riley. The air in the room seemed to constrict as the weight of the situation pressed upon them. Ash gave a tiny nod to her, stepping aside as Riley, visibly broken, approached the Princess with a heavy heart.

"...Thank you both...for saving my daughter," Riley managed, his voice carrying the weight of gratitude and grief. He gently took the child from May's arms. A solemn nod from Ash, a frown etched on his face, conveyed his understanding of the somber moment. Riley, seeking solace, moved towards a more private space, leaving the two alone in the room. Ash, his emotions palpable, rubbed his arm, his eyes reflecting the toll the events had taken on him. Noticing this, May embraced Ash, sensing his need for comfort. He reciprocated the hug, finding solace in the warmth of her embrace. Taking a deep breath, Ash hugged her back as he struggled to maintain composure, and May held him close, offering silent support. As the room embraced a heavy silence, Norman's gaze shifted towards May, who, in turn, observed Ash closely.

"You should get some sleep...you look exhausted," May suggested, her concern evident.

"May I…"

"Please…?" she begged. Eventually, a slow nod from Ash signaled his agreement.

"Alright...but what about you?" he asked.

"I've got a bit more energy left. I'll find something to do that'll help out," May reassured him.

"Did you get a chance to talk to Janine…?" Ash inquired.

"She'll stay for a few days until things both here and in the village are settled. And if I know her, she's already asleep in a tree somewhere," May replied with a hint of a smile.

"I see," Ash acknowledged. May kissed his cheek, and a weak smile played on Ash's lips.

"I love you," May whispered.

"I love you too," Ash replied, a small bit of warmth returning to his eyes. Norman's gaze lingered on May as she spoke to Ash.

"I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Ash," May wished him.

"Good night, May," Ash responded as he left the room. A soft smile lingered on May's face as she watched Ash depart. The room quieted, and May, left alone, contemplated the events that had unfolded. Feeling a restlessness in the wake of the emotionally charged events, decided to divert her thoughts by seeking out some useful activity. She began to head off, her purpose yet undefined, however, before she could immerse herself in distraction, Norman's voice caught her attention.

"Hang on," he called, prompting May to turn her gaze toward him. Norman's expression bore a curiosity mixed with a hint of concern. "It... sounds like... you made a decision."

"For the most part…yeah," she replied as she met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a depth of contemplation. Norman's curiosity deepened.

"And...?" A solemn pause lingered before May spoke, her words carrying a weight of certainty.

"...I'll stay." she announced. Norman's surprise was evident, his eyes widening in a mix of astonishment and gratitude.

"You will...?" he asked, almost breathless. He had dreamed of this moment for sixteen years, yet somehow, now that it was here, he almost didn't believe it. However, May nodded, her resolve firm.

"Look... I can't say that I see you all as family yet... but I can see how much you care about me and your people. And that's something I didn't think was possible. Despite having my life stolen from me, I've still only ever wanted to help the people who are important to me. And the people in this Kingdom have become a part of that group. And as long as I don't have to be changed into some ballgown-wearing, tea-loving Princess, then I'll stay." she explained. Norman's eyes softened with understanding, appreciating the sincerity in May's words. The weight of her decision hung in the air, a pivotal moment in the midst of uncertainty.

"I…I think we can accommodate those conditions…" he finally replied, a hopeful smile gracing his lips as he stared at his long-lost daughter. She had finally come home. May, having bared her thoughts, offered a small but genuine smile, signifying a willingness to embrace the bonds forming around her in this unexpected chapter of her life.

To be Continued...