Chapter 17: Dance the Night Away

"What? What do you mean you can't dance?"

Ash just shrugged his shoulders.

"I've never learned. I don't really run into those kinds of things during my travels."

"Well I'm sorry, but this just cannot do! You can't have a good time at the ball without dancing."

"I guess, but what can we do? The ball is tonight."

But May wouldn't give up, an idea soon crept into her head.

"Then I'll just have to teach you!"

"Are you kidding? I'll never learn by tonight!"

"Well, I have to try!"

And before Ash could protest anymore, May dragged him away to start. Pikachu laughed at his best friend's misfortune, before following.

May led him back to the battlefield, which had long been deserted, giving them plenty of privacy.

"Alright, this will be more than enough space for what we need."

"Ok, but how are we supposed to practice without music?"

"Patience, Sir Ash, I'm getting to that. Wait here, and that's an order!"

"Yes, ma'am."

With that, May disappeared, leaving Ash confused and curious.

"What do you think she has planned, buddy?"

Pikachu shrugged, just as clueless as Ash. It wasn't long before May returned with a man Ash had never seen before carrying a harp.

"Thanks for helping, Nando."

"Of course, Princess. I'm always happy to share my music."

"Ash, this is Nando. He's a traveling bard that my father hired to perform tonight."

"Ah, so this is the mysterious traveler I've been hearing about. It's nice to meet you, Sir Ash.

"Same, Nando. So, a bard?"

"Yes. You see, I travel across the land, singing songs about the history of our world, and its legends. It's quite an important job, but also rewarding."

Ash nodded, impressed.

"Alright Ash, ready to get started?"

"I guess so."

"Nando, if you'd please?"

"Of course. Come on out, Kricketune!"

A small, red cricket-like Pokemon appeared from behind Nando's leg, amazing both Ash and May.

"A Kricketune? I've never seen one of those before."

"Ah, that's because they're not from around here! You see Ash, I'm not from this kingdom. I grew up in another region called Hisui, where Kricketune can be found more commonly. Sadly, conflict has forced me to leave in search of more peaceful regions to spread my passion."

"Gee, I'm sorry to hear that," Ash said, but Nando smiled.

"Thank you, but it is alright. I have made many fine friends during my travels here, and I believe one day that Hisui will be at peace."

"Alright, enough with the chit chat," May said. "We've only got a few hours to make two left feet here a proper dancer!"

Nando chuckled, but prepped his instrument.

"Of course, forgive me Princess. Kricketune, if you would please?"

Kricketune raised one leg and began to rub it against the other, creating a musical melody, much to Ash's amazement.

"Wow."

"Ahem."

Ash turned, to see May holding out her hand to him.

"May I have this dance, Sir Ash?"

Ash blushed, and accepted. May then gently took his other hand into hers, and gently began to lead him in a waltz.

"Just follow my lead."

"Ok."

Ash tried his best, but every minute or so he would step on May's feet.

"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry."

At last, May had enough, and stopped.

"Ash, you're too tense. The reason why you keep stumbling so much is that you're trying too hard."

"I don't understand what you mean."

"Think about it like a Pokemon battle," May suggested. "If you're too busy thinking on what move to make next, you'll wind up losing because your opponent struck first. Instead, you just need to go with the flow. Think less with your mind, more with your heart."

Ash pondered for a minute, still not fully understanding the concept. But he trusted May, so he nodded.

"Ok, let's give it one more try."

"That's the spirit!"

May signaled for Nando to start again, which he did. This time they went slower, May allowing Ash to lead as he tried to keep her words in mind. It took a little bit, but Ash was slowly starting to grasp it. He was still stepping on May's toes, but less frequently. May smiled, patiently allowing him to regain his composure each time it happened before starting again.

"That's it, you're getting it!"

"Hey, yeah! This isn't as hard as I thought."

"See, what did I tell you?"

After another hour, May decided Ash was ready. While he was nowhere near an expert, he was no longer stepping on her toes, and could lead the dance quite well.

"I must say, you've made quite the progress. I think you're more than ready for the ball now."

"Well, it doesn't hurt that I had an amazing teacher."

May giggled, turning her head to try and hide her blush.

"Thanks so much for doing this for me, May."

"Well, after all you've done for me, it was the least I could do to repay you."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I know, but I wanted to."

May then turned to their musician, and gave him a courtesy.

"Thank you for your help, Nando."

"Always happy to share my love for music, Princess. I'll be seeing you both at the ball tonight."

"See you then!"

That night, everyone gathered in the castle's ballroom. Nando and his Kricketune played their music, and everyone enjoyed themselves as they danced along. Soon though, the music began to slow down, catching everyone off guard as they scrambled to find a partner. Ash scanned the room, trying to find someone available to dance with before he felt somebody tapping his shoulder. Turning around, he saw May holding out her hand to him.

"May I have this dance?"

Ash smiled, and accepted her request.

"Of course, Princess."

With that, the two began their slow dance. May was surprised to see that Ash was dancing so well.

"Why, I didn't think I taught you that well!"

"Well, I did a little bit of practice after you left. I wanted to surprise you. Did it work?"

"Oh, I am very surprised."

After a while, the music began to die down, signaling that the song was wrapping up.

"Well, I guess all good things come to an end."

"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Sir Ash."

"Of course, Princess. I'm glad I could make it a pleasant one."

Suddenly, May closed the gap, kissing Ash on the lips. Ash's eyes went wide, but he eventually leaned into it. After a moment, May pulled away, her face filled with shock.

"I-I…"

"May, don-"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have."

And before Ash could say anything else, May took off crying.

"May, wait!"

But it was too late, and she disappeared into the crowd.

"Was it something I said?"

"Pika," Pikachu replied, just as confused as Ash was.

"Come on, we need to go find her."

"Pi!"

Ash didn't know what went wrong, but he knew that he had to make things right.