The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the castle grounds as Ash and May walked together, their steps slow and weighted with concern.
"You look worried," Ash remarked softly, his voice carrying a note of genuine care. May's expression was troubled as she glanced at him.
"I'm very worried... to see Kyurem so subdued is... terrifying," she confessed, her voice tinged with anxiety. Feeling the weight of her worry, Ash gently squeezed her hand in reassurance. May returned the gesture, her grip firm as she sought solace in his touch. "It's my job to help him... and beyond that, I want to... he's so sweet," she murmured, her voice wavering with emotion.
"Right..." Ash murmured in agreement, his own thoughts troubled by the very idea that Kyurem was "sweet".
"I'm worried I didn't know either... we're bonded so shouldn't I have known something was wrong...?" May's voice was tinged with self-doubt, her brows furrowing in concern.
"Maybe it's not so bad...?" Ash offered, his tone hopeful despite the uncertainty looming over them.
"It better not be..." May replied, her grip on his hand tightening slightly as if to ward off the impending dread.
"Maybe he's got a cold," Ash suggested, attempting to lighten the mood with a feeble joke about the ice-controlling dragon. May managed a weak smile in response, her eyes betraying a flicker of gratitude.
"I can't tell if that joke was intentional or not... but thanks..." she murmured softly. A faint smile graced Ash's lips as they approached the castle's entrance. Stepping inside, they were greeted by the familiar grandeur of the castle's halls. May wasted no time, giving Ash a parting kiss before she quickened her steps and she made a beeline for the library. "Mr. Oak? Are you here?" she called out, her voice echoing through the quiet expanse of the room. Professor Oak emerged from amidst the towering shelves of books, his expression curious yet attentive.
"Ah, Princess, what can I do for you?" he inquired, his tone warm and welcoming.
"How much research do we have on the dragons and their history?" May questioned, her voice determined as she met the professor's gaze.
"Just about everything that has ever been recorded," Professor Oak replied, his tone tinged with a hint of pride.
"I need to start going through all of it right away," May declared, her resolve unwavering.
"All of it?" Professor Oak echoed, a note of surprise coloring his words.
"All of it." May nodded firmly.
"Why is that?" Professor Oak inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"I think something is wrong with Kyurem, and I need to see if anyone else that bonded with them recorded anything like his symptoms," May explained, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Something wrong?" Professor Oak's brows furrowed in concern as he absorbed May's words.
"He's lethargic and tired... he couldn't even get up when I went to visit..." May confessed, her voice heavy with worry.
"I see..." Professor Oak murmured thoughtfully, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"I need to try and find why. None of them seem to have an answer," May stated, her determination unwavering. Professor Oak nodded in understanding, his expression solemn yet resolute.
"Of course," he replied simply, already turning to gather the necessary materials.
"Thank you..." May whispered gratefully, her voice soft yet sincere.
"Anything I can do to help," Professor Oak echoed, his tone gentle as he led May to a nearby desk, where the first few books awaited her eager hands. With a sense of purpose, May settled in, her eyes alight with determination as she delved into the wealth of knowledge spread before her, each page a potential clue in the mystery of Kyurem's ailment.
The library was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of flickering candlelight as May slumbered, her head resting on her hand amidst a sea of scattered papers and ancient tomes. Exhaustion had finally caught up with her, her diligent research having worn her out completely. A gentle rustling broke the stillness of the room as Glaceon hopped onto the table, her icy blue fur glinting in the dim light as she approached May's sleeping form. With a tender nudge, she licked May's cheek, coaxing her back to wakefulness.
"Mm..." May stirred, her brows furrowing as she slowly opened her eyes, the weight of fatigue still heavy upon her. "Glaceon...? What are you doing here...?" she murmured groggily.
"Waking you up," Glaceon replied simply, her tail swishing back and forth in a silent display of affection. May blinked, rubbing her eyes as she sat up, her gaze drifting to the scattered papers before her.
"I fell asleep...?" she muttered, a hint of chagrin coloring her tone. "Oh geeze..." With a stretch and a shake, she attempted to rouse herself fully, determined to dive back into her research. As Glaceon climbed into her lap, May sighed, her expression weary yet resolute. "There's still nothing... and I'm running out of history to look at," she admitted, her frustration evident.
"What are you looking for?" Glaceon inquired, tilting its head curiously.
"Something's wrong with Kyurem... I just gotta find an answer," May explained, her voice tinged with concern.
"I see..." Glaceon murmured, her gaze thoughtful.
"But nothing so far mentions them ever being anything but the most powerful beings in the land..." May sighed, her brows furrowing in frustration.
"Maybe he's just sick?" Glaceon suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Even if that's true, if I don't know the cause or the cure then he could be in serious trouble..." May replied, her tone heavy with worry. As May flipped through the final pages of the last book, Glaceon watched in silence, her expression solemn.
"You gotta be kidding me..." May muttered, her frustration mounting. "How can there be nothing...? I have to be missing something..."
"Maybe the village knows something..?" Glaceon suggested tentatively.
"Most of them are still terrified of the dragons...I doubt anyone here would know anything…" May sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Not this village..." Glaceon's tone was grim, her eyes reflecting the gravity of its words. Immediately, her real point hit May like a ton of bricks.
"No...!" May's protest was immediate, her voice tinged with fear. Glaceon winced at her reaction, her ears drooping in sympathy. "I can't...!" May's voice wavered, her eyes wide with apprehension as she struggled to find another protest. "Like they'd tell me the truth anyway..."
"I know…" Glaceon's words were tinged with resignation. "If you really want to know something though…they did bond with Kyurem first…they might know something that even the Kingdom doesn't know…just an idea…"
"I know…" May groaned in frustration, her hand running through her hair as she struggled to find a solution. "I just wish I had a better one..." Glaceon nuzzled her cheek in silent comfort, her icy touch a soothing balm against her troubled thoughts.
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," Glaceon murmured, its voice soft yet reassuring. May sighed, her shoulders sagging with resignation.
"...Maybe... if Reshiram or Zekrom came with me..."
"Yeah…?" Glaceon's ears perked a little at the mention of the legendary dragons, her expression curious. Taking a deep breath, May squared her shoulders, her resolve firm.
"I knew I'd have to confront it sooner or later..." May finally spoke. Glaceon wrapped her in a tight hug, her silent support a comforting presence amidst the uncertainty. "You can stay here..." May murmured, returning Glaceon's embrace.
"I'm not leaving you..." Glaceon replied, her voice unwavering.
"Heh... You're the best..." May smiled weakly, her gratitude evident in her eyes. Glaceon returned the smile, her icy features softening with affection. "Guess we'd better tell everyone so we can get the freak-outs over with..." May chuckled softly, her voice tinged with resignation.
"Heh..." Glaceon's response was a soft murmur, her loyalty unwavering as they faced the daunting challenges ahead.
After taking the time to gather her biological and adopted family alike, May found herself with all of her family in the castle throne room. The tension in the room was palpable as May stood before her family and friends, her expression grave, her resolve unwavering.
"May, what's so important that you needed to see all of us so quickly?" Caroline's voice was tinged with concern, her eyes searching May's face for answers. May hesitated, her gaze flickering to Glaceon, who looked up at her with unwavering loyalty. Taking a deep breath, she knew there was no turning back now.
"Well, I..." she began, her voice faltering slightly under the weight of their collective gaze.
"I know that look..." Ash's voice cut through the tense silence, his expression mirroring Caroline's concern. "What's going on?" May swallowed hard, steeling herself for their reaction.
"...I need to go back to the ninja village," she finally confessed, her words hanging heavy in the air.
"WHAT!?" Ash and Norman exclaimed simultaneously, their voices laced with disbelief and alarm.
"No way!" Ash protested vehemently, his eyes wide with shock.
"Honey, you can't be serious!" Caroline's voice was tinged with panic, her hands reaching out as if to physically stop May from leaving.
"I have to... it's the only option I have left that could help Kyurem," May explained, her tone firm despite the trembling of her hands. Janine's voice cut through the chaos, her tone sharp with anger.
"May, did you forget what Dad did to my hand!?" she demanded, her eyes flashing with hurt and betrayal.
"Of course not... and I wouldn't be doing this if I had any other options..." May replied, her voice tinged with regret.
"Are you even sure that Kyurem needs that kind of help?" Max interjected, his brows furrowed in concern.
"No, I'm not... but that's why I have to... if I don't take this seriously and his condition gets worse he could..." May's voice trailed off, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.
"May..." Ash's voice was soft, filled with a mixture of concern and resignation. Caroline's eyes welled with tears as she reached out to May, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Honey, I know you care about Kyurem and the others... but when it comes to protecting you or protecting them..." May cut her off, her voice firm and resolute.
"Don't even finish that sentence..." she warned her mother. "What good am I as a steward if I don't take risks for my charges? They need help and it's my job to provide it. My life isn't worth any more than theirs are," May declared, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her. A still silence fell over the group as everyone absorbed May's declaration. Finally, Norman's voice broke the tense silence, his tone filled with pride and admiration.
"...Spoken like a true queen..." May blushed slightly at his words, her resolve bolstered by his hesitant support.
"Besides, I'm not stupid enough to go there alone or anything... Reshiram has already agreed to come with me as has Glaceon," May continued, her voice softer now, her gaze meeting Ash's with a mixture of gratitude and affection.
"If I can't stop you, then I will go too..." Ash declared, his voice tinged with determination. May's blush deepened at his words, but she gave him an appreciative smile, grateful for his unwavering support.
"May..." Caroline's voice was choked with emotion, her eyes pleading for her daughter's safety.
"I know... I don't want to either... but I'll be fine..." May assured her, her voice steady despite the trembling of her hands. Janine stepped forward, wrapping May in a tight hug, her eyes filled with tears.
"Please be safe," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. May returned the hug, her own eyes brimming with tears.
"If I have time, I'll give Dad a mark like yours for you," she promised, her voice thick with emotion. Norman flinched at her words, his gaze darting away as if unable to meet hers, which of course May took notice of.
"Something wrong?" May's voice was filled with concern as she turned to him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"It's nothing..." Norman replied hastily, his voice strained. Caroline reached out to May, her voice filled with worry.
"Just please be safe, sweetheart... Ash, we're counting on you," she pleaded, her eyes pleading for his support.
"I won't let anything happen to her," Ash assured her, his voice filled with determination. Norman remained silent, his expression unreadable as he watched them, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of stoicism. Suddenly, a soft cry echoed through the courtyard, drawing their attention to the windows facing the castle's courtyard. Outside everyone saw Reshiram flying in from the caves, just as May had informed them she would.
"That's our ride," May murmured, her voice tinged with both relief and apprehension. Ash nodded, his expression grim as he followed May outside. The rest of the family followed behind them and watched off to the side. Reshiram lowered herself to the ground, her majestic form casting a shadow over the courtyard. May climbed aboard the dragon's back, then offered her hand outstretched to Ash. "All aboard?" she offered, her voice soft yet determined. Ash gulped, his eyes locked with May's.
"Alright, let's get this over with..." he replied, his voice tinged with resignation. May gave him an appreciative smile as he grabbed her hand and climbed onto the white dragon behind her. With one last glance at her family and friends, May turned to Reshiram, her resolve unwavering.
"Let's go," she declared, her voice strong and steady. Reshiram nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination as it took off into the sky, carrying May and Ash towards their dangerous destination.
The air rushed past them as Reshiram soared through the sky, carrying May and Ash towards their destination. Ash clung tightly to May's waist, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. May couldn't help but smile at his nervous chuckle.
"If nothing else, I get to be close to you for a while... so that's good," she remarked, her voice tinged with affection. Ash blushed softly at her words.
"Oh, you love this, don't you..?" he teased, his voice filled with warmth.
"Yes. Yes, I do love you," May replied without hesitation, her smile softening the edges of her words.
"Heh..." Ash's cheeks flushed brighter at her confession, his heart swelling with love for the girl beside him.
"Seriously though... thank you for coming," May said, her gratitude evident in her gaze.
"Of course..." Ash murmured, his voice filled with sincerity. May smiled at him, her heart swelling with affection for the boy who had always been by her side, through thick and thin. Ash leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. "I love you," he whispered softly.
"I love you too," May replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Reshiram's soft cry interrupted their tender moment, drawing their attention to a clearing just on the horizon.
"Reshiram?" May questioned, her brow furrowing in concern. Reshiram nodded ahead, indicating the new location of the ninja village. "I see..." May murmured, her gaze flickering to Ash, who held her tighter in silent reassurance.
"Are you okay...?" Ash asked, his voice filled with concern.
"The village is just ahead..." May replied, her voice steady despite the tremor of nerves that ran through her. Ash took a deep breath, his grip on May tightening instinctively as they drew closer to their destination. Reshiram descended, landing in a clearing just outside the settlement. May jumped down from Reshiram's back, her movements quick and fluid as she pulled out a shuriken from a hidden pocket in her skirt. "Alright. You two wait here. I'm going in," she declared, determination shining in her eyes.
"Hold on just a minute-" Ash protested, his voice filled with worry.
"I will send a message to Reshiram if I need help. But I have to get in undetected," May interrupted, her tone firm yet gentle.
"May..." Ash's voice wavered with concern, his eyes pleading with her to reconsider.
"Hey. Who's the best ninja around?" May's voice was soft yet firm, her gaze locking with Ash's. Ash swallowed hard, his heart heavy with worry.
"...You are," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I'll be okay. I just can't sneak into a place like that with you and a giant dragon. And you'll know the instant I need help. I have a bond with both of you, remember?" May reassured him, her voice filled with confidence.
"May..." Ash hesitated, his eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Trust me, Ash. Please?" May pleaded, her gaze unwavering.
"Okay..." Ash relented, his voice filled with reluctance. May leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
"I love you," she whispered, her heart overflowing with love for the boy who meant everything to her.
"I love you too..." Ash replied, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart. With a final glance back at Ash and Reshiram, May leaped into action, bounding across the branches of the trees with the grace and agility of a true ninja, her determination guiding her toward the village where she hoped the answers she wanted awaited her.
To be Continued...