May's team soon stood at the entrance of the bustling inn, their eyes scanning the crowded lobby.
"Wonder why it's so crowded..." Gary mused aloud. May, standing beside him, tilted her head thoughtfully.
"The one guard that yelled at us mentioned something about refugees..."
"That'll do it," Ash commented, his gaze wandering over the throng of people.
"What kind of refugees?" Dawn looked puzzled.
"No idea..." May shrugged. Without missing a beat, Janine stepped forward, approaching the front desk with purposeful strides.
"Is there still availability?" she inquired. The worker behind the desk nodded.
"Yes, I have three rooms left."
"Perfect." Ash sighed with relief.
"We'll take them," May said promptly, reaching into her bag and retrieving several gold coins from the allotment her parents had provided for the trip. Janine glanced back at Gary, her eyes narrowing.
"The answer is no," she stated flatly. Gary raised his hands defensively, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I didn't say a word. In fact, you jumping to that conclusion says a lot more about your hidden desires than mine." Janine's hand shot out before anyone could react, landing a sharp slap on Gary's cheek. "Ack!" Gary exclaimed, rubbing the reddening spot on his face.
"Calm down, you two," May interjected, her tone firm.
"Why? It's just getting entertaining." Dawn chuckled softly, a slight smile tugging at her lips. May rolled her eyes, chuckling as she handed over the payment for the rooms.
"Well, I guess that resolves that." Ash snickered. The worker handed her three keys, which May accepted gratefully. She turned to the group, distributing the keys.
"Can I assume the girls are taking one room?"
"Yes." Janine nodded. May handed her one of the keys to her in response.
"Alright. Dawn and Janine are in room 168, Gary's in room 466, and Ash and I are in room 25."
"We're all on different floors?" Dawn raised an eyebrow.
"We're just lucky they had any rooms at all." May sighed.
"Alright then, let's move," Ash said, ready to get settled.
"Meet in the lobby in about an hour," May instructed as she headed toward the stairs.
"For dinner?" Gary asked, already making his way upstairs.
"And note comparing," May added.
"Alright." Ash nodded. Taking his hand, May led the way to their room, the weight of the day's journey finally catching up to them. As they reached their room, she glanced at Ash, a hint of a smile on her lips. She turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open, stepping inside their room. Ash followed her in, the door closing softly behind them.
"Well, it's no castle. But it'll do," May remarked, looking around the modest room. Ash stepped onto the wooden floor, each step eliciting an increasingly squeaky protest from the aged boards.
"It's got character," he noted with a grin. May plopped down onto the bed, bouncing slightly on the firm mattress. "Getting straight to it, huh?"
"I like the way you think." she smiled as Ash blushed at her playful tone.
"I was trying to get into your head," he admitted, his cheeks tinged pink. May's smile widened.
"Yay," she said simply, her eyes twinkling. Pikachu, perched on the floor, looked up at them with a bead of sweat on his brow.
"And what are we supposed to do?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation as he gestured to himself and Glaceon.
"Whatever you want to, I suppose," May replied with a shrug. Glaceon padded over to Pikachu and licked his cheek affectionately.
"Sounds good to me," she said with a smile.
"Hey..." Pikachu blushed furiously. Glaceon giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "We're so not there yet..." Pikachu muttered, looking away, though he couldn't hide his smile. May, watching the Pokémon's interaction with amusement, stood up and moved closer to Ash, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her smile softened as she leaned in, giving him a tender and loving kiss. Ash kissed her back, his hands resting lightly on her waist. He stroked her cheek, eliciting a soft moan from May. He smiled against her lips, feeling her respond in kind. The room seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their own world. Eventually, May pulled away slightly, gasping for air. She smiled, her eyes locked onto Ash's.
"Name one thing I can do for you right now to make you happy," she whispered. Ash gazed at her, his heart swelling with affection.
"Keep smiling for me..." he said softly.
"Starting off simple, huh?" May chuckled, her smile brightening even more.
"I like your smile," Ash replied, his voice tender.
"Aw..." May said, touched by his words. She played with his hair, her fingers weaving through the dark strands. Ash laughed softly. "For the record, I like your smile too,"
"Glad the feeling is mutual," Ash replied. May leaned in for another kiss, her heart full and content in the warmth of their shared moment. After a moment, she leaned back slightly, her eyes searching Ash's face.
"Can I ask you something?" she said softly.
"Go ahead," Ash replied, his curiosity piqued.
"If we had been able to go on our normal honeymoon, what would we be doing?" May asked, her voice filled with gentle longing. Ash blushed, looking a bit embarrassed.
"I kinda..." he started, hesitating. May tilted her head, waiting patiently. "I only got so far into planning..." Ash admitted, his blush deepening. May giggled, her smile warm and reassuring. "In my defense, there was a lot going on," Ash continued, trying to explain.
"Well then," May said, leaning in closer, "tell me about your dream honeymoon." Ash took a deep breath, his eyes brightening.
"Somewhere tropical. Away from any fighting," he said, his voice filled with yearning.
"I like it so far," May replied, her smile growing.
"Somewhere we can kick back and relax," Ash added, feeling more confident. May leaned forward and pecked his lips.
"Interest rising..."
"Heh..." Ash chuckled. May rested her forehead against his, still smiling.
"Well, how about after we get home, we take the longest, funnest, and most intimate honeymoon ever?" she suggested.
"I'm game," Ash agreed, a smile spreading across his face.
"Yay!" May exclaimed softly, her joy evident. Ash smiled back, feeling the warmth of her happiness. "I love you so much you have no idea," May said, her voice filled with emotion.
"I don't, huh?" Ash teased gently.
"Not a clue," May replied, her voice playful as she kissed him again. Ash kissed back, pulling her close. May moaned softly, the sound sending shivers down Ash's spine. He held her tighter, both of them lost in the moment. When May slowly pulled away for air, Ash was left panting, his heart racing. "My husband," May whispered, her eyes sparkling.
"That's what I am," Ash replied, his voice filled with pride. May giggled.
"And does that make you happy too?" she asked, batting her eyelashes at him. Ash pretended to think for a moment.
"Hmm...yes."
"If you had waited much longer to answer, you would've broken my heart!" May teased, laughing.
"Had to raise suspense a bit," Ash said with a grin. May laughed and rested her head on his chest.
"I love you more than anything," she murmured.
"I love you too," Ash replied, his voice soft. May snuggled closer, her warmth seeping into him.
"And I can't wait to share that honeymoon with you," she whispered.
"Heh... I'll bet," Ash said, his smile broadening. May smiled back.
"Like you don't want to..." she teased.
"Well, duh," Ash replied, rolling his eyes playfully.
"Then enjoy the enthusiasm," May said, her eyes twinkling.
"I do," Ash assured her, smiling. May giggled again.
"I've got time enough to give you a cuddle or a snuggle before we meet up with everyone else. Which do you want?" she asked.
"What's the difference?" Ash asked, curious.
"That's the mystery, isn't it?" May smiled mysteriously.
"Heh..." Ash chuckled. May pecked his lips, and Ash pecked back.
"Of course, you could always choose 'surprise me'," May suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Heh. Go for it," Ash said, his curiosity piqued. May grinned and yanked him down onto the bed. "Ack!" Ash exclaimed, laughing. May snuggled into his side, wrapping her arms around his torso.
"Congratulations. You got the snuggle," she said, her voice filled with affection.
"Awesome," Ash replied, smiling. May gave his lips a tender kiss, which he returned. She moaned softly, and Ash moaned back, their connection deepening with each kiss. Slowly, May pulled away, laying her head against his collarbone. Ash smiled softly, shutting his eyes as he held her. May smiled back, humming softly as she snuggled closer.
"Love you..." she whispered.
"Love you too..." Ash replied, his voice filled with contentment. May's smile widened as she nestled into his embrace, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek. Together, they lay in peaceful silence, the promise of their future adventures warming their hearts.
Soon, May walked into the lobby, her steps light and cheerful. Ash followed beside her, matching her pace. They spotted Dawn waving them over to a table where Gary and Janine were already seated.
"How's the happy couple?" Gary asked with a smirk.
"Situated," Ash replied.
"Very," May added, her smile warm and content. Dawn giggled at their interaction.
"Well, pull up a chair and let's figure things out," Gary suggested. Ash pulled a chair over for May, who smiled at him appreciatively.
"Well, aren't you a gentleman?" she said as she sat down and Ash took the seat beside her.
"Unlike some present..." Janine muttered, glancing at Gary.
"I got you plenty of nice things while we were together." Gary rolled his eyes.
"Not the point," Janine retorted.
"Could be a point," Gary muttered.
"Can we focus?" Ash interjected, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
"I will." May nodded. "Starting off with this town, what all do we know from our brief look around?"
"Namely that it's got a heavy military presence, even though it's small." Janine leaned forward, her expression serious.
"Anything more about this 'refugee crisis' we heard mentioned?" May asked.
"They seem to be fleeing from something. Doesn't take much to work out what from." Dawn frowned. Gary rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Still though, if they are fleeing the same person we are, why would they come here? What makes this place a safe haven?" he wondered.
"I'm not sure it is," Janine said, shaking her head.
"How so?" May inquired.
"Seems more like a spot a lot of people either passed by or was just the first place they could go." Janine shrugged.
"Hmm..." May mused, deep in thought. Ash looked around the lobby, his expression somber.
"Everyone looks so afraid..."
"You think the troops are the Queen's or part of some small resistance force of some kind?" Gary asked. Janine shook her head again.
"I don't think it's resistance. If you ask me, they don't seem any happier about them than us. If anything, less so."
"Then what are they all doing here...?" Dawn furrowed her brow.
"There's gotta be a reason for this particular spot..." May said, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "I'm still sensing something is here..."
"The question is, what?" Ash asked, echoing her thoughts.
"If I could just follow the energy like I did before... but this one is almost like... being scrambled somehow," May said, frustration evident in her voice.
"Hm..." Ash pondered.
"Is there anything we can do to boost these 'hunches' of yours?" Gary leaned forward.
"I wish I knew... They just seem to get stronger and weaker at random," May admitted.
"Maybe something down below...? We found that skull underground yesterday," Dawn suggested.
"It's strange that there even is something you can sense, if you ask me," Ash said, puzzled.
"How so?" May asked, turning to him.
"The fact you can sense anything other than Kyurem doesn't make sense," Ash explained.
"This is Kyurem's homeland. I'm sure a lot of his power and energy is still here," May replied.
"Still..." Ash said, trailing off.
"Well, if I can find it, I'll try to give you more answers as to why," May promised. Ash nodded as she continued. "That should be my priority. It may give us some other answers too,"
"Right..." Ash agreed.
"But how do we find it?" Dawn asked, looking around the group.
"I guess we'll work that out tomorrow," Janine said with a sigh.
"Fair enough. No use straining the brain this late," Gary said, leaning back in his chair.
"I guess so..." Ash agreed.
"Let's get something to eat before calling it a night," May suggested.
"Here here to that," Ash said, his smile returning. May smiled at him before leaning in and pecking his lips.
"What can I get for you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with affection.
"I'd give almost anything to get a solid burger right about now," Ash replied, his stomach rumbling.
"I'll see what I can do," May said, heading towards the food area.
"Well, don't feel obligated," Ash called after her, standing up. May turned back and smiled.
"Hey, what did I promise to spend tonight doing?"
"But..." Ash hesitated. May silenced him with another kiss.
"Let me spoil you a little," she insisted, her smile tender.
"Well... okay," Ash conceded. May smiled and gave him one more peck before heading off to collect food. Ash watched her go, feeling a warm glow inside. He sat back down at the table.
"Seems like you're in for a good night," Gary smirked.
"Hush..." Ash muttered, feeling his cheeks heat up.
"I think it's sweet," Dawn said, her eyes twinkling. Ash blushed deeper. "Especially since your married life hasn't exactly gone how you thought so far," Dawn added.
"Heh..." Ash sighed, trying to hide his embarrassment. May soon returned, carrying a well-built burger.
"Here you go," she said, placing it in front of Ash.
"Where did you find that? That is not what was being served a little bit ago." Gary looked impressed.
"I can be very persuasive," May replied with a wink.
"I'm afraid to ask." Ash laughed. May kissed his cheek.
"You could just say thank you."
"Thank you." Ash smiled, feeling a swell of gratitude.
"You're very welcome, darling," May said, her smile radiant.
"What about you?" Ash asked, noticing she didn't have any food for herself.
"I'm about to head up for it. Be back in a minute," she said, walking off. Ash took a deep breath, feeling content.
"You okay, man?" Gary asked, sensing something on Ash's mind.
"Yeah, just... don't know what I did to deserve her..." Ash confessed.
"Aw." Dawn smiled warmly as Ash's blush returned. "You guys are so cute,"
"Dawn..." Ash groaned, embarrassed by the attention.
"What? It's true," Dawn insisted. Ash sighed, but then felt a shiver as May ran a finger up his back as she passed.
"She's right, you know," she said softly.
"Don't start working together now..." Ash groaned playfully. May sat next to him and kissed him. Ash kissed back, feeling a surge of happiness. She stroked his cheek, making him shudder. May giggled and pulled away, her eyes filled with love.
"I love you," May whispered.
"I love you too..." Ash replied, his voice thick with emotion. May smiled and began to dig into her food. Ash followed suit, enjoying his burger as everyone else dug into their meals as well.
"Not the worst I've ever had," May commented.
"Seriously...? This is pretty bad..." Dawn winced.
"You have worse when you travel often," Ash explained.
"And ninjas are not known for their cooking skills," May added, giving Janine a teasing look.
"Hey..." Janine protested.
"Weren't you the one that almost died when Aunt Aya made us a stew?" May reminded her.
"Well... maybe," Janine admitted.
"No maybe about it. You were on death's door," May said with a laugh.
"Yikes," Ash said, imagining the scenario.
"To say nothing of Father's poor attempts. It wasn't an accident that we liked palace food better," May continued. Ash laughed as May smiled softly, enjoying the moment.
"But you're good at finding the natural stuff," Glaceon chimed in.
"Yeah, but you can't find an ingredient fresh enough to offset bad cooking," May said, grinning.
"True," Glaceon agreed. May finished her food and stretched her arms.
"Ready to call it?" she asked Ash.
"If you are," he replied, nodding. May got up and took his hand.
"See you all in the morning," she said to the group.
"Guess that's that," Janine said.
"Goodnight, guys," Dawn called.
"Good luck, Ash," Gary said with a smirk.
"Gee. Thanks," Ash replied, rolling his eyes playfully. May smiled and led Ash off. She led Ash to their room, closing the door behind them with a soft click. Ash chuckled, feeling a sense of anticipation. May immediately reached for his hat again, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Mine," she declared, placing it on her head.
"Hey, paws off," Ash protested with a chuckle.
"Mine," May insisted, smiling and tipping the hat slightly to one side, adding a playful touch to her look.
"Noooo," Ash groaned, though his smile betrayed his amusement. "Mine." May stuck out her tongue, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Prove it."
"Notice how it matches what I'm wearing?" Ash gestured to his outfit.
"Trying to say it doesn't look good on me?" May challenged.
"Nooo..." Ash sighed.
"Good," May said, her smile growing wider.
"But that doesn't make it yours, you little thief," Ash retorted, a playful edge in his voice.
"And what are you going to do about it?" May asked, her tone sly and inviting.
"I'm gonna take it back," Ash declared.
"Give it your best shot," May teased, her eyes sparkling with challenge. Ash reached for the hat, but May deftly dodged his grab, a playful laugh escaping her lips. He tried again, only for her to sidestep him effortlessly.
"Grr..." Ash growled, though his smile remained. May batted her eyelashes at him, clearly enjoying the game. "Alright, miss cheeky. I'll play your game," Ash said, a determined look in his eyes.
"We do like playing games." May smiled, clearly intrigued. Ash moved quickly, grabbing her and kissing her deeply. May moaned happily, kissing him back with equal fervor. In the midst of their kiss, Ash managed to swipe his hat back, breaking the kiss with a triumphant grin. May giggled under his lips and when he pulled away, she looked up at him with a bright smile. "Hi."
"Hey," Ash replied, his voice soft and affectionate.
"Can I make you feel good now?" she asked, her voice filled with affectionate intent.
"I suppose," Ash replied, a hint of curiosity in his tone. May swiftly removed his cape with a playful flourish. "Ack!" Ash exclaimed, taken by surprise.
"Lay on your stomach for me?" May requested, her smile never fading.
"Okay..." Ash complied, lying down as instructed. May climbed on top of him, positioning herself comfortably. "Uh…" Ash began, but his words were cut off as May started rubbing his shoulders. "Oh..!" Ash gasped, feeling a wave of relaxation wash over him. May smiled, her fingers expertly massaging his muscles. "Oh...that nice…" he moaned as he shut his, eyes pleasantly surprised.
"Just what I was hoping for," she said, pleased with his reaction.
"Mm," he hummed, May continuing her massage. She worked her way over several knots, her fingers deftly untangling them with gentle pressure. "Ah..." Ash sighed, feeling the tension melt away.
"Good start?" May asked, her voice warm and soothing.
"Very..." Ash replied, his voice muffled by the pillow but filled with gratitude. May smiled, satisfied.
"Guess I haven't completely lost my skills then," she said, continuing her work. Ash yipped slightly as she worked out a particularly stubborn knot. "Deep breath," May instructed. Ash inhaled deeply, and May applied a little more pressure to untangle the knot. "There you go," she said, feeling it release under her fingers. Ash exhaled, a deep sigh of relief escaping his lips. May continued her massage, working her way down his back.
"Ah..." Ash murmured, the tension steadily leaving his body. May chuckled softly, pleased with the effect she was having. She worked her way down to his waist, her fingers pressing and kneading with expert precision. Ash shuddered under her touch, a mix of relaxation and surprise.
"Better?" May asked after working out the last of his knots.
"Loads..." Ash replied, his voice filled with contentment. May smiled, leaning down to give him a soft kiss on the back of his neck.
"Good," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. Ash smiled back, feeling deeply relaxed and grateful for her loving attention. May's soft smile illuminated the room as she leaned in to plant a tender kiss on Ash's cheek, her touch gentle yet filled with affection. Ash's expression softened, his love for her evident in his gaze.
"Mission accomplished," he declared, his voice filled with gratitude. May's smile widened, her heart overflowing with love for her husband.
"Don't speak too soon. We have all evening to enjoy," she remarked, her tone filled with playful anticipation.
"You know when I'll be happiest?" Ash asked, his gaze filled with love and adoration.
"When?" May inquired, her eyes shining with affection.
"When I get to do something for you," Ash confessed, his love for her evident in his tone. May's heart swelled with love for her husband, her eyes shimmering with tears of joy.
"You're sweet. But tonight is about you," she whispered, her voice filled with love and tenderness. Ash sighed softly, an action that instantly caught May's attention. "Talk to me, honey," May encouraged, her voice filled with love and concern.
"I just...don't like feeling like I'm leeching off you," Ash admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability. May's heart ached at his words, her love for him shining through in every gesture.
"Honey, that's the one thing you could never do. I just want to spend tonight making you happy, that's all," she reassured him, her voice filled with love and tenderness. As they shared a tender kiss, May's heart swelled with love for her husband, her soul intertwined with his in a bond that could never be broken. As they embraced, their love for each other shining bright, May knew that this night would be one they would cherish forever, a testament to the depth of their love and the strength of their bond. In the quiet intimacy of their shared space, May's soft voice broke the tranquil silence, her affectionate words reaching out to her beloved Aura Boy. "What else can I do for my dear Aura Boy tonight?" she inquired, her smile radiating warmth and love. A soft smile graced Ash's lips as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close in a tender embrace.
"We could bundle up real close," he suggested, his voice filled with affection.
"As you wish," May replied, her smile widening as she nestled her head in the curve of his neck, finding solace in his comforting presence. In the warmth of their embrace, Ash's heart swelled with love for his dear wife.
"I love you," he whispered, his voice soft and tender. May's heart fluttered at his words, her love for him overflowing.
"I love you more," she replied, her voice filled with adoration.
"I love you most," Ash declared, his tone playful yet sincere. A soft chuckle escaped May's lips as she pecked his lips lovingly, her heart brimming with happiness. Returning his affectionate gesture, Ash gently kissed her cheek, his love for her evident in every touch.
"Just like this...?" May murmured, her smile soft and content.
"Just like this," Ash confirmed, his smile mirroring hers as they basked in the tranquility of their shared moment. With a tender kiss to his jaw, May expressed her love for him, her heart overflowing with adoration. "Mm," Ash murmured in response, his heart swelling with love for his beloved wife. As they savored the peaceful serenity of their togetherness, May couldn't help but smile softly, her heart full of love for her Aura Boy. With a gentle sigh, Ash held her close, his love for her shining bright as they drifted off to sleep.
As the morning sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, Ash stirred from his slumber, a soft smile gracing his lips as he felt May sleeping peacefully against him. With a tender kiss to her forehead, Ash slowly opened his eyes, greeted by the sight of his beloved wife nestled against him, her breathing soft and steady.
"Good morning," May murmured, her voice filled with warmth as she slowly blinked awake.
"Good morning, sunshine," Ash replied with a soft smile, his affection for her evident in his gaze. A playful glint danced in May's eyes as she pecked his lips affectionately.
"That's a new one," she remarked, her smile widening.
"Can't let you hog all the pet names," Ash teased, returning her smile.
"By all means. I really like it," May admitted with a smile, her heart fluttering at his sweet gesture. With another tender kiss exchanged between them, May carefully untangled herself from the blankets, stretching out her body as she prepared to start the day.
"Alright. Let's get moving," Ash declared, his voice filled with determination as he rose from the bed, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Nodding in agreement, May took a moment to straighten herself up before heading out of the room, her heart filled with love and gratitude for the wonderful husband by her side. Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the streets, Ash and May exchanged concerned glances before May hurried to a nearby window to investigate. Outside, guards were forcefully herding residents and refugees along, their actions brimming with aggression and urgency.
"That doesn't look good…" Ash remarked, his voice filled with apprehension.
"No...no it doesn't. Let's regroup quickly," May suggested, her tone urgent as she headed towards the lobby. Their group, was already in the midst of the chaos, fending off guards and struggling against their attempts to arrest them.
"What in the world?" May exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"You're all under arrest!" an officer declared.
"For what?!" May demanded.
"Crimes against the Dragon Queen!"
"Like heck!" May growled defiantly, her determination evident as she swung her leg into the side of the nearest guard.
"Gah!" he grunted.
"Stop her!" the lead officer yelled. May jumps backwards into a back handspring and boosted herself into the ceiling rafters as several crossbows all fire waves of bolts at her, all missing their mark. Ash meanwhile struck at guards with his staff, trying to give her as much cover as he could. As more arrows were fired at her, May cartwheeled across the ceiling beams and dodged them with her skillful movements.
"Eek! Hands off!" Dawn shrieked, shoving away a guard as she tried to get away. Nearby Gary too was struggling to move as he was put in handcuffs.
"Let go!" he growled. Janine kicked a guard in the nose, breaking it and forcing him to stumble away from her.
"Ack! Manectric!" he growled. His partner leaped into the fray and surrounded Janine with Thunder Wave, paralyzing her entire body.
"Ah!" the ninja yelled as she was forced to collapse in a heap. Pikachu and Glaceon fought their hardest as well, but were quickly outnumbered and overpowered as well. Ash managed to blast another guard away with his staff, but he suddenly heard May's voice again amongst the chaos.
"Ack!" she yelped as one of the flaming arrows grazed her upper arm, putting a stop to her swift movements as she clutched the wound in pain.
"May!" Ash gasped in concern. As the situation escalated, Ash and May found themselves surrounded, their friends all taken into custody while they faced the threat of crossbow bolts aimed directly at them.
"Drop your weapons! Now!" the leader commanded them. May bit her lower lip, weighing her options, and ultimately realized that they couldn't fight their way out this time.
"Fine." She nodded to her group to go along with the demands, at least for now. Janine drops her shurikens, barely able to hang onto them after Thunder Wave. Ash pulled a dagger from his belt and dropped it along with his staff while Gary did the same with his sword. May followed their lead and jumped down from the ceiling, dropping her dagger into the pile.
"Now! Take the weapons and throw these thugs in the next caravan to the fortress!" the leader ordered.
"Yes sir!" the guards responded securing each member of the party quickly. Amidst the chaos of their arrest however, Ash's quick thinking proved to be their saving grace. With a flicker of his Aura, he enveloped their belongings in a transparent sphere, a mystical shield of protection against prying hands just as they were about to be gathered from the ground.
"I've just cast a spell on our things!" he declared, his voice ringing with authority amidst the confusion. "Anyone who touches our things other than us will summon the great worm Caterpielious, who will rise up from the great pits of the world to suck your blood dry!"
"Wh-what the..!?" a guard stammered.
"You pick them up!" another damanded.
"No! You do it!" another insisted, everyone seemingly afraid that Ash wasn't bluffing. May couldn't help but smile at Ash's ingenuity, a small glimmer of amusement amidst the tension that hung thick in the air. As the guards hesitated, uncertain of their next move, May subtly slipped one of her last surikens between her fingers.
"SOMEBODY JUST DO IT OR YOU'LL WISH THAT CATERPIE WAS SUCKING YOUR BLOOD!" the officer's voice boomed, his words a desperate attempt to assert control over the situation. A small nod passed between Ash and May, a silent agreement that spoke volumes. With a wink exchanged between them as they were loaded into the caravan, May seized her opportunity, stealthily cutting one of the guards just enough to draw blood as he inched towards their weapons.
"Careful. It's already started." she playfully warned. The guard then noticed the blood and with a stifled laugh, May watched as he let out a high-pitched shriek and bolted away in horror. Ash's smile spoke volumes as they were loaded up, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he glanced at May. She returned his smile, her affection for him evident in the soft curve of her lips. "Little troublemaker..." she teased, leaning into his side and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.
"I have no idea what you mean," Ash replied with feigned innocence, his expression playful as he returned her affection.
"I like it when you get all devious." she giggled.
"I did learn from the best," he smirked. Their banter was interrupted by Gary's voice, a reminder of the seriousness of their situation.
"Is now really the best time for you two to be flirting?" Despite the gravity of their circumstances, May couldn't resist a playful retort.
"There is never a bad time to flirt," she quipped, her tone light despite the tension that lingered in the air. "I've always found flirting while fighting to be a great way of multitasking."
"I always found it disruptive and distracting." Ash rolled his eyes with a smile.
"Still worked though didn't it?" May smiled back.
"For you…"
"You're wearing a ring too, you know. I don't think you made out too badly," she remarked, her words a gentle reminder of the love they shared.
"What do we do now...?" Dawn suddenly piped up, drawing everyone's attention back to the situation at hand.
"Not sure there's much we can do…" Gary sighed.
"My stunt should have at least bought us clear access to our stuff," Ash commented. "No way anyone will risk guarding it now."
"They're taking us to some kind of fortress? What if that Queen is there already?" Dawn gulped.
"I owe her a good knuckle sandwich…" Janine grumbed.
"And there's still a lot of answers we have to try and get...if she is there we need to at least try and get some of them," May added.
"What if she just tries to kill us again?" Dawn countered.
"Then we fight back." May stated simply.
"At least we'll have a fighting chance thanks to Ash…" Gary agreed.
"Let's just stay low until we have a read of the situation. If it does come to blows we don't want to give them any time to prepare." May instructed them all.
"Sounds like a plan." Janine agreed.
"No one was hurt too badly, right? Everyone's okay?" May inquired, her voice filled with genuine concern. Dawn and Gary assured her of their well-being, while Janine admitted to feeling a little worse for wear.
"What about you? You're the one that took an arrow to the arm." Dawn reminded her.
"Oh, I'm fine. Just a scratch." May brushed the concern off.
"Let me see." Ash insisted. Per his request, May shifts slightly to expose the gash on her arm to his gaze.
"Nothing I haven't dealt with before," she assured him. Ash frowned, clearly unconvinced by her words. "Honey, I'm fine, really," she reassured him, squeezing his hand in a silent gesture of gratitude. His kiss on her cheek was a silent acknowledgment of her strength, a wordless expression of his love and admiration for the woman by his side. As the caravan trundled forward, the group watched the scene unfolding outside, a grim reminder of the reality they faced. Over a hundred people, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty, were loaded into cages, their hopes of finding a safe haven shattered by the harsh reality of their circumstances.
"So much for a safe haven..." Janine remarked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"But why now?" Dawn voiced the question that lingered in all their minds. Janine's response was blunt, her words laced with sarcasm.
"Might have something to do with us making miss 'mile of hair' so happy..."
"Then they're going to love us if that's true…" Gary's observation was equally sobering.
"Some of us," May added with a wry smile, a hint of defiance in her tone. As she rested her head against Ash's shoulder, he couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness wash over him.
"How much time do you think it'll take for them to pick up on 'Caterpielious' being a ruse?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of voices around them. May glanced over at the soldiers, still bickering amongst themselves, and couldn't suppress a smile.
"A while yet." Ash's smile mirrored hers, a shared moment of amusement amidst the chaos that surrounded them.
"Good." Their moment of levity was interrupted by the commanding voice of an officer, drawing their attention to a curious object in the midst of the chaos.
"Do you idiots have any idea what this is?" the officer barked, his frustration evident in his tone. May raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued as she listened to the exchange, noticing the skull they had picked up in the secret cavern was at the center of the screaming match.
"A-A skull sir...?" one of the guards nervously guessed. The officer's glare intensified as he berated his troops.
"You're all imbeciles. Her majesty is looking for these! Get each piece of this totem to Captain Clair right away!" May's eyes widened in realization as she watched the soldiers scramble to obey the officer's orders.
"So it is a totem…" she murmured under her breath, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. "And the blue haired woman must be Clair…"
"B-but sir! What about the worm!?" one of the guards panicked, looking to be the one in charge of gathering their weapons.
"Damn your worms! Do your job!" the leader barked. Guard gulped and nearly inched towards the discarded items, his fear of the mythical worm evident in his trembling voice. Noticing this Janine seized the opportunity to add to the illusion and turned towards her own partner, who had been following the caravan hidden in the trees.
"Ariados, make some creepy noises," she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eyes. The eerie rustling of leaves, orchestrated by Ariados from a nearby tree, sent a shiver down the guard's spine, his resolve crumbling in the face of his fears.
"I think the worm is getting angry," Ash remarked, a playful smile playing on his lips as he watched the guard's reaction. May couldn't help but smile softly, a silent acknowledgment of their successful deception.
"Alright everyone let's move, move!" the officer's growl cut through the air, signaling the continuation of their journey, May felt a sense of unease settle over her once more. With a deep breath, she squeezed Ash's hand tightly, drawing strength from his presence as the carriage lurched forward, carrying them further into the heart of uncertainty. As the remnants of the totem crumbled into unrecognizable bits as the guards collected the pieces, May winced, feeling a surge of energy pulsate through her body.
"Ah..." she muttered, her voice strained.
"May-" Ash started, but as the totem's glow intensified, May's discomfort grew, her headache intensifying with each passing moment. With a sharp cry of pain, she collapsed onto the floor of the cage, her breathing labored. "May!" Ash exclaimed, his hands reaching out to steady her. Gripped by worry, Ash cradled her gently in his arms, his heart aching at the sight of her distress.
"It's fading..." May managed between gasps, her voice weak. Dawn's concern was palpable as she approached.
"That one seemed bad..."
"One of the most intense so far..." May nodded weakly, her breath still ragged.
"Oh, May..." Ash murmured, his voice laced with sympathy. Janine's voice cut through the tension, her tone determined.
"We've gotta figure this out already..." May leaned into Ash's comforting presence, seeking solace in his embrace.
"I'm all for it..." she admitted, her voice weary as she rested her head against his arm. Glaceon, sensing May's distress, nuzzled her cheek, emitting a soft purr of concern. "I know...I don't like it either..." May murmured, offering the Pokémon a reassuring pat. But even as she tried to find respite, May couldn't shake the lingering unease that gnawed at her.
"Try and get some rest May. From the looks of it, we won't be arriving anywhere for a while." Gary suggested.
"And we don't want you exhausted…" Dawn agreed.
"I can't be caught off guard if something goes wrong..." May protested weakly, her exhaustion evident in her voice.
"I've got your six…" Janine assured her.
"Alright...you guys win," she conceded, her voice barely above a whisper. With a weary smile, May settled against Ash's torso, seeking comfort in his presence as she closed her eyes. "Do you mind Ash…?"
"It's a bit late either way," Ash remarked with a chuckle, his affectionate gesture not lost on May. "I love you."
"I love you too…" she whispered back as she drifted away from the waking world. Ash kissed her forehead and held her close, watching over her as she slept.
A couple of hours drifted by, the dim light filtering through the bars of their cage gradually shifting as the day progressed. May stirred from her slumber, blinking sleepily as she glanced around their confined space. Underneath her previously sleeping form, Ash was resting against the wall, his breathing slow and steady as he slept. A small smile tugged at May's lips as she observed him, grateful for his steadfast presence.
"Hey, Ash," she murmured softly, reaching out to gently nudge him awake. Ash stirred at her touch, his eyes fluttering open as he met her gaze.
"Hmm...?" he mumbled, still half lost in the haze of sleep. May's smile widened as she squeezed his hand affectionately.
"Thank you for letting me use you as a pillow..." A faint chuckle escaped Ash's lips as he returned her gaze.
"You're welcome," he replied, his voice tinged with warmth. Returning the gesture, May leaned in to press a tender kiss to his lips, savoring the moment of closeness.
"In other news," she continued after their brief exchange of affection, "I think we're here..." Ash's expression shifted, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension flickering across his features.
"That's good... I think..?" he responded uncertainly.
"We'll find out soon..." May reassured him, her voice carrying a note of determination.
"Fair enough..." Ash conceded, his grip tightening slightly on her hand as if drawing strength from her touch.
"We'll handle it. We always do," May affirmed with conviction, her eyes meeting his with unwavering resolve.
"Sure do..." Ash agreed, his own smile mirroring hers as they shared a moment of quiet reassurance. Meanwhile, Pikachu, ever the faithful companion, climbed onto Ash's shoulder, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the somber atmosphere.
"Oh, now you hang with me," Ash remarked with a playful grin, earning a chuckle from May.
"Heh..." she responded, her smile softening as she savored the warmth of their bond amidst the uncertainty that lay ahead.
To be Continued...