Dawn glanced over her shoulder as Ash returned to the group and she sighed with relief.
"There you are." Gary, looking slightly disheveled, approached quickly.
"What happened? Where's May?" he asked. Ash pointed toward the towering stone wall that loomed over them.
"Over the wall."
"She escaped...?! Without us?!" Dawn's voice rose in a mixture of shock and disappointment. Gary placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Dawn, calm down. I'm sure she's not abandoning us."
"Food?" Janine guessed, knowing her adopted sister very well.
"Food." Ash nodded.
"Oh..." Dawn's shoulders slumped, relieved slightly by the exchange. Gary, ever the strategist, brought the conversation back on track.
"More importantly, what did you two find out about this mystery prisoner?"
"She's somebody that definitely knows things. But she won't speak up unless we get her out," Ash explained, his tone serious.
"Can we trust her?" Gary's eyes narrowed, analyzing the potential risk.
"I don't think so..." Ash hesitated.
"That doesn't fill me with confidence..." Dawn groaned softly.
"Heh..." Ash chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. Gary, not easily distracted, pressed on.
"So what's the plan?"
"Find the cranky girl in charge and then snatch the key from her," Ash stated, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Oh boy..." Dawn muttered, bracing herself for the task ahead. Ash nodded, affirming their course of action.
"Well then, how can we help?" Gary asked, ready to contribute.
"Once May gets back and we get some food into our bodies, we'll come up with a plan and get us all out of here," Ash suggested.
"Understood." Gary nodded.
"Until then, lunch will do nicely."
"May went to get some...?" Dawn questioned. Ash nodded again. "Then we also need to run interference with the guards for a while so they don't notice..."
"No problem," Janine assured them. Gary's attention was drawn to a distant sound, sounding something like a lunch bell.
"Speaking of, guess that's the lunch bell," he commented.
"Convenient," Ash remarked, with a hint of irony.
"Hopefully it's not as bad as May's said..." Dawn said, heading inside.
"It was." Janine's voice was matter-of-fact.
"Great..." Dawn's enthusiasm waned further.
"Grin and bear until she gets back." Gary tried to keep spirits up.
"Maybe it's better here at least," Ash offered, though his tone suggested he didn't believe it.
"The smell is not encouraging..." Dawn noted as they walked into the mess hall. Janine and Gary scanned the massive room, packed with prisoners eating something unidentifiable from bowls and sitting along the ground.
"What an incredible smell we've discovered..." Ash quipped.
"Oh man..." Dawn sighed.
"Unwashed and uncooked items...great combo..." Gary said with a grimace.
"Bleh." Pikachu's disgust was palpable. Dawn picked up her serving and found the cleanest corner to sit in, trying her best to ignore the revolting odor. Gary followed her lead, while Janine bravely took a spot in a worse area. Holding back her gag reflex, Dawn attempted to eat. Ash, too, forced down the barely edible food.
"And yet somehow it's even worse than I imagined..." Gary groaned.
"Now you know what you subjected us to," Janine smirked.
"I hope May brings back a good palette cleanser..." Dawn muttered, taking another reluctant bite.
"You're telling me," Ash agreed, his expression mirroring her discomfort.
Later that evening, after everyone had been assigned their prisoner barracks, Ash leaned back against the cold, hard wall. His muscles ached from the day's labor, and he sighed heavily. Gary also rubbed the sore muscles in his neck.
"Well, that was brutal..."
"No kidding," Ash agreed, wincing as he adjusted his position.
"Any sign of your wife...?" Gary glanced around the dimly lit room.
"Not yet." Ash shook his head.
"Should we be concerned it's been hours?" Gary's voice held a hint of worry.
"I'm always concerned..." Ash's expression was grim. From above, a familiar voice suddenly cut through the gloom.
"Honey, don't be anxious." Both men looked up, spotting May sitting in the rafters. She smiled and gracefully hopped down, planting a gentle kiss on Ash's cheek. He sighed in relief. "Does that mean you missed me?" May teased, her smile playful.
"Perhaps." Ash's lips twitched. May stroked his cheek with her finger.
"Be hhoonneesstt..."
"Maaay..." Ash's voice held a mix of exasperation and affection.
"There's no shame in missing your wife, is there?" May's eyes sparkled mischievously. Ash blushed, and she leaned in to kiss him. He kissed back, their embrace deepening as she wrapped her arms around him. Ash held her close, savoring the warmth of her presence.
"Sorry, Gar," Ash said, pulling away reluctantly.
"Far be it for me to get in the way of the newlyweds. I'm just curious if her mission was successful." Gary chuckled.
"Very." May's eyes lit up.
"Awesome."Ash's eyes widened. May opened her pack and pulled out two small vials of an unusual liquid.
"I was able to put together something I consider to be some of my best work."
"Huh..?" Ash looked intrigued.
"And that is?" Gary inquired, curiosity piqued.
"A delicious combination of ripe berries and natural syrups I put together. It's so good, and it fills you up in just a few sips," May explained proudly.
"Huh... Well, it's gotta be better than what they gave us today," Ash said with a smile.
"Trust me." May smiled back and handed them each a vial.
"If you say so..." Gary accepted his vial as Ash took his vial as well.
"Thanks."
"My pleasure," May said warmly. Ash opened his vial and took a sip, while Gary did the same. Their eyes widened in surprise as they tasted the sweet, almost smoothie-like concoction.
"Man, that's good," Gary exclaimed.
"Wow..." Ash murmured, impressed as May beamed with pride.
"I can't cook, but I sure as heck can mix." She winked playfully.
"Heh..." Ash chuckled.
"Like it?" May asked, her eyes searching his.
"Absolutely," Ash replied with a genuine smile. Gary raised his vial in a toast.
"A salute to your woman, Ash." May giggled, leaning in to peck Ash's lips. He pecked back, the warmth of their love providing a brief but much-needed respite from their harsh reality. Suddenly however, the door to the barracks flew open with a bang, revealing an irate guard.
"What is going on in here?! I said lights out!" His eyes zeroed in on May. "And what is she doing in here?! You know the rule about prisoner fraternization!"
"Do you mind?" Ash barely held back his irritation, really having hit his limit of dealing with the guards that day. The guard strode forward and grabbed May by the arm.
"How dare you sneak out of your room, you little wench!" May yelped in pain as the guard's grip tightened on her injured arm. Ash's protective nature immediately kicked in upon hearing his wife in pain as she was ripped from his arms.
"Let go of my wife!" Ash shouted, then punched the guard over the head.
"Ack!" The guard stumbled back, releasing May.
"Quick!" Ash urged. May nodded and dashed out of the room, her heart pounding as she disappeared down the maze of hallways. Ash delivered a swift knee to the guard's groin. The guard groaned in pain, doubling over. Ash and Gary took the opportunity to run off while the guard was incapacitated.
"Guess we're doing things now," Gary said, following Ash down the hall.
"C'mon, let's go!" Ash yelled, determined to figure out which way May had run and catch up with her. Gary nodded and followed Ash down the dimly lit hall and as they ran, Dawn and Janine appeared from another corridor, having heard the commotion.
"What's going on?!" Janine demanded.
"Ash just attacked a guard. So the plan has been moved up to now," Gary explained hurriedly. Dawn's eyes widened in realization.
"We have to fight that crazy lady now?!"
"Yeah." Gary nodded. "Either that or wait until all the guards converge on us. May already went ahead."
"Blame her," Ash added with a smirk.
"Why?" Dawn's brow furrowed.
"Guess where we caught up with her?" Ash asked.
"Your cell?" Janine guessed.
"Our cell," Ash confirmed with a nod.
"And that made you attack a guard...?" Dawn asked incredulously.
"He instigated it," Ash replied.
"Never touch an Aura Guardian's wife, it turns out," Gary said with a knowing look. As they were talking, a loud crash echoed down the hall. Gary looked in its direction. "Sounds like we should be headed that way..."
"Princess subtle for sure..." Dawn sighed, running toward the commotion. Ash sprinted after her, ready to intervene. As they approached, they saw May skidding backwards from a blast of ice, shielding herself with her frostbitten forearms as she was surrounded by more guards.
"What the heck is she doing?!" Ash groaned.
"Guess her escape wasn't as smooth as we hoped…" Gary's eyes narrowed.
"We gotta help her!" Dawn cried. Ash lunged and kicked a guard aside. Gary moved in, taking on two others to give May some breathing room. Janine swept a guard's legs out from under him with a swift kick.
"About time you guys got here...!" May panted, struggling to stay upright. Clair stepped forward, a cold smile on her lips.
"Not quick enough." She unleashed an Ice Beam, encasing May in solid ice. May screamed, her voice cutting off abruptly as she was frozen solid.
"MAY!" Ash screamed in rage and swung a punch at Clair. Clair hurled an Ice Shard at him. Ash fell back, the shards stabbing into him.
"Ash!" Janine shouted. Gary grabbed Ash, steadying him just before he could hit the ground. Janine growled and leaped at Clair, but Clair nailed her in the gut, sending her sprawling in pain.
"Janine!" Dawn cried.
"Do you want a lesson too?" Clair glanced over at Dawn. Dawn bit her lower lip and took a step back, fear in her eyes. Clair smirked. "Good." Gary glared as he helped cover Ash's wound. Ash winced in pain, his breathing ragged. "A valiant effort," Clair said, her voice icy. "But ultimately futile."
"Just let her go...! She's gonna die in there!" Dawn pleaded.
"Oh, don't worry," Clair said, her tone mocking. "I won't let the girl freeze to death. She's got a lot of questions to answer."
"Let her out...!" Dawn demanded. Clair turned her cold gaze on Dawn.
"Enough." She froze Dawn's mouth shut.
"Mmph!" Dawn fell back from the force of the sudden blast.
"Dawn!" Gary shouted, his voice filled with concern.
"Take them to the detention cells," Clair instructed the guards, her tone final. The guards obeyed without hesitation and dragged May's team out the door, leaving the frozen Princess alone with her captor.
Once they were alone, Clair sat down at her desk, watching with cold amusement as May thawed very slowly. Dragonite, standing beside her, melted the ice with a weak Flamethrower.
"Don't be too generous," Clair instructed. "We don't want her mobile just yet." Dragonite nodded in understanding, adjusting the intensity of the flames. May gasped slightly as her face was finally freed. "Nice thing, air, isn't it?" Clair remarked, her tone mocking.
"Hmph…" May panted and glared at her captor.
"I'll give you credit. You're the first ones brave, or foolish enough, to attempt any kind of revolt in years." Clair shook her head. "Your name?"
"You first," May retorted defiantly.
"You're in no position to make demands, sweetie. Not unless you want to see your pet get turned into lunch for the dragons." Clair warned, alluding to Glaceon who had been taken away with the others.
"You won't lay a hand on her," May snapped.
"Cooperate and I won't have to."
"Like I'd let you," May spat.
"Stop, Dragonite," Clair ordered. Dragonite ceased his Flamethrower, leaving May half-frozen. She winced and rotated her neck, trying to get the blood flowing again. "Notice how you don't have any control beneath your neck?" Clair said with a smirk.
"Lucky shot..." May muttered. Clair's expression darkened as she froze May's mouth again.
"Listen here, short stuff. You're in my domain now. Whatever rules you're used to don't apply anymore. The only will that matters is Queen Iris, and by extension, those who enforce it."
"Mmph!" May's muffled protest was filled with anger.
"Got it?" Clair demanded. May huffed, her eyes burning with defiance. "Now then. Let's try again," Clair said, signaling to Dragonite. Dragonite gently melted the ice over May's mouth.
"My name is May," she said. "And like I told you before, I'm here with my husband to have some fun."
"As if. That's a fat load of Bouffalant dung and you know it," Clair retorted.
"Hardly. I'm always looking to have fun with my husband. And my name is, in fact, May." May rolled her eyes.
"The truth. Warts and all."
"Fine," May said with a sigh. "I'm Princess May of the Kingdom of Hoenn."
"Royal pain, at least. Now was that so hard?"
"As if you're one for truth-telling," May shot back.
"You don't get to play that card. Especially not until you answer the second part," Clair said coldly.
"I'm afraid that discussion is above your pay grade. Royal matters and all. I'll need to talk to the Queen," May replied with a steely glare.
"Nice try, rat. But unless you answer me right now, I'll have to put your 'husband' out of his misery."
"Touch him and you're as good as dead!" May hissed.
"Then give me the truth. Final chance," Clair demanded. May's eyes blazed with anger.
"I'm Princess May of the Kingdom of Hoenn. And the Bonded Partner of Kyurem the Great Dragon. And I'm here to stop anyone from further harming my Dragon."
"You're what?!" Clair's eyes widened.
"You heard me," May said, her voice unwavering. Clair pulled out a knife and held it to May's face. "What's the matter?" May taunted. "I thought you wanted the truth." Clair cut her cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. "Ack!"
"You better start talking, missy. How did you come into contact with Kyurem!? What do you mean 'your' dragon?"
"Communion with him is my birthright. As the eldest child, we're bonded together," May explained, her voice steady despite the pain.
"On whose authority?" Clair demanded.
"Mine. I accepted the bond. Which has been passed through my family for generations."
"Explain yourself!" Clair barked.
"I did. As first-born of King Norman, the bond with Kyurem was passed to me. My heart and his are united," May said, her eyes fierce.
"Hmph. Suddenly things are a lot more interesting..." Clair mused.
"I tend to have that effect," May said with a smirk. Clair lifted her chin.
"Congratulations. You're being officially promoted to prisoner of high treason."
"Cute," May replied sarcastically.
"Dragonite?" Clair said, turning to her Pokémon. Dragonite looked at her curiously. "Your services are no longer required for now," Clair instructed. She then froze May's head again, ensuring she couldn't speak. Dragonite nodded in understanding. Clair turned toward May. "Listen up, cutie pie, since that's about all you can do." She smirked at the helpless princess.
"Mm…" May winced, her lip trembling—the only part of her that could still move.
"I'm Clair of the Tao Elite. A society devoted to the many aspects of Kyurem. I, as you may have surmised, am Mistress of Ice. And I'm afraid, miss 'bound,' that you hardly know anything about the dragon. First and foremost, he's not yours. And never was." May tried to glare at her captor. "We'll be taking him back very soon," Clair declared.
"Ah…" May let out a weak growl.
"And you? Well, let's just say you'll be a most interesting test subject," Clair said, her voice dripping with malice. May tried to struggle, but the cold started to dull her senses. "Nighty night," Clair said with a smirk. May groaned as her eyes began to close.
"A...Ash..."
To be Continued...