It's a new morning in Grand Jipang. Ash woke back up after his bout against the Imperial Dragons last night, relieving Robin and Pikachu of any grieving burdens. Pikachu woke and headed out of the flat. The pitter-patter of Pikachu woke Robin. She believed Pikachu was going to the Pinwheel and telling Onami that Ash had come out of his long sleep. 'There he goes…' she thought. 'He probably can't wait to tell everyone the good news.' She turned back to Ash, still bandaged from his struggle with Rosward, Charlos and Shalria. Robin couldn't help but feel ashamed by failing to protect Ash. She was Ash's mother, and she failed in her duty to protect him. 'I know Ash stayed in there to avenge his family, but I should've held him back or gone in to keep him safe. Maybe… Maybe I wasn't ready to be a mother.' Her tears got on Ash which woke him up. Seeing Robin cry, Ash fought through the pain and palmed Robin's face. This stopped her crying.

"What's… wrong?" he weakly asked. Robin held Ash's hand by her cheek.

"It's… I've been… feeling guilty for how you got hurt." Replying, Ash reached and clasped the back of Robin's head to reach and pull up, despite his injuries. "Don't push yourself. I know that you want to get back up-" Finally, Ash hugged his mother. He gave her a kiss to the cheek. Robin looked astonished to Ash's remaining strength. "Ash…"

"It's… okay, Mom."

"But, Ash…" She couldn't handle the sight of what Ash could do despite his condition.

"You're here for me… That's… all I want… right now." The comment made Robin hug Ash back, tears continuing to streak down and off her face onto Ash's futon.

"Oh, Ash… My sweet boy…" It was the beginning of the healing process.

Hope! Ash's Long Recovery!

Ash sat up at his flat after spending a long time in a hug by Robin. She began to make miso soup. Ash looked to Robin, her face still stained from her crying. "Are you… still worried?" he asked. Robin slightly nodded.

"I still feel bad about it,"she admitted. "After all, I'm supposed to protect you like your parents did when they died."

"How did… you know about… them? I couldn't… have told you…"

"Viola showed me with her powers. She showed me how your parents were powerful… so it make sense that she used it to tell me what happened."

"I see… I wasn't… trying to hide… my past."

"No, I know. I believe that as soon as you learned, you'd tell us. I'm actually rather shocked at the reason."

"Revenge… It wasn't.. my plan…"

"As much as I agree with you, I wouldn't call it revenge."

"You don't? Tell me…"

"It was to protect the children. Ending the lives of the Imperial Dragons wasn't your intent… but preserving the future of Grand Jipang should hold more value than what you did to the three." The thought made Ash smile.

"I can… live with that." That's when he was handed the miso soup.

"This should help gain your strength back."

"Thanks, Mom." That's when Robin showed more tears flowing down her face.

"You know… ever since you came to me, I've been so intrigued about you that I couldn't just turn you away, even if your parents were alive. I just… adopted you since you could use some motherly love. It turns out that my decision to adopt you… it might have been the best for both of us, especially after all we have gone through together." In pain, Ash couldn't lift the spoon from the soup.

"Yeah… I'm not gonna lie… I never did, but… having you as my mom… is probably… the happiest… I ever was since… coming to Grand Jipang. I wanted… to protect you… as much as… any child would…" Robin came over and hugged Ash.

"I love you, my son…" The two felt the embrace when there was a rumble. The two looked dumbfounded. "An earthquake?" It soon stopped.

"ASH!" shouted Ocarrot. She slid the door open to where she saw the two, but her eyes were on Ash. Seeing him awake, Ocarrot lunged and hugged Ash deeply. "Youteia are awake!" She reached and bombarded Ash with kisses to his face.

"Ocarrot, not so rough!" gasped Robin. Ocarrot finished with a kiss to the lips as Onami and Pikachu arrived.

"I'm so excited to see youteia awake!" cheered Ocarrot. Ash sighed with a smile.

"I'm glad to see you," he returned.

"Okay, I see where your priorities are," Onami joked. Ash turned to Onami as Pikachu returned to Robin.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Onami clasped Ash's collar, angry to him.

"Do you have any idea how worried sick I was over you?" she growled. "How we thought you had died when the castle collapse? How I reacted when we found your broken body buried in the rubble? How distraught I've been for the last 14 days waiting for you!?" She looked to Ash with fury. "YOU SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH, YOU IDIOT!" She rose a clenched fist, ready to bash Ash in while he looked scared. "I oughta… I oughta…" Suddenly, she opened her hand, tears flowing down her face as she hugged Ash's bandaged body as she fell onto his futon. Ash bowed his head.

"I never meant to do that," he apologized. After that, he explained the ordeal at the castle.

"I see…" realized Onami as she noticed the soup. "You haven't had a bite of it." Ash looked to the soup.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not strong enough to eat," he admitted. "I'm still in bad shape from the fighting, I can't really eat all that well."

"I can understand, but you'll never be able to heal and regain your strength without eating," Robin advised.

"I know, but still…" replied Ash weakly. Seeing the bowl, a thought came to Robin.

"I have an idea," she voiced as she took the bowl.

"What do youteia have in mind?" asked Ocarrot. Robin took the bowl before slurping some of the soup. That's when she gave Ash a kiss on the lips and forcing the soup into his mouth. The pieces of food were chewed up before she fed it to Ash. Onami, Ocarrot and Pikachu gasped to the force feed.

"Mom?" a stunned Ash gulped. "What was… that for?"

"How else was I to get you to eat, sweetie?" smiled Robin. "As your mother, it's my duty to take care of you… and in your condition, I intend to make sure you eat to properly recover." Ocarrot snickered to the realization.

"Yeah, but you don't need to do it like birds do," Onami mulled, but she had a second thought. "Although… I did say I wanted to be a big sister." Copying Robin, Onami sipped some of the soup before kissing Ash and feeding him. After swallowing, Ash had a shy smile with his cheeks red.

"Thanks… for that," he shuttered. "I'm… pretty lucky… to have this." Onami petted his head.

"Just relax and let us help," she allowed.

"It's what a sister and mother would do," Robin added. As they continued to feed, Vivi arrived at the flat. Seeing Ash, she dove for him in a hug.

"Ash, you're okay!" she cheered. "I was so worried about what happened to you!" Ash felt humbled at Vivi's embrace.

"Princess…" he mentioned.

"I never wanted to lose you so soon," Vivi cried. "After all, you are a part of Grand Jipang."

"He is," Ocarrot agreed. Onami giggled before standing up.

"I'm gonna get back to the Pinwheel," she announced. "Knowing Sanji, he's not going to stop worrying about where I've been until I show up."

"Same with me," Ocarrot sided. "Youteia take care." Ash nodded before the two waitresses left.

"I'm glad that you came out of your deep sleep," Vivi addressed. "And hearing from Robin, I realized the struggle you had to deal with. At least now, the Imperial Dragons no longer terrorize you, but all of us as well." Ash nodded as more soup was made.

"I told them…" he mulled. "It wasn't my intention…"

"True, but even my father would have punished them the same for breaking the treaty that was agreed to. The other news is that I received notice about the Tontatta Kingdom's representatives are finally on their way and will be here in a few days. Princess Mansherry heard about your injuries and wants to treat you."

"Oh, another princess?"

"Yes. Princess Mansherry has been incredibly fearful of you as the Summoner. Of course, hearing about your fight with the Dragons, the princess is now eager."

"I bet."

"Also, there may be a new place for you among my guards. I know Robin will not be able to guard my father or myself for too long, which could open up opportunities for you." The idea made Ash shake his head.

"I'd rather be an officer with Boss." The decision didn't deter Vivi.

"It will be open, and you can have as long as you want."

"Thank you, Princess," Robin added. After being handed a new bowl, Ash tried again. However, his arm could only reach chest height.

"Still not healed up, huh?" guessed Vivi.

"No…" admitted Ash. Vivi took the soup.

"Let me help you like you helped us," she offered as she slurped the soup. Like with Robin and Onami, Vivi locked her lips with Ash to feed him the soup.

("Why did I never get that kind of treatment?") whined Pikachu. After some more feeding, Vivi landed one more kiss to Ash's temple. An hour later, Robin was fixing Ash's bandages when Rebecca, Hiyori and Momonosuke arrived.

"Summoner!" cried Hiyori as she hugged Ash. "I'm so glad that you're okay!" Ash sighed to the claim.

"Everyone would be," Momonosuke smiled. "The Five Elders were killed and now, so have the family." Hiyori kissed Ash on the cheek.

"And any remaining Dragons are going to be ronin," Hiyori added. "I learned the Five Elders were the Dragons' masters. Without the Five Elders, nothing remains Imperial."

"Is that how it works?" wondered Robin. Ash shook his smiling head.

"All I know is that my family can rest in peace," he admitted. Rebecca palmed Ash's head.

"My aunt is well-informed," she mentioned. "She gave them a prayer after learning the truth." Ash bobbed a nod.

"We'll do so as well when we return to our post," Momonosuke promised.

"You don't have to, but thanks anyway," Ash allowed. Rebecca sat on Ash's covered lap.

"I can now tell you now that you're awake," she started. "Since you did rescue me, as well as Princesses Shirahoshi and Vivi, I want to love you and give you all of the support needed. I'll return to Dressrosa, but I wanted to tell you beforehand." Ash blushed wildly to the claim.

"Rebecca…" he hushed before Rebecca kissed his lips and tickled his tongue with hers. Pikachu giggled while Robin and Hiyori blushed.

"Young love…" sighed Momonosuke. After the confession, they left before Shirahoshi entered.

"Darling…" she cried as she floated to and onto Ash with a hug.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Better, seeing that you're awake."

"Yeah, I wasn't… trying to… scare anyone." They broke the hug.

"Are you going to be better soon?"

"I will… Princess Vivi told me… about the Tontatta's princess… coming here."

"Princess Mansherry who can heal wounds… I'm sure that she will do it for you, Ash." A nod from Ash was his response.

"How are the mermaids fairing, Princess?" asked Robin.

"Still traumatized, Robin," Shirahoshi answered. "They're still bothered by that large Imperial Dragon." Robin bowed, understanding their pain.

"Hopefully…" spoke up Ash. "The festival… which is being repaired… will lift their spirits."

"So do I," Shirahoshi agreed. "My father also wants to give you, his blessing." Robin, Ash and Pikachu gasped to the news.

"His blessing?" repeated Robin. "Are you implying that he's offering you to my son?"

"He… He is, and I'm to blame," a blushing Shirahoshi admitted. "When I told my father of my feelings for Ash and what he's done, he felt that he and I should be a couple." Ash, humbled beyond belief, gripped Shirahoshi's hand.

"I… don't know… what to say…" he gulped. "I did fall for you… I thought… it was too good… to be true…"

"I just know that I felt the same," Shirahoshi added. "Your answer doesn't have to be immediate from his wishes. He wants to allow you as much time as necessary." Ash nodded, acknowledging Neptune's offer. "Of course, the least I can do is this…" She and Ash had a long and passionate kiss as Robin and Pikachu awed the scene. That night, Ash and Pikachu slept on the futon with Robin watching over. Ash's smile was seen. He was in peace after everything they've gone through over the past 17 days: the day of the kidnapping, the day of the rescue, the 14 days of Ash's comatose and today with the visits. Still, she's worried with the bandages over him.

'I've heard that Princess Mansherry's able to heal all wounds,' she thought. 'Knowing that Ash will be okay… It's all that matters now.' She knelt over Ash, tears over her face. 'Nanako… Satoshi… you did well in protecting Ash in your dying breaths. Rest in peace as I will watch over him like you two before… until the day I can no longer see him.' She gave Ash and Pikachua lullaby to sing while caressing Ash's face. A couple of minutes later, she joined Ash and Pikachu in the futon before wrapping her arm around Ash. More arms came over like a new blanket. Near Ash's ear, her lips were nearby. "Sleep well, my child… Mother is here." She kissed Ash's forehead gently before falling asleep. Knowing that Ash would be okay soon has given Grand Jipang a new look on the festivities approaching.

TO BE CONTINUED...