The prison carriage came to a sudden halt, making May glance at the door. Beside her, Janine lifted her head while Dawn sat up, her voice laced with frustration.

"Now what...?" Dawn muttered.

"We're here," Janine replied, her tone flat.

"Be on guard," Gary warned, his voice tense with caution. May gave a small nod of acknowledgment. As the officer approached, a sneer in his voice.

"Alright boys, let's get these clowns outta here." he barked. May huffed but decided to let the comment slide. The guard opened the cage, and May grunted as she was dragged out, her movements rough and resistant. Ash followed closely, his eyes scanning their surroundings as they were herded inside. As they were led deeper into the compound, May glanced around. Dozens of prisoners were being forced into manual labor, their every move monitored by dragons and guards that loomed ominously above them. Dawn gulped, the sight intimidating.

"Breathe," Janine reminded her. Dawn took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"Nice place," Gary commented dryly.

"If you like depression," Ash retorted, a hint of bitterness in his voice. May scoffed under her breath. "Heh," Ash chuckled in response. May kept a close eye on the layout as they were taken into the main castle.

"You're more trouble than you're worth." One of the guards sneered at them.

"We're full of trouble," Ash said, his tone defiant.

"It's my specialty," May added, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Just shut it. You'll be put to work soon enough," the guard snapped back.

"Sure taking your sweet time," May muttered. The guard scoffed and stormed off, leaving them in the courtyard. Ash looked around, taking in their new environment.

"Why do you two insist on annoying people...?" Dawn asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and exasperation.

"Get people riled up, and they make mistakes," May replied, a smirk playing on her lips.

"I barely did anything," Ash protested.

"Just hope you know what you're doing," Gary said, his concern evident.

"Hey, Caterpielious worked, didn't it?" Ash countered.

"This time..." Dawn conceded, though her tone was wary. Ash sighed, a mixture of relief and anxiety. May, ever the strategist, surveyed their surroundings.

"Looks to me like we have some time to kill before any real authority gets here. Let's keep our heads down and see what we can find," she suggested.

"Got nothing better to do, I suppose. Everyone here had to have been arrested for some reason, right?" Janine mused.

"Depends on how much of a tyrant we're dealing with..." Dawn replied.

"Guess we're about to find out," Gary said, his tone grim. Janine stepped off, her movements purposeful. May moved to another area, her mind already working on their next move. Nearby, a young woman with shoulder length brown hair groaned loudly, her frustration echoing through the harsh labor camp.

"This suuuuuuucks..!" May glanced over and quickly ran to her, helping her with a particularly heavy rock she was struggling to move.

"I gotcha."

"Phew...thanks!" the woman said, relief washing over her face.

"No problem. Are you okay?" May asked, concern evident in her eyes.

"Do I look okay..?" she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Better than some around here," May observed, glancing around at the other prisoners.

"I guess I'll take it," Bianca conceded. "I'm Bianca..."

"I'm May. Been here very long? Or are you just not ticking anyone off?" May inquired, curious about her story.

"A few days..." Bianca sighed.

"Really? What did you do?" May asked, genuinely interested.

"Dare to breathe in the Dragon Queen's country," Bianca scoffed.

"That rough, huh?" May said sympathetically, helping her clean up the debris.

"You could probably count on one hand the people who actually did something. She's launched a country-wide assault on any that opposed her will. All towns that don't immediately submit are captured and sent off to labor for her," Bianca explained, bitterness lacing her words.

"Wow... That just happened to the town I was in this morning," May responded, shaking her head in disbelief.

"One by one, everywhere is falling under her iron rule," Bianca continued.

"I can't imagine what she'll do once she takes the last few places..." May said, her voice trailing off.

"If she does, nothing will stop her from taking over everything...not this time," the woman said ominously.

"This time?" May asked, giving her a puzzled look.

"Are you from around here?" the woman asked.

"I came here on a trade mission. My friends and I were taken in with the rest of the town just this morning." May lied.

"I see..." the woman replied.

"As I'm sure you've seen, they don't exactly make distinctions about who they bring in," May said, shaking her head slowly.

"Iris is a disgusting witch...she may look young, but in truth, she's been alive for centuries. Most people suspect she's immortal. She's half-dragon herself," the prisoner revealed, her voice filled with a mix of fear and disgust.

"You're kidding..." May's eyes widened in shock.

"If only I was... She's aimed to conquer everything for years. Lucky us for being alive when she was finally ready," Bianca said, her voice tinged with hopelessness.

"What could've possibly stopped someone like that for so long...?" May wondered aloud.

"Beats me... I just wanna go home," Bianca admitted, her voice cracking.

"Well...thank you for the info. And try to hang in there, okay?" May said, giving her a reassuring smile.

"As if there's much else I can do..." Bianca sighed. May nodded and carefully made her way back to the group. Ash glanced over at her and waved her over, a serious expression on his face.

"Anyone else have disturbing conversations?" May asked as she joined the group.

"A bit...but that's not my only concern," Ash replied, his voice low.

"What's the other?" May inquired, sensing the urgency in his tone.

"I sense a really powerful Aura deeper inside the compound... It feels...odd," Ash explained.

"Human Aura?" May asked, intrigued.

"Yeah..." Ash confirmed.

"Interesting..." May mused.

"I think we should go find them," Ash suggested.

"I agree. How far do we need to go?" May asked, ready to take action.

"Detention hall maybe," Ash guessed.

"Then we just need a little distraction," May said, her mind already working on a plan.

"Assuming that we won't just get taken there," Ash pointed out.

"There must be a reason they're separated from the other prisoners. I doubt we're considered 'important' enough to take there too," May reasoned.

"Alright..." Ash conceded.

"Besides, who's the best when it comes to busting out of prison?" May smiled. Ash gave her a deadpan expression.

"Thanks for the reminder."

"Don't worry." May leaned in and pecked his lips. "I won't make anyone go into my blouse this time."

"Oh, you had to bring that up..." Ash groaned. May giggled softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Ash sighed.

"With my arm banged up though, I'll need a hand. Can I count on my Aura Boy?"

"Sure, that's why you want it?" Ash chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Is there a problem with having two reasons?" May teased, smiling. Ash chuckled, shaking his head. "And I do believe our team can put up a distraction fairly easily. Especially the feuding exes," May said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Oh, you're evil," Ash said, shaking his head.

"Just mischievous," May corrected, kissing him again. Ash kissed her back, their connection momentarily making them forget their dire circumstances. May moaned lovingly, and Ash responded with a soft moan of his own. Slowly pulling away, May smiled at him. "Come on. Let's go stir some trouble."

"It's what you do best," Ash said with a grin.

"And you love it," May replied, her eyes dancing with excitement.

"Debatable," Ash teased. May pecked his lips once more.

"The ring says otherwise," she winked.

"Heh," Ash chuckled, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

Soon after briefing everyone on the plan, the group set things into motion.

"Ack!" Gary stumbled in "surprise" as Janine shoved him.

"Watch where you're going!" Janine snapped.

"You're the one not looking, babe. Use those pretty eyes since you got them." Gary scoffed. Without hesitation, Janine slapped him hard across the face. "Ack!" Gary held his cheek, glaring at her.

"You shut your mouth!"

"How about I shut yours?!" Gary retaliated, grabbing onto her.

"Eek! GET OFF!" Janine struggled against him.

"Not after that stunt!" Gary growled as he pinned her down. Janine shoved him back, but before things could escalate further, guards rushed over.

"Hey! Break it up!" one of the guards shouted, running over with a few others. While the guards were distracted, May slipped away from the courtyard with a smile. Ash followed close behind her. They crept carefully to a more secluded area of the castle grounds. Ash paused, sensing something.

"It feels stronger that way," he whispered. May nodded and followed his lead. They descended into the detention hall, moving with stealth and purpose. May kept a star between her fingers, ready for any surprise as they moved deeper into the hall. Ahead, a guard was mopping the floor with his back turned to them. Without hesitation, May crept up and knocked him out over the head. Ash winced slightly. "Ouch."

"Better than a shuriken to the head," May whispered, moving towards the back.

"Well, if we weren't in trouble before, we are now," Ash commented.

"Then let's get in and get out quick," May responded. Ash nodded. They hurried to the very back, where they were greeted by a locked door. "Behind here?" May asked. Ash nodded slightly. May took a pick from her hair and, with practiced ease, picked the lock in seconds. The door clicked open, revealing a dark, foreboding room beyond. A woman with tattered clothes and short black hair glanced up as May opened the door.

"Who..?" she wondered as May walked over cautiously, Ash staying behind to guard the door.

"My name is May...and yourself?"

"You really picked a lock not knowing who was behind it?" the prisoner asked incredulously.

"Kinda my thing." May shrugged.

"Get out of here before they kill you," the woman warned.

"Like they could. Please, I need to know who you are," May insisted.

"Why..?"

"My husband senses something about you...and now that we're here, I'm sensing it too..."

"...I don't know what you're talking about...either leave or tell me who you are and what you want," the woman demanded.

"Princess May of the Kingdom of Hoenn. And the Bonded Partner of Kyurem," May declared. The woman suddenly bolted upright in shock before getting zapped violently. May's eyes widened in surprise, and she took a step back to avoid a stray bolt. The woman hit the ground, hissing in pain, blue energy now visible connecting to cuffs on her ankles. May gasped. "What in the world...?"

"Ug…" the woman groaned in pain.

"W-What was that...?" May asked, bewildered.

"You okay in there?" Ash peeked in.

"Yeah, I'm fine...just surprised..." May replied, her eyes still on the prisoner woman, who rubbed her head in lingering pain. "What's going on...?" May asked.

"What was that you said..?" the woman asked, her voice weak.

"I'm Princess May of the Kingdom of Hoenn. And the Bonded Partner of Kyurem the Great Dragon," May repeated. The woman's eyes widened in shock. "Now will you please talk to me?" May pleaded.

"You're bonded to Kyurem..?" she asked, disbelief in her voice.

"Yes, I am," May confirmed. The woman looked at her intently for a moment before giving her a slow nod.

"...Yes...I can feel it."

"Then tell me who you are," May urged.

"My name is Zinnia..." she revealed.

"And I'm guessing there's a reason they have you isolated," May deduced.

"...Yes..." Zinnia admitted.

"Queen Iris is hurting my Dragon, and I need to know why and how to stop her. Can you help me?" May asked, her voice urgent.

"'Your' Dragon?" Zinnia scoffed.

"Yes, my Dragon," May affirmed.

"You have a lot to learn..." Zinnia muttered.

"Hence looking for help. Can you provide it or not?" May demanded.

"Don't be so certain we're on the same side..." Zinnia warned.

"I don't trust you. But even a lie is better than nothing," May countered.

"Crazy. Don't trust you either," Zinnia shot back.

"But I have to learn about her and this place if I want to help Kyurem. I can't stand seeing him in so much pain..." May said, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Fine. For now, at least, the enemy of my enemy is my friend," Zinnia agreed reluctantly. May nodded and examined the chains binding Zinnia.

"Ash honey, I need a bit of help." Ash winced as he slipped in, careful not to lock them in.

"What do you need?"

"These chains are made of energy. Is there any chance your power can neutralize them?" May asked.

"Hm..." Ash pondered, studying the chains.

"Take your time. I got the door," May said as she hurried over to keep watch.

"This is tricky..." Ash muttered.

"You really married her?" Zinnia glanced at him.

"Yep." Ash chuckled.

"I'd get out if I were you. She's all but certainly in great danger," Zinnia warned. Ash gave a loud snort. "I'm dead serious. If she's connected to Kyurem, she's going to become nothing but trouble for everyone around her," Zinnia insisted.

"Lady, if only you knew what she's put me through..." Ash chuckled again. "I couldn't get out if I wanted to."

"You have no idea...neither of you do..." Zinnia murmured.

"If you think I'm oblivious to what Kyurem's capable of, then you're in for a shocker of a history lesson," Ash replied, his tone steady.

"If that's true then I trust you're ready to permanently eliminate the problem when the time comes," Zinnia said pointedly. Ash ignored her, focusing on the bonds. "Your silence speaks volumes," Zinnia commented.

"Do you want out or to stay put?" Ash retorted.

"Just hurry up..." Zinnia rolled her eyes. Ash sighed, examining the energy bonds.

"This is tricky...I've never seen anything like this before."

"That's because it's something you've never seen before...made from a combination of Aura and the Dragon Force," Zinnia explained. Ash created a small Aura Sphere to quiet her. Zinnia rolled her eyes again.

"It's no good." Ash sighed. "Something like this just isn't meant to be opened by force..."

"What's wrong?" May looked over.

"We're not getting this open with anything but the actual key. It's not opening any other way. Not by force, and not with a lockpick," Ash explained.

"It'll probably be with Clair..." Zinnia suggested.

"Clair?" May raised an eyebrow.

"The backstabbing witch that got me in here. Runs the place? Can't miss her," Zinnia elaborated.

"Blue hair with an arrogant demeanor?" May asked.

"That's her," Zinnia confirmed.

"Well then, guess I get to handle two birds with one stone. I wanted to take her on again anyway," May said with determination.

"I'd get out of here if I were you," Zinnia cautioned.

"I'll be back in a bit." May nodded.

"We should scramble..." Ash looked at her.

"Divide and conquer? Not exactly my favorite tactic," May admitted. Ash kissed her cheek. "You sure it's necessary?"

"There's nothing more we can do here for now," Ash said, his voice firm.

"...Alright," May conceded.

"Let's go." Ash took her hand. May checked the hallway before running outside, Ash following close behind. May moved carefully through the halls, heading towards the main areas.

"We gotta find Clair..."

"We will," Ash reassured her.

"How? We can't have much time left," May worried.

"If this is her base of operations, we have all the time we need," Ash replied confidently.

"For her to do who knows what..." May muttered. Ash's stomach growled, catching their attention.

"Well, I'm starving personally." he chuckled sheepishly.

"Oh great, prison food..." May said, rolling her eyes.

"You have plenty of experience with that," Ash chuckled.

"Doesn't mean it was enjoyable," May retorted with a smile.

"Heh," Ash laughed.

"Maybe it's best to get something to eat from elsewhere," May suggested.

"Think you can pull that off?" Ash asked, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"A prison has yet to be built that can hold me, honey," May boasted.

"Heh... no argument here," Ash grinned. "As long as you stay safe out there."

"Deal," May agreed, kissing him lovingly. Ash kissed her back, wrapping his arm around her torso. May moaned softly, deepening the kiss eagerly. Ash kissed her happily, and May moaned louder before pulling away, panting and smiling longingly at him. "You are just irresistible..." May murmured.

"Well, you gotta," Ash replied with a smirk.

"Not for long, I hope..." May said.

"Hey, you waited this long to get married; you can wait a little while to see me," Ash teased.

"Doesn't mean I wanna wait," May insisted.

"You gotta," Ash repeated.

"One more then," May said, and Ash pecked her on the lips. She pecked him back.

"Will it do?" Ash asked.

"For a while anyway," May smiled. "I love you, my beloved husband."

"As much as you love calling me that?" Ash asked, amused.

"Even more," May said, smiling softly before slipping outside. Ash watched as she vaulted herself over the prison wall.

"There she goes..." Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, smiled.

"Still happy you married her?"

"Yeah." Ash nodded.

"Good," Pikachu said, nuzzling his cheek. Ash took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Let's go back so no one suspects her." With that said, he headed back inside with Pikachu, careful to blend in and avoid raising any alarms. The mission was far from over, but with May on the outside and their bond stronger than ever, they felt prepared for whatever came next.

To be Continued...