Ash groaned as he slowly sat upright, every movement sending a sharp pain through his side. Dawn was immediately at his side, her hand gently supporting his back.

"Easy," she said softly, helping him settle into a more comfortable position. "You were stabbed pretty deeply." Ash winced, the memory of the fight still vivid. He could feel the rough bandages wrapped around his torso, a testament to Dawn's efforts. "I did the best I could with what I had... I'm sorry," she added, her voice tinged with regret.

"Thanks anyway," Ash replied, his voice hoarse but sincere. Gary, leaning casually against the cold stone wall of their cell, looked up.

"You didn't miss much. No one's been down here since they separated us from May." Ash gritted his teeth, frustration and worry warring within him.

"Darn it..."

"I hope she's okay," Dawn murmured, her concern mirrored in her eyes.

"She's a tough girl," Janine interjected confidently, though the worry lines on her face betrayed her own unease. Gary turned to Ash, his expression more serious.

"I don't suppose you can sense your wife?" Ash shook his head, wincing at the motion.

"My head's pounding... I can't think..."

"Try to relax," Dawn advised, her voice soothing. Ash sighed irritably, a mix of pain and helplessness bubbling to the surface.

"I just hope she's alright..." he growled.

"We can't just sit on our hands," Gary said firmly. "We should find out if there's anything we can do to try and get to her." Ash nodded, determination flickering in his eyes despite the pain.

"What can we do...?" Gary glanced around the cell, his mind already working on a plan.

"Every prison has a weak spot for starters," he commented.

"As May is good at proving." Janine nodded.

"Channel our inner May, huh?" Dawn smiled faintly. Ash chuckled softly, though it quickly turned into a grimace as pain shot through his side.

"Heh... Not a bad idea..."

"As long as we stop short of all wanting to make out with Ash," Gary smirked. Despite the pain, Ash laughed, then immediately clutched his side.

"Ow... Nobody be funny for a bit..."

"Says the biggest clown present." Janine rolled her eyes.

"Anyway." Dawn brought the conversation back to the urgent matter at hand.

"Our first priority should be finding Pikachu, Glaceon, and Ariados." Ash said, his voice firm.

"Yeah." Gary nodded. "They're probably in a magical creature dungeon somewhere down here."

"You're the dungeon expert," Ash said, looking at Gary. Gary began to walk around the cell, examining it closely.

"In some ways, it's similar to what we have back home. The bars are the same type of steel."

"Kay." Ash nodded, watching Gary with a mix of hope and skepticism. "Any weak spots?" Gary's eyes lit up as he continued his inspection.

"It's very heat sensitive. Starts to weaken at a much lower temperature than other steels," he explained. "I'm talking even just a simple torch temperature,"

"Sheesh... Cheap stuff." Janine snorted. Dawn's mind raced with the urgency of their situation.

"Can we make a torch somehow?" she wondered. Ash, eyes flickering with hope, considered the question.

"Maybe we can...if you have any of Ariados's Spider Web." he asked, looking specifically at Janine. "Do you keep a supply on you?"

"Sometimes...but they took our stuff," Janine replied, frustration evident in her tone. Dawn glanced down at her own dress skirt, a sudden idea forming.

"What about fabric?"

"Oh Dawn, no..." Janine's eyes widened in realization.

"It's just a dress. May and the mission are worth far more. As long as enough is left to stay 'modest'..." Dawn said resolutely.

"It'll work." Ash nodded. Dawn carefully found the hem of her skirt and began pulling the thread apart until she could pop the seams. "That's enough," Ash said, watching her progress. Dawn nodded and tore the fabric, leaving her skirt about partway up her thigh. Ash took the fabric from her. Gary unhooked his tunic, taking off his breast armor to focus a beam of sunlight from their tiny window onto the fabric. Ash held the fabric steadily as Gary concentrated the beam in one spot until it started to smoke. "Yes!"

"Almost there," Gary said, his eyes never leaving the fabric.

"Janine, is anyone coming?" Dawn asked, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Not that I can see," Janine replied, keeping a watchful eye near their door.

"Good." Gary kept the beam focused until a small flame finally sparked.

"Got it!" Ash said triumphantly.

"Perfect," Gary smiled. Ash quickly placed the burning fabric on the bars. Gary examined the steel closely. "Good. Just a few minutes and the steel should start to bend."

"Great." Ash nodded, relief and determination mingling in his expression.

"Then we just have to force them apart, right?" Dawn asked.

"Right," Gary confirmed.

"Great idea, guys." Ash smiled at the team. They all watched as the heat began to visibly strain the bars. Gary grabbed one bar and started pulling it to create a gap. Ash pulled in the opposite direction, and together they pried the bars apart.

"Yes!" Dawn exclaimed, her face lighting up.

"Alright, let's get going!" Janine grinned. Ash held up a hand.

"Not so fast. We need to think this through carefully. We don't want this to end up the same as last time."

"He's right." Dawn nodded. "Should we all look for Pikachu and Glaceon?"

"I'm not sure that's a four-person job." Gary shook his head.

"Someone should definitely focus on keeping suspicion low so they don't know where we are." Janine agreed.

"How?" Dawn asked.

"Recon," Janine replied.

"On the Ice Lady?" Dawn suggested.

"It could give us an idea where May is," Janine acknowledged. "That's one idea."

"She's not the only person we should worry about..." Ash added.

"Thinking about our prisoner friend?" Gary guessed.

"Yeah," Ash clarified.

"I can keep a bird's-eye view." Janine offered.

"And I can scout the dungeon for your partners," Gary said.

"That leaves May and our new 'friend...'" Ash mused.

"I imagine the Key and May are with that woman," Dawn said.

"Then the only solution is to scout out enough to find her and form a plan for when the others are back," Ash concluded.

"Let's do that together so we can watch our backs." Dawn nodded.

"Deal," Ash agreed.

"Everyone be careful." Gary gave a final piece of advice.

"Try not to miss me too much." Janine grinned.

"I'll try." Gary smiled back at her. Janine gave a small smile back and stepped out, moving stealthily through the shadows. Gary ran down another hall, his steps silent and purposeful. Janine climbed up high, seeking the best vantage point. Dawn followed Ash down another hall, their footsteps echoing softly in the stone corridor. The team was in motion, unified in their mission and determined to reunite with May and their companions.

Ash closed his eyes, trying to focus his energy. Dawn stood nearby, her eyes scanning the halls for any sign of guards. The dim light cast long shadows, making every creak and whisper seem more sinister.

"Hey..." Ash's voice broke the silence.

"What is it?" Dawn glanced over at him.

"Some of the guards have to know where our stuff is," Ash said, a determined look on his face. "Let's see where they go,"

"Alright." Dawn nodded.

"Hopefully the great worm's terror isn't so easily forgotten," Ash smirked, his confidence growing.

"Talk about channeling your inner May..." Dawn chuckled softly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ash blushed.

"The worm stunt you pulled is a lot like her games," Dawn explained with a soft smile.

"Maybe," Ash admitted, his blush deepening. They continued down the hall, moving cautiously. Voices echoed from around the corner, and they stopped to listen.

"I think it's safe now..." one guard said nervously.

"You don't know! I saw someone who tried to grab it suddenly start bleeding!" another guard replied, panic in his voice.

"You don't think that's how they got out yesterday, do you...?" the first guard asked, his voice shaking.

"That thing is here?!" the second guard exclaimed.

"I don't know!" the first guard replied, fear evident.

"Damn it..." the second guard muttered.

"Bingo..." Ash smirked softly. Dawn giggled silently beside him. "I think our stuff is behind that door,"

"Should we get it?" Dawn asked.

"I think I can lose them if I move quickly enough," Dawn insisted.

"I got a better idea," Ash said, a plan forming in his mind.

"Oh?" Dawn tilted her head in curiosity.

"We'll get help from the great worm," Ash explained.

"Your prank on them? How?" Dawn still looked confused.

"When I charge my Aura Sphere loud enough, scream that Caterpielious is coming," Ash instructed. Dawn nodded, understanding dawning on her face.

"Oh. Okay." Ash positioned himself behind a corner, beginning to charge his Aura Sphere. Dawn watched him, ready for the signal as the Aura Sphere began to crackle loudly with energy, drawing the attention of the guards.

"Did you hear something...?" one guard asked, his voice trembling.

"Uhh..." the other guard gulped. "Y-You don't think it's...?" Ash nodded at Dawn and threw the Aura Sphere. Dawn took a deep breath and screamed.

"THE CATERPIELIOUS IS COMING!" Both guards screamed in terror and fled down the hall, their fear palpable. Ash high-fived Dawn.

"Nice work!"

"Thanks!" Dawn giggled. They ran to the door the guards had been protecting. Ash forced it open, and they both sighed in relief at the sight inside. All of their weapons and supplies were there and in-tact.

"It's all here," Dawn said, her voice filled with relief.

"Great!" Ash grabbed his staff. Dawn quickly gathered her med kit and Janine's weapons. Ash grabbed May's bag and weapons, and Dawn picked up Gary's sword. "Let's go,"

"Right behind you," Dawn replied. They ran down the hall towards the meet-up point, their hearts pounding with the thrill of their small victory. They had their gear, but their mission was far from over. With renewed determination, they moved stealthily through the shadows, ready to reunite with their friends and face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"This should make things a lot easier." Ash grinned as he adjusted his grip on his staff.

"Let's see if we can track down the Princess." Dawn nodded in agreement. Ash shut his eyes, focusing all his energy on sensing the presence of his wife, May. The familiar warmth of her Aura was a beacon he desperately wanted to find. Dawn, ever vigilant, kept watch, her eyes scanning the corridors for any sign of danger.

Gary peered around a corner carefully, his eyes and ears alert for any sign of the guards. He spotted two of them engaged in conversation.

"Did you get a load of this recent batch?" one guard asked.

"Not from around here, that's for sure," the second guard replied.

"Strange clothes," the first guard commented.

"And the creatures? Strange-looking ones," the second guard added.

"Not completely at least," the first guard mused. "The yellow one at least is familiar looking. Ish,"

"Bingo..." Gary whispered to himself.

"Kinda reminds me of Emolga," the first guard continued.

"I guess so," the second guard said with a shrug. Gary scanned the area for ideas, his mind racing. Suddenly, the sound of other guards running in terror interrupted the conversation.

"What the?" the second guard exclaimed.

"HELP! REINFORCEMENTS!" a third guard screamed as he ran past, both of them still fleeing from Ash's imaginary monster.

"Those idiots..." the second guard muttered and headed in the direction of the commotion. The first guard followed suit.

"I'll take it," Gary said to himself, seizing the opportunity. He quickly made his way to the cell door. Inside, Pikachu stood in a specialized cage. "Pikachu?" Gary called softly. Pikachu's eyes lit up.

"Gary!" he smiled. Gary knelt down and examined the lock.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"We're fine!" Pikachu replied.

"Speak for yourself. You have room." Ariados, in the cage next to Pikachu, grumbled.

"Just sit tight. I'm not as good as May, but I'm a decent locksmith too," Gary reassured them. Pikachu nodded as Gary worked on the lock. It took a few tense minutes, but finally, the lock clicked open.

"Yes!" Pikachu exclaimed as he climbed out.

"Iron Tail work on these locks?" Gary asked, glancing at the other cages.

"I'll need time to stretch," Pikachu said, flexing his tail and arms.

"Just don't be too long. We have a time crunch," Gary warned. Pikachu nodded and walked over to Glaceon's cage. Glaceon gave him a small smile as Pikachu formed an Iron Tail and smashed the lock. Glaceon shielded her eyes from the fragments.

"You alright?" Pikachu asked. Glaceon nodded and carefully climbed out. "Great," Pikachu said, moving to Ariados's cage and repeating the process. Ariados scurried out, grateful to be free.

"Let's meet up with everyone else," Gary instructed.

"Roger!" Pikachu responded enthusiastically. Gary led them out, making their way swiftly and silently through the dungeon. Pikachu followed closely, with Glaceon and Ariados in tow. They moved with purpose, driven by the taste of freedom and the urgent need to reunite with their friends. "Freedom!" Pikachu whispered, a spark of joy in his eyes. Gary nodded and picked up the pace, leading them to the designated meet-up point. The rescue was a success, but their mission was far from over.

Ash's face lit up with a smile as he spotted Pikachu coming down the hall with the other partners at Gary's feet.

"Hey!"

"Ash!" Pikachu's eyes sparkled with joy as he leaped into Ash's arms.

"Thank goodness you're all okay." Dawn sighed in relief.

"Piece of cake," Gary added with a confident smirk. Ash caught Pikachu and then looked at Gary.

"Thought you might be wanting something, Gary." He motioned to the sword. Gary's smile widened.

"Hey, thanks." He accepted the sword, feeling its familiar weight. It was then that Janine dropped down gracefully from above.

"Ariados!" Ariados crawled over to her, a happy glint in his eyes. Janine hugged him tightly, and Ariados nuzzled her affectionately. Janine giggled with joy.

"Where's May?" Glaceon looked around curiously. Ash's expression turned serious.

"She's locked up with the ice girl..."

"Huh?!" Glaceon exclaimed, eyes wide.

"We managed to find her office earlier..." Dawn explained.

"And now that we have our stuff, we've got a fighting chance," Ash added. Pikachu gave a small nod of agreement.

"Do we have a plan?" Gary asked. Ash's brow furrowed as he considered their options.

"I'm torn between two..."

"Those being?" Gary prompted.

"Either we try to break out Miss Stranger, now that I have my staff, to increase our chances of freeing May, or we risk fighting the ice woman for both May and the key," Ash explained.

"If we attack her first, the entire place will probably turn into chaos..." Dawn weighed in.

"So, prisoner friend first?" Ash nodded in agreement.

"We should at least give it a shot," Gary said.

"I'm game." Dawn nodded.

"Same here," Janine added, with Ariados nodding beside her. Glaceon gave an affirmative nod.

"Then let's move," Ash commanded, taking the lead.

"Lead the way." Gary nodded. Ash walked towards Zinnia's cell, Pikachu moving onto his shoulder.

"Thanks for the assist," he said to Pikachu.

"You're welcome," Pikachu replied, his tiny voice filled with determination. Ash gave a small smile. With everyone now geared up they moved through the corridors.

To be Continued...