Two hundred years had passed since May's ring was lost. And in that time, a new Kingdom had been founded and flourished into one of the most powerful Kingdoms in the world. Known as the Kanto Kingdom, the people who lived there were ruled by the kindness of their Queen, Queen Delia Ketchum, and her two children. However, today the Kingdom felt far different than the cheerful place it used to be. And that negativity seemed to emanate from the Royal Court inside the castle itself. The courtroom was filled with the weight of judgement and despair. Ash Ketchum, once the Prince of this realm, stood before the judge, holding his beloved Pikachu tightly in his arms. Pikachu looked up at him with sad, knowing eyes.
"Prince Ketchum," the judge's voice echoed through the stone hall, "you are found guilty of the robbery of Duke Oak's home. You are henceforth banished from the kingdom of Kanto, under pain of death."
"But I didn't do anything…" he protested, his voice breaking as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Honey…" his mother's voice trembled from where she sat in her throne, her daughter seated next to her with a heartbroken look on her face.
"Mom, please—" Ash began, but the guards were already upon him, gripping his shoulders with rough hands.
"I'm sorry, dear…" Delia whispered, her face a mask of sorrow. She wanted to help her son, but as Queen she had to abide by the court's decision. Her daughter turned to her with a desperate look.
"Mom please…" the Princess begged.
"I'm sorry Luna…there's nothing I can do." she responded. As Ash was dragged away, he struggled against the guards, his eyes pleading with his mother.
"Mom…" Delia could not bear to watch and turned her head away. Pikachu clung tighter to Ash's chest, offering what comfort he could. Ash cast one last distraught glance at his mother, who stood with her head turned away from him, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
Outside the courtroom, Ash was dragged to the city limits. The guards closed the gates behind him and returned to their posts, leaving the young Prince with only the clothes on his back, and his partner in his arms. Pikachu looked up at him with a supportive smile.
"Thanks, buddy," Ash murmured, trying to muster some strength.
"Always." Pikachu nodded in agreement. Ash managed a small, sad smile.
"Guess it's just you and me for a while, huh?"
"Guess so." Another nod from Pikachu. Ash looked around, the reality of their situation sinking in.
"Now… which way do we go?" Pikachu climbed onto Ash's head, surveying the landscape. After a moment, he shimmied back down to Ash's shoulder. Ash took a deep breath and started walking in a random direction. "Guess I should just get moving so we don't get in trouble."
"I'm sorry, Ash…" Pikachu nuzzled Ash's hand, offering silent support.
"You know it wasn't me… right?" Ash asked, his voice filled with pain and uncertainty.
"Of course." Pikachu nodded firmly.
"This is all so stupid…" Ash lowered his head and shook it slowly.
"I'm sure there's a way to clear your name." Pikachu's eyes sparkled with determination.
"Maybe…" Ash gave a sad shrug, his pace steady but weary. "I wish they at least gave us provisions…"
"Maybe the next town isn't far…" Pikachu's ears perked up as he scanned the horizon.
"Here's hoping…" Ash replied, his voice carrying a faint glimmer of hope. And so, they continued on, two companions against the world, with the hope of clearing Ash's name and finding a new place to call home.
Several days had passed since Ash had been banished from the Kingdom of Kanto. He now found himself weakly trudging through an endless expanse of sand, completely exhausted and dehydrated. Pikachu whimpered softly, sharing in his master's suffering.
"I-I can't...I can't go...any...further..." Ash panted, his voice barely a whisper as he collapsed to the ground, coughing from the dust that filled the air.
"Ash!" Pikachu cried out, shaking him desperately. Ash lay suffocating on the ground, his breaths shallow and labored. Pikachu's eyes filled with tears. "No! Ash, please!" As Ash lay there, a finger subconsciously slipped over a ring on his hand. Inside the ring, May felt the ring shift positions.
"Huh...?" she murmured, her curiosity piqued. She looked outside through the gem and noticed the ring had slipped onto the finger of someone new.
"Water...I need water..." Ash muttered weakly.
"You gotta rub it..." May thought to herself, knowing she couldn't help unless he directly summoned her. Finally, one of Ash's fingers twitched enough against the ring to rub it, and in an instant, May appeared beside Ash. She quickly summoned a canteen of water and placed it to his lips, gently guiding the water into his throat. Ash didn't respond immediately, but eventually, he began to drink, downing most of the canteen. As he became more coherent, he sat up slowly, Pikachu clinging to him and crying as neither one of them seemed to notice the young woman who had appeared out of nowhere.
"Hey...you alright, buddy?" Ash asked, rubbing Pikachu's back. Pikachu nodded, tears still streaming down his face.
"Don't scare me like that!" he cried. Ash offered a reassuring smile.
"Sorry, I scared you..." He picked up the canteen. "Here...I think there might be a few drops left—" Pikachu immediately started to drink from the canteen, which mysteriously didn't seem to have lightened at all despite all that Ash had drank. Ash watched in amazement. "Wha..." Pikachu drank his fill and looked up at Ash with relief. Ash then noticed May for the first time and jumped slightly. "O-oh. Hello...Are...you the one that gave us water?"
"Yes, Master." May nodded. Ash gave her a confused look, but decided to ignore the strange response for now.
"Thank you for the help. You really saved our skin., he added. May hesitated, clearly not used to someone saying thank you, let alone showing her genuine appreciation.
"...Yes, Master."
"Why are you calling me that? What's your name?" May's eyes widened, having not spoken her own name in decades.
"It...It's May, Master." she finally responded.
"Well...thank you again for your help," Ash said sincerely.
"Yes, Master." May gave a small nod.
"Why do you keep calling me Master..? My name is Ash," he informed her. May pointed to the ring on his finger. Ash looked at it, bewildered. "What the? When did..? Oh! Is this yours?" He moved to take it off, but May spoke up before he could.
"He who wears it shall be your Master until death do you part. The cycle shall continue until 100 have been served to pay for your crimes..." she recited the curse. Ash blinked in astonishment and looked at Pikachu. Pikachu's eyes were wide with shock.
"Are you...magic or something?"
"Yes, Master," May replied.
"Whoa..." Ash breathed. May remained silent. Ash continued, "So...you're like a...genie?"
"Yes, Master."
"I guess I used up a wish...but I'm very grateful nevertheless. Thank you, May. If there's anything I can do for you—"
"The wishes are infinite," May interrupted.
"Infinite..?" Ash echoed.
"Until death do you part."
"Like...a marriage?" Ash blushed.
"The terminology is literal. The wearer of the ring is my Master until his death parts me from his service."
"O-oh...I see..."
"Each lifetime of completed service reduces my sentence. Once 100 sentences have been completed, my curse will end. Misplacement or loss of the ring negates the work done for that Master." May explained further.
"So you're held prisoner by this..?" Ash asked, looking at the ring.
"Yes, Master."
"Oh…" Ash frowned. "And you've been like this how long..?"
"...I stopped keeping track a millennium ago, Master..." May admitted.
"Gosh..." Ash's eyes widened. May kept her composure despite the gravity of her own feelings when admitting it. Ash shook his head, deeply saddened. "That's...terrible..."
"It is my burden to bear. You need only concern yourself with your decision in this matter, Master."
"Would it work if...I wished for your freedom?"
"The wishes can do nothing for me."
"Really..?" Ash frowned. "That's a shame...You saved my life...I wanted to return the favor..."
"The decision whether or not to accept my ring is yours. Taking off the ring and leaving it behind will sever my service to you, and I will await the next person to happen upon it." Ash considered her words, then nodded.
"Then...if it helps complete your sentence, May, then I accept." He offered a small smile and extended his hand, showing genuine kindness. May hesitated, almost reaching out to accept his hand, but then remembered her place and simply bowed.
"As you wish, Master." Ash frowned slightly, disappointed that she continued to keep her distance.
"You can call me Ash, if you prefer that anyway... Whatever you're more comfortable with."
"My preferences are irrelevant. My duty is to yours," May replied firmly.
"They're not irrelevant to me. I just want whatever makes you happy." he countered. May's eyes widened, her calm demeanor faltering as she became unsure how to respond. Even her kindest masters hadn't given her feelings much, if any, consideration while in her service. "...B-but if that's what you want, go ahead," Ash stammered. "I am a Prince, or...was... I-I don't mind."
"I-I..." May struggled to maintain her composure, her shield from her own emotions. "Master is sufficient."
"Okay," Ash nodded. "Well, this is my partner Pikachu." He gently petted Pikachu, who nuzzled his hand in return. May gave Pikachu a polite nod. "I was banished from my kingdom... We were just trying to reach the nearest settlement when I collapsed," Ash explained. May nodded in understanding. "Can you help us?"
"You need only speak your wish."
"I wish we were at the nearest town." May snapped her fingers, and the scenery around them changed in the blink of an eye. "Whoa..." Ash marveled.
"As you requested, Master," May said.
"Thank you, May." May gave a small nod. Ash smiled at her staring at her briefly before shaking the thought out of his head. May raised an eyebrow at his action as he quickly looked away, blushing and hoping she hadn't noticed. He walked into the city limits and she followed him as he looked around the town. "Hm... I think we should stop somewhere for supplies."
"As you wish, Master."
"What seems good to you, Pikachu?" Ash turned to Pikachu. Pikachu hopped onto Ash's head and sniffed the air, catching the scent of something fresh and delicious. "Oh? Smell something nice...?"
"Yeah!" He smiled and nodded.
"Lead the way!" Ash chuckled. Pikachu hopped off Ash's head and ran off, with Ash and May following closely behind. Soon they all stopped on a street packed with shops and markets, where Pikachu pointed to a stall full of berries.
"Those!" he declared.
"We'll have to see if we can buy these," Ash said, smiling. Pikachu beamed excitedly as Ash approached the merchant. "Hello? Is this a shop?"
"Yes. What can I do for you?" the merchant asked.
"I would like to buy some berries."
"How many and of what kind?"
"What do you want, buddy?" Ash turned to Pikachu. Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder and pointed out several different ones who's scent seemed to be the best. "Alright. We'd like those," Ash told the merchant.
"All together it'll be 7 silver pieces." The merchant bagged the berries. Ash reached into his pocket to try and get the coins, but his face fell.
"Oh shoot... All of my money was at home..." he muttered, trying to think fast as May sensed his distress.
"Master?"
"Y-yeah?"
"If you require something..." she hinted, trying to remind him of her powers.
"R-right... uh..." Ash whispered, "I wish I had a pouch full of silver coins." May snapped her fingers, and Ash felt one materialize in his pocket. He pulled out the pouch and handed the merchant seven coins. The merchant accepted the money and handed over the food. "Thank you, sir."
"You're welcome." Ash then turned to May with a bright smile, very aware that she had really been the one to "purchase" the fruit by giving him the money.
"And thank you, May..." May gave a polite nod as Ash asked, "Do you want anything?"
"M-Me, Master?" May stammered. Ash nodded. "...N-No, Master..."
"You sure?"
"Yes, Master..."
"Well...alright." Ash opened the bag for Pikachu. "Here you go, bud."
"Thanks!" Pikachu ate happily, and Ash smiled.
"I'm pretty hungry myself..." He looked around the town. Pikachu continued to eat, smiling contentedly. Ash began to walk around town, trying to navigate without relying solely on May. The young genie followed him quietly, very confused by his methods. She watched his actions in complete bewilderment, wondering if he actually comprehended the extent of her power. Her confusion deepened, but she continued to follow, silently pondering the nature of this new master who seemed so different from the others she had served over the centuries.
"He just doesn't understand yet…" she told herself, convinced that sooner or later, he'd turn out just like all the others.
"Is something wrong?" Ash asked, noticing May's gaze.
"My apologies, Master. I did not intend to stare," May replied, snapping back to reality.
"It's alright. Is something on your mind?"
"...Yes, Master."
"What is it?"
"...You are aware that you need only wish for what you want, correct?"
"I suppose I could, yes." Ash nodded as May watched him closely. "I don't wish to take advantage of you or be demanding. You're still a person, even if you are bound to me."
"...With all due respect, Master, that is inaccurate."
"What do you mean?" Ash looked puzzled.
"The curse changed my entire being. I never age, fall ill, become injured, eat, sleep, or anything else a human would do. No part of me qualifies as human anymore." she clarified.
"Well... that's not what makes someone a person."
"I am a slave to my Master. Nothing more."
"May…" Ash said softly. May remained silent. Ash took her hand gently, and she winced slightly out of habit and he quickly let go. "Sorry!"
"My apologies, Master... I did not intend to disrespect you."
"No May…" Ash shook his head. "Not at all... You didn't do anything wrong."
"A slave never recoils from her Master..." May recited a mantra out of habit.
"That's part of your condition? I don't want you to feel like little more than an object..."
"N-No... I-I..."
"You haven't had many kind masters, have you?" Ash asked, giving her a sad look.
"...That's irrelevant, Master."
"It's relevant to me..."
"...No, Master, it's not..." she insisted. Ash frowned at her answer, his heart aching for her. He could only imagine what she'd gone through all this time, and he wanted more than anything to help, but this wall of her's was tall and thick. And for now at least, he knew he couldn't scale it just yet.
"Sorry I pressed the matter..." he sighed.
"...My Master can do as he pleases..."
"You have my word, May, with me... you'll be treated like a friend..."
"...I'm just a slave... nothing more... I'm here to serve you..."
"Well…then in that case…" Ash took a deep breath. "I wish you happiness while we're together."
"I told you wishes don't work on me..."
"It doesn't need to be a magic wish," Ash said with a warm smile. "It's just something I sincerely wish for." May looked down quietly, determined to keep herself from believing that he would be any different from the others. After all, she'd served dozens of people over several centuries. She knew human nature better than anyone else. Even so, Ash's kind voice snapped her out of her thoughts once more. "I know you said you don't need to... but can you eat?"
"...Yes, Master..."
"Do you have a favorite food?"
"...I have not eaten anything in many a millennium, Master... it is highly unlikely..."
"No food?!" Ash's eyes widened. "Gosh..." May remained silent in response. On impulse, Ash took her hand again, which made May flinched a little. "We're going to a tavern."
"...As you wish, Master..." she nodded. With enthusiasm, Ash escorted her to the nearest tavern, determined to make her feel more than just a servant.
To be Continued...