Man in the Mirror

Chapter 23: Stay, Stay, Stay

Ash worked tirelessly through the week caring for May. Audio, Wigglytuff, and Chansey lent their healing capabilities to assist Ash, but the results of the treatment were mixed. While they were able to keep May alive after treating her with Heal Pulse, the Pokémon were not sure when the coordinator would wake up. May and Ash's Pokémon, and even the wild Pokémon, grieved the uncertainty of the situation. For a lot of the Pokémon residing in May's getaway home, she was their whole world. To see the brunette in such an unfortunate state broke their hearts. However, none suffered over the circumstances as much as Ash Ketchum.

The boy couldn't remember the last time he got a good night's rest without thinking about May. Blaziken, Pikachu, and the other Pokémon did anything they could to help Ash care for her since they refused to let him carry the burden on his own. Together they worked to make sure the coordinator had everything she needed to make a speedy recovery with the hope that she'd wake up any day now. Some days, Ash simply needed the Pokémon to lift May out of bed so he could change her bedsheets, or he sent the Pokémon to retrieve berries that he'd use to make juices for May, so her body had the necessary vitamins to recover while unconscious. Chansey, Audino, and Wigglytuff checked in once per day to observe May's recovery, but they could not do anything more for May after treating her physical injuries. In the absence of Nurse Joy, Ash made it his duty to look after her. Even when the other Pokémon volunteered to take over the shift so Ash could rest, he refused. The raven-haired trainer never left her side, not even to train. He swore he would be by May's side as long as she needed him, so the Pokémon saw no point in insisting because they knew Ash was a man of his word.

On the seventh morning of Ash caring for May, he sat beside her with the same hopeful expression he carried every previous day. He didn't think of what would happen if May didn't wake up. He didn't think about what he would say to her family if May didn't wake up. He didn't think about what he would say to the world if May didn't wake up. He didn't picture any outcome where May didn't wake up because he stubbornly clung to the hope that she would wake up. Blaziken, Pikachu, Glaceon, and Pyroar watched over May from the window of the bedroom so Ash would have some company.

At one point in the week, Pyroar blamed itself for not being strong enough to stop Tyranitar sooner. The lion believed that if he had been stronger, May would be with them right now.

Pyroar stood alone under the rain, watching the gray clouds above him. All the other Pokémon sought shelter from the heavy downpour, but the lion didn't care. He let the rain sting his mane as he absorbed the pain. It was adequate punishment for failing to be stronger when it was required.

The lion closed his eyes. A tear fell from his eye as he pictured the sapphire-eyed coordinator's smile. He immediately opened his eyes when someone called to him, "There you are." Pyroar turned around to find Ash behind him. The Royal Pokémon was surprised to find Ash outside since he hardly left May's side after Tyranitar's attack.

"Py," Pyroar sternly looked at Ash.

Ash beamed a gentle smile, "Pikachu and the others told me you refused to take cover from the rain. They're watching over May right now while I come to get you. Why don't you join the other Pokémon, Pyroar?"

Pyroar nodded sideways to indicate that it wasn't interested in being anywhere except under the storm clouds. Ash sighed as he walked over to Pyroar. He started to stroke the lion's mane. The auburn-eyed teen spoke, "I know what you're feeling, Pyroar. If I had been quicker, maybe I could've stopped May, but she still needs us. As long as we believe May will wake up, I believe we shouldn't surrender to our grief." The Fire-type lowered its head in disappointment. Nonetheless, it found solace in Ash's company. Ash and Pyroar lamented the situation together for a moment until Ash cut the silence. "It's ok to be sad, but don't let it consume you, Pyroar. Help me take care of May until she wakes up. I know she'll be more than proud when she hears what you did for her after Tyranitar attacked."