Ash and May: Mobbin hearts

Ash

Tonight we expand our territory. No mistakes.

Hilda

(Ash looks so focused... I wish he'd notice me like that.)

Gold

Marnie's late. If Ash catches us together, we're dead.

Marnie

Relax, Ethan. I brought something special for tonight.

Marnie

A love letter... from Hilda to Ash.

Hilda

(She found it?! Oh no, this can't be happening!)

Ash

"Dear Ash, every time you command Pikachu, my heart races..."

Hilda

I-I can explain! It's not what you think!

Marnie

(Perfect. Now to send this to the whole gang.)

Marnie

One tap and everyone's phones buzz with Hilda's little love confession.

Gold

Marnie, don't! Ash will kill us both if this gets out!

Marnie

Then you'll do exactly what I say, or I tell the gang about our midnight "training sessions."

Marnie

How would Ash feel knowing his trusted lieutenant's been sneaking around?

Gold

(She's got me trapped. If Ash finds out I've been with her... I'm finished.)

Ash

Ethan? Marnie? What's going on back there?

Marnie

Smile for the camera, Ethan. Now you're mine forever.

Gold

(She just kissed me and recorded it. I'm completely under her control now.)

Ash

Why are you two hiding back here? We need to talk about Hilda's letter.

Ash

You... love Marnie?

Ash

But she's been playing us all along!

Marnie

Oh Ethan, you sweet fool. Tell him what you really meant.

Gold

(She's got the video. One wrong word and Ash sees everything...)

Gold

I... I meant it. I love her, boss. Even after everything she's done.

Hilda

(He chose her... over the gang, over everything. And I was worried about a stupid letter.)

Ash

You'd protect her? After she exposed Hilda's feelings to everyone?

Marnie

This is perfect! The great Ash Ketchum, losing his first lieutenant to little old me!

Gold

No, Ash. I'm protecting you. Marnie's not just after us—she's been feeding info to Team Rocket.

Gold

The video she took? It's insurance. But I know where she's hiding the real evidence.

Marnie

(He knows about the drop point? But... but I was so careful!)

Ash

Then we settle this the gang way. Midnight tomorrow, old Pokémon stadium.

Ash

Bring your evidence, Marnie. If you're really with Team Rocket, your phone won't save you.

Hilda

I'll fight for you, Ash. Let me be the one to face Marnie tomorrow.

Ash

(Her fingers... they're shaking. But I can't let her see how much this messes with me.)

Hilda

I know I've been pathetic, hiding behind that letter. But I can beat her—

Hilda

I have to.

Ash

(Her touch—damn it, why does my heart race like I'm in battle?)

Hilda

(He flinched. Of course he did. I'm just the girl who wrote that stupid letter.)

Ash

You want to fight for me?

Ash

Then prove it. Tomorrow, when Marnie shows her true colors, be the one standing at my side.

Hilda

(He's... letting me? Not as some girl with a crush, but as his partner?)

Ash

But understand this—tomorrow, we're not fighting for feelings. We're fighting for the gang.

Ash

Can you put everything else aside and fight like a true member?

Hilda

(His hand is calloused from battles, but it's steady. I can do this—not for love, but for him.)

Hilda

Tomorrow, I'll show you what I'm really made of.